The issue of tax reform in Alabama currently surfaces daily in reports from the media, in debates between state leaders and even in conversations among Baptists.
Since The Alabama Baptist began its recent weekly reporting on Gov. Bob Riley’s proposed tax and accountability plan for Alabama, the state Baptist paper has received numerous letters, e-mails and phone calls.
Many readers responded immediately to Editor Bob Terry’s July 17 editorial endorsing the tax plan. Some applauded his position on the issue, while others expressed distress over The Alabama Baptist taking a stand.
Rob Martin of Auburn expressed the sentiments of several readers. “I feel that you have used your favored position on The Alabama Baptist to support a politically divisive issue upon which Alabama Baptists do not agree.
“It seems abundantly clear to me that Alabama Baptists are divided over the governor’s proposal,” Martin said. “You also seem to have joined others who imply that opposition to the governor’s tax proposal is not a Christian position.”
Cynthia Sneed of Gadsden wrote: “How dare you (Bob Terry) or Riley suggest that those of us who oppose this package are ‘immoral’ or ‘lesser Christians.’”
Wayne Parker of Pike Road said, “We who oppose the proposed tax increases are just as responsible and care just as much about our state as those who support the increases.”
Taking a stand
Readers commending Terry for taking the stand and for reporting on the issue noted his leadership was “badly needed and much appreciated.”
Tom Corts, president of Samford University in Birmingham, said, “I thank you and applaud your courageous leadership in the article favoring the governor’s ‘Plan for Progress.’ … You did the right thing.”
Troy King, legal advisor to the governor, said, “As an Alabamian, a Baptist and a father who is concerned about the future of his children … I am pleased to know that … you … have taken a stand beside Gov. Riley and on behalf of the responsible governance of our state.
“The reform and accountability package that he has proposed is sweeping and will fundamentally improve the way our government operates and will bring fairness and equity to our tax system,” King said. “One day, when Alabamians look back on these historic days and this defining struggle for our state’s future, I know that they will be glad there were men, like you, who were willing to step forward and change Alabama for the better forever.”
But many readers disagreed that the proposed tax plan will make a better state.
Eugene Dekich of Indian Springs said, “I believe the Bob Riley tax bill will harm the poor. We have adequate tax revenue (but we) lack leadership on the spending.”
Leonard Wilson of Townley said, “Your editorial overlooks the fact that a giant tax increase does not constitute tax reform.
“Your statistics are badly out of line with the facts when you average that the top 5 percent on the income scale pay only 1 percent of the taxes,” he said. “The new taxes imposed under the Riley plan (i.e., the new tax on repair bills, an increase in auto sales tax and the increased property taxes) will impact all taxpayers and hit the poor the hardest.”
Several readers also took issue with Terry’s opinion that Riley’s tax plan follows through with what Alabama Baptists requested.
During their 2000 state convention meeting, Alabama Baptists called for tax reform when they passed a resolution requesting that the governor and Legislature bring “relief and justice to the poor,” Terry wrote.
Some readers noted that while Alabama Baptists did call for tax reform, they “stopped short of supporting any particular tax reform package or approach.”
Others, however, agree with Terry.
Reggie Holder of Birmingham said, “The tax reform amendment offers all Alabamians the opportunity to begin to correct some of the injustices that have plagued our state for over 100 years.
“We have the opportunity to relieve the income tax burden that falls heaviest upon the backs of the poor … and working families,” Holder said. “This is the beginning of real accountability for the appropriation of our tax dollars by our Legislature and much-needed funding for our children’s education.”
Ruric E. Wheeler of Birmingham said, “I do not like the bill that provides for the vote on our tax structure. However, I will be voting yes because I think this is the Christian way to vote. This vote may be the only opportunity we as Christians will ever have to try to change the inequities (against the poor) in our present tax system.”
Weak attempt
While scores of readers objected to The Alabama Baptist’s endorsement of the tax plan, others believe all Baptists in the state should take a stronger stand by publicly supporting it.
To date eight former past presidents of the Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC) endorsed the plan and the ABSC officers called for prayer about the issue. Joe Godfrey of First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove; Henry Cox of First Baptist Church, Bay Minette; and Roger Willmore of First Baptist Church, Boaz (officers of the ABSC) encouraged Alabama Baptists to designate Sept. 7 as a day of prayer for tax reform in Alabama.
Tom Fuller of Hoover said calling for the day of prayer is not taking a stand on the issue. Instead he said it is “selling our moral souls.”
“I expected more of a moral backbone and prophetic courage than this from the leaders among us — the same kind of courageous stand that was taken against the statewide lottery,” Fuller said. “How righteous and bold we are when there’s no risk of sacrifice involved.
“When the injustice of something is as plain as the nose on your face, then get off your knees, pull your head out of the sand, open your mouth and speak up.
“Find your voice, Alabama Baptists,” Fuller said. “And use it for something more than making excuses for why we can’t rally behind a righteous plan as well as we can rally against an unrighteous one. Don’t spiritualize the issue to such an extent that you excuse yourself from the inescapable Christian responsibility to ‘do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic. 6:8).
Still another sentiment that arose was that it is the church’s responsibility to help the poor, not the government’s.
“Help to the less fortunate was to be done in the name of Christ and in a personal way by His people and His church,” said Ellen Williams of Leroy. “Nowhere do I find that an impersonal secular government is ordained to assume the role of Christian charity.”
Others also expressed concern that some may vote for the tax plan fearing the only other alternative to help the state’s funding woes is a statewide lottery.
Bert and Ruth Curtis of Troy said, “Is the Christian community willing to accept any amendment with the ulterior motive to keep the lottery out of Alabama?
“We voted against the lottery and will continue to fight to keep it out,” they said. “We fear the possibility of the lottery will influence Christian voters to sacrifice good judgment.”
But Michael Johnson, Robert Johnston Jr. and Joe Wise of Fort Payne said a lottery referendum is certain if the current proposal fails. “If this tax reform package should fail and we sit on the sidelines and abstain from the discussion, we will have virtually no credibility if we seek to advocate on behalf of the poor of our state in a lottery campaign,” they wrote.
While each reader who contacted The Alabama Baptist had an opinion about the proposed tax plan, the variety of solutions and concerns offered indicate a wide array of diverse situations and arguments.
Some readers documented statistics, while others spoke from the heart. In all cases, a passion for the welfare of the state permeated from the letters, e-mails and phone calls.
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