State's class warfare was started by Otter

In fall 2009, a Democratic member of the Idaho House, Shirley Ringo, of Moscow, proposed a 5 percent temporary, targeted tax increase on people with taxable income above $50,000, to raise $45 million a year, for two years, toward the budget shortfall. It never got off the ground and Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter responded that he was against it saying, “Those who are successful ought to be celebrated and rewarded … I resist the effort to start class warfare.”

Too late, Governor, you already started it.

The concern over “class warfare” permeates many Republican discussions about raising taxes on high-income taxpayers. It seems that higher taxes are always a frontal assault on the rich.

But what about those at the other end of the class spectrum. What happens to them when we refuse to increase our tax load? A headline in the Spokesman Review on Dec. 14 answers that question — Strapped states targeting Medicid.

We are actually waging class war on the most vulnerable, defenseless citizens in our country. And it’s not just Medicaid. Tuition and fees are rising at our public colleges and universities. Those with means can still apply, others need not. Many begrudge extending unemployment benefits, as gifts to the shiftless and lazy. Just last week Republicans in the Senate denied health care benefits and compensation to first responders at ground zero because it was too expensive. These are the same Republicans who wear Sept. 11 as a campaign button.

Class warfare, yes, but the casualties are not the rich.

BOB WYNHAUSEN

Sandpoint