Vincent J. Fumo – 2/12/06

This page was last updated on February 12, 2006.

Tax hike on wealthy justified; State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo; Beaver County Times; February 12, 2006.

What a shock! A Democrat defends his proposal to raise taxes.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Monday’s editorial opposing my proposal for a graduated income tax because it affects high-income earners is troubling for its reasoning, and is based on inaccurate assumptions.

“There is a broad consensus in this state that we must reduce property taxes. While slot machine gambling will provide $1 billion for that purpose, most people believe we should do more, which will require shifting part of the property tax burden to a different revenue source.

“Unlike an increase in the sales tax, which would hit everyone in the state - including the poor, renters who get no benefit from property tax cuts, and senior citizens - my tax would affect only those most able to pay.”

[RWC] Heaven forbid that everyone should share in the cost of profligate government.

“I find it difficult to believe, as the editorial stated, that you are appalled by the idea of increasing taxes on the rich but find it perfectly acceptable to increase taxes on the poor.”

[RWC] Though I don’t believe the editorial’s disapproval was sincere, it opposed a tax targeted at a specific group of people. An increased sales tax would affect everyone, rich, poor, and in the middle.

“Not only that, but the editorial ignored facts reported in your own newspaper. The editorial cited higher tax brackets for the rich as a disadvantage to Pennsylvania when trying to attract corporate CEOs to locate their businesses here.

“The fact is, even if my plan were enacted, our rates and/or bracket levels would still be better than those of all of our surrounding states.”

[RWC] I refer to this as the “We don’t suck as much” defense. Why are liberals so content to run in the middle of the pack?