Editorial

Many citizens complain about paying higher taxes. These moans and groans are especially evident near the end of the year when property tax bills are due and around the April 15 deadline for filing income tax returns.

Yes, most of us pay a good portion of our income in taxes to support government services at the local, state, and national levels. I must admit that I don't want taxes to soar too high. Who does?

But, I don't think taxes should be blamed for all of society's woes either. Our taxes help make our lives -- and the lives of all people in this country -- better, healthier, and happier. Taxes support education, garbage pickup, fire prevention, health care, outreach to the poor, and many other services benefitting all of us.

Proposed constitutional amendment. That's why I am concerned about the constitutional amendment being proposed in Wisconsin to limit the ability of state and local governments to tax and spend. This proposal is a variation of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) adopted in Colorado.

The proposed amendment establishes a formula in the state constitution to restrict the expenditures of state and local governments. Taxing jurisdictions could only exceed their expenditure limits by passage of a citizen referendum. Since the proposal places these limits in the state constitution, any revisions would require several years to adopt.

State lawmakers planned to call a special session of the Legislature this week. They are trying to meet an Aug. 3 deadline to pass the proposed measure, the first step in a process to make it a law.

Deprive governments of flexibility. The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) likewise has serious reservations about this proposal. John Huebscher, WCC executive director, said that dealing with this subject in the constitution instead of the statues would deprive state and local governments of the flexibility needed to serve the common good.

The WCC also questions the impact on programs for the poor and whether it would overly limit the discretion of local governments to adapt to changing conditions. "The community relies on government to respond to emerging situations, such as natural disasters, shifts in the economy, and public health crises," he stressed. "As citizens we are better served by relying on statues that can be amended in a matter of weeks and elections to hold our leaders accountable."

Serving the needy. A TABOR-like response could also lead to harmful cuts in programs that serve our state's neediest citizens. The experience of Catholic agencies in Colorado suggests that programs targeted to the needy have undergone retrenchment in that state. Leaders of Catholic Charities agencies in Wisconsin reflect similar concerns. Local governments, too, have expressed opposition to a constitutional amendment. It will essentially tie their hands.

Above all, I think the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights represents a selfish attitude on the part of our lawmakers and our citizens. While none of us loves taxes, we should realize that they are necessary to serve the needs of all. Our governments should have flexibility and local control to meet those needs.

I encourage concerned citizens to contact their state legislators. Ask them to vote against the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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Pope does not tell us how to vote

To the editor:

What's all this balderdash about the pope trying to tell me and certain politicians how to vote? I'm 69, and he's never told me how to vote. The pope does tell me (and other Catholics) how to be a Catholic in good standing. I can't put a sign in my front yard saying, "Vote for so and so who's for abortion." Catholics don't do that. Someone else can. It's a free nation. But the pope doesn't tell me not to; I believe it's wrong.

Catholics who want to promote abortion, euthanasia, or gay marriage can easily do that by changing to a faith that allows these. Catholics don't. I don't believe the pope will be all that hurt by someone changing faiths because of beliefs contrary to our faith.

It's not separation of church and state. My church says abortion is wrong; we don't condemn the people, just the procedure. My church also says I must obey the government and its laws. Therefore, although I was a Catholic policeman, I observed the church law and didn't promote abortion. However, abortion is legal and I had to abide by that law. As a Wisconsin voter, I voted for pro-life legislators and opposed pro-abortion legislators. Neither the governor nor the pope contacted me about this right.

Catholics are one billion strong and 2,000 years old. The pope has enough problems with his children without trying to tell Don how to vote. Nor any politician. If you're Catholic like me, you don't run for governmental office and then help legislate, promote, and support things against Catholic values. We're all sinners, but please pick your sin carefully. Life is fragile and wonderful.

Donald J. Eckert, Janesville

Weigel 're-inventing' St. Augustine

To the editor:

One would think that the purpose of the representative of the Ethics and Public Policy Center would be to clarify U.S. policy, both foreign and domestic, and put it in layman's terms so that we can all understand it. George Weigel, in his June 24th column, has not only succeeded in confusing the issue, but has gone beyond the pale in his latest attempt in defining ethics and, in doing, broken new ground.

Actually, he hasn't broken new ground so much as he has dug up old dirt. When I was a student in high school, my social studies teacher, Fr. Schlenker, drummed into us that despite all of the rosy promises that totalitarianism had to offer, "might does not make right" and "the end does not justify the means." Now we have George Weigel "re-inventing" St. Augustine in an attempt to justify an unjust war because the result would be desirable.

Mr. Weigel has been apologist for the Bush administration since before the Iraq War began. He has put forth one justification after another and we have seen them all melt away. It is not surprising, then, that he is now resorting to these tactics to further his views. His treatises are not worthy of print on the pages of the Catholic Herald.

Jerome Joyce, Madison

Protecting innocent lives a priority

To the editor:

God's law, in the Fifth Commandment, is very clear about taking innocent human life. No matter how good or important other issues are, protecting innocent human lives must take precedence. This is the single most important issue facing voters -- not only Catholics, but the entire electorate.

How dare do we who call ourselves Catholics vote for anyone who supports abortion? Can we afford another anti-Christian government? If Catholics would vote in line with God's law, pro-abortionists would not win. Your vote will make a difference. Should we vote God's way or make our own political choices?

William J. Coady, Springfield, Ill.