The assumption that I see peaking out from some of the discussions is that we do not need government. Government is not important. Government is a parasite operation sucking the blood out of honest companies that make the work. Raising taxes just encourages the parasites.
The other assumption that pops up over these thorny thoughts is that suggested taxes target a small number of people. Well, actually, that appears to be correct. $1 per pack on cigarettes. 5% surcharge on income over $250,000. The United States is supposed to be a government of (all) the people, by (the elected representatives) of all the people, and for (all) the people. The problem of our type of government is that people are different. For whatever cultural, educational, genetic, or religious reason, people are different. They are so different that one of the main purposes of government is to keep them from cheating and killing each other as well as members of other dissimilar groups. Government is the mortgage to keep us in a civil society. A civil society allows us to have our own mortgages for housing and goods. A civil society allows us to feed ourselves and go to movies or parks and playgrounds. If you do not have a reasonable government system, the barbarian at the gates will be leaving town with your kitchen sink. Even in Iraq where U.S. tanks have removed all traces of an organized government, neighbors are risking attacks by U.S. troops, remnant gangs of the old government, and random criminals by forming impromptu governments to fortify and defend their families, homes, and neighborhoods. A civil society educates it citizens so that they can care for themselves AND contribute to the community. A civil society protects its members from other members or outsiders who want your kitchen sink. A civil society cares for its sick and wounded. A civil society helps their neighbor raise a new barn when the tornado demolished their old one. A civil society does much more to make a better environment so that its member gain an advantage from being part of the whole. Minnesota has been a civil society. We are now in danger of becoming a hole rather than more whole. Sitting at a kitchen table by the kitchen sink, a Minnesota family will plan for the mortgage payments and food. If they have gotten one of the many thousands of recent layoff notices, they will have some unemployment insurance for a while. They have to have new sources of income or hit the streets. The bank doesn't care especially if there is a lot of equity in the house. The Minnesota mortgage (necessary government programs) will come due and we will have to pay it or leave the civil society for the streets. New taxes and more efficient spending (not necessarily less) are the government equivalent of getting new jobs. All Minnesotans, including the affluent, need to share a proportional part of their income for the society. Public Health or social taxes on alcohol and cigarets etc are appropriate if they actually intend to address the Public Health or social problem at point. We have to debate tax changes. Thanks. John O'Neal Northeast Minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ Twin Cities Metropolitan Issues Forum http://www.e-democracy.org/tcmetro Rules: Sign posts with real name. You may not post more than twice a day.
