Oregon Libertarian Party helps defeat $725 million tax increase

libertarian party ^ | 1/31/03 | libertarian party

[freepatriot32]

The Oregon Republican Party never took a formal stand on the measure.

Why the hell not ?

[Valpal1]

Because the Oregon Republican Party leadership is a bunch of Country Club RINO's.

The Hatrack and Packrat legacy is still very strong, especially on the wet side of the state.

[headsonpikes]

Didn't want to be on the same side of an issue as those insane Libertarians, who take the Founding Fathers literally.

[Torie]

The Libertarian Party taking credit for the result is a bit rich.

[Karsus]

For the same reason the GOP says nothing about the current admin. spending money like a drunken sailor I guess.

OR

Maybe the Oregon RP was just taking its leeds from the Texas RP who seem to be in a race to see who can raise what tax/fee the most.

[Karsus]

Why? The GOP would not state a position on the issue.

"The Oregon Republican Party never took a formal stand on the measure."

[Torie]

I don't think most voters care what the Libertarian Party thinks. And voters don't need GOP leaders to instruct them when it comes to tax increases. They are perfectly capable to decide the merits on their own.

[LenS]

Of course, the mighty dope smoker party is taking credit. Why, without their vast horde of stoners, the referendum might have only been defeated 46% to 54%.

[meyer]

I don't think most voters care what the Libertarian Party thinks. And voters don't need GOP leaders to instruct them when it comes to tax increases. They are perfectly capable to decide the merits on their own.

Yeah, I think that the libertarian party is taking a little more credit here than it is due. Yes, they fought the tax increase. Yes, the party supporters and membership spoke out against the tax. But so did many other non-libertarian voters. So, yes, the party helped, but it wasn't the deciding force. Common sense was.

[meyer]

Of course, the mighty dope smoker party is taking credit. Why, without their vast horde of stoners, the referendum might have only been defeated 46% to 54%.

Eight posts and someone already is pulling out the "dope card"?

[BrucefromMtVernon]

Politicians: they're all a bunch of limousine liberals, Cadillac conservatives and silk stocking socialists.

[GirlShortstop]

 
Had it passed, the initiative would have raised taxes by $725 million over three years.

If one is to believe the flame wars, I would presuppose that Libertarians took an alternative stand on the tax hike; pledged commitment to raising that amount of money by "adding a surcharge" on all pot sold *for one year*.    </sarcasm off >    FReegards!

[Karsus]

You forget that quite a few of the GOP 'leaders' are OK with tax increases. Just look at Texas and the mad race in the GOP to see who can sugget the most taxes/fees to raise/apply to new things. One can also look to DC to see that spending reductions are not important to the GOP any more.

[AD from SpringBay]

Does this mean another state in the union will have to learn to live within budget?

[Republican Wildcat]

No kidding. What a joke.

[Karsus]

Why? The national goverment isn't even trying to live within a budget, why should the states?

[aimhigh]

Oregon LP had launched a vigorous "Turn The Tide" campaign, visiting 27 cities and towns in 17 days to offer arguments against the tax hike.

Notice they don't mention any dollars spent. I didn't see a single add by them in paper, TV, etc. They are taking credit when it's not deserved.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Oregon voters have rejected a temporary income tax surcharge

Temporary...bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaaa! Temporary...he-he-he-heeeeeeee. Riiiight...three years or less they'd be pushing for a continuation of the tax and demonize those "tax cuts for the rich" for trying to cut those "vital" programs.

On January 28, in a statewide referendum, voters rejected Measure 28 by 55%-45%. Had it passed, the initiative would have raised taxes by $725 million over three years.

45% fiscally irresponsible yahoos still with their collective heads up their asses.

Measure 28 would have increased the state's top personal tax rate from 9% to 9.5%, and the top corporate tax rate from 6.6% to 6.93% in 2002, 2003, and 2004. It would have cost the average Oregon taxpayer about $114 per year.

$114 less for those vital services, in which they'd have to squawk to the government for more services. "Wa-wa-wa I need 'free' toddler care."

The Oregon Republican Party never took a formal stand on the measure.

Cowards.

A coalition of public-employee unions -- including the Oregon School Employees Association and the Oregon AFL-CIO -- campaigned for Measure 28, using radio ads, telephone calls, e-mails, fliers, and public meetings to build support for the tax hike.

A.K.A., the usual suspects with their sob stories and scare tactics.

A number of newspapers editorialized in favor of the tax increase, and some even reported that two people had committed suicide when they received notice that their state-funded psychiatric and health benefits might be cut.

Gasp! Puke! Big whoop!

For example, the Multnomah County sheriff said he would release 114 prisoners because he couldn't afford to keep them locked up.

Give us more money or we'll release these prisoners. What a puke!

Yada yada yada.

[Valpal1]

They put their money where their mouth is and helped pay for the ad campain and held "town meetings" to rebut the crap the papers and OPB and other media where spewing.

You couldn't get squat from the ORP (and I'm a precinct comittee rep in OR).

It was Repub leadership in the legislature that sent this turkey to the voters because they didn't have the cajones to fight against the dems over it.

This last election may stiffen their spines a little, (God, I hope, please!!!!)

[AD from SpringBay]

The national goverment isn't even trying to live within a budget, why should the states?

Just wishful thinking, I guess.