Recently, Earnest Ishtook penned a column on World Net Daily entitled
"Fuming over the fun tax." If you haven't read it, you should.
(Simply "Google it" by typing in the above title or cut/paste this link:
His article describes the New York Governor's proposal to institute
new taxes -137 new ones-- to help offset the looming budget crisis in
his state. Included are such things as music downloads; movie, concert
and sports tickets; cable and satellite TV; massages, manicures,
pedicures, haircuts, beer, snack foods, non-diet sodas, and even gym
memberships.
It's a noteworthy article as it alludes to the budget crunch problems
faced by many states (including Kansas) and the likely response of
most governments to "solve it" by rushing to raise taxes on just about
anything and everything.
The article also asks a very important question: "Where do bad
[liberal] ideas come from?" and poses some insights. Here were some
of his key "take-aways":
"America has become fertile ground for bad ideas about how government
should manage our lives."
"Politicians have long had a fondness for sin taxes - levies on "bad"
things like alcohol and tobacco. Such taxes enable pols to pocket your
money while congratulating themselves for encouraging you to lead a
healthier lifestyle."
"There's a pattern of how these nanny-state taxes come to fruition.
These ideas often are:
1) Planted by professional "do-gooders" [usually in the guise of a
supposed crisis];
2) Nurtured by media that present the do-gooders' claims as "fact";
3) Adopted by politicians who want money to spend (and also want the
praise of media and do-gooders); and
4) Nourished by special interests who see advantages for themselves."
Governor Patterson frames his state's "crisis" this way: "We've made
too many promises and unfortunately asked for too few sacrifices. We
are going to have to change our culture as we know it."
As Ishtook says: "Some change. Protecting the size of government -
and those who depend on big government - is age old." "The
environment for bad ideas is fertile because more Americans than ever
before are reliant on government. The Heritage Foundation's annual
"Dependency Index" tracks this trend. It notes that 28 percent of
American adults now pay no federal taxes and that dependence on
government programs has more than doubled since 1980."
Ishtook continues: "Unless public outrage uproots bad ideas, they take
root like noxious weeds. Many citizens accept the notion that these
things are "for our own good," plus that they will benefit from taxes
on somebody else. If you rob (or tax) Peter to pay Paul, you can
usually count on Paul's support."
Knowing this, take to heart what our esteemed Leavenworth county
chairman likes to say: Get involved and get excited". If you don't,
"Paul" and his liberal democrat political chums are sure to tax you to
death (and beyond) and do it for your own good!
