I thank Donald Torrey for his response to my op-ed of Jan. 20, “A city for higher income households” (not my title, by the way). I welcome the discussion. Indeed, Austrians do not pay property taxes, but perhaps it is time for us, too, to stop relying on property taxes to meet our essential needs, even if it means higher income taxes. The alternative appears to be an unrelenting parade of 2½ overrides.
True, Austrians make less money than we do and they are taxed at a higher rate. But it is also true that they are taxed more progressively, that they spend less on health care, that they are healthier and safer and that they are more likely to live longer. They are also 80% less likely to live below the poverty line.
I am not saying that we should become Austria, a very different country smaller than Maine, but that we should look around for good ideas, stop doing things the way we have always done them and compel our government to live up to its commitment and invest more and more intelligently in our well-being.
Julio Alves
Northampton