Taxing IgnoranceSubmitted by MQSullivan on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 1:44pm.
Thousands of Texans are supporting efforts to abolish the school property tax and replace it with a fair sales tax... But you'd never know it from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal today, which not only misrepresents the effort and its background, but lets Republican State Sen. Robert Duncan talk about imposing a new state income tax. Yep, that's right. State Sen. Robert Duncan of Lubbock told the A-J that "We are very regressive with our sales tax because we don't have an income tax." Apparently the senator has either been misquoted (a distinct possibility when it comes to modern journalism) or he is sorely mis-educated. Income taxes are inherently regressive -- penalizing people for work and investment; the two things you need to have a growing economy. Indeed, in every state that has an income tax the poor pay far MORE in taxes than the poor pay in Texas. Unemployment is higher in income tax states, and job growth is lower. Income taxes breed regressivity and economic pain. The data is incontrovertible. Likewise, its property taxes that force low-income, retired Texans to sell their homes and reduce their standard of living. Business taxes, we know, also are inherently regressive -- forcing small businesses to cut pay, cut jobs and raise prices. Sales taxes, on the other hand, are inherently fair -- because you are only taxed on what you buy. (In Texas we don't tax basic food or medicine, which could be harmful to the poor.) State Rep. Joe Heflin (D-Crosbtyton) likewise demonstrates his lack of economic acumen when he says, "It's a regressive tax to me... It would hurt mostly the poor and the middle class who spend a big chunk of their income paying for goods and services." Right, Joe -- use those feelings to make policy. And all those rich people don't consume goods and services; they live in shacks with the cash shoved in a mattress and eat wild berries. These loons actually think they are speaking truth to power. In fact, they are merely parroting ignorance to their lefty comrades. As is often the case with the Lubbock “newspaper,” the article manages to mangle just about every fact in the story. First, the effort to replace property taxes is being supported by thousands of Texans -- not just the few lawmakers who are willing to author the legislation. Sign the petition! Second, the article mis-reports previous efforts. Here is how intrepid A-J reporter Enrique Rangel gets reality wrong: Mr. Heflin introduced the legislation only once, in 1997, not 2003. He was soundly RE-ELECTED three times after proposing the legislation. In 2003 Heflin was too busy cutting the budget and bridging a $10 billion shortfall as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee to campaign, let alone propose a new tax structure. But reporters rarely let facts get in the way of a political agenda. You know, like trying to shove an income tax down our throats. Bookmark/Search this post with: |
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School Taxes - Harris/Montgomery Counties
A recent election was held for funding an expansion of the North Harris County - Montgomery County college campuses.
Only some 7,000 - 7,500 people voted on a $420 million bond issue ! The issue passed by some 3-400 votes.
I see two problems with what has happened here: 1.) the literature summarizing the construction did not clearly amplify the cost/benefits, rather it pitched it in emotionalism (we need it for our kids); 2.) a voting turnout this low should not be sufficient to pass a bond issue of this magnitude. This is bad government and we are headed towards some bad times if we don't work to fix it.
property Tax
I'm one of the unfortunate Texans who are being forced to sell their houses because of insane taxes. It just kills me to think the house of our dreams has become a noose around our neck. Why we allow politicians to walk all over us, take away our hard earned money and then chronically spend and waste it is a travisty. When will people wake, raise hell and say...I'm not gonna take it anymore?????
Amazing
I think it's time to boot Sen. Duncan from the Republican party. He (and his staff) need to review the Texas Republican party platform, which spells out our opposition to a state income tax.
Thanks for the heads-up, MQS.
Property taxes
I think we need to organize something like Proposition 13 in Calif in the 70's. Property taxes were out of control. All the tax supported programs cried it would ruin the libraries, schools, etc. but it didn't. Even with our senior ceiling, it is difficult to pay our taxes as some things keep going up! The national, state and local school people keep throwing money at the schools and nothing has changed. Throwing money at the educational problem is not the answer. I'm sure what the answer is but money doesn't solve it. I know my grandghtr has had some terrible teachers her first 2 years of high school in Southlake and she is a good student. When you try to call the school administration, you just get the run around. It's like a private club. I'm appalled that meetings were held at the Gaylord and we paid for it! No wonder we can't afford to go!
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER POLITICS ATTRACTS THE ECONOMICALLY IGNORANT OR IF POLITICIANS GET INFECTED WITH SOCIALISM EARLY IN THEIR ELECTED LIFE. THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO HAVE TERM LIMITS AS WE SEARCH FOR A FEW STATESMEN WHO CAN HELP US FIND A VACCINE FOR THE DISEASE.
