In the early 1980s, an advertising campaign as part of the "War on Drugs" brought us the slogan, "Just Say No." The idea is simple, somebody asks you to do something stupid like drugs and all an individual does is say no instead of succumbing to pressure. The slogan popped into my head recently when I read an article about the governments plan to place a tax on cow gas. I guess that when cows pass gas they emit methane, a gas that is harmful to the atmosphere. 

 Inasmuch as I am known to joke around, this is a legitimate proposal and there are already cow-tooting taxes in place in New Zealand and Estonia. The tax could have a terrible impact on Orleans County and may even drive some farmers out of business, as the proposed US tax would amount to $175 a cow. New York Senator Chuck Schumer is fighting hard to squash the proposed tax before it becomes a reality; it's refreshing to see a politician fighting against a tax.

 It is time more politicians take a stand against taxes and just say no; instead, there is a constant barrage of nagging fee increases and strange tax proposals to fund governments that are getting out of control. It almost makes you long for the days of the Stamp Act or taxes on tea. As the nation braces for what may be a prolonged recession, the government gets more creative instead of efficient and the programs that are cut are usually ones that benefit the middle class, like school funding.

 Even Governor Patterson is jumping on the bandwagon, announcing an "obesity tax" on non-diet soda and proposing that music and movie downloads are taxed. It would be one thing if I really felt like the governor cared that we are getting fat, but this is not a tax coming on the heels of a push for healthier eating and drinking habits, it is coming during a bad budget year. In other words, call it what you want but it still just another way the government is trying to make the middle class pay for Wall Streets downturn.

 I appreciate the fact that revenue to the state is down, but hitting overtaxed New Yorkers at the gas pump or penalizing parents who send their kids to SUNY is not the answer. The governor also increased welfare payments and eased anti-fraud measures on welfare, which means it will be easier for dirt bags to cheat the government out of the extra tax money I will be paying for cow toots, music downloads, coca-cola and gasoline for my car. 

 It is time for politicians to get backbones, just say no, and take a stand for the middle class. Instead of giving out bail out money to big corporations, the government should be putting money into the hands of the workforce, and if the government needs money stop taxing cow gas and start taxing private jets and limo rides.