Bitter colds, like the ones we had Friday (with a low of seven degrees Fahrenheit, not including wind chill) and the rising cost of natural gas have lead Republicans in the State House to suggest a temporary ban on the tax of residential natural gas. But to do this, they need the help of Governor Frank O’Bannon and House Democrats who currently make up the majority.

While the state worries about the $50 million to $75 million that it will be losing if the moratorium is passed, I’m more worried about the money lost from my pants pocket. O’Bannon suspended the sales tax on gasoline during the summer in what some believe was a re-election stunt, and this is a time to see if that same heart remains for those who put their confidence in him.

Many students at Purdue, who rely on natural gas, are feeling the cold outside in the discomfort of their own homes. This is mainly due to the need for reduced gas bills in order to save money. Bills may increase 44 percent this year.

The suggestions of the House Republicans to temporarily ban the tax needs to be supported. We’re all hard-working people trying to get ahead. A little relief now and then would be much appreciated.

O’Bannon argues that the lost revenues from taxes would be felt in other government-run institutions such as education. But I’m sure many of us will feel the effect on our education when we're wearing gloves in our living rooms.

It is your money and if at some time in your life you would like to support public education, in forms other than actually paying to attend it, then maybe a tax that supports such institutions wouldn’t be such a pain. For now, however, the money would feel better in our hands.

Government subsidized programs like education, funded with our tax dollars, could be better managed by the private sector. But for now, in this country, public education is the most accessible institution to all social groups and it is therefore necessary for its support.

In national news, President George W. Bush has proposed lowering and simplifying your federal income tax rates by 2006. While a socialized government has been the major theme in America for the past thirty years, it is time we all wised up and saw that socialism, although good in theory, just doesn't work. Bush's plan to reduce taxes and expand child credits is a step in the right direction.

The suggestion from Indiana House Republicans to temporarily remove the natural gas tax is also worthy of support if you believe that your tax dollars are in better hands with you than with the government.

O’Bannon wants to determine the fate of the tax ban during budget negotiations, but I say cut the budget, I won’t mind. Quit spending money, I won’t mind. Let the people keep their hard-earned cash all the time, I won’t mind. My money holds a lot more security for the future, in my wallet or bank account than in theirs.

The government tries to make it seem as though everything would go to hell if they were not available to manipulate our money. The truth is that the prices on natural gas, medications, and other everyday products, would be reduced dramatically if taxes were removed from them.

If only this was done, think how much of that money could be used to fund other enterprises that impact social and economic gain. Think how much of that money could be invested in advancing your social status, towards attaining your American dream.

The current government leads us to believe that their management of your money must be maintained for steady social and economic growth. This is a lie. It may keep growth under governmental control, but not under the natural order that growth will evolve if money was left to the private sector.

I encourage you to support the moratorium on natural gas. Write or e-mail your state representatives and tell them that you need that 50 bucks to buy groceries and pay the phone bill.

Sue W. Scholer

(765) 463-2641

807 Essex

West Lafayette, Indiana 47906

Shelia Klinker

(765) 742-1692

633 Kossuth Street

Lafayette, Indiana 47905