To off-set New York's economic woes, it seems Gov. Eliot Spitzer is turning couch cushions.
Spitzer has proposed changing the classification of hard lemonades and flavored alcoholic beverages from beer to liquor. He also intends to tax small cigars as cigarettes, increasing tax revenue. It's legal, but shady.
An innovative idea, the scheme could generate quite a bit of revenue for New York without raising income taxes. But it sets a bad precedent.
Who's to say what else could be “reclassified” in a pinch?
Spitzer also wants to impose a tax on Internet giants, as currently New Yorkers are trusted to report on their tax forms how much they spend online.
But most middle class families end up paying in anyway; there isn't much incentive to be upfront about expenditures.
It seems everyone is digging into their pockets for loose change.
Found money may help you squeak by, but it doesn't solve the problem.
The problem is that America was built on credit. It's as American an apple pie. In fact, U.S. currency is credit, commonly accepted as a medium of exchange.
It's a good system, providing the money is constantly rolling over.
But job growth is shrinking and outsourcing is increasing.
Factory jobs and plants are sending their projects overseas, unable to keep up with the increasing minimum wage.
Ultimately, the American workforce needs to get smarter.
Unskilled jobs that sustained post World War II families no longer match the education level of our youth.
With more and more students attending college, America needs to trade low wages for high skills.
Obviously, this change won't happen overnight or in enough time to counterbalance the imminent recession.
Band-Aids like Spitzer's may help the New York economy limp along, but consider the long term effects.
If these economic issues aren't properly addressed, essentials such as health care and education will suffer the consequences of a creative gamble.
And if Bartles & Jaymes is a liquor, I'm the Duchess of Kent.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
An innovative idea, the scheme could generate quite a bit of revenue for New York without raising income taxes. But it sets a bad precedent.
Who's to say what else could be “reclassified” in a pinch?
Spitzer also wants to impose a tax on Internet giants, as currently New Yorkers are trusted to report on their tax forms how much they spend online.
But most middle class families end up paying in anyway; there isn't much incentive to be upfront about expenditures.
It seems everyone is digging into their pockets for loose change.
Found money may help you squeak by, but it doesn't solve the problem.
The problem is that America was built on credit. It's as American an apple pie. In fact, U.S. currency is credit, commonly accepted as a medium of exchange.
It's a good system, providing the money is constantly rolling over.
But job growth is shrinking and outsourcing is increasing.
Factory jobs and plants are sending their projects overseas, unable to keep up with the increasing minimum wage.
Ultimately, the American workforce needs to get smarter.
Unskilled jobs that sustained post World War II families no longer match the education level of our youth.
With more and more students attending college, America needs to trade low wages for high skills.
Obviously, this change won't happen overnight or in enough time to counterbalance the imminent recession.
Band-Aids like Spitzer's may help the New York economy limp along, but consider the long term effects.
If these economic issues aren't properly addressed, essentials such as health care and education will suffer the consequences of a creative gamble.
And if Bartles & Jaymes is a liquor, I'm the Duchess of Kent.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
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Hillbilly wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:12 AM:
Any successful graduate of the Syracuse City School District could attend any state college or university for free, under a pilot program included in Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s proposed budget package.
The state would pay all tuition and fees for city graduates who met "middle school Regents standards" to attend any State University of New York school or the City University of New York, according to a bill memo that ties proposed increases in school funding to improving student performance.
Next we will be paying students for going to school, wait someones already doing it. Yes, right now it's with private funds. But, how long will it be before they say they can't afford it anymore and the tax payer needs to pick up the cost?
As for going to college I had to pay for my own. Oh wait, I could not afford it so I did not go. I did enlist and I got a great education. One that I built a career on and retired from. Now I'm suppose to pay my taxes so city kids today can go to college? What part of cutting costs does Eliot not understand. This is not cutting this is adding. All I can say is I DID NOT VOTE FOR THIS IDIOT. I advise any kid starting out to get out of N.Y. State or you will regret it in the long run. My own kids included. "
Dan W wrote on Feb 4, 2008 4:46 PM: