Roger’s Rules

December 17th, 2008 6:16 am

“Why aren’t people rioting in the streets?”

I used to ask that question of my European friends as the EU bureaucracy moved on one front after another to curtail the freedom of its subjects and impose a mind-boggling array of politically correct rules and regulations upon an increasingly supine populace.

It saddens me to say that I have begun to ask that question of my friends here at home. Consider, to take this morning’s example, the budget Gov. Paterson has just proposed for New York. Quoth the governor: “This is the worst fiscal downturn since the Great Depression.” Thanks for pointing that out, Dave! So, now that we’ve got that straight what will you, as governor, do about that? Cast a beady eye on state spending? Cut costs wherever possible? Eliminate unproductive, pork barrel programs?

You must be kidding.

No, folks are hurting. So let’s tax them some more!

Let’s have a budget that increases state spending by $1.3 billion.

Not only that, the New York Post reports that his proposed budget seeks “to impose tax and fee hikes in excess of $4 billion — larger than any New York governor has ever sought before.”

That’s right. If the governor has his way New Yorkers will face 137 new taxes highs and fees. Another story in the Post lists a few of the ways New York will seek to take your money:

* An “iTunes tax” of 4 percent on videos, music or pictures downloaded from the Internet.

* A 4 percent tax on taxi, limo and bus rides. That means a $10 cab ride would cost 40 cents more.

* A 4 percent entertainment tax on tickets to movies, concerts and sporting events. That would add nearly 50 cents to a $12 movie ticket or $1.80 to the cheapest $44.50 seat at a Knicks game.

* The tax on beer increases 24 cents per gallon, or more than double the current rate, which means about 30 cents a case.

* An 18 percent tax on nondiet soft drinks, which aims to reduce child obesity. A $1.50 can of Pepsi would then cost at least 25 cents more.

* A 4 percent tax on cable TV and satellite services, raising a $100 bill by $4.

* Hiking the cost of “personal” services – including haircuts, manicures, pedicures, massages and gym memberships – by 4 percent.

* A 4 percent sales tax on clothing and shoes under $500, except for two weeks out of the year.

* Elimination of the law that caps the state sales tax on gasoline at 8 cents per gallon.

* Boosting the average vehicle registration fee for drivers by $11, from $44 to $55. Fees for new or renewed licenses also would increase 25 percent, or increase from $50 to about $62 to renew a license over eight years.

When O when is Governor Paterson up for re-election? And what about the New York State legislators, the men and women who connive in this orgy of fiscal irresponsibility, when are they up for re-election–or, rather, when O when can the people get together and throw the bums out?

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44 Comments

1. ehunter:

Quit complaining and pay up now. The New York
State Employees Union has a ironclad yearly
cost of living increase of …wait you guessed
it, exactly 4%. Any more questions? No? Now fork it over.

Dec 17, 2008 - 9:58 am 2. Instapundit » Blog Archive » ROGER KIMBALL: “Why aren’t people rioting in the streets?” The short answer is that, cultura…:

[...] KIMBALL: “Why aren’t people rioting in the streets?” The short answer is that, culturally, people now only riot over select ethnic grievances; matters [...]

Dec 17, 2008 - 2:28 pm 3. mt:

Of course people are not rioting in the streets. Wake up, guy, it’s December! It’s cold out!

Remember where the riots used to break out in the 1960’s? Berkeley and Miami, or in the summertime, maybe Chicago. You starting to get the idea? No one riots in the cold.

Dec 17, 2008 - 2:36 pm 4. tim maguire:

You want to know why New Yorkers aren’t rioting in the streets over a government that continually encroaches ever further into the minutia of their lives? In New York City, at least, it’s because they’re too busy cheering for more. (I live in Brooklyn and work in Manhattan, this isn’t snark, it’s the facts.)

Dec 17, 2008 - 2:37 pm 5. Mister Snitch!:

“When O when is Governor Patterson up for re-election?”

The short answer: Never. He was not elected to begin with.

