Dear editor, Tax cuts are cheap publicity, they are easy to explain to voters and they are completely short sighted. What you should look for instead is sound fiscal management. Let’s look at the big picture.
Municipal deficits are worse than low taxes. Deficits become debt. Interest on debt compromises the future by eating away at future tax revenues until you pay back all the money. The interest payments eventually become a large part of where tax money goes, and cripple options for the future.
Running deficits kicks the problem down the road, saddling the adults of tomorrow with debt because we couldn’t make the hard choices today to live within our means. Won’t somebody think of the children? The kids will have enough problems of their own. They don’t deserve ours, too.
Sound fiscal management, on the other hand, would bring in enough money to cover the cost of services and administration, put a little away for emergencies, and pay off any debt.
Getting clear of debt would eliminate the interest charges that otherwise drag down the budget.
For example, Airdrie owes about $1,000/person in debt at about 6.6 per cent interest, that’s an extra $66 per person (at 40,000 people, that’s $2.6 million) that they need to raise through taxes each year, just to cover the interest on the debt. Having that debt paid off would mean a $66/year tax cut for every man, woman and child, all else remaining equal.
Paying off debt means making hard decisions because we can’t live beyond our means. Making those tough calls is far better than having austerity measures imposed on you, like in Europe.
Airdrie should get clear of its debt and stay that way. It’s easy to spend more than you have. That doesn’t make it responsible.
Elect responsible leaders. Vote this election, either in advance or on election day, and beware of candidates promising tax cuts. They’re selling out your future.
Aaron Holmes, Airdrie
