I am constantly amazed at the number of intelligent people who know nothing of economics 101. It is notoriously called the dismal science. Maybe that’s why they didn’t take it in college or promptly forgot it afterwards. Advanced economics, together with aeronautical engineering, was most useful in negotiating large aerospace contracts in the international market place.

It is very basic that if a government finds a need for increased services and there is no increased revenue from industry, then the people must be taxed more to pay the government’s bills. The larger the percentage of income taken by taxes, the greater deterrent to production and employment.

Increased industrial revenues accrue when the economy is growing. If the people have more money to spend, that increased spending spurs the economy and business growth. This is a basic fact. Tax reduction for the people produces more industrial growth and revenue that more than offsets the individual tax reduction. That should be as obvious as the laws of equilibrium. We walk without being aware of them.

There are constant pontifical statements to the effect that through ownership of its water system, Pinehurst would shut down growth, thereby adversely effecting all of Moore County. This is utter nonsense and would be economic suicide. The result would be higher taxes on the people. Who wants that? Nobody. Therefore, how can Pinehurst’s ownership harm the people of Moore County ?

Barton F. Walker Jr.

Pinehurst