After a brief hiatus, whereby I spent two glorious weeks in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands:
snorkeling, laying around on the beach reading Atlas Shrugged, drinking my weight in painkillers (OJ, Pineapple juice, Cocoa Creme, and Rum) and beer, and eating enough Conch Fritters to tie me over until next year’s vacation (destination still undecided but possibly Anguilla or Culebra), yours truly is not only well tanned, well rested, and rejuvenated; I am reinvigorated to proceed forward in the fight to preserve and further the Conservative cause (slaying every RINO I should encounter along the way).
Now, I say reinvigorated, not that I ever lost that fighting passion, but for no other reason than as you see; in my brief two week span of rest and relaxation, winter life went on in Minnesota (and in a big way I’m told). And, for those of you not privy to the goings on in Minnesota, there are (if but only) two absolutes here: Cold Weather and Taxes. Suffice it to say, I was able to dodge the former (the entire first week I was gone the daily high was in the single digits) in favor of the wonderfully tropical 85+ degrees in Tortola. Unfortunately, with respect to dodging the latter….well not so much.
As it were, the DFL led Minnesota legislature convened just prior to my departure. Be that as it may, it’s worth noting that the Minnesota state budget operates on a two-year cycle, or biennium, covering two fiscal years. During the odd-numbered years, the legislature passes the state’s appropriations (spending) budget for the next two years. In the even-numbered years, the legislature passes the bonding bill. Bonding is the process whereby the state borrows money to fund long-term projects. Now granted, I may have been out of the news loop for the duration of two weeks (in which Congress wasted time and money in an attempt to get to the crux of the nation’s most important matters such as which baseball player took what and when and we mourned the passing of a great Conservative: William F. Buckley) nonetheless I’m quite certain that last year was 2007 (making it an odd year) and that we are presently in the year 2008 (an even year). So, this being an even-numbered year, history would have led taxpaying Minnesotans to believe that their pocketbooks were safe (if only temporarily) this year from the salacious appetites of tax and spend liberals in Minnesota. Think again.
If you’ll recall, back in August of 2007, the metropolitan area (and the entire state with it) suffered a major blow when a span of 35W collapsed over the Mississippi River. Eager to exploit the tragedy as a need to raise taxes, some of the most vocal liberals in Minnesota (transportation chair James Oberstar, State Representative Steve Murphy, et al.) immediately jumped on the pursuit of a gas tax increase. Never mind that gas prices were already over $3.00 a gallon and a barrel of oil was trading at over $100 on the commodities market. And, that the transportation amendment passed on the November 2006 ballot (a measure whereby Not more than 60% of the state’s Motor Vehicle Excise Tax was dedicated to roads and bridges and Not less than 40% was dedicated towards light rail and mass transit). But, most importantly, as a matter of practice in Minnesota, we continually divert money from the general fund towards an inefficient and financially busted light rail system (the 12 mile Hiawatha line runs an annual $10 Million operating cost shortfall) and one for which state legislators want to expand on (Northstar, Central corridor, and now a southern line).
So, with the legislature back in session and a DFL majority in the state house and senate, the Transportation bill came up as one of the first orders of business as the legislature convened. And, wouldn’t you know, that Transportation bill, complete with $6.6 Billion in tax increases (including an eight and a half cent gas tax increase) and filled with a whole boat load of pork for all sorts of goodies (from bicycle paths, walking paths, softball fields, hockey arenas, etc.) sailed right on through marking one of the largest tax increases in modern Minnesota history. Now granted, to the extent we look for a bright spot in such a tax increase, I suppose it’s comforting to note that while there’s seemingly plenty of funds to go around for light rail expansion and less and less to roads and bridges, the gas tax revenue is Constitutionally dedicated to roads and bridges. And, being unopposed to user based taxes, I am principally not opposed to such an increase. However, for the legislature to look to the taxpayer’s pocket as first resort without offering an offset somewhere else (vis a vis an income tax), and in a bonding year no less, is downright shameful. But, as we’ve come to expect from Democrats, this is the mode of operandi by which they live.
