Mid-Michigan voters already have been pummeled with claim after claim about how the tax rates are destroying families and jobs and the state -- and probably making cherry pie taste sour, too.People need to think and talk about taxes. They need to decide what services they want and what they’ll pay for them.
I’m happy to talk about debt and deficits and how to contain them. But can we not take the conversation beyond the usual cliches and buzzwords? What’s to fear about actually looking at the numbers?
For example, look at this chart from the Wall Street Journal, via Matt Yglesias, about the national tax situation. Check for yourself how you would fare and what it means for services, for cutting deficits and paying down debt.
Now, on the state level, take a look at this analysis by Mitch Bean of the House Fiscal Agency. Pay close attention to the slides starting at 22. Slide No. 30 is particularly telling this time of year as we hear from those ever-pressed seniors who just can’t understand why property tax millages show up on the ballot.
If you can’t follow the link, here’s the text of slide 30:
“Senior Tax Preferences
* Income Tax
-- Fully exempts Social Security, military, federal, state and local government pension/retirement income
-- Exempts private pensions up to $45,120 single/$90,240 join (TY 2009); indexed to inflation
# Annual cost all pension income exemption = $725 million.
-- Deduction for senior investment income $10,058 single/$20,115 join; indexed to inflation
# Annual cost = $40-$50 million.”
When you run into candidates who makes claims about taxes or spending, simply ask them for their numbers. Ask them how they plan to balance the budget. Ask them exactly what has to be cut. Don’t settle for the cliches of “wasteful” this or “out-of-control” that. If it is clear how to balance the budget, these candidates should be able to tell you how, with specifics.
And if they don’t have specifics, shouldn’t that make you wonder? Would you hire a plumber who could not tell you exactly how he planned to fix a bad pipe or install a new shower?
Don’t vote with your heart; vote with your head.
