Actions and words

Dear Editor,

You learn a lot running a business with employees. Contrary to what College Business courses teach, I never followed the “pay yourself first” philosophy. I never took a paycheck. I got what was left over.

My employees were paid first. Payroll — and taxes.

Each quarter after I wrote payroll tax checks I would go out and tell my employees, “Well, your payroll taxes are paid.”

Nobody said a word. Didn’t look up. Didn’t seem to care.

I guess I don’t blame them. What’s the big deal? They were withheld. Certainly they were “paid.”

Then again, maybe not.

Employers have long withheld taxes from illegals under false Social Security numbers and pocketed the money. But hey, they weren’t eligible for benefits anyway. Besides, they were illegals. Criminals. More than likely rapists to boot.

Seems there are some connivers who pull the same stunt on citizens. Paul Walzack comes to mind.

He achieved mega millions status by pocketing the withholding taxes of his employees, among other scams. He wasn’t convicted in a court; he pled guilty on his own accord. Sentenced to 18 months in prison with 2 years of supervised release,

But he found a way out. Despite filing bankruptcy, he still retained $20 million in assets.

Between him and his mommy they contributed millions to President Trump. And surprise, suddenly our president found Paul to be a right upstanding citizen. Worthy of a pardon. He was so unfairly treated.

The unfair treatment? Prosecuted for stealing. Stealing your money. Robbing from Social Security. Robbing from Medicare. And robbing from the U.S. Treasury.

Not only does your president believe this is OK, he also believes that ilk needs a tax cut.

You, the American worker? Not so much.

President Trump has convinced many the illegal immigrant is why we are in fiscal trouble. Perhaps he has grievance because they can’t and don’t hand him enough cash.

President Trump has called U.S. service members suckers and losers. Should we include the American worker as well?

I’m puzzled why hard working Americans fall for this schtick.

I’m reminded of the frat boys in the movie “Animal House.” The pledges’ response to a thwack on the behind: “Thank you sir, may I have another?”

James Spangler, OD,

Warren

Finally a fair share

Dear Editor,

The reassessment is almost complete and there should not be a surprise that property values have increased in the 35 years since the last assessment.

Property values generally increase by 3 to 5% a year so in 35 years they should increase by 100 to 175 percent. This doesn’t mean your taxes are going up that much.

The property tax millage will be adjusted downward so the county budget will be revenue neutral this year but everyone will pay their fair share.

Unfortunately, as you know in the last 35 years, Warren County’s population has declined as well as its commercial base so we all will be paying a larger share of the cost of services. Our county budget is probably one of the lowest in the state.

We have no county roads, no recreation facilities we have to maintain, cheap rental of office space at the Warren State Hospital, and the Rouse Home trust.

Thanks to our dedicated county employees our county spending is under control. I would like to thank our current Board of Commissioners for conducting this long overdue reassessment so everyone living in Warren County pays their fair share of government services.

Greg Burkett,

Warren