April 17-20, 2009
Apr 17 10:27 Schakowsky on Tea Party Warpath Apr 17 11:31 The Persecution of Lt. Col. Chessani Continues Apr 17 17:40 Karen Clark, Be VERY, VERY Afraid Apr 19 06:58 John Kasich, Mike Pence On Fire Apr 19 23:38 Virginia Governor's Race Update Apr 20 08:52 Bonus Budget Questions Apr 20 11:45 Why Pork & Tea Parties Fit Together Apr 20 22:10 Shocking News: DFL Raising Taxes
Schakowsky on Tea Party Warpath
Rep. Jan Schakowsky is fuming about Wednesday's Tea Party rallies. In her rant, though, she reveals how ignorant she really is:
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) blasted "tea party" protests yesterday, labeling the activities "despicable" and shameful."Speaking frankly, Rep. Schakowsky doesn't know what she's talking about. While the events were called Tax Day Tea Parties, the event I attended and the events I read about were more about protesting Washington's out-of-control spending, especially with respect to the Stimulus bill.
"The 'tea parties' being held today by groups of right-wing activists, and fueled by FOX News Channel, are an effort to mislead the public about the Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and creates 3.5 million jobs," Schakowsky said in a statement.
"It's despicable that right-wing Republicans would attempt to cheapen a significant, honorable moment of American history with a shameful political stunt," she added. "Not a single American household or business will be taxed at a higher rate this year. Made to look like a grassroots uprising, this is an Obama bashing party promoted by corporate interests, as well as Republican lobbyists and politicians."
As I said here , another driver for the event was the people feeling like Washington wasn't listening to We The People.
Rep. Schakowsky's rant indicates that she's just spewing the Democrats' talking points, which makes sense since she probably hasn't had an original thought in decades. All the Democrats that have talked have mentioned the events "were driven by Fox News" and that they were driven by Dick Armey and Newt Gingrich.
Democratic strategists have reason to be worried about the tea parties. There's a couple dozen political lifetimes between today and the 2010 midterms. Nonetheless, the enthusiasm gap from 2008 has been eliminated.
It's time we told politicians like Rep. Schakowsky that we demand that they think things through. It's time we rid the House and Senate of thoughtless puppets like Rep. Schakowsky and Sen. Reid because being a national leader requires wisdom, which Rep. Schakowsky sadly lacks.
Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 10:31 AM
Comment 1 by J. Ewing at 17-Apr-09 03:37 PM
Whenever I hear one of these "promoted by Fox News" rants, or Karl Rove or whoever is the boogeyman man of the day is, I just look them straight in the eye and say, "So, are they wrong?" How about we talk about the issue, instead of who might be on one side or the other? An idea is not responsible for the people that believe in it.
The Persecution of Lt. Col. Chessani Continues
Thursday night, the military kept the persecution of Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani going by filing a motion with the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. Here's the statement issued by Thomas More Law Center:
Yesterday evening, government prosecutors filed a motion with the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA), asking that the unanimous ruling of a 3-judge panel in favor of LtCol Jeffery Chessani, USMC, be reconsidered by all 9 judges of the court. A majority of these 9 judges would have to agree to take the case.Lt. Col. Chessani was charged with failing to launch a full investigation into a massacre that didn't happen. Let's remember that the murder charges against the Haditha Marines actually caught in the firefight have been dropped. Let's remember that then-Capt. Jeffrey Dinsmore put together an extensive PowerPoint presentation that got sent up the chain of command.
On March 17, 2009, the 3-judge panel of NMCCA unanimously vindicated the ruling by Colonel Steven A. Folsom, USMC, dismissing all charges against LtCol Chessani on the grounds of Unlawful Command Influence. LtCol Chessani is the senior-most officer criminally charged as a result of the much-publicized and ill-described "Haditha massacre."
The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, represents LtCol Chessani alongside his detailed military attorneys LtCol Jon Shelburne, USMC; Capt Jeffrey King, USMC; and Capt Kyle Kilian, USMC.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, "The way our government has treated this true American hero is outrageous. After spending over 20 years in loyal service to his nation and considered one of the best combat officers in Iraq, the government is giving Jeffrey Chessani less legal consideration than it is giving the terrorists held at Guantanamo."
In dismissing the charges against LtCol Chessani, Col Folsom described Unlawful Command Influence as the "the mortal enemy of military justice." But despite the solid legal basis for the ruling, the government appealed the decision to NMCCA. NMCCA heard oral arguments on the government's appeal on October 17, 2008.
