October 30, 2013

Dear Editor:

This letter is to all Northeast residents: I urge you to get out and vote on Nov. 5. FULL DISCLOSURE: I am opposed to Question #1 on the ballot – a 1/2 cent sales tax for 20 years, for “translational medical research,” to be levied against Jackson Co residents ONLY. No one on God’s green earth is opposed to medical research. But to finance it in this way shows an amazing lack of imagination and empathy. Supporters keep chanting the region will benefit. But the region isn’t being taxed; only us. 

Supporters of the tax have shown a lot of “boosterism” but not much transparency. They’ve financed at least six flyers, only one of which mentions cost. No flyer mentions the words “sales tax.”

In the Sunday (Kansas City) Star editorial page (a pro/con discussion of the tax), the most thoughtful and useful writing on this proposed sales tax hike comes from the opponents to Question 1. The supporters rely on emotionalism and embarrassingly bad plutocratic “all for progress” thinking. The pain this will cause “the little guy” is conveniently overlooked. When a bipartisan group as smart as the League of Women Voters comes out against something, I pay attention. The League opposes this tax hike.

The supporters of Question 1 are counting on people not going to the polls. Please prove them wrong. Please vote Nov. 5

Cate Morris

Historic Northeast