Taxes pay for state government
Once again (Sunday, March 14) The Tax Man comes out against taxes. Just think of him as “The No Tax Man.” As always, he says nothing about how we fund our government without taxes. This time he bemoans the effect that state taxes have on the wealthy, high earners and profitable corporations.
The No Tax Man quotes but does not rebut folks who say “it makes sense to ask those who are fortunate enough to be doing well in this economy to pay more,” and ask for “the wealthy and profitable corporations to pay their fair share in taxes.” Instead, he attacks them for their “ire.”
He then ignores Economics 101 and asserts taxing high-earning individuals and corporations causes prices to go up. But prices are set by competition and demand, not taxes on profits. The No Tax Man offers no research to suggest otherwise.
Next, he asks us to believe that profitable businesses will close if they have to pay a bit more in taxes. Really? A business making money will stop operating because it’s making a little less money? He must think we’re really dumb.
Finally, he makes one possibly-valid point: Rich folks who won’t pay their fair share will leave the state if taxes increase. How many wealthy folks are in that category? Is it enough to result in a reduction of tax revenue? Again, The No Tax Man offers no research.
He concludes with the preposterous proposition that taxes take “lots of money” out of the economy. Think about it for a moment: What does government do with tax revenue? That’s right, it spends it. If anything, taxes put “lots of money” into the economy.
I get it. The No Tax Man works for a foundation funded by wealthy individuals and profitable corporations. Just like the rest of us, they want something for nothing. The problem is that government isn’t free. We all need to pitch in and do our fair share to pay for it.
Dan Freund, Kapa‘a
Resident is concerned about working parents
As all our Hawai‘i representatives are getting fat raises, I am very concerned about hard-working Hawai‘i parents who are poor, may be homeless, and are struggling to provide food for their families.
Democrat President Joe Biden wants a $15 minimum wage, and 26 states are working to raise their minimum wages this year. But it is very sinful and disgraceful the Hawai‘i Democratic representatives are determined to not raise Hawai‘i’s minimum wage. Election date, Aug. 22, 2022, is approaching, and every effort needs to be made to replace Hawai‘i representatives, including honorable House Speaker Scott Saiki, who will not raise Hawai‘i’s minimum wage to help our poor families get enough food.
Sincerely;
Will Davis, Lihu‘e
Who enforces mandatory mask-wearing?
Now that tourists are trickling in back here on Kaua‘i, who’s policing them to make sure masks are worn?
While driving up to Waimea Canyon/Koke‘e State Park, the tourists are siteseeing and walking around the lookout areas without wearing masks.
Who’s to know if they (tourists) have been vaccinated or been quarantined? We don’t need the COVID-19 virus or the stronger version to be spread here on Kaua‘i.
The vaccine shots are only in the experimental stage. Not mandating wearing masks for some (tourists) and to have us here wear masks is very contradicting!
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
Wearing face mask may go well beyond 2022 and into 2023. Reason being vaccines may not be available yet. People getting infected twice. Still yet high on the death toll count. Or cases may go higher.
Take a step back, look around, and get over it. For the love of God, there will be a COVID-22, and so on. Just like the flu….~50-60K die a year in the USA…..with a vaccine…….and yet less than half of the population gets the flu shot each year.
Almost half of the population, to date, has no intention of getting the COVID vaccine. This is part of life……just like the 450K that die each year from choosing to smoke cigarettes, or the 40K that die driving their car. FFS, start living life and get back to normal.
COVID-19 is really scary. But preventing from catching it is an ongoing process. This has to do with being vaccinated. I would not count on relaxing just yet. You know how in Las Vegas they have this sure way of winning. And you can almost count it as a win. And you will bet all of your money on that hand. Flush. Poker. If you had this draw, you’d bet it all. Well the vaccines out can guarantee that flush. But with a price. Knowing what your hand is, gives you half the battle. The other half is your bodies defense system. This comes with a vaccine.
It is not scary if you “follow the science” across the board it’s still over 98% survival IF you even get infect. Next, if you’re obese and or taking steroidal medication that over time weakens your immune system, advanced health issues. Your chances are higher. 70% or hospitalized have been obese. Only 6% of deaths were FROM covid. The other 94% dead were WITH COVID and on average had 2.6 co-morbidities. Ok. Stop listening to MSM. It’s not scary.
