A couple weeks ago, when I first set out on my recent series of obsessively wonky posts on Washington’s budget crisis and the structural revenue deficit at its heart, I pretty much knew what to expect. Readership would trail off, incoming links would virtually disappear, and my comment threads would fill with automatic gainsaying, tired, anti-tax rhetoric, and pointless personal attacks on my manhood, my alleged socialism, and of course, my ethnicity.
i told u in your last post goldstein, get out of here and go to that garbage dump israel, and take that homo barney frank with u
No, my trolls rarely fail to disappoint. And neither have the local media, whose coverage of this crisis, as expected, has largely focused on the spending side of the equation and the political machinations behind it, while providing little if any discussion of its causes, outside of the frame of the current economic cycle.
It is easy to point to a four-year period and show that spending has increased from X to Y. It is much harder to cogently place this increase within the proper historical, economic and statistical context. And so, for the most part, our media has failed to even try, and understandably so, for properly done, the subject matter is inherently godawful dry and boring. Why should a daily newspaper devote precious column inches to explaining a premise that is at its best tedious, and at its worse, a maddeningly counter-intuitive and downright unpopular challenge to conventional wisdom?
Thus I was pleasantly surprised to read Seattle Times economic columnist Jon Talton this morning proclaim that now is the “Time for state to discuss taxes despite difficulties.”
It’s quixotic — or deranged. Such are most of the reactions, depending on political persuasion, to state Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown’s idea of an income tax on high-wage earners to help fund education.
Huh. Sounds like Talton is calling out his own editorial board. But…
Even so, Brown’s proposal ought to open an important conversation about taxes and the state’s future competitiveness. It’s one that’s difficult to have without arousing partisan passions, cooked statistics and charges of socialism or a sales-tax-driven war on the poor. It’s one we should have nevertheless.
There… was that so hard?
As Talton points out, Washington’s individual and corporate tax “burden” remains relatively low while our per capita income remains high, and our heavy reliance on the sales tax leaves us with the most regressive tax structure in the nation. Talton also peeks beneath the robes of the rarely challenged orthodoxy that inexorably links tax rates to private sector competitiveness.
Some of the states with the highest tax rates and tax burdens (taxes paid divided by income) are also the richest and most economically powerful.
These include New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and California. Some states with very low taxes also suffer from limited economies and a relative lack of well-paid jobs. This doesn’t mean that high taxes can’t ultimately hurt competitiveness, only that reflexive tax cutting is no panacea, either. Rather, tax policy seems to be one element in a state’s overall competitive DNA.
Our problem, as Talton explains, is that despite such facts, talk of higher taxes is generally political suicide.
Anti-tax activists have been effective in portraying government as always bloated and inefficient. This sidesteps answering what roles government must do well and which cost money to enhance competitiveness in a complex, global economy.
That’s all I’ve been asking for: a public conversation on the proper size and scope of government, and how best to adequately, sustainably and fairly pay for those services and infrastructure investments we collectively want and need. With rare exceptions like Talton’s column, we aren’t getting that conversation in our local media, and apart from Brown and a handful of other legislators, we aren’t getting that conversation from our elected officials either.
I’m not saying it’s an easy conversation, or one that won’t come with political costs. But in the long run, it’s a conversation we can’t afford to avoid.
Goldy, two questions:
1) In the last 20 years, by what percentage has Washington state’s population increased?
2) In the last 20 years, by what percentage has Washington state’s budget increased?
Do you have the guts to research this question, then answer it? Something tells me you’re going to duck my question.
Why would anyone care about the question of a right wing ass-licking troll?
Here’s a better question:
If the Publicans are so interested in taxes and spending, why support locking people up for life on the stupid Publican-supported 3 Strikes Law? Why do Publicans support locking people up for victimless crimes? Why do publicans insist on giving tax breaks to their pals in the churches which are nothing more than businesses making money so they can support the Publican party?
President Obama and his Navy have pulled off a successful rescue of the American ship captain held hostage by Somali pirates. Navy SEALS killed 3 of the pirates and captured the 4th. And on the AOL forums and political blogs everywhere, the rightwingers are beside themselves! They’re in a froth! Here’s what you can expect them to say: That Obama wanted to appease the pirates but Captain Philips got tired of waiting and made a second escape, and/or the Navy ignored Obama’s orders and acted on their own! Very lame stuff … I guess they’re just jealous.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Suck on it, incompetent losers!
Repeat after me, wingers:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Sucks to be you.
No, it’s not an easy conversation to have, because you can count on a gang of sophomoric juveniles to drown everyone else out with their loud shrieking that government must be provided at no cost (why do they not ever ask this of the private sector) or not exist at all. Someone should duct tape their mouths shut so the adults can deal with the problem.
Troll @1,
You clearly don’t bother to read my posts before commenting. I’ve already addressed this issue, and have shown that per capita taxes are at a 15-year low in inflation adjusted dollars.
