Sell assets of governments

  With the worsening recession that seems to be affecting all levels of government, the discussion is inevitably turning to tax increases. This would be a disaster and would prolong the recession; just as such tax increases did in the 1930s.

  A much better idea is for government entities at all levels to sell assets. The prospects are numerous and involve very large sums of money.

  For example, cities can sell airports or water systems or sewer systems or office buildings, or even fire stations (and then lease them back). Anything that could generate revenue should be on the auction block.

  States can sell raw land or office buildings or parks (with deed restrictions to keep them functioning as parks). The federal government has many assets that can be sold, including forests, developable land and numerous buildings.

  (A rhetorical question that might be asked is why does the government need to own any real property?)

  These sales offer a double benefit in that they raise money without new taxes and for defenders of liberty, they reduce the size of government by reducing its balance sheet and by making assets subject to market forces.

  Even if these assets are sold and leased back by the same government entity, their expense to the taxpayer is much more clearly reflected in the lease payments.

  Who wants to start the bidding?

ROY MILLER, Yuma