The local Republican party stinks, too. I've been to some of the meetings, and its all neo-cons and Christian fundis.
And the political parties line right up with the MSM elite. Whadda surprise!
"Mass. GOP leaders oppose no-tax Question 1" by Glen Johnson Associated Press July 11, 2008
BOSTON - The Massachusetts Republican Party is so concerned with excessive state spending when it comes to Question 1, the fall ballot initiative that proposes to cut state spending by eliminating the income tax, the GOP and its leading lawmakers don't have a knee-jerk reaction.
They offer a very Democratic response in explaining why they oppose it.
Sen. Richard Tisei of Wakefield, the Republican leader in the Senate:
"There are a lot of essential services we would not be able to perform. It's too extreme."
Like what?
Handing out scads of $$$$ to favored friends like at rich Hollywood folk, Wall Street, corporate and lottery favorites while the governor PARTIES DOWN?
While schools are closing and bridges falling apart?
Of course, it is O.K. if the state runs golf courses, cuts overpriced contracts to favored clients, or gets primo tickets to the games?
Also see: Columbus Center Chutzpah
Umm, yeah, the Republicans around here are a disappointment.
Rep. Bradley Jones of Reading, the Republican leader in the House:
"It's one thing to say the budget should be lower than $28 billion, but it's another thing to say, 'Let's take $12-13 billion off the table.' And we also have debts we've incurred that we have to service. We made commitments we have to fulfill."
Yeah, but TO WHOM?
Republican Party Chairman Peter Torkildsen acknowledged he issued a deliberately noncommittal statement on the question, since there was split opinion within the GOP:
"I understand the frustration and anger felt by many voters towards Beacon Hill, and why many will vote to repeal the income tax. The broken promises have piled up, and the people are fed up."
The reactions underscore the bipartisan tinge to much of the official response to the question. Republicans as well as Democrats have joined top business officials to condemn the idea.
Now I KNOW I'M FOR IT!
Paul Guzzi, president of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, said at a business breakfast last month:
"It's irresponsible and it goes too far, and reasonable people understand that."
Translation: We want to keep our government hand-outs!
The question - sponsored by Libertarian Carla Howell - proposes to eliminate taxes on wages, interest, dividends and capital gains. The current 5.3 percent rate would be phased out by cutting it in half on Jan. 1, 2009, and eliminating it altogether a year later. Supporters say that would give 3 million taxpayers an average of $3,600 annually.
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming already do not have income taxes.
Maybe I should MOVE!
Howell recently told The Associated Press:
"After the end of the income tax, the state will still get $17 billion in taxes and other revenues. The local governments will still continue to collect about $19 billion in local taxes and revenues. ... The bottom line is the politicians in this state are swimming in money, awash in cash, and the voters are hurting."
A similar question in 2002 failed, but not before receiving 45 percent of the vote.
I'll bet the ballot boxes are RIGGED to once again DENY this motion!
For the record, I've always voted against repeal because I was a briainwashed Massachusetts lefty, but NO LONGER!
I WILL VOTE FOR REPEAL THIS YEAR!
Proponents think the question could gain additional traction this year because taxpayers are cash-strapped at home, state spending continues to rise and leaders like House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi have suggested they would ignore the result even if voters approved the question.
Oh my God, HE HAS TO GO!!!! What a SCUMSHIT!!!!!!!!!
There is precedent for that: The Legislature refused to enact a 2000 ballot question that proposed trimming the income tax rate from 5.95 percent to 5 percent. It passed with 59 percent of the vote. Instead, lawmakers froze the rate at 5.3 percent in 2002.
Barbara Anderson, co-founder of Citizens for Limited Taxation, which had supported the prior rollback to 5 percent:
"How can we possibly have any other attitude after they've kicked us in the teeth for 20 years? Maybe the people need to give them a little kick and get their attention again."
And if kicking them in the teeth isn't enough, then tar, feather, swing.
Just a couple of them; the rest will fall in line right quick!
--MORE--"
