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We once had no income tax in Connecticut. Then in 1991 Governor Weicker swindled us into one at 4.5%. Now it ranges 6 to 6.9%. Originally they reduced our sales tax from 8% to 6%. Now it's 6.35% and discussions are underway to raise it to 6.85%. Once clothing was exempt from sales tax. Now it's fully taxable. Add in all the other "fees" and increases in gas, liquor, cigarette, as well as service taxes and we've got plenty. Interestingly, despite all theses "revenue" sources we have the highest deficits ever and have had to significantly cut essential services to our neediest residents. Be careful NH when you invite the income tax into your state. You don't want to follow our path as our people and businesses are heading out.
Taxes of all types are almost always a one way street. Open that door, and you'll never get it closed again.
Okay, who here is "Harry Viens" in the Union-Leader?
Union Leader has a new letter on the subject "Hidden costs of an income tax", written by a "Harry Viens", talks about how Connecticut's income tax has only left them worse off. Who's the poster using that as their pseudonym?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vision33r
Start taxing heroin, that will help close your budget gap and reduce usage.
Taxing a substance that kills the consumer off that quickly is not sustainable.
We could try Pot, but that hasn't worked out so well at the federal level, turns out you need to both legalize it and tax it to make any money. Who'da thunk?
Union Leader has a new letter on the subject "Hidden costs of an income tax", written by a "Harry Viens", talks about how Connecticut's income tax has only left them worse off. Who's the poster using that as their pseudonym?
New taxes don't solve problems, they just give the illusion that someone else will pay them
Taxes of all types are almost always a one way street. Open that door, and you'll never get it closed again.
Agree. The real problem is that fed, state and city/town budgets are always increasing due to everyone wanting handouts (welfare, food stamps, Section 8, parents wanting a better student/teacher ratio, free laptops for their children, help for refugees, help for drug addicts) and government employee pensions and benefits increasing. If we could cut out all of these handouts, then we could keep our cost down and therefore lower our taxes. Everyone has to stop trying to get more from our governments than they put in.
Agree. The real problem is that fed, state and city/town budgets are always increasing due to everyone wanting handouts (welfare, food stamps, Section 8, parents wanting a better student/teacher ratio, free laptops for their children, help for refugees, help for drug addicts) and government employee pensions and benefits increasing. If we could cut out all of these handouts, then we could keep our cost down and therefore lower our taxes. Everyone has to stop trying to get more from our governments than they put in.
Oh yeah, big time. Far too many riding "in the wagon" and too few "pulling it".
Agree. The real problem is that fed, state and city/town budgets are always increasing due to everyone wanting handouts (welfare, food stamps, Section 8, parents wanting a better student/teacher ratio, free laptops for their children, help for refugees, help for drug addicts) and government employee pensions and benefits increasing. If we could cut out all of these handouts, then we could keep our cost down and therefore lower our taxes. Everyone has to stop trying to get more from our governments than they put in.
Give me some examples of "government employee pensions and benefits increasing". At least at the federal and state level, I've seen pension calculations decreased and benefits decreased with increased employee contributions. How do you consider a pension a "handout". Is it just because you don't get one? I am starting a job at UNH in a couple of weeks and there's no pension there for me.
Give me some examples of "government employee pensions and benefits increasing". At least at the federal and state level, I've seen pension calculations decreased and benefits decreased with increased employee contributions. How do you consider a pension a "handout". Is it just because you don't get one? I am starting a job at UNH in a couple of weeks and there's no pension there for me.
California state police can retire with 90% of the their salary after 30 years of service. If they start young they can do it by their early 50's:
Give me some examples of "government employee pensions and benefits increasing". At least at the federal and state level, I've seen pension calculations decreased and benefits decreased with increased employee contributions. How do you consider a pension a "handout". Is it just because you don't get one? I am starting a job at UNH in a couple of weeks and there's no pension there for me.
To begin with, past pensions were too generous and retired employees were living longer than expected, so those pension funds were underfunded. I see that on the federal level with the postal workers, and that caused the post office to try to balance out their books by only hiring contract workers now. On a local level, public school employees with their pensions and benefits plans (and the costs of special needs students) causing the property taxes to skyrocket.
As to working for UNH, I looked into that myself, and for the jobs there that I was qualified for, they had no health insurance available because the work was considered seasonal. So I have to keep my Boston area job. Meanwhile, they are excited and pleased to spend $$$ on a new football stadium scoreboard. And last year, I did see a job posted there for a full time football team videographer.
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Okay, who here is "Harry Viens" in the Union-Leader?
