Jindal calls for elimination of all Louisiana income and corporate taxes

[03cajunalum]

My thought:

[AstroCajun]

The problem with a sales tax only solution is that you are really putting the state's budget at the mercy of the economy. When times are tough, people shop less. So you're going to impact the budget adversely during recessionary periods. Is it enough to offset a boom? Unclear at this time. I don't see how it can ever truly be a revenue neutral change.

What we really need is to rethink how the state government spends its money. Do we really need to constitutionally guarantee budgets for any state entity let alone at the expense of the colleges and health systems?

[CrazyCajun]

The problem with a sales tax only solution is that you are really putting the state's budget at the mercy of the economy. When times are tough, people shop less. So you're going to impact the budget adversely during recessionary periods. Is it enough to offset a boom? Unclear at this time. I don't see how it can ever truly be a revenue neutral change.

What we really need is to rethink how the state government spends its money. Do we really need to constitutionally guarantee budgets for any state entity let alone at the expense of the colleges and health systems?

it goes both ways, when the economy is down, people are laid off, you are no longer colecting their income tax. this is an idead that would give corporations a break to boost the economy. Plus all your local shady side cash gigs, you know like drug dealers, they will be paying their share of taxes on that $5k necklace.

[cajunhawk]

Just like the Feds, we don't have tax problem we have a spending problem. There are basic government functions that need to be made a priority and the rest of this "feel god" crap needs to be eliminated. And everyone needs to feel the pain of taxes equally. This idea that "fairness" means those who have worked for and earned more should shoulder more of he burden creates this "tax the other guy" mentality that fuels runaway taxing and spending. Also, can you define "basic needs" that you want to give a certain segment a pass on? I'm always wary of that because idea because politicians and the beneficiaries of these we pins seem to have a very broad and generous oncept of "basic needs".

100% agree. What are "basic needs"? Food is a basic need, as is medicine, clothing, etc. But where do you draw the line? And how are you supposed to govern who gets an exemption? The easiest way is to say...NO EXEMPTIONS. Cigarettes are taxed at a high rate. You still see the poor and destitute with cigarettes. People will purposely not buy other necessities, and spend the extra money on cigarettes. If demand for cigarettes stays elastic regardless of how high the taxes are...the same would hold true for the necessities in life. In theory this idea is a home run, it spreads the tax burden equally. But...I want to see how the state of Louisiana is going to ____ this up. I want to see how the greedy urchins who populate the capitol building are going to make this work for them...if you know what I mean.

[CrazyCajun]

if you made an isle at the grocery store that consisted of basic needs and that was the only things you could buy with gov't handouts, you know like rice, flour,dry beans, bread, tuna, peanut butter, eggs, etc. i would imagine all of a sudden a lot of these people wouldnt like being on entitlement programs as much.

[AstroCajun]

it goes both ways, when the economy is down, people are laid off, you are no longer colecting their income tax. this is an idead that would give corporations a break to boost the economy. Plus all your local shady side cash gigs, you know like drug dealers, they will be paying their share of taxes on that $5k necklace.

LOL, you think drug dealers buy $5K necklaces? Like at Zales with a wad of coked up bills?

Nah, man. They steal that too.

[AstroCajun]

if you made an isle at the grocery store that consisted of basic needs and that was the only things you could buy with gov't handouts, you know like rice, flour,dry beans, bread, tuna, peanut butter, eggs, etc. i would imagine all of a sudden a lot of these people wouldnt like being on entitlement programs as much.

Why don't we make them wear "I'm poor" signs when they walk in the door too?



Seriously, though I think we need to remember when it comes to this kind of government assistance, that it should be TEMPORARY and not a lifestyle.

The friendly name of the program is "Temporary Aid to Needy Families" I think they they forget the "temporary" part.

[basinbear]

A constitutional convention is needed in Louisiana. You cannot continue to cut only Higher Ed. and Medicaid and expect a sane budget.....no matter how revenue for the State is raised.

[CrazyCajun]

Why don't we make them wear "I'm poor" signs when they walk in the door too?



Seriously, though I think we need to remember when it comes to this kind of government assistance, that it should be TEMPORARY and not a lifestyle.

The friendly name of the program is "Temporary Aid to Needy Families" I think they they forget the "temporary" part.

i think you should remember that if people can live a middle class lifestyle for free, wtf would they ever go back to work? Why should someone be able to buy filet mignon for dinner on government subsidy? or get boiled crawfish at a drive thru? The people who really need it would still use it and be grateful, the lazy people who abuse it wouldnt enjoy it as much. I buy rice, beans, flour and make my own meals, should i wear an im poor sign on my neck? Its become too acceptable to live off the government. It should effect a person pride living that way, thats the motivating factor to go back to work. The current system in no way motivates peole to go back to work. The other day a lady called in on a radio show and said that when she adds up all her gov'y assistance that it was the equivalent of clearing $2600 a month, thats food stamps, la purchase card, obama phone, low income assisted living...all that. When she worked full time, she cleared $1600 a month. What will ever motivate that woman to go back to work when she can sit on her a s s and collect?

[zephyr]

In B4 Thread Sideline.

The elimination of corporate income taxes would be great for our state's economy.

This alone would be a huge economic driver to bring more companies to LA and larger companies for that matter.

[CrazyCajun]

LOL, you think drug dealers buy $5K necklaces? Like at Zales with a wad of coked up bills?

Nah, man. They steal that too.

so they just go around stealing their jewelry, rims ,cars, designer clothes? no they flaunt their wads of cash and buy them. why would they risk their lifestyle by holding up a jewelry store when they can slang rock and buy it?

[njustice]

Property taxes are the most stable tax base period. Set things up like Texas and get out of our Louisiana politics mindset, then we'll actually be able to create a budget for higher education