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Contrary to the opinions expressed in the September 18th Schaumburg Review editorial entitled "Tax hike is for the best", we should indeed be very alarmed that village officials have raised sales, hotel, and cable-TV taxes, and are considering instituting a new entertainment tax, to pay for an arguably superfluous $300 million convention center. If such a convention center really makes sense, and will (as alleged) pay for itself in the long run, there should be no trouble raising the money privately, without having to shake down innocent people. If it is truly such a good deal investors will surely be lining up to get in on the project and reap the rewards. Ah, but therein lies the rub: In reality, the convention center is probably not such a great deal after all -- at least not for most residents and taxpayers. It's purpose, rather, is to give Mayor Larson something tangible to be remembered by. Sure, it will be great for the politically-favored contractors who build it (using taxpayer money), and for the handful of politically-favored (non-minimum-wage) employees who eventually work there. The rest of us, however, will likely never see much benefit from the money that was taken from us, since the occupancy rate of the convention center will likely never be great enough to pay for both its operational costs and financing. Besides, the purpose of government in a free country is to provide police, courts, and a limited national defense. It is not to build convention centers (or football stadiums). Alas, ever since 1913, when the Constitution was amended to permit an income tax, the politically favored have been profiting at the expense of the rest of us. Perhaps the Schaumburg village officials should consider moving to a country, such as communist China, where the government owns and controls virtually everything. It seems like they would be more at home there. Neal S. Reynolds Schaumburg
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