Zellers on booze tax: ‘We’re gonna balance the budget on Joe Six Pack’s six pack’

The people who hit rock bottom are the Republicans who act like petulant children with their refusal to be at all reasonable, and force the DFL to make the hard choice to include bad ideas because that’s the best with a hope of either getting signed or winning an override vote, and it’s a mighty thin hope at that. It seems all the Republicans could do was rant at the grownups.

Uh, no… Unreasonable is the unbridled expansion of Government. There are prime examples of waste any time you enter ANY gvmt. facility. Waste is spending money where is doesn’t need to be spent. Here’s a prime example: Those cute green highway helper trucks. $80k each, not counting the drivers salary/pension etc. For what? They drive around all day and “assist” disabled motorists. Never mind that 70%+ own a cell phone and the majority of “assists: are for people who ran out of gas. How about the flow of welfare cheats flowing into the state? What people like Eric don’t seem to get is it’s OUR money, and we elect stewards of that money expecting them to be responsible. Taxing the clothes off of our backs and dumping the receipts down the toilet is not responsible.

Since Rick has offered his opinion about the Highway Helper program, here is a link to information about the program:

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/tmc/first.html

And Rick, ALL the people in the legislature were elected. And they all believe they are doing what their constituents want them to do. You are upset because the majority of people in Minnesota disagree with your point of view, and that is proven by who they elect.

Tim, here’s your source: © 2000-2009 Minnesota Department of Transportation
It’s called job justification my friend. When I lived in California, which as I’m sure you’re well aware has a much higher congestion issue, it was the Highway Patrols job to clear the roads etc as mentioned in the “Highway Helper propoganda.” I did read the PDF. Los Angeles and San Diego (both cities I lived in) contracted with tow truck drivers etc. thus the sizable cost outlay. I’d get rid of that too. With the advent of cell phones, have a special “11″ number set up to call for non-emergencies. The dispatcher would have a list of service vehicles on call to the state to sortie out to the incident. The motorist, gasp, would be required to pay for the service rendered, not the taxpayer. I also dispute the $1,000,000 budget. After salaries, pensions, cost of vehicles, maintenance, fuel the annual cost I would expect to be much higher.

Rick is trying to save pennies, when we will end up paying high dollars.

Rep Zeller sounds like another “Frat boy”.. forget about the elderly, sick or young.. just make sure my beer is cheap. What a jerk. I doubt he has even come close to hitting rock bottom.

Then how much is enough folks? When do we stop raising taxes? And raising them too high can have a negative effect. When gas prices were through the roof last summer, consumption went down and so did tax revenue. In fact it went down enough that MNDOT was worried they may have to cancel some projects. Same effect on so called “sin taxes.” Revenue will fall then the projected revenue will have to come from somewhere else. The solution; lower the budget. Shrink government.
My issue with the Highway Helper trucks is but one example of what I receive is wasteful government spending. People need to stand up on their own two feet and take care of themselves. How many of you have your own retirements set up? I do. I don’t count on SSI, pensions, anything. If it’s there when I retire, great, it’s extra frosting on the cake.

Rick,
You seem to view the Highway Helper as welfare for car trouble. When I am driving the 40 miles one way to my job, if there is an accident or breakdown I want it off the highway NOW. I don’t want to sit any longer than I already do. The cost to the economy by sitting in traffic is huge. All the fuel wasted, big rigs sitting with their loads instead of moving them, the reduced number of service calls that can be made within the metro. And why do people like you think everyone who is liberal is on welfare? I spent 30 years in executive management of 5 different companies, raised three productive kids, and yes I have a retirement fund. And a heart.

Ummm, Tim, where did I mention that everyone who is liberal is on welfare? And what’s your point? My point was this state needs serious welfare reform as this state is still a magnet for other states welfare cheats. I also don’t get your point of ” I spent 30 years in executive management of 5 different companies, raised three productive kids, and yes I have a retirement fund.” So what??? I have a retirement fund too. That I payed into. That’s my point entirely. Personal responsibility rather than whining that the government has to do everything for me/us. I DON’T want the government in my life. I can take care of myself AND my family, as did you.
The other point is yes, I want accidents cleared quickly too. The h/h’s may assist, but only after the troopers have done their job and the wrecker shows up. See my point?

Rick,

From your third post you made on this topic:

“People need to stand up on their own two feet and take care of themselves. How many of you have your own retirements set up? I do.”

Your question “How many of you have your own retirements set up?” is a classic conservative phrasing, as in “How many of you liberals here on this liberal website have a job”. If you were using the question as an example of “taking care of yourself” I didn’t catch that. I personally think Social Security is a great program, and my personal retirement money is decimated thanks to lack of regulation and gutting of oversight by Republicans. My house is worth 30% less than it was 5 years ago. I am glad I can count on Social Security because the thieves in business will take every cent they can find- and I should know. I don’t whine about getting more government services, and frankly I don’t know anyone who does.

Tim, are you serious?????????????? You are reading into my statement so far, I can’t even comprehend it (and I’d like to think of myself as a pretty sharp guy;-)) Insinuation can be pretty damaging to ones character, don’t you think?
Yes, as a homeowner, I’m seeing red too. But let’s lay the blame where it belongs rather than trying to damn the Republicans. The Republicans back as early as 2003 implored at a hearing that there needs to be an investigation into misdeeds at FMFM and how they are being operated. Barney Frank D-MA and Chris Dodd D-CT both chair the banking and finance committees, the very ones that “look out for the consumer” so why have they not resigned from their leadership rolls? Please definitely watch the first link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3vBqfag7A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxMInSfanqg&feature=PlayList&p=572EC941F0246EB2&index=0&playnext=1
The one big issue that people need to realize (and I’d bet you do, you’re just as pissed as I am because the top value of your house declined to the realistic value) is housing prices have more or less settled where they should be. The prices will come back eventually, and hopefully they will reflect the proper price rather than an inflated one. The same goes for the 401k’s, Roths, etc. The “value” of my account is much less (one aggressive lost 52%) but, but… I still have the same amount of shares. Those will rebound and gain in value. As long as I don’t sell low, I’m fine. As a fact, I’m investing even more right now because the prices are so low.

Tim, here’s another I forgot to put in my previous post. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs&feature=related
I think if everyone in the country watched these, there’d be a huge change in government.

An email I received from Summit Brewing:
Help us fight an unfair tax on your beer.
Dear Friends and Family of Summit Brewing:

Did you know that 40% of the retail price you pay for beer in Minnesota is tax? Or that beverage taxes in Minnesota are already much higher than those in Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas? As hard as this may be to swallow, the Minnesota Legislature is now trying to increase excise and retail taxes on beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Legislators are calling this a “dime a drink” tax, but the truth is a bit more complicated. It really amounts to a 144% excise tax increase and a doubling of the retail tax you pay. So if you think beer lovers are already paying more than their fair share of taxes, now’s the time to make your voice heard.

Now my question to those in here? Is this fair?