In seeking a reconsideration by the entire panel of NMCCA, government prosecutors now argue that the 3-judge panel misunderstood the difference between an officer's rank and his billet (job). Essentially, the government argues that a full colonel in the Marine Corps could not unlawfully influence a Lieutenant Colonel if they held similar billet (job) positions.
The Law Center has a week to file a response to the government's motion for reconsideration.
If the NMCCA does grant the government's motion, the government then has 60 days to appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) and then even to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.
Especially considering the fact that then-Capt. Jeffrey Dinsmore's PowerPoint presentation went up the chain of command, how can persecutors say with a straight face that Lt. Col. Chessani didn't commit to a full investigation? This is the military persecuting its own war heroes.
Finally, let's remember that Col. Folsom's ruling was that military leaders exerted undue command influence. These leaders essentially told the investigators what they'd find before their investigation concluded. (Doesn't that sound similar to Rep. Murtha saying that he knew there was a coverup somewhere ?)
It's time for the military's persecution of Lt. Col. Chessani and SSgt. Wuterich to end. It's time that the military admitted that the Haditha Marine investigation was about politics, not about investigating a real scandal.
Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 4:07 PM
No comments.
Karen Clark, Be VERY, VERY Afraid
Karen Clark's legislation offers a glimpse of the insanity of the DFL's tax increase proposals. Here's some information into Rep. Clark's legislation:
An alcohol health and judicial impact fee is imposed on each liquor retailer equal to 2.5 percent of the gross receipts from retail sales in Minnesota of liquor. The fee imposed under this paragraph must be treated as if it is a tax for purposes of all of the provisions of this section.Here's most of the taxes included in Rep. Clark's bill:
In addition to the tax imposed under sections 297G.03, subdivisions 1 and 2, and 297G.04, subdivision 1, an alcohol health and judicial impact fee is imposed upon all distilled spirits, beer, wine, and cider in this state at the following rates:Rep. Clark better hope that MOBsters don't hear about this litany of tax increases on adult beverages because MOBsters take that seriously.
(1) on distilled spirits, liqueurs, cordials, and specialties regardless of alcohol content (excluding ethyl alcohol), $12.86 per gallon and $3.40 per liter;(2) on wine containing 14 percent or less alcohol by volume (except cider as defined in section 297G.01, subdivision 3a), $.53 per gallon and $.14 per liter; (3) on wine containing more than 14 percent but not more than 21 percent alcohol by volume, $.53 per gallon and $.14 per liter; (4) on wine containing more than 21 percent but not more than 24 percent alcohol by volume, $.53 per gallon and $.14 per liter; (5) on wine containing more than 24 percent alcohol by volume, $.53 per gallon and $.14 per liter; (6) on natural and artificial sparkling wines containing alcohol, $.53 per gallon and $.14 per liter; (7) on cider as defined in section 297G.01, subdivision 3a, $.53 per gallon and $.14 per liter; (8) on miniatures, $.10 per bottle; (9) on fermented malt beverages containing not more than 3.2 percent alcohol by weight, $6.61 per 31-gallon barrel ; and (10) on fermented malt beverages containing more than 3.2 percent alcohol by weight, $6.61 per 31-gallon barrel.
On a serious note, the DFL has known for months that they'd try balancing the budget with massive tax increases. This is just the first hint of which specific tax increases the DFL will push.
I've heard that legislators are preparing for a special session. While I'm not surprised by that information, I'm upset that the DFL is playing this type of last minute game. This is giving me nightmares of the chaotic final night of the 2007 session. That's the night that the DFL leadership tried pushing through numerous 500-1,000 page conference reports for omnibus bills without giving legislators the time to read the bills. (Sound familiar?)
That night, the DFL tried overriding Gov. Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill. They also rammed through the HHS omnibus bill and the education omnibus bill.
It's also worth remembering this post from the final day of the 2007 session:
I just talked with Rep. Steve Gottwalt, GOP-St. Cloud, about the progress being made on the budget. What Steve told me is inexcusable & shocking. Steve said that the DFL spent the overnight writing new legislation for several different spending bills. The shocking, & frankly disgusting, thing about that is that they shut Gov. Pawlenty out of the process. From my perspective, there's only one reason to proceed that way & that's to try one last time to shove legislation down the GOP's throat in the hope that they can blame the the special session on the GOP.I don't think that the DFL is stupid enough to tell Gov. Pawlenty that he can't participate in the final negotiations, though I can picture them taking a hardline position on negotiations.
