Hey, there! Log in / Register
Who's funding the anti-tax movement in Massachusetts
By adamg on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 7:53am
The Herald takes a look at the people paying Carla Howell's salary as she tries to convince people to repeal the state income tax:
The push to scrap the state income tax - billed as a grassroots movement - is heavily bankrolled by an odd-ball collection of libertarians who don't even pay taxes in Massachusetts, including a crackpot who’s likened Homeland Security to the "Gestapo" and a "Biblical capitalist" who thinks paper money should be eliminated. ...
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
About that Biblical capitalist
Quoth the article: Hommel gave $10,000 to the anti-tax crusade.
Did he donate that entirely in rolls of nickels?
Manna
He donated manna and they sold it for a pretty penny, with the price of grain and flour these days.
John Gilmore - Crackpot?
I disagree with John Gilmore (co-founder of Sun Microsystems) about the Massachusetts income tax, but I don't see anything kooky or crackpottish about most of his other opinions regarding freedom. He also co-founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which makes him one of my personal heroes. Check out his home page and decide for yourself.
"Crackpots" Are All Around Us
I have to believe that, by digging into any political campaign's list of contributors, you'll find "crackpots" upon which you can hang a story. When The Herald does a similar "expose" concerning McCain/Palin, then I'll give them credit.
Insofar as the list given here, I find myself in agreement with every "crackpot" idea attributed to Gilmore. Hommel, a bit less so, but paper money IS something of a fraud, in that it has a variable worth dependent upon how much of the stuff the government wishes to print and have in circulation at any time.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
From Chip Ford, Citizens For Limited Taxation
On The Herald's website, in the comments section regarding the piece, comes this from Chip Ford, Director of Operations, Citizens For Limited Taxation:
(Italics are mine.)
"Mason's "report" didn't mention a single word about where the funding for No on Question 1 is derived, so let me fill in the blanks for those still reading the Herald, so they know ALL the news -- even that intentionally withheld in this report.
One million dollars, of the $1,503,705 in cash contributions and $245,317.96 in in-kind contributions came from just two sources. -- gasp! -- both out of state: $750,000 from the National Education Association and $250,000 from the American Federation of Teachers Solidarity Fund, both with headquarters in Washington, DC. The remaining cash and in-kind contributions came from Big Unions -- except for one single individual's contribution of $100 from an in-state "homemaker." But not a word in Mason's report.
Even more curious is that Michael Widmer, president of the "non-partisan" so-called Mass. Taxpayers Foundation, also failed to note this glaring omission in Mason's report -- though Widmer is allegedly such a details man with facts and figures." - Chip Ford -- Director of Operations Citizens for Limited Taxation (not a party to Question 1, though we support a Yes vote) www.cltg.org"
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
Headquarters in D.C. perhaps ...
As you well know, Suldog, any teacher's organization has substantial rank and file membership in MA, which likely engineered these donations. They aren't simply lobbying fronts for large corporate entities.
That said, you are right that the Herald should have looked at both sides. The real joke is Carla Howell and her "subsistance wages" coming from repeated campaigns. This is like her family business.
True, Swirly, But...
By the same token, the people mentioned could have numerous relatives in MA. Little diff, if so.
Suldog
They are...
including a crackpot who’s likened Homeland Security to the "Gestapo"
They are. Secret and unconstitutional detection and extradition for "interrogation" (torture), warrantless tapping and surveillance, library and book store record collection complete with gag orders, financial record inspection, ID requirements for travel inside the country... (try getting a plane, train, or bus ticket without ID)
Is this idea stupid?
How would they make up for the lost revenue? Raise property taxes? So, those who don't work or own property would be the only ones who benefit, right? Us working stiffs trying to pay our mortgages would be getting the shaft.
Rents would increase to
Rents would increase to cover the property tax burden of the property owner. Sucks for everyone.
Sucks For Everyone?
That depends. Offset the increased costs by the return to your pocket. For some, it will be a loss. For others, a gain.
Factor in whatever public services may be lost, and see how you feel about losing them. Still a gain for many.
In my case - I don't make big bucks, I rent, we are childless - I expect it to be a gain.
In reality, what will happen is this: If it passes, there will be a huge display of handwringing. In the end, the general court will find a way to bypass the referendum. They have done so in the recent past - 5% state tax, anyone? - and I have no doubt they will do so again. In the meantime, it's great fun to see them squirm.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
This is what you call your
This is what you call your classic ad hominem attack. Don't dispute the issue - attack the opponent personally.
Why no report
Why no report on who is funding the pro-tax movement in Massachusetts?
Go look its 99.97% funding from Big Labor.