Bay Staters Consider Tax Revolt

[rayofreason]

Source: WBUR

BOSTON - October 06, 2008 - It may be the biggest tax revolt in Massachusetts since the Boston Tea Party. In November, voters could wipe the state's personal income tax off the books.

Supporters call the measure, which is on the ballot as "Question 1," a much-needed break for ordinary people.

Opponents call it fiscal insanity. Both sides say the weak economy boosts its chances of passing. WBUR's Curt Nickisch reports.

Read more: http://www.wbur.org/news/2008/80497_20081006.asp

---

A total repeal of Massachusetts income tax! Holy Bailout Batman!

[wtmusic]

1. And they wonder why they can't get credit .nt

[billyoc]

2. Don't come crying to the Feds for pothole money, Massholes.

[Marrah_G]

4. This never passes- not the first time on the ballot

We aren't fucking stupid.

[Fearless]

6. Exactly... the vote is never even close!

If you remove income tax, property tax goes through the roof to make up for it. Ask New Hampshire.

[-..__...]

12. That's what the day dreamers thought the last time this was on the ballot.

Then they nearly pissed themselves when it lost by only %5 - %7.

[-..__...]

13. Delete...

[Fearless]

7. You do know that roads are primarily paid for through the gas tax right?

[Marrah_G]

3. This is a small group- It's been on the ballot before- it never passes

We aren't fucking stupid.

[stillcool]

5. kind of reminds me of the opposition..

to gay marriage folks here. I don't know of anyone who is unaware of the increase in property taxes New Hampshire has been paying. While we are still the butt of Republican jokes, we are Taxachussetts no more. I doubt very much this will pass.

[Caution]

8. Massachusetts gets back $0.72 for every $1.00 we pay out in federal taxes

so to those of you bitching about MA as if we were receiving all kinds of tax $$$, maybe you should get your facts straight.

This would be the single biggest disaster for MA since the passage of prop 2 1/2.

I'm so tired of the BS belief that MA is some hole of taxation. We are in the mid 30's out of the 50 states for total tax burden. There are more than 30 states out there where people pay higher taxes. We still manage to have a top educational system, universal healthcare and low unemployment while continuing to be a leader in both bio-technology and technology in general.

Not to mention that we were the first to provide full marriage equality.

I'm hopeful this thing fails again.

[Hugabear]

9. Who are you talking about?

Who is this "those of you bitching about MA" that you refer to? Just about every response so far seems to indicate that this is a bad idea or that it won't pass. I haven't seen a single response "bitching about MA" so far.

[AllieB]

10. The complainers are on the boston.com message boards.

Freepers mostly. I don't think it will pass, but right-wing radio (and some of the Thugs on sports radio) are decrying 'taxachusetts'. Check out the comments-too funny:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/10/06/income_tax_is_crucial_report_says/

[yy4me]

11. Never pass, we may be broke but we're not stupid. The state

is out of money, roads are a wreck, bridges closed, schools out of money, you name it. We cannot afford to wipe this tax off the books. Those of us who are suffering will not pay much in the way of state taxes but the wealthy will still have to pay their share. Every dollar is needed here. The Massachusetts Miracle ended years ago. Romney shoved it even further away.

In this particular instance, we'd be cutting our own throats.

[-..__...]

14. I'm voting for it.

Maybe the weasels on Beacon Hill will finally get the message?

Of course if it does pass, they'll find a way to circumvent the wishes of the voters; which in the end might be just as good
since it might compel the electorate to clean house in the next election cycle.

[Bill McBlueState]

15. Last time this failed, but only 55% voted against it

I could see it passing. But like Stan Rosenburg says, it will become a law if it passes, and the legislature has the power to change or repeal laws.

[Equality Tax Revolt]

16. EQUALITY TAX REVOLT

Anyone who is paying attention has got to wonder when the Queer Community will gain the DIGNITY to finally say,

“You know what, America? You want to EXCLUSE us? Fine. We’re taking our hard-earned TAX DOLLARS with us”.

“I refuse to be treated like dog poop legally in the U.S.A. in 2009. Period”

Given that the federal government EXCLUDES our families from U.S. law., why do we continue acting as if things are OK? A heterosexual in the EXACT SAME LEGAL SHOES would have gone to a far more extreme reaction than a mere tax revolt; most “He-Men” Americans would grab their gun if American Law worked tirelessly to demoralize, degrade, and oppress their family.

We made a GRAVE mistake when we ALLOWED society to be able to vote on our family’s legal worth, along with votes on school levies, bridge construction, and toll roads. That further trivialized our families and children in the eyes of the law.

We should have rioted in the streets the second things like PROP 8 first appeared.

F. being “nice”.
F. being “timid”.

Are you FED UP with “having to be liked enough” for equality?

Do you believe equality is OURS TO TAKE and refuse to beg for it?

Amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression!

EQUALITY TAX REVOLT - Wednesday, April 15, 2009