Principles vs. Positions

CFIF/FREEDOM LINE. 2/5/2010 Posted by Ashton Ellis via National Review Online - The next time you hear a politician wax about the virtues of tax credits and special deals to lure in businesses, think about this home state businessman’s frustration with the practice in Michigan.

“Our legislators are busy voting on tax credits to a myriad of targeted industries, hoping that one of these ‘new-economy’ firms will save our state from collapse,” protests Bill Jackson of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. “Isn’t it time government puts an end to picking winners and losers and gives every Michigan job provider a ‘tax credit’?”

Indeed. The logic is undeniable. If lower taxes are good for one business, why aren’t they good for all? They are, but that isn’t the point. For progressives like Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and her colleagues in the Democratic Party, legislating through the tax code is business as usual; especially if it allows them to prop up companies and industries that align with progressive dogma of a “green” economy. In reality, the kinds of tax incentives aren’t breaks; they’re exercises in fiscal discrimination. Once again, when it comes to finance and the economy, progressives have positions, free marketers have principles. It really is that simple. Read More......

Contributions tax credit a great idea

Letters to the Editor, Corvallis Gazette-Times (Dec. 8) - For all of the troubles that we have in Oregon, at least the Oregon Political Contributions Tax Credit gives us a way to make a difference, regardless of our political affiliations.

This law allows individuals to contribute $50, and couples to contribute $100, to the political party of their choice and get that amount back on their Oregon tax return.

Now, I am not a tax professional, but to me at least, this means that my wife and I can donate $100 to the political party of our choice, and then get every penny of that back, which is nice. For more information, see www.oregontaxcredit.com.

I don’t know of any other states that have this type of tax credit, and I believe that many, many Oregonians do not take advantage of the credit.

So, say for example that you are a Republican here in Benton County, and you want to continue to support your candidates and the “Get Out The Vote” efforts. The credit allows you to help out, and, when you get your tax refund, it ends up not costing you a cent. Sweet!

Whatever your political affiliation — Republican, Democrat, Whig or Federalist — the Oregon Political Contributions Tax Credit is a smokin’ deal.

Jeff Limón, Oregon Read More......