The editorial in the Jan. 30 Whidbey News-Times was a great listing of the many tax-supported activities we have all come to expect and depend on from our government. It is a good reminder, and most of us would not want very many of these benefits reduced. The writer does, finally, make some reference to “cutting government waste,” although reducing waste is not the purpose of the editorial

While “we the people” do enjoy the benefits of taxation, we are also the tax payers! All of these goodies listed in the editorial are supported by our tax money. The government does not “earn” money; it only “collects” our money in order to pay for all of these tax-supported benefits we receive. This is not government generosity; it is redistribution. Oh yes, the federal government can print money, but that only serves to dilute the value of the money then in circulation.

What is actually happening is that the governments at all levels decide how much of our money they want to spend, they take it from us (assuming everyone actually pays his just taxes) and decide how they want to redistribute it. Some good, some bad.

I do not object to necessary taxation for necessary services. However, I do object to the waste, fraud and “payola” (i.e. earmarks) so common in the legislative decisions at all levels of government, most egregious lately at the national.

Reasonable taxation for legitimate projects, justifiable under the Constitution, is fine and necessary. We the people — the tax payers — must control our government at all levels or they will most assuredly control us.

Anita W. Johnston

Oak Harbor