Posted on 03/12/2013 11:36:02 AM PDT by Gopher Broke
EDITORIAL: Governor Disappointment
The failed leadership of Virginias Bob McDonnell
The surest and quickest way for a Republican officeholder to kill his future is to dream up a tax increase. Once a rising star in the Grand Old Party, a shortlist contender as Mitt Romneys running mate and a twinkle in the eye of the Great Mentioner for 2016, Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia has disappeared from the speakers lists at key conservative events, such as the Conservative Political Action Conference, which begins Thursday in Washington.
Theres good reason for the snub. As a candidate in 2009, Mr. McDonnell promised that if elected, he wouldnt raise taxes. Working with insiders of both parties, however, Mr. McDonnell broke his word and brokered a deal with the Virginia General Assembly to pay for a sharp increase in mass-transit spending with a $6 billion tax increase the largest in the commonwealths history. The governors bill raised state sales taxes, car taxes, regional sales taxes, personal property taxes, vehicle taxes, vending machine taxes, heavy-equipment taxes, commercial taxes, hybrid-vehicle taxes, hotel taxes and diesel-fuel taxes. (Did he forget anything?) Its hard to see how a Democrat could have found more taxes to raise. In fact, Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic contender to replace Mr. McDonnell, had nothing but praise for the deal.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Unfortunately politicians as a general rule are cowards.
It takes a great deal of courage for a politician facing a budget crunch due to falling revenue to tell the public and the public employees that budget cutting must be done.
Democraps have it easier their constituency expects tax increases.
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