Kauai needs to decide now, open up to
Decide. Do you want us back or not. Hassle us for visiting you and the word will spread Kauai does not want our business. Small window for reigniting Kauai’s fragile economy. Government hand outs will eventually dry up. Once that occurs, and it will your going to need us or fail. I know many Kauai’s dislike tourists and every thin we represent but, without us you will find it difficult to recover. Tourists spend lots of money on Kauai, we can easily spend money elsewhere. April 5th. is a critical time for any one who lover your Island. We don’t want to be punished for paying thousands of dollars to visit you and then be treated like dirt. Decide now are we welcome or not?
Mark, to you and others wishing to visit our island…..we have nothing against you. But Kauai has been THE safest place in the entire US during Covid. Why? Because we have all sacrificed so much in order to remain healthy and alive here. Understand- we have only NINE ICU beds on our entire island. Our mayor has imposed strict regulations to keep us as safe as possible. We are walking a very fine line. It kills me to go down to Kalipaki or Poipu and see the oblivious tourists walking around- UNMASKED- just like they do in their hometowns on the mainland. You won’t see any residents here unmasked….. we have been masking since day 1. Obey our rules if you must come (and I still do not understand why people feel they must undertake unnecessary travel especially for a vacation during a pandemic when the CDC advises against it.) Wearing a mask isn’t just to keep you safe. It’s to keep US safe. Just do it and get over it. Mahalo.
No we don’t want tourists who are traveling in spite of recommendations to NOT travel.
Relying to you mark. So arrogant. People like you are not welcomed here. Be humble. Just because you may spend money here you deserve to be here. Nope.
You’re absolutely right. You should spend your money elsewhere. There’s a long line of people who will fill your shoes, and at least some of them will have a less entitled attitude. Suggest you head to Miami and never come back to Kauai. Tell all your friends of the same ilk to do the same. Kauai will welcome people who actually possess a little bit of aloha.
It’s pretty simple really; follow the rules and you are welcome, don’t follow the rules and you are not. Period.
We have been coming to Poipu for 40 years. We are scheduled for October. It may be our last visit if the people of Kauai are as unfriendly as those on these pages. We have our shots. The risk is smaller than the flu.
Masks offer no protection.
No worries…your entitlement is already showing. Why don’t you and Mark take that attitude somewhere else. Kauai ain’t that desperate for your money, that we’ll all bow down to your ridiculousness. Get a life, you guys aren’t all that.
Decide what? We made our decisions, wasn’t that clear? Oh, you just didn’t like it?
“But it is very sinful and disgraceful the Hawai‘i Democratic representatives are determined to not raise Hawai‘i’s minimum wage.”
No one says the businesses will close.
I’m too tired of playing the broken record:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwcHRyvrNCE
Well 3 letters written by naïve and minimal experience individuals who think all things Progressive and Socialist sound good? It would be a safe bet that these Biden Socialist lovers subconsciously want the Covid hoax used to bless Government and Politicians with even more control over their lives, the already overtaxed taxpayers to pay more, and the minimum wage raised so people can get more money for nothing. Of course, the top 10% of our most valued workers are already overburdened as they are forced to pay over 70% of all taxes, the Covid virus is actually inconsequential in the history of diseases because, even though Politicians and the drama driven news media sneak the word “reported” into their 3% of Covid case sufferers die, you’ve fallen for a slight of word and skewed statistic! Of course, we also know that millions and millions of people have had Covid and don’t even know it because they had no symptoms, or experienced nothing more than a little runny nose. Covid 19 is not nearly as deadly as the SARS virus that hit America and killed 10% of everyone who got it! Google SARS vs Covid 19 death rates. You know how to google, right? If you take every case of “all” instead of “reported” Covid infections the death rate is probably less than one fourth of one percent which is no more than the common flu season the world has experienced for decades. But report and arrest everyone walking around out side who is breathing fresh air? Such a Nazi attitude we last saw in the naïve population of what we thought was a sane country called Germany. No mask? Lock them up dear Fuhrer! Burn them in the ovens! And don’t get me started about the minimum wage! Since when is every job designed to support a married couple and a family? I thought low wage jobs were low wage because they take no skill, education, or exceptional focus to perform? I thought these low skilled jobs were there so our youngest and must unskilled workers could earn some extra money? Not pay for the comfort of uneducated, unproven, or speak no English law breaking line cutters. So thank you GI for the 3 Pelosi loving letters! We want to spend more of other people’s money, lock ’em up for “Mask” murder, and give more people more of other people’s money for our lowest level “jobs” regardless of the fact they’re getting paid the exact supply and demand wage the businesses responsible for creating “all” real jobs pay. Just 3 more nails in the coffin of what once was the dream of America!
Nothing, you must live in a black and white world. No gray areas with you.
