This isn’t the time to demand more taxes
I normally agree with our county commissioners, but I must admit I was confused when reading their decisions on Aug. 4.
I am disappointed that the commissioners are shirking their responsibility in this republic government by putting the sales tax hike to the voters. And I was confused as to why you chose to not put the property revaluation to the voters. I can only conclude that you are afraid of the impact of both issues and perhaps you need to “man up” and do what the people of Rowan County want. That is to not increase the sales tax, and to delay any revaluation that may increase the tax burden. Now is not the time to demand more taxes from your constituents. We expect you to cut the budget instead of raising taxes from sales tax or revaluation.
Mr. Ford, if you think 99 percent of people want you to revaluate property, you should expand your polling data. Man up, county commissioners.
ó Rodney Phillips
China Grove
Congress’ health care
This letter is to request that one of the journalists from Salisbury write a series on the health-care policies that cover members of Congress at this point in time. So much attention is being given to health care. My understanding is Congress has the “golden standard” for care. No one actually writes about the hows, whats, wheres and whys of their benefits.
ó Irene Dalton
Salisbury
Editor’s note: Members of Congress participate in the same insurance program available to approximately 8.5 million federal workers, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). The program offers an assortment of health plans from which to choose, including fee-for-service, point-of-service and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Like other federal employees, members of Congress can also insure their spouses and dependents. The government pays up to 75 percent of the premium.
In addition to FEHBP, for a few hundred dollars extra per month, lawmakers can get access to their own pharmacy and doctors, nurses and medical technicians standing by in an office located between the House and Senate chambers.