Viewpoint: DFLers way too quick to tax

Talk about it

After reading last week’s viewpoint article by DFLers Karla Bigham and Eileen Weber regarding the recent legislative session, I had to respond. We all know this is a terrible economy; jobs are being cut, hours reduced, people losing their homes, etc. All families have to adjust their spending in these tough times. They differentiate between wants and needs. Politicians should be expected to do the same. I find it fascinating that every year, regardless of the economy, DFL politicians always want to increase spending and raise taxes. They have an insatiable appetite for tax revenue. There has never been a city, state or country that has taxed itself into prosperity.

Bigham and Weber are angry at Gov. Tim Pawlenty for vetoing DFL tax increases. I say God bless Governor Pawlenty! A two-year budget of $34.5 billion dollars is enough. If the state only takes in $30 billion because of the downturn in the economy, then that’s what the state gets to spend.

I am all for helping the truly needy. Protect the vulnerable citizens, keep the nursing homes open, keep the hospitals fully staffed, and adequately fund the police and fire by keeping those budgets intact. DFLers always try to scare people by warning of cuts to these areas.

The budget items that are at the bottom of the list (wants) have to go. This constant call for more taxes (usually on the rich) will do more harm than good. All we hear about is the need for more jobs. You have to let rich people keep more of their money. They already pay a disproportionate amount of the tax burden. Rich people hire people. How many of you DFL supporters out there have been hired by a poor person? The problem with this country is this entitlement mentality that has been perpetuated the last 40 years. There are too many Americans in the cart and not enough pulling it. Weber states 62 percent of people think the governor is wrong for these vetoes. I suspect a majority of those are probably in the cart.

I have a suggestion for you DFL supporters who truly believe in big government, and want all these programs to continue and grow. Write a check and send it in to the state.

As a small business owner, I do that 16 times per year. I assume you don’t itemize your deductions on your tax return, because that would deprive your beloved government of much-needed tax revenue. Now, if I’m wrong, and you don’t want to pay too much in taxes, but you want all the services and programs (the ride in the cart), then just come out and say you want someone else to pay for it. This is what DFL politicians are famous for: being compassionate with other people’s money. That’s easy to do.

Bigham is obviously a big supporter of President Obama. In her criticism of Pawlenty, she rails against the short-sighted borrowing plan that would create a $1.6 billion debt to be paid by future generations. Obama has signed a budget that has a deficit of $1.8 trillion, and virtually every Democrat in Congress voted for it! Where’s the outrage Karla?

If you folks think I’m a Republican supporter, I’m not. I am a lifelong conservative, ex-Republican. President George W. Bush spent money like a Democrat. There are very few true Republicans in office. Today’s Republicans are Democrats 25 years ago, and today’s Democrats are socialists. Voting for a Republican today is just the lesser of two evils.

There should be mandatory term limits for all state and federal politicians.

This expansion of government that Bigham and Weber champion, and their appetite for more taxes is a disaster for this state, and sadly, America as well.

Mike Tucker is a Cottage Grove resident who has owned a small business for 18 years.

Tags: mike tucker, opinion, viewpoint, taxes, budget, minnesota