This press release from Americans For Prosperity just popped up in my mailbox:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 22, 2006
Contact: Mark Block (262) 617-2716 or Annie Patnaude (202) 349-5896Americans for Prosperity Delivers Pigs to Legislature, Hearing Aid to Governor in Strong Message: No New Taxes
MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin chapter of the free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today delivered toy pigs to the Wisconsin legislature as symbols of the tax-hiking compromise budget slated to come up for a vote Tuesday. Governor Doyle and Speaker Huebsch unwisely continue to refuse to listen to Wisconsin citizens, the group says, so they will be sent hearing aids.
AFP Wisconsin Director Mark Block made the following statement:
“Governor Doyle and many members of the legislature chose to have selective hearing even after Wisconsin taxpayers brought their outrage over proposed new taxes to the steps of the Capitol. The proposed budget compromise ignores taxpayers wishes by including tax hikes and failing to deliver tax deductibility for Health Savings Accounts.
“"I said last week that if the Governor and the legislature did not hear the voices of the taxpayers in Wisconsin we would have little choice but to think they were deaf. We’ll be sending Speaker Huebsch and the Governor hearing aids to remind them to listen to taxpayers not just special interests.
“"Even as Wisconsin loses jobs, politicians are seeking ways to hike taxes. Today we are urging the legislature to defeat attempts to pass a budget compromise that raises taxes." Block said.
“"Decades ago Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen said of the grassroots, "˜’When I feel the heat, I see the light.’ We came to Madison last week to do just that – turn up the heat. Yet tax-happy politicians continue to refuse to listen."
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Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is the nation’s premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages Citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
Can they hear us now?
No.
The most insidious part of this “budget” is the increasing reliance on bonded debt. And the most egregious pile of crap in that “debt” picture is another $160MM to purchase acreage.
The State already owns ONE-SIXTH of the land in Wisconsin. What the Hell do they need MORE for?
To recreate Soviet Russia? Cuba perhaps?
No budget should include bonds. Something about government being afraid to slash budgets. Instead they raise taxes, raid the malpractice fund, and borrow cash to make it work. Idiots.
But then again, I do work for a state institution. I’m pleased we have a budget, as bad as it may be. Hate to see all those students denied a chance to take Freshman Comp.