Dear Editor:
In your article “Residents ‘revolt-ing” Dec. 14, 2008, Dr. Jonathan Mestch, spokesperson of Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition, describes his group as a “non-partisan apolitical group solely focused on tax and budget issues.”
Wasn’t it about 2,000 years ago that Christ was asked the question whether or not the citizens of Rome should pay their taxes? Christ, risking seditious speech, gave the famous answer: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” So, we have on record that taxation was a hot topic two millennium ago. In light of a local 47 percent tax increase, global economic deterioration and corruption on every level of government, how can this tax coalition say that they are “apolitical”? For anyone who hasn’t been paying attention until last month, taxation and budget issues are always political (and Dr. Mestch’s naiveté is astonishing.)
As if the situation wasn’t dire enough, Dr. Mestch’s coalition is initiating a campaign to force a reval sooner rather than later, ignoring the fact that many of us have been struggling financially for a long time (and have been paying into the system longer than he has.)
Do the members of the Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition care that they are dividing an already-wounded citizenry at a time when everyone should be uniting?
Around town, I have seen the occasional flyer bearing an eagle and the word “Revolt” printed over it. I have also noticed a recent full page ad in The Hoboken Reporter with that same self-righteous eagle, again, with the word “revolt.” I understand this coalition has already hired a lawyer to represent them. Doesn’t this illustrate how Hoboken encompasses two entirely different economic universes? Wouldn’t it be more honest for the Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition to change the word over that eagle from “revolt” to “reval”? Then their ultimate goal would be out in the open (although honesty might not be their top priority.)
I continue to hear our most privileged and wealthy citizens crying that it’s “unfair” for them to pay a higher tax rate (who forced these individuals to buy when the prices were so outrageously high? There were plenty of rentals to be found.)
Meanwhile, I have exhausted many of my options to save or earn more (recently laid off as well) and the dream of one day offering my sole asset to my daughter is dwindling.
Amy Valent