Comments on Inequity is Unsustainable

It is crazy, isn't it?

We have Republicans who are too psychotic to rule, and Democrats who are too cowardly and worried about their own job security to enact a progressive agenda that would actually make people's lives better.

What a sad FUBAR state and country this is.

What do you mean by unsustainable? Seems like the right word would be unfair. The sales tax has "sustained" us for a while, do you see reasons while continuing it puts state government at risk of not being funded? I agree that it is a regressive and unfair tax structure, but unfortunately I think it can be sustained for a while.

PS. The Seattle Times pissed away what little credibility they had with their despicable 2006 election endorsements.

Frak them.

As if anyone listens to those combat-avoiding Reds anymore ... or their insane budget ideas.

And it's the Bothell Times.

A 'progressive' state income tax has been proposed for decades. Booth Gardiner, Mike Lowry and Gary Locke all floated the idea. Washington voters overwhelmingly reject the idea each time it comes up.

There are plausible arguments against it (including the one that the targeted 'rich people' are the ones most able to avoid it by itemizing deductions, leaving more to be paid by the 1040EZ crowd). But the biggest opposition is due to voters being justifiably wary of adding another new major tax. NONE of the boosters for an income tax have ever said they'd ELIMINATE the sales tax-- they say things like 'reducing the sales tax burden'. No one says they'd get rid of it. Once an income tax was in place there would be nothing to prevent the legislature from raising the sales tax rates right back up to whatever they were before, plus any of the extra points tacked on by the various municipalities. Then you'd be stuck with two taxes and the worst of both worlds.

Hi!Q
Great site!