That isn't all folks, the Council has been told it may have to increase water rates by 40 percent over three year and garbage rates by a whopping 46 percent over a mere two years. Add into the mix the county's expected big increase in bus fares.

All the while the nations's economy is tanking, largely because of greedy mortgage lenders and the oil industry going ballistic aided by oil speculators who bid up the price per barrel to line their own pockets.

The Seattle City Council can do nothing about oil prices or mortgage lenders. But it can take into effect the financial woes those issues are causing the citizens of the city.

City Council raises taxes

City Council member Jan Drago had the temerity to vote no on the grocery bag "fee" and then tell the Seattle Times the passage of the "fee" showed the city is telling its citizens it does not care about the economic problems of its citizens. Of course the mayor's watch dog, Tim Ceis, told the Times that is "absolutely not" the city's feeling. If that is true it certainly is not obvious.

The 20-cent tax on paper and plastic grocery bags was presented by our green czar in waiting as a way to cut down on the millions of bags put into our garbage dumps. The mayor seems to think that only fining people will make them do the accepted and proper thing. Besides jawing, the city has made no real attempt to teach the public how and why such bags are so bad for the environment. The mayor and the Council say the 20-cent tax will generate millions which will be used, in the words of a city press release, "to offset a portion of the needed solid waste rate increase associated with new garbage contracts" and more will be used the support the city's "waste prevention and recycling programs."

Ceis told the Times that the rates are "absolutely critical" if people want their garbage disposed of in a timely and proper manner. So pay more or watch the trash collect in the alley and expect an increase of coyotes and other critters to the feast, eh?

Talk about a nanny government. We are considered, it appears, too stupid to do "the right thing" unless forced by taxes. It is nice to see that our benevolent leaders have so much confidence of the people who temporarily installed them in office. We shall remember that next year at election time.

It appears already that the bag tax will not keep the city from having to increase fees for garbage. The bag tax is not even in effect yet and the city says garbage rates will have to increase a whopping 46 percent.

Add to that the 40 percent hike proposed for water rates.

Still more. Although under King County government and not the city, it seems falling revenue is forcing King County Metro Transit to hold off on a proposed 25-cent fare hike while it considers one much higher. This time, falling sales tax income to the county is at fault we are told.

Government seems to fail to understand that it can raise taxes without asking the taxed but the people cannot demand and receive a raise in their income to pay for the added burden. Council member Drago is right about the message the Council and mayor are sending. Our concerns are not considered by too many in leadership in this city, only the needs of government are considered.

We keep on wondering who will be able to afford to live here in the future. It appears more and more that only the wealthy will live here, with the city becoming ringed by poor suburbs such as has happened in many cities in the east.

The messages this Council and this mayor are sending is "Pay or leave."

- Jack Mayne