Montana Capitol in 2001 Come January there’s going to be a lot of new legislators that don’t know what to do, and quite a few old ones as well.
I'd like to take this opportunity that having this platform affords me to offer some sound words for these eager and not-so-eager individuals.
I’d like to encourage the 2015 Montana legislature to increase taxes.
I’m sure that’s not what you wanted to hear. Maybe it even smacks of wealth distribution. Perhaps you feel as though the sky is falling.
Well, what did you expect? Now go forth and try not to make a mockery of yourselves. Good luck!
I'd like to take this opportunity that having this platform affords me to offer some sound words for these eager and not-so-eager individuals.
I’d like to encourage the 2015 Montana legislature to increase taxes.
- First, stop playing games and acting like those oil and coal companies that try to dominate our state are such big shots. They're not bigshots, they're bullies, and tax them as they should be taxed, higher than the puny sums they’re paying right now. Last time I was at the pump it didn’t seem like they needed any handouts.
- Next, legalize marijuana and start getting those millions of dollars in quarterly tax revenues to prop up spending on things like this Medicaid expansion, which we know we'll be paying for come 2017 regardless of what happens. Or did you have some other plan to come up with millions of extra dollars each year to prop up the general fund? We need money, this is a way, get over your hang-ups and get into the 21st century.
- Then, direct money into the real driver and engine of our economy, tourism and open spaces. Steve Daines loves to say that coal produces 5,000 good paying jobs, but tourism produces 100,000. Sure, they might not be as good paying, but maybe we can work on that, huh? What’s more, they draw more people to the state than oil and gas. Who wants to look at that shit, or share a photo of it on Facebook? People come here for the outdoors, not what's under the ground. Their money is the same way.
- Finally, give tax rebate checks to all citizens of the state with that extra money in the state coffers. I know a lot of you want to fall all over yourselves and talk about a rainy day fund, but shit – I’m broke. What's that money doing, anyways – collecting interest? Let's put that money to work in our local economies.
I’m sure that’s not what you wanted to hear. Maybe it even smacks of wealth distribution. Perhaps you feel as though the sky is falling.
Well, what did you expect? Now go forth and try not to make a mockery of yourselves. Good luck!
