In order to help reduce their budget problems, the people of Oregon have done what our mostly corrupt and spineless elected officials in Washington, D.C. don't have the strength of character to do. They have increased taxes on individuals making more than $125,000 per year, and families making over $250,000. They have also approved increasing income taxes on corporations.
This is such an obvious solution that it is strange that we don't see it happening all over the country. The nation and indeed much of the world used to follow what California did, although several years later. But California seems to have lost its way.
Oregon now appears to have become one of the leaders (maybe THE leader) in the entire country in sensible and practical people-oriented solutions to society's problems. From green development of city centers and the suburbs, to practical mass transit, and now this latest initiative of reinvigorating progressive taxation.
I lived in Europe for fifteen years, then three years ago I retired, and moved back to America. I've been watching the looney Republican political leadership here in Texas over the last few years. What a bunch of dishonest, greedy jerks. The climate here in the high West Texas desert seems rather nice at first, but the cooler and wetter weather in the Pacific Northwest is looking more attractive all the time. One sees absolutely heartbreaking poverty here on the border with Mexico on a daily basis, and if you are fluent in the Spanish language (which fortunately I am) it sure helps you get by.
Congratulations and praise to the people of Oregon! Keep up the good work.
LINK: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-oregon-tax27-2010jan27,0,3341290.story
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