DOES everyone on Guam benefit from GovGuam’s public schools, public health, water, sewerage, power, public safety, parks, and libraries? I think so. Everyone benefits. Then why would anyone propose to have only GovGuam employees pay for these public services by taxing them (a pay cut) at a rate of about 10 percent of their incomes?
Do the schools need maintenance, certified teachers, qualified administrators, chalk, paper, TOILET PAPER, current texts, sports, art, and music supplies? Of course. Does the hospital require nurses and doctors and pharmaceuticals and beds? Of course. Does DPHSS need field inspectors?
If everyone benefits from government services, then everyone should share the cost of these services. Brilliant! Spread the cost of government among the governed! Brilliant! Let’s tell the world about this!
Well, actually, the rest of the civilized world already knows how to fund the services provided by government. For example, in the U.S.A., state income tax rates range between 1 and 9 percent of adjusted gross income of the people above the poverty line and little or nothing for people living on retirement only. Everyone else pays for these services. Forty three of 50 states have state income taxes: Of the seven that don’t, Texas and Alaska are awash in oil revenues, and Nevada prospers from gambling. ALL states tax banks at corporate rates ranging from 1 to 12 percent. (see taxadmin.org).
Brilliant! Provide the funds necessary for GovGuam to operate at a civilized level by having everyone (except the poor) contribute based on their ability to pay! What a concept!
So, while I’ve not even mentioned real estate or sales taxes, it sounds simply reasonable to tax everyone on Guam at 5 percent of their adjusted gross income, so we can, for example, not chase away tourists with garbage, filthy bathrooms, and beach thugs, for a start.
GovGuam employees should not be singled out to pay the costs of government services. We’re all in this together.

ERNIE MATSON
Talofofo, Guam