[SuziQ]

Our side says “only the rich pay taxes”. The average worker looks at his pay stub deductions, looks at his property tax, his state taxes, gas tax and says “The Dems are right. The Republicans are liars”.

Since those are all taxes imposed by the States, Congress doesn't have any say in their imposition. Seems like many folks either don't pay attention to, or understand, this distinction.

[spintreebob]

Our last IL St Sen GOP leader says “A tax is a tax is a tax”. Gas tax is federal. SS, medicare are federal income taxes. Local tax increases are primarily to raise matching funds in order to get the Federal funds. But bottom line, the voters don’t care. a tax is a tax is a tax. The voters understand this. Many GOP and conservative voices somehow think that some taxes are not taxes.