Archive for the ‘washington state’ tag
Washington State, and I-1033
This post was written after I read comments on a Seattle Times article on the failure of I-1033. http://bit.ly/2haRLs
As with many things I learned about growing up, there’s a significant difference between the idea of a democratic society, and reality. In the ideal democratic state, or even the ideal republic, every voter is an informed voter, who casts their vote with full knowledge of the issue at hand, and in the best interest of the society as a whole. This is not the case.
If such an ideal were to be reflected in reality, none of Tim Eyman’s ballot initiatives or any similar “tax liberation” measures would collect enough signatures to make it on the ballot. For example, I-1033. It may have been defeated in this year’s election, but many political analysts have said that that may be due in part to the attachment of Tim Eyman’s name to the measure, casting aside the fact that this kind of measure inhibits the ability of the state to provide adequate basic services.
I-1033 would have limited any increase in state and local government revenue to inflation and population growth, with any excess being returned to the taxpayers in the form of a property tax break. Washington doesn’t have an income tax, so sales and property taxes are levied instead.
The problem with this is that it would commit all levels of local government to a path of perpetual decline. Maybe that’s the point. If the revenue raised by various levels of government cannot grow faster than inflation or population growth, but it shrinks in response to economic downturns, it can only become smaller. Have a relative on state health insurance, in public school, or drive on any road built and/or maintained by the state including interstate highways? See the connection?
Too many people are selfish, narrow-minded, and short-sighted — and it happens to the detriment of our society.