28 FEB 2011
First of all, the author is only stating the obvious:
“Future generations are counting on government to do what is right, and that means cutting spending,” said Peggy Venable, AFP-Texas State Director. “No way should we spend all the rainy day funds, and no way should we hesitate for a moment to take a scalpel to government spending.”
“This coalition group of left-wing organizations is clear in their intent to raise taxes,” Venable said.
“In no way can that be considered a ‘balanced’ way to bridge the budget shortfall. Cutting spending, paring back on government bloat, and ensuring a predictable and low-tax business environment are the only ways to ensure long-term success for our state and for Texans across the board.”
“This group advocates for emptying the state’s Rainy Day Fund and raising taxes as a way to bridge the anticipated shortfall in the state’s budget,” said Venable.
“Voters sent a strong message November second,” Venable said. “That message was to stop spending. Lawmakers need to listen and deliver or they will likely be delivered a pink slip come next election.”
“Texas Forward claims that budget cuts will harm ‘the children’ and other Texans,” Venable said.
“That is a baseless, emotional argument that has no truth behind it. Those of us who focus our attention on fiscal issues, conservative approaches to budgeting, and the constitutional limits of government aren’t buying it. Tax increases and government largess hurt the poorest of us most.”
“If enacted, this group’s goals would set Texas back. In these economic times, it is not appropriate to raise taxes or to raid all of the states’ surplus funds. That simply exasperates the problem,” Venable said.
“Americans for Prosperity’s position is that spending cuts need to be made at the federal, state and local levels and that government should not resort to raising taxes, but need to stop feeding the beast,” Venable said. “Taxpayers can spend their own money more wisely than government can.”
Texas Forward has made clear their intent to raise taxes; in a recent interview with KUT News, the group’s organizer, Kimberly Quong Charles said outright that increasing taxes is a reasonable approach to solving the budget problem.
In my opinion, tax reductions will set off a process that can bring gains for everyone. The biggest argument is that budget cuts need to be enforced everywhere. Not just a few places or organizations. Texas has been labeled as a friendly state. How come our politicians can't and won't ever consider taking a budget cut of their own? It seems that the rich will stay rich, aslong as they are in power they will get what they want and the community will continue to creep towards the poverty level that is most feared.
