More taxes not answer

In the interest of a full disclosure, let me first state that I make my living selling assorted snacks and beverages through vending machines. The money that I earn from this venture goes first to pay taxes and what is then left, supports my family. Think about the order of that. Gov. David Paterson tells us that we have an obesity problem and the cure is to put a tax on sugary beverages.

As Americans we have an overconsumption problem with most things. The governor was not put on this earth to tell us how or what to eat; that was your mother's job and probably now falls to your doctor. We also have an overconsumption problem in Albany (and Washington) with money. We are told that a tax on sugary beverages would also cure this problem.

The cure to these problems is a two-letter word: no. We have to be responsible and when we have reached a reasonable amount of whatever we are consuming, say no. We must educate ourselves, our children and our legislators to say no. No, does not mean never, it means enough.

Our elected representatives will stand in their respective districts, whatever their office, and tell us that they will cut spending and give us a responsible budget. When they sit down with their cronies, they can't say no to one another so they pass the plate and pour on the earmarks and the pork.

So they return to tell us that the cure for all our problems is more/higher taxes, and what will they tax next? A tax of 1 cent per ounce means that a six-pack of drinks will go up in price by 72 cents (and that is in after-income tax dollars). More taxes of any form are not the answer. Our legislators learning to say no to each other and their assorted constituencies and their lobbyists is the answer.

If they can't say no, then we as voters at the next election must say no to all incumbents.

David Pfaff

Dexter