Pennsylvania LP blasts state's 'socialistic' budget

www.lp.org ^ | 1.2.04 | lp.org

[freepatriot32]

The new budget approved by Pennsylvania politicians is a victory for bigger government and special interests -- but a setback for ordinary taxpayers, the state LP has charged.

"The message is clear from both parties: Government needs to grow," said LP State Chair Ken Krawchuk. "And you, the taxpayer, need to feed [politicians'] insatiable hunger for power and control."

Governor Ed Rendell signed the $21.3 billion budget on December 23. The spending plan calls for a 10% increase in the state income tax, a new $500 million tax on cell phone companies, and higher taxes on cigarettes.

Krawchuk, who was also the LP's gubernatorial candidate in 2000, said the higher taxes and costly government programs will hurt state residents.

"Two years ago as the LP candidate for governor, I proposed a rollback of state spending over a four year period to accommodate the inevitable shortfall in revenue and to avoid a budget crisis," he said. "Sadly, the two major parties chose crisis and higher taxes.

"This will only lead to a decrease in business activity, an increase in joblessness, and more reasons to leave Pennsylvania."

The new budget is also saturated with spending for powerful lobbying groups, said Krawchuk, including subsidies for medical malpractice, expanded prescription drug coverage for seniors, and more educational spending.

"Chalk one up for the insurance industry," he said. "Chalk up a Daily Double for senior citizens. Score another big win for the state teacher's union. The true beneficiaries of this budget are special interest groups."

In fact, said Krawchuk, there is only one good thing about the budget: "It's becoming increasingly clear that the Libertarian Party is the only answer to reverse the socialistic nature of our current politicians."

[Pontiac]

Please explain why this solid GOP General Assembly voted for these tax increases and the budget increase that Fast Eddie wanted.

That’s easy. They’re in power. The Ohio legislature is in the same predicament. They have a Repub majority in both houses and a RINO governor. And so they are following the same plan make minimalist pro forma cuts and raise taxes.

The Republicans are in power and want to stay there, so they will not cut spending. To cut spending you have to eliminate or reduce the funding to programs.

Every program benefits some constituency. If you cut somebody’s program you make somebody unhappy. If you make someone unhappy you may have lost a vote. Or worse you may have made a vocal political enemy.

Cutting spending makes voters unhappy. The majority party always wants to keep the voters happy. Discontent voters in large numbers can lose you elections.

The only way that the majority party will push through spending cuts is if the electorate shows positive signs that it supports the move and the Governor is also behind the cuts.

[Badray]

Talk about excuses. You are really pathetic.

We (the GOP and I am ashamedly a card carrying Republican) have the majority. There is NO reason at all for them to pass this budget or the tax increase. And for you to try to pass it off by saying that it is better than to have a dem general assembly and a bigger increase is beneath even you.

And you bitch about typos when you have no principles or lack the guts to stand for them. I repeat. You are pathetic.

[Badray]

" That?s easy. They?re in power. The Ohio legislature is in the same predicament. They have a Repub majority in both houses and a RINO governor."

One of us is confused.

In PA, the GOP holds the State House AND the State Senate with fairly comfortable majorities. There is NO need to raise taxes and increase spending, but the weak kneed, lilly livered, spineless, POSs voted for it anyway. It's disgusting.

[Petronski]

Krawchuk, who was also the LP's gubernatorial candidate in 2000...

[Pontiac]

There is NO need to raise taxes and increase spending,

I agree. However here in Ohio the state faces a huge deficit if revenue is not increased or spending hugely curtailed.

Consequently, the legislature constrained by a State Constitution that requires a balanced budget, they must either raise taxes or cut spending.

Our RINO governor, displaying his usual outstanding lack of leadership has been pushing for tax increases.

I was under the impression that PA was in a similar situation.

[Badray]

Requiring a balanced budget sounds good, but it is really just an easy way for the legislature to increase taxes and dodge the blame because too many voters are too stupid to realize what's going on.

PA MAY be in a similar situation, but it's because of spineless politicians voting for increases when they aren't needed.

One rep in particular came to a meeting last month and told us how much he opposed the tax increase and the budget increase because the state had over TWO BILLION DOLLARS in various accounts throughout the branches of government and different agencies.

Guess who voted FOR the increase? Now he wants to be Auditor General or Treasurer. I think that it's time for him to get on with his life's work (as former Steeler Coach Chuck Noll used when he spoke of a player retiring.)

[headsonpikes]

Despite the formatting, this is one of the best posts I have ever read on this site.

From the heart counts!

[freepatriot32]

thanks im glad you liked it. The republicans have been ticking me off for the longest time. I didnt even mention the 400 Billion dollar prescription drug fiasco in my post. I make 350 bucks a week at a factory and another 100 dollars a week on ebay and I have to pay for bill gates and ted kennedys prescription drugs now thanks soley to the republicans! It ticks me off to no end and there is nothing anyone including jim rob can say to ever get me to vote anything other then straight libertarian ticket for the rest of my life if no libertarians are running for a certian office i will write in snoopy or mickey mouse my days of ever supporting a reblican in any way shape or form are permently over

[freepatriot32]

ping