The AP was able to provide a snapshot of how voters in several states have been embracing tax increases at the local level. The analysis looked at 39 states, representing a cross-section of the country. The review found 2,387 revenue measures in 22 states where they appeared on local primary and special-election ballots this year. Voters in 19 states – or 86 percent of those holding such elections – passed 50 percent or more of the local tax initiatives that came before them.
Now, let's recall that about 1/3 of the $862 billion stimulus bill was for state aid and unemployment benefits. (Another 1/3 went to tax cuts, and the final 1/3 went to infrastructure, health care, and other projects -- money that has only been about 70 percent spent so far.) That is, the federal gov't has provided a HUGE bailout for state budgets; and states have had discretion over how those funds are spent and how quickly.
So, the same electorate that is allegedly mad as hell about high taxes and runaway spending is voting for more taxes so that their states can keep spending on the same things that the federal gov't gave them stimulus money to pay for.
Ergo, either Americans are hypocritical idiots, or the received "lamestream" media wisdom about what's driving this November's elections is wrong.
By Robin Hindery
October 29, 2010 | AP
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