Rich state can afford greater tax burden

Letters to the Editor
September 2, 2007

Rich state can afford greater tax burden

With Maryland now the richest state in the country, I can't understand why citizens have such an aversion to helping the needy by paying more taxes ("Maryland is ranked as richest state," Aug. 29).

Even increasing taxes by a tiny fraction would raise a significant amount of state revenue. And there clearly are a large number of people in the state earning a decent income, even as a significant minority live in poverty and lack health insurance.

We should do the right thing and take advantage of our prosperity to help our fellow citizens who need a safety net.

Slot machines are not the answer to our fiscal problems.

Instead, let's all dig a little deeper to pay for the things we value, including health care and education. They are worthwhile investments for the wealthiest state in the union.

Aimee Darrow

Baltimore