The 10% Sales Tax is “Taking Food from Kids’ Mouths”

These were the words of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica about the current jump in sales tax that took effect on July 1, 2008.  In fact, his exact words were:  “This tax is only regressive and will hurt the poor most. And we’re trying to help them out? Give me a break, all we’re doing is taking food from kids’ mouths.” 

He then says, “We don’t need this tax on the working men and women of Cook County who don’t even have a voice on the board.”

Hurt the poor?  Working men and women of Cook County?  Does he not realize that many of the working men and women of Cook County are becoming the “working poor”?  There are very few signs that the middle-class ever existed.  What is he talking about? This is the biggest pile of garbage I’ve heard all day. 

Food started leaving the mouths of babes with the current spike in unemployment; the unbearable cost of gas; and the increase in food prices.  These are just a few of the factors that are affecting the food supply of our youngsters.

If he really wanted to help, he would make an effort to adjust the taxes on gas and food in Cook County in spite of the increase.  While he may not have a lot of control over the unemployment situation directly, I’m sure he could pull a few strings and get a few people over to the Water Reclamation District for the summer.  Wait a minute…he probably already has people there.  Strike that. 

Read the entire story http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6280466.