The People's Republic of New Jersey

An article in The Trentonian outlines a taxes in New Jersey. It seems that rising property values have made it difficult for some to pay their taxes. So democratic governor Jim McGreevey came up with a plan: identify 28,500 residents, confiscate $830 million from them, and give the money to the rest of the citizens.

The wealth distribution tax increases taxes on the state’s richest residents and redistributes the cash to seniors and middle income families with incomes of $200,000 per year or less.

"We in New Jersey understand that there is a property tax crisis - every cent, every dime of this millionaire’s tax is going out to middle-class families and senior citizens," McGreevey repeated once again. "This is the right direction, this is about fairness."

It's fair, that is unless you are one of the 28,000. To them, it is communism, from each according to his ability, to each according to his need, pure and simple.

One could argue that if someone making $175,000 a year can't pay their taxes, maybe they could move to a cheaper house rather than steal the money from someone else. But McGreevey already covered that flank, raising realty transfer fees twice in the last two years. All in all, McGreevey has increased taxes and fees by $6.4 billion since taking office in January, 2002.

So, in celebration of his new wealth transfer tax, McGreevey held a rally.

(A0s Trenton’s New Millennium Drill Team and Drum Corps marched in lock-step to celebrate the new income tax increase and red-shirted senior citizens jockeyed for position, Gov. Jim McGreevey signed the largest dollar figure income tax increase in the state’s history.

RED SHIRTS?? Unbelievable.

And his message to the citizenry? "Just relax. Take a Xanax." What a pompous, condescending man. I sure am glad I got of there in the mid-80s.

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure." - Alexander Tyler