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The Tax and Spend Spectator
Happy New Tax Freedom Day
In our debt-ravaged country, Cost of Government Day actually falls much later in the year than it seems.
(Page 2 of 2)
I’m not suggesting that no regulation serves a legitimate interest. But many don’t, while numerous others are ludicrously inefficient and costly, even if they theoretically serve a sensible end. Rules like Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which the administration plans to push ever skyward, represent both bad objectives and bad means. In this case, the government arbitrarily decides on auto gas mileage, and does so in a manner which pushes people into smaller cars, resulting in more accident deaths. Heckuva job, Barack!
State and local spending adds 44 days to COGD. This burden fell a bit over last year, in part because Congress voted to give cash that it didn’t have to governors and legislatures to spend. But with Washington facing increasing pressure to cut spending, the good times of bountiful federal gifts for state lawmakers likely are over. Noted Feldman: “When this injection of federal dollars finally dries up, taxpayers in the states will be on the hook to pay for the expansion of state spending programs upon which acceptance of the ‘stimulus’ funds was contingent.”
Finally, state and local regulation accounts for 28 days. Admittedly, this is not as painful as when federal bureaucrats show up and declare: “Have no fear, I’m from Washington and I’m here to help.” Still, just when Americans think they are done paying for government they find themselves in the crosshairs of a county or city busybody. And, noted Feldman, “2011 regulations will consume 21.2 percent of net national product which, compared to 16.1 percent ten years ago in 2001, is a 31.6 percent increase in the regulatory burden within only 10 years.”
Obviously, the burden caused by states and localities varies across America. While the national average is August 12, residents of Connecticut are in bondage to government until September 10, a month later. New Jersey comes in at number two, with a COGD of September 6. New Yorkers work for government until August 30. Residents of Maryland labor until August 20.
At the other end is Mississippi, with a COGD of July 19, almost a month earlier. The COGD in Tennessee is July 20, in South Carolina is July 23, and in New Mexico, South Dakota, and West Virginia is July 26.
Two states fall on the national average: Nebraska and Virginia.
Although the best and worst states tend to hold their positions over time, there is movement within the ranks. Relative to the national average, Alaska, North Dakota, Florida, Louisiana, and Nebraska saw the sharpest increase in their COGD. In contrast, Georgia, Idaho, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Vermont most dramatically reduced the burden of government.
All Americans deserve to live in states with earlier COGD’s. But that will require a conscious effort to shrink government. As Feldman concluded: “The path to an earlier Cost of Government Day requires lasting spending reductions. These reductions must go hand-in-hand with repealing regulatory policies and laws that discourage innovation and competition. Whether the government’s hand is in cars or energy production, American economic recovery yearns for independent markets where competition provides better, more affordable goods and services.”
Summer is speeding toward its conclusion, and only now are Americans finally paying off their bills for government. Their labor, rather like that of the serfs of old, is being held hostage for the benefit of faraway lords — in this case, politicians in Washington and 50 state capitals. It is time for the people to say no more!
About the Author
Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. A former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is the author and editor of several books, including The Politics of Plunder: Misgovernment in Washington (Transaction).
Petronius| 8.12.11 @ 9:51AM
One more year like this one and COGD will be New Years Eve. Nobody pays the slightest attention to this because it isn't palpable. And the sheeple won't come around until they can't afford any presents under the tree the week before. They're also the ones who believe government is Santa Claus.
massmile | 8.12.11 @ 1:22PM
The second biggest expense is federal regulation, which accounts for 50 days -- almost two months of the average Americans' life. (This assessment only includes compliance costs.
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Oldefarte| 8.12.11 @ 2:39PM
'.....All Six Dems on Budget Committee Flunk Tax Test
Friday, August 12, 2011 11:41 AM
By: Tom O'Connell
Each of the six Democrats sitting on the bipartisan congressional committee tasked with cutting spending by $1.5 billion over the next decade received a grade of “F” for their voting records from the National Taxpayers Union, reports CNSNews.com.
Those lawmakers who failed the group’s tax test are Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, Rep. Xavier Becerra of California, Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.
The nonpartisan organization flunks and labels as “Big Spender” those lawmakers who score 20 percent or less in its rating system. Those scoring at least 90 percent are graded “A” and named a “Taxpayers’ Friend.” Scores are based on how they voted on budget-slashing legislation.
Clyburn received the lowest score, voting just 2 percent of the time to cut spending. His Republican counterpart on the committee, Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, scored highest, voting on cuts 97 percent of the time.
The committee is made up of six Senate and six House members from both parties....'
Mimi| 8.12.11 @ 5:27PM
O.F. ......Thanks for the info...How on earth do you get it! This looks like Grid Lock for sure!
More ill will to the country from Ried and Pelosi...You think they would want to stop the HARM...this makes it worse...Like Newt Says a waste of 4 months time, and more tragic the Defense dept is on the LINE! Looks like more of the SAME-OLD! Every time it looks like Maybe some hope ...The destroyers show up with more GAMES! Pitiful!
Lord Karth| 8.12.11 @ 3:49PM
Factor in the costs of local and provincial government, and things just get worse. If you live in Illinois, you're probably not done till Labor Day.
If you live in California, Columbus Day.
If you live in upstate New York province, you're likely not done till October 15th.
If you are so unfortunate as to live in New York City, try Halloween.
Your servant,
Lord Karth
Pat| 8.12.11 @ 5:32PM
Us Americans have many special “Days” set aside for this or that national celebration – but Tax Freedom Day isn’t one of them. It should be though - but a major impediment to national recognition is the greeting card companies, until they’re on board this very special day won’t receive its just desserts. Valentine’s Day, Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day – all special days which weren’t worth spit, or even noticed, until Hallmark and FTD got involved.
When the FTD folks will deliver a dead duck or a fatted pig to the White House kitchen in your name, Tax Freedom Day has no meaning outside of disgruntled taxpayers. And don’t forget your local Congressperson. If you have any after-tax wealth left, buy your Elected Sweetie a 1,000 lb. pork belly contract on the Chicago exchange, but not for commodity trading purposes, rather for actual delivery to their driveway. If you’re one of us poverty stricken taxpayers, nothing says “I Love You” like a dead sow’s ear from your local butcher shop carrying a large “X” drawn in black Magic Marker – a marked pig’s ear, he or she will get the message – or maybe their aide or their intern will catch your “earmark” drift and explain your meaning.
And Hallmark should develop a line of Tax Freedom Day cards, both the plain vanilla kind and those newer cards with the singing microchip. No one comes up with catchy phrases better than those Hallmark writers – no one. “Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Our Taxes are High, We Blame It on You” is merely a crude example of sincere and loving words we should include in our next Tax Freedom Day greeting card to Obama. Or, the song “Living in America” with the lyrics changed to “Starving in America” could be encoded on the card’s microchip – and don’t forget correct postage is required by our taxpayer subsidized US Postal Service. Please Hallmark and FTD – America needs your support.
Appleby| 8.13.11 @ 1:31PM
Eliminate withholding; make everyone pay their taxes in cash on April 15.
Move Election Day to April 16.
Problem Solved.
POST American| 8.13.11 @ 12:21AM
-----Great piece!
BTW --speaking of finance, the costs of
rampant USURY and the ever looming,
ever unmentioned Globalist RED China
TREASON OP -----again, BEWARE the
Fabian Murdoch FOX News op.
Take note how they've buried not onlythe John Wheeler murder, or the ever more HAARP-esque Fukishima world DEPOP OP
----BUT
how they leak in RED China 'values' with the
likes of Soros sideman, the 'Jolly' Jim Rogers
on FOX Biz.
------PERFECT sap op for the takedown.
-----------------------PERFECT!-------------------------