TERM LIMITS WOULD RETURN THOSE INFECTED WITH THE DISEASE TO THEIR HOMES TO LIVE UNDER THE LAWS THEY HAVE INFLICTED ON THE CITIZENS. CAN YOU IMAGINE A FORMER U.S. SENATOR HAVING TO FILL OUT HIS OWN FEDERAL INCOME TAX FORMS? MEDICAL CLAIMS? PAYING SOCIAL SECURITY?
NOT HAVING AN EXPENSE ACCOUNT?
THE SAME PRINCIPLES APPLY TO THE LOCAL, COUNTY, AND STATE POLITICIANS. EVEN OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SEEM TO FORGET THAT IT IS "OUR" MONEY THEY ARE SPENDING.
WE, THE REGISTERED VOTERS, MUST TAKE THE BLAME FOR LETTING THIS HAPPEN. OFTEN, 90% OF US DON'T BOTHER TO VOTE. GUESS WHAT THOSE WITH VESTED INTEREST ARE DOING?
IS IT TOO LATE? NO, BUT AS WITH CANCER, THE CURE IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF MORE EFFORT SINCE IT WAS NOT CAUGHT EARLIER. A LITTLE FLAG WAVING IS NOT GOING TO GET THE JOB DONE.
BOB ROPER, DUNCANVILLE, TX 75137
Taxes & Texas
If you want more of something, reduce taxes. An income tax in Texas would produce less jobs and bigger government. Government is not the solution, it is the problem.
Property taxes should be frozen for everyone at the current level and then only change when a property is sold. That will save millions of $ statewide as it eliminates most of the activities of the property appraisal districts across Texas. When tax entities need more money, let them justify it and go to the people for a vote. That will improve government!
An alternative to property taxes which is even more efficient is to eliminate them and replace them with a sales tax. Broaden the tax base and most people would be better off. Tax collections would also be more predictiable.
the basics
Michael...it doesn't matter the issue anymore! You may recall the most famous issue of our time..."taxation without representation"...the rep part of this has completely come apart. Our reps rep themselves! I have a problem with over-simplification, but at 68 years old, I don't have time to quibble...and realistically, none of us do! It is just impossible to have a sane talk about how to govern and how we have come to this sad point in our history. I feel there is only one fair solution...put it to a vote! The fathers saw govt as the protector of our defense and sovereignty, and that's about it...not the keeper of the culture! How in the hell did we as individual citizens ever give up our right to voice, ie vote, our desires. From abortion to taxes, we must get back to letting the people decide what they want. As it is, the whiners rule...if I want to smoke and s
income tax
The day that Republicans start talking about an income tax is the day we should grab torches and pitchforks. I find it rather interesting that the Libertarian Party of Texas warned of a pending income tax in their platform this year. How did they know? Perhaps they aren't in left field after all.
The FairTax
The way I see it, what we need to first accomplish is to replace the current federal income/payroll tax system with the FairTax bill in Congress and repeal the 16th Amendment. Some economists -- notably, Dennis Calabrese -- believe that after the FairTax is in force at the federal level, Texas can modify it's own sales tax along the same broad scope, which will raise enough revenue to replace the Texas property tax completely.
My thinking on taxation is two-fold. First, a tax system must be fair to everyone. Second, a tax system must not infringe upon individual rights to life, liberty and property. For those reasons, it is an inescapable observation that both an income/payroll tax and a property tax of any kind are morally wrong and even evil. We need to get rid of both as fast as possible. There is simply no justification for either one of those tax systems. That brings me to a discussion of the FairTax, created by and for the American taxpayer. The so-called regressive nature of a sales tax is addressed in the FairTax. It is the only tax plan which completely untaxes the poor and makes the "playing field" level for every citizen. I urge every taxpaying, voting citizen to learn about the FairTax and support it to the hilt. For more information, go to www.fairtax.org. Also contact our FairTax "point man" in Congress, Rep. John Linder of Georgia. In addition, be sure to read both books by Neal Boortz: THE FAIRTAX BOOK and THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FAIRTAX: ANSWERING THE CRITICS. I guarantee that your eyes will be opened and you will want to be FairTax volunteers after you read those books.
Michael Kersh
Manvel, TX
State Income Taxes and This Guy is a Republican??!!
Well the day they lower and cap school & property taxes and our homes increase in value 10% a year is when I will be open to talking state income taxes.