We are told that the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. It may be further stated that taxes are the most certain of the two, as we have been convinced by repeated personal experience.

Taxes, a rather boring subject at best, a costly one to all, will likely come to the public forefront this week as the hoopla over last week’s issue subsides. It does make some sense to be talking about taxes since the issue has the most to say about how our government functions, and has the most overall direct effect on most all of us.

As a society we don’t need health care insurance. What we need is health care assurance, with or without insurance companies.

Insurance has been the biggest bane of our health care “system” in the United States. Admittedly, insurance is a very necessary evil if the primary source of payment for health care is the individual recipient. Also, insurance is necessary for smaller employers who provide insurance benefits for their employees. There, insurance serves to collect from many to pay for individuals when needed, thus spreading the burden when calamity occurs.

An excellent example of government at its best occurred right here in Pequot Lakes last Saturday afternoon. Sadly, only a very few local citizens attended. There were nearly more elected officials than citizens.

Our local state representative, John Ward, scheduled and conducted a town meeting at city hall, open just for the occasion. The event was hosted by Mayor Nancy Adams, who personally assured that doors were open and the meeting room comfortably set up.

Most might think that this is an unlikely time to be talking, writing or even thinking about the influence of money on our political decision-making.

No major elections are being contested right now, other than a couple legislative special elections, and they will be decided soon. All of the elections that concern most of us were decided last November. It is too early for many to be interested, even if they live in the communities that have municipal elections culminating this November.