Sam Brownback and the "Shot of adrenaline to the heart of the Kansas economy"

[Linda_D]

In 2012, Kansas govie Sam Brownback declared that his tax cut plan that aimed to eventually eliminate the state income tax in Kansas would be "like a shot of adrenaline to the heart of the Kansas economy" that would create so much economic growth that the Sunflower State would not only become a "job magnet" but the revenue decline would be inconsequential. Brownback: 2012

Well, fast forward to 2014, and it seems that Kansas has certainly not become the economic powerhouse that Brownback and his cronies claimed it would. Not only is Kansas one of only 5 states to lose jobs in the last 6 months but also has had to dip into its reserves to cover a huge revenue drop ($330+ million) due to the tax cuts which have not produced much economic growth at all. (Job Losses, Revenue Shortfall)

Independent analysts, especially those that understand economics and aren't blinded by partisan political dogma, think Brownback is dead wrong: Moodys: 2014

[FMD]

To say one tax elimination would spur major economic growth is wrong, however, don't you think that Americans should be able to keep all the money the make? Who does the govt get first dibs on your paycheck?

[WNYresident]

FMD,

You still have to pay for basic roads, defense and stuff like that. The question is the "amount" that is spent.

[NY The Vampire State]

FMD,

You still have to pay for basic roads, defense and stuff like that. The question is the "amount" that is spent.

There are still many other sources where Government Inc pulls from. Income tax was not an original piece to the founding of this country. It came over a hundred years later. You should be taxed on what you spend, not what you earn, save or own(i.e. property tax)

[Linda_D]

There are still many other sources where Government Inc pulls from. Income tax was not an original piece to the founding of this country. It came over a hundred years later. You should be taxed on what you spend, not what you earn, save or own(i.e. property tax)

Why? So Righties can stick it to the middle and lower classes?

[NY The Vampire State]

Why? So Righties can stick it to the middle and lower classes?

Go play in traffic you party hack dizzy bitch. So sick of your *****.

[Linda_D]

To say one tax elimination would spur major economic growth is wrong, however, don't you think that Americans should be able to keep all the money the make? Who does the govt get first dibs on your paycheck?

Another brilliant thought from Speakup's resident non-thinker!

"Americans" wouldn't even be "Americans" if they didn't pay taxes to pay for national defense.

"Americans" -- and actually, anybody -- wouldn't be making any money to keep if there weren't roads, airports, law enforcement, courts, general civil, legal, and social order, the electric grid, communications systems, copyrights, and all the other infrastructure and protections that enable people to live in a civilized manner so that they can "make" money. Feel free to shed the trappings of civilization and go live where you don't have to pay taxes for infrastructure, and see how much money you can make in that kind of a place. I hear places like Paraguay and Somalia and various remote islands might be good choices.

[FMD]

FMD,

You still have to pay for basic roads, defense and stuff like that. The question is the "amount" that is spent.

Tony, I hate to say it, but walk next door and spew that crap. see where it gets you. Seriously, STFU.

For all of you Liberal Leftists out there, the text in RED is mine...

Another brilliant thought from Speakup's resident non-thinker! Speak for yourself you America hater!

"Americans" wouldn't even be "Americans" if they didn't pay taxes to pay for national defense. This right here is leftist bull****. So native Americans, who dont pay taxes, arnt american? Walk on to any reservation, and spew that crap and see what happens.

"Americans" -- and actually, anybody - Anybody? so like Canadians? -- wouldn't be making any money to keep if there weren't roads, Gasoline tax airports, Transportation taxes, and PRIVATE investment law enforcement Property taxes, because you know, Americans cant be trusted with firearms, ONLY govt can be trusted with guns... how many INNOCENT americans, have been killed/injured by Law Enforcement this year? How many families shattered because Law Enforcement shot and killed the family dog? Ya lets not discuss that., courts,Fines, and panalties general civil, legal, and social order Like Law enforcement? Or lawyers?, the electric grid Which is paid for by the bill I get in the mail.., communications systems Again, private enterpise built the Communications system, copyrights,Paid for by the fee you pay for the copyright and all the other infrastructure and protections that enable people to live in a civilized manner so that they can "make" money. So who can make money? The guy that fixes your toilet? who has to pay $7,000 a year in workmans comp on a guy who makes $25,000 a year?! Feel free to shed the trappings of civilization and go live where you don't have to pay taxes for infrastructure, and see how much money you can make in that kind of a place. I hear places like Paraguay and Somalia and various remote islands might be good choices.

