There is an incessant demand from most Americans for continuation of all approved government programs at the federal, state and local level. Any cuts in such programs are met with resistance, if not screams of outrage.

We are in a recession, a big one. Economic growth is stagnant. Government and personal income is down. Many suffer with no jobs. It is not surprising that government, as well as private industry, must “tighten their belts” and make do with less money, almost across the board.

In the face of such public demands, governments are doing everything they can to increase their revenue. But sometimes they are sneaky in doing so.

In nearby Cherokee County, Kan., commissioners earlier this year were pleased with the 2010 budget and said they would keep the property tax rate the same as last year’s. But when the county’s tax rate was certified with the state, it was set at 53.201 mills, higher than this year’s rate of 52.869 mills. That’s because the county’s property valuation decreased and the previous tax rate, the commissioners said, would not have covered expenses. Because Missouri has the Hancock Amendment, voters definitely have more input about having their taxes raised. The same is not true elsewhere.

The state of California, which we understand is tottering on bankruptcy, recently “decreed” an additional 10 percent withholding on all wages. What elected body or individual approved that absurd edict without debate and transparency? New York state seems headed in the same direction.

Taking money of any sort from individuals and private businesses for government use is either a tax or a fee. A little here and a little there, and suddenly your available income as a citizen is noticeably down. You look around for whom to blame and find no one. It simply happens by decree in many cases.

We are not necessarily against any and all tax increases. It is simple economics to not do so during a recession, however, and it would take a true emergency of sizable proportions to persuade us to raise any taxes right now.

It is, however, inexcusable anytime to raise taxes, fees, whatever government collects, without a full and open debate pro or con.