Time You Enjoy Wasting Is Not Wasted Time

Governor Paterson plans to shift more of the State’s financial burden to those most unable to absorb higher costs. According to a preview of tomorrow’s budget proposal (Buffalo News) there will be higher taxes and fees along with cuts to education. What is missing is any mention of a progressive tax structure. Over the last 30 years the highest tax bracket have had their share drop from 15.38% to 6.85% effectively robbing New York of much needed revenue and forcing those at the middle to shoulder more of the costs. Before taxing the Native American cigarette sales, which may be violating ancient treaties, before cutting funding to education, before increasing other fees, the Governor should reinstate, immediately and retroactively, the 15.38% tax on the highest income bracket. If a few ultra-rich people leave NY because of this, then good riddance. They weren’t paying their share anyway. I am sick of seeing the working class get shit upon because we might offend some rich person. Trickle down economics doesn’t work unless you are one of the rich benefactors. If you’re the one being trickled, more like pissed, upon there is no benefit.

Paterson also wants give backs from the State workers. Let’s stop blaming Unions for all of our economic problems. Should we all be minimum wage Wal Mart greeters? Even as cheap as Wal Mart is, you can’t shop there if you only make minimum wage. For too long the middle class has been an anathema with everyone shooting for the ultra-rich lifestyles that appear so glamorous. For the majority who don’t attain riches though there is no middle to go to anymore. You should be able to support a family on a single income, enjoy vacation time, have good health benefits, and then know you can retire in comfort with a fair pension. That is the American dream. But the rich have taken it away for most people and want to take it away from everyone. Instead of railing against unionized workers everyone should be confronting their sub-standard wage paying employers and their wealthy CEO’s and demand that things change.Let’s stop the corporate feudalism we are being forced to live in.

In solidarity.