Yeah, but ...
My former boss, and general all-around good guy, Jason Winders offers a somewhat different take on the Glenn Tax. Overall, I don't disagree with his assessment - that stupid plans get more attention and credibility because of what are often false public perceptions - but I do differ with him over the whole 'lack of another idea' thing.
For starters, I'm not convinced those who don't like the Glenn Tax need to put up some alternative plan. The reason there is so much opposition is because this is, quite simply, a pretty lousy idea that needs to die a quick, yet painful, death. To achieve the latter, its detractors don't need to put together 'Super-Awesome Tax Reform Plan X' ... but instead point out the numerous, obvious flaws in the Glenn Tax.
Also, if we're discussing tax reform, and property taxes are local revenue-raising agents, is it essential to hold a statewide discussion on this? Shouldn't local communities determine which way of raising revenue is best for them? I mean that's the primary problem with the Glenn Tax anyway, isn't it? If Miller County wants to get rid of property taxes, more power to them. If Athens-Clarke County wants to keep them, more power to them.
And who's arguing for the status quo? To suggest mere opposition to a plan that will dramatically overhaul our state and local tax system, undermining local control in the process, is not tantamount to saying that everything is hunky-dory with the existing system. It's just saying that Glenn Richardson's plan is extreme and lousy.
For starters, I'm not convinced those who don't like the Glenn Tax need to put up some alternative plan. The reason there is so much opposition is because this is, quite simply, a pretty lousy idea that needs to die a quick, yet painful, death. To achieve the latter, its detractors don't need to put together 'Super-Awesome Tax Reform Plan X' ... but instead point out the numerous, obvious flaws in the Glenn Tax.
Also, if we're discussing tax reform, and property taxes are local revenue-raising agents, is it essential to hold a statewide discussion on this? Shouldn't local communities determine which way of raising revenue is best for them? I mean that's the primary problem with the Glenn Tax anyway, isn't it? If Miller County wants to get rid of property taxes, more power to them. If Athens-Clarke County wants to keep them, more power to them.
And who's arguing for the status quo? To suggest mere opposition to a plan that will dramatically overhaul our state and local tax system, undermining local control in the process, is not tantamount to saying that everything is hunky-dory with the existing system. It's just saying that Glenn Richardson's plan is extreme and lousy.
posted by Jmac at 2:42 PM
4 Comments:
I think for a local government to do away with property tax would require the states permission but I haven't looked at that section of the constitution in a while. But of course what we really need is to redo the whole constitution...but anyway
Well noted ... of course, in theory, what legislator wouldn't approve something giving more local control to his/her constituents.
Wait ... oh, that's right.
HAH!
What legislator wouldn't approve?
Well, there are lots of them who won't approve letting me be pro-choice with my Social Security dollars.
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