In a free market, those who use goods and services pay for the goods and services which they use. Individuals are free to use property as they see fit as long as they do not aggress upon somebody else or somebody else’s property. A free market leads to an equitable distribution of goods and services.
To entice the voters of Pratt County into a sale tax increase of 1%, Pratt Regional Medical Center, Inc. is attempting to appeal to a version of the free market principle stated above. A recent post card sent to residents implied those who live outside of Pratt County and “use” PRMC are not paying their fair share to “replace worn out mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in the current facility.”
“A sales tax would allow residents to share the expense of the project with those who come from outside Pratt County to use our medical facilities.” Some voters might get the mistaken impression the tax will only be paid by those who use PRMC and live outside Pratt County.
If that is truly the goal, then non-residents who use PRMC ought to pay an additional tax when they actually use PRMC and leave everyone else alone. Vote no to paying more at the grocery store.
David T. Cramer
Pratt
