Wry Catcher
Diamond Member
- Banned
- #61
I never heard any allegations regarding Reagan, though I disagreed with about everything he did as governor, and most of what he did as president. I don't believe he was evil or perverted - simply misguided, having lived in a bubble of provledge for most of his adult life.
However, the OP is not about Reagan's private life, it's about business and taxes. I surmise - because I don't have all the facts, and unlike WT don't simply repeat talking points as if they are the be all, end all, of any debate - that businesses noted in the OP are expanding not leaving California, and those that are have reasons beyond one simple explanation - taxes are too high.
That said, local taxes, fees, permits, etc are out of hand. To open a small business in California one is burdened by county and city rules whose costs make opening a small business much more expensive then it ought to be. Beyond that, parking meters have become a burden; to enjoy a meal in a small restaurant one must deposit .25 cents for each ten minutes they are dinning.
The reason being Cities and Counties have had their usual source of revenue (property taxes and sales taxes) raided by the State and special districts.
Why? Because the R legislatures refuse any tax increases (on income) and make local elected officials bear the brunt of rasining taxes - thereby protecting the state lawmakers job.
If California rasied the tax rate on income, we would send less money to the Federal Government and retain more for local needs. The individual taxpayer may pay more income tax, but will recieve more and better service in return (for, as we all know, federal money comes with strings attached).
Of course such a suggestion is pragmatic, and offends the ideologues who contend we can all enjoy a free lunch, or the more extreme RW fringe who believe (apparently) if we all carried firearms there would be no need for police services.
However, the OP is not about Reagan's private life, it's about business and taxes. I surmise - because I don't have all the facts, and unlike WT don't simply repeat talking points as if they are the be all, end all, of any debate - that businesses noted in the OP are expanding not leaving California, and those that are have reasons beyond one simple explanation - taxes are too high.
That said, local taxes, fees, permits, etc are out of hand. To open a small business in California one is burdened by county and city rules whose costs make opening a small business much more expensive then it ought to be. Beyond that, parking meters have become a burden; to enjoy a meal in a small restaurant one must deposit .25 cents for each ten minutes they are dinning.
The reason being Cities and Counties have had their usual source of revenue (property taxes and sales taxes) raided by the State and special districts.
Why? Because the R legislatures refuse any tax increases (on income) and make local elected officials bear the brunt of rasining taxes - thereby protecting the state lawmakers job.
If California rasied the tax rate on income, we would send less money to the Federal Government and retain more for local needs. The individual taxpayer may pay more income tax, but will recieve more and better service in return (for, as we all know, federal money comes with strings attached).
Of course such a suggestion is pragmatic, and offends the ideologues who contend we can all enjoy a free lunch, or the more extreme RW fringe who believe (apparently) if we all carried firearms there would be no need for police services.