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There are other answers, besides state
bailouts -
I Hope New York Stands On Its
Own
Dick
Morris's most recent article on the financial crisis says, "Obama now
seeks to pass $50 billion in additional welfare to the states." I
hope New York can stand on its own.
I live in
New York and though I am not a fan of our governor, David Paterson,
I believe that it is quite possible that he will actually do the
right thing before leaving office.
David Paterson stepped in
when Eliot Spitzer stepped down. With Paterson's decision not to run
in the next election to keep his position, comes an element of
freedom for him. If for no other reason than the sake of pride, it
is possible that Paterson will do the right thing in the time he has
left as governor of New York. It is possible that he will stand up
to the teachers union, the state employees and even his own party,
and make the cuts that need to be made.
However, his latest
move to over tax cigarettes, is going to just stand to further hurt
the poor. If he thinks that addicts are going to go without their
cigarettes, he better think again. Smokers will let their children
go without good food, shoes that fit, winter coats, etc., before
they themselves go without their cigarettes. --That's just the fact
of it. In the end, children will hurt and more families will be
seeking assistance. It is a serious addiction.
There are
better ways to generate state revenue, without taxing the heck out
of people. Have you looked at your phone bill taxes lately and your
cell too? Did you know that the average family of four, with health
insurance, pays $1,000.00 a year in surcharges? Your gas in your car
is heavily taxed. Your gas to heat your home is taxed, as is your
electric. And the list goes on and on and on. Where is all of this
money going to? And where will it stop?
It's breaking us
all, causing more and more people to seek government assistance,
which only causes higher taxes for the rest of the people. Enough
already! It has to stop somewhere. I really hope that Paterson wants
to be the one governor of New York, who is remembered for having the
courage to do the right thing.
Just a note: I spoke with my
state senator about my idea to increase state revenue and at the
same, decrease state crime. Create and enforce heavy fines for true
crimes.
July fourth alone, would generate hundreds of
thousands, if not millions of dollars in fines for illegally
shooting off fireworks here in New York, where it is a felony to do
such. Make a zero-tolerance law for drinking and driving, and issue
major fines for anyone caught driving with any alcohol in them. Set
up radar points, all over the place, where people's speed shows on
those lit up signs; and fine everyone going more than five miles
over a speed limit. Set up a way to get license info, with the speed
stamped right on it, and then mail the ticket. (This way a cop does
not have to spend all that time on the side of the road with one
person, while hundreds of people speed right by him).
Yes,
there are plenty of good ways to get revenue for the state. If only
there were people in the government, willing to step out on a limb
and truly fix the financial problem. Yes, Uncle Sam truly does need
a few good men and women too.
Debra J.M. Smith - 06-23-10
www.InformingChristians.com |
