Letters to the editor

The News Virginian / News Virginian
Published: May 9, 2007

The cost of government

Every day, I hear people complaining about high taxes in Virginia. I don't blame them for I, too, complain about high taxes. They are a requirement of doing business for all governments whether it's city, county, state, or federal, but the public is the only "money tree" from which the governments have to draw.

We must have government in our lives to have structure and a sense of organization. But we have come to expect government to do everything for us throughout our lives. Governments should provide those services that we cannot provide for ourselves: police and fire protection, sewer and water systems, flood and drainage systems, etc. We pay a great deal to the city to make sure these needs are addressed. I do not feel that our tax monies should be dealt out to private enterprises (the Wayne Theatre Alliance as the best example). Those monies should be used for the purposes mentioned above. 

A good educational system is also a must for any community and, in most cases, is the largest part of our local tax bill.  I don't have all the answers, but children must be educated to survive in our society. The high cost of all these other services is becoming a burden on the elderly and the disabled living on limited incomes. Remember, these residents helped make our community of Waynesboro what it is today. Please think of these folks when it comes to taking care of your own. 

Joe Cavanaugh
Waynesboro