In gloating over the refusal of both the King and Pierce county councils to put tax hike measures on the ballot this fall, the Seattle Times editorial board congratulates council members for their political cowardice:
It is remarkable how the fear of losing an election concentrates the political mind.
I understand the Times’ knee-jerk, ideological opposition to tax hikes (unless, of course, we’re talking about driving tens of thousands of entrepreneurs out of business by forcing on them the expense of quarterly filing sales taxes in 45 states… that, they’re for), and they’re entitled to that, but their obvious pleasure over politicians bowing to fear, just comes off as unseemly.
Yes, we want our elected officials to listen to the people, but there’s a difference between representing the interests of voters and pandering to them. Editorialists can howl all they want about the budget crises facing nearly every single state and local government in the nation being crises of these governments’ own making (instead of, you know, being largely the result a nearly unprecedented economic downturn), but that doesn’t make the real life impact of the resulting budget cuts any less painful or the anti-stimulative effect of slashing government spending and jobs any less dangerous.
The bold and responsible move would be to temporarily raise taxes slightly to help soften the blow, so that we don’t have to, say, dramatically cut back our public health budget at a time we’re preparing for a potentially devastating swine flu pandemic. And with opinion leaders like the Times working hard to cultivate a climate of political fear, it’s no wonder such a proposal came from interim King County Executive Kurt Triplett, a non-politician free to act on what he believes is best for King County rather than what is best for himself at the polls, only to be quickly shot down by council members with opposite incentives.
Yeah, “fear of losing an election,” or of losing a majority, or of merely losing a reliable source of campaign money, that’s what tends to motivate politicians. But if that’s such a good thing, it’s hard to understand why the Times isn’t more satisfied with government we’ve got?
The Times editorial board lost all credibility years ago in my mind and their recent refusal to meet with the proponents of the employee hours tax (which they continually call the “head tax”) just illustrates their slide into irrelevance.
Any fool can waste someone else’s money, which is what higher taxes will result in happening. Real courage is in showing restraint and discipline – saying “No – the people are taxed too much as is, so there will be no additional taxes.” That’s courage, statesmanship, wise stewardship, and leadership.
What Goldy endorses can be termed the drunk sailor school of public policy. Except the drunk sailor spends his own money, not yours.
As an aside, there’s no law precluding the HA Happy Hooligans from sending as much of their income as they wish to whatever governmental entity they wish. Knock yourselves out…
The Piper
Any fool can waste someone else’s money…
A very good description of:
1) The health insurance industry
2) The Bush Admin’s “War of Choice” in Iraq
@3…E…
Then surely you support any local government that decides not to raise taxes. I’m simply helping you be consistent.
The Piper
the anti-stimulative effect of slashing government spending
You slavish devotees of the state democratic party’s taxing priorities are going to see first hand the “the anti-stimulative effect of” the most regressive tax structure in the country. Wealth disparity will be worse here than elsewhere in the country, we’ll take longer to emerge from the recession, the underclass will be hurt, and small businesses that depend on the average consumer will suffer.
Yeah, you dipshits who love sales taxes REALLY thought it through . . . .
@4
I’m simply helping you be consistent.
No you’re not. You’re just being an RNC troll. The only question is whether or not you are on their payroll.
@6…E…
Prove it or retract it.
Your position is then what? Raise taxes or keep them where they are? Let’s get it on the record.
The Piper
PS: Are you on any payroll at all?
Goldy STILL doesn’t get the basic concept. Governments, like individuals, have to live within their fucking means!
Starve the horse, it’ll work harder.
I don’t see, however, how any taxes can pass when the city’s only paper is majorly anti-tax.
@7 PS,
No need to prove. You are a well known troll.
Raise taxes? Keep them the same? Lower them? Depends on the particular tax. This one I haven’t had a chance to look at to make up my mind.
As to do I have a job? Why yes, that is why I can’t post all the time like Marvelous Marvie the Welfare Queen.
You know Marvie pretty much admitted to being a paid troll on another thread as well as being on welfare. Wouldn’t that be illegal? I’ve never been on welfare so I don’t know.
I agree, let’s starve the government. Beyond police, fire, 911 and roads what the hell do we need from them? More expensive uber-libraries, sculptures, boondoggle light rail? No way!
CUT TAXES NOW, FREE MUMIA and GIVE ME SOME ICE CREAM