Buffalo Boy's Blog

Governor Patterson just doesn't get it does he? You can't get blood from a rock. Thats about all that is left right now in some NY State communities is rock. If you haven't driven through the downtown streets of Niagara Falls in a while, try it, you will see what I mean. Some streets are just boarded up empty homes. Its sad. But its the result of an over taxed, over stressed upstate economy that has seen its population dwindle because people can't give anymore of their hard earned money, especially since salaries in this area especially have been lower on average than other parts of the country to begin with. 

The news of how Mr. Patterson is using the federal stimulus money given to NY State should be maddening to all New Yorkers. This money was supposed to go to the states to create jobs, instead it is being put to use to pay down medicaid debt and the state budget and "avoiding nuisance taxes.

Nuisance taxes, lets go over those taxes for bit shall we? Taxes on music downloads like ITunes, concert tickets, sporting event tickets, theatre tickets, hair cuts, satellite television and radio, prewritten software games, pedicures, massages private gym memberships, fees for physicians, fishermen (don't we already pay for a fishing license? I just paid mine, so they are saying I have to pay more?), beer and wine taxes, and people who drive cars (just about everyone). Did I forget to mention the gross reciepts tax on hospital care.

Where the hell do the taxes end in this state? Its completely the opposite of what Barack Obama is trying to do on a federal level. He has decreased income taxes on the middle class and those making less than $250,000 a year. He is raising the taxes on wealthy individuals making more than $250,000 a year to Bill Clinton era rates from 36% to 39%.

Patterson in the mean time is taking out the inability to balance the New York State budget on everyone and its starting to show throughout the communities of this state. Most of the items listed above already are taxed...ITS CALLED NYS SALES TAX!!!!. Why do we need more on top of that?

He says he wants a non-diet soda tax to combat obesity yet at the same time there is a proposed tax on gym memberships? What the hell, I know he is blind but he doesn't have to be stupid too.  

Concert tickets are expensive enough without adding more nuisance charges to them. I would love to see the tax on people who drive cars. Hopefully it is not one of those taxes based on miles driven, because if thats the case, Its time to pick up our shit and drive my family right on out of this state.

Maybe if more of us followed suit, the politicians, republicans and democrats alike in Albany would get the hint that they need to get their crap together and start being fiscally responsible or there won't be anyone left in this over taxed state to tax but themselves.