How to cut taxes

Bill White undoubtedly is an intelligent gentleman, and I generally agree with the premise of most of his columns.

However, his recent post regarding how a tax increase sometimes is the right thing to do reflects a gross misunderstanding of basic economics that is prevalent with the majority of American citizens.

There are millions and millions of hardworking competent local, state and federal government employees, but there are also hundreds of thousands who are grossly overpaid and underworked.

There are thousands of important useful programs, but there are also hundreds of totally useless and/or overlapping programs.

If the waste, fraud and mismanagement were only modestly reduced, it would result in billions in savings, and not only would taxes not have to be increased, they could actually be lowered.

The totally insane mantra that taxes need to be raised annually represents fiscal irresponsibility is ruining the nation and is seriously harming the finances of a substantial percentage of individuals and most American families.

Americans continuously make tough sacrifices to balance their individual or family budget. Why governmental entities can’t do likewise is far beyond any rational explanation.

Matthew W. Thomas

Bethlehem