GOP Control and taxes of State/local govts highest since Reconstruction.

[Anarchist420]

[Link]

Republicans love revenue (including Rand Paul) as much as the Democrats do.

This almost makes me want to vote for Terry McAuliffe since the other two aren't anti-tax.

 

[Fern]

Well, your premise may be correct, IDK.

But the data the author relies couldn't be more suspect. If I understand correctly it goes like this: State taxes are the highest ever and Republicans hold more state offices therefore republicans raised the taxes. Is that it?

If so that's so simplistic it's useless. E.g., in my state the Democrats held complete for many years. It is only recently that Repubs have held control of the state House and Senate (Dems had control of both for something like 100 straight yrs or so). Isn't it possible that Dems drove those taxes up over many years and as a result lost office to the Repubs? I.e., it was the Dems who drove up taxes.

Why not just examine states that have had a change of control and in those that Repubs took over look to see if THEY raised tax rates. (Revenue itself isn't a good measure as the economy has been slightly improving since '07/'08 and increased revenues even without rate increases should be expected. I mention this because I can't tell what metric - rates or revenue - the author is using.)

Fern

 

[dank69]

Well, your premise may be correct, IDK.

But the data the author relies couldn't be more suspect. If I understand correctly it goes like this: State taxes are the highest ever and Republicans hold more state offices therefore republicans raised the taxes. Is that it?

If so that's so simplistic it's useless. E.g., in my state the Democrats held complete for many years. It is only recently that Repubs have held control of the state House and Senate (Dems had control of both for something like 100 straight yrs or so). Isn't it possible that Dems drove those taxes up over many years and as a result lost office to the Repubs? I.e., it was the Dems who drove up taxes.

Why not just examine states that have had a change of control and in those that Repubs took over look to see if THEY raised tax rates. (Revenue itself isn't a good measure as the economy has been slightly improving since '07/'08 and increased revenues even without rate increases should be expected. I mention this because I can't tell what metric - rates or revenue - the author is using.)

Fern

GOP first order of business should be to slash tax rates. Duh!

 

[Engineer]

[Link]

Republicans love revenue (including Rand Paul) as much as the Democrats do.

This almost makes me want to vote for Terry McAuliffe since the other two aren't anti-tax.

LOL...someone finally gets it (well, lots of people really do - so many in denial though).

 

[Fern]

GOP first order of business should be to slash tax rates. Duh!

I wouldn't think so because in many places the economic climate we've been through has caused substantially reduced revenue. With low employment (lower state income tax collections), housing down (less real estate tax) and less purchases (sales tax revenue) many states have historic budget deficits. There might some cuts to be made, but one must be careful about what they're cutting and why. E.g., NC just cut tax rates but their purpose is to gain businesses from other states which would increase revenue if successful.

Fern

 

[Zaap]

If so that's so simplistic it's useless.

Yup, like many of the premises floated around here.

Like here in California for example any of the financial mess can be blamed more on Republicans than the Deomcrats who've taken a wrecking ball to this state in the last 20+ years. It's laughable.

But it is cute to see a so-called progressive recognize something like this: "because while taxes go up and liberty goes down".

Funny how they only get to that when trying to pin it on Republicans. But how about they take a look in the mirror first?

 

[Anarchist420]

But the data the author relies couldn't be more suspect. If I understand correctly it goes like this: State taxes are the highest ever and Republicans hold more state offices therefore republicans raised the taxes. Is that it? If so that's so simplistic it's useless. E.g., in my state the Democrats held complete for many years. It is only recently that Repubs have held control of the state House and Senate (Dems had control of both for something like 100 straight yrs or so). Isn't it possible that Dems drove those taxes up over many years and as a result lost office to the Repubs? I.e., it was the Dems who drove up taxes. Why not just examine states that have had a change of control and in those that Repubs took over look to see if THEY raised tax rates. (Revenue itself isn't a good measure as the economy has been slightly improving since '07/'08 and increased revenues even without rate increases should be expected. I mention this because I can't tell what metric - rates or revenue - the author is using.)

It probably was mostly the Republicans who drove up taxes because Bob McDonnell has raised taxes (even if they're called "fees") many times. Christie, I'm sure, has raised taxes. Perry hasn't cut taxes and I think he may have raised them (if you look at revenues as percentage of GDP which makes more since than absolute revenue). Scott Walker raised taxes. Sarah Palin raised taxes. The Republicans have made all of these ridiculous taxes up and called them "fees", like voting, vehicle, business registration, etc., etc. so I'm pretty sure it is Republicans have been raising the taxes.

We also know that's the case because the (Republican-dominated) State legislatures of VA and NC want a tax on hybrid vehicles to make up for not having as much gas tax revenue.

Also, Virginia's Republican candidate for governor has admitted that he won't reduce tax revenue.

Republicans at the Federal level wanted to increase the base, so the States controlled by Republicans would do the same thing. The Democrats actually wanted to reduce the base... their less than 14% increase of the top marginal rate doesn't steal as much as the expiration of the payroll tax holiday.

And the Republican-controlled States want more revenue from the Federal govt (like the national internet tax) so it's not like the Republican governors want sovereignty, freedom, and independence from the central govt.

I don't, however, endorse the Democrats by any means because they want to gouge more from rich people, but they don't realize that they can't.

Anyway, I'll take a slightly higher top marginal rate with the deductions, exemptions, fewer fees, less payroll taxes over the low top marginal rates with more tariffs, fees, and fewer exemptions anyday.

Yup, like many of the premises floated around here. Like here in California for example any of the financial mess can be blamed more on Republicans than the Deomcrats who've taken a wrecking ball to this state in the last 20+ years. It's laughable. But it is cute to see a so-called progressive recognize something like this: "because while taxes go up and liberty goes down". Funny how they only get to that when trying to pin it on Republicans. But how about they take a look in the mirror first?

Laurence Vance isn't progressive; I'm not sure why you're accusing anyone of being progressive. And really, the main point was that the Republicans suck even more than the Democrats because the former lies constantly about wanting lower taxes, while they do nothing to lower them and even actively increase them sometimes.

Reagan and Nixon were CA Governors and they increased taxes.

 

[Lithium381]

Both major parties are the same. They play off of each other like a dance to mezmorize their base. It's quite genius actually! An art form even.

 

[dank69]

I wouldn't think so because in many places the economic climate we've been through has caused substantially reduced revenue. With low employment (lower state income tax collections), housing down (less real estate tax) and less purchases (sales tax revenue) many states have historic budget deficits. There might some cuts to be made, but one must be careful about what they're cutting and why. E.g., NC just cut tax rates but their purpose is to gain businesses from other states which would increase revenue if successful.

Fern

Don't tell me, tell the Republican leaders when they are campaigning and the GOP base when they are deciding who to vote for.

 

[MooseNSquirrel]

I put anti-tax on the same special platform as anti-science and anti-intellectualism.