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We're not threatened by government. They warn us that services are threatened.

The govt doesn't insist on letting prisoners go. They can't afford to keep 'em!

"We don't need any of their tax and spending". Have you a better way?

You villify government when it's clearly TRYING to work for you. And time and again, new taxes are voted down. And if they are passed, some people move their assets into hidden accounts, or create bogus loopholes so they can avoid their taxes.

Quit villifying the necessary! Anarchy isn't going to work. And think on this -- If you vote the incumbents out, the lobbyists salivate and wring their hands, saying "Oh boy! Fresh meat!"

Who pays for these lobbiests? The rich and the unions. Well, the unions wouldn't exist if the rich were willing to pay livable wages. And lets not ignore the unions that the the rich have. They have their pools of money so that they can hire the lobbiests. Doctors have the AMA. The timber industry has the Timber Association. Many sectors have their own 'union', but they don't call them unions.

The U.S. is where people came to escape the tyranny of aristocrats, so that they can have the opportunity to become aristocrats. And now that they are aristocrats, they don't want to show their appreciation by paying an additional 2 percent in taxes. They don't appreciate what they have. They want even more, and tell us that it will hurt us all if they gotta pay more taxes. And they tell us that they pay more than we do, while we, collectively, pay a lot more than they do.

So don't blame government. Don't blame the unions. Blame those who say that more tax is oppressive while they live in 2400 sq foot homes and have many tax loopholes, granted them by their 'unions'. Its time for them to pay what's necessary to "provide for the general welfare".  Let them balance their budget! Let them reorganize.  They have overfunded beaurocracies so that they can widen their tax loopholes. Let them pay this time, instead of the govt!

The government is trying to do you good. The corporations are trying to do themselves good, and who manages them? CEOs that make ungodly amounts of money -- far more than your congressmen, and amounts that are warranted for demi-gods.

Hercules, anyone? I say it's time that Hercules pays for the opportunity to be Hercules. Nike, for example, who recently (we tend forget) was running sweat shops in the far east.

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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We've already heard this. Measure 37 in what year was it, 2002? "If we don't get this passed, we'll move". Well, it passed, capping the punitive liablility for malpractice. We were told that this passing would improve access, and lower costs. It didn't lower ours. Access is still available, for 10-15 uncaring minutes at a time, and only if you're rich or have insurance.

You've had your cost cutting break. How many do you need?

America. Love it or leave it. Gonna leave? I guess I see where you stand.

The U.S. allows you to get rich. Count your blessing. After taxes, even if 66 and 67 pass, you'll still be better off than most of us. You'll still be able to afford your janitorial service, who employs a janitor for mininum wage. And you'll stay in your 2400 sq ft home. And you'll still be able to vacation in Hawaii or the Bahamas, or Europe, while the rest of us go camping in the Cascades (if we can even afford that), not to mention those in the third world who live in grass huts and drive donkey carts. By third world standards, you live like a god! And here you're so oppressed, you gotta leave because if you get a two percent increase in taxes, it's just not fair.

I didn't hear doctors threaten to leave when taxes were imposed on unemployment benefits.

You pay more taxes than most of us do? Well, most of us, collectively, pay more taxes than the few who have loopholes, 2400 sq ft homes, and fabulous vacations out of state and even out of country.

Threaten us, will ya? Timely manner? Okay, leave in a timely manner. Yesterday was a great time. Tomorrow works for me too. 

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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I have already mailed my ballot, so I can't change it and I wouldn't if I could.

I voted yes.  An additional 2% on income over 200,000 amounts to 4000 per year. That isn't going to lay off anybody.

A minimum tax of $10 for a corporation is ridiculous! This has to change! A minimum tax of $150 is inconsequential forthe corporations, and substantial for the welfare of everyone.

EVERYBODY needs schools and police protection and all other government services. Oregonians have blamed the government for years! They say it is bloated. Well, perhaps it is, but then again, year after year of this has gotten us where? Nowhere!

It's time! If companies are making it here, they should give something back. Protesting higher taxes is the norm, but in reality, if it weren't for taxes, you wouldn't be able to make it here. Do you want schools and police protection? Then pay taxes. We all do.

I don't think that this tax hike is gonna hurt anyone so badly that they need to threaten moving out of state. Where are they going to go? To another state, where taxes are already higher? Find one that is lower. Go ahead. Find one. If you do, pretty soon, they'll raise their taxes. That is inevitable. You can go, then complain in that state!

So enough already. Just buck up and pay the tax and stop complaining. If you're making that much money, be grateful for what you have left over. Most people make far less than that.... far less. Be grateful that you don't ride the bus, like more and more people do.

Now go and buy your gadgets -- the LCD TVs for every bedroom in your house. And go take your vacations out of state, as most of the rich do. And be gratefful that you don't live in Cuba, where you can't be rich and do these things. Count your blessings, not your burdens. Your blessings far outweigh your burdens. And if you can't make it here in Oregon and are going to go, then go. Shut up and go. Just do it, either way. Either shut up and pay the tax, or shut up and go to avoid 'em.

I make less than 18000 per year. I don't go around complaining about my income and my tax burden. I make it, and I'm happy that I make it. Oregon is a nice place to live. I'd hate to see it turn into California!

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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