Griffin Speaks

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SALES TAX INCREASE PENALIZES THE POOR

We live in a great country, more people believe in God, attend religious services and make their faith the center of their lives than in any other civilized nation. And that is because our forefathers had enough vision to guarantee us the freedom of religion which allows people to choose their faith according to their consciences.

I was asked what I thought about the new sales tax increase in Montgomery County. In preparing my response I had to pray about it. I had to rely on my faith in God and the principles upon which this great nation was built. In my opinion the sales tax increase was a huge mistake even if it ends on it's scheduled date of May 1st, 2002. It is nothing less than an unfair tax on the Montgomery poor.

Our leaders should be ashamed of themselves for agreeing to pass such an increase. If you think its just a penny and that's nothing, then I suggest you try to purchase something and be a penny short. I place this tax increase right down in the gutter with the proposed lottery. The lottery was a horrible way to raise revenue. We all know that sales taxes are too high and property taxes are too low in Montgomery County. We continue to re-elect the politicians that raise the taxes. That my friends is insanity.

When your elected officials disappoint you its your responsibility to sound off and let them know how you feel. You are the boss. I have worked in state government for fourteen years and believe me white people hold their elected officials accountable. We have a watch dog (Terance Dawson) at city hall. We need another watch dog at the county commission. Why did they increase the sales tax? Is it to help the schools or pad their expense accounts? I truly believe our Commissioners were attempting to do the right thing. They are new and will learn that we will hold them accountable on election day.

The nature of politics in Montgomery County has hindered the progress of the Montgomery Public School system. On one hand we have many white parents struggling to pay private school tuition and could care less about what they perceive to be a black public school system. On the other hand we have many upper class black parents sending their kids to private schools believing Public school funding is a problem for low income blacks. The truth is Public school funding should be everyone's concern.

Montgomery county's tax structure is faulty. It simply places an undue burden on the poor man through an over-reliance on high sale taxes.

I am looking forward to the next issue of the Montgomery-Tuskegee times where I will discuss: " Does the public have a legitimate and proper concern in a judge's private life?"

Greg Griffin can be reached at www.greggriffin.com