[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Truth in Taxation

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Truth in Taxation
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1236656495.shtml


   There's something simple and beautiful about truth. Gary Gross at
   [1]Let Freedom Ring contrasts two approaches to the same issue,
   raising taxes in Minnesota.
   In the blue corner, Representative Ann Lenczewski (D-40B,
   Bloomington), Chair of the House Taxes Committee recently said this at
   a DFL gathering:

     "I have to tell you that, you know, we haven't gone public with
     this and we've gotten a lot of flak for it. But there is no doubt
     that the Minnesota House will be proposing revenue to solve the
     downsizing. We've been criticized because everyone supposedly in
     the press thinks we're hiding or waiting or something. The process
     works where we wait for the second forecast. We now have that as of
     a few days ago. We came into Legislature in January and unlike the
     Governor who gets to look at this all last year, we've now begun
     the process of making a bunch of very difficult choices. And there
     will be cuts. There will also be progressive revenue proposed.
     "You will be seeing that as time goes on here. So I know that a lot
     of people are waiting for that and we appreciate that. Itâs part of
     how the process works to get to a final solution. So I know that
     you understand the need for progressive taxation, so we will be
     getting to that point soon."

   In the red corner, House Minority Leader Marty Siefert (R-21A,
   Marshall) responded with this press release:

     "Raising taxes will not turn this economy around and grow jobs. We
     want job creators to stay here, come here and expand here. Raising
     their taxes would tell them they aren't wanted. It is absolutely
     the wrong policy to pursue."

   Lenczewski is no stranger to tax increases. Her committee launched a
   full spread of tax torpedoes that were to have funded the DFL's
   multi-billion dollar wish list of 2007. I don't expect her to be
   openly proud of this, but as Gary noted in his post, she sure takes
   the long way around the barn in contending that tax increases are what
   Minnesota again needs, even now. She isn't at all specific, either.
   Which taxes? Which brackets? How much?
   Siefert's four sentences are all bulls eyes, straight to the point,
   just plain truths plainly spoken. He needed no roundabout
   rationalizations, fanciful history, or weasel words. He doesn't duck
   the consequences of his position: he embraces them.
   It's so much easier when the truth is on your side.

References

   1. http://www.letfreedomringblog.com/?p=4017