But wait a minute. There is a question on the Massachusetts ballot regarding amending the State Constitution. This amendment would raise the taxes on people who earn more than a million dollars a year, in order for them to pay their “fair share.” I suspect that most of us who do not make anything like a million bucks a year will vote for the question.
Well, let’s take a look and see. I suspect that the closer you are to making a million dollars a year, the more likely you might be to vote against the question. It’s just a question of elemental greed. Most of us will figure that if you are earning that much, you should pay more in taxes than the rest of us unfortunates do. That’s just human nature as well as human socialism. Of course, many of us think that under the right circumstances, if things go right, we could make a million dollars a year. If inflation keeps going nuts, a lot of people will be reaching the million dollars a year club. So, it might behoove one to vote no on the amendment. Sooner or later, inflation will include a lot of people in the millionaires’ circle and many people who voted for the question will be sorry.
According to the geniuses who put all of this together, the revenue from this tax hike (because that’s what it is) “…would be subject to appropriation by the state legislature for public education, public college and universities, and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation.”
Think about that for a moment. We are going to raise taxes on some people in order to pay for the things that our regular taxes already pay for. The people who put this together and who want you to vote for this proposition are reminding you that the increased revenue that will be garnered will go toward the very things that your taxes already pay for. There‘s more than a little chutzpah there. My bet is that this will pass big time. Of course, there is a risk here. I’m sure that you are smart enough to have already figured that out. If the basic proposition is that somehow, some way, we taxpayers are getting some kind of a break here you can forget about it. The whole idea is that we are screwed and will continue to be screwed by the tax collectors. Just think about how the game is played. We all know that there are real inequities. If you live in Alford, you get away with tax murder. You come to Great Barrington where you use the facilities including the streets and cops and garbage collection. Same for the Egremont. But hey, this is a point I have made many times. I wish certain county-wide publications would take notice of my lead.
Great Barrington is a pretty special place. Great restaurants, wonderful services including a Select Board that keeps its eye on things. Sure, mistakes are made. I have referred to the roundabout that was foolishly built where Route 23 meets Route 7. I have Iived in this town long enough to remember when we had some pretty bad, self-serving select people. If I had my way, at least one of the incumbents wouldn’t be here, but, hey, that’s what a democracy is all about. Just ask yourself why you don’t run for town office. We all know that it’s a big pain in the rear end. So, we return to the old maxim that if you’re not willing to step up, you should think twice before mouthing off.
The bottom line is, you’ve gotta’ pay for what you’re getting. If you’re a millionaire, it only seems right that you kick in.
