tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366199.post6668625157073781340..comments2023-12-24T00:27:57.613-06:00Comments on Kole Hard Facts of Life: Mike Kolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17573721231319244630noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366199.post-31682256500130729312007-05-30T20:58:00.000-05:002007-05-30T20:58:00.000-05:00Mike,You are right on the money - they lack the wi...Mike,<BR/><BR/>You are right on the money - they lack the will to cut spending in the necessary areas to abolish this tax. It truly is an addiction. I <A HREF="http://fortwayneindiana.blogspot.com/2007/02/state-democrats-just-cant-quite-seize.html" REL="nofollow">blogged about this</A> at the time (partially copied below):<BR/><BR/>"This was a golden opportunity to eliminate a tax that is a burden on working class Hoosiers. They also had an opportunity to put the republicans on the defensive by making them go on the record by voting against the repeal of a tax.<BR/><BR/>Like financial junkies, at the end of the day they just couldn't break the habit. They NEED those tax dollars. Any effort to see where they could reduce spending or find another creative solution? Nope."Jeff Pruitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01996970649630375507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366199.post-8329876684717283452007-05-29T22:23:00.000-05:002007-05-29T22:23:00.000-05:00Michael & Jeff- You both point out info I was not ...Michael & Jeff- You both point out info I was not fully aware of: the two-taxes-on-gasoline situation.<BR/><BR/>I fully agree that one of the taxes- the sales tax- should be abolished. The flat tax should remain, for the purpose of funding the roads. And yes, Michael, absolutely, the funds should go strictly where they are supposed to go.<BR/><BR/>So, what's with the Democrats? They made a pledge that was sure to be popular. Why do you believe they failed to follow through? For my money, I believe they are addicted to the spending. Not saying Republicans aren't. They are. But is it simply that Dems believe they will be well thought of just for talking the talk without having to walk the walk?Mike Kolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17573721231319244630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366199.post-73418646673990390642007-05-29T22:13:00.000-05:002007-05-29T22:13:00.000-05:00The sales tax on gasoline should be abolished (as ...The sales tax on gasoline should be abolished (as the Democrats pledged to do but then failed to actually do).<BR/><BR/>As gasoline prices go up the state rakes in more money - this is much different than the gas tax you discussed which is a flat fee per gallon. In the salex tax case, higher prices are the equivalent of a tax increase...Jeff Pruitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01996970649630375507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366199.post-22974893932446528102007-05-26T14:03:00.000-05:002007-05-26T14:03:00.000-05:00Indiana imposes 2 taxes on gasoline consumers. The...Indiana imposes 2 taxes on gasoline consumers. The standard 18 cent gas tax and the sales tax. With prices hovering at $3.50 a gallon people are paying an additional .21 a gallon. That tax is not a user tax and should be disposed of. All it is is a revenue generator for the state, not a user fee, which I can almost agree with (if the funds actually went where they were supposed to go).Michael Jarrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11482933886376216416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366199.post-85786546622198316782007-05-25T19:03:00.000-05:002007-05-25T19:03:00.000-05:00Todd- this is why you are State Chair. Inelastic. ...Todd- this is why you are State Chair. Inelastic. Not elastic. Right you are!Mike Kolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17573721231319244630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366199.post-83165684704035142892007-05-25T16:10:00.000-05:002007-05-25T16:10:00.000-05:00Good post, but I think you got the economics point...Good post, but I think you got the economics point backwards. Generally speaking, gasoline is an <B>inelastic</B> good. (The Wiki article you link to mentions this as well.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366199.post-17681899693353224922007-05-25T10:23:00.000-05:002007-05-25T10:23:00.000-05:00Could this be the next poll question?Could this be the next poll question?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com