LEVY: Passing the 'wallet' around

There is an old James Coburn movie called “Harry in Your Pocket.” Coburn is a pick pocket named Harry, and his No. 1 rule is once he picks your pocket “Harry never holds;” he passes the stolen wallet to an accomplice, who then passes it off to another, and thus Harry is never in danger of getting caught.

Think of Harry as the state: He gives massive tax cuts to his rich friends. Then, while dividing up your money, he balances the budget by raiding education. The schools then float their annual tax increase…I mean “levy,” thus passing your wallet off. And around it goes, tax cuts for the rich, cut education, pass a levy, and the state can look at you with wide-eyed innocence and say, “We never raise your taxes.” Because you see, “Harry never holds.” But you do.

CHAD SOLSVIK

Coeur d’Alene