So today marks the beginning of the 149th General Assembly. Let us take a moment today to make some predictions and create a wish list for our legislators. I will start it off with predicting that we will be punished for the fiscal ineptitude of the past, with a gasoline tax. After all it was defeated last year during an election year, but this isn’t an election year, now is it?
I will couple that prediction with another, Republicans will attach some meaningless amendment to the tax to make it look like they actually had some kind of influence.
Please consider this an open thread, and let us begin the new year, and the new start here at Delaware Right with a rousing conversation. Let’s Do Delaware Right!
Congratulations Frank.
Starting some new dialogue instead of the same old attack on the SC GOP.
But unfortunately it’s too late. 2016 was the year for the all hands on deck approach.
No doubts on what’s about to happen. Higher taxes cometh.
If the Republicans were smart, they’d let the gas tax get passed with no amendments whatsoever, then hang it around their necks in ’18. Every constituency has a breaking point, including “liberals,” especially when it his them in the wallet.
The goal of all Socialist-Democrats is to grow government. More “programs,” more taxes. When do they say “enough?” Never. Carried to its logical conclusion, government- the state- conrols virtually everything. That’s why the Founders designed a limited government with clearly delineated powers, and explains why “liberals” slander, attack and denigrate anyone who strives to preserve it.
So where does the money come from for the roads without an increase in gas tax?
We certainly can’t expect the super rich to pay a cent more. In fact, the super rich need another tax cut
“We certainly can’t expect the super rich to pay a cent more. In fact, the super rich need another tax cut” – mouse
mouse,
Every republican knows that the rich don’t have enough money and the poor have too much.
Yeah, dupes
I would welcome any tax they feel the need to levy, if the monies can be safeguarded to not be spent elsewhere on more pork, or the continuation of Colin O’maras DNREC dream of turning DE into a utopia of nonsense.
We certainly can’t expect the super rich to pay a cent more. In fact, the super rich need another tax cut…
Which party represents the “super rich?” You know, who do the Hollywood elites, pop stars, Silicon Valley billionaires and Wall Street millionaires support?
The Socialist-Democrats.
Man, you are sooooo out-of-touch.
Speaking of wasting money….
The DDD program has been a central part of our efforts to revitalize Delaware’s downtown business districts and drive private investment in our towns and cities. In just two years, the DDD program has leveraged dramatic private investment in a wide variety of projects.” Governor Markell said. “Encouraging private investment that also revitalizes our downtown business districts and surrounding neighborhoods is the goal of the DDD program, and we’re thrilled that it has been so successful.”
How many times are they going to “revitalize” Milford?
I have witnessed the resurgence of three “downtowns,” Alexandria Virginia, Northampton Mass., and Lewes. And one thing they all had in common; safe peripheral neighborhoods.
You simply cannot expect investment or customers if the surrounding area is semi-ghetto.
Elsewhere in the article it is noted that someone is opening a new restaurant in the old bank building in downtown Milford. This may actually work; it is made of granite, has bars on the windows, and they can lock the booze in the vault overnight.
So Mouse and Delacrat, who do you think an additional ten cents a gallon on gasoline will affect more? The guy making six figures a year? Or the single mother working two jobs and collecting welfare to make ends meet? Not to mention that every product which arrives at every store in this state does so in a truck, and the tax increase will also be passed along to consumers.
A gasoline tax increase will be punitive on the working class, and won’t be a blip on the income radar of the so called rich.
And who is in charge of Delaware now, and for decades? The Democrats have raided the highway fund in order to pay the bill for entitlements and needle programs and many other social programs.
Of course this has been possible because the Delaware Republican party has been ineffectual as even a minority opposition.
Instead of seeking more revenue at the expense of the poorest among us, might it not be time for both parties to look for real change in how we do business? It is obvious that we cannot tax our way out of a $350 billion deficit.
Anyone with a debt structure understands that to close a deficit, you stop spending on new things, tighten the belt where possible, and do not decrease your income. Based on this logic I fail to understand why the R’s are pushing to repeal the estate tax?
As was predicted, the folks at leg hall are focusing on dogs, helmet laws, and giving the salary increase the boot, instead of closing the deficit.
….who do you think an additional ten cents a gallon on gasoline will affect more? The guy making six figures a year? Or the single mother working two jobs and collecting welfare to make ends meet? Not to mention that every product which arrives at every store in this state does so in a truck, and the tax increase will also be passed along to consumers.
