One less vote for Sen. Mike O'Pake

This is a letter to the editor originally published in The Mercury regarding broken promises by state state Sen. Michael A. O'Pake, a a veteran Democrat representing the 11th Senate District in Berks County. Anger over the Legislature's unwillingness to deal with property tax reform will carry into the April 22 primary election.

I recently received a questionnaire from state Sen. Michael A. O'Pake, D-Berks.

Again, it contained the same old political jargon about how it will take years (if ever) to provide the residents of Pennsylvania with some school property tax relief.

I answered the questionnaire with my solution to the school property tax crisis. If we would put in place a 10 percent sales tax (excluding food and clothing), the homeowner property tax would be a thing of the past.

O'Pake's answer to me was if this was done in Pennsylvania, our state would have the highest sales tax in the country. He was worried about the political backlash and didn't take into consideration the abolishment of school property taxes. He didn't care if the residents of Pennsylvania would have a weight lifted off their shoulders that now is unbearable.

Mortgage foreclosures are at a record high. Families can't afford to pay for everyday living expenses. If we are not in a recession now, it's only around the corner. Yet the people of Pennsylvania continue to vote the same politicians into office. O'Pake has been in office for more than 30 years.

When something can be done now to change this mess we're in, we have to act. Get rid of the property tax and impose a 10 percent sales tax. Give the homeowners of this state room to breathe.

BILL SAKELLAROPOULOS
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