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Tuesday, August 12, 2008


North Dakota Democrats Hitting Republicans On Government Spending

By Rob on August 12, 2008 at 02:56 pm
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Mitch Vance, the Democrat candidate for North Dakota State Treasurer, issued a press release today hitting state Republicans on goverment spending.

Here’s the key graph:

“This may come as a revelation to some,” Vance reports, “but in 2007, 14.1 cents of every dollar in personal income in North Dakota went to fund state and local government. Based on the data, North Dakotans deserve at least a $275 rebate or credit.” Vance’s research provides the price of government as a percentage of personal income for the years 1998-2007. The data for 2008 has yet to be released. His research also reveals another startling fact many North Dakotans already know: of the taxes that most affect people directly—real estate, sales, and income taxes—property taxes account for 47% of the total.

Consider that for a moment: 14.1% of the personal income every North Dakotan earns goes to the government.

That’s a lot.  Of course, some North Dakotans pay more than others given that higher-income citizens pay a higher percentage rate than lower-income citizens, but it’s clear that the state’s government is too great a burden on the state’s citizens.  Especially when compared to previous years as we see in this graphic provided by Vance:

What makes this point particularly poignant is that it’s coming from a Democrat candidate for political office.  Which illustrates, I think, just how completely North Dakota Republicans have abandoned the principles that are supposed to be at the core of their party: Limited government and lower taxes.

Mitch Vance, a Democrat, is talking about the heavy burden North Dakotans pay in taxes.  Meanwhile John Hoeven, the state’s Republican Governor, opposes efforts to lower those taxes and supports efforts to increase taxes.

Of course, if Vance were to be elected State Treasurer there wouldn’t be a lot he could do about spending which is set by the Governor and the Legislature, but it is interesting to see a Democrat getting to the right of state Republicans on spending and tax issues.

Does this tick you off? Click here to email your elected representatives right here on Say Anything, or comment below.

Comments

Kevin

Why is a candidate for a government bureaucracy position weighing in on tax policy which has nothing to do with the functions of the position he is running for?
The North Dakota State Treasurer’s job is to collect taxes in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible; PERIOD!

No Free Lunch
25i20w9.jpg

Kevin on August 12, 2008 at 03:49 pm
Avatar for robert108

This is just more Dem deception.  I’m still waiting for that Clinton “middle class tax cut”.  Dems try to make political hay by criticizing Republican spending, then when they get in, they jack up taxes and spending.

If govt control of the economy were the way to go, the Soviet Union would be the richest, most powerful nation in the history of the world.

Thanks to Obama, America remains the only country where it is illegal to drill our own oil!

robert108 on August 12, 2008 at 05:03 pm
The Whistler

You’re right Kevin, but I think I’d rather have someone in favor of returning our money to us than have someone who isn’t.

Right now Vance is making a strong case to support him rather than Kelly Schmidt who as far as I am concerned is a Hoeven sycophant. 

There is no Republican in the race.

1% of Americans pay 40% of the income tax.
5% of Americans pay 60% of the income tax.
10% of Americans pay 70% of the income tax.

The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on August 12, 2008 at 05:21 pm
Kevin

When Poolman pulled this stunt before he took off for his new cushy job, my BCBS rates went up at almost three times the rate of inflation; a pox on all their houses!

No Free Lunch
25i20w9.jpg

Kevin on August 12, 2008 at 07:58 pm
Rob
Rob
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I’m not even sure the state treasurer should be elected.  It’s a bureaucratic position that should probably be appointed.

That said, at least Vance is talking about lowering taxes and spending which is more than we can say about Republicans.

The purpose of government shouldn’t be to do good, but simply to refrain from doing evil.

Rob on August 13, 2008 at 08:20 am
The Whistler

What’s interesting is that Vance is so incredibly cheap. 

The surplus is around a billion dollars.  The population of ND is around 600,000.  That would work out to $1600 a person.

The last budget was 12% of ongoing spending increases and 11% for “one time” projects.  Therefore there is NO reason for the state to increase funding over the current budget. 

That would leave the $1666 per person to be returned to the taxpayers.

Or are the republicans and democrats in the state to greedy to give up money they don’t need?

1% of Americans pay 40% of the income tax.
5% of Americans pay 60% of the income tax.
10% of Americans pay 70% of the income tax.

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The Whistler on August 13, 2008 at 08:54 am
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