Gov. Jon S. Corzine closed the New Jersey state government over a dispute with fellow Democrats in the Assembly over his plan to increase the sales tax from 6% to 7% to help decrease the states $4.5 billion budget deficit.
Within minutes road construction projects were required to begin winding down. Motor vehicle offices planned to close at noon. About 45,000 state employees were immediately furloughed. State courts were closed for everything but emergencies.
State police, prisons, mental hospitals and child welfare services were to keep operating. State Parks, beaches and historic locations were to be closed by Wednesday, allowing for the 4th of July celebration.
are fighting over 1% sales tax increase, however, both are just ok with -monthly- spending over double the deficit amount to keep the troops in Iraq alone.
Wake up America, it won't be too long before GWB orders the shutdown of the federal govt. as well.
Walkingstick's daughter SSGT Jacqueline is heard to mutter, "Dad, you're right! We have no business over there" while son SGT William just sat and muttered incoherently.
Only one problem with that. When GWB orders shut down of govt, who do you think will fly those govt planes full of troops home? No one. They dont have to work anymore.
And if you had asked me before I read this article, I would've told you the sales tax WAS 7%. I don't want to see it raised, but I don't think it's a big deal. It really only matters on expensive items...and then I go buy them in Delaware (no sales tax).
As a NJ resident, I'm upset as it is, but this problem is nationwide. Government this they can just throw more money at a problem, when in fact, it's outrageous and frivilous spending that has to stop first.
If I give my kid an allowance and find out he or she's been spending it on booze, tattoos, porn, and cigarettes, and hasn't saved a nickel for a future, education, or just a rainy day, do you think increasing his allowance is going to make it better?
Do I have to constantly search for a better job with higher pay just because I'd rather buy my clothes at Guess and Armani Exchange, or perhaps should I suck it up and buy it at Walmart?
There ought to be a checks-and-balance by an independent group to make sure that government spending is money well spent. You've all seen those news reports on how tax dollars are wasted on frivilous lawsuits, uninhibited spending (luxury cars on leases, parties and functions, you name it), totally unnecessary or unneeded research and development, and the list goes on.
Tell me that my 6% is being used to the best of its abilities, then prove to me that there's absolutely no recourse but to go to 7%. I'll go quietly into the night. Until then, not another damn dime should be taken out of the already burdened lower and middle classes.
