2022 SD Legislature: State becoming too reliant on federal dollars

By: 
District 10 Rep. Steve Haugaard

Here we are in the middle of the tax season; a season that no one likes to deal with, a season with no winners, no champions – just a season of reckoning. Reckoning on how we did the year before; reckoning on how we want to be for this year; and reckoning on what we owe or will get back in a refund. Just a lot of reckoning.

As I go through the process of gathering 1099’s, W-2’s, year-end statements, receipts, reviewing my tax preparer’s advice letter, and noting the gains and losses of the past year, it seems to me that looking a bit differently at taxes makes sense right now during this season of reckoning. 

Taxes became a part of life after the Civil War, when it was recognized that it was the only way to pay for the services deemed essential and proper for the emerging society. Today’s system has expanded, evolved, and is a result of the wishes of the people over the past 150-plus years.

Health and social welfare, maintained infrastructure, security, education, and generally what we regard as a base standard of living in today’s world. The complaints are loud when any of these services are either substandard, withheld, or threatened. All are paid for by all of us in so many ways. Isn’t that really “socialism”? Could we/should we do without those services? 

The word “socialism” has taken on a somewhat negative definition in today’s political world. But every item in the previous paragraph smacks of what the real definition of socialism is. It’s not political – it truly is the entire population (of a country, a state, a community) banding together to provide what needs to be provided. Fire and police service, garbage, water, electrical, gas, road maintenance, and so many others are all provided in some fashion from our collective taxes.

Maybe not the April 15 type, but by property, gas, sales, or any other type of fee/tax that statewide or locally may be levied. Some people feel that they pay a greater share than they should have to or that some of the services are unnecessary, inefficient, and by them not used, but that is for a debate in another forum.

I did not mention Medicare and Social Security that we pay ahead for our entire working lives, but we owe it to our children and grandkids to keep it sustained for their benefit as well. It is a promise made, a wonderful benefit, and cannot be ignored as important for all.

The benefits are there for all as members of the society to use, fall back on in a last resort, or simply enjoy. Those taxes we pay are the cost of being a part of a society that cares and wants to provide these necessary basic services in today’s world.

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