Cheap Political Thrill?

[Mudflap]

I'd like to see what becomes of this. (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/224/metro/On_Nov_5_a_9_billion_question+.shtml)

What do YOU think?

[SimpleSimon]

Originally posted by Mudflap
I'd like to see what becomes of this. (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/224/metro/On_Nov_5_a_9_billion_question+.shtml)

What do YOU think?

Wonderful idea - it'll never fly - letting the people decide how to spend their money? God forbid!

...snip

Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a business-backed group that has come out against the initiative, said a no-tax vote would ''repeal the 20th century.''what a great sound bite - trouble for him is, it sounds like a good idea He accused Howell and the Libertarian Party of misleading voters with promises that private sector solutions could compensate for a vastly diminished state government.

''There's no connection between their argument and reality,'' he said. ''Is the private sector going to pay $5 billion to cities and towns? It's a total fraud and shows no understanding of how the government spends its money.''

The governments money?!THE GOVERNMENTS MONEY?!

There's the problem - assholes like this one think the government actually produces something of worth that generates an income, instead of seeing the reality - government extorts ALL of it's funding from the people.

[Billyman]

That's about the most interesting thing I've read in a long time. I'm very curious myslelf to see what would happen to a state if there were no income tax. Guess there's only one way to find out aye? I think the critics against the whole idea are really scared that it might actually work. If one state did a trial no tax period and it worked then it would embark a whole new way of thinking of the people all across the US. This scares the shit out of the state and federal gov't. However, if it didn't work, then it would be shown as an example of what not to do. I think someone (a state) should have the ball's to give it a go.

[Mudflap]

Actually, some states currently don't have a state income tax. Florida, Texas, and Tennessee come to mind.

I understand these states usually have much higher sales taxes and property taxes.

[Billyman]

Originally posted by Mudflap
Actually, some states currently don't have a state income tax. Florida, Texas, and Tennessee come to mind.

I understand these states usually have much higher sales taxes and property taxes.

Well I can honestly say I didn't know that. I knew Florida didn't have property tax, but didn't know about the income. Heh, well I'll be damned. Now, we just need some insite on how it's working for the folks in those states so I can create my own opinion. We've got some folks from Texas, we've got some folks from Tennessee, let's compare some notes shall we?

[SimpleSimon]

Texas - no income tax.

Sales tax - moderate on the national scale, I believe the highest local rate is 8.4%, in Dallas. Where I work it is 8.25%, where I live it is 7.25%.

[Cruise Director]

I think Nevada has no income tax, either. They rely on gaming for their money. There are a few more states out here that I can't remember that also carry no income tax. Sales tax is a little higher but I don't mind that. That becomes a use tax. you pay for what you use.

[Cruise Director]

One more thought on this.... they say without the money they can't support the poor. Well? Is that so bad? Maybe this sounds callous but would it be so bad that poor people move out and go somewhere else? Either that or they are forced to find a way to not be poor.

Just a random thought.

[Billyman]

Originally posted by Cruise Director
One more thought on this.... they say without the money they can't support the poor. Well? Is that so bad? Maybe this sounds callous but would it be so bad that poor people move out and go somewhere else? Either that or they are forced to find a way to not be poor.

Just a random thought.

Damn good random thought too.

[Mudflap]

I'm poor as hell. I should move? Find a way not to be poor? Why the hell am I so poor?

Oh yeah........INCOME TAX.

[MAC]

hmmmm

once upon a time...........there was NO income tax of any kind anywhere......

BTW:
most states I have run into with income taxes actually DON'T have lower sales tax...they have inflated pay scales....

come break $18 an hour here...good luck...

and there ain't no unions either....

[Mudflap]

I live in a state with a state income tax. I'm still looking for these inflated pay scales of which you speak.