HERB JOHNSON, Benton City

A recent article described Gov. Chris Gregoire's efforts to encourage lawmakers to enact a law requiring taxes from online sales. This may be a good thing but will require Congress to act, which does not seem likely, as recent history has shown. Enacting a state requirement to collect taxes from neighboring states when purchases are made in Washington may be more achievable. This could be a good thing.

Another recent article, "Report finds health law is good deal for states," predicted states will receive "more than $9 in federal money for every $1 they spend to cover low-income residents under President Obama's health care law."

Oh, goody, the federal government, which is literally broke, will add deficits to the economy, and this is a good deal? Maybe all of us should realize that the local, state, and federal governments are financed by its taxpaying citizens. The government by itself has no money. The sooner people grasp this reality, the sooner things will change for the better.

"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have." -- Davy Crockett.