This was submitted July 8th, to the Union Leader.
July 8, 2008
To the Editor:
I had a recent conversation with a colleague about the potential of an income and/or sales tax in New Hampshire. This person was initially in favor of an income tax over our current property tax system. There was no other reason than that property taxes were “too high”.
I compared the state income tax taken in a North Carolina to the property tax I currently pay. The amounts are nearly equal. However, when you add in the state sales tax and local property taxes in North Carolina, you find the cost of living in New Hampshire to be significantly lower.
What is immediately visible is the fact that it is easier for a government to extract money from an individual paycheck by paycheck with income taxes and and transaction by transaction with sales taxes. Each amount looks like peanuts compared to two larger tax bills per year via the property tax. However, 2+2+2+2+2=10 just as 5+5=10.
I ask my fellow New Hampshire taxpayers to consider this before falling into the trap door of alternative tax systems. Furthermore, please take a look at spending before ever considering the prospect of new taxes. I am quite confident you will find that within spending lies the ultimate problem in government today.
Sincerely,
Cameron “Cam” DeJong
109 Westchester Way
Manchester, NH 03104
