The HAT People

So you think the definition of a Democrat is someone who never found a tax that could not be raised? Well, Tennessee Democrat Legislators break the mold by resisting efforts to raise taxes. And are they doing it to protect the poor? How about saving businesses from additional burdens to their profits? Nooooo! These bastions of morality, who want to take everything people have so they can redistribute the funds to those they think deserve or need it, are balking on their governor’s plans to raise one particular tax, the cigarette tax.

A bit of background, first. Tennessee ranks at the bottom or near bottom of taxes on alcohol and tobacco. Also, there was a major battle 5 or so years ago when average citizens had to force back an attempt by, if you can imagine, Democrats to institute a state income tax. Tennessee’s sales tax is about as high as it can ever get without all commerce stopping in the state. Add to these realities, Democrat Governor Phil Bredesen is incapable of controlling the urge to spend more money the state does not have. Despite the fact that TennCare continues to suck the coffers of the state dry, the governor has been unable to make any major reductions in spending. Just the opposite, he managed to push through another healthcare program which will cost the state millions long after the governor has moved on to ruining some other institution. But that has not stopped Gov. Bredesen from proposing yet another program the state cannot afford. His solution, raise cigarette taxes.

But tobacco, like alcohol, is a major industry in Tennessee and protected by heavy-hitting lobbyists. The bottom line, the governor is forced to twist arms in his own party for the tax increase against the might of the lobbyist dollars. So, with Republicans now in charge in the state senate, Bredesen has an uphill battle raising taxes and it is Democrats stuck in his way.

Has the world shifted on its axis or am I in an alternate universe?