Three great reasons to get MA voters to the polls Nov. 2nd

[canoeist52]

Vote No on All Three

Ballot Questions Threaten Mass Communities -- Join us to take action.
On November 2, Question 1 would take away state money for drug and alcohol treatment by ending the tax on alcohol. Question 2 would take away opportunities for affordable housing across Massachusetts by eliminating the main affordable housing law. Question 3 would take away more than $2.5 billion from our schools, parks, roads, youth programs, and services for seniors by reducing the sales tax from 6.25% to 3%. MassVOTE is helping dozens of nonprofit organizations and hundreds of individuals build a powerful No on All Three Campaign. Help us get the word out to voters.

http://www.massvote.org/

[bluescribbler]

1. I'm voting Yes on #1, No on 2 and 3

I'm not necessarily opposed to taxes. I believe that taxes are part of the price we pay for a civilized society. In his farewell address to the American people, George Washington said, "To facilitate to them in the performance of their duties, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind that towards the payment of debts there must be revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant...". I believe, though, that as much as is possible, taxes must be levied fairly and honestly. Levying a sales tax on alcoholic beverages is neither.

It is dishonest because alcoholic beverages are already taxed on both the state and federal level. Thus, a portion of that sales tax amounts to a tax on another tax. The same revenue can be generated simply by increasing the state alcohol tax, which is a more honest levy.

It is unfair because a sales tax is levied as a percentage of the price of the item. This means that people who prefer a higher quality beverage end up paying a higher tax than people who are satisfied with cheap rotgut. And, it is the drinkers who are satisfied with cheap rotgut, who buy a 30 pack of Crud Light or Swiller every weekend, who are more likely to need alcohol and drug treatment.

That's my thinking, anyway. I welcome comments.

[Mass]

2. Totally agree. Especially now, voting YES to all of these questions would hurt those who hurt the

most.