I don’t like paying taxes, preferring to spend my money for myself. I do expect well-maintained roads and children’s education. I count on the library and participating in town government. I expect help for the indigent, safe water, and fire and police protection. This is our social contract.

“Taxes” is not a bad word. Paying taxes is our responsibility to this and future generations for a humane society. Few politicians talk about our responsibility to each other and to the future. We are fighting a war, putting our sons and daughters in harm’s way, a war costly in life and dollars. Why bellyache about cutting taxes and not call for sacrifice? We need to be more than good consumers sending some sons and daughters to war. There are other public service needs.

In Maine, education is suffering from resource shortages and towns barely meet their civic responsibilities. Why talk about tax caps?

Let’s start reasoned discussion about society’s needs. While we may not agree, we must begin somewhere. The alternative is unfair burdens on future generations.

As a grandmother, I say we can find a better way.

Sallie Nealand, Norway