Sales tax scrooge?

Dear Editor,

I read the story in the McCook Gazette concerning renewing the one and one-half-cent sales tax.

City manager Nate Schneider stated that if we don't approve the sales tax, he would probably have to raise property taxes to the maximum allowed by law.

Let's be honest, those who own homes and other real estate can afford a property tax hike. Its the working poor who supplement our property tax by paying the sales tax. They are the ones who do not benefit from this sales tax.

According to an article in one of the the national papers, "USA Today," Red Willow County is the lowest-paid in wages to its citizens of any other county in Nebraska.

I read recently in another news article in the Gazette concerning our McCook Chamber of Commerce.

Two weeks ago they informed State Sen. Hughes that he should support legislation being considered in Lincoln which would allow if passed, to have a sub minimum wage.

Our business owners state that they, then , could hire more people. I ask you, what private business do you know of that would hire more people then would be absolutely necessary to handle the operation of running a business?

The only organization's that I can think of is government, at all levels, who routinely hire more people then is necessary.

Let's again be honest, our local business owners want to keep more money in their own pockets. They will hire no extra employees at their businesses.

The Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and does not really care about the individuals who would be working for less then minimum wage.

In order for those of us who take advantage of the working poor to be able to look in the mirror and feel good about ourselves, we can always toss a can of beans to our local food pantry and feed the red kettles in front of our stores with a dollar bill at Christmas.

That reminds me, where did I lay my copy of the classic Charles Dickens story titled "Scrooge."

Sincerely,

Steven Lenhart

McCook Nebraska