Do you support Kshama Sawant's head tax proposal? (Seattle, Vancouver: section 8, tech jobs)

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by tommy64

It wouldn't be so bad if Sawant would drop the charade and just say "We are too incompetent at dealing with the city's problems thus far, Amazon has all the money in the world so we wanna take some from them, and if they resist we will label them as the bullies that need to be stood up to".

When you clear away all the window dressing, that's what this stunt amounts to.

I simply cannot get over that a Seattle city council person called Amazon a "bully". WTF does that even mean? Sawant instigated the situation.. the marches, calling on Amazon executives to be jailed, labeling Amazon as a bully.. Tell me, Who is the bully in this situation? Sawant is the bully!

YOU DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU.

How many jobs is Amazon providing through construction, distribution centers, management and development, package delivery, not to overlook small businesses in the area that sell through Amazon (I've personally purchased coffee, jewelry and gifts by this means).

And how many other large businesses share their buildings with homeless shelters? Where is Microsoft's and Boeing's homeless shelters?

This is so dumb.

I used to think it was kinda cool and radical to have a socialist on the city council. Like, Seattle can be uber progressive and do things differently than other places and everything would work out... because we're richer, more tolerant, smarter and have compassion for so many things that get neglected elsewhere.

But I think it's our collective tolerance and compassion that has enabled the situation to get out of hand.

This problem needs a firm hand and law enforcement and we need to stop enabling the drugs.

I believe that a lot of the homelessness is a consequence to the rampant drug addiction. Payroll taxes to build "affordable housing" does NOTHING to stop the drugs.

[rkcarguy]

The thing is, don't ever discount governments ability to CHANGE the application if they were to get the head tax voted in. A simple stroke of the pen, and the head tax could be amended to companies that make over $10 million....then $5 million, then all companies.
Just like when Washington was trying to pass an income tax. It was purported as a tax on the wealthy, "everyone vote yes lets tax those rich people" but in the fine print it left the legislature free to amend the application of income tax into other income brackets without voter approval!

For me, Amazon is a great thing. I get the products I want, they are still the same things and brands made by the same people and companies. I don't have to be out in my car, clogging up the road, wasting my gas and time to go get them. All which are huge problems in Seattle and much of Western WA.

It's also my understanding that this money was to be used for more homeless services/housing, not "affordable housing" for the workers of Seattle which is what is really needed. Most of Seattle's traffic issues are caused by this already, as everyone has to commute from afar to Seattle to work.

I think the citizens of Seattle should have a bit of an uprising and demand Sawant's removal from council, and possibly others as well. Even the poll here shows nearly 87% being against the proposal, which they tried to pass.

[rkcarguy]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

This problem needs a firm hand and law enforcement and we need to stop enabling the drugs.

I believe that a lot of the homelessness is a consequence to the rampant drug addiction. Payroll taxes to build "affordable housing" does NOTHING to stop the drugs.

But supervised injection sites will fix that too!

[cttransplant85]

HAHAHAHAHA this actually passed! Labor penalizing is law in a major US city. What in the world are they thinking!?

[NewHomer556]

Indiana welcomes all those businesses and families Interested in leaving Subpar Seattle
You don't have to worry about being taxed into failure, poverty and homelessness here. Instead you will be treated with dignity and respect while enjoying the best environment to grow and succeed.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by NewHomer556

Indiana welcomes all those businesses and families Interested in leaving Subpar Seattle

Of course it does. But no, thanks.

Seattle has issues, yes, but Indiana doesn't come close to offering the quality of life that Western Washington does. Except perhaps it's closer to family. But no, I have no desire in returning to the area. Not ready to trade in sword ferns, moss, evergreens, mountains and seawater for humidity, flatness, and general mediocrity.

[Jimmyp25]

Originally Posted by NewHomer556

Indiana welcomes all those businesses and families Interested in leaving Subpar Seattle
You don't have to worry about being taxed into failure, poverty and homelessness here. Instead you will be treated with dignity and respect while enjoying the best environment to grow and succeed.

Sorry, Indiana is nothing special . There’s nothing there and it’s boring as hell! My family lives there. There’s even a income tax there . No worries . Jeff will follow all his California buddies and come down to Texas where businesses actually can flourish and there’s no state income tax.

[Xanathos]

More of that "somebody isn't paying their fair share - who that is is easy to identify - it's anyone who makes more than I do" from Seattle.

There was already a mini tech exodus in the area. You can bet your ass there won't be any more outposts set up out here, and a number of employers (not just in tech) that are simply going to leave the city.

That is, supposing this tax ever actually happens. It seems everybody who is halfway sane is already planning on challenging it in the courts as damaging to the entire state.

Oh, the **** I don't miss about that place.

[mhays25]

A mini tech exodus? You realize tech is exploding in the region, with numerous techs in the middle of giant expansions? Some of Seattle's current tech expansions would be giant headlines in most cities but are absolute crickets here.

That said, the head tax is stupid. I suppose we can be happy the half version will be enacted vs. the larger one.

[cttransplant85]

Originally Posted by mhays25

A mini tech exodus? You realize tech is exploding in the region, with numerous techs in the middle of giant expansions? Some of Seattle's current tech expansions would be giant headlines in most cities but are absolute crickets here.

That said, the head tax is stupid. I suppose we can be happy the half version will be enacted vs. the larger one.

The reason tech is/was exploding in Washington is because the genius who wrote your constitution made it so that an income tax can never be implemented. Therefore Washington is a relatively business and innovation friendly place in comparison to Canada, Oregon or California. It's a double whammy low tax state in a very educated region. The lack of income tax is a huge net positive in attracting capital investment. If you start placing head taxes on all the businesses your competitive advantage is null and void. Compare Seattle to Vancouver for example, Almost identical cities except Seattle has no income tax, Vancouver has some of the highest taxes in North American. Seattle outperforms Vancouver by wide margins in every category. Average net take home pay in Seattle is TWICE as much as Vancouver.