The human side of taxes | Eastern North Carolina Now

As I have read recent articles about our County Budget and taxes, I could not help but remember the last time I paid my taxes.  I have several rental properties and the lady at the Beaufort County Tax Office is always very patient with matching up my spread sheet, but it takes a few minutes to do it.

While I waited for her to match up my records, an older man dressed in very modest and somewhat worn clothing came up beside me at the other window.  He started pulling out crumpled dollar bills from his pocket and then a pile of silver coins.  After spreading them out and carefully counting them, he said to the lady, “Well, that’s all the money in the world I got but I guess that’s enough that you all won’t take my Trailer.”

I wondered if John Rebholz and Frankie Waters, along with the other three big spenders ever had to pay their last cent to keep their house.  Then I wondered of this man had food at home or would have to wait for the next check. 

Brian Alligood says that 56% of the County Budget revenue is made up of Property Tax.  So does the old Democrat slogan “Soak the Rich” still resonate with some of these people.  All people who have property are not rich.  Some, like that old man, are trying to make it after paying all the Sales, State and Federal Tax that we cannot control.  But this group of out of touch commissioners continue to spend like the liberal jerks we have in Washington DC.  DC we cannot control but NC and Beaufort County we could if we had responsible leadership.

We should remember that everyone pays property taxes.  Those who rent pay in their rent.  Those who have a mortgage pay in their mortgage, even if you do send your money to the bank.  And look at your vehicle registration and see how much property tax you pay on that.  Then remember working people who have to buy expensive equipment have to pay high taxes on that equipment and most have to pass the expense along to customers.  We even pay property taxes that are built into our phone bills.

I hope that all of us will be willing to spend the time and effort to find competent people with basic integrity to campaign for our County Commission and our failed local School Board for the coming election.

We need local people that understand Beaufort County Culture and have signed the front of a paycheck.  As well as people that will simply stand up for what is right and understand the needs of our citizens.

It bears repeating again the quote form Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”