Some degree of taxation is necessary to provide for the essential functions of government, but recent votes by residents of nearby Whitfield County, Ga., sent the message once again that people will avoid higher taxes when they can.
Whitfield County residents overwhelmingly voted against a 1 percent sales tax increase that would have taken effect in January. And residents of Dalton, the county seat, strongly re-elected tax-cutting Mayor David Pennington.
Pennington has made low tax rates a cornerstone of his efforts to boost economic activity in the Dalton area, which has suffered heavy job losses as the economic downturn has hurt the textile industry.
Dalton and Whitfield County will reap long-term benefits from their decision to hold down taxes.
Washington should take note.