Clarke Canfield/AP
As Tricia noted this morning, Maine's labor mural is back, now in a non-labor context. Governor Paul LePage took it down in 2011, saying it wasn't proper to have a mural about the plight of workers on display at the state's labor department. On the occasion of its unveiling today at the Maine State Museum, Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette put the best face on it. "This is now a famous piece of art, and we are glad that the museum can provide the security, the space, the exhibit and conservation expertise that we at the Department of Labor cannot."
Also back in Maine: Slightly higher taxes. You may remember that Governor LePage passed signed big tax cuts when he took office, only to find his state is now broke. It turns out there's a fix for that, called "revenue." From the Portland Press Herald:
Gov. Paul LePage's proposed state budget makes no mention of a tax increase, but it would raise the tax bill of the average Mainer by $39 over the next two years.
The proposal relies on subtle, but lucrative, changes to the state's income tax indexing. The way it would work is complicated, but the result is a projected increase of more than $8.6 million in state income tax collections over the two fiscal years beginning July 1, and an estimated $1.5 million in subsequent years.
The way LePage's proposal works is complicated -- chained consumer price indexing, anyone? -- but one possible effect is that more taxpayers end up in higher tax brackets, meaning that Maine would get help balancing its budget by making middle-class and working families pay more.
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wheeee! Hypocrisy at its finest.
Only in your brain fevered by the thought of other people's money. Republicans understand the need for taxes, and more importantly the need to balance the budget. If Obama promised me my taxes would only rise by $39 over two years, I'd vote for him and a third term.
No worries though. I'm pretty sure that's not happening.
Poor shoots. It's so cute on how you whine about taxes, but then use the services those taxes provide since we know your taxes can't pay for all of that so convenient infrastructure. Such an excellent example of the above mentioned hypocrisy. and alas, for you, no Republicans do not understand the need for taxes when they cower in front of an idiot like Norquist. You remember him the darling of the Tea Party? He says *no* more taxes and preferably no taxes at all. So your claims are yet more pitiful attempts at revising history in your attempt to keep your party from looking like complete idiots.
It's funny on how Obama did lower taxes, and not raise them. But golly that wasn't the real issue was it, if Obama would "just" not raise them so much.::laughter::
What bothers me, shooter, is that the average Maine taxpayer is paying for revenue shortfalls resulting from tax cuts given to corporations.
Their understanding exploded the U S debt from 2000 - 08 , another brain damaged comment from the gop troll brigade
No one wants your measly gop nikles , don't flatter yourself
Republicans always raise taxes. They're just sneaky about calling it something else.
Please fix that last sentence. It's giving me vertigo.
Goodness, yes, @fuchsia. That's what I get for hitting publish and then running to the cafeteria.
Are they needing to subsidise more Wal-Marts?
There hasn't been a Governor that is such an idiot as LePage since Mel Brooks's Governor William J. Lepetomane in Blazing Saddles.
Well, lookie what we got here. Tea Potty tax-and-spender.
Last week, demonstrating that he is unable to learn from the mistakes of other Republican governors, Sam Brownback, slashed Kansas taxes betting the cuts will improve state's economy.
Where do Republicans find such idiots, because only an idiot is unable or unwilling to learn from the mistakes of others.
Sorry no offense intended if you are, or know and love an idiot.
Aren't you one of those whining that business tends to go to low cost countries? How's California doing these days?
California is in the black and about to project budget surpluses for the next few years. That means it can support its citizens and support its economy to do very well in competition with the "low cost" states. Sure, there will always be states who want to be in the race to the bottom...where their citizens have lower wages and lower benefits -- but hey, that's winning to you guys in the republican party
are those facts biting Shoots in the butt again?
California has the 6th biggest economy IN THE WORLD , while redneckistan / texas has the fastest growing foodstamp economy in america
Yes, Republicans. When you need more revenue, you increase taxes. See, it's almost like how logic works!
Well, at least this governor did not do what newly appointed NC Governor Pat McCrory did after campaigning on the State's spending problem....
He gave an 8% increase in his cabinet members' salaries after being sworn into office!
I guess the reasoning is that you can cut more in the people's budget when your own budget load is lighter!
"...big tax cuts when he took office, only to find his state is now broke. It turns out there's a fix for that, called "revenue."
Now that Mr. Lapage has joined the real world and understands the consequences of his actions, maybe he should let his fellow GOTP'ers in on that understanding.
GOTP idiots!
justaluckyfool says:
January 2, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Why not $1 trillion of NON-Deficit spending.(Or $100 billion) A QE purchase of assets.
“QE4 Disaster Relief- QE4 the people”
A simple plan: The State of NJ needs only to issue $100 billion of Stae Disaster Relief Bonds 2013 paying 0.25% interest for 36 years. The Fed has proven they are allowed to purchase them via Quantitative Easing (QE). NJ would get free "Storm proof infrastructure" (If any such thing exists, while homeowers would get new "storm proof (and green housing) with a new very affordable mortgage, while new factory construction will boost the economy.
PUT YOUR government to the test. Have the Fed stop buying "the toxic" crap from the private for profit banks, instead have them buy "Disaster Relief Bonds 2013"
Gov Christie, Gov Cuomo, Mayor Bloomberg, Mayor Booker,
and all Governors and Mayors of all States that need Disaster Relief now.