Had the DFL had its act together and had they worked in a good faith manner, we wouldn't be staring at a special session and we wouldn't be playing a high stakes, last minute game to see who blinks.
Finally, let's remember that Tarryl Clark and Speaker Kelliher gave us the DFL's blueprint early in the session. When Tarryl appeared on At Issue With Tom Hauser , she dropped this hint:
Hauser: You can talk about reform all you want but reform inevitably ends up meaning that some people that are getting state services now won't be getting them after this reform, whether it be in HHS, whether it be in education, early childhood, any of those things.Speaker Kelliher's statement after Gov. Pawlenty's State of the State Address gave us additional insight into the DFL's budget plan:
Tarryl: Sure, and an estimate, a good estimate would be that maybe we could figure out how to save about $500 million .
DFLers are pinning much of their hope for short-term relief on a national stimulus package coming out of Washington , suggesting the money can be used to fund infrastructure and construction projects that bring immediate job opportunities. Pawlenty said nothing about the stimulus package in his speech. Previously, while acknowledging that Minnesota sends more money to Washington than it gets back, Pawlenty has been lukewarm about the stimulus package. "That is a tool in the short-term recovery process for Minnesota's economy," Kelliher said.Tarryl telling Hauser that it'd be difficult finding more than $500,000,000 says that the DFL wasn't looking for cost savings. Steve Gottwalt's free market-oriented health care reform bill would save $100,000,000 a year if implemented. A spending freeze would cut $3,000,000,000,000 more. Add in the federal stimulus money and you're within $1,500,000,000 of balancing the budget.
Speaker Kelliher hinting that "DFLers are pinning much of their hope for short-term relief on a national stimulus package coming out of Washington" was another hint that the DFL's plan wasn't a well-built plan.
The DFL annual tax increase proposals were inevitable. They're also DOA the minute they hit Gov. Pawlenty's desk.
The DFL has had since May, 2008 to put a budget together. They're still scrambling to put a coherent, appealing budget together. They've collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in out-of-session, tax-free per diem for hearings but don't have much of anything to show for it.
Now they're approaching the deadline. The DFL hasn't shown signs that they're able of avoiding a repeat of the 2007 end-of-session trainwreck. God help us all.
Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 5:40 PM
Comment 1 by J. Ewing at 18-Apr-09 07:41 AM
OK, maybe I'm forgetting my basic organic chemistry, but how can you have an "alcoholic beverage health impact fee" if you exclude the ethyl alcohol in the beverage? Seems to me all the sellers would have to do is to stick a label on the bottle saying "contains no alcohol, except ethyl alcohol" and keep right on selling.
John Kasich, Mike Pence On Fire
After watching this video, the only thing I could say about John Kasich's speech at the Columbus Tea Party is that John Kasich was on fire:
Here's a partial transcript of John Kasich's speech:
JOHN KASICH: Well, you know back in the old days when they had the real Tea Party, you know why they had it, don't you? It was because the government got arrogant. The government got out of control and the government was taking freedom away from the colonists who wanted to be free and they finally said "Enough's enough." And this outpouring today is a group of patriots who are saying "Enough is enough."When I hear John Kasich speak, he's got my undivided attention. I appreciate the fact that he doesn't speak like a politician. Another reason I listen is because he's made a career of relating to blue collar people because that's the setting he rose from.
Why are we here? We're here because we love our country and we're here because we love our children and we want our children to have a better country than the country we received from our mothers and fathers. That's the great American tradition: The next generation better than this generation. We'll fight for it, won't we?
~~~~~~~~~~
JOHN KASICH: We know what the winning formula is, don't we? The winning formula is low taxes so that more individuals can have more power and more money in their pockets to run their lives and help their neighbors as they see fit. The great American tradition and formula is that government is the last resort, not a first resort to come in and tell us what to do and tell us who should run our businesses and get involved in our lives. We know that's not the right solution. So we know that government is the last resort, not a first resort and the regulators have to realize that they work for us and that we don't work for them.
The Tea Party setting was perfect for Kasich, too, because it's worth remembering that John Kasich wrote the budgets that ran a surplus 5 straight years. He is the embodiment of fiscal restraint. He's the polar opposite of this administration's irresponsible and out-of-control spending habits.
The biggest reason why I'm certain this event isn't a onetime thing is because the Tea Party message is John Kasich's campaign speech. The Tea Party message will fit well into Mike Pence's and Michele Bachmann's stump speeches, too. It'll be a great fit into Paul Ryan's, Jason Chaffetz's, Jeb Hensarling's and Patrick McHenry's stump speeches, too.
