Calif-ornery

by Don Boudreaux on November 13, 2009

in History, Taxes

In my latest column in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, I discuss some Anglo-American history of government’s arbitrary use of power.

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  • ThomasL
    "California's arbitrary increase in withholding is not, itself, going to spark a revolution. But politicians in that state, and throughout the U.S., should understand that this country is full of people who will not be slaves to any government."

    As long as politicians are 100% certain that any given action they take will not spark revolution, I don't think there is any reason they won't do it. All upside, no downside. The instances of Charles I and George III happen to be instances where they were certain, but found themselves to be mistaken.
  • Gil
    So? Landlords are obliged to rent out the apartments at what the "market will bear" if tenants outnumber apartment then it is reflected by high rents for the mere privilege of a roof over their heads?
  • geoih
    Landlords aren't obliged to rent anything to anybody at any price. They agree to rent at a price that is mutually agreed on with the renter. Nature doen't provide any creature with a roof for nothing.
  • Mommsen1625
    Feature films and TV programs are leaving California in what can only be called an exodus. You can really only screw things up so long before the benefits of leaving outweigh the costs of staying.
  • vidyohs
    Even the sun and sand won't keep 'em there, for sure.
  • ArrowSmith
    CA is bleeding businesses at a huge rate now.
  • politicalcalcs
    Picking up on California's recent move to make income earners provide the state with an interest-free loan through upping its withholding collections, here's the solution - a way California workers can adjust their withholding allowances to reduce their exposure to the state's arbitrary policy.

    What I can confirm from my site traffic is that after a brief burst of interest shortly after posting the tool, mostly driven by Google searches, with a significant portion originating from the state's academic institutions, traffic to the post has fallen. What that suggests to me is that California's income earners have largely decided to simply accept the situation, avoiding the trouble of having to file a new DE-4 state income tax withholding form.

    I wonder if that would be the situation if the new withholding rates were made permanent, rather than something that may only last to the end of December.
  • vidyohs
    I would suggest that Californians be aware and remember no government program goes away with just a whimper, and to expect this 10% surcharge loan to become permanent, especially if it does show that delightful result of money pouring into the coffers........Bwa HA hA hA hA!

    Temporary, what a laugh! End soon, oh yeah.....what a laugh!

    Kinda like an attorney in a deposition saying, "Oh, I just have one more question." When I hear that shit I look to see if I re-inventory my tapes.
  • caolson
    Your solution was the first thing I thought of when I started reading Don's article.
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