Comments about ‘Letter: Orem tax hike a mistake, burden on homeowners’

Moral to the story: Pay more attention to what your local governments are doing.

While we're busy watching the feds waste money we don't notice how much more the local/state governments are taking from our wallets.

Attend your local city council mtgs. Get involved. At local govt. meetings the vocal minority who want more and more from govt. get "small tax increases" again and again and again.......til local taxes are ridiculously high.

"Pay more attention to what your local governments are doing."

Interesting. I was at a packed house meeting and I would say 90 % of all those who attended spoke out against UTOPIA.

Yet, the Orem government did what they wanted to do anyway.

So while I believe there's always room to become more involved and pay more attention to what's happening in your community, I think more importantly, especially in Utah, is to change the way you vote come election time. You have to instill the fear that government officials need to have. For accountability purposes alone, we cannot have one party dominate politics the way we have had the past few decades.

Moral of the story? We need more Democrats elected. We need to balance the power and break this monopoly that Republicans have. They feel like they can do anything they want and will still be reelected come election time.

Come on. If taxaphobia is so rampant that people overreact this preposterously to a tax hike adding up to 8 bucks a month, we're really in trouble. For that money you could . . . go to McDonald's. But not bring your kids.

The only solution to poor government performance is to eliminate the influence of private enterprise business on the election and representation.

Stop allowing business to sponsor candidates financially. Stop allowing business, religions, unions, charities and any other commercial group to lobby government other than through the public media.

Both republicans and democrats are made up of businessmen. Eliminate political parties.

Conservative communities love taxes.

Stand by for a loud chorus of yowls when the city tries to eliminate any services. But then there will be an equally loud round of shouting when they try to find a way to pay for them.

What fun!

Re: The Real Maverick Orem, UT
"We need more Democrats elected."

You might be right. Us country bumpkins here in Utah could learn a lot about finances from our more sophisticated liberal leaders running California. I don't think it is fair to hold it against them just because San Bernardino and Stockton have declared bankruptcy.

California, the state where Democrats have discovered that they can spend money they don't have without any consequences.

I'm happy to pay the small increase to keep Orem one of the best cities in the nation.

This is just a taste of things to come. This is more of how the tea party has influenced your life. Local government is getting less from the fed because it's all about "me". There is no community left. Keep giving tax breaks for the wealthy while your's goes up. I must say I do feel your pain but your rage is misdirected.

I suppose the author would prefer the traditional republican tax they refer to as a fee.

I don't have a problem with my taxes going up to support social programs and needs.

My problem is with my tax dollars going to fund UTOPIA (which is one of the reasons why taxes in Orem are increasing).

Our elected officials were completely bought off by a special interest group.

If I want UTOPIA-like services I'll wait for Google Fiber and purchase it.

Re: Jl Sandy, UT
"I suppose the author would prefer the traditional republican tax they refer to as a fee."

Surely you haven't forgotten the plan implemented by Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon to charge the good folks in unincorporated areas of SL County a FEE for police protection provided by UPD. It went over like a lead balloon, and yes, Mr. Corroon is a Democrat.

They should have ust cut out the police force. Everyone has a gun anyway.

Rifleman, We didn't become one of the highest taxed states in the union based on Democratic spending, unless you are mixing the r's for d's in government.

J1 I would hardly consider Utah one of the highest taxed states. I have lived in several states and found Utah to be fairly reasonable. The sales tax is the 8.5-9% that I have payed elsewhere, property taxes are lower, the state income tax is a downer but not unreasonable, and gas tax is fairly high, but again not as bad as a lot of places. So all in all, not too Shabby considering the smaller population in Utah to pay taxes vs. the amount of space available and also considering that Utah does not make a ton of of money on mineral severances, has no gambling revenue, and does not have the poor tax called the lotery.

jumpyman, all taxes and fees considered, Utah ranks 14th in the nation. Yes, there are taxes that are low but others are not, the legislature never met a fee thay couldn't handle, just don't call it a tax.