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Michigan House Approves Four New Taxes... on Patriotism!By JGillman, Section News
A friend pointed this out and I thought I would chime in.
You can't make this stuff up, and if you could, who would believe you? If you aren't already sitting down, you might want to pull up a chair. This one's absolutely ghastly. I know, that's fitting, given the season, but the real trick isn't being played on Halloween--it's being played on the 4th of July, patriotism and taxpayers. What's more, it's being played on each of us by some of our ghoulish comrades, the Republicans. As a Michigander, you're likely aware that current state law imposes some pretty serious restrictions on the type of fireworks we can purchase. If it fires out of a bottle, soars through the air, or explodes, its pretty illegal. Sure, there's a public safety argument, but there's a bigger liberty argument which is why dollars to donuts, if you're a regular reader of this site you're probably also a proponent of more freedom, not less. It's that truth that makes what House Republicans did last week that much more frightening. Last week the GOP controlled House of Representatives approved House Bill 4293, a bill that sponsors would have us believe is designed to open the door for more fireworks here in the state of Michigan. What sponsors don't tell you, and were hoping you'd never find out, is that they loaded the bill up with FOUR NEW TAXES. FOUR. NEW TAXES. Michigan Republicans in the legislature are literally taxing patriotism.
More Below.
NEW PATRIOTISM TAX 1: HB 4293 section 3--Ever person selling fireworks is required to get a permission slip from state government. The cost? $1,000 for every permanent building and $600 additional dollars for every tent or roadside stand. Every year.
NEW PATRIOTISM TAX 2: Transferring that permission slip hits businesses with another $25 tax. NEW PATRIOTISM TAX 3: HB 4293 section 8 imposes a new "fireworks user fee" that slaps shoppers with an additional 6 percent tax on fireworks purchases on top of the standard 6 percent sales tax. In other words, buying fireworks in Michigan will now require families across the state to pay a 12 percent sales tax. NEW PATRIOTISM TAX 4: HB 4293 section 16--This is where things get really insidious. Section 16 authorizes cities, villages and townships to grant permits for the use of certain types of fireworks if fireworks users pay a new permit fee established by the legislative body of the city, village or township. The bill does not limit or cap the amount of this permit fee. In other words, the city council could slap a fat new tax for any amount on the use of certain types of fireworks. The bill provides absolutely zero restrictions on the size of the new local tax or the way those tax dollars will be used. This is the kind of politics that gives politicians, especially Republicans a bad name. They hold out a benefit like a shiny nickel and try to distract taxpayers from the fact they're pilfering your wallet with their spare hand. "Here, we'll give you more liberty--oh wait, we're going to double your sales tax and impose three more giant new taxes to boot." However, it didn't start with them.
Further, It was co-sponsored by 30 additional Democrats. There are only 110 members in the House and only 47 Democrats. Math tells us that this new tax on patriotism was sponsored or cosponsored by a full 66 percent of the Democratic caucus. That's pretty much what we'd expect. Four new taxes? And taxes on patriotism? A two-fer. The Dems will love it. Shockingly and disappointingly, 11 GOPers also co-sponsored the massive new tax hike. And when it came down to it, the bill was approved 98-10. Only 8 Republicans stood on principle and voted NO to the Democrats patriotism tax. 8. Out of 63. That's 12 percent for you algebra nuts. Talk about shooting taxpayers in the face with a bottle rocket. Truth be told, there's a better analogy to be found here. House GOPers strapped an M-80 to taxpayers hands and lit the fuse. What's that they say about biting (or blowing off, as it were) the hand that feeds you? Each of the rascals who voted for these four new taxes on PATRIOTISM can be found HERE. You fellas sure you want to see this one through?
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Michigan House Approves Four New Taxes... on Patriotism! | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
Michigan House Approves Four New Taxes... on Patriotism! | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
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