Friday, December 19, 2008
Start spreadin' the news: Don't move to New York
You're the governor of a state in America's Northeast. Your state, which already features some of the highest taxes in the U.S., is facing down its biggest budget crisis ever. So, what do you do?
If you're New York Gov. David Patterson, you propose some 80+ increases in taxes and fees. Methinks Gov. Patterson never heard that quip 'bout how the insane do the same thing over and over again whilst expecting a different result.
Gary Bauer tells us more:
It's been said that the states are "laboratories of democracy," where innovative thinking can flourish and new ideas can be tested. In these uncertain economic times, it is illustrative to see how some politicians are tackling the challenges before them. Take New York. Faced with a $15 billion budget gap, Democrat Governor David Paterson unveiled a new budget that calls for more than 100 new fees and tax hikes, while still managing to increase spending -- yes, that's right, increase spending by more than one billion dollars. And when it comes time to raise taxes, liberal politicians can be quite creative! Just consider a few new taxes Gov. Paterson has thought up:
* an iPod tax on "digitally delivered entertainment services"
* a 50-cent tax on cigars
* an 18% "fat tax" on non-diet sodas
* A 4 percent tax on cable and satellite TV services
* increased gas taxes
Gov. Paterson's tax bonanza has even fellow Democrats, like Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, complaining that he's "nickel-and-diming" New Yorkers. But Paterson may not be done yet. According to a report in Tuesday's New York Daily News, "Paterson did not rule out income tax increases."
Anyone who knows me is well aware that I consume 3-5 Coca-Colas each day. If'n my governor ever proposes an 18 percent tax on "non-diet sodas," I'm going to ... let's just say that I'll do Nathan Hale and Samuel Adams proud.
If you're New York Gov. David Patterson, you propose some 80+ increases in taxes and fees. Methinks Gov. Patterson never heard that quip 'bout how the insane do the same thing over and over again whilst expecting a different result.
Gary Bauer tells us more:
It's been said that the states are "laboratories of democracy," where innovative thinking can flourish and new ideas can be tested. In these uncertain economic times, it is illustrative to see how some politicians are tackling the challenges before them. Take New York. Faced with a $15 billion budget gap, Democrat Governor David Paterson unveiled a new budget that calls for more than 100 new fees and tax hikes, while still managing to increase spending -- yes, that's right, increase spending by more than one billion dollars. And when it comes time to raise taxes, liberal politicians can be quite creative! Just consider a few new taxes Gov. Paterson has thought up:
* an iPod tax on "digitally delivered entertainment services"
* a 50-cent tax on cigars
* an 18% "fat tax" on non-diet sodas
* A 4 percent tax on cable and satellite TV services
* increased gas taxes
Gov. Paterson's tax bonanza has even fellow Democrats, like Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, complaining that he's "nickel-and-diming" New Yorkers. But Paterson may not be done yet. According to a report in Tuesday's New York Daily News, "Paterson did not rule out income tax increases."
Anyone who knows me is well aware that I consume 3-5 Coca-Colas each day. If'n my governor ever proposes an 18 percent tax on "non-diet sodas," I'm going to ... let's just say that I'll do Nathan Hale and Samuel Adams proud.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, December 19, 2008 
