Is This A Dumbass Plan?
Posted: 13 April 2010 Filed under: Economics, Fiscal Policy, Government, News, Observations, Public Policy, Society, Taxation | Tags: Budget Cuts, Budget Deficit, Budgetary Debate, Revenue, States, Tax Breaks, Tax Cuts 5 Comments »Inkwell Institute
Budget Deficit Series #7
For years now I have been writing about taxation and fiscal policy….on how tax revenues are the sole source that generates money for the states and the country……and to cut taxes in times of deep economic problems is more of a give away than entitlement programs….
Allow me to qualify what I am saying….
Sales taxes on groceries would be eliminated once the state’s economic condition approves under a bill that has passed the Oklahoma Senate.
The bill would eliminate the sales tax on groceries once state revenue collections return to where they were before the economic downturn.
The bill also has a provision that would require the state to reimburse local cities and counties for sales taxes lost on groceries.
In my state there is a similar bill in the legislature but it has not yet passed……there also other forms of tax cuts being offered also….
Where I have a problem with this the fact that of reimbursement….yet another problem, even though a future problem, for local governance……the money that is being given away by cities and states just to try an lure business will not be replaced….that is why it is called a “GIVE AWAY”……..
Legislatures are looking short term and a political benefit and are ignoring the long term beast they are creating….this will come back and bite somebody in the ass! This is just a way to gain politically for the guys in charge….yes it will save people a bit of cash….but keep in mind that the lost revenue WILL be made up as soon as they can…..so if anyone is to be bitten in the ass…..it will be YOU!
I understand your points, but I can’t see tax cuts as “give aways” – it’s OUR fucking money they are in part returning!!!!
My point is the same as I always talk about…..yes it is our money….but in the same vain….we demand certain services from our government….it is a give away in the sense that it is nothing but a ploy to gain votes and the next guy has to deal with the fall out…..
The only two services I’VE ever demanded of politicians is that they run the economy well and get the hell out of my life and leave me alone. They have failed abysmally on both counts!
However, as to the rest – that’s true, but no one asked any of us for permission to take the money, spend it, or return it either – it is simply part of the same old arrogant disregard for the people and their wishes – except that of course it’s a ploy to gain votes – whenever else and for what other reason do they ever take any notice of the people?
In theory and in a decent society, I would agree with you, but as things are I’d rather my money was in MY pocket for ME to waste, rather than some jumped up politician – so I’d gladly take the money and run! It wouldn’t help my country and it won’t help yours, but they’re both f*cked anyway!
If they insist on taking my money to give it to someone else, then I would prefer to give it direct to some tramp in the street of MY choosing (I’d pick one that hates goddamned politicians with a vengeance)
The only way I can think of straightening out the bureaucratic mess is to de-centralize the government….now with that said I can think of only one way to accomplish that and NO one will like the alternative……you think there is wild eyed BS now….just give them the option and it will become a deafening roar…..
Of course – no one (well – few) really WANTS to cut their own throats! (I wouldn’t mind helping them out, though, if they asked me nicely)