User fees vs. property tax
A recent Mailbag writer suggested in a letter titled “Fund services with user fees” that instead of property taxes, various services such as police protection, fire service, waste collection, schools, etc., should only be paid for by those who choose to support and use them. Of course, the writer had no explanation for how this would work, but let’s see:
A call comes into the 911 call center, and the operator says, “911, what is your emergency?’ Caller: “My house is on fire. Send the fire department.” Operator: “Yes, sir, what is the address?” Caller: “123 Maple St.” Operator: “I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t have you listed as a fire service member.” Caller: “WHAT!?” Operator: “We only provide fire service to those who have signed up and paid in advance for fire service. Good luck and have a nice day.” One can only imagine how the call would go for a heart attack or a home invasion.
I noted the writer signed with the title, “PhD,” which reminded me of the two farmers chatting over the fence one day. Farmer A says, “Did you hear that Farmer C’s son just graduated from college with two degrees?” Farmer B: “Is that so? What’s his degree?” Farmer A: “First, he got a BS degree, and you know what that is.” Farmer B: “Sure do!” Farmer A: “Then he got an MS.” Farmer B: “I know, More of the Same!” Farmer A: “Yeah, but now he’s going back for a third degree.” Farmer B: “Really! What now?” Farmer A: “Now he’s getting a PhD.” Farmer B: “I know – Piled Higher and Deeper!”…