Speaking of Mike Pence, he went on Hardball to talk about Wednesday's Tea Party events. To view the video of his interview with Mike Barnicle and John O'Hara, click on this link . It's as good an explanation of what the Tea Party Movement is about as I've seen. (And I've seen alot of good explanations of the Tea Party Movement.)
Here's an excerpt from the transcript:
REP. PENCE: Candidly, now I know how the old settlers back in the West felt when the cavalry came riding over the hill. Those of us that have been fighting deficit spending and growth of government over much of the last decade under Republican Administrations and continuing to fight it under a Democrat Administration are heartened to see people like John stepping forward. Millions of people across this country today that know we can't borrow and spend and bail our way back to a growing America...It really is a movement by Americans who are deeply concerned about the enormous weight of debt we're putting on our children and grandchildren and the inevitability of tax increases that will follow."Rep. Pence is spot on when he says that "people across this country today...know we can't borrow and spend and bail our way back to a growing America." That message isn't that dissimilar to Gov. Pawlenty's message that we "can't government our way to prosperity."
Anytime that Mike Pence and John Kasich carry the GOP message to the people, it's a winning day for the GOP. They're dynamic speakers. They relate to Main Street. They represent Main Street's priorities.
Unlike this administration, they've got a clue about the economy. Most importantly, they don't take an extremist approach to the economy like this administration.
Posted Sunday, April 19, 2009 7:15 AM
No comments.
Virginia Governor's Race Update
This morning's Rasmussen Report polling says that Republicans have reason for optimism. Here's what they're reporting:
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds the closest race is between McDonnell, the former attorney general and lone GOP candidate, and Brian J. Moran, a former state delegate from Alexandria. McDonnell now leads Moran by 10 points, 44% to 34%.Despite the good early news, there's still alot of work ahead for Mr. McDonnell. Still, this is good news after last fall's drubbing by then-Candidate Obama.
The highest profile Democrat in the race is next. Terry McAuliffe, a longtime Clinton confidant and former national party chairman, trails McDonnell by 12 points, 45% to 33%. State Delegate R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County continues to fare the worst against his Republican opponent. McDonnell leads Deeds by 15 points, 45% to 30%.
Posted Sunday, April 19, 2009 11:40 PM
No comments.
Bonus Budget Questions
After reading Tarryl Clark's e-letter update, much of which was filled with questionable statements, I have a few observations. Here's something that jumped off the page at me:
The Senate believes its proportionate and balanced solution is the fairest and most equitable approach. It also positions the state for quicker recovery and stronger growth once the financial storm is weathered.If the Senate DFL's plan is "the fairest and most equitable" plan out there, why did the House DFL approve a dramatically different set of targets? One key difference between House DFL leadership and Senate DFL leadership is the issue of taxes.
The Senate DFL leadership's plan calls for $2,000,000,000 in tax increases on small businesses while the House DFL leadership's plan 'only' calls for $1,500,000,000 worth of tax increases on small businesses.
FIRST BONUS QUESTION: Considering the monstrous tax increases proposed by various factions of DFL leadership, how can Tarryl say that any DFL plan "positions the state for quicker recovery and stronger growth once the financial storm is weathered"? Based on what? Does Tarryl think that putting a higher tax burden on entrepreneurs spurs economic growth and job creation?
Tarryl also said this:
Using a combination of cuts, federal recovery funds and new revenues it brings the state budget into balance for not only the next two years, but also the two years beyond that.According to Tarryl, the DFL majority plans on extensive use of one-time "federal recovery funds."
SECOND BONUS QUESTION: If the DFL majority is using one-time money to balance the budget, how does one-time money balance the DFL's budget for the next biennium? That sounds alot like wishful thinking to me.
I wholeheartedly agree with Tarryl on this:
The state's economy has gone into its most dramatic decline in decades. Tens of thousands have lost their jobs. Millions have watched their home values and retirement accounts shrink. Even those that are doing relatively well have decided they better watch their spending. Take it all together and you get a dramatic drop in state revenues.There's no denying the fact that we've lost "tens of thousands" of jobs. There's no question that people "have watched their home values and retirement accounts shrink."
THIRD BONUS QUESTION: With all the economic difficulties people all across the economic spectrum are experiencing, isn't that telling us that we shouldn't raise taxes, especially on the job creators and families?