The Socialist-Democrats don’t care. They need money. The goal of the left- the Socialist-Democrats-is an ever-expanding central government, with a concurrent expansion of power. And they will never-ever- stop. And neither will the taxation.
And when Republicans “compromise” with the left- give them 80% of what they want while fighting for 20%- they merely slow the rate of growth. The proper course would be to cut “programs” and to cut spending. Alas, that will probably never happen, so in the interim, fight tooth-and-nail over every proposed expansion.
Someday, people will learn-the hard way- that there is no free stuff. Will it be too late?
Frank,
“The single mother working two jobs and collecting welfare to make ends meet” is likely too poor to own a car and gets to her two jobs by bus, which runs on diesel, not gasoline. Hence, she would not be affected at all by a gas tax increase. And if you really gave a damn about said single mother, you be advocating for an increase in the minimum wage.
“Not to mention that every product which arrives at every store in this state does so in a truck,”, running on diesel, not gasoline. (If your propane truck runs on diesel, stop fueling it with gasoline.)
The single mother working two jobs and collecting welfare to make ends meet” is likely too poor to own a car and gets to her two jobs by bus….
Do you have to everything literally?
There are thousands of mem and women in Delaware living paycheck-to-paycheck who own and drive cars. Thousands of times the number who ride the bus, especially in Sussex.
What are we supposed to do, raise the minimum wage every time Delaware raises taxes and fees?
And what about the argument that raising the minimum wage stunts job growth, in that small businesses- the largest employer segment in America- cannot afford to expand and hire when they’re forced to raise employee wages- not based upon merit- but because of government edicts?
Delacrat you caught me, I misspoke. I called a gas tax, when in reality it is a fuel tax, and somehow I can’t see the star exempting diesel fuel and missing out on that revenue. And if you take a look at the buses down here in Sussex, there are very few people riding them, but maybe that is the hidden agenda of the tax, to force people onto the state run bus systems.
Raising the minimum wage has already had its effects on the working class. They got what they wanted and now they are getting the effects of their efforts.
Walmart and fast food stores are and have been slowly integrating self order and checkout kiosks to reduce the labors workforce and lay off existing personnel.
They were warned by big business that it would happen BC the business community cannot afford it. Too much overhead. So they eliminate jobs.
Entry level jobs are just what they are intended for: young people starting out into the work force not for people who are in there thirties and forties with kids and limited education.
They are the dumb asses that fooled around in K-12 public schools, didn’t get their free education, didn’t continue their education or job skills, didn’t plan their life careers, didn’t plan for kids, didn’t plan having a family to care for or paying bills, didn’t plan on retirement, didn’t plan on Healthcare so the rest of us who do plan, pay taxes for those who don’t plan.
What they do plan for is: absolutely doing not damn thing but living off the rest of us through public assistance, doing drugs, drinking alcohol and gambling. All they want to do is eat, sleep, shit, sex and have kids.
And the Democrats want to give them more of the same: Free Stuff to get their votes. The millidumb generation is eat up with free stuff stupidity only BC of their Progressive parents giving them everything while growing up. They don’t want to work for their college education BC they have no work ethic at all.
Delaware is sadly a state of the past and will now slowly die BC of the welfare state of the individuals residing who want free stuff. Every year will continue to get worse. New Progressive liberals move here and more 18 yr. old Progressive liberals are eligible to vote.
Yes 2016 was the year Republicans had a chance with public support for non establishment candidates hence the Trump phenomenon.
Delaware Republican Party and it’s old guard stalwarts loss the state election bc of stupidity.
The left doesn’t understand- or worse, they don’t care- about business. They don’t realize how small profit margins are. They can’t comprehend that when the state arbitrarily raises employee wages by 20, 30, 40 or 50 percent, that there has to be a reaction from ownership, in order to sustain some level of profitability. The reactions include; moving full-time employees to part-time, in order to drop insurance coverage, replacing employees with mechanized service equipment (as you mentioned), hiring freezes, postponing expansion plans and so on. Then, Socialist-Democrats double-down by raising taxes.
Pure stupidity. No wonder states like Texas are stealing business from Socialist-Democrat-dominated regions. Look for it to continue.
“They were warned by big business that it would happen BC the business community cannot afford it. “ – henry
Ain’t it odd how “big business” can afford bloated CEO compensation packages and share buybacks, but “cannot afford” a minimum wage increase, while corporate profits are at historic highs as wages have stagnated.
It’s not clear to me that 10 cents a gallon will affect anyone in the context that you guys sure don’t care when gas goes up by 50 cents a gallon just so the parasitic maggot commodity traders can scalp a few more bucks from the poor.
The rich never have too much and the poor never have too little. Amazes me how you guys so happily bend over for the 1% who could give a damn about you people
Ain’t it odd how “big business” can afford bloated CEO compensation packages and share buybacks, but “cannot afford” a minimum wage increase…
Have you been living in Siberia for the past fifty years?
Most people who work in “big business” don’t work for the minimum wage- or anywhere near it.
I’m not sure what Walmart pays, but I would guess that after a year or so of service, it’s well over minimum wage.
Fast food workers don’t work for McDonald’s. They work for the franchisee.
It is primarily small business that pays at or near the minimum wage. And those small businesses generally have small profit margins. And many of those jobs are not careers, but jobs for part-time workers, students or those with no particular skills.
…you guys so happily bend over for the 1% who could give a damn about you people…
But which party do the super rich support? You know, the people in Hollywood and media, Silicon Valley billionaires, Wall Street millionaires…George Soros?
The Socialist Democrats.
“I’m not sure what Walmart pays, but I would guess that after a year or so of service, it’s well over minimum wage.” – rick
Well, Walmart was held liable for wage theft. but that’s OK with you.
http://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/275064-supreme-court-rejects-wal-mart-case-challenging-class-action-lawsuit
No kind of theft is “okay” with me. That’s why I oppose the socialist policies of the Democrat Party. Because socialism is theft.
We live in a fairy tale land where myths pass for reality. Such as the false supposition that politicians “work” for “us,” the people. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the early era- the era of small government restricted by the language of Article 1., Section 8.- politicians did indeed work for the best interests of the nation and the people. But eventually, our elected “officials” learned that they could exchange largesse from the treasury for votes. Naturally, this led to the formation of disparate grievance constituencies- the working poor, blacks, union labor and so forth- united only in their desire for more government handouts. Today’s politicians- particularly Socialist-Democrats- are essentially professional dispensers of other people’s money. The logical conclusion is economic collapse.
Parenthetically, where in the US Constitution is Congress given the authority to set wages?
Walmart employees qualify for food stamps and medicare. Who do you think pays for that? You people are so in love with the wealthy and powerful that you delude yourself that somehow if uneducated lower class whites shill for the robber baron, that magically your poor minority nemesis will be punished and you angry lower class whites driven by racial resentments will be rewarded. Dupes. I hope when the republicans blow up health care and the social safety net, that the first documented people to be harmed or die are white trash folk in the slave states
You can tell who has owned and operated a business and who has not.
Talking like a moron just proves your a moron.
Walmart employees qualify for food stamps and medicare.
What “Walmark employees?” All of them? Some of them? Many of them? Part-timers? Full-timers with less than a year of service? Ten-year veterans? Walmart’s in the South? In Boston? Everywhere? Some places? Most places?
Statistics please.
You people are so in love with the wealthy and powerful that you delude yourself that somehow if uneducated lower class whites shill for the robber baron, that magically your poor minority nemesis will be punished and you angry lower class whites driven by racial resentments will be rewarded. Dupes.
Huh? Is that supposed to make sense?
Even left-leaning economists acknowledge the possibility that in the long run, raising the minimum wage might do more harm than good. At least there’s room for discussion.
You just can’t comprehend how small profit margins are in small business. And you don’t seem to comprehend that most big businesses- major corporations- have virtually no employees making anything near minimum wage,
I hope when the republicans blow up health care..
Too late. Obama already did.
…and the social safety net…
What “safety net?” Welfare? Medicaid? Social Security? Who has proposed eliminating these programs? Oh, I see…I just feels good to say it.
And since the left- the Socialist-Democrats and “liberals”- want to feed and house illegal aliens and inter-generational parasites, why not do it yourselves? Use your own money. Go hand out $20 bills. Put your own money where your mouth is, and quit stealing from Americans who have no interest in perpetuating the Welfare State of Failure.
….that the first documented people to be harmed or die are white trash folk in the slave states.
Like I said, “liberals” are angry haters.
Bur what about the “white trash” in PA, OH, MI and WI that got Trump elected? You’re okay with them?
“Walmart employees qualify for food stamps and medicare.” – mouse
“What “Walmark employees?……Statistics please.” – rick
Here’s your statistics….
http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/corporate-subsidy-watch/hidden-taxpayer-costs
Why are profitable, dividend-paying firms like Walmart receiving taxpayer subsidies? !
Your “statistics” seem to cover children of employees. But no matter. What percentage of Walmart employees- employees- qualify for food stamps? What percent are paid at or near minimum wage?
Other than Walmart, McDonald’s and so forth, few corporations pay anywhere near the minimum wage. Big labor is always whining about the minimum wage because collective-bargaining agreements are generally tied to the minimum wage rate, even though the union average wage is $22.
Again, where in the constitution is Congress granted the authority to set wages?
I would like to thank Barack Obama for electing Donald Trump.
After all, isn’t it his administration- his “intelligence agencies”- that allowed the Russians to hack government systems and throw the election to Trump? Wasn’t it Obama’s rSecretary of State, Hillary Clinton, that jeopardized state secrets? Isn’t our president- President Obama- and his “intelligence agencies,” who are responsible for their utter lack of a response even though, well before the election, they knew that the Russians had hacked government and personal computers?
Now, we all know why Obama did nothing. Because he, like Hillary, the political establishment and the media, thought the election was in the bag.
Well, if it was “in the bag,” how could the Russians alter the outcome? Obviously, our “intelligence community” isn’t very intelligent.
Walmart is the largest employer in the US.But hey, if the CEO decides to borrow billions of dollars to buy back stocks while he takes full advantage of his stock options diluting everyone’s else’s stock and rising prices, you people cheer for the robber baron. But somehow raising min wage beyond slave wages that qualify for tax payer subsidy, is horrible and is a threat to raise prices? There has to be one of three things going on here; you people either just don’t understand how any of this works and don’t care to, your sadists feeling good about your resentments against the working poor or you’re just pure evil misanthropes rooting for evil at the expense of your fellow man.
“Your “statistics” seem to cover children of employees.” – rick
Statistics should not cover children ?
“…. the union average wage is $22.” – rick
And the problem with that is ………?
“Again, where in the constitution is Congress granted the authority to set wages?” – rick
Even when they controlled the presidency and both houses of Congress during the Bush II years, the GOP never repealed the minimum wage law, understanding that the minimum wage is both constitutional and settled law. But if you think you’ve a constitutional argument for such a repeal, ….. well good luck with that.
Statistics should not cover children ?
Not when the subject was employees.
Statistics should not cover children ?
“…. the union average wage is $22.” – rick
And the problem with that is ………?
The “problem” is that unions tirelessly campaign for a higher minimum wage, when virtually none of their membership are actually paid the minimum wage; hence, their cause is disingenuous. The reality is that collective bargaining agreement pertaining to raises are offen tied to minimum increases. I have no problem with union’s advocating higher wages; I do have a problem with their lying about the sorry economic state of their members when the average wage is $22-per-hour.
“Again, where in the constitution is Congress granted the authority to set wages?” – rick
Even when they controlled the presidency and both houses of Congress during the Bush II years, the GOP never repealed the minimum wage law, understanding that the minimum wage is both constitutional and settled law. But if you think you’ve a constitutional argument for such a repeal, ….. well good luck with that.
The Congress’ failure to act doesn’t render the minimum wage constitutional; it merely shows that politicians won’t touch a political hot potato.
Read the U.S. Constitution, or at least Article I., Section 8., (the powers of Congress). Show me where the Congress has the power to set wages.
Wages are not “commerce” among the states. As a matter of fact, what would be a reasonable wage in New York City would be unreasonable in Selbyville. The same disparity would apply to San Francisco and Valentine TX., and so on.
Citizens might work in several states- an airline pilot, for example, but are paid by their employer in one state. The issuance of a check does not constitute “interstate commerce.”
You might try reading the last few paragraphs of Madison’s “Federalist 41.,” and see how a broad interpretation of general statements when a recitation of specifics is clearly given, is not only nonsensical, but dangerous.
As to “settled law,” Plessy v. Furgeson was “settled law,” too. Parenthetically, since you declared the minimum wage to be “settled law,” perhaps you will provide us with the specific case(s) that demonstrate precident. Try to find one in which the court cites constitutional authority.