Sound Off for Jan. 17, 2022
More details
What? No state income tax? Lower grocery tax? I was not born yesterday and I am aware that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Will someone please tell us good citizens of Mississippi where the shortfall will come from to fund the state? Details. We need and demand details.
The challenge
A challenge for 2022 is how to reconcile two opposing vaccination views. One requires a united front against a potentially deadly disease (which could be with us forever), the other demands respect for individual rights. Philosophically, I support both views, but practically, I come down on the side of unity for the common good. Voluntary vaccination seems to me the only avenue for reconciliation. It appears that we need a new tack. Convincing others to follow the majority’s lead requires diplomacy and empathy rather than finger-pointing and shaming. Telling the unvaccinated they deserve to get sick is hardly helpful.
Another tax?
This is to “tax the unvaccinated.” I say tax the obese. They are putting a far greater strain on the health care system, insurance rates, and COVID death rates. Now, how absurd does that sound?
Constitutional rights?
Tax the unvaccinated? Fire the unvaccinated? Take their Medicaid/Medicare away from them? Why not set up a firing squad and shoot them? Because this is not (so far) China, Russia or Cuba. This is the free country of the United States of America. A country that millions all over the world want to come to, for that very reason. I am vaccinated and boosted, want everyone to be, but not at the expense of taking away constitutional rights.
Big salaries
Just found out that the CEO of a charity I frequently send contributions to makes an annual salary of $890,000 plus. Please go on line and check out CEO salaries for any and all charities before you send one more red penny. You will be shocked, and maybe have a whole new attitude toward the character of the people begging you for money.
Show compassion
Please show some compassion for those who are not vaccinated. There are people who have legitimate medical reasons for not getting vaccinated. It’s always an act of kindness to try to walk in the shoes of someone else.
Moving to Mississippi
Our elected leaders are trying to eliminate the state income tax in an effort to get people to move to Mississippi. They say they will reduce some other taxes and increase some taxes. I have a retired friend living in Texas. He pays no state income tax, but the yearly property tax on his middle income house is $12,000. I believe there are many other reasons people don’t want to move to Mississippi. This state tax plan will benefit all the state leaders that pass it, but the average person trying to survive here will not do well.
Defective guns?
My guns must be defective. I keep them loaded and they haven’t killed anyone in the last 30+ years that I’ve owned them.
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