It’s fascinating to watch the attitude of those who think reducing or eliminating taxes is akin to the end of the world. John Kasich is taking a lot of heat from the press and elsewhere for his thoughts about the possibility – possibility – of eliminating the state’s income tax.
Over time.
Responsibly.
To let Ohioans keep more of what they earn.
To make Ohio more competitive with other states in order to keep and attract people and businesses.
Based on what is printed and said about that, it’s as if Kasich wants to kick kids out of their schools, slash police and fire departments and take food from the mouths of grandmothers. They say these things even as they criticize him for cessation of rational thought.
But, just for the sake of (preposterous) argument, say it’s true. Let’s say this is the plan of John Kasich, aka Dr. Evil.
The next logical question is: Why? To what end would Kasich be striving? Of course, it’s ridiculous to suggest Kasich wants to eliminate the state’s income tax to destroy the state. Besides its immoral aspect, it would be political suicide. A second term? He’d be lucky if long before that he wasn’t run out of Columbus on one of those shiny new rails the feds are promoting.
Such an argument is also insulting to voters. If Kasich’s opponents harp on the income tax during the campaign, attributing all sorts of devastation if the proposal becomes reality, what are they implying about those who vote for him?
A story in the Dispatch Jan. 30 has a Democrat doing more than implying:
“It may sound great politically, something that comes across well to Joe Sixpack out there who’s looking to make a good decision on who to vote for, but it’s an irresponsible thing to do as a candidate,” [Franklin County Commissioner John] O’Grady said.
He could have, essentially, just as easily said Joe Sixpack is a rube who’ll vote for anyone calling for the end of the income tax, no matter what else happens, because, hey, it sounds good. Besides, if O’Grady is right that “it’s an irresponsible thing to do as a candidate,” isn’t it just as irresponsible to vote for it?
But the evidence of what is thought of the voters doesn’t end there.
The Dispatch also reported that the state Democratic Party has put up a Web site that purportedly shows the devastation to follow cutting taxes. It’s complete with pictures of police cars, library books, an emergency room sign and classroom (with a teacher who looks like she could be Kasich’s running mate’s sister) and, the Dispatch said, a “‘reckless cut calculator.’”
And, yes, it’s still apparently about Bush because they have on the page a picture of Kasich with Bush.
It’s all a bit childish. And it’s insulting, really, to voters.
Now, which is the more rational thought?
The reasonable, valid point coming from Kasich’s opponents is that they want to know how he plans to eliminate the state income tax.
More on that in an upcoming post…
