Jason Mercier and Carl Gipson’s July 17 Guest Opinion (“Yes, we can replace B&O tax”) offers a great many options — every one still a tax.

Is there nobody who reads columns such as this and asks why the B&O tax is necessary at all?

Mercier and Gipson write that their options will improve the business climate while collecting the needed revenue for government.

Rather than always looking at how to impose taxes, why not ask that government look at how to reduce revenue needs?

How did we get to the point that we roll over for the government, and how do we get away from this mindset?

Jerre Thorne is a Port Orchard resident.