astralmindscape

Here is a snippet from the NY Daily Times, link to full article below. The point I want to make is that times are bad. No doubt the economy is suffering and we are suffering. However, this proposed budget plan is absolute absurdity. I recall some 232 years ago that there was a certain historical event of some significance that occurred. During this event colonists living in the New World were a bit upset with how they were being treated by their Government. Of the grievances that they had one of them involved taxation without representation. Well, I think we can all safely say we know the result of the crimes the Government committed against the people. We now have this fabulous little country we like to call the United States.

  As I said, yes, times are rough. But this sort of behavior on part of the NY government is not going to make things better. As if we don't already suffer enough from taxes, this sort of specific targeting of products for increased taxes is atrocious. I consider myself fortunate not to live within NY, but I fear this sort of action by state governments is only going to spread in the face of a sagging economy. If it weren't bad enough with the recent Fed rate cut that is going to devastate the dollar, we find good ole' Uncle Sam reaching deeper and deeper into our pockets.

  I hope people are outraged by this, because you should be. The time for corruption, dishonesty, and lies by our so-called elected officials must end. What we are witnessing is the failure of democracy and the failure of capitalism. One must hope that the new administration in January will be able to right some of the wrongs that were perpetuated against the American people. But I grow increasingly skeptical that things are going to get better anytime soon. How much more abuse must we take before we see actual, beneficial reforms in this country?

  To all those suffering from the horrible economy, my thoughts are with you. Now more than ever we must stand united as a people in order to secure for ourselves the future that our forefathers had envisioned when they fought for our independence. Now more than ever we must make our voices heard and demand that our needs be attended to. That the time for exploitation of the American people for the benefit of the rich few has ended, and that a new era of prosperity be ushered in so that faith in Democracy can be restored.

"Gov. David Paterson unveils dire New York State budget that includes new taxes, layoffs and cuts

By KENNETH LOVETT and GLENN BLAIN
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU.. --> ARTICLE CONTENT START -->

ALBANY- Gov. Paterson's proposed $121 billion budget hits New Yorkers in their iPods - and nickels-and-dimes them in lots of other places, too.

Trying to close a $15.4 billion budget gap, Paterson called for 88 new fees and a host of other taxes, including an "iPod tax" that taxes the sale of downloaded music and other "digitally delivered entertainment services."

"We're going to have to take some extreme measures," Paterson said Tuesday after unveiling the slash-and-burn budget.

The proposal, which needs legislative approval, did not include broad-based income tax increases, but relied on smaller ones to raise $4.1 billion from cash-strapped New Yorkers.

Movie tickets, taxi rides, soda, beer, wine, cigars and massages would be taxed under Paterson's proposal. It also extends sales taxes to cable and satellite TV services and removes the tax exemption for clothes costing less than $110.

"The governor is nickel-and-diming working class families," said Ron Deutsch, executive director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, an advocacy group.

State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long warned that reinstating the sales tax on clothing and shoes will drive people to New Jersey, where they will also gas up their cars and pick up their wine, spirits and soda because the prices are less due to lower taxes. "You're sending notice to the people of New York that we really don't want you here," Long said. "The governor proposed flat spending, but why not actually cut the budget before raising taxes and fees?" "