Phil Angelides: Let's consider raising taxes


Schwarzenegger refuses to consider raising taxes. State Democrats refuse to consider even making a counterargument. Phil Angelides is the lone voice presenting a firm and specific alternative to the governor.

Even in one of the Blue strongholds, a major failing of the Democrats is our unwillingness to get out there and make the argument that sometimes taxes are a good thing. We get something for the money that the government collects and redistributes: schools, social services, economic and physical infrastructure -- all the things that distinguish a modern enlightened state from a turn-of-the-(20th)-century corporate kleptocracy.

During a budget crunch, this means we have to hold the line on taxes, or even consider increases, so that the institutions that were built during less lean times aren't extinguished every time the revenue stream is threatened.

But we seem terribly uncomfortable making this point, instead opting for an extra helping of weak sauce:

(from today's Sacramento Bee , reprinted without permission)


With the exception of state Treasurer Phil Angelides, Democrats for now have dropped earlier calls for higher taxes to fix the budget. Instead, the Democrats, who control both houses of the Legislature, reacted to Schwarzenegger's budget proposal by talking about closing corporate tax loopholes and getting more federal dollars from Washington.

I'm really proud of Phil for coming out and saying that it might be better for all Californians if we considered asking millionaires for a little extra tax money before we tell children and social service recipients that the well has run dry:

Angelides, a likely candidate for governor in 2006, tore into Schwarzenegger's plan and said, "He should do at least what Gov. Reagan and Gov. Wilson did, which was ask the wealthiest 1 percent to sacrifice a little, pay a dime more, if he's going to ask kids to go without."

Opponents of tax increases will likely argue from the perspective of maintaining a favorable business climate, rather than from the position that the rich should get hit before the poor. This is a subject for another entry, but suffice it to say that I think California has enough going for it in lifestyle terms that it's ridiculous to compare the relative tax burden to Nevada's and fret about the risk of massive business flight.

Posted: Thu - January 13, 2005 at 06:07 PM   | Category:     |   |   | |


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