A fresh example of stupidity from the socialist paradise known as Broome County/Greater Binghamton from today’s Press & Sun-Bulletin. In an article titled Readers tackle property taxes, the very first sentence contains a blazingly brilliant “Why didn’t I think of that?” suggestion from one of my unnamed fellow residents for tackling the problem of the ever-increasing property tax burden: End religious property tax exemptions. Wow! Why didn’t I think of that? (Please note the sarcasm in my question.)

I have to ask myself, What runs through the psyche of someone who would suggest such a plan? This is just a guess, but I think it’s something along these lines:

The Government is the source of all goodness and largesse not only for those “less fortunate,” but also for children, senior citizens, the unemployed and underemployed, the uninsured and underinsured, slow learners, fast learners, economically depressed, psychologically depressed, homeless, addicted, abused, medicated, uneducated… the list goes on and on. Yes, it’s Government that takes care of us all now.

The church and other charitable organizations? Why, they’re just a preference you see. Nothing more than a social club, really. Yeah, they may help a few folks out, but they teach and preach some pretty hard-core stuff–like creationism, literal resurrection of the dead and all that crazy nonsense. Some of them protest at abortion clinics too, I’ve heard tell. Hey, if people want to support that with their money, make ‘em pay for it!

I’m pretty sure that’s what goes through people’s minds. They believe the all-seeing, all-feeling, all-sensing beneficent Government should be the only entity allowed to dispense charity and do good work on behalf of “the people.” We have completely succumbed to the nanny state–cradle to the grave, Uncle Sam will pay the bill.

May I float an observation or two? Churches and other charitable organizations have, over the years, helped untold thousands of people in our community. They have done so financially, emotionally and spiritually. Churches are a force for good in our community. The money that is thrown in the offering plate is a sacrifice for those giving it, and it’s money that has ALREADY BEEN TAXED! And you want to tax it yet again by forcing religious organizations to pay obscenely high property taxes? What in the world is wrong with the wiring in your head? What’s “fair” about it? Churches are not-for-profit organizations. They exist to help people, to minister to them, to spread the Good News. The fact that someone locally, a “member of the community” even suggests such an idea is breathtaking to me.

Here’s a thought: How about an immediate freeze on all government spending, including public schools, at current levels for the next 12 months? Can we start there, as a simple baby step forward? No, of course not. Why? Because our socialist government is like a beast that grows ever hungrier. The beast is drunk with the ability to force its subjects to bring more and more tribute–to the point those subjects are moving away to escape. How sad and how tragic. The problem is, it’s the subjects themselves who want other subjects’ money: Medicaid, food stamps, welfare, subsidies, school lunches, school breakfasts, public education, WIC…the list is ENDLESS. The beast is actually responding to the subjects, doing their bidding!

Note to my fellow subjects: Get your hands out of my pockets! Do for yourself. Take charge of your life and don’t expect me to bail you out of your own bad decisions.

Note to our elected leaders: Make some tough decisions and hold the line on spending. Forget the very bad idea of taxing religious and charitable organizations. And please, stop spending money that isn’t yours!

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