Calif-ornery (California is stealing from its residents)

The Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh, Pa. ^ | 2009-11-13 | Donald J. Boudreaux

[rabscuttle385]

On Nov. 1, the government of the state of California began withholding from workers' paychecks 10 percent more than what it had been withholding.

The Los Angeles Times described this move -- prompted by California's fiscal calamity -- as "a forced, interest-free loan" from taxpayers to the government. The Times explained to its California readers that "You'll be repaid any extra withholding in April. Those who would receive a refund anyway will receive a larger one, and those who owe taxes will owe less."

The ostensible purpose of withholding is to better ensure that taxpayers actually pay the taxes they owe. Governments fear that without withholding, too many taxpayers won't have enough to pay their full tax bills.

Regardless of the merits or demerits of this justification for withholding, California's government is now using withholding for a quite different purpose: to extract a forced loan.

Put more plainly, California's government has become a blatant thief.

[rabscuttle385]

[Tennessee Nana]

Bookmark

[rabscuttle385]

In a parliamentary speech defending the American revolutionaries, Edmund Burke recalled Hampden's courage: "Would twenty shillings have ruined Mr. Hampden's fortune? No! But the payment of half twenty shillings, on the principle it was demanded, would have made him a slave."

King Charles I's arbitrary and arrogant use of power eventually led to his execution in 1649 and to the English Revolution. King George III's and Parliament's arbitrary rule of the American Colonies led to the American Revolution.

California's arbitrary increase in withholding is not, itself, going to spark a revolution. But politicians in that state, and throughout the U.S., should understand that this country is full of people who will not be slaves to any government.

B T T T

[rbosque]

We are now slaves of the state, comrade!

[RnMomof7]

What will they do when no taxpayers are left, only leeches??

[YankeeReb]

Once they get away with this blatent theft in Calif, it’s only a matter of time before it starts happening in the rest of the country. A true LOOTER government.

[South40]

To counter this Kalifornia residents should complete a new Form DE 4 and claim an additional dependent or two.

Screw the Kalifornia leftist-lature before they can screw you.

[freedumb2003]

>> But politicians in that state, and throughout the U.S., should understand that this country is full of people who will not be slaves to any government.<<

Sadly, not enough of them live in California.

Me? I am quitting my birth home of California. Texas, here I come.

[Ted Grant]

Are they withholding an additional 10% of income, or 10% more tax (110% of the appropriate withholding)?

[hiho hiho]

What happens if CA goes bankrupt before April? Do tax payers (creditors) get paid back?

[Radix]

If I lived and worked in California, I would at once increase my number of dependents on my W-4 or whatever that form is called these days.

Why not claim 10 kids, and then pay what is owed on 15 April?

Keep the $$$ out of their greedy hands for as long as possible.

[Shimmer1]

Those who would receive a refund anyway will receive a larger one receive an IOU from the State
fixed it.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

“...prompted by California’s fiscal calamity...”

California is very rich in oil, so let them eat cake since they rather keep it in the ground as they scream poverty.

[JSDude1]

I think this would be a good time for businesses specifically designed to help CALIFORNIANS deduct/withhold AS MUCH AS THEY CAN in CA State taxes. Deny the “suckers” the loan without-interest!

[Gritty]

On the bright side, if Kalifornia continues these sorts of outrages, the illegal aliens will get fed up with the larceny and self-deport themselves back home. Oh, wait. They don't pay taxes. Never mind.

[1rudeboy]

I’m glad you caught yourself, because you were about to argue that illegal aliens be placed on California’s tax rolls.

[seowulf]

What will they do when no taxpayers are left, only leeches??

I suppose they'll do what East Germany did when all of it's productive citizens were fleeing: they built a wall and shot anybody trying to cross it.

[gaijin]

I used to volunteer for a dental clinic in the Mission District (Mexican) of San Francisco —they would have these “outreach events” —vast numbers of illegals would show up at these events (typically held at converted public schools, since few other than illegals are having kids here).

Our job was to make sure they got everything they needed:

1. dental care
2. coloring books
3. tooth brushes
4. toothpaste

They got all this for free, and with translators standing nearby, although typically some nurses could also speak Spanish. They didn’t have to pay for ANYTHING, although someone obviously was paying for it.

There was also a slim, angry-looking white dude at a special table, and he was with ACORN or something similar —he was some kind of lawyer or paralegal who made sure that everyone was signed up for the absolute maximum of benefits.

I don’t know of similar resources for “normal” people actually from California.

My impression at the time was that native Californians are there to serve immigrants, although my whole life I had heard (from leftist teachers) that it was the other way around.

[17th Miss Regt]

DON’T GIVE THEM IDEAS! THEY JUST MIGHT DO THAT!

[Eric Blair 2084]

All yours moneys is belongs to us!