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Show Page 2 February Utah Farm Bureau News years ago a friend of the family called on us. It was at the time of year that income taxes become payable and while our friend visited she A few expressed strong dissatisfaction about the amount of taxes she and her husband were required to pay on their income. She observed that something ought to be done about it. Her points presented an opportunity for reply that couldn't be resisted. In the kindest way possible it was observed that since her husband worked for a department of the Federal government, income tax was one of the sources of funds to pay government employees their salaries. Such employees are wholly dependent on funds collected from the people. Although the thought may never have occurred to her before (her expression indicated surprise) she was quick to understand the implication and the subject was never again discussed as being objectionable. The reason for taxing is simple. When services are desired, whether government or otherwise, the cost must be paid. In the beginning there were few services, thus the cost was minimal. As time went on more and more services were incorporated until reports indicate that an average of 35 percent of personal income is taxed for government operations. One report explained that a worker would have to work from January 1 until approximately May 10 each year to pay the obligation to Uncle Sam before you could begin work for oneself. The question now, and it is a very real one, do we need all of the services taxes pay for? Who are the beneficiaries? The founding fathers explained the Constitution should "establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty." Apparently those matters were taken care of staisfactorily without taxes on personal income until February 1913. The Utah Foundation reported 27.5 percent of the employment in Utah during 1970 (100,145) was government employment. That compares with 18.3 percent in 1940, 23.8 percent in 1950, 23.6 percent in 1960 that were employed in government services. The increase in government employment from 1960 to 1970 amounted to 57.5 percent. The question will soon be in order"How many people can a worker be expected to support and still maintain the standard of living to which he is accustomed or desires?" freeze started last fall, certain groups have asked Since the wage-pric- e for special consideration so wages could "catch up" with other groups. Government employees have been asking for wages commensurate with private employment. While everyone understands that eight hours' work deserves eight hours' pay there is a distinction between kinds of employment as a basis for pay. Just for the record let us compare some jobs in private and in Of the 17 jobs compared, ten of the government jobs received higher pay, and several were very close to private salary rates. The jobs noted ranged from file clerks to accountants, lawyers and engineers. KSL Radio suggested on one editorial that during the past nine years government employees received average increases of 75 percent without counting the fringe benefits while the private compensation, including fringe benefits, increased 61 percent. They also reported that people doing research into such matters say government workers make up to 20 percent more than their private counterparts. This, no doubt, over simplifies the subject but there are many benefits provided federal employees that don't usually occur in private employment. For example, military personnel get exceptionally good medical benefits, housing in many cases, as well as clothing, and not to overlook "PX" privileges. It does appear tjme has arrived to take a good long look at the "services" rendered and consider whether or not the taxpaying public can afford the extra government employment, not to mention the government unemployment (welfare),which is subject for another discussion. non-agricultu- ral govern-compariso- -- NDS n. 1972 The People Space was not available for a conclusion to the discussion on firearms as presented in last months issue under this column. There have been expressions to the editor concerning the article and as an effort to present additional information in answer to this response the following is presented: On June 14, 1971 as recorded in the Congressional Record Congressman John D. Dingell of Michigan expressed a significant matter to the U. S. House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, what has come to pass? Bearded strangers in scuffy clothes smash down the door wife is thrown half man is shot in the head-h- is of a mans home-t- he the home is on the lies the man as floor, outside naked bleeding of personal dozens smashed, furnishings ransacked, possessions are carried away. After asking the question of the House of Representatives where such a thing may have occurred, in what land like Hitlers Germany or Soviet Russia or where ever, he proceeded to explain where such not only is capable of happening but where it in fact did happen. rIt happened last Monday night, June 7, and it ranks as (me of the most irresponsible, outrageous, and mindless bungles I have had the displeasure to read about in a long time, he said. on A F. Ballew, a pressroom Silver Spring of and the the Post Washington employee Evening Star, and -- 1 might of the add a district commissioner Boy Scouts in Prince Georges County was taking a bath in his apartment about 8:30 in the evening. His wife, who was dressed only in panties, heard shouting and heavy pounding on the door. She said she repeatedly asked, who is it? All she could hear through the pounding was the demand: Open up! She ran to her husband. To make the story short, Mr. Ballew was in the bathtub when aroused by his wife. He was naked and dripping wet as he grabbed an antique muzzle-loadin- g s revolver from the wall. The had bashed in the door with a battering ram. The officers described as dressed in scuffy clothes opened fire. Mr. Ballew fell to the floor from a bullet in the brain, his gun discharging as he fell. Mrs. Ballew began screaming for the police but was told by the intruders the We are the police. The intruders who had a warrant for unregistered hand grenades proceeded to tear the apartment apart knocking large holes in the walls and making a shambles of the place. The agents discovered four empty grenade casings, one of which was used as a container for oil, another boy used as a toy. The casing has been heavy iron one their Other personal possessions not specified in the warrant were seized including a portable radio, an electric clock, an accordian and a new sewing machine. old girl and a baby at home Another apartment with only a was raided earlier. They left that apartment empty handed saying Bad information. Mr. Dingell stated that It would never have happened if they had been in uniform and had stated the public deserves a full, thorough, and investigation of this incident by the Treasury and other agencies involved. Department Now the point, among others that are highly significant but space will not allow full discussion at this point, is simpl- y- Just what are the rights of citizens who for all intent and purposes are law abiding, civic minded people? Many spokesman have said if guns were taken from the public the deaths by murderers could be stopped. New York Mayor Lindsay just recently said the failure of Congress to enact strict gun control laws contributed to the deaths of two New York policeman. At the same time New York has enjoyed the protection of one of the strictest gun control laws, and to many advocates of gun control, a model law for others to follow. Again we must insure that over 200,000,000 people are not stripped of their rights in the pursuit of happiness because as it has been reported that less than 3Vfe percent of all serious crimes are committed by use of firearms. Every effort should be given the task of maintaining freedom as underscored in the Constitution. As is evidenced by this article overstepping authority can very easily be done with little chance of recourse in many instances especially if you are dead or seriously and permanently disabled as is the case with Mr. Ballew. lls man-Keny- - - agents-cum-hippie- 10-ye- ar far-reachi- ng UTAH FARM BUREAUHNEWS Published cadi month by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation at 3 alt Lake City, Utah. Editorial and Business Office, 629 East Fourth South, Salt Lake cents per year to memCity, Utah, 84102. Subscription price of twenty-fiv- e bers is included in membership fee. Second Class postage paid at Salt Lake City, Utah UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION OFFICIALS Elmo W. Hamilton, Riverton President Joy Child. Clearfield Viet President V. Allen Olsen Executive Secretory Neil D. Sumsion Editor DIRECTORS: A. Alton Hoffman, Smithfield; William Holmes, Ogden; Jack Brown, Granfsville; Edward Boyer, Springville, Kenneth Brasher, Huntington; Jerold Johnson, Aurora; Artond Kawkins, Hurricane; Mrs. Willis Whitbeck, Bennion, Stanley Jackson, Ogden. S. |