Redstate

The tax issue and the Second Amendment might very well be the only Conservative issues that are popular with independents, which the advocates of "Big Government Republicanism" have not completely sacrificed in their quest to destroy the Republican brand.

...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...

---Thomas Paine---

I bet that the CoG would throw a bucket of cash at him if he had the right fiscal policies but was pro-choice. In other words, I admire your disapproval of this guy Erick, I just hope it carries over to non-CoG issues as well.

Signature disclaimer: I'm not currently paid by any campaign, but I am available. Current preferences for President: 1) F.Thompson; 2) Romney; 3) McCain; 4) Gingrich; Guiliani removed 04/03/07

I do not know anