[lbo-talk] Polls: Americans Still Anti-Tax

[Wojtek Sokolowski]

>  When they're given a chance to vote, Americans don't
> like big government.
> 
> Last November 45 percent of the voters in the most
> liberal state in the Union, Ted Kennedy's
> Massachusetts, voted to abolish the state income tax.
> 
> In January, Oregon's liberal electorate rejected a
> proposed tax increase, 55 percent to 45 percent.
> 
> In September Alabama voters rejected Gov. Bob Riley's
> $1.2 billion tax hike by 2 to 1.
> 
> California voters tossed out big-spending Gov. Gray
> Davis, and 62 percent of them voted for candidates who
> promised not to raise taxes to close the state's
> deficit.

That is not surprising, given the dismally low level of public services
provided by the people who call themselves the government in this
country.  Unlike Europeans, whose taxes cover health services,
education, and transportation, US-ers pay taxes, which are wasted on
corporate bailouts, or exotic weapons programs, and on the top of most
people are charged the top dollar for health insurance/service,
education, and transportation.  

I am sure that if the connection between taxes and public services was
evident and transparent, most people would not mind paying higher taxes
if they knew they receive something in return.  

Wojtek