Kansans should be angry
Lewis DiuguidGov. Sam Brownback and the Legislature gave away the store in massive tax cuts for corporations largely benefiting the wealthy, and now everyday Kansas will have to pay. They can’t be anything but angry about that.
The twisted conservative logic was that eventually more corporations would flock to Kansas. But so far the business-suited herd isn’t stampeding to the Sunflower State.
For now, that’s got Kansas lawmakers facing a serious and immediate $705 million plunge in revenue. It’s expected to amount to $3.7 billion over five years, The Kansas City Star reports.
Everyday Kansans need to look at it like this:
It’s the same as having the top breadwinner in a family suddenly say, “I’m not going to work anymore.”
Then guess what? The family — if it accepts that shirking behavior — has to retool its budget to account for the loss from the top breadwinner electing to sit on his duff. Severe and harsh spending cuts will have to be endured by all.
For a family it will mean the end of cable TV, eating out, vacations and shopping. Families of the state can also expect severe and harsh cutbacks in government sponsored services.
Education funding is sure to take a hit along with social service programs. Prisons may close or be dangerously understaffed, and all of those many small school districts in Kansas will likely disappear in a new push for consolidation.
The state simply can’t afford the luxury of having so many of them anymore. That’s the way it will have to be unless angry Kansans force Brownback and lawmakers to see the folly of what they’ve done and reverse course on the tax cuts.
Missouri lawmakers thinking of following Kansas’ lead should be watching their neighboring state’s self-inflicted downward spiral very closely. If they’re smart, they will learn from Brownback’s mistake.
Let’s hope in the Show Me State that’s not too much to ask.
George Hunsucker
Northland
5 months, 2 weeks agoyep lewis, that’s why R’s have an even larger majority isn’t it?
Why the mere thought of smaller government. I know that is blasphemy in you lib’s mind, given the example your spender-in-charge is showing the rest of the world as he sends America down the crapper….
We will see where KS is in 2 years lewis—remember to write your retraction then, if the star is still in business with its lib bent…..
Jake White
5 months, 2 weeks agoGeorge, in 2 years Kansas is going to be like Spain and Greece, with a tiny rich population and tons of people wondering where their jobs and their children’s educational opportunities went. The answer, as it was in Greece and Spain, is that tax breaks the rich get from bought politicians like Brownback made the rich richer and the poor highly indebted to the state so the state can pay for the tax cuts. It’s called third world neoliberalism, and in two years I’m not sure you are gonna like how it tastes.
George Hunsucker
Northland
5 months, 2 weeks agoWe shall see Jake, won’t we????
George Hunsucker
Northland
5 months, 2 weeks agoI know the liberal approach e.g. CA, IL, NJ, NY certainly does not seem to be working very well, is it?
Phil Cardarella
5 months, 2 weeks agoWhat?
You means rightwingnut doctrine does not trump mathmatics? The rules of arithmatic apply even behind the Wheat Curtain?
Hey, they vote for these clowns.
Steven Fetter
66223
5 months, 2 weeks ago@Jake- Right now, California and NY (all-in with the Democratic party) ARE like Greece,& Spain. Both have a tiny rich population ensconced behind walls while millions ( not tons) of people flee their states, wondering where the jobs, education, and tax dollars went.
I will take any bets that Kansas in 2 years has lower unemployment, higher growth rates, and better test scores in their public schools than either of these failed states.
Debra Singer-Hanson
5 months, 2 weeks agoLewis: I happen to agree with your analysis. We are NOT Texas and never will have the oil to support a tax-free existence. Texas is not a good example in terms of it’s poor educational response and horrific social services; however, who cares about the people? It’s business that’s top dog. But, alas, we are all in this together, sink or swim. Unfortunately, Kansas is not a big enough boat to go swimmingly along.
George Hunsucker
Northland
5 months, 2 weeks agoso phillie, does leftwingnut math work in the case of zero wanting new taxes but no spending cuts and somehow his 16 TRILLION of debt “magically” disappears????
you libs are truly a hoot…
JR Beillenhouser
5 months, 2 weeks agoLewis - always good at selective anger. 16 trillion and not a word. 3.7 billion and the screams start.
Guess what, if the policies don’t work, they can simply restore tax rates.
Consider this as an experiment that, when it works, should be the model for states and the fed alike.
I mean after all, it’s a mere 3.7 billion. It’s not like it’s 16 trillion.
Mark Hastert
5 months, 2 weeks ago“Right now, California and NY (all-in with the Democratic party) ARE like Greece,& Spain.”
Not even Steven. As I’ve pointed out before CA’s problems stem from Jarvis’ prop 13 with has choked off revenues for voter approved programs. Neither have the problems Spain or Greece have because they borrow and pay debt with a sovereign currency unlike the EURO countries. California’s economy is larger than Spain’s and growing.
Neither NY or CA have the problem that KS now has. They will have increased revenues as the economy improves but KS will not because it’s not going to be collecting taxes on increasing profits. Brownie is going to et the smaller government he wants. We’ll see how well the voters like it when he’s up for reelection.
“Guess what, if the policies don’t work, they can simply restore tax rates.”
Couldn’t agree more JR! They didn’t and we are!
JR Beillenhouser
5 months, 2 weeks agoYeah Mark - It’s great at the state level where you only have to come up with several billion dollars. But you aren’t talking about that…you can’t get to the number you need on the federal level. You, astonishingly, continue to think raising taxes for the feds is going to make a difference. This Christmas you might want to ask for “Math for Dummies”.
Oh and about California
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304444604577340531861056966.html
You think raising more taxes there is going to help. LOLOL
Mark Hastert
5 months, 2 weeks ago“This Christmas you might want to ask for “Math for Dummies”.”
Thumper’s mom would be so disappointed in you JR.. ….when they resort to insulting you that’s when you know you’ve got ‘em! I just want to lay back, smoke a cigarette, and stare at the ceiling to enjoy the afterglow….
JR Beillenhouser
5 months, 2 weeks agohttp://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/12/05/To-Hit-Clinton-Spending-Rates-Obama-Cut-Trillions
The truth hurts doesn’t it.
George Hunsucker
Northland
5 months, 1 week agoWhen is MO going to get competitive, KS in this regard already is too….
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/06/michigan-republicans-push-right-to-work-bill-amid-protests-from-union/?test=latestnews