Shop locally

Have you ever considered that some people don't like paying the additional 1.5% McCook sales tax? Maybe, just maybe, the folks that spend their hard earned dollars would like the local government to focus on cutting spending instead of raising tax revenues. While the reserves are overflowing in the city budgets, the little guy is looking for ways to boost their own reserves and paying less in sales tax might just be one way to do it. While most individuals and businesses are looking to eliminate or reduce debt, the government at ALL levels is ignoring their debt.

The citizens voted to enact the local sales tax. It was not forced on the people by the local government. I also can not think of one comunity as large or larger than McCook that does not have the sales tax. As to the city having a reserve, I guess it is how you look at it that matters. To some it would be that the city has done a good job of budgeting and not over spending and going into debt while not raising a property tax levy that is one of the lowest on the state for a first class city. Also please feel free to attend a council meeting and suggest what you want cut from the city budget; the senior center, the library, the parks, the streets...

I feel that most people are not spending that extra $50 each week, and if they were there is know where to spend it in town that provides all the stipulations this collum recomends. So as to a down ecconomy their are less people spending, making employers cut more jobs and thus recylcling the circle of money not being put into the economy.

As a consumer I shop to find the best value for my dollar.

I'm happy to spend a couple of extra bucks to know that my money is supporting my community. And sometimes, I'm not even spending extra money at all. Since I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart six years ago, I have actually decreased the amount of money I'm spending on misc. purchases.

I agree...I never had a problem paying the sales tax when I lived in McCook. I know McCook doesn't have EVERYTHING, but you can find the majority of what you need there. People always complain about McCook not having this, not having that, etc...but no one wants to pay to improve it.

There are P.I.F. Taxes in areas out in Denver. Project Improvement Fee. If you shop in an area that is being redeveloped, improved, etc, they charge an extra 1% tax on top of the normal taxes, that 1% is given directly to improving the area around the county it's enforced in. Some folks hate it, despise and gripe and moan about it...while others simply say, I don't mind, because I know this is redeveloping the area I grew up, so others can enjoy the area like I did. It's nice to know some people still enjoy trying to keep things up and HELP with expenses, as opposed to wanting 'the government' to fix it and 'not tax me so **** much'. We have a horrible generation on our hands right now, all greedy, all lazy, none are thinkers or dreamers...it's a **** shame.

Which generation is that Merlin? Yours or the ones younger than you? Seems this is the lament of every generation, those **** kids. There are great prople in every generation and it's so easy to paint with a broad brush.

I have no problem payinmg consumpition, sales taxes, as long as the revenue generated is used for it's stated purpose. Lets use the gas taxes as an example. We are taxed a large amount per gallon, I can't remember the exact rate, yet they try to tell us they can't maintain roads, why is that? Could it be the large percent of ever dollar that is collected is run through a huge burocracy and wasted just to be sent back to a lucky state that cow tows to the feds will?

Chaco,

Painting with a broad brush...good one. I'm talking the old generation, I'm talking the young, I'm talking the middle. You can nitpick any and every generation. You're right, every generation has great people, bad people, smart people, dumb people, again, thanks for pointing out such an obvious fact.

You need to work on your literacy. It's hard to comprehend what you're saying. I'm painting you with a fine brush.

What is it you mean by 'paying consumpition'? Talking locally, I'm almost positive the sales tax paid for the reconstruction on B street, J street...and so on.

Find the exact tax rate, find where it goes, I'd like to see what you find with said research. Unfortunately we have a greed filled generation of bosses and owners right now(have and will continue too). People make profit off of poverty wherever you go, people will make profit off anything people think they can't live without. If you've got such a huge problem, ride a bike, walk, ride an electric scooter, buy an electric car, don't pay for fuel if you don't feel it's used right. Do something about it, instead of complain, fuel, and fill the pockets of greed mongers. You can make the change, don't think you can't. Changes you want, start with you, inspire, encourage...don't just complain and do nothing.

I am not good with the typing and should have checked my spelling better before submitting.

A sales tax is called a consumption tax. When you consume a product as in Gas you are taxed for the amount you use.

The gas tax example I use is such that we pay a tax that is suposed to go for a stated purpose as in roads. Yet we are told there is not enough cash to fix and maintain roads. These taxes are taken and either wasted in huge burocracies or spent on other items in a general fund and not kept for a stated purpose.

Social Security is another example. A huge Ponzi scheme that Bernie Madhoff is going to prison for yet is perfectly legal for our representatives to do. It is going to go broke because the money was taken worthless iou's were put in place and used for other pet projects.

I am very involved in politics and vote in each and every election. But it seems that when taxes are placed on the ballot all they have to do is screech that it's "FOR THE CHILDREN" and every idiot will vote for it.

You can't use the 1.5% sales tax as an excuse not to shop locally. Do you think the other cities you shop in don't have the same tax? So you would rather pay for fuel to drive to another town and then pay their sales tax so that they can invest it in their community? Doesn't make any sense!!! Shop locally so that you are investing in the future of your OWN community!