Republicans

In my last posting I put the lie to the claim that the rich pay more than their share of taxes. Let me now put the lie to the claim that Republicans are tax cutters. They are tax shifters.

If you were to name the least favorite tax to Republicans like it would be hands down, the progressive income tax. Recall what it was called in the last posting - "legal plunder." So, how do they want to pay for the public goods and services we all need? Well, they want to shift the system from the more progressive taxes , which emphasize ability to pay as a factor in setting rates, to ones which ignore ability to pay and emphasize "flat , one size fits all equality". Consumption/sales taxes are one example. Such taxes have the impact of shifting tax burdens from those who are benefitting to most AND can afford to pay their share to those who are less able to do so. In other words, the game is shift the tax burden

By lightseeker2

Now comes this blazing headline:

New road projects could stop, officials say

Transportation officials cite private toll road ban, loss of federal money and flat gas tax.

By Ben Wear

Texas, absent meaningful policy changes, will see no new road projects begin after this coming year, Texas Department of Transportation officials said today.

The message was a rhetorical shiver delivered to a Legislature that last spring moved to cut off most private toll road contracts with the agency while declining to raise the state's stagnant gas tax.

Recall Republican operative and conservative guru Grover Norquist's admonition about the Federal government? He wanted to make it so small we could drown it in a bathtub. Also, bring to mind the long term strategy put in place by the Republicans ever since the days of St. Ronnie.

What does all this have to do with "Rollerball"? I'll tell you below the fold.

The headline read: "Vexed PUC officials chide TXU investors Agency unable to hold shareholders to commitments to cut electric bills."

AUSTIN — The Public Utility Commission on Thursday said it lacks authority to hold investors buying Dallas-based TXU to their stated promises to reduce electric bills and build fewer coal plants.

The commissioners chastised the investors for saying in published comments that oversight from state regulators was welcomed and then filing legal briefs opposing the review.

In Texas, always beware when fat cats and politicans make common cause. This time, it the issue is the buyout of TXU. There was much rejoicing when the buyers promised envornmentalits to limit the number of new coal burning plants, among things. Now comes this report:

When the state leaders hate public education, it is the children that suffer.
The Great Decider, in his own bumbling way, lifted the veil on the Conservative approach to education:

“You teach a child to read and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.”

This is what Perry and the school choice crowd have wrought: