Guess which state just approved a tax increase on the wealthy and what's your favorite Ghostbuster?

Oregon, Or Egon?

We should really congratulate Oregon today. the people voted to approve two special tax measures to close a $733 million state budget gap in the state. Enjoy this link.

A tax increase like the two in Oregon is exactly what Illinois needs right now!

"Passage of these measures means we keep core services of education, health care and public safety that Oregon families, businesses, and communities count on," said Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt, a Democrat who represents Clackamas County. Defeat, he said, would have forced the state to cut nearly a billion dollars more from such services."

"Oregon voters said 'no' to more 4-day school weeks and bulging class sizes and 'yes' to corporations and the wealthy paying their fair share,"

Oregon really gets it!!

Let YOUR Legislators know that we need to end the stupid flat tax in Illinois. Click here to learn how

cta service cuts

do you take public transportation in Chicago? If so, you should know that state taxes support your trips, not just city taxes and fares. Do you think struggling families down state give a shit about our cta? my guess is hell no. Even though it's not fair, I'm not going to act like I don't reap the benefits and like it. As you've probably heard, there are going to be significant cut-backs to the bus service. So, there was a fare hike, now service cuts, and poor people outside the city pay for something they dont use. Isn't that a bit fucked up? Solution: tax brackets to create a more fair system
Raise the rate for those that can afford it to keep busses moving!

How easy is it?

it's so easy...you can do it faster than the cast of Jersey Shore can show their abs.

email your reps through this site made for lazy-faces www.illinoisneedstaxbrackets.com
The letter is written for you!

Sara Feigenholtz

Turns out we see eye-to-eye, Ms. Feigenholtz and I. I'm in the 12th district so she and John Cullerton are the peeps I get a hold of when I have concerns. In addition to the supremely simple form letter on the site (www.illinoisneedstaxbrackets.com), I wrote a letter to thank her for supporting the bill to remove the flax tax last time. It also turns out we have many of the same interests. For instance, we both advocate gay rights. Did you know that some people think gay people should be treated differently than breeders? Ms Feigenholtz thinks gay people are citizens. Likes this (thumbs up).

Know what else? Ms Feigenholtz also loves women having access to birth control. Did you know that some people think that the devil walks among us and that women are causing the decline of our United States by taking precautions to not get pregnant? Ms Feigenholtz thinks women are citizens. She was behind "The Contraceptive Equity Act" (insurance coverage for birth control) and "The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act" (PlanB at Walgreens). In my book, she's the A#1

What do you think of her policies?

Significantly easier than pie

Abby is the shit and made www.illinoisneedstaxbrackets.com completely lazy-proof. There is a form letter already written and you just have to put in some info and then, with effen technology magic, you've emailed your reps. If you don't do go on the website and get it done you are the laziest turd this side of Lake Michigan.
out!

free-file

You should be getting those W-2s soon, people. How about this year you do your taxes early. Really look at those final numbers. If you are in the low federal tax brackets you are giving Illinois a lot of money back, huh? You probably have to write Illinois a check. You should think about what a high percentage of you're income you've given the state in sales taxes already. It's a lot more than 3%. It's OK to be frustrated. In fact, get pissy, indignant, and self-righteous. God knows that people in high tax-brackets do. Know how I know? Because they hire accountants who hide their income and know the loop holes and jargon of tax filing. But you, gentle reader, may not be able to afford more than a simple free-file online, and that thing won't tell you how to cheat the government. The "haves" bitch about the "have nots" who are living on the dole and using services that they pay for. Well guess what...you have been paying for them too and now services are being slashed from the state budget. Now what?

GET THE FLAT TAX OUT OF THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION THIS MAY

Write or call your elected officials now. A sample dialogue:

"Hi, my name is ______. I am a resident of the ____ district and you represent me. Even if you aren't up for reelection, this May I want you to vote "aye" when they're all like, "who wants to get the tax system on the ballot in 2010?" Please and thank you."

Easy! Then vote for tax-brackets in the fall. Piece of cake! Then the state government can get some dollars fair and square.

Happy New Year! Let's resolve to make our elected officials accountable to our needs. CALL THEM