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| Even Liberal Washington Voters Say No More Taxes | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 11 2015, 07:42 AM (21 Views) | |
| Berton | Nov 11 2015, 07:42 AM Post #1 |
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Thunder Fan
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Even Liberal Washington Voters Say No More Taxes Washington is one of the bluer states. But the revolt against incompetent government and high tax assessments to pay for it has reached a boiling point even in that Democratic stronghold. Washington voters went to the polls last week, and a majority voted thumbs up on a ballot initiative requiring a two-thirds vote of the legislature to enact higher taxes and fees. This was the sixth time that Evergreen State voters have demanded this taxpayer protection, and each time the courts or lawmakers have found a way to circumvent the will of the people. So despite voter protestations, taxes keep going in one direction — up. The courts previously ruled that the only way a supermajority vote requirement can be approved in Washington is by amending the state constitution. This requires the legislature to approve the amendment, then send it to the people for ratification. But asking a legislature to approve such a measure is like asking a dog to build an electric fence around the yard. So a new measure approved last week is cleverly designed to force the legislature into action. I-1366 gives lawmakers a choice: Give citizens a vote on a two-thirds-for-taxes constitutional amendment or lower the sales tax by one percentage point, to 5.5% from 6.5%, in April. The politicians hate both choices, which is the point. Unions resisted I-1366 and warned that service cuts would be severe. But they lost, 53-47. So now the Democrats are trying to subvert the will of the voters again by challenging the measure before the state's high court. Their argument is that the initiative amounts to political extortion. They're also trying to make a backroom deal with Republicans to get a two-thirds vote of the legislature to gut the initiative. No matter how this turns out, there's a national message here: Voters are fed up by the arrogance of power by the political class. "Progressives" say they care about "working-class folks," but when workers say the most they want from government is to let them keep more of their own money, the politicians keep ignoring them. Read More At Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/111015-780132-washington-state-says-no-more-taxes.htm#ixzz3r8R9NGHN Another example of how the voters are fighting back against the establishment. Good for them, I hope they keep it up. |
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| Jim Miller | Nov 11 2015, 08:12 AM Post #2 |
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Fire & Ice Senior Diplomat
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The people are learning that they need to take their government from the hands of those that like to spend other people's money. I hope it is trend that spreads nation wide. |
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9:02 AM Jul 11