Well, I, for one, have been following this series of posts and wholeheartedly agree that we need an income tax in this state. Keeping the education system funded will be far more valuable to the state’s economy in the long run than will immediate discretionary spending. This isn’t even open for debate, as it’s been demonstrated so many times.
I get why people don’t like taxes, but I really do not understand why the wingnuts can’t figure out this pretty simple and obvious calculation.
Told ya he would be afraid to compare the population growth rate to the budget growth rate.
Troll @8,
See, this is why I don’t generally bother to even read your comments, let alone reply to them. How old are you, twelve?
The post I linked to contains a spreadsheet that includes both population and revenue growth.
We elect our representatives to lead and take on the tough issues.
Regarding our regressive sales tax reliance they have done neither.
2. ByeByeGOP spews:
Why would anyone care about the question of a right wing ass-licking troll?
Here’s a better question:
If the Publicans are so interested in taxes and spending, why support locking people up for life on the stupid Publican-supported 3 Strikes Law?
HUH? Do you really think that the losers of our society who have 3 strikes actually make any money? Even when not in jail, they are the dregs of our society who do nothing but leach off it. Hardly what I would call a ripe tax base to pick from, maroon….
3. Roger Rabbit spews:
President Obama and his Navy have pulled off a successful rescue of the American ship captain held hostage by Somali pirates
Saying that President Obama had any part of this is in insult to the members of the US military who pulled it off.
Politicians of all stripes sit on their ass and take credit for what the military does.
Roger, your posts paint you as a simplistic partisan lemming who’s knowledge of the world is lacking – along with common sense.
I am never quite comfortable with the “not you not me, tax the guy behind the tree” thing. Should we have an income tax in the state I would want it to be progressive, but all but the lowest quintile should be part of it, even if only one or two percent.
Sir Eustace @11: I believe the gentleman’s point was that a lifetime prison sentence is an enormous expense to the taxpayers, and the 3-strikes laws have caused the total number of lifers to increase dramatically, and in many cases are putting away people who aren’t that much of a threat to anyone but themselves.
Rob @13: I agree wholeheartedly. It might be prudent to make the minimum deduction higher than the federal one (~$8600, I believe), but the idea that only the extremely wealthy should pay the income tax is counterproductive. First, it feels like a cynical ploy to gain the approval of the majority of voters (who don’t earn $500k/yr), and second it wouldn’t raise enough money to really make a difference. A progressive income tax structure, starting with people making say $15k yearly, can be both fair and helpful to the state budget.
@14
Lee, point taken.
Goldy,
This wild eyed lefty has followed your series with great interest. Excellent job, Goldy. Whenever I greet my legislative representatives, I always start with, “Now, about tax reform in this state……..”. Amazing how fast they can run from that. But I will neve let up on them. Never.
@ll: “Hardly what I would call a ripe tax base to pick from, maroon…”
Well sir, no doubt it is better to throw them in jail. This raises costs to the criminal justice system for trials, appeals, and let us not forget, prisons and the politically aware and quite savvy guards who man them. Whey if I didn’t know any better, I’d say your advocacy is nothing less than a naked political appeal to appear “tough on crime” regardless of the cost. Most recognize this for what it is, political irresponsibility and fiscal recklessness. You are both an embarassment, and a maroon. However, your point @15 is acknowledged. Thanks.
@11 His point is that it costs us taxpayers $35,000 a year to lock someone up, moron.
“Politicians of all stripes sit on their ass and take credit for what the military does.”
Yes. I remember all the credit they took for My Lai. Just sayin’.
@12 I’m a Democratic Party hack and liberal propagandist, idiot! Shilling for my side is what I do. You must be new here.
In fact, I feel quite certain we have some new trolls here, and they’re no smarter than the old lot. I sure wish we’d get some better quality trolls on this blog, but they probably don’t exist. It’s impossible to say “Republican” and “quality troll” in the same sentence. If Einstein were alive, he’d make short work of proving that’s a mathematical impossibility.
@13 I am most uncomfortable with the fact that Washington’s poorest 20% of households pay 17% of their incomes to state and local taxes while the richest 20% of households pay only 3%. Let’s quit beating around the bush; let’s quit making up excuses for the status quo; it’s obvious what needs to be done.
It seems to me those who want to lock up serial misdemeanants for life at an annual cost of $35K to taxpayers should pony up some of the cost instead of running from their responsibilities. Talk is awfully cheap when it’s other people’s money you want to spend. Until you’re willing to pay higher taxes for more prosecutors, judges, and prisons, you’re only blowing smoke out of your ass.
@22 Until you’re willing to pay higher taxes for more prosecutors, judges, and prisons, you’re only blowing smoke out of your ass.
I assume you’re referring to Governor Gregoire. She ran a “I won’t raise your taxes” campaign, and reiterated that position just last week.
The time to speak out was during the campaign, when she made her position crystal clear. Just five months in and you’re getting all wobbly on her leadership, which you voted for.
Pelletizer@17, Keeping more stillbentovers off the street is fine for Puddy. Puddy will coff up more taxes to keep his ilk in prison.
NUFF Said Sucka!