A Rose By Any Other Name…is Still a Tax

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Almost everyone has heard this famous line from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Basically, it is saying that the names of things do not matter, but what they are does matter.

So let’s talk about the “roses” coming out of Governor Scott Walker’s Budget Repair Bill.

The “roses” in this bill are what is known as revenue enhancements and/or cost containments (or pick any phrase or words you like.) Make no mistake, these “roses” are taxes dressed in sheep’s’ clothing.

What is a tax? Simply put, it is a fee that is charged or levied by a government. This tax can be direct, such as on income; or it can be indirect such as on the price of a good or service. “Fees” are coming soon to our state’s public employees, although they are not being called that.

Caledonia’s State Rep. Robin Vos has taken the time to explain the Governor’s rationale for the Budget Repair Bill. Communication is a good thing, especially when it comes to what is being done on our behalf in Madison. Cuts are being proposed and will be enacted. In addition, contributions i.e.: what amounts to a tax on the payroll of our public employees; 5.8 percent of salary towards the pension fund, and a jump from 6 percent to 12.6 percent contribution going towards annual health insurance premiums.

It is borrowing from “Peter” to pay “Paul,” only instead of this borrowing; they are simply taking the money from the public employees. At the end of the day what you have are the entire state’s workforce going home with less money, for less benefits, and done so in way that Walker and his Republican Regime can say; “we didn’t raises taxes.”

(Oh, and by the way, quit pretending that legislation might not get passed or changed in any meaningful way in the Legislature. Republicans hold a monopoly on power in this state and could make Chewbacca the state’s official alien if it was of the mind.)

What you end up with is a smaller paycheck to public employees with the monies going to cover costs once held by the state. It’s a tax increase, but by another name, with the burden placed upon state workers.

On the Office of the Governor’s web page, Walker states; “The budget repair bill will balance the budget and lay the foundation for a long-term sustainable budget through several measures without raising taxes, raiding segregated funds, or using accounting gimmicks.” No, it is a matter of semantics, pure and simple.

I am not here to argue the merits of Governor Walker’s proposals, only how they are being sold to us. He has promised to fix Wisconsin finances by not raising taxes. I am saying he is doing just that, except he doesn’t call them taxes, they are “employee contributions”

I am not saying I am for or against these policies, but let’s call them for what they truly are  – “if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…..