Alabamians pay the least amount of state taxes in the country. If the state of Alabama paid what Mississippi paid in taxes, Alabama would have collected an additional $1.2 billion in state revenue. Come Oct. 1, 2012, we are facing a decrease in funding of state government services, which could cause total chaos. Remaining silent on this important issue is not leadership.

The General Fund, which funds the state agencies, can’t handle 20 percent of additional cuts. Gov. Bentley and the Legislature should be aware of what these cuts would do to their agencies. All Alabamians want the best and least costly state government possible. Furthermore, we can’t allow the progress of the last 15 years to be destroyed.

Politicians and leaders can’t be afraid to tell Alabamians that without some revenue relict, Alabama can’t compete, nor prosper in the future.

Until the next time, keep me on the good thoughts.

Roderick West,

Selma