"Victory" for Patrick
Apr/12/08 11:10 AM
Deval Patrick scored a big "victory" today by passing a $392 million tax increase on businesses and consumers. I don't know how anyone who can view this as a victory. The only people who are hurt from tax increases like this are consumers. In these uncertain economic times, the last thing consumers need is to be spending more money on goods and services. Under the new plan, which passed the House today and moves onto the Senate shortly, Massachusetts will raise the taxes on cigarettes to the second highest tax rate in the nation behind New Jersey. It is estimated that a pack will now be 20% more expensive at an average of $6.41. Now, I think smoking is dumb. I've saw my grandmother die of the effects of smoking. It's not pretty. However, I don't believe that taxing these people will do anything to change their habits (they're addicted, remember?). It's just another way to take advantage of a group that not too many people feel bad for. And guess who gets squeezed most by this tax? A lot of poor people, who smoke at a much higher rate than their middle and upper class counterparts. So much for the Democrats being there for the poor.
These politicians will also claim that these taxes only affect "big, bad" corporations who should be seen as evil, profit-mongering entities that exist only to abuse employees, customers, and foreign workers all over the world. What they don't realize is that the companies and banks will deal with the new taxes like they do every time. There are two options: They'll either move out of the state (or not ever enter it), resulting in thousands of lost jobs. Or, they'll just pass the increased expenses onto consumers, who will bear the brunt of the tax increases. Again, so much for looking out for these constituents Democrats claim to support so much.
Congrats on being a typical tax and spend Democrat, Deval. You're just what Taxachusetts needed.
These politicians will also claim that these taxes only affect "big, bad" corporations who should be seen as evil, profit-mongering entities that exist only to abuse employees, customers, and foreign workers all over the world. What they don't realize is that the companies and banks will deal with the new taxes like they do every time. There are two options: They'll either move out of the state (or not ever enter it), resulting in thousands of lost jobs. Or, they'll just pass the increased expenses onto consumers, who will bear the brunt of the tax increases. Again, so much for looking out for these constituents Democrats claim to support so much.
Congrats on being a typical tax and spend Democrat, Deval. You're just what Taxachusetts needed.
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