To the Editor:

It has appeared for a long time that the American people have turned into a flock of sheep being led where ever our leaders wish to take us. The headline on page 16 of this The Smoky Mountain News last week indicates that Macon residents are no different than the balance of the country.

The headline "Lower Values Lead to Higher Taxes in Macon" is simply astonishing. That a lowering of the value of real estate in a county should automatically mean higher taxes means the politicians have finally got their constituents where they want them. Our leaders no longer need to worry if their policies lead to the wealth of their constituents being reduced. They just raise the taxes when that happens! This is unbelievable.

Ordinary citizens have to tighten their belts when times get hard. Apparently, that is not to be expected from politicians. They will simply raise taxes by 28 cents to 35 cents (an astounding 25 percent increase) to support a budget increase of 2.5 percent.

A strong case can be made that the governments at all levels in the country has spent us into deep trouble as well as promoting policies (sending the bulk of manufacturing overseas) that have set the middle class back 20 years or more. Apparently, the politicians will not have to even bother apologizing. Just move on to greater spending!

Bart McPherson

Glenville