Yet, despite the ubiquity of taxes in Minnesota (of course it’s no wonder we carry the 7th highest tax per capita in the nation) and what is certain to be the first of many tax increases this session (yet another proposal is on the table to remove the long standing tax exemption on clothing), the state’s Conservatives were hopeful that Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty’s spine would serve (if nothing else) as the only conservative bone left in his body in keeping him rigid and adamant about vetoing any proposed tax increase. With respect to the Transportation bill and it’s flurry of tax increases within, their hopeful assumptions were correct. The governor vetoed the Transportation bill (kudos I suppose). However, having given away the juicy details by way of the spoiler in paragraph two, it didn’t end there.
Now, I am routinely told by the Republican faithful that any Republican is better than a Democrat. It is for this reason that they’ll be holding their noses come November when they cast their vote for RINO Senator John McCain. And, try as they may, they’ll never convince me that the course of change within the Republican party leads through the Democratic playbook. It didn’t fair well for Republicans during the midterms and it hasn’t faired well for them over the past 8 years as President Bush and his “compassionate” brand of Conservatism has dismantled the party into it’s many different factions. But, what is the point in all of this you might ask?
The point in all of this is that despite the governor’s rightful veto, there were eight (ahem) “Republicans” (six in the House and two in the Senate) who went along with the tax and spend Democrats in Minnesota and voted to override the governor’s veto. Don’t ya know, it’s being heralded as a “bi-partisan” effort.
So, let me see if, in my still drunken vacation stupor, I’m understanding this correctly. When Democrats raise taxes it’s worth demonizing them at every turn. But, when a Republican does it why we ought to applaud them and sing them praises because after all, they’re better than a Democrat?
Now, I say reinvigorated, not that I ever lost that fighting passion, but for no other reason than as you see; in my brief two week span of rest and relaxation, winter life went on in Minnesota (and in a big way I’m told). And, for those of you not privy to the goings on in Minnesota, there are (if but only) two absolutes here: Cold Weather and Taxes. Suffice it to say, I was able to dodge the former (the entire first week I was gone the daily high was in the single digits) in favor of the wonderfully tropical 85+ degrees in Tortola. Unfortunately, with respect to dodging the latter….well not so much.
As it were, the DFL led Minnesota legislature convened just prior to my departure. Be that as it may, it’s worth noting that the Minnesota state budget operates on a two-year cycle, or biennium, covering two fiscal years. During the odd-numbered years, the legislature passes the state’s appropriations (spending) budget for the next two years. In the even-numbered years, the legislature passes the bonding bill. Bonding is the process whereby the state borrows money to fund long-term projects. Now granted, I may have been out of the news loop for the duration of two weeks (in which Congress wasted time and money in an attempt to get to the crux of the nation’s most important matters such as which baseball player took what and when and we mourned the passing of a great Conservative: William F. Buckley) nonetheless I’m quite certain that last year was 2007 (making it an odd year) and that we are presently in the year 2008 (an even year). So, this being an even-numbered year, history would have led taxpaying Minnesotans to believe that their pocketbooks were safe (if only temporarily) this year from the salacious appetites of tax and spend liberals in Minnesota. Think again.
If you’ll recall, back in August of 2007, the metropolitan area (and the entire state with it) suffered a major blow when a span of 35W collapsed over the Mississippi River. Eager to exploit the tragedy as a need to raise taxes, some of the most vocal liberals in Minnesota (transportation chair James Oberstar, State Representative Steve Murphy, et al.) immediately jumped on the pursuit of a gas tax increase. Never mind that gas prices were already over $3.00 a gallon and a barrel of oil was trading at over $100 on the commodities market. And, that the transportation amendment passed on the November 2006 ballot (a measure whereby Not more than 60% of the state’s Motor Vehicle Excise Tax was dedicated to roads and bridges and Not less than 40% was dedicated towards light rail and mass transit). But, most importantly, as a matter of practice in Minnesota, we continually divert money from the general fund towards an inefficient and financially busted light rail system (the 12 mile Hiawatha line runs an annual $10 Million operating cost shortfall) and one for which state legislators want to expand on (Northstar, Central corridor, and now a southern line).
