Have you heard the news coming out of Arizona? No! Not the immigration thing that has everybody’s panties in a twist….I mean the sales tax thing….as reported by the LA Times:
Voters in this famously tax-averse state Tuesday night approved a temporary hike in the sales tax to stave off brutal budget cuts.
The veteran Republican had shocked many in her party last year by advocating the penny sales tax increase, arguing that the state couldn’t simply cut its way out of a deficit that rivals California’s. Critics said it was economic suicide to raise taxes in a recession.
Political observers have noted that because the governor was defying GOP orthodoxy by pushing the tax increase, she had little option but to sign the immigration bill, which is strongly supported by most Arizona voters and an overwhelming proportion of Republicans.
It seems that the American people, at least Arizonans for now, agree with me that some form of tax increases are needed to save needed programs. The residents voted FOR the increase; this was not some sneak attack on their lives by some shady, back street deal made with politicians.
Given the facts, as best as a politician can give the facts, and the people can make a decision that effects their lives……a plus for more direct democracy.
See? I told you! Give people the access to take part in democracy and they often WILL!
Indeed there is some hope for our civilisations – just not much of it!
I have always agreed with you on this one…..there are other such bills on the ballots and I will be trying to keep track of them….
Arizona is so conserv and the people are so angry with their politicians and yet they voted to increase their taxes…very interesting
Well, it’s just repeating what we already agree on, but just because an individual votes for a particular party doesn’t mean the he/she sgrees with all (or even most) of that party’s policies – and THAT’S the biggest problem with representative democracy!
UH huh……one issue voters, whether it is pray, abortion, guns, do dah….no way to run a government…..pick the daily envogue issue to make a political move….sad way of governance…..
It’s certainly a very poor method of government!
Unfortunately, I do NOT see it getting any better……
Well, not any time soon, that’s for sure!
Even in the future…..I see a massive pacification of the American people….