This is due to more than one factor. The most important factor is that the Left does not recognize the existence of Basic Human Nature, and the corollary that Human Nature Never Changes. The other major factor determining Leftist wrongness is that they operate almost solely on Emotion, and not Reason. Even well-credentialed Leftist economists get everything wrong about the workings of the economic system. If you look at Leftist policy positions for at least the past 150 years, you will see that they haven’t had a new idea in at least that long.
Leftist economic policy always involves heavy taxation, especially of the most productive members of society (the “rich”), and redistribution of wealth and income to those in society who do not work or otherwise add to the benefits of society. Thus, they punish the members of society who contribute the most, and reward those who contribute little but use much.
Just recently, the legislature of Washington State passed its first ever general income tax. The Washington State Constitution forbids an income tax that treats different classes of citizens differently (charges some more, and some less or not at all). The DemocRats who have run Washington for half a century have been salivating over an income tax for all that time, and finally they passed it, knowing that it is unconstitutional on its face and would be immediately challenged in court, including the Court of Public Opinion. [Note: the legislature is fully aware of public opposition to this, but have already said that public opinion does not matter to them].
One of the major ways that the Left is always wrong is their estimates of the revenue produced by ANY tax they enact. This is due to their rejection of human nature, and the obvious (to everyone else) result of taxation, that citizens change their behavior to avoid high taxes and fees. The mayor of Seattle, a socialist, recently said that her reaction to businesses and wealthy individuals leaving the city and state due to taxation is “Well, Bye!” She continues to believe that the wealthy will just sit still for heavy taxation and regulation.
Here is a quote from a KOMO article about the petition being filed by a local group to repeal the income tax. This quote shows that the Leftist Legislature does what leftists always do, assume that those affected will not change their behavior in response to new taxes.
The tax is expected to generate at least $2 billion each year for the state. The revenue, in part, is slated to fund items including sales tax exemptions on products such as over-the-counter drugs and diapers.
State estimates also show significant costs to implement the new tax. The estimated average yearly cost to administer it is $275 million in taxpayer money starting in 2029. Before the state collects revenue from the roughly 21,000 people expected to pay the tax, the Department of Revenue is projected to operate at a loss in 2027 and 2028 of about $50 million each year as it prepares to administer the program. The plan also includes adding 300 new employees at the Department of Revenue.
The two assumptions above are “expected to generate at least $2 billion” and “state collects revenue from the roughly 21,000 people expected to pay.” Both of those expectations do NOT take into account that a significant number or businesses and wealthy individuals have already indicated that they plan on leaving the state, or have already left.
If, in 2028 when the income tax is supposed to take effect and has not been repealed, the actual revenue generated is much lower than “expected,” the Leftist legislature will express great surprise, and decide that they now need to extend the tax to a larger group of citizens than just the “millionaires” it was intended for. Now, when the income tax applies to EVERYONE, the legislature will grin and jump up and down with glee at how much money they now have, to waste on their pet projects. Actually, the law as written is very underhanded. Aside from a rate of 9.9%, which is higher than only four other US states (!), there is a tough residency requirement with three tests to pass. The DemocRats wrote the law so that if a business or individual who has left the state has ANY remaining ties to the state, they are considered a resident.
Now, the results of a KOMO poll on the Millionaires Tax.
Due to many citizen investigations of Washington State public programs, it has been revealed that there is extensive fraud in just about every corner of our economy. With the new income tax, if no changes are made, even more fraud will take place, citizens will be much more heavily-burdened with taxes and fees, and the state will further deteriorate.
Seattle’s minimum wage is $21.00/hour, and applies to ALL employees. Businesses are closing left and right, and Katie Wilson says “Bye!”
In their false “concern” for the “marginalized” in society, the Left is fine with leaving them to live in tents on public sidewalks and in parks, and even provides them with drug paraphernalia in the name of “harm reduction.” The result is overdose deaths, fires in encampments and abandoned buildings, crime like burglaries and fencing of stolen drugs and guns. For the Left, Intentions Matter, but results don’t.
Down the centuries, Collectivist political policies have destroyed and murdered more humans than any war. But the Left continues to appeal to those who operate solely on Emotion. Watch what happens when the Washington Millionaires Tax is applied to all citizens, and see the logical result of Leftist policies. More suffering. It has already started.
Legislature cuts funds for Public Parks to cause the maximum amount of public pain, so they will demand more money from the government, when the government is already broke. Income Tax! Get these that just showed up.
Calling-all-RushBabes 