In reading some the venom being written about Corzine’s knuckleheaded toll hike plan in too many sources to mention, one thing hit me.
In this instance people really get what higher taxes will do. They’re thinking about it.
Like here, here, here and here.
It’s the opposite effect of payroll withholdings. In that I mean people don’t get overly upset having money deducted from their paycheck at the outset because psychologically, they feel they didn’t have the money to begin with – many actually think that the refund at the beginning of the next year as a bonus, not a return of what was rightfully theirs.
That is why there would be serious problems if the government had people write out checks for all their taxes on April 15th - the mental connection would be there and there would be revolt (and lots of bounced checks).
Likewise with the toll plan, you feel it directly, either by paying at the booth or when getting your EZPass statement. And you’ll be pissed.
And many of us are seeing what the impact will be – to traffic, to cost of goods, to local manufacturing and warehousing – they get it.
Too bad we don’t get similar reactions to the constant increase in the other forms of taxes. Although this idea affects a few of us a lot more than, say, a higher gas tax, the effects of the higher taxes in general are basically the same.
I like the idea of the Leave your EZ-Pass at home day. I think this should be protested. I think we have to contact the legislators. I think whatever needs to be done to make this idea stillborn should be done.
Let’s hope. Too bad we can’t protest at the upcoming meeting too loudly, as we could get busted.
