A Letter to the Editor in today’s IR extolled the virtues and benefits of taxes. The author, Sarah Wilhelm, is the research director at the Montana Budget and Policy Center, which provides in-depth research and analysis on budget, tax and economic issues. And pretty much has never found a tax or government spending plan it couldn’t embrace, or a corporation it couldn’t excoriate. After extolling the virtues of tax revenues and bemoaning the lack of sufficient resources for more and bigger state programs, Ms. Wilhelm justifies her call for increasing state revenues with the following:
Across the country, state leaders from both parties have responded to the recession by creating new revenue instead of just cutting services. They have closed corporate tax loopholes, collected lost revenues, and in some cases raised taxes. These states’ economies have not been harmed in the short run and will reap the benefits of sound public investments in the long run.
I have just one question: Which states would you be referring to? California? New York? New Jersey, Florida, Nevada, Colorado? C’mon, Sarah – give us a hint. Which states are rolling in all that new cash? The media seems to have missed the good news. And I know our legislators would just love to know where to find a new stash.
Sheesch!
Floggings will continue until morale improves. The author appears to not let any facts get in the way of her opinion. She appears to think that raising taxes in a recession will help. I was also amused by her comment about her child’s safety seat being improved using tax payer $$. I wasn’t aware that was a function of government. Also her comment that our tax $$ go further when the government spends them.
This is an interesting statement:
I would ask “what happens when there is no more money to be found?” First, the Family looks for additional income – like a 2nd job. It doesn’t go asking their also struggling neighbor for money, or worse yet, resort to stealing. The Family goes hungry or doesn’t buy those new clothes or maybe cancels the cable TV or cell phone. Perhaps they switch from buying boneless chicken breast (after giving up steak already) to buying chicken thighs.
The government just raises taxes.
Right on RP! You should submit your comments to the IR as a LTE.
Prelude to another attempt for a sales tax.
We could never give these people enough. There’s never enough. They don’t prioritize….just keep their hands out, palms up.
Hello Auntie Lib,
I’m taking a break from school to hit the intertubez. Thought I’d drop in and say hi.
Hi Kei! Great to hear from you! How are things going and mostly how’s the baby?
She is napping now, but doing great. Thanks for asking