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Oct
10
I’m optimistic
Filed Under COIT, Election 2008, Gerry Scheub, economy, optimism | 6 Comments
Despite all of the economic stuff on here lately — and the hiatus to sit back and concentrate on matters in the real world — I am optimistic about the future.
To wit:
The markets may have turned a corner and buyers will start picking up bargains. If they don’t, it is only a matter of time before someone starts buying everything of value is is currently on sale. My retirement isn’t for another 25-30 years or so, so there’s plenty of time for the market to appreciate and for wealth to be built. And, I’m hoping for the best for those who are looking to retire in the near future.
My wife had a car that suffered a fault was covered by the factory warranty with $0 out of pocket. We were fairly loyal customers of Toyota before, but this will definitely earn them some money over the coming years when it comes time to purchase new vehicles. Having said that, we’re also going to get a Ford as well since I’m eligible for the “X” plan. (Disclaimer — I have a financial interest in seeing Ford and GM do well, so go out and buy a Ford or GM product right now!).
I saw Commissioner Gerry Scheub the other day canvassing the neighborhood and he spoke of fighting against new taxes. Any candidate who has fought the good fight against the 1% Lake County income tax and promises to keep on fighting against it has my vote. (Disclaimer — I split my ticket based on issues. When I was in Hobart, I always voted for Rep. Chet Dobis because he voted the right way on certain issues.) It’s a good day in Lake County when a Democrat’s main issue is trying to keep money in taxpayer’s pockets — and that Democrat has a proven track record of standing up against serious pressure to back down from his position.
Also, false voter registrations were caught before they had a chance to infect the system. Of course, I’m sure we’d all figure out there was something wrong if Jimmy Johns had voted 72 times from various polling places in Nov. (Disclaimer — I like Jimmy Johns’ Italian sub, the #5 Vito. I suggest voting for #5 when you go to JJ’s sandwich shop). Also, if the vote takes 12 hours to be counted at the satellite locations and 1 million plus new voters turn out, we’ll all know that a certain community organization has been busy filling out voter registrations. Like the primary and the Lake County vote count controversy, I’m sure it will get us on CNN and everyone knows any publicity is good publicity!
I’m glad to see John McCain saying that Barack Obama is a good guy and calming down some of the more fervent supporters who are ready to launch into Moveon.org-type strangeness. If eight years of Bush-hating has taught us anything, it’s the lesson that haters never win converts. If McCain is going to win, it will be on the merits of his ideas and an optimistic message. Going negative won’t win over the people who are just tuning in at this late date and just opens the door to counter-attacks. McCain realizes this and that’s another reason for optimism.
A new day will be here sooner than we know it and things should work out just fine, no matter what happens.
Jan
23
Sen. Landske Helps Lake Co. Income Tax Proponents
Filed Under COIT, Income Tax, Lake County, Sen. Sue Landske | 4 Comments
John Byrne reports from the statehouse in his blog that Sen. Sue Landske has added an amendment to Senate Bill 20 that provides for three ways to distribute funds from a proposed Lake County income tax.
Under Sen. Sue Landske’s amendment to Senate Bill 20, Lake County will have the option to distribute money raised through an income tax in three ways: to keep the money in the municipality where it is raised, to apply all funds to the county property tax levy, or to distribute 60 percent of funds where they are raised and the other 40 percent based on municipalities’ populations.
It’s great to see the Post-Tribune has embraced blogging in 2008!
See more great Northwest Indiana blogs at nwiblogs.com.
Jan
22
If Income Tax Is Approved, Can We Trust It Will Stay At 1%?
Filed Under COIT, Income Tax | 4 Comments
Query: If the Lake County Council is able to figure out a way to pass a county option income tax and also convince the Commissioners to go along, can we trust that the new tax won’t rise from 1 percent to 4.5 percent (or more) at some point in the future?
Steve Dalton replied to an earlier post about the efforts in the General Assembly to get a brand new tax for Lake County:
Ok, I’ll take the bait. I for one think that Lake County should move to an income tax, and use the proceeds as a way to cut property taxes.
In addition I think that all Lake County government offices should have to cut 15% from their spending in 2008, so don’t think that I’ve lost my conservative way.
I’ve been arguing with Buzzcut that a consumption or income tax is always fairer than an asset tax anyway.
I personally don’t trust the local government to cut back and fully expect that as soon as new tax money rolls in, it will immediately be allocated and more “needs” — some legitimate and some not so much — will be found requiring another tax increase.
I could be wrong, however.
Any thoughts?
Jan
18
Will Lake Co. Income Tax Arise From Death?
Filed Under COIT, Income Tax, Lake County Council | 3 Comments
Just when it seemed that the proposed Lake County income tax was dead and buried after angry villagers with torches and pitch forks vanquished it, the second act of the play begins.
Like an evil creature from a Stephen King novel, the proposed Lake County income tax is slowing coming back to life.
Only time will tell if the evil creation will be powerful enough to defeat the good guys and destroy the local economy by rearing its ugly head just as economists are predicting a recession.
Read more at nwiblogs.com.
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