It's 'irrational' to use taxation in attempt to solve social problems

Editor:

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Barry Paschal's March 11 column that a tax on groceries might be a good thing deserves a comment.

The underlying principle that finding an easy way to solve the state's budget shortfalls does not give enough credit to the General Assembly or the governor. We elected them to make the tough decisions, not the easy ones, and reinstituting the old tax is certainly the easy way out.

But the other implication that a renewal of the food tax will only hurt illegal immigrants and criminals is an echo of the irrational arguments associated with the FairTax.

Trying to solve our social ills is an inappropriate use of tax policy. If the supporters of the FairTax are right, then "taxation" is the answer to all our problems, from illegal immigration to criminal behavior.

That would cement the principle of taxation as the cornerstone of our entire social structure, and I cannot accept that premise.

Paul Hickey

Evans