Dec 17, 2008 - 2:38 pm 6. vanderleun:

Pitchforks, tar, heads on pikes, and tumbrils. That’s where it’s going.

Dec 17, 2008 - 2:39 pm 7. C. Smith:

“Why aren’t people rioting in the streets?”

Modulo Tim Maguire’s remark, I suppose the answer is that they’re too busy packing and “getting the Blago out of Dodge”, as it were.

Dec 17, 2008 - 2:49 pm 8. Nobody:

At first Patterson resisted increasing taxes, and in fact pushed the Legislature to reduce some spending. They did a pittance, but Patterson said (quite impressively) that raising taxes just increases spending, it doesn’t close budget gaps.

Unfortunately, the union arrangements and general New York politics (which is all about what will Government pay my community) pushed that idealism out the window.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:01 pm 9. willis:

They are not rioting in the streets because the people disposed to such behaviour are the beneficiaries of such fiscal larceny. Crime is down on the streets of New York and will stay there. What is the point of risking one’s life and freedom to rob another when your elected officials will do it for you. Good luck into hanging onto the productive element of your population!

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:04 pm 10. Richard Nieporent:

An 18 percent tax on nondiet soft drinks, which aims to reduce child obesity.

Hiking the cost of “personal” services – including haircuts, manicures, pedicures, massages and gym memberships – by 4 percent.

I guess he is only concerned about fat children.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:09 pm 11. Patrick1:

Several reasons. One is that the producers who are paying the taxes are too busy producing, starting businesses, raising families etc. The only protesters anymore are the ones who are paid. Code Pink, LaRaza et.al.

People are protesting with their feet. As you can see by the fact that New York, New Jersey among others are losing congressional seats based on the last census. I find it interesting that the states in fiscal trouble are the ones trying to expand the welfare state and restrict people’s freedoms. A coincidence I’m sure.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:16 pm 12. Jay:

Aside from all the new taxes, NYC transit fares are going up 23 percent next year, meaning that the 81 dollars I spend each month goes up to roughly 100 dollars. But I plan on avoiding as many of these new taxes as I can. Music downloads? Hell, I’ve got all the music I need in this lifetime. Tax on haircuts? I shave my head every two days. Save a fortune in haircuts, and now in taxes. Beer? I won’t drink it. Non-diet soda? I won’t drink it. Clothes? I’ll only buy what is absolutely necessary. New York will only be confiscating the bare minimum from me as far as I can help it.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:23 pm 13. Nobody:

“I live in Brooklyn and work in Manhattan, this isn’t snark, it’s the facts.”

Indeed. In New York, its all George Bush’s fault. If not for the him the economy would fantastic and the party would just go on.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:27 pm 14. jaymaster:

You know, they actually ARE rioting in the streets of Europe now. Have been for a couple years, here and there.

But the rioters appear to come mostly from the down stream side of the wealth transfer flow.

If present trends continue, it might not be long till that happens in NY too.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:38 pm 15. Mark Buehner:

Somebody with a few million bucks to burn ought to print out a copy of the budget for every adult in the state and send it to them.

Or better yet, pass a law requiring the state to it it.

That MIGHT end the current 90%+ incumbent return rate in this country. Why does this stuff keep happening? Because we keep sending them back to do it obviously.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:39 pm 16. Mwalimu Daudi:

“Why aren’t people rioting in the streets?”

That is easy. In the Obamanation dissent is no longer the highest form of patriotism.

In fact: Dissent = Racism.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:40 pm 17. R. Starr:

“Let’s have a budget that increases state spending by $1.3 billion.”

Keep in mind that represents a 1.1% increase on the previous year, which is actually a cut if you adjust for inflation.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:40 pm 18. Eric R.:

Roger,

New Yorkers who don’t like all these taxes don’t riot – they move south.

Those left are those who believe the leftist drivel fed daily by the public schools, news media, arts establishments, universities and northern churches (and synagogues).

In short, those left behind don’t riot because the brainwashing of them is complete.

They are like the pledge in Animal House’s Omega House getting whacked with the pledge paddle, and saying “Thank you sir, may I have another?” Unlike that pledge, they really enjoy it.

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:48 pm 19. S. Tanner:

You know what? I agree with you all the way… I am only 18 and a senior in high school but I believe that these new tax proposals are really absurd. People are already hurting but yet taxes are still increasing. But what for? I do not think there is a reason for them to be increasing. They are absolutely ridiculous but we as voters can vote him out of here. Because it needs to be done

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:59 pm 20. DonK:

In short, those left behind don’t riot because the brainwashing of them is complete.

Sorry, Eric, but that’s not entirely true. Some of us have jobs we like and family connections that tie us to the area. And moving to New Jersey, Connecticut, etc. isn’t much better. We do the best we can and try to raise our kids to be productive citizens.

However, when the kids are grown in a few years (and if I can find a way to convince my bosses to let me telecommute), I’d certainly consider leaving. The taxes are absurd, and the unwillingness of the voters to oust the crooks in the Legislature is discouraging.

Dec 17, 2008 - 4:12 pm 21. John Ford:

For all NY residents, I would propose propose drinking heavily NOW before the beer tax takes effect.

John

Dec 17, 2008 - 4:35 pm 22. Auster:

Looking at the numbers, the largest fraction of the budget (26%, $21B) is spent on School Aid. The next group is Medicaid at 20% ($16B). Higher education and debt servicing account for 10% ($8B) and 6% ($5B) of the total money spent. There’s a $14B deficit. What do you propose – cut education spending to the levels of Alabama? Cut spending on healthcare for the elderly? Do either of those and you’ll get the riots you want.

At its root, the problem was caused by the previous Republican Governor (Pataki; 1995-2007) who caused spending to increase at an 8% level the last previous five years. It’s part and parcel of the Republican brand – ‘Don’t tax AND spend’. No wonder the Democrats have taken over.

Dec 17, 2008 - 4:43 pm 23. Director Mitch:

Auster,

It doesn’t matter how we got here – we can’t change that. And it doesn’t really matter. The question is “where do we go from here”.

Your analysis of the current budget is a good start. The question I have is this: is it right that one out of four dollars of taxpayer money goes to “School Aid”? What does this break down to as cost per student?

Dec 17, 2008 - 4:51 pm 24. Mike_K:

New York City must be aware that this will prolong whatever recession/depression is coming. There have been huge layoffs in the financial services industry. Maybe all those jobs already left NYC. Upstate NY is a disaster zone now. In 1991, Pete Wilson raised taxes during a recession and it was two years later than the rest of the country before CA emerged. If people are too stupid to see the consequences of this sort of thing, they deserve what they get. Arizona got a lesson in Democrat governors with Napolitano and her deficit and they are unlikely to forget for a while. I’m moving there if I can sell my house in California. California is bankrupt and will soon learn that. Everybody is moving south. And not for the weather. Anybody who has spent a summer in Houston knows better.

Dec 17, 2008 - 4:54 pm 25. Mwalimu Daudi:

It’s fun – well, ironic, anyway – watching Auster try to pretend Democrats have not been in power for the last few years in New York. Pataki was a RINO, but not even remotely as bad as what New York is stuck with now. We will see a lot of this “it ain’t our fault” pivoting in the incoming Obama administration.

Nor does Auster does not try to defend the crummy schools in New York with their incompetent teacher and their tenure. He just threatens riots. Typical.

Dec 17, 2008 - 5:01 pm 26. Zimriel:

Auster: If the problem is “caused” at “root” by Pataki, notwithstanding all the entitlements you mention, then logically Patterson is obligated to reverse Pataki’s spending policies first. That means cuts, including whatever entitlements you’ve included in that 8% per annum. Only after that, taxes can be raised. Otherwise Patterson is equally complicit as was Pataki.

Dec 17, 2008 - 5:10 pm 27. Man of the West:

Auster, please don’t baselessly denigrate Alabama. I’m sure NYC’s schools are doing much better than Birmingham’s. This is the sort of tendency that makes those of us in “fly-over” country detest the Northeast so much.

Just like the U.S. Congress, doesn’t the NY State legislature control the purse strings? Frankly, it’s Republicans like Pataki and G. W. Bush that conservatives find so disappointing. They try to out-liberal the Democrats, so you’ll find little disagreement from this quarter on that point. On the other hand, if you think Democrats will clean things up and do better, I’d say Gov. Paterson sort of disproves that notion.

Dec 17, 2008 - 5:29 pm 28. SamIam:

New Yorkers deserve this. I hope it gets approved and we see revenues stay flat of even fall in the coming years due to a fast growing underground tax-evading economy. Then it will get really fun.

Dec 17, 2008 - 5:45 pm 29. Percy Dovetonsils:

NYC wishes their schools were as functional as Alabama’s.

Dec 17, 2008 - 6:04 pm 30. Spartee:

Michigan raised taxes too when its bread and butter industry went into a tailspin. You may have heard how well that worked out for Michigan.

Michigan never came out of the last recession, and it is sliding into this one worse off than any other state.

Dec 17, 2008 - 6:06 pm 31. don:

So i shop in Pennsylvania No big deal five miles away

Dec 17, 2008 - 6:38 pm 32. swift boater:

DonK,

I was one of you until 2003 when I left NYC for Sarasota. I had family, friends a business I sold. I just said, thats it, ENOUGH! Guess what? My family and friends come to visit and think what a great decision I made.

NY and the liberal blue states are disaster areas. NY, MI, NJ, IL all worse than the rest. My friends said how can you move to FL? The schools are horrible. Umm, no, they are not. So many transplanted Northerners that would be near impossible, assuming that the native Southerners would allow it (which they won’t).

Life is good here without the onerous burden Dem politicians impose, including RINOs like Pataki. We just have to figure away to prevent the Obamanation from infecting us down here…

Do it DonK, just doooooooooo it.

Dec 17, 2008 - 6:55 pm 33. geo:

Hey donny,

You just confessed to engaging in criminal activity. Both NY and NJ run sting operations against their own people who cross state lines in search of reason and affordable goods.

Why not move just five miles down the road and be done with it? Better still be sure to include a note to the local, pro-tax increase, paper and the governor telling them why you moved.

Dec 17, 2008 - 7:11 pm 34. venividivici:

Auster:

I guess not, since all those programs are just perfect, right? Not a single way to get better value out of that spending, no siree Bob.

Dec 17, 2008 - 7:17 pm 35. Seerak:

Until the day when politicians finally have the fortitude to look at an extended hand no matter whose it is and say “Too God Damned Bad”… this will not change.

Until the people have the courage to reserve for themselves the moral right of selfishness, i.e. to *choose for themselves* whether to help others or not according to their own standards, and where to draw the line — the burden of State will continue to grow.

That would constitute the overthrow of altruistic moral “duty”. Do you really expect such revolutionary cultural change to come from politicians? The abolition of literal slavery came from the people; the abolition of *moral* slavery must come from the people also.

Charity need not be ended. It is the concept of moral “duty”, whether identified openly as such, or dishonestly as an ersatz “right” (such as the “right” to health care), that must be jettisoned. You can start right now by telling anyone with a hand out who is demanding government or “society’s” help of any sort for any reason, be they lobbyists for some new pet project, or just some idiot whining “there ought to be a law”, no matter what it is: NO. The line is drawn here.

And if they don’t like it: TGDB. Break your moral chains, and a href=”http://drhelen.blogspot.com/2008/10/going-john-galt.html”>withdraw your fire — until the day the altruists withdraw their vultures.

Dec 17, 2008 - 9:03 pm 36. LeftLongAgo:

I’m eagerly awaiting the 2010 census. I’m confident it will show (assuming it is legit and reliable) a major population drain in NY, Mass. etc. Meanwhile, places like Utah will show staggering population gains. The people who want to leave and are able to leave, will.

Otherwise, the state will get exactly what its citizens want. The fact is, as some of the commentators above have suggested, the state policies are reflecting the predominantly socialist beliefs (even if they don’t recognize it as such) of most of NYC, Long Island, etc. Personally I think this in large part because they’ve yet to feel any effect from such policies, living, as they have been for a decade and a half, on exploding capital markets tax revenues (much of which has deflated or been shown to be fraudulent all along) and all the employment and ancillary benefits that brings. There’s a generation plus that just has absolutely no clue what’s coming.

Dec 18, 2008 - 12:45 am 37. Eric R.:

Don,

You do realize that when you buy in Pennsylvania, you are supposed to pay in sales tax (to NYS) the difference between what you pay in PA and what you would pay in NYS if you bought the item there.

You think I’m kidding?

In past years, NYS tax officials would go into parking malls in NEW JERSEY, take the license plates from New York, and send them letters warning them to pay that sales tax difference between New York and New Jersey (at one time the difference was much greater than it is now; with a 1.5% difference, they really don’t bother these days).

What’s just as idiotic is that New Jersey has upped its taxes to almost match New York’s, when any person with half an economic brain (which excludes our present Governor, even though he was a V-P at Goldman Sachs), would have tried to keep the taxes low compared to New York, to try and invite business over from the Empire State.

But both states are run by corrupt Socialist Democratic machines, with brainwashed, liberal-left populaces, and a biased left-wing news media in bed with the Democrats. So no matter how bad things get, they will not elect Republicans — not even if NY and NJ go bankrupt and have 10+% unemployment.

The only reason I feel sorry for NJ is that for family reasons, I have to live here and suffer a few more years. As for NYS, I see all their troubles and feel nothing but Schaudenfreude. They let themselves be ruled by the NY Times. Let them suffer for it.

Dec 18, 2008 - 3:42 am 38. Chester White:

Everybody go John Galt with me for a couple years. Shut it down.

Minimize your productive activity for a while. Take a break. Sell absolutely every security you own that has a tax loss before 12/31/08 and don’t sell anything at a profit. Put your money in index funds, which rarely change their holdings and thus don’t generate taxable income. Figure out ways to barter that are not taxable as long as you keep your mouth shut (As your friend, I tutor your kid; as my friend, you fix my plumbing).

Do as much buying as you can over the Internet from non-taxable sources, while you can. Move to a lower-tax state if possible.

Dec 18, 2008 - 5:27 am 39. Whitehall:

The Democrats in the California Legislature are proposing the same “remedy” of higher taxes here.

Of course, in our state it takes a 2/3 vote to raise taxes and the Republicans have over 1/3 in the Senate so could block this move. Still, the Democrats propose to use irregular procedural moves to overcome the Republican opposition.

Dec 18, 2008 - 4:07 pm 40. The Working File » It’s Time to Amend the New York State Constitution and Cut Over-Generous Government Pension Benefits:

[...] at Patterson’s budget.

Dec 19, 2008 - 2:08 am 41. Roger’s Rules » A raise for Congress, Sarah Palin, and a poem:

[...] involvement and public accountability. Where have those ancient desiderata gone? A few days ago, I asked why people weren’t up in arms about the 137 new taxes and fees with which the governor of New [...]

Dec 20, 2008 - 7:44 am 42. Steven Earl Salmony:

Yes, definitely yes, some of the darkest of dark days are passing into history……finally. The future is about to begin…….mercifully.

An unnecessary and unjustifiable war at a cost of three trillion dollars; a crashing economy at a cost of trillions more; a degraded environment, a dissipated Earth…….priceless.

And people responsible for these nightmares want their 2008 bonuses……predictable.

Dec 21, 2008 - 7:51 am 43. joe:

Yes indeed.

Dec 22, 2008 - 12:18 pm 44. Steynianism 300 « Free Canuckistan!:

[...] EUTOPIA– ““Why aren’t people rioting in the streets?” Kimball: “I used to ask that [...]

Dec 23, 2008 - 1:56 pm