School Taxes

School Taxes (9/28/2011) My first attempt at this week’s column rubbed some folks the wrong way so I made an effort to tone down the rhetoric. I was inspired to write about senior citizens and a feeling of entitlement over a recent property tax issue. My concern is one group working to exempt themselves from a tax at the expense of those who cannot vote: school children. With surprise, at the gym last week I saw a petition on the table for signing. The petition was to create a ballot initiative to exempt anyone aged 65 and older from the school portion of their property taxes. Sure, on the surface an argument to say, “I do not have school age children so I therefore should not pay school taxes,” appears valid. However, the fallacy in the argument is it can be applied throughout the entire tax code. Many taxes are “use” taxes: fishing license, state park fees, and even fuel taxes collected to pay for roads. Our society has agreed most other taxes are for the greater good. Researching my “refreshed” version of this column I found a Facebook page and many web sites for Seniors not paying taxes. Sadly, the consistency in the comments was one of entitlement, “I have paid enough in taxes,” or my favorite, “don’t we deserve a little break in our golden years.” I am appalled! I see supporting schools as investments in our future. Without an educated and skilled youth our country will continue to degenerate. The savings to her are minimal, but the impact of the entire group is substantial; millions of lost revenue per year. Personally I hate taxes and would seek to reduce any tax I pay, but I have long offered there are some necessary costs to live in a civilized society: defense, infrastructure, education, and minimal social safety nets. Our society is changing rapidly. There are far more takers of the social security system than ever anticipated and the system cannot persist. The number of retired citizens is higher and as property owners their school property taxes are an investment in our future, and their own future. Within the next twenty years most of today’s seniors will be covered in dirt, but their legacy will live as their grandchildren work to pay the debt they created.