A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Now that Illinois, Indiana’s neighbor to the west, has decided to raise income taxes by more than 60 percent, a lot of folks—including our editors here at Ricochet—have been asking what I think. When Ricochet calls, I do my best to oblige.
Here’s some of my radio interview with Don and Roma Wade:
Illinois is nothing if not entertaining. It's like living next door to 'The Simpsons', the dysfunctional family down the block.
We took an absolute pledge here in Indiana that we were going to do what it took even as revenues plunged to live within our means because, first of all, raising taxes on people who are already struggling is a very unfair thing to do. Second, if you want to bring new jobs to your state, the last thing you do is make it more expensive to hire people. So in Indiana we’ve been working for six years, and we’re now at the top of everybody’s list of a good place to do business. Going in the other direction really is something that we’re not prepared to do.
And here's my discussion yesterday with Neil Cavuto:
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Jul '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Watch out, Governor Daniels (or would that be Ned Flanders?), or You'll be attracting Them Californians.
May '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Run, Mitch, Run! I already have a spot picked out on my car bumper for a "Mitch for President" sticker.
Oct '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Texas has been attracting Californians for years. It'd be nice if Indiana could help lighten the load. ;)
Dec '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Gov. Daniels, what will you do to indoctrinate new immigrants to your state? The last thing you want is for all the people fleeing high-tax states into Indiana to bring their tax-and-spend attitudes to your ballot box.
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Last summer, I posted a piece on Barack Obama’s lack of executive temperament. Then, I followed up with a series of profiles of Republican governors who seemed to me to exhibit executive temperament -- Bobby Jindal, Chris Christie, and Mitch Daniels. Then, I added a piece, arguing that executive temperament is not enough – that political principles matter even more. Of the three governors whom I looked at, Mitch Daniels seemed to me to be the most promising, at least in the short run. He has been around the block. He knows the federal budget inside and out, and he has accomplished a lot in Indiana of the very sort that is needed in DC. My only grounds for hesitation – unvoiced at the time – was that he seemed intent on budget cuts across the board, and I fear that this means that he does not understand the central importance of national defense and just how damaging our inadequacy in that sphere could be – a subject on which I have commented here and here today. I hope that at some point Daniels will take the trouble to put my fears and those of others like me to rest.
May '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
I'm sure the the people of Indiana had to face some tough decisions in order to "live within" their means, as you said Governor, but if they needed confirmation that the discipline was worthwhile they can watch what the next several years will bring to Illinois, New York and California. As you implied in that interview, the vital thing is to not allow your state to fall into a deep fiscal hole. In CA we have a long climb out ahead of us and we need to do it with a host of other troubles weighing us down. Even the recently inflated Illinois taxes look good to a Californian.
People out here, perhaps in a desperate bid to remain optimistic, say that the inevitable improvement in the business cycle will bring us roaring back, but the great California business engine of decades past has been crippled, like a car stripped by vandals.
The good example of states like Indiana is going to be very important. The voters, not just the legislators, need to see how it can be done and how good life can be even with a lot less government. Thanks for the lesson.
Jun '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Coming soon to a state called Indiana ... my parents and all of their neighbors.
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Jerry Brown: "I'll see your 66% Illinois, and raise you another 10."
Jul '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Governor Daniels, I devoutly hope you run. I'd do everything within my means to support you.
Jul '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Apparently, Jerry Brown has never heard of the black market.
My business competes against illegal aliens and others willing to sell their services for half my rates. They're not paying California's 10% income tax or all the other business taxes I pay.
Plus, many of them get welfare benefits and housing assistance my taxes pay for.
And I get to watch them fumble with their EBT cards on the supermarket line ahead of me.
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Denise, Denise, my fellow Californian, I was enjoying this thread...until I got to your mention of our new governor.
Shall we start looking at real estate in Indiana together?
Jun '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Kenneth
Apparently, Jerry Brown has never heard of the black market.
My business competes against illegal aliens and others willing to sell their services for half my rates. They're not paying California's 10% income tax or all the other business taxes I pay.
Plus, many of them get welfare benefits and housing assistance my taxes pay for.
And I get to watch them fumble with their EBT cards on the supermarket line ahead of me. · Jan 13 at 7:53pm
And don't forget Jerry wants you to pay their tuition to the UC system. And you thought you had it easy. Sheesh.
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Paul, Gov. Daniels and I just yesterday exchanged emails in which he agreed to sit down with me for an episode of Uncommon Knowledge late next month when we're both in Washington (he for the meeting of the National Governors' Association, I for a Hoover event). I'll put your questions to him. Promise.
Jun '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Dear Governor, At the next Governors Conference, if it's at all possible to do so, can you somehow restrain Jerry Brown long enough so you can educate him on how to start to turn California around? You see, he's said on more than one occasion that he just doesn't have a plan and well, since you have a plan and it's been working, we just thought...
What's your consulting fee?
Cheers and keep up the great work!
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
I'd buy tickets to see that exchange.
Edited on Jan 13, 2011 at 9:02pmJul '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Peter Robinson
Paul, Gov. Daniels and I just yesterday exchanged emails in which he agreed to sit down with me for an episode of Uncommon Knowledge late next month when we're both in Washington (he for the meeting of the National Governors' Association, I for a Hoover event). I'll put your questions to him. Promise. · Jan 13 at 8:48pm
I'm staunch on national defense, but I'm also of the belief that the Pentagon, like any other bureaucracy, wastes enormous amounts of money. I would trust Governor Daniels to make judicious cuts to military expenditures.
Aug '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Me three!
May '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
How ya doodly-doin, Mitch? (now where else but Ricochet would that sentence be even remotely plausible?)
I particularly enjoyed how they raised taxes during a lame-duck session. Courage!
Sadly, the nation as a whole is a fiscal Simpsons household. Sure wish there was someone who could do something about that. Hmmm....
Oct '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Are you going to still be friends with Gov Quinn after these comments?
btw, i don't mind illinois raising taxes. the federal system is going to allow us to see which states will succeed--those that increased taxes like illinois? or those states that kept taxes low and cut spending.
Oct '10
Re: A Word About My Neighbors, Marge and Homer Simpson
Thanks, Governor Daniels. I hope more young politicians are inspired by your example. You are creating more evidence for the next edition of Sowell's Economics.
Edited on Jan 13, 2011 at 11:45pm