Prioritize: Don't Make Famlies Scrounge

House hold income slipped dramatically from 2007 until the present. Families have less to spend and given the constant increase in prices for necessities even buying necessities present challenges. We learn daily of our politicians and lobbying groups calling for tax increases for: infrastructure, education, environment and prisons to name a few. Senator Hollings wants a value added tax slapped on everyone and everything.
Of course, each additional tax subtracts from what families have to spend on living, driving their living standards even further. First we need to make sure our current taxes go to programs that most need them. It is called prioritizing. Everyone, every business does this when the funds don't cover the "wants". Second, we must not snatch more from hard pressed families.
And third, anyone who wants to raise taxes for a specific need ought therefore identify which current government program should be terminated to pay for it. The legislature then, if they agree, drops the low priority program and funds the higher priority one.
For instance, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is lobbying hard for taxing gas to fund infrastructure improvements. They should at the same time lobby for the state program they want cancelled to pay for that.
Of course, the Chamber would catch hell from those who like the low priority program and would have to defend why it should be terminated.
My guess is that will not happen either with the Chamber or any legislator. They do not want to take grief but do want to feel the kudos of those who get the tax increase and who are probably financial supporters of the Chamber or the legislator.
Do not raise taxes and punish the middle class who are struggling to stay above water. Chop the less useful programs and fund the most useful ones.