Say Anything Blog

I still say with that surplus, the state of North Dakota needs to eliminate the State Income Tax.  Also, I agree with more state funding for education while rolling back property taxes.

I still say with that surplus, the state of North Dakota needs to eliminate the State Income Tax.

I can go for that.

The state has no responsibility for property tax.  Property taxes are assessed by local entities. 

You’re fooling yourself to think that giving more money to school districts will cut property taxes.

They’ll merely spend the money as they’ve done the last five years.

In the last five years at least in Grand Forks the other local entities have increased taxes just as much as the school districts.

What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.

I still say with that surplus, the state of North Dakota needs to eliminate the State Income Tax.  Also, I agree with more state funding for education while rolling back property taxes.

So we’d get rid of the income tax and just keep the straight sales tax?  Sounds like a winner to me.  Not only would it make ND’s tax code simpler, it would also put more money in the pockets of North Dakotans.

As for more money for ND’s schools, I think we spend enough now.  I’d rather see them institute some accountability measures for how that money is spent.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

First of all, the income tax is here to stay in ND.  But I think it would be an interesting challenge for the Nodakers on this blog to go through the governor’s budget when it is released in early December.  I challenge each of you to go through it and decide which programs can be cut and how much they should be cut.  Now keep in mind that ND has an increasing aging population with nursing homes in almost every community and on almost every nursing home board sits a legislator.  And also keep in mind that there is health care, which also increases more than the cost of living and affect the senior population in ND.

The 2007-09 budget will be on the states website soon after the Governors budget speech in early December during the organizing pre-legislative session.

Keep in mind that when lefties talk about “cuts”, what they really mean is a decrease in the rate of increase.
Lefties lie.

"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

the income tax is here to stay in ND

“We fear change.”

keep in mind that ND has an increasing aging population with nursing homes in almost every community

I’ve been wondering how much of the state budget is spent on Nursing Homes.  I certainly accept that if a person has no assets and can no longer work we need to take care of them.  Do you have any idea?

What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.

Do you have any idea?

Yes.  A Social Security system that really provides social security.  That would be one that is based on an investment model, not a pyramid scheme that continues to rip off the taxpayers, and is essentially a welfare program.

"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

Also, I agree with more state funding for education…

Yes, they are doing so well, let’s just give them more taxpayer money!  Great idea!(not)
Here’s a general hint: Especially with declining school enrollment, having to spend more money on education each year is a sign of failure!  Anything above the rate of inflation is a waste.

"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

I still say with that surplus, the state of North Dakota needs to eliminate the State Income Tax.

Any state income tax that’s related to the payment of federal income tax is baseless. Most say something like, “if you pay a federal income tax you must” There is no law authorizing fed income tax on individuals. The 16th amendment did not include any new taxation laws despite what the IRS would have you believe. Smoke and mirrors to the tune of 950 billion a year.

Yun Chu said, “You must strictly not express in words what is very significant. Both dragon and snake are killed in one blow.”

robert108,

North Dakota public education isnt as bad as the rest of the country.  Our teachers are the lowest paid in the country and the student score among the top 4 states every year.

So we are actually getting fairly good value for our money.  Sure there is room for improvement, but it’s not as bad here as many places so additional state level spend is actually over due.

So we are actually getting fairly good value for our money.

Only if you compare it to the rest of a bad system.  Where do you stand in the world?  Your attempt to justify throwing good money after bad is still wrong.

"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

First of all, the income tax is here to stay in ND.

Gee, Puzzle,

I thought Democrats were the ones who had all those “new ideas.” Your take on the state income tax sounds like the same old Democrat love affair with taxes.  Period.  No new thinking there.

In Georgia, Republican Governor Sonny Perdue (overwhelmingly re-elected), and the GOP controlled State Legislature are publicly committed to the elimination of the state income tax.

Perhaps if Democrats were less committed to talking about new ideas, and more committed to actually coming up with some…

Any state income tax that’s related to the payment of federal income tax is baseless.

Snarky the ND income tax is no longer tied to the federal income tax. 

Of course the state snuck in a huge tax increase when they pulled that maneuver to delink the state income tax from the federal income tax. 

That’s one of the reasons why we have a surplus.

What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.

B1, snarky as usual today, eh?  So your idea is the use of the sales tax as the primary tax, now that’s real original new idea.

So your idea is the use of the sales tax as the primary tax, now that’s real original new idea.

It’s an idea that’s been discussed a lot, but not tried a lot.

Personally, I like the idea of a consumption tax.  I’ve advocated for it on the national level, and I certainly think it’s right for North Dakota.

It is eminently fair.  Those who buy more pay more.  Those who buy less pay less.  But everyone pays some.

As for the Governor’s budget, I’ll have you know that this conservative plans on being very critical of Republicans (and Democrats) up to and including the Governor if we get a bunch of spending this legislative session with no real tax relief.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

Whistler, here is a link to testimony given during the last legislative session on senior services:  http://www.nd.gov/humanservices/info/testimony/house-approp-hr/hb1012-ltc-hcbs-2005-01-13.html.  I should have also added the home and community based services as well.  more and more elderly are wanting to remain in their homes and it is cheaper to keep the elderly in their homes than in a nursing home. 

R108, you and I will never agree on SS but the average 55 year old has about $50,000 in their 401 K.  Not hardly enough to live off when they turn 65 or 70 or 75.  Social Security is not meant to be an investment it is a safety net. 

Oh, and this comment of yours: 

Especially with declining school enrollment, having to spend more money on education each year is a sign of failure! 

For example in ND with declining enrollments, you still have to have a classroom with a teacher etc… The state has been trying to get schools to consolidate between communities but this is extremely difficult because most small communities know that when the school is closed, the town will soon dry up as well, so there is reluctance to consolidate. it is not a sign of failure.  But you go ahead and stick to your talking points as usual.

R108, you and I will never agree on SS but the average 55 year old has about $50,000 in their 401 K.

How much money is in their Social Security account?  HAHA.

The problem is that the government takes a huge chunk of your earnings so it’s hard to save for retirement.  In fact Social Security taxes amount to about 14% of your income.  That’s plenty to build a nice retirement.  Unfortunately FDR raided the first Social Security surplus and every politician after has followed suit.

Why do you condone theft Puzzled?

What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.

Puzzled.  Thanks for the link though.  Am I reading it right that ND aid to nursing home bound seniors is under $20 million.  I would have thought it was a lot more.

So thanks but I do have to take issue with this:

For example in ND with declining enrollments, you still have to have a classroom with a teacher etc…

The problems with out of control school spending are with the big districts where they can streamline their offerings.  That’s where the big tax increases have come about, not because of need, but because property values went up.  Whee Free Money for local governments to spend!

What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.

Actually, no Whistler, that is not correct.  Take alook at the quarterly report and scroll all the way to the bottom and you can get a feel for the cost of all senior services in ND.  Now again, the feds pay a portion through medicaid, FMAP (but there is a match) etc.. but this at least gives you a peek:  http://www.nd.gov/humanservices/info/pubs/docs/qtrly-budget-insight-july03-june05.pdf.

The point in my school response was to r108 and his statement that declining enrollments and more education money for those schools meant failing schools. I said he was wrong and he is wrong on that.

Thanks for the link puzzled.  So long-term care amounts to $358 million for the biennium.  Medical assistance which wouldn’t be just for seniors was $370 million.

That’s a more believable number.

What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.