DEAR EDITOR:

If I were a gas and oil company and my taxes were substantially increased, I would pass that increase on to the companies or people that I sold to.

If I were one of those companies or a small business, I would pass that increase on to my customers.

If I were one of those customers, I would demand more pay.

If I had to pay more wages and I couldn’t afford to, I would close my doors, go out of business and fade into the sunset, so to speak.

Now, my employees would no longer have a job, but that’s OK. There is always public assistance for which the taxpayer would be asked to pay more taxes.

If you’re old and on a fixed income, you have no recourse except to eat less, turn off your lights, stop driving, cancel your car insurance, reduce your charitable giving, wear your clothes out and never buy anything new, go barefoot and last, but not least, sit and despise the people who have caused that misery.

P.S. If you’re a member of a certain political party, don’t admit it, or the American Gestapo will show up at your door and carry you off to prison. On the bright side, you’ll be fed, clothed and given shelter while you are there.

HARLENE HUFFSTETLER

Howland