Dumbasses, there is a $4.5 billion budget deficit right now. This revenue package only accounts for $1 billion of it. So in other words, there is going to be at least a $3.5 billion cut--about 14% from previously appropriated amounts.

7/23/2009 9:45:06 AM

The politicians always claim that if we don't raise taxes, then we have to cut spending on education, public safety, and Health care.

It's funny how the only possible things that we can cut are the things that hit closest to home for voters. It's fucking blackmail.

"You have to support this tax increase, or we're going to hit you where it hurts the most."

It's just a fucking way for them to avoid the hard task of really looking at where the money is being spent. Like most government emplooyees, they're just fucking lazy.

7/23/2009 9:45:11 AM

When DHHS and Education make up 75% of the budget, it's hard to enact cuts without affecting those areas.

7/23/2009 9:53:54 AM

Oh look, Frosh is trolling again.

7/23/2009 9:54:44 AM

no seriously

anyway BobbyDigital:

Quote :

"It's funny how the only possible things that we can cut are the things that hit closest to home for voters. It's fucking blackmail."

this is a tautology

of course the things that hit closest to home are the things we spend most on

we derive the most utility from them after all

here is what we want

something in high demand

we are spending a lot for it

shit, we are spending too much money

we have to cut back where we are spending the most

we have to cut back on what we want

or pay more taxes to continue supporting it

omf blackmail

[Edited on July 23, 2009 at 10:12 AM. Reason : ...]

7/23/2009 9:56:42 AM

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/state/democratic-lawmakers-largely-united-on-nc-tax-plan-732928.html

Quote :

"Hackney said the tax changes don't dramatically injure average consumers, saying a family making between $30,000 to $60,000 would see their tax bill go up by about $66 a year under the deal. "

GOOD LORD! NOT $66!

7/23/2009 10:03:11 AM

The blackmail part of his statement was in reference to taxes. It's the government, we all know there is waste there. When the economy is humming, people tend to ignore it. Now that it isn't, it's time to look at where we can cut rather than blanket statements by politicians that it's taxes or things that are most important. I'm pretty sure there is stuff in the "things I care about most" that I really don't give a shit about. Cut away.

7/23/2009 10:05:07 AM

Quote :

"GOOD LORD! NOT $66!"

from the same article...

Quote :

""Nobody's happy with having to deal with a huge shortfall, but we are where we are," said Speaker Joe Hackney, D-Orange. "We are studiously working, trying to do the best we can to make the best of a bad situation.""

He seems to ignore which party has been in charge of the state for the last 15 years. His party got us into this mess. They pissed away our rainy day fund on feel-good spending.

"we are where we are" is insulting, every one of them should be booted out.

Quote :

"Republicans attacked the plan as one that will forestall the recession and keep unemployment rates high by hurting small businesses that will have to pay higher taxes. The GOP said taxes aren't needed because the budget gap is much smaller than Democrats contend. "This 'new' Democratic plan is just more of the same, old Democratic tax-and-spend philosophy that got us into this mess in the first place and will only add to the economic hardship felt by North Carolina's families," said Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham. "

7/23/2009 10:26:53 AM

Quote :

"He seems to ignore which party has been in charge of the state for the last 15 years. His party got us into this mess. They pissed away our rainy day fund on feel-good spending. "

they might have wasted our reserves, and they may have increased spending foolishly over the past 10+ years..... but don't you think maybe a little bit of the reason we are where we are today could have something to do with the insane drop in tax revenues from skyrocketing unemployment and consumer saving?

7/23/2009 10:32:39 AM

Quote :

"It's the government, we all know there is waste there."

4.5 billion worth of waste?

Do you have any idea what you're talking about?

7/23/2009 10:45:02 AM

FOR FUCKS SAKE

7/23/2009 10:47:54 AM

Cut cut cut, ignore the 14% cut

7/23/2009 11:16:20 AM

we is back to the drawing board.

7/23/2009 3:40:46 PM

Quote :

"Like most government emplooyees, they're just fucking lazy."

The "all government employees are lazy" shtick gets really old. Fuck you.

7/23/2009 6:14:34 PM

Quote :

"we is back to the drawing board."

Yep.

Quote :

""I saw a proposal that stunned me, quite frankly," Perdue told reporters late Thursday outside the old Capitol building. "Who in the world thinks in these trying, challenging times for families that you can raise income tax on working families and middle class families?""

Hey Bev... raising the sales tax would also be a burden on working families and middle class families and especially the poor. How 'bout working some more on that "cutting waste" thing?

7/23/2009 10:23:20 PM

^^ where did I say "all?"

7/23/2009 10:54:21 PM

Uh-oh.

State Rep. Nick Mackey faces complaint from state bar

Quote :

"CHARLOTTE -- The state bar has filed a complaint against state Rep. Nick Mackey, D-Mecklenburg County, for failing to file his federal and state income taxes on time a few years ago. The complaint also says Mackey lied on his bar exam application and did not say that he was the subject of an investigation while a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer. Mackey acknowledged the tax allegations against him in April. They surfaced while he was running for Mecklenburg County sheriff in 2007. Mackey could be punished by the state bar's disciplinary commission if it finds he broke the rules."

http://tinyurl.com/ndh4q2

[Edited on July 30, 2009 at 3:13 PM. Reason : Oops. I didn't see that MattJM321 had already posted this. ]

7/30/2009 2:54:20 PM