In a message dated 8/4/2000 11:01:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> A well replaces the water tax.

While well water isn't paid for by a tax, the cost of well water is almost
always more than the cost of municipally supplied water when you consider the
annualized cost of drilling the well and the pumping costs.  Private well
water is also not subjected to state mandated testing and treatment so, even
if the water tastes good, you never know if it has contaminants in it.  And
many people with private wells are not fortunate enough to have the quality
and quantity of water that they would like.

Taxes are not a one way street.  When you pay for a service...water, sewer,
trash collection, police, fire protection,  you have to consider the value of
that service.  Would you rather have a local police force or a remote state
trooper if you need police help?  Would you rather have a nearby professional
fire department or a part time volunteer force ( which you also pay extra for
in your homeowner's insurance)?

I'm not arguing that higher taxes necessarily buy better services...just that
you have to look at both sides of the ledger.