Let’s face it: we’re living in a time where tax elimination is being tossed around like a hot potato, and it’s about as appealing as a kick in the teeth. Ohio’s own Vivek Ramaswamy is on a crusade to wipe out the state income tax. Sure, that sounds great on paper—who wouldn’t want to pocket their hard-earned cash instead of handing it over to the state? But let’s pull back the curtain and take a good, hard look at the mess that would create.
The pain of property taxes
Every time those semiannual property tax bills land in your mailbox, it feels like a punch to the gut. You’ve worked your ass off to pay off your house, only to be reminded that the government wants their cut, and they don’t care how many times you’ve scrubbed your floors to earn that right. These bills keep climbing higher, and it’s not just because your property value is skyrocketing; it’s a system that’s been set up to favor the rich while the rest of us are left scrambling.
But what’s the alternative? Let’s imagine for a second that we actually do eliminate taxes. What would happen to our roads? You think potholes are bad now? Just wait until you have to dodge craters big enough to swallow your car whole. And what about public schools? Good luck trying to educate the next generation without funding. We’ll have a society full of people who can’t read, write, or even find their way home after dark.
What do we really want?
So, what do you really want for your community? Smooth roads, safe bridges, and a public school system that doesn’t resemble a war zone? Of course, you do. You want the cops to protect you, firefighters to save your sorry ass, and medics who can actually help when you’re choking on a hot dog at the local fair. We all want clean air and safe food. Is that really too much to ask?
Let’s also not forget about those who are less fortunate. We should be ensuring that every kid, every single person who can’t fend for themselves gets the food, shelter, and medical attention they need. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do. When society is stable, we all benefit. But apparently, that’s lost on the folks pushing for tax cuts. They’d rather put a few extra bucks in their own pockets than think about the greater good.
The investment in public spaces
When you stroll through one of those pristine local parks, you can’t help but feel a pang of gratitude for the money that went into keeping it beautiful. But here’s the kicker: none of that happens without taxes. You can’t just magically create clean, green spaces. It takes cash—your cash. So, when you hear folks ranting about eliminating taxes, ask yourself: what kind of world do they envision? A dystopia where the rich get richer while everyone else is left to fend for themselves? Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?
So, what’s the takeaway? Rich or poor, we should be talking about what we can contribute to make our communities better, not what we can dodge or eliminate. Because at the end of the day, we’re all in this together, whether we like it or not.