Not Every Problem Can be Solved by Higher Taxes
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we will not solve our financial woes by simply increasing taxes at every turn. It is obvious Illinois has some serious monetary problems, but it seems the only answers we are hearing to fill a number of those budget holes is to increase taxes.
Increasing taxes is actually the easy way out because it allows those who manifested the original problem of spending money we don’t have, an avenue which does not force them to address their spending problem. Until we sit down and a take a serious look at exactly what we think state government’s priorities should be and where tax dollars must be spent, then simply throwing more money at the problem will only perpetuate the reckless spending practices that has caused our financial dilemma.
I raise this issue now because it seems as if we are getting hit by ideas to raise taxes from nearly every corner on nearly every item. From the state and federal level to candy and shampoo, it seems that everywhere you look some form of tax increase is being suggested to plug years of fiscal malfeasance. It’s a never ending cycle, once that budget hole is plugged and the money is no longer available, it’s back to the discussion of “now which tax do we raise.” Eventually, you hit a high water mark, where taxes have been raised so high that it causes a decrease in revenue and then where do you go? Well, you start by doing what should have been done from the beginning, examine where you can reduce spending and manage funds more effectively by streamlining. Of course, this should be the first step, not the final action after all taxes have been exhausted.
Here in Illinois it looks as though the next “tax target” will be cigarettes. Governor Quinn and Speaker Madigan both expressed their support to increase the tobacco tax by a dollar a pack when the legislature returns in October, but it is still unknown if that legislation will be given serious consideration. Either way just the mention of these types of taxes negatively affects our state economy. Here in the 105th district businesses must compete with each other in order to draw consumers to their store, which is fundamental capitalism. But when you talk about taxes such as this, you add another level of competition right across the border in Indiana. It does not take rocket science to figure out that when the same product is significantly cheaper and only takes an extra minute or two to obtain that product, then the consumer will most likely capitalize on the best offer. In this case our state’s leaders seem to want our neighbors to the east to have the best offer without even giving our small businesses a chance. When are we going to wake up and realize that to bring in additional revenue we have to attract new business, not punish the entrepreneurs who risk their livelihoods to pursue their dream by putting them at a government made disadvantage. The old saying will always hold true, you just can not tax yourself into prosperity.
Only in Chicago
No barking within the city limits. Well, that’s at least what Chicago aldermen are proposing. Aldermen O’Connor and Mell have proposed a city ordinance that would fine dog owners up to $250 if their unruly felines can be heard constantly barking at a distance of 100 feet or more. Aldermen Mell stated that the proposal is in response to numerous constituent complaints about dogs who just can’t keep the noise down. He went on to say that a police officer or city employee could respond to a call and if the dog won’t stop barking issue the owner a fine. I’m sure Chicago cops will just love responding to the “emergency” calls in the middle of the night of unwanted howling, and then be ridiculed the next morning because at the same time there was a slow response to a real crime taking place. Ideas like this usually make the public “barking mad.”