A Tarryl e-letter just wouldn't be complete without saying something about early childhood education. That isn't a criticism, just an observation. Here's what Tarryl wrote in this week's e-letter update:
The bill even provides a slight increase in early childhood education funding. Many studies have indicated early childhood education provides the best return on investment for taxpayer dollars.The three biggest factors in a great education product are parental involvement, quality teachers and smaller class sizes.
FOURTH BONUS QUESTION: Shouldn't we first do everything we can on that trio of things before adding new things onto the current product?
Technnorati: Budget , Deficits , Tax Increases , Education , Retirement Accounts , Housing , Tarryl Clark , DFL , Job Creation , Economic Growth , Prosperity , GOP
Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 5:51 PM
Comment 1 by J. Ewing at 20-Apr-09 02:39 PM
You've got three extra zeros in your tax numbers, though I cannot be sure that you didn't copy them correctly. The DFL isn't very good with numbers, and they never add up.
But for me the question is: If we have people losing their jobs, struggling to make their house payments and put food on the table, and struggling to grow the economy and create jobs, how does having the State take another $2 billion OUT of their pockets make it better?
Comment 2 by Gary Gross at 20-Apr-09 05:50 PM
Good catch, Jerry. I'll correct immediately.
Why Pork & Tea Parties Fit Together
As I wrote here , people attending the St. Cloud Tea Party were upset with the wasteful spending in the stimulus bill. This Washington Times article ties into that theme:
Capitol Hill lawmakers still brag about the federal dollars and projects they bring home. But in an age of taxpayer-financed bailouts and massive budget deficits, members are increasingly on the defensive about pork-barrel spending. Pet projects are targets for charges of government waste during tough economic times, and earmarks stuffed into appropriations bills smack of Washington backroom dealing.Republicans won't get away with just talking the talk. Inspired conservatives will apply the same principles to Republicans as we apply to John Murtha or David Obey or Prime Minister Pelosi. One simple rule applies to everyone:
Republicans, laboring to re-establish the party's reputation for fiscal restraint, are bearing the brunt of the criticism and being hit from all sides. Rep. Mary Fallin, a Republican contender in the 2010 Oklahoma governor's race, was criticized last week by her primary rival for not "practicing what she preaches" when it comes to pork spending.
"She is just as guilty on the runaway federal spending that she rails against," said state Sen. Randy Brogdon, who pointed out that Mrs. Fallin requested more than $243 million in pet projects for the upcoming fiscal year.
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS ACCEPTABLE WASTEFUL SPENDING!!!Anoyone thinking that they'll get a pass just because they've got an R behind their name would be well-advised to re-evaluate their thinking and re-adjust their habits. Those that don't won't get the enthusiastic support of energized fiscal conservatives.
It's that simple.
This information put a smile on my face:
The National Republican Congressional Committee announced an offensive Friday targeting 43 vulnerable House Democrats with robocalls and TV and radio ads that highlight the $1.2 trillion in new spending authorized so far this year.It's great to hear that the NRCC is targetting vulnerable Democrats for a couple reasons. The first reason I like hearing that news is because it says they won't shrink from an important fight. The other reason I like this information is because it tells me that their fundraising is improving.
"Democrats have failed to be honest about their willingness to support a pork-filled stimulus package and a budget that taxes, spends and borrows in excess at the expense of their constituents," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said.
It's predictable that Democrats will accuse Republicans of fiscal hypocrisy. Instead of getting hit for being hypocrites, Democrats will get hit for simply being honest about their fiscal irresponsibility. Based on what I saw at St. Cloud's Tea Party, I'm confident that people won't give irresponsible Democrats a free pass just because they're honest about their irresponsible behavior.
Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 11:50 AM
No comments.
Shocking News: DFL Raising Taxes
After 99 days of doing nothing to solve Minnesota's budget deficit, Democrats have announced that (shock, surprise, amazement) they're planning massive tax increases. Here's the summary information from Mary Lahammer's post :
Highlights of the 2009 Tax BillAmong other things, I'm questioning whether the DFL's Tax Bill will create jobs. I'll bet that it'll drive jobs from the state rather than creating jobs here in Minnesota. For all of the DFL's talk about needing a progressive tax, the DFL is proposing a tax increase on some regressive taxes.
REFORMFAIRNESS
- Proposes the most significant tax reform in over 20 years.
- Eliminates dozens of business subsidies and tax expenditures that are outdated, ineffective, regressive or that we simply cannot afford.
- Gives counties a new option that protects property taxpayers, saves jobs, provides essential services, and strengthens the state and local relationship.
- Increases accountability, value and efficiency to property taxpayers.