Then you site your sars death rate argument, again. If you had read the entire article on sars vs covid that you referenced the other day, you would see the fallacy in your argument. SARS as a virus is not strong enough to survive. We are now seeing mutations of covid that may, regardless of vaccines, require us to always wear masks.
Finally, why do you have a kneekerk reaction to anyone whose opinion doesnt match yours? Labeling is an indicator of a very narrow point of view. And the obsession with hitler. Must be a rocky place between your ears where any new seeds of thought cannot find any purchase.
Truer words have never been spoken. Elect this person to mayor.
Not wearing your seat belt doesn’t hurt me if you crash into me, yet, you don’t seem to have a problem with mandatory seat belt laws. Not wearing a mask could hurt me. See the difference?
Excellent letters today.
“The No Tax Man” was right on. Thanks to Dan Freund for his logic and reality on the subject.
The Working Poor. Thanks to Will Davis regarding raising the minimum wage. We are subjected to all kinds of claims on this one, like businesses will close if they pay a bit more, that jobs will be lost in large numbers. All of which are scare tactics hoping to keep wages low enough to the point that some cannot keep a roof over their heads. It’s pathetic and it’s wrong. As far as voting these Hawaii reps out, I agree starting with, and especially, Scott Saiki.
Aloha Nothing,
Every posting of yours seems so angry, bitter and unhappy. It’s sad to see a fellow human being in such pain. This chronic vitriol can’t be good for your health or for the health of those around you.
In July of 2019 our then sitting president suggested that criticizing the country was unpatriotic and disloyal and tweeted “if you hate our country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave”.
Might be time to take his advice and find somewhere more to your liking.
Coming in August, and will definitely wear a mask while shopping or anywhere else that is indoors. WILL NOT be wearing a mask while outside-pure lunacy to wear it outside.
Hey Karen, I mean Howard…there is not scientific data that link to covid spreading in the outdoors during daylight hours. It dies almost instantly when exposed to UV rays. Also…Mind your own business.
So, people in the mainland are catching Covid-19 at night, not! Hmmm…..There are people dying. The virus (Covid -19) keeps mutating!
“Idiot is as idiot does!”
Here we go..
someone else using the “tourist will stop coming” scare tactic.
I said this once and I’ll see it again tourists will never stop coming here!
if you feel like you should spend your money elsewhere please feel free and do so.
but tourists will never stop coming here.
Florida’s open and they don’t require face masks.
While I understand the mass appeal of Mr. Freund’s letter, his assertions are incorrect. He clearly has not spent any time reading or thinking about the writings of the Hawaii Tax Foundation. Sure, they aren’t Socialists (which in my opinion is a good thing), but they are not as Freund states the lap dog of the rich. Many of their written opinions over the last decade have been very critical of tax credits that have been huge giveaways to the people that Freund would have us believe the Hawaii Tax Foundation represents – the rich. It’s bad for Hawaii that so many people are unwilling to try to understand the complex relationships between tax policy and economic prosperity. Until that happens, the people of Hawaii will never realize the economic prosperity they desire.
For Mark, it’s visitors with your mind set that Kauai doesn’t want. Your comment speaks for itself “ENTITLED”. Mask wearing in Hawaii right now is THE LAW. We locals are required to use them so should you. If you can’t respect our ways /laws then YOU seriously don’t belong here. Your threats won’t stop tourist from visiting Kauai nor will it stop transplants from moving here.
Stay home if you don’t like Kauai’s Laws.
Mark – as one who has been visiting the island almost yearly for over 20 years, I would have to agree with Howard Tolbe in his concerns about mask-wearing by visitors. Those of us who truly love the island also love the people, and we need to not treat Kauai as if it’s our little Disneyland to consume and then return home. It is only reasonable that visitors care for the people and land of Kauai, and respect all by wearing masks while being allowed to visit. And it makes sense that before visitors are allowed back to the island they need to show proof of complete vaccination, which is not proof of problem solved, but at least that an effort is being made in the process.
What a bunch of sniveling whiners. Visit Ian Miller at https://twitter.com/ianmsc?lang=en
He has hundreds of data (from CDC and other reliable sources) graphs that clearly demonstrate that for lock downs, mask mandates or nothing at all (i.e. South Dakota) the course of SARS_Cov2 is the same across the country..the world really.
So you all are doing a lot of hand wringing and fearmongering for nothing…the virus will run its course. So the question remains is all of the economic and societal carnage necessary…it will cause far more death and suffering than the virus.
RG DeSoto