So, with the legislature back in session and a DFL majority in the state house and senate, the Transportation bill came up as one of the first orders of business as the legislature convened. And, wouldn’t you know, that Transportation bill, complete with $6.6 Billion in tax increases (including an eight and a half cent gas tax increase) and filled with a whole boat load of pork for all sorts of goodies (from bicycle paths, walking paths, softball fields, hockey arenas, etc.) sailed right on through marking one of the largest tax increases in modern Minnesota history. Now granted, to the extent we look for a bright spot in such a tax increase, I suppose it’s comforting to note that while there’s seemingly plenty of funds to go around for light rail expansion and less and less to roads and bridges, the gas tax revenue is Constitutionally dedicated to roads and bridges. And, being unopposed to user based taxes, I am principally not opposed to such an increase. However, for the legislature to look to the taxpayer’s pocket as first resort without offering an offset somewhere else (vis a vis an income tax), and in a bonding year no less, is downright shameful. But, as we’ve come to expect from Democrats, this is the mode of operandi by which they live.
Yet, despite the ubiquity of taxes in Minnesota (of course it’s no wonder we carry the 7th highest tax per capita in the nation) and what is certain to be the first of many tax increases this session (yet another proposal is on the table to remove the long standing tax exemption on clothing), the state’s Conservatives were hopeful that Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty’s spine would serve (if nothing else) as the only conservative bone left in his body in keeping him rigid and adamant about vetoing any proposed tax increase. With respect to the Transportation bill and it’s flurry of tax increases within, their hopeful assumptions were correct. The governor vetoed the Transportation bill (kudos I suppose). However, having given away the juicy details by way of the spoiler in paragraph two, it didn’t end there.
Now, I am routinely told by the Republican faithful that any Republican is better than a Democrat. It is for this reason that they’ll be holding their noses come November when they cast their vote for RINO Senator John McCain. And, try as they may, they’ll never convince me that the course of change within the Republican party leads through the Democratic playbook. It didn’t fair well for Republicans during the midterms and it hasn’t faired well for them over the past 8 years as President Bush and his “compassionate” brand of Conservatism has dismantled the party into it’s many different factions. But, what is the point in all of this you might ask?
The point in all of this is that despite the governor’s rightful veto, there were eight (ahem) “Republicans” (six in the House and two in the Senate) who went along with the tax and spend Democrats in Minnesota and voted to override the governor’s veto. Don’t ya know, it’s being heralded as a “bi-partisan” effort.
So, let me see if, in my still drunken vacation stupor, I’m understanding this correctly. When Democrats raise taxes it’s worth demonizing them at every turn. But, when a Republican does it why we ought to applaud them and sing them praises because after all, they’re better than a Democrat?
7 comments:
Really, I am so surprised that you even returned from paradise to the land of lakes (and cold and taxes!)
I am so sick of Republicans and their overeagerness to be freaking bi-partisan. You don't see Democrats doing it, ever.
And hey, glad to see you back in the blogging saddle again, Soapie!
You're so right. Why do I do this to myself? They've got their fair share of taxes in the BVI but at least they've got that weather thing going for them.
Sure, if you're going to be taxed, might as well live in warmth and relaxation while doing so. You could blog from the beach!
Way to go, two week vacations! I always find one week isn't enough, it's like when Wednesday rolls around it's like a ski slope, starts picking up speed and you're back at work again like it never even happened. Next time go for 3.
Yeah, two weeks on a tropical island, seems like a dream to me!
Well hey I was listening to Jason Lewis a little this evening and he mentioned the Tax Cut Rally being the reason your governor vetoed that tax in the first place.
Well that's only part of it. There was a whole flurry of vetoes that came after the Tax Cut Coalition Rally last year so we may have lent some fire in that regard.
Jason has also said that he's heard from some sources that Pawlenty purposefully did not pressure the wobbly Republicans because he knew if he vetoed the bill and they sided with Democrats, he'd end up getting the best of both worlds. On the one hand he can say he vetoed it and on the other he gets additional revenue.
In that regard, it is worth pointing out that Pawlenty was quoted a couple of years ago as saying "The era of smaller government is over."
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