Join forces. Have your four most vocal representatives contact the President, the Sec. of the US Treasury, and Chairman of the Federal Reserve Use the power of social and mass media to help your people NOW.
Have the American financial system rush to the rescue with a generous and flexible legal funding that no other country could match.
Not a bailout.
Not a cost to all the taxpayers.
Not an increase in deficit spending.
Rather a magic economic proven silver bullet, (Bernanke should get Noble for this).
QE! A simple change in direction of doing something for the common bettering of all the people. Especially those in need now.
The present 10 states that are in need are to partake in Quantitative Easing (QE) the economic silver bullet.
“QE- Emergency Relief Bonds of 2013″. State Bonds in the amount of
$1,000,000,000,000 (Trillion) paying .25% interest for 36 years!
Total amount to be issued to be $1 trillion, with a rate of 0.25% for 36 years.
1. The Federal Reserve is to STOP purchasing under QE3 (sometimes called QE Infinity) and PURCHASE this entire issue. It would be a purchase “for the people, for the common bettering of all citizens, rather than for the “private for profit banks” and it would gain revenue, yes increase revenue of $800 billion for the US Treas. instead of private for profit banks (PFPB).
We must rebuild and replace so that it is not in vain. Rather that it be protective. An investment for the future. As one victim stated,”Under todays conditions, it just may be crazy to rebuild a third time for surely there may be a fourth.”
The Fed has already proven that it can do this at a profit to the US Treasury (“we the people”) and with no increase in the debt (it is an asset purchase). The individual states shall divide these funds among themselves depending upon their individual needs.
The states will be able to not only rebuild but also do it smart, so that it will be a protection against a similar future event.
Rebuild homes and factories, giving the people mortgages that are assumable with a rate of 2.5% for a term of 36 years-$500 billion to be made available. That is one-half of the issue. The money would make it possible to not just replace but really to rebuild to a new code and it would be affordable with guaranteed financing.
Since $500 billion becomes an asset worth $1.8 trillion over the next 36 years, it pays back the entire loan. The other $500 billion needs no payments except for where the state would seek them. That other $500 billion may be used to improve the land for the future, roads and transportation, safety against an even greater storm, yes, without an increase in taxation. The loans resulting from the first half ($500 billion) pay back $1.8 trillion, the total loan amount with interest.
Interest on our own money has replaced the need for increase income taxes.
This is possible because “We will be taking the profits from the PFPB and giving those profits back to the “people”.
PROVE IT ISN’T CORRECT. CHALLENGE and IMPROVE.
Why would you not want prosperity and happiness for yourselves and your children?
May God continue to bless America.
web site http://www.justaluckyfool.wordpress.com
***** “Believe nothing merely because you have been told it…But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis,you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit,the welfare of all beings – that doctrine believe and cling to,and take it as your guide.”- Buddha[Gautama Siddharta] (563 – 483 BC),
“Yes, You Can Lower Taxes, Pay Off The Debt, And At The Same Time Increase Revenue.”(Justaluckyfool)
And yes, both have stated that, why not then as Einstein said, “Make it simple”?
Reduce federal income taxes to zero while at the same time raise TWICE as much revenue using a fair system of taxation that is ; collecting interest on our own money instead of income taxes!
Read more: http://bit.ly/MlQWNs
Not being from New England, is LePage a Democrat or Republican? No mention of his party in the written article above! If a Democrat then he should be proud to ask the state citizens to help administer their state, if a Republican, then he is a bloody hypocrite and the news media ought to shout it out loud! Thank goodness there is Rachel Maddow. But then...what else is new?
Carmen Basilovecchio
“Thank you, Ellen, for this discussion of Sandy, and another reason why we should have our own public banks…but why not address the
NATIONAL ISSUE ?
State banks would only be able to work with money already issued by the Sovereignty.
The flaw to the entire society lies in the absence of a CENTRAL BANK that is a public bank, a bank that operates “for the people”.
Read More: http://bit.ly/MlQWNs
Getting back to Sandy Relief.
Please challenge, improve or endorse a ways and means that could not only supply money needed now but also allow for structural changes that may prevent future recurrences.
Read: “QE 4 Disaster Relief”
$1 trillion.
No deficit spending.
No approval needed.
No inflation.
A Noble Prize worthy proven method. A way to give the 10 states $500 billion to “storm proof” their areas at no cost to the taxpayers.
At the same time allowing homeowners and business’ to rebuild better
so as to prevent future recurrences.
Read more:http://bit.ly/MlQWNs “QE 4 Dister Relief $1 trillion” by justaluckyfool
http://webofdebt.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/political-football-over-disaster-relief-another-argument-for-public-banking/comment-page-1/#comment-40394
Political Football Over Disaster Relief: Another Argument for Public Banking
The math is finally making sense. Take away taxes (revenue) and you run a deficit. But, doesn't the tax break to the job creators suppose to make up the difference? I didn't think so. The hypocrisy is that the poor and middle class wind up paying for it. Vote him out.
The republicans call the democrats taxers and spenders. The republicans are borrowers and spenders. After the republicans borrow and spend the money the democrats have to raise taxes to pay for what the republicans borrowed.
The constitution says "provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare". Why is that some encourage spending for defense, but call spending for the general welfare socialism?