- Simplifies the tax system so that it is easier to understand, comply with, and administer.
JOBS
- Increases the progressivity of the tax system by replacing tax subsidies that disproportionately benefit upper-income earners and creates a new fourth-tier income tax rate of 9% on married joint filers making over $300,000.
- Eliminates corporate loopholes and business subsidies that currently create winners and losers in Minnesota.
RECOUPING GOVERNMENT COSTS
- Keeps and grows jobs in Minnesota.
- Helps small businesses and farms through Section 179 tax cuts.
- Gives Minnesota companies a competitive advantage by eliminating the job tax that accelerates single sales apportionment to tax year 2009.
- Doubles the Research and Development Credit on the first $2 million of R&D expenditures and makes S-corporations and partnerships eligible for the credit.
- Conforms to many newly passed federal provisions to make tax filing easier for businesses and individuals.
- Protects community jobs by preserving Local Government Aid to cities.
- Increases the cigarette tax by 54 cents a pack to the same level as Wisconsin to recoup associated health care costs. Research shows that smoking-related health care costs actually equal $10.28/ pack.
- Increases total alcohol taxes for the first time in over 20 years by 3 to 5 cents per drink to recoup associated alcohol abuse costs. Research shows that the economic costs associated with alcohol abuse amount to $4.5 billion a year or $900 for every person in the state of Minnesota.
Here's some information from Rep. Steve Gottwalt's e-letter update breaking down what's in the Omnibus Tax Bill as proposed:
-
It adds a new fourth tier for income tax, giving Minnesota one of the
nation's highest income tax rates: 9 percent. - * Cigarette taxes go up 54 cents a pack, one of the most regressive taxes in Minnesota. The total cigarette tax would increase to $1.77 per pack. The liquor tax also would increase by 3-5 cents per drink.
- It eliminates JOB-Z business development support which has helped our area retain and create hundreds of good paying jobs over the last several years. At a time when retaining and creating jobs is our top priority, this cut makes no sense.
-
It repeals tax credits for K-12 education, long-term care and
employee health insurance. This is money that we leave with taxpayers to help meet education, long-term care and health care needs. - It contains several other corporate tax changes that will place more burden on our job creators at a time when we need more jobs.
- The home mortgage tax deduction would be eliminated, replaced with a tax credit which is not linked to income.
- The new income tax bracket would kick in at $300,000 of adjusted gross income for joint filers, $169,700 for single filers and $255,000 for heads of household.
One problem is the United States Census Bureau shows Minnesota has 94,000 companies with fewer than 10 employees and another 188,000 self-employed people. A majority of them report business income as personal income, so raising the top bracket would hurt small businesses and their employees by siphoning operating funds, profits and long-term investment capital. By the way, it's these kinds of increases that result in more of those dollars moving to Florida, Arizona, etc.As expected, the DFL's tax bill is hostile towards most small businesses. It's noteworthy that it includes a number of regressive taxes, too. (Isn't the DFL always railing about the need for a more progressive taxation system? Why don't they practice what they preach?)
Rep. Gottwalt gets this right in a big way:
This is a time when we need to grow jobs to rise above this recession and revive state revenues. Adding to Minnesota's already heavy tax burden will only put us in a deeper hole. I will continue to support fiscal restraint and living within our means instead of raising taxes.Finally, it's important to factor in this information:
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council ranks Minnesota 49th nationally in terms of business taxes. Only New Jersey and the District of Columbia fared worse in the ranking. The American Legislative Exchange Council ranks Minnesota 40th in its 2009 state economic outlook rankings. All of Minnesota's neighboring states are ranked higher, including No. 5 South Dakota.If people thought that the DFL majority would get a clue and stop proposing oppressive taxation policies, I wasn't on the same page as those people. Thinking that the DFL won't reflexively increase taxes is like believing that making sudden movements towards a cobra won't get you bit:
That said, does anyone in their right mind think that Democrats won't raise taxes? I'll believe that the day I get photos of a leopard rearranging the spots on his fur. Believing that a Democrat won't raise taxes instinctively is like believing that making sudden movements towards a cobra won't get you bit. You can believe it all you want but reality is reality.
Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 10:19 PM
Comment 1 by FreschFisch at 21-Apr-09 07:59 AM
We have about one month. We go cold tukey for one month. Oh, some won't, some can't. Think of walking into a restaurant and ordering water with your meal and telling the restaurant that you won't be ordering booze because of the increased taxes. Think of the howling when all the municipal liquor stores find out no one is buying hooch for a month! This can work.