Time to pull your head out of your ass.

[buffalopundit]

Arglebargle

Amazing the creatures who can declare other people "American haters".

1. Of course, Native Americans pay federal income and capital gains taxes. They are exempt from some other taxes, and those living on Reservations are generally exempt from paying state taxes while on that land. It's a myth to suggest that they don't pay taxes, and anyone propagating it is clearly too much of a cretin to Google it.

2. There's a gun-clinging rant in there, apropos of nothing. Good work, dummy. Always crowbar that in.

3. Private enterprise built the communications system? Not the internet, which was originally a government program. Not satellite link-ups of telephone calls, which is thanks to government intervention. Every wireless frequency is publicly owned, and managed through the FCC. You need a federal license for permission to run a radio or TV station. Our cellphone system was built thanks to government management, intervention, and stewardship over the publicly held airwaves. From this article:

Alexander Hamilton’s federally chartered Bank of the United States; the Whig “internal improvements” of the early Republic; the transcontinental railroad; the land-grant colleges; the Interstate Highway System; the Internet and other government-backed transportation, communications and education endeavors aren’t just examples of “government spending” long supported by both parties. They have proved essential to the creation of thousands of small enterprises.

All major energy sources have received government help in one form or another, as have aviation, biotech, real estate and scores of other industries. Even companies that don’t get direct assistance from the federal government receive plenty of downstream benefits through the tax code.

We all should know that business can’t thrive without an educated workforce and the fair application of the rule of law. Even regulation -- the bogeyman of conservative business interests -- is a necessary condition of a stable business culture. The countries with the least regulation have the most corruption, and vice versa.

4. Of course, Linda D has it right. If you don't want to help pay for a first world nation, infrastructure, and economy, then you should move to a second or third world nation like, say, Mexico or Somalia. There are myriad lawless hellholes just waiting for the well-armed and poorly educated to come and build little fiefdoms with cheap labor and poor services.

Used to be conservatives were sane and rational, and could posit a suggestion or policy point that was rational and somewhat flexible. Goldwater laid the foundation of the modern-day conservative movement, and it's only gotten worse since the 80s. Now, they tell you to STFU or urge you to go and die.

[Jeff]

Amazing the creatures who can declare other people "American haters".

1. Of course, Native Americans pay federal income and capital gains taxes. They are exempt from some other taxes, and those living on Reservations are generally exempt from paying state taxes while on that land. It's a myth to suggest that they don't pay taxes, and anyone propagating it is clearly too much of a cretin to Google it.

2. There's a gun-clinging rant in there, apropos of nothing. Good work, dummy. Always crowbar that in.

3. Private enterprise built the communications system? Not the internet, which was originally a government program. Not satellite link-ups of telephone calls, which is thanks to government intervention. Every wireless frequency is publicly owned, and managed through the FCC. You need a federal license for permission to run a radio or TV station. Our cellphone system was built thanks to government management, intervention, and stewardship over the publicly held airwaves. From this article:



4. Of course, Linda D has it right. If you don't want to help pay for a first world nation, infrastructure, and economy, then you should move to a second or third world nation like, say, Mexico or Somalia. There are myriad lawless hellholes just waiting for the well-armed and poorly educated to come and build little fiefdoms with cheap labor and poor services.

Used to be conservatives were sane and rational, and could posit a suggestion or policy point that was rational and somewhat flexible. Goldwater laid the foundation of the modern-day conservative movement, and it's only gotten worse since the 80s. Now, they tell you to STFU or urge you to go and die.

At least Goldwater understood the need to keep religion out of politics and that the environment required protection from companies and municipalities that were destroying it. He also believed that Abortion was a personal choice and should not involve the government.

I could live with a Barry Goldwater today.