Posts Tagged taxes
Defining Our Terms
Posted by Sheila Kennedy in Local Government on May 29th, 2010
Anti-tax fervor has become a defining aspect of American politics—so much so, that here in Indiana we are getting ready to enshrine a so-called “property tax cap” in the state’s Constitution. (The existing law imposing such a cap is evidently considered inadequate.) Those of us who question the wisdom of such a measure are often [...]
Continue reading...Political Con Game
Posted by Sheila Kennedy in Uncategorized on May 2nd, 2010
The incessant political ads leading up to the primaries all seemed to assume that we voters are either children or idiots. Every candidate for every office will protect our perks and cut our taxes! For the record, guys, most of us know there is no such thing as a free lunch. We know—or we should [...]
Continue reading...Patriotism and Taxes
Posted by Sheila Kennedy in Random Blogging on April 4th, 2010
Much of today’s angry rhetoric is constructed around two dubious claims: (1) taxes are unjust, because my money is the result of my own hard work; and (2) people helped by government are indolent leeches. One problem with the latter claim is that people who look down on welfare recipients who are poor have a [...]
Continue reading...Outsourcing The Taxing Power
Posted by Sheila Kennedy in Local Government, Uncategorized on February 7th, 2010
There is a lively debate currently raging over the apparent intent of the Ballard Administration to sell Indianapolis’ water and sewer utilities. Most of the criticism centers on allegations that the decision-making process has been less than transparent—that whatever the merits of an ultimate deal, the public has been largely shut out of the discussions. [...]
Continue reading...A Perfect Storm
Posted by Sheila Kennedy in Education / Youth on December 24th, 2009
Sometimes, a “perfect storm” of problems forces us to make much-needed changes that are politically impossible in normal times. Perhaps—just perhaps—this is one of those times when we can use a few of the fiscal lemons we are being handed to make policy lemonade. Storm number one is revenue. Indiana is in a world of [...]
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