I have noticed that the rural and urban areas of our state don't see eye-to-eye when it comes to how public money is spent. Each side sees the other as mooching more than their fair share of tax dollars. For example, it bothers many people here to see their tax dollars go to support roads and public transit systems in urban areas. Those who live in urban areas may wonder why rural areas need tax dollars when there are more cows than people per square mile (I exaggerate). Both sides should stop and think about the benefits rural and urban areas bring to the whole state.
For example, urban areas need our rural region to produce their food. And urban areas get this benefit without the aromas associated with farm life.
Rural areas lack the population needed to create a market for mass-produced cars, appliances, and other technological advances. And rural areas get these benefits without the levels of traffic congestion, pollution, and crime that are part of urban life. I think this "mutual mooching" benefits the whole state.
David Bross
Cogan Station
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
