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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Mail Tribune 100 Emergency Services Couple's argument leads to wife stabbing husband Oregon Gulch fire reaches 30 percent containment Memorial fund set up for fallen local firefighter Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Couple's argument leads to wife stabbing husband Crater Lake rangers investigate report of hiker falling over rim Police release photo of arson suspect Medford man who was misidentified as arson suspect released from jail Politics and Elections Medford council veterans plan exit Medical marijuana patients run for council seat Former colleagues laud Atiyeh's 'practical' leadership Bates-Dotterrer race called critical to Senate control Richardson challenges Kitzhaber during debate Education Free meals program expands in Grants Pass Migrant student numbers soar $21 million Science Building upgrades begin at SOU Eagle Point district mulls fate of Trail school SOU Provost James Klein plans to retire State news Nation - World Obituaries Alan R. Gaar Katherine Grubbs Paul C. Cook Death Notices Emma Elizabeth Weather Photo Galleries Videos Web Cams Sports Latest Stories Mustangs confident heading into regionals Klamath Falls edges Medford His spine is fine, Griffin assures Federer, Sock advance at Rogers Cup New receiver Johnson gears up for 49ers debut Varsity 541 College Sports Villamin appreciates return to field with Beavers Great expectations follow Ducks Cox, Pereira power Rogues past Gems Nebraska junior Christian Cox displays versatility as pitcher, outfielder for Medford Rogues Oregon Ducks: To playoff or not to playoff? Pro Sports His spine is fine, Griffin assures Federer, Sock advance at Rogers Cup New receiver Johnson gears up for 49ers debut MLS All-Stars prep quickly for Bayern Munich Isner loses to Dodig in Rogers Cup Community Sports Larkins named Oregon Bowling Proprietors of Year Mavs capture Legion A state title Medford Mustangs win American Legion state title Allred to enter Hall of Fame at Pepperdine Comet rally falls short in Legion A tourney Business Latest Stories Median residential housing prices rise 10.7 percent, but may begin to level out $200 million development begins in south Medford Blog: Part 2: How to Stay Cool in 100 Degree Weather Avista requests rate hike of 9.7% Blog: Study finds Oregon's exports slow to recover Real Estate News Median residential housing prices rise 10.7 percent, but may begin to level out Average selling price of existing homes jumps 8.1% countywide People In Business People in business People in Business Transportation Medford airport has second-best June ever Agriculture Hail has local pear growers checking for damage Del Rio plans to add 50% more plants Harry & David sets sights on year-round operations Opinion Latest Our Opinion: A new chapter for an old mill site Catherine Rampell: Stop the campus rape numbers game Don't believe reports Editors got it right Getting away with it Editorials Our Opinion: A new chapter for an old mill site Our View: School success is about more than the three Rs Our Opinion: An uphill battle Other Views: Vic Atiyeh, truth-teller Our Opinion: Take it easy Letters to the Editor Don't believe reports Editors got it right Getting away with it Letter: Support CATS Letter: Improvements appreciated Guest Opinions Who I am and why I want to serve on the City Council City council members should be paid Lifestyle Latest stories Juicing offers endless combinations Holding all the cardamoms: A spice whose time has come Try these cool eats for those hot days Community blog: Baby's berry blues warrant look at prewashing Posting thoughts on your bumper can be sticky Food Juicing offers endless combinations Holding all the cardamoms: A spice whose time has come Community blog: Baby's berry blues warrant look at prewashing Community blog: Ways with watermelon span summer months What's in a wine's name? 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Dining India Palace Taco Riendo Uber Herbal Coquina Restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our Opinion: Life and taxes Society wouldn't amount to much if we never paid for services we don't use Today's topic is why we all pay for government services even though each of us does not personally use every service government provides. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 30, 2014 @ 2:00 am Posted Jul. 30, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News Today's topic is why we all pay for government services even though each of us does not personally use every service government provides. The new Library District board has come under fire recently for its decision to levy the maximum property tax rate immediately, rather than get through the first year as frugally as possible. We were among the critics, although we have always firmly supported the county library system and still do. It's understandable that some voters who supported the measure creating the Library District feel betrayed by the decision because supporters suggested during the campaign that the top rate likely wouldn't be needed right away. It's really not about the money — the difference between the 60-cent rate and the status-quo rate of 40 cents amounts to all of $50 a year on a $250,000 house, or about four bucks a month. It's the principle. But on principle, we can't summon much sympathy for those critics who continue to raise the "user-fee" argument. It goes something like this: "I never use the library, so why should I have to pay for it? Why don't the libraries charge an annual fee for a library card, and an hourly fee for Internet service?" Government services are provided to all — users and non-users alike — and everyone helps pay for them. That's how government works. Most people have never needed to call the fire department — but if they do, firefighters race to their house and put out the fire without asking for payment because all of us pay taxes to maintain fire protection. If the libraries should charge a user fee, maybe police officers should start accepting credit card payments when they come to the door to take a burglary report. Motorists pay gas taxes and vehicle license fees to help pay for road construction and maintenance, but that doesn't cover the whole cost. Maybe Central and Riverside should be toll roads so no one has to pay any taxes to fill the potholes and paint the center lines. We support libraries because they serve as repositories of knowledge and learning that contribute to the culture of the community. The instructional programs offer opportunities for community residents to learn about current affairs, science, music, art and myriad other topics. Children's programs help foster a love of reading and exploration that will serve our young people throughout their lives and make them more productive citizens. The computers and Internet access are invaluable for many in the community who are looking for work and cannot afford an Internet connection of their own. When they find a job, they can begin contributing more to the local economy, which benefits everyone. It's fine to cast a skeptical eye on the decisions of government officials regarding how they spend our money. To suggest that we should never have to pay taxes for services we don't use reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to live in a civilized society. 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