We all know only two things are certain, death and taxes. We dislike both.
There is certain death to a political campaign if candidates talk about raising taxes. Republicans are not the only ones lowering taxes.
Democrats, too, hesitate to increase taxes.
Walter Mondale at the Democratic national convention in 1984 was candid when he said, "we would need to raise taxes." Then he lost the presidential election.
The first Bush promised not to raise taxes and then he did. Then he lost the next election.
W. Bush made it as his priority a major tax cut during his first term. Majorities of Americans are thankful. Democrats have talked about repealing these cuts but have yet to do anything.
In fact, for the first time in our federal history, we are at war without asking taxpayers to raise revenue.
From our beginnings, we have been revolted by unreasonable taxes.
Perhaps times change. Enter Mayor Daley.
Remembering that the power to tax is a concurrent power, Chicago aldermen this week have passed the largest tax increase in city history. Daley is miffed. He received what he wanted. He is miffed that any alderman would vote against him. Daley has grown accustomed to unanimous budget votes.
Fighting taxes give us courage, some would say but the Mayor says those who voted against his budget were afraid to do the "heavy lifting."
Fighting taxes give us courage, some would say but the Mayor says those who voted against his budget were afraid to do the "heavy lifting."
The battle over taxes may not impede the Daley machine, but raising taxes in most places doom aspiring campaigns.
There are a lot of promises being made by leading presidential candidates. Who pays?
Read their lips. With a 9-trillion-plus federal debt and the on-going War in Iraq, can we afford mored tax cuts? Can any of the presidential candidates afford to go the other way?
Read their lips. With a 9-trillion-plus federal debt and the on-going War in Iraq, can we afford mored tax cuts? Can any of the presidential candidates afford to go the other way?
Back to the Chicago tax increase: The package, which takes effect Jan. 1, includes the biggest property tax hike of Daley's 18-year tenure as well as higher "sin" taxes on beer, wine and liquor, a new 5-cent tax on bottled water. The "user tax" on water is sort of the new "sin tax." Some argue the plastic bottles contribute to our carbon footprint.
Many states and local authorities have had to become creative in raising revenues without traditional taxes, and despite the record property tax hike, Daley is still hoping for smething creative to save the CTA from a January "Doomsday."
But that's another story.
The question here is: Would it be "doomsday" for any of our presidential candidates suggested a tax hike in light of our federal budget situation?
5 comments:
Daley runs the City of Chicago. He is like a politician of the old school, the politician who controls everything, has fingers everywhere, and knows how to play the game (he's MVP), and thats evident in his 5 re-elections. The point bieng, that if he wants tax increases, it is very probable that he will get them. And besides, the taxes in Chicago are so high right now, who cares if they add on more...either way you're still shelling out a lot of money to live there.
O and yes, it's doomsday for any presidential candidates. It's like calling yourself a "liberal", it is asking for death if you do.
Americans sure seem to have a strong aversion to taxes. I mean, "taxation without representation"? Come on, it's more like say taxes and you're out. The Chicago machine seems to be pretty well established, so I don't really think Daley will be losing anything because he said the T word, but the presidential candidates? Better not to go the way of Mondale for them.
Americans are notoriously tax-averse. Look at what happened to King George III in 1765 and George Bush in 1992. Any politician linked to tax increases has signed his or her political death warrant, which is why the Democrats are hesitating on making good on their threats to repeal Bush's tax cuts.
Yeah I also agree with the other statements here. Daily has established himself as the quientessential mayor of Chicago, and therefore, he is not afraid of raising taxes.
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