Expansion of Regressive taxes

legion · 12-10-2007, 06:45 AM

The State of Illinois, in order to fill yet another budget gap, is proposing the expansion of gambling and more cigarette taxes to fill the gap.

You'd think that a Democratic governor, house, and senate would be opposed to regressive taxes, but they always seem to go straight to them when they want more money. Why is that?

Mo_Gearhead · 07:15 AM

QUOTE: You'd think that a Democratic governor, house, and senate would be opposed to regressive taxes, but they always seem to go straight to them when they want more money. Why is that?
_________________

The very question itself is redundant.

Democrats = taxes

While talking a good story to the 'unwashed masses' (We will soak the rich and give it to YOU!) in reality, they care not where the funds come from.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

In the end, no matter what the Politicians say, the taxes will affect the unwashed masses.

stevepaa · 12-10-2007, 07:43 AM

I think all legislators go after "sin" taxes before sales

jyl · jyl's Garage

+1 to stevepaa

Smoking, gambling, maybe drinking tend to get tax increases first.

legion · 12-10-2007, 07:57 AM

But I hear all sorts of rhetoric from these very politicians about "taxing the poor", yet when they do it, all are silent. (Including their allies--the media.)

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Why doesn't IL just start up another state lottery? That's the best tax on the poor there is.

legion · 12-10-2007, 08:02 AM

We already have a lottery, and we expand the number of "games" regularly.

jackpine savage · 12-10-2007, 10:18 AM

Speaking of games...

Barry Alvarez is now the Athletics Director for UW in Madison. Some of you may remember him as the UW football coach. Barry was standing before the WIS. legislature pleading for his life. It seems that U.W. Season tickets have never been taxed. ( I'm not sure which sport(s) they're going after)... but it'll cost the Athletic Dept. somewhere between $500,000 and $4 million. Yes, out of nowhere
the State of WIS. has decided it should be taxing those sales.
Why such a huge discrepancy in cost? One figure, the smaller one, is just for this year's sales if the new tax policy goes into effect. The $4 mill. is if they go after sales back to 2001. Now, how in bee-jesus does a government go back all those years to collect a tax that THEY were not collecting?

The costs of each our states' infrastructures is still increasing with the cost of living, energy costs, etc., but our earned wages are stagnating. Wages will now begin to stagnate even further as budgets are met by legislatures' reaching into the dark recesses to find even more taxes for the people. At the moment, the debate in Madison is over the definitions of taxes v. user fees.

We already have such extended "User Fees" that it has gone to ludicrous!! A State Parks vehicle window sticker used to work everywhere in our state for admission. Now you need to purchase seperate mini- permits for state/co. lands for dog parks/ATV trails/bike trails/hiking trails/skiing trails/ horseback/breathing areas, and now the "multiple use" trails. WTF?! Now, here's the first step towards an I-Pass system in WIS; User Fees for the roadways. Our Vehicle registration fees are going up from $55 to 75, but they're conteplating ANOTHER way to get MORE money from people who drive?

Phewww, off the soap box. I'll be down by the river fishing. Had to sell the boat to pay property taxes.

jackpine savage · 12-10-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

The State of Illinois, in order to fill yet another budget gap, is proposing the expansion of gambling and more cigarette taxes to fill the gap.

You'd think that a Democratic governor, house, and senate would be opposed to regressive taxes, but they always seem to go straight to them when they want more money. Why is that?

Back on-topic.(sorry Chris) Your Dem. Gov is following the lead of our Corporate Dem. Gov. Doyle. January 1st, 2008 Wisconsin taxes on cigs go up $1 per pack.

Gambling is expanding here in WI too.

(****e, somebody wanna buy this soap-box?

)

tabs · 12-10-2007, 10:27 AM

I have written a lot on Politics, however there is the old saying don't stand in front of a train. So I think I will just step to the side on this one and let the train continue on its course to wreck itself.

legion · 12-10-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

I have written a lot on Politics, however there is the old saying don't stand in front of a train. So I think I will just step to the side on this one and let the train continue on its course to wreck itself.

Will you be pissing on the third rail?

frogger · 12-10-2007, 10:35 AM

Levy a war tax on Bush supporters.

legion · 12-10-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogger

Levy a war tax on Bush supporters.

Sure, as long as I can opt out of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the hundreds of other misguided social programs I am forced to fund.

And I'll still have more money in my pockets.

frogger · 12-10-2007, 10:38 AM

OK, you have my permission.

tabs · 12-10-2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

Will you be pissing on the third rail?

When U piss on the 3rd rail U gotta be careful not to electrocute yourself.

stevepaa · 12-10-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Why doesn't IL just start up another state lottery? That's the best tax on the poor there is.

truer words were never spoken

gprsh924 · 12-10-2007, 11:42 AM

I think its a tax on idiots more than on the poor

legion · 12-10-2007, 11:44 AM

The more I think about it, the more I'm in favor of these as they are taxes that I will never have to pay. It's probably the least bad thing this state gov can come up with. Lord knows they won't cut spending on feel-good social programs.