'Social engineering' depends on who is getting help

One of the reasons given for the demise of the grocery tax credit increase is that many legislators considered it "social engineering." The bill provides more tax relief for the poor than it does for the rest of us. Some legislators simply want to do away with the sales tax on groceries and that would be great if we could afford it. So they voted against it. Others represent voters who are simply opposed to giving those less fortunate than themselves a "hand out."

What seems lost here is the fact that two years ago Idaho gave property tax relief to everyone but the poor. Renters, who represent 25 percent of Idahoans, were denied any benefit. Apparently that's not social engineering. Yet, sales tax was increased one percentage point to pay for some of the property tax relief and those same renters, who got no relief, still had to pay for it.

Now the governor wants to rectify that wrong with a small grocery tax relief bill aimed at the people who were most damaged by "property tax relief" and the Legislature denies it because it's social engineering.

I guess it just depends on who's getting socially engineered.

BOB WYNHAUSEN

Sandpoint