Mike Tuckey Senior’s Weblog

On this next ballot, there is the question of income tax. Everyone hates income tax; but, its an essential part of a democracy. No one in their right mind would begin to suggest that our present income tax structure is the best we can do; but, this bill is irresponsible at best!

Encapsulated History:

Historically, during the growth of the “Industrial Age,” people moved from the fields and farms to the urban areas, in search of work in the factories. These folks were added to by the migration to the U.S. by those primarily from Europe, This “urbanization” took place, most significantly, in the late part of the 19th, and the early part of the 20th century in the United States. Folks lived and worked in the city factories, especially in the North, and most significantly, in the Northeast like Springfield. They represented the “Great Middle Class.”  Interestingly, many of these people were viewed as lesser humans, “Those People.” Behind close doors, and sometimes openly, they were referred to as; “The dirty Irish,”  “The diry Italians,” and so on. In Massachusetts, those of Mediterranian decent, Irish, and Roman Catholics were particularly dispised. But, the elite required the labor to work in the factories the owned in the city. Apartments sprung up around the large ornate homes owned by the factory owners, to house the workers. Then came the Great Depression and then World Ware II. As we geared up to fight World War II, we created the greates industriial complex in the history of the world. Then, the end of World WAr II

At the end of World War II, in their wisdom,  the government created the G.I bill. This allowed the sons and daughter (mostly the sons) of the original factory workers, to get an enducation. This, in turn, allowed those sons and daughters of the original factory workers to build “The American Dream;” and they did!

At the end of World War II, we had this incredible indutrial infrastructure. We needed worldwide markets to sell the products, We created the Marshall bill. This revitalized a Europe devestated by World War II; so that, it would be able to purchase our manufactured goods. This worked!  By the end of World War II, approximately 40% of ALL manufactured goods worldwide, we made in the United States; however, through our efforts, the economies of both Europe and Japan were growing. Additionally, the technology created in the United States was changing the face of industry. Slowly, the manufacturing dominance of the United States began to erode. During this same time, the newly empowered middle class was moving from the cities to the newly developed suburbs, bedroom communites; and, good and services left the city with them. With the advent of air conditioning, new, cheaper labor markets opened in the South. Factories packed up an moved South. We were left with no industry in the city; no jobs in the city, no tax base in the city. Poverty became concentrated in the city. Cities turned to the State and Fedreal government for help.

Today, approximately 80% of budget for the city of Springfield comes from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With that revenue, the city of Springfield cares for and addresses the needs of the majority of the poor and homeless in the region. Suburban and “Bedroom” communities have no facilities to address those needs. Additionally, those same communities have zoning regualtions the restrict the development of affordable houseing. Wonder why, Springfield has a 48% drop out rate, almost 50% of our children, under the age of 13, live under the poverty level? Now, the residents of the communities wish to cut off our funding to address our mutual responsibility.

If we eliminate the income tax, much of Springfield’s funding as well as the majority of t he urban locations throughout the Commonwealth, will dry up. Make no mistake about this! Those responsible for this referendum DO NOT come from our urban environments. They ARE NOT wondering how they will feed their children. They are not concerned for the budget of the city or town they leave at 5:00P.M. Most disturbing to me, many of them are the grandchildren of those who fought the same kind of mentality that tried to restrict these folks from getting to wher they are now. They are sayding things now, like; “Why should I be paying for THOSE PEOPLE!” What they don’t seem to see, is; if this referendum pases, “Those people” will bedcomeing to your home to visit.  You can’t eliminate social ills by refusing to address them.

My suggestions: PLEASE VOTE NO ON QUESTION 1! Do it for you kids, you grandchildren and yes, even as in the memory of your ancestors. I am sure, they would be proud that you are working to insure the same benefits for otehrs, that they worked so hard to insure for us.

Work for income tax reform. Income tax can be better.

Work to make certain; programs created to address the needs of the poor and impaired are RELEVANT AND EMPOWERING. Stop creating programs that break peoples will and create long term poverty.

PLEASE VOTE NO ON QUESITON 1