Doubts Over Measure A

After reviewing the statements in support of Measure A on the Ventura County ballot, people ought to stand back and ask basic questions about priorities.

If there is going to be an increase in the sales tax, historically the most inequitable of taxes, what should it be used for? Shouldn’t it be for our most critical needs, those with the greatest potential for economic and social return? Isn’t the first need improvement of educational facilities?

In all fairness, shouldn’t this include the improvement of educational opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds? Many in midlife in Ventura County need to upgrade their skills so that they can cope with today’s problems, especially the cost-spiraling economy. How else can they make those horrendous house payments that have been caused by L.A.’s spillover growth?

The next need is for medical care. How about providing a secure source of funding for the Ventura County medical and mental health system that provides the ultimate safety net for us and for our neighbors? Who can afford the premiums on private insurance plans?

Even if you might be in favor of Measure A, you should be aware that there is absolutely no guarantee that the road improvements identified by the authors of Measure A will ever be accomplished. Worse, it was clearly stated that the actual expenditures of funds from the tax increase may be made as the Ventura County Transportation Commission sees fit. A half-billion dollar slush fund for commission members to use over the next 25 years is just too tempting. It can’t help but set the stage for back-room decision making of the sort we just don’t need.

Voting against Measure A will save tax dollars that are desperately needed for purposes more basic and more conservative of our human resources.

ROBERT SHIMER, Ventura