Eyman: He feeds illusion that taxes are inherently bad

Re: “Anti-tax fever shows no signs of waning,” (TNT viewpoint, 6/27).

I see that Tim Eyman, our self-appointed savior from the evil of taxes, is celebrating his many victories and all the precious dollars he has saved the benighted taxpayers of Washington. I am sure many appreciate the benefits of his thoughtful, selfless crusades.

I do wonder, though, about the many who have suffered negative consequences of his successful encouragement of those who prefer to avoid taxes. The first who come to mind are the homeless who camp on the doorstep of the church I attend, many because of the state’s failure to fund (with those evil taxes) adequate mental health services. Then there are our underfunded schools and lots more that isn’t getting done.

It is far past time for a healthy, honest discussion of the essential role of taxes in a humane, democratic society. They provide the life blood for vital services of the common good.

Eyman feeds the illusion that taxes are somehow vicious and unfair by nature. It is urgent that we face honestly the need of taxes and shift the discussion to their purpose and the fair distribution of the cost among all citizens.

This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 10:10 AM with the headline "Eyman: He feeds illusion that taxes are inherently bad."