With all the rhetoric about taxes lately, I think it’s time for everyone to stop for a minute and reflect on why we pay taxes.

For the past 20-plus years, it has become very popular to promise tax cuts, with little regard for the results of the tax cuts. If government officials are to be honest with our citizens, they should explain what taxes buy.

In short, taxes allow residents to live in a civilized society. Without taxes, how would we protect our citizens? Without taxes, how would we educate our citizens? Without taxes, how would we build and maintain our streets and bridges? Without taxes, how would we be able to offer a safety net to our most unfortunate citizens?

When voters go to the polls on Nov. 2, they should give serious thought as to how they will vote on the Palesky tax cap. We would all like to have lower property taxes, but is the tax cap the way to accomplish that?

The Palesky tax cap will lower municipal budgets in Maine by more than $687 million. Are voters really willing to abandon all the services that allow us to live in a civilized society, just so they can realize a property tax reduction?

I don’t think we should turn our backs on this wonderful place to live that we call Maine.

I do not support the tax cap.

Chris Galgay, Turner