3 new taxes proposed by Carole Rubley

http://www.eveningtimes.com/articles/2005/09/06/news/news1.txt

> Commissioners association promotes tax relief, says Lewis
>
> By LISA R. HOWELER-Times Reporter
> TOWANDA - If taxpayers are looking for emergency tax relief, the
> County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania has already suggested
> it to legislators and continue to push for it, said Bradford County
> Commissioner Janet Lewis this week.

> …A bill sponsored by Carole Rubley of Chester County would allow a
> county sales or use tax (SUT) up to 1 percent, a personal income tax
> (PIT) up to 0.5 percent or an earned income tax (EIT) up to 0.5
> percent.


I must be missing something here. Can someone explain to me how
authorizing 3 new taxes could be called "tax relief" ?

I can only imagine what kind of "relief" county commissioners are
seeking. "Oh please Carole Rubley, ask the General Assembly to help us
plunder the taxpayers!" I assume this involves the usual "debate" about
the benefits of property tax vs. sales tax vs. income tax, retired
property owners vs. productive younger people, etc. Its the shell game
they play with the bill for all the all you can eat, pork banquette.
The successful politicians, carefully convince each group that someone
else will pay for the wonderful programs offered. They'll even have the
audacity to stick the bill on our children and grandchildren, as seen
by Growing Greener and similar long-term debt programs. Then they want
to stick it the gamblers or the smokers, the out-of-towners… No one is
safe until the spending frenzy is stopped!

Remember Rendell's "Slots for Tots" ? His dream of a government
enforced socialized gaming cartel is coming true. What would you say
about an organization that coerces "protection money" from every house
and business and operates the booze, tobacco and gambling cartels? Are
these the folks you want to be in charge of your tots in mandatory all
day kindergarten?

This article highlights the faux debate, the camouflage to avoid the
important questions about the shocking growth of Pennsylvania's
government (TWICE the rate of inflation and population growth). Why is
it assumed that government must grow at all? After Harrisburg's power
is stripped down to constitutional limits, this problem becomes very
small, as the cost of government plummets.

When elected, my focus will be to reduce spending. That is the only way
to provide honest tax relief and nurture prosperity for everyone.

I hope more OCS enthusiasts will consider running next year. If you
can't, find someone who can and help them. Its not that hard most of
the time, and it can be extremely rewarding. Imagine 200 volunteers of
all political persuasions, ready to serve as citizen legislators. Its
the kind of thing that just might turn things around in Pennsylvania.

Jim Babb
www.JamesBabb.com