The May 18 Pilot headlines a “tax cut” by Southern Pines. What it really is is a prime example of a political scam. Together with the ridiculous revaluations, it’s actually a 41 percent tax increase. Not all of us are mathematical illiterates as politicians and their stooges think we are.

It resembles the same fiction coming out of Washington in regard to the “strong” dollar. This “strong” dollar is really beginning to resemble a Third World currency, having lost about 30 percent of its value against the Euro recently.

Our politicians at all levels are liars and cheats. They take advantage of the fact that a substantial number of our people are indeed mathematical and economic illiterates.

Vincent H. Chase

Southern Pines