To the Editor:

The conservative right has controlled Western North Carolina politics for decades with an ideology of lower taxes and less government.  The top 25 percent has pushed this maniacal fear of taxes and government, and the amazing reality is that the majority of voters, both locals and move-ins, seem foolishly content with this arrangement: cut taxes, reduce services, throw in some gun lingo and Republicans rule.  

Hence, stringent conservative governance reigns, slashing programs, budgets, and collapsing important resources to meet a callous expectation. With this agenda, it’s no surprise that serious social and economic withdrawal affects the majority of Western North Carolina. 

Conservatives have convinced voters that support services — social security, healthcare, public education, unemployment, disability and other benefits — are welfare handouts; when in reality, tax cuts are welfare for the upper class. Cutting taxes may do wonders for the assets of the upper class and for the welfare of the prosperous; however, the majority loses life-changing services. 

James Madison, father of our Constitution, said, “To provide employment for the poor and support for the indigent is among the primary, and at the same time not least difficult cares of the public authority.” 

Secondly, less government means less regulation; the upper class is free to get more for less, while the working class just gets less and works harder. The irony is that many who need a hand up often vote with this elite minority or in their frustration do not vote. 

The conservative bedrock of our communities remains strong and intolerant, while conditions of poverty increase and services dwindle; it’s illogical to think that we can continue to cut taxes without weakening infrastructure. Less taxation means we serve the top 25 percent and starve the lowest. Taxes should support a quality of life for all and communities will reflect that quality. 

Political regimes that strangle our resources inevitably damage the integrity of our western counties; without a strong and equitable infrastructure, we will crumble from the bottom up. Get out the vote!

Ruth Ballard

Hayesville