A BETR future
The Legislature’s expected, and highly anticipated, move to eliminate the tax on business equipment will strengthen businesses, improve communities, and may even benefit government in the long run.
Proponents of a tax-and-spend ideology (not like they’re being too vocal, by the way), must hate the current wave that is pushing to eliminate the business equipment tax. They worry, “Where will we get the money to pay for our schools, our welfare system, our road maintenance?” Well, to answer that, let’s not fear the loss of the tax; instead, let’s consider the benefits of doing away with this dastardly business equipment tax.
Business equipment is most anything in an office, workshop or warehouse that stays put and helps a company operate. Computers, phones, machinery, chairs and desks are all good examples. The state currently taxes businesses on those items each year and gains a healthy chunk of its budget through this method of taxation. Maine is only one of a handful of states in the country that still taxes business equipment.
By removing the tax, businesses will have more money to spend on other things. Sure, some owners will fritter the money away buying luxury boats and automobiles for their egos. But more owners will put the money they save back into their business. If business is good, owners will expand, hire more employees or buy new equipment. The state and towns may lose some money initially, but business in Maine will become healthier and more robust, able to hire additional workers and pay them more.
And who does that benefit? Everyone. Even the government. Uncle Sam will get more payroll taxes when a company hires more workers. Towns will gain property tax when those workers look for housing. And the state will benefit by increased sales tax revenue produced when these new employees go shopping. The combined effect will more than make up for any loss associated with the tax on business equipment.
To post or not to post
It was tragic to lose two Mainers this week simply because they were listed on the Maine Sex Offenders Registry. While their acts were wrong, no one deserves to die like that, at the hand of a man like that.
People are now debating whether the online registry is the best way to publicize information about sex offenders. Supporters of the registry say parents should know if there’s a child molester living in their neighborhood. Opponents say the publicity inherent in “The List” will lead to retribution and also further erode an offender’s ability to rehabilitate in a community that knows all his secrets. While both sides are right, society – especially parents – has a right to know if a sex offender lives next door. But maybe posting the information on the Internet is not the best way for society to learn about sex offenders.
A viable alternative would be for concerned individuals to call their local police and ask for listed sex offenders in their area. Just because we have a technology like the Internet doesn’t mean we have to use it. If we list sex offenders because studies show they are likely to strike again, then we should list every criminal. The weekly police log proves that most criminals strike again, not just sex offenders.
But, defenders of human rights would balk at the listing of every criminal because criminals have already “paid their debt to society” either by paying fines or going to jail. However, displaying records on the Internet is a different sort of imprisonment, in the form of perpetual public embarrassment. One could argue the present day reality, in which sex offenders are listed 24/7 on the Web, is a similar lifetime imprisonment.
Part of the solution is to keep sex offenders in jail longer. Jessica’s Law, a failed bill that would have mandated at least 25-year sentences for sexual assaults on children, would have helped with that. Society and the courts need to be tougher on crime and especially on sexually based crimes that involve children.
When sex offenders move to a town, local police should continue to canvass neighborhoods and also make their names available at the police station upon request. We shouldn’t splash their vitals on the World Wide Web for all to see, especially those who mean them harm like we witnessed this week. Not even a child abuser deserves the fate these men suffered. It may sound like sweet justice, but it’s barbaric at its core.
Turn the TV off!
Next week is National TV Turn-off Week. That means – if you dare take the challenge – the life support system sitting in the corner of your living room needs to be unplugged for at least seven days.
This week is supposed to be a nice one, especially with the sun going down later. Get out and enjoy it. Work on that motorcycle in your garage. Stretch your legs on a bicycle ride or walk around Back Cove. Go buy some tools and clean out those leftover fall leaves from your bushes. Or read a book or newspaper. Just do anything that doesn’t involve looking at a screen. Good luck!
-John Balentine, editor
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