Letter: Voters need lesson in economics

Companies large and small, public or privately held, have three options that they use when faced with higher costs. They can: 1) Attempt to pass the cost on to the consumer; 2) Reduce the benefits they offer to their employees or ask their employees to contribute more; or 3) Reduce their labor costs by eliminating jobs or reducing the hours worked. Most will use a combination of these to reduce their costs.

Making businesses (aka the "rich") pay their fair share is simply a liberal lie. It sounds good to those who want to punish success, but in the end, all they have done is reduce the money/benefits left over for themselves after businesses finish paying for new taxes, regulations and mandates that have been imposed.

Many employers will shift the burden of Obamacare to their employees by cutting their hours, and carbon taxes will be reflected in rising costs, reduced benefits and pay raises.

In California, businesses have another option. They can leave the state. Campbell's shut down in Sacramento will save the company over $5 million in carbon taxes. Additionally, by eliminating 1,000 jobs, Campbell's will reduce the costs imposed by Obamacare. Sadly, employees who lose their job or have their hours reduced to part time won't escape Obamacare. They will still be required to purchase insurance or pay a penalty imposed by the IRS.

Elections have consequences. The electorate needs a basic course in economics and the financial costs of "regressive taxes" of the liberal agenda.

— Eric Schumacher, Chico