Taxes are a good thing. Taxes are the dues we pay for living in community. We citizens pay taxes for the common services that we would otherwise have to pay for privately. Without them, the result would be police forces, fire departments, schools and old age security only for the wealthy. The rest of us would go without.

But what we taxpayers must demand is wise use of our taxes and strict oversight. Is anyone satisfied with the state department of transportation’s response to the reported mismanagement of our taxes? Yet we don’t want to get rid of roads or ferries.

Is anyone satisfied with the federal government’s oversight of Medicare? We should be asking what is being done to eliminate the billions of dollars of waste and corruption in the use of our tax dollars in doctors’ and insurance companies’ fraudulent billings. Medicare is a lifesaver for all of us seniors.

Is anyone satisfied with accountability in the Pentagon budget? When the government accounting office tried to conduct an audit of spending, it was impossible because the Pentagon didn’t keep adequate records! Billions unaccounted for.

Right-leaning or left, I think we can agree we do not want to end services that are essential to all of us. We want local, state and federal governments to spend our money with care. We have legitimate concerns about waste, corruption and mismanagement. We urge our fellow Vashon Islanders to advocate for accountability rather than no taxes.

— Kate Hunter and Jim Hauser