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What's Basic?

By Paul Chesser on 5.21.09 @ 11:36AM

I'm a fan of the Washington Times reporting, but in a story about state budget deficits and how many are raising taxes to cope, what appears to be a throwaway line really bugged me.

I'm a fan of the Washington Times reporting, but in a story about state budget deficits and how many are raising taxes to cope, what appears to be a throwaway line really bugged me:

States from New York to Hawaii are proposing tax increases to fund basic state services.

This is absolute crapola. States have plenty of money to "fund basic services." They are in a fix largely because they've gone far beyond "basic."

View all comments (25) | Leave a comment

Pete| 5.21.09 @ 12:06PM

Each new "program" introduced becomes "basic" and the new baseline for spending. This is why refusing "stimulus" funds is the only prudent long term move for any state that wishes to remain solvent. Unfortunately, too many have already capitulated and will have their hands out begging for more money 2 years down the road.

Aaron| 5.21.09 @ 12:29PM

We all know politicians and their media whores love to threaten us with losing basic services in order to justify increasing taxes. They define basic services on an almost daily basis when they tell us they are on the verge of laying off cops, firemen and teachers if we don't approve an X amount increase.

Of course your right Paul, the tax increases are really needed to pay for over reaching crapola.

Pingback| 5.21.09 @ 1:04PM

What’s Basic? — ButAsForMe links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

Basic? I’m a fan of the Washington Times reporting, but in a story about state budget deficits and how many are raising taxes to cope, what appears to be a throwaway line really bugged me: … → Read full article… What’s Basic? Leave a Comment Name * E-mail * Website Previous post: Liveblogging Obama’s Detainee Speech: Obama Can’t Stop Campaigning Next post: Liveblogging Obama’s Detainee Speech: Continuity…