Our refusal to help needy says who we are

In Thursday's WSJ:

By Timothy Monroe, guest columnist and the health director of the Forsyth County Department of Public Health

We have all used and/or heard the term "Christian community." In most parts of the United States, most people like to think of their community as such. How does a community qualify for the title? Is it the number, size or attendance level of our churches? Or are we to be known by our works?
One example of our works was the action taken June 15 by the Forsyth County commissioners, when a majority made it clear that their greatest concern was for the needs of the property owners. They refused to consider a tax increase that would have meant an increase of $100 a year in the property taxes for a $1 million home. Those with less expensive shelter can do the math to determine their additional tax burdens. The consequence is that many services for the lessfortunate of our community will continue to be inadequate.
But we should not judge the commissioners. We placed them there, and we sent them the unmistakable message of our true values - that they would not be re-elected if they raised taxes. We must judge ourselves. Would it be an unreasonable burden on property owners to pay a 1-cent increase so that the disenfranchised might enjoy an incremental improvement in needed services?