Illinois residents have been willing to deal with some pretty steep tax increases. But Gov. Pat Quinn may have gone too far this time: Quinn wants to tax coffee and sweetened tea products in grocery stores in the same manner as soft drinks.
Gov Quinn has also suggested raising taxes and fees on driver’s licenses (double to $20), license plates ($20 increase), hunting and fishing licenses, cigarettes ($1 increase), and tickets to the State Fair (horrors!). He also wants to extend the state’s sales tax to some shampoo and personal hygiene products.
Chicago, the largest city in Illinois, already has one of the most expensive tax structures in the country, with a sales tax of more than 10%. The newest proposals from the Governor – as well as those already in place in Cook County – are already drawing complaints. And the complaints don’t stop at the city line – residents all over the state have been protesting what they consider “nickel and dime” reactions to a massive budget crunch.
Proponents of the various tax and fee increases argue that they have no real alternatives. Without additional increases on fees and sales taxes, they claim that property taxes will face another increase – or worse (we all know what that means: income taxes!).
Ugh. I know that states and municipalities are suffering in this economy. And I know that taxation feels like the fastest, easiest way to increase revenue. My own great city of Philadelphia has been talking up property and sales tax increases, too, to attack a massive deficit. But taxing coffee? Even bottled, that’s just heresy!
Did I wake up from a coma and find that they have outlawed cutting government spending?
What is up with governments hitting people harder and harder to support their bloated pork barrel budgets when the people are hurting the most they have in 25 years?
Do politicians believe that they and the government they run are so important that we cannot live w/o their massive government?
While the federal government is spending massive amounts of money they don’t have, to give states money they supposedly need for stimulus, the states feel it necessary to confiscate more of our money so they can continue to prop up the failed monstrosities. They will never have enough. They will always seek to take more as long as the average citizen believes that it is someone else paying the bill. Maybe taxes on coffee and tea will wake up the masses who never seem to care enough to even vote. Maybe they will wake up and see America’s prosperity be crushed by big government.
NO MORE TAXES ESPECIALLY INCOME WE ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF INCOME AND HOPING TO MAKE IT EACH WEEK WHAT IS HE THINKING????????????????????????????????????
My 23 year old austistic son bags groceries part-time at a store. He made $5600.00 last year (2008). Paid $40.+ in federal taxes to the federal government and triple that to the state of IL for taxes (approximately $150.) After calculating his taxes for him, he’s getting $11.00 back from the federal government BUT has to pay an additional $55.+ to the state. How can it be that a disabled adult who makes around $100/week has to pay three times the federal tax rate amount to the state? We claim him on our taxes since he doesn’t receive social security benefits (denied – thanks state of IL). Their services to the disabled ranks 48th in the country. Illinois – you suck. Your politicians suck. Your spending of our money foolishly for crap like the 2016 Olympic bid sucks. Laying down brick sidewalks for $500,000 in our town sucks. How about helping those who can’t help themselves? Let’s begin by not taking from those who have little to give as it is and struggle to care for themselves while not being another burden on your books. I’m tired of paying for others while struggling to just take care of ourselves. The middle class gets the short end in Illinois every single time.
every one check out state bill HR0544 UNBELIVEABLE what your state is doing on your dime
I am a lifelong Democrat who will NOT be voting for Quinn or any politician who supports raising taxes. Last year I made $14,000 (after losing my professional job) and had to pay $800 in taxes. For what? Not just that, but Quinn wants to raise taxes on single people to support parents. How is that fair? I haven’t gotten started on how many people can’t get assistance who need it yet those who never paid in (illegals for example) make money.
Oh, and most of the tax money goes to support freeloading government officials. I used to work for a certain transportation company in Illinois (rhymes with “Betcha”) and you’d hate how they waste tax money. All politicians in Illinois stink.
I asked pat quin to go with the green party and help legalize pot here is his repply they said out and in the open and clear here is pats answer Dear Mr. Sievert,
Thank you for contacting Quinn for Illinois. We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
As far as medical marijuana, we appreciate you sharing your input and will certainly consider it. In general, Governor Quinn believes that people who are seriously ill deserve access to all medical treatments that will help them fight their illness and recover. He would carefully consider the exact terms of a bill legalizing medical marijuana to ensure proper regulation and oversight. Depending on the bill, Governor Quinn is open to legalizing the prescription of medial marijuana for debilitating illnesses.
Thank you for sharing your thought with Quinn for Illinois. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any future questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Quinn for Illinois
676 N. LaSalle Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60654
312.654.8888
Here is my reply to him I am in Illinois and i can not have it i have a back problem i have a nerve problem also who are you to decide who can have relief? Are you a god when the alcohol gives relief but then i cannot drive it affects to much of my higher brain now look at this and your answer sucks I want you voted out now so good luck!
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:44:02 -0500
I am doing my part now it is your turn and vote this shrill out of here!
“They wanted more transparency, well here it is. “Right up in your face the monster that we all embrace……..
If a fusion does not qualify me for back pain from this whether changing so much than what is the question of pain is it someone sticking you with a tack well when it gets cold and the temperature changes fast that’s how my back feels sometimes like someone sticking little tacks into my back. “I Say man try it and see how it feels OK i might not be bleeding but it sure hurts like hell……….
I asked pat quin to go with the green party and help legalize pot here is his reply they said out and in the open and clear here is pats answer Dear Mr. Sievert,
Thank you for contacting Quinn for Illinois. We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
As far as medical marijuana, we appreciate you sharing your input and will certainly consider it. In general, Governor Quinn believes that people who are seriously ill deserve access to all medical treatments that will help them fight their illness and recover. He would carefully consider the exact terms of a bill legalizing medical marijuana to ensure proper regulation and oversight. Depending on the bill, Governor Quinn is open to legalizing the prescription of medial marijuana for debilitating illnesses.
Thank you for sharing your thought with Quinn for Illinois. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any future questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Quinn for Illinois
676 N. LaSalle Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60654
312.654.8888
Here is my reply to him I am in Illinois and i can not have it i have a back problem i have a nerve problem also who are you to decide who can have the relief? Are you a god when the alcohol gives relief but then i cannot drive it effects too much of my higher brain now look at this and your answer sucks I want you voted out now so good luck!
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:44:02 -0500
I am doing my part now it is your turn and vote this shrill out of here!
“They wanted more transparency, well here it is. “Right up in your face the monster that we all embrace……..
If a fusion does not qualify me for back pain from this weather changing so much than what is the question of pain is it someone sticking you with a tack well when it gets cold and the temperature changes fast that is how my back feels sometimes like someone sticking little tacks into my back. “I Say man try it and see how it feels OK i might not be bleeding but it sure hurts like hell……….
It’s only a matter of time before there are to many of us to ignore,And we will decide, if your with us your in, if your not your out !!