Editor:
All right, this is it. I have truly had enough. I cannot figure out how anyone in their right mind would think that a gasoline tax would be beneficial in any way to Marylanders. The poor and downtrodden already are having a difficult time finding and maintaining a job. How is making the "getting to it more difficult" going to help anyone?
Should Marylanders sacrifice food and/or shelter so that they can get to work, only to come home to a box because they can't now pay rent or a mortgage? Should they give up food or child care because they can't afford to get to a job once they have one? How do they keep a job that they can't get to?
All of the job task forces in the world are not going to help much, if people working those jobs can't get to them because the ever increasing price of oil and gas keeps them from owning a car or paying insurance.
Why in the name of heaven doesn't our governor decide to increase taxes on soft drinks and alcohol? If it would hurt the small business owners, then tax only at grocery stores and mini-marts. It would be unpopular to some people, but in reality increasing taxes on these items may actually improve the health of Marylanders. Soda and booze are not required to exist, and I am fairly certain that people who want them will continue to drink them even if they are heavily taxes. If they drink more of them then there will be more taxes for the state; if gas is taxed people will try not to fill up frequently so it may not be as profitable.
Try not to let lobbyists control decisions made in Annapolis. Somebody stand up and say something.
Madeleine Sharp-Smith
Bel Air