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As recorded 1-16-10 for broadcast on WCBC Radio
"Tax protests went out of style with the Whiskey Rebellion, because Americans evolved in their appreciation of government, and the need to adequately fund it...."
 I’ve long favored the name Regina, not only for its rhythm and sound, and the adoration rendered the Blessed Mother in song, but because Regina LaCrosse was a raven-haired beauty at Mother Seton School, eighth-grade class of ’77.
Thus, I was especially susceptible to a certain accountant’s billboard bona-fides, at their debut with last year’s tax season. Suffice to say my 401K matured rapidly at the sight of the good Miss CPA in a zippered sweater that screamed “Audit me!”
I forget the message that accompanied the compelling graphics, but the billboard had me looking forward to tax time all year, even more than I normally do as a man of modest means.
Like Joe Flacco, though, the tax lady hit a sophomore slump with her latest offering. I can’t recall the attire, but the message lingers: “Taxes stink!”
No.
As noted by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, who also famously and rightly observed that old age is anything 15 years older than yourself, taxes are the price we pay for civilization.
The Washington Post reported last Sunday that state and local governments are stretched drum tight. Having used every accounting gimmick, employed every delaying tactic, grabbed all the low-hanging fruit of budget cuts, they can no longer forestall the day of reckoning. Even more than the last round of state cuts a few months ago, the next one promises to hurt.
It is times such as these, that I am especially thankful to be a son of the Old Line.
Where other states cowtow to the howl of a rabid minority, condemning even the mention of tax increases, Maryland has been rational and responsible in revenue generation, if not always expenditure. Still, we have paved, plowed roads. Nice schools. Good police protection. Abundant public lands. Well-managed parks. And a relatively healthy business environment.
The stuff of civilization.
America could learn something from Maryland, and must.
This generation will either preserve the standard of living gifted us, or participate in its dismantling.
Because it’s hip to say taxes stink.
But just like the misguided war on one particular drug, is ‘Just say no’ the tax message we want to send today’s youth, whose payroll deductions will fund our Social Security?
Moreover, they lament taxes, who draw a paycheck from the public treasury. As Spock would say, that’s illogical.
The Republic requires thinking, independent-minded citizens who can at least judge their own self interest.
Tax protests went out of style with the Whiskey Rebellion, because Americans evolved in their appreciation of government, and the need to adequately fund it.
Relative to most of this world, we are the height of civilization. And like freedom, It ain’t free.
So suck it up, Ben Dover taxpayer, and take it like a man. Because a bigger dose of truth looms on the horizon. It’s either raise taxes or cut programs.
And If the next one isn’t yours, there’s a good chance it either employs or serves someone you love.
It’s not about winning arguments, repeating talking points or gaining clients. It’s about our future, as a community, a state and a nation.
That’s not hyperbole, it’s truth…
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There was an interesting editorial in the Washington Post the other day that suggested a tax that could be raised in order to generate upwards of $200 million a year in extra revenue. This could be accomplished by raising the tax on booze, which has not been done since 1955 for whiskey and since 1972 for beer and wine. But the anti-tax crowd will whine over anything that raises a tax, even that of the sin-tax variety. And you can bet that the liquid-drug (alcohol) lobby will be fighting such a proposal down to the last dregs. (see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/28/AR2010012803523.html)
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I believe it is the individual State's responsibility to determine how much we pay as citizens to the coffers of the State Treasury. I also believe that unfettered budgets providing the tax dollars needed to the various programs should be held in check, and not allowed to increase without close scrutiny. The dollars paid in should equal the dollars paid out. A balanced budget. A tax rate which is a flat tax or fixed rate with everyone, including businesses, paying their fair share. No more loop-holes or deductions which favor this or that particular interest group.
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But, there is also a time when out of control spending needs to be curtailed by any government. Yes, inflation occurs, and there needs to be some consideration for those increases, but when the demand for tax dollars out paces the rate in which the average wage earner receives increases to his or her wages, then we must relook at our tax burden.
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The unfortunate thing with most liberals I have encountered, they have a belief it is the government's responsibility to pay for all of society’s ills. We must provide for the poor, the down-trodden, and those people who are not able to take care of themselves. That Sir, is charity. I have no problem with charity, but I do have a problem with continually providing for the care of people who will not learn to take care of themselves, or they simply choose to remain in the dire situation they are in at that given time. Perpetual welfare does not benefit the society or “community” either. There has to be a point when we say, “you are on your own now”.
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The Constitutions are very clear, whether they be State Constitutions or our Federal Government Constitution as to what the government responsibility happens to be. The rest is for us to provide for ourselves.
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You can give a man a fish so he can eat, but you can also teach him how to fish so he can feed himself.
I also have an issue with social security. I don't mind paying into it as long as I get something out. As I understand it when I retire (in about 25 years) Social Security will be bankrupt. Do you think it's fair to ask me to pay for your social security when I may not see any?
Today, our taxes pay to make sure that restaurants aren't serving trans fats, that bars aren't allowing their patrons to smoke, and that no one does the wrong kind of drugs. Our taxes pay for subsidies to agribusiness, and bailouts for politically connected banks and car companies. Our taxes pay for government employees who already make more money than the rest of us and then receive raises during a recession, who can't be fired and then receive goldplated pensions when they "retire" as young as 50.
If taxes only paid for the useful public services that you cite, there would be no deficits and none of those tea parties that bother you so much, either.
First, I love reading your opinion column and thanks to you and all of the App Indie staff for a well needed addition to the western Maryland media. I was raised in Luke, MD, and now live in Utah.
The continuous argument over taxes continue to annoy me, perhaps for different reasons. Taxes are a mere detail in our overall economic structure, but the loud tax protesters give our politicians very easy talking points to rally even more protesters. I have come to the conclusion that our law makers know little more about economic structures than the protesters focusing on a line item rather than the entire picture.
Before I continue I should provide my general beliefs. I generally believe in the open market, limited government, I am socially liberal, and I believe war should be used when most other options have failed. Do not get the idea that I am a libertarian, I am too much of an individual for that.
When the population starts questioning the tax policy I believe we are asking ourselves the wrong question. I believe the more appropriate question is what do we want from our government and what kind of economic structure will provide for those needs as well as the needs and wants of the people. People can start by brushing up on perhaps the 3 most famous economists Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and John Keynes. Of course, it might be more accurate to refer to the first 2 as philosophers. We don't even have to go to college to get the surface level knowledge, Google is our friend. There is enough historical information out there to help us decide what works for us and why. Herodotus, western father of history, gave us a great gift. I wish we would use it.
Again, thanks for your thoughtful articles, and forgive my grammar.
Joe Clem