Could you vote for...

[brandonb]

No. I would not.

Back in the 90's there was a few areas (counties/communities/etc.) that wanted a voter approved levy to increase funding for schools because they were in so much disarray.

Now every place has these, and there hasn't been a single year since where I didn't have to pay into them. In other words, they are now permanent.

http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_24242786/200m-minnesota-schools-now-out-voters-hands

"Back in the day when levies were for extra things, it made sense to go to voters," Coulson said. "Now it is literally money we need to operate the schools."

State Sen. Kevin Dahle, DFL-Northfield, who is vice chair of the Senate Education Committee, said he supports districts' ability to raise new levy money without a direct vote by taxpayers.

 

[mmntech]

I don't think people would mind taxes being so high if they felt they were actually getting value for their dollar. Problem is a lot of government money gets eaten up through administration and pork.

Here in Ontario, civil servants make about 10% more on average than people doing comparable jobs in the private sector. That's not including pensions or benefits packages. They also work fewer hours on average. So the number is probably closer to 20%. That's not something the government or unions dispute either. Nor has it resulted in a better class of worker. Believe me, I've spent a lot of time liaising with them over my career. Tying salaries on par with the private sector would save millions.

Another big government money pit is interest on debt. The more debt the government racks up, the more it has to pay the banks in interest. That money has zero net benefit on society. It only lines bankers' pockets. Debt spending is necessary at times but too many governments have come to rely on it. That's bad policy.

What do in Ontario have to show for it? A lot of windmills but crumbling roads, a joke of a transit system, sky high electricity rates, private sector job losses, and hospitals laying off nurses. Not exactly progress given how much our taxes have increased.

 

[Jaskalas]

No tax pledge is stupid, some things need to be paid for. Sometimes tax structure needs fixing and restructuring. There's no need to have a generalized hardline stance that leaves no room for dealing with the situation you face.

 

[werepossum]

Raise taxes for a specific reason with a solid plan that I agree with, a measurable goal and a sunset on the tax once the project is complete? Sure, I could do that.

But as we all know, new taxes typically end up in the general fund, the project turns into a shit show that goes 400% over budget, and the tax never ends so that once the project is done that money will continue to be wasted on something else entirely that wasn't the point of the original tax.

Example: A state or city adds a sales tax to build a stadium so that a billionaire can make more money. Even in twenty years when the original deal is over and the stadium paid for, that percentage increase is never going away. You can count on them assuming that money is just there to be spent on other things, and will raise taxes again, because of course now the stadium is too old and we need a new one, so let's raise taxes again.

The trajectory of taxes is towards 100%, so fuck tax increases. Learn to make do with what you have.

This, exactly.

 

[hal2kilo]

:thumbsup:

Dumbest pole ever.

I could vote for a politician who wanted to increase taxes to improve xx.

I could vote for a politician who wanted to decrease taxes because xx.

Depends on what xx is. :hmm:

This.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Actually I selected the top 10% of earners at least partially because I recently broke into that income bracket myself. So, no, I'm not having an "I got mine" or a "raising taxes is good as long as it's not my taxes" attitude. I in fact suggested raising my own taxes.

So you can both take your consistently wrong about everything beliefs and shove them up your asses.

Cool, there's nothing stopping you from paying more to the government.

 

[Drako]

Nope, never.

That's offensive. Unless you meant poll...

Nope, I meant pole. Please continue to be offended.

 

[Drako]

I'm pretty sure that more than 90% of congressional Republicans have signed the pledge to never increase taxes ever, regardless of the reason. Seems like this would serve to highlight that difference.

I'm pretty sure 99% of congressional Democrats would never consider lowering a tax, so ... Seems like this would serve to highlight that difference.

 

[mrjminer]

Anyone who voted to raise taxes is a moron. The problem isn't that there isn't money, the problem is that they spend their money like morons on people that contribute absolutely nothing to society at all, never have, and never will.

Welfare to workfare and guess what? Not only are you probably going to save money, but you'll have a ton of workers, too! What a concept! Raise taxes? Mother fuckers, please.

I live across from this 45-50 year old lady who tried to strike up a conversation with me the other day. I was checking my e-mail for work when she asked what I was doing. When I told her, she was like "you work?!?!?" Pretty amazing that society has fallen to the level where the people living off the system are amazed that people actually exist who have jobs, like it was a fairy tale or something.

 

[Zorkorist]

ditto.

I watched the TV show Hell's Kitchen the other night, and a bunch of 40 year old, ex firemen rode up on their Harley's for dinner. They were doing some charity run, as they are now retired, and living the good life.

-John

 

[Rakehellion]

Every politician has raised taxes.

 

[fskimospy]

I'm pretty sure 99% of congressional Democrats would never consider lowering a tax, so ... Seems like this would serve to highlight that difference.

That's pretty obviously untrue. Where did you get such a silly idea?

 

[Moonbeam]

I favor paying no taxes and the collapse of the US as a nation. It's time to punish the politicians who get paid with tax dollars by destroying the country.

 

[NoStateofMind]

You know its quite unnerving to see people sitting around pondering what they want to do with other peoples money.

 

[fskimospy]

You know its quite unnerving to see people sitting around pondering what they want to do with other peoples money.

How's life in Galt's Gulch going for you? When are you forming your AnCap paradise? Remember, THE POWER IS YOURS.

 

[biostud]

I favor paying no taxes and the collapse of the US as a nation. It's time to punish the politicians who get paid with tax dollars by destroying the country.

I thought they got most of their money from the industry and Super PACs.

 

[Ken g6]

Would you ever vote for him?

Yes.

If yes, what would the case be and in which form should the taxation be? (income, house, car, power...etc.)

Carbon.

 

[theeedude]

I expect government to be funded with magically appearing revenue from tax cuts Like they do in Kansas