On tax cuts....
My letter to Willamette Week today:
I'm so tired of hearing these unfounded claims that cutting taxes stimulates economy (Body Politic: "[Russ Walker of FreedomWorks] argues that the tax cut would provide economic stimulus; maybe, although the money isn't enough to buy the average Oregonian a 12-ounce black coffee each day, let alone a more interesting drink.") My experience has seen the opposite happen. And, it also makes government LESS efficient. Let's give an example, shall we?
Have you ever tried to get a nail out of a board using a screwdriver? It is a lot easier to have the right tools. You can do it, if you dump the time and energy into it, but it isn't fun and it isn't efficient. (Come on, Office Depot commercials even make fun of this.)
Government is no different. Look, folks: we all want services. And services cost money. The more we de-fund our schools and services, the less efficient they get; everyone working in the school doesn't have any institutional support in the tasks that they're trying to accomplish. Every day it is like trying to staple sheets of paper with chewing gum. It _can_ be done, but it requires a lot more time and energy.
Additionally, I've learned in my life that if you give, you receive much more. I just voted to increase my taxes, something I can't really afford to do right now. But I can't afford to not do it in the future. Why? Because my partner is eventually going to become a teacher. Without a job in the future, I won't get any financial support, which means that I will be supporting my partner until one opens up.
Think about all the government workers that may pay for your services. What do you do every day that would benefit by having more people being able to pay for your services?
Give, and you shall receive. It works. And religions and wisemen have been telling it to us for thousands of years -- it is about time we listen.
I'm so tired of hearing these unfounded claims that cutting taxes stimulates economy (Body Politic: "[Russ Walker of FreedomWorks] argues that the tax cut would provide economic stimulus; maybe, although the money isn't enough to buy the average Oregonian a 12-ounce black coffee each day, let alone a more interesting drink.") My experience has seen the opposite happen. And, it also makes government LESS efficient. Let's give an example, shall we?
Have you ever tried to get a nail out of a board using a screwdriver? It is a lot easier to have the right tools. You can do it, if you dump the time and energy into it, but it isn't fun and it isn't efficient. (Come on, Office Depot commercials even make fun of this.)
Government is no different. Look, folks: we all want services. And services cost money. The more we de-fund our schools and services, the less efficient they get; everyone working in the school doesn't have any institutional support in the tasks that they're trying to accomplish. Every day it is like trying to staple sheets of paper with chewing gum. It _can_ be done, but it requires a lot more time and energy.
Additionally, I've learned in my life that if you give, you receive much more. I just voted to increase my taxes, something I can't really afford to do right now. But I can't afford to not do it in the future. Why? Because my partner is eventually going to become a teacher. Without a job in the future, I won't get any financial support, which means that I will be supporting my partner until one opens up.
Think about all the government workers that may pay for your services. What do you do every day that would benefit by having more people being able to pay for your services?
Give, and you shall receive. It works. And religions and wisemen have been telling it to us for thousands of years -- it is about time we listen.