Think before you hand government more money

The state/city/federal governments don't lose money if they don't have it in the first place. For example: They (governments) say they lose millions of dollars each year because people don't pay sales tax on Internet purchases. Well, for starters, a good part of sales tax that is paid through brick and mortar businesses goes for police and fire protection. How does the police/fire department protect Internet eBay sellers?

The government can say it is losing millions of dollars each year because we don't pay sales tax on medicine or food. It could say it is losing money each year because sales/state tax isn't at 10 percent, 20 percent, etc. Remember, the government doesn't make money, we have to give it to them.

I would like a law that all politicians when giving speeches or in debates have to be hooked up to a lie detector so we could all see if they are being truthful before we vote for them.

Build the (Cedar Rapids) medical mall but without closing Second Avenue. Let Physicians' Clinic of Iowa spend the extra money to build a skywalk. I am tired of businesses threatening us.

How about the 1 percent sales tax for school infrastructure? Why does it seem like the tax that I thought would go for new classrooms, heating and air conditioning, labs, new schools, etc., seems to be going for stadium repairs, new ball parks and a service center on Edgewood Road.

Let's think before we vote for another new tax.

Louis Van Marm

Cedar Rapids