Doyle Void of Fiscal Sense
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is practically kicking himself because of his actions from last year which he now views as a mistake-not raising taxes high enough. Nearly a year after one of the largest tax increases in Wisconsin history, it is once again time to break the record for largest tax increase in Wisconsin history. With the legislative session starting, the tax-and-spend Democrats are in charge. So look out.
Two years ago, when the governor was running for real election, he spoke in favor of repealing the automatic annual increases in the gasoline excise tax. Now that he does not have to run for office this year, he most assuredly regrets that decision. And has said so. After raising the cigarette tax one dollar per package, he laments over keeping that too low. So expect that to go up. The real kicker here is that he wants us to believe that he wants people to stop smoking and raising the excise tax on a package of cigarettes will help them do that. It will make Wisconsin healthier. Well, if that is the ultimate goal, then just do an outright ban on cigarettes. Why try to tax smokers and think you're doing them a favor at the same time? Well, here's the answer whenever you raise taxes on anyone you're doing a huge disservice to your constituency. This could not be more obvious in a recessionary period. Even the tax and spend liberals at the federal level, now that now is not the time to raise taxes on anyone. They will be running up huge deficits spending our way out of this recessionary time. Even though states do not have the ability to run up huge deficits like the feds can, huge tax increases are not going to help. Perhaps it is this lack of fiscal sense that Jim Doyle shows that is evident to the Obama administration and will explain why Jim Doyle did not get a federal appointment.
I would also bet my last dollar on the assumption that Doyle is going to push through the hospital tax. Overspending on social programs is creating a big hole that will be partially filled by a deceitful hidden tax. And who's going to pay for it? Well, we both know the answer. It is you and me. We will be paying for it in our own direct medical costs and through higher insurance premiums that are going to be passed on to the taxpaying citizens, and the health insurance premium paying citizens of Wisconsin. Nothing could be further from equitable.
Automatic annual increases in the gasoline excise tax will also be tried to be put back into practice. What better way to raise taxes than to do it through automatic increases that no one has to vote on? Will there also be an increase in the registration fee for automobiles? Will there be an increase in fees for other licenses and permits that the state issues? In these tough times, nothing is out of the question. The real question is, are there enough state legislators that we can count on that will remember that there are taxpaying citizens in their constituency? This year, I don't know. After all, they all got a raise. They got a 5.3% increase. When they'd be happy to join in and up your taxes while they kick in a few cents of their own. Regardless, the tax-and-spend Democrats can think of no easier way to pull the state out of recession then by separating wage earners from their rewards. Even if they have to ruin the economy in doing so.
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