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Public Awareness Expert for Nonprofits & Civic Ventures -- More on Forces for Good
A modest proposal for state's budget
(page A-10, 7/21/09)
The governor and the Republican state legislators oppose new taxes. They base their position on principle or on what's-best-during-the-worst-recession-in-80-years. I respect their reasons.
We will resolve much of this California budget problem by plucking money from the pockets of college students, park-goers, first-line defenders, government employees and teachers.
I realize some may consider the sting of having their pocket plucked by government as if this were a new tax.OK, like Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice: "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?" If you pick our pockets, do we not feel taxed?
However, to be fair, you won't be getting (or giving) any new services. So, technically: not a new tax.
Now, I have no problem picking people's pockets. None. Not if it's going to halt this self-inflicted slide down Mount Worsening Recession. Pick everyone's pocket! Call them fees, call them furloughs - heck, call them layoffs.
All I ask is that we pick everybody's pocket. From college students to oil companies to our own merchants in Venice, Calif.
Otherwise, as Shakespeare's merchant concludes: "And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?"JILL CENTER San Francisco
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