NH: Lowest Taxed in Nation. So?
"Imagine the relief we will feel in knowing the additional taxes we are paying are mitigated by the knowledge that our pockets are being picked at a slower rate than in 49 other states."
Click here to read the whole editorial. Then come back here and finish reading this post to read the letter I submitted to the paper in response."New Hampshire residents are forced to drop 12.3 percent of their income into the well of state and local taxes. Then there is what they're paying in federal taxes — income taxes and a variety of other levies. The people of New Hampshire are paying too much in taxes. It is time to demand government get its hands out of our pockets and live within its means — like those of us it is supposed to represent."
Editor, The Citizen:
I read with great interest the June 5th Citizen Editorial entitled, “N.H. better off in taxes than 49 other states?” followed by the subtitle, “It's still too much. No matter the comparison, the people are getting soaked.” The piece, discussing the fact that NH has the lowest overall tax burden, ends off by stating, “The people of New Hampshire are paying too much in taxes. It is time to demand government get its hands out of our pockets and live within its means — like those of us it is supposed to represent.” Finally, the Citizen has printed an editorial position that I can really agree with! I have several questions for the unknown editorial writer(s): Why do you contradict yourselves and annually endorse the local “big spender” candidates for elected office and opine against most initiatives that may help citizens better control spending (i.e. tax cap –Matt Lahey) during election time? Has the editorial board of the Citizen had some sort of epiphany? Can I expect the paper to join me in a call for a complete re-examination of how government “services” are delivered at the local level, including the bureaucratic structure the paper typically favors in its reporting and editorials? How long should I hold my breath?
Doug Lambert
Gilford, NH
