mosos2002

Danny G. Goe                                                                                                          February 4, 2002
Chairman Standard of Living Committee
515 Eastholm
Mexico, Mo. 65265
573-581-3547

Re: The State of the State by Danny G. Goe

Editor:

      The state of the state is not good. I believe the state of Missouri's economy and the needs of the people
have been neglected by some very important people. Some have failed to realize the importance of taking
care of the Citizens first. Some may have erred in trying to give everybody everything regardless of cost.
Some have pandered for votes for the next election.

     Missouri must become fiscally responsible, and live within its means. There is much that needs to
change to allow, and to nourish the economy of Missouri toward Real Economic Growth, and ever higher
standards of living for all citizens. Rasing taxes in a recession is not wise nor prudent, and yet our citizens
have many needs. In my book the Citizens come first. Missouri can fund all the needs of this state, but
Missouri must nurture and stimulate the economy with good paying jobs. Without good paying jobs
Missouri cannot generate needed taxes. Low or stagnate incomes and increasing taxes results in declining
standards of living.

      Missouri has not been a leader in Real Economic Growth. One of Missouri's biggest growth industries in Missouri is government, and at many levels.

     The past comes back to haunt those that perpetuated the mirage of Prosperity, Wealth and Freedom.
The words ring in my head. The best economy in 30 years. Freedom is coupled with the yoke of taxation.
There is no free lunch. Freedom is not Free. Many have promised much, the Illusion of Freedom,
Prosperity and Wealth, and Missourians ended up with the Erosion of Freedom, Wealth and Prosperity,
and higher taxes. Each time Hancock II kicked in that was a signal to all citizens that state taxes were
growing faster than personal incomes. Add on the local tax increases and the standard of living of many
Missouri citizens declined. Some legislators rushed to prop up the system, and tried to meet the needs of
citizens, only at the expense of others. Again more taxes, without the real income growth.

     Missouri tax data shows individual income taxes will double by 2002 from1993 levels, sales taxes will
hit 1.5 times 1993 levels, even with the recession, but my estimated 2002 projected Gross Personal
Incomes should be about 1.63 times the1993 levels, or less in this recession.

     The present recession has begun to take its toll, with business's closings, layoffs and downsizing. The
economy of Missouri has turned down like most of America. Those business closings will change the
economic landscape forever, and may force economic relocation of many Missouri citizens.

     The future in America and Missouri stands at an economic crossroads to a new Millennium. The
Missouri State Legislators may ask for increased taxes and fees. Senate bill 710 ask for 5/16 increase of 1
percent in general sales and 6 cents per gallon fuel taxes, and raises motor vehicle registration fees. The
Governor also proposes cuts from funding for transportation in his 2002-2003 budget proposals. Why does
the Governor ask for more money for Transportation one year and then cuts the Transportation budget the
next year? Missouri is in dire need of good paying jobs, and the governor budget proposals for 2002-2003
cuts Economic Development funds. I hope someone might inform the governor, and some of our
legislators that good jobs pay good wages and generate taxable incomes and that is what Missouri needs.
This recession will not be over till Missouri gets Real Economic Growth. Some of our elected government
officials don't understand that for the generation of a given amount of taxable income Missouri needs a
good industrial base, and that industrial base should create good paying jobs, and good paying jobs allows
citizens to make a good and ever increasing standard of living, and those good paying jobs generates income and sales taxes to the state and local communities. You can not make a gasoline engine generate
more horsepower without giving it more gas, and you can not make an economy generate more Gross
Domestic Product without Gross Personal Income for citizens earning and keeping more money to spend
and to invest, and to buy all those goods and services, but many citizens have limited incomes.

     Topping the governor's budget proposals for 2002-2003 is a 23.1 percent funding increase for elected
officials. Audrain County officials voted to raise the next elected officials pay about 17 percent on average
about $6,000 dollars, quite a jump. Many working and retired Missouri citizens sure could use any portion
of increased income, but will end up tightening their belts, and struggle thru this recession as it plays out.

     Data from the 1991 recession shows that median families did not recover to 1990 income levels till
1996. Taxes have not slowed their increase much at the local levels, and state levels appropriations from
the Missouri State Budget books for year 2002 shows Missouri's appropriations for 2001-2002 near $17
billion. The governor proposes a $19 billion dollar state budget. That would amount to about a 12 percent
increase.

     I have been told there is no money in the Missouri budget for a tax cut, but why is there money in your
budget in a recession for a tax increase? I believe citizens are wise enough to see what is taking place, if
citizens know all the facts.

     Citizens, Taxpayers and Voters have the chance to send the governor and the legislators a message.
Citizens, Taxpayers and Voters should come first. Who supports the working and retired citizens of
Missouri, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, or who else? That message is the Missouri Standard of
Living Deduction Initiative Petition.

     The Missouri Standard of Living Deduction Initiative Petition allows citizens to make and keep a good standard of living wage before taxes and an ever increasing standard of living for working and retired citizens. A decent income before taxes for all workers. Marriage penalty nullification. Inflation Protection. Citizens will never get a bracket increase because of inflation. The Missouri Standard of Living Deduction gives Economic Stimulus to Missouri's Economy.

     Tell the governor and the legislators that the Citizens of Missouri are just one happy non-collective
public labor union that wants inflation protect commonly called COLA(cost of living allowance).

Is that asking too much?

     Inflation is great for government they get more tax dollars. Workers, retired and business's have to pay
those higher cost. As taxes go up the standard of living goes down. Wages and incomes lag the cost of
living and taxing. Higher taxes are just earned or saved dollar devaluation.

     Federal legislators voted to fund a $4900 pay increase last year, they get automatic increases in pay, but
legislators have to vote for the funding. The Missouri state legislators have a similar type of automatic
increase, or must come up with enough votes to defeat the increase.

     The choice of the citizens is clear, move toward economic independence support the Missouri Standard
of Living Deduction Initiative Petition, or face a continuing sliding standard of living.

     If an automatic pay increase is good enough for Missouri legislators and other elected officials, then a
good and ever increasing standard of living should be good enough for the citizens of Missouri.

     I ask for your consideration and support for the Missouri Standard of Living Deduction Initiative Petition.

Sincerely,

Danny G. Goe

Financial Freedom is a Cornerstone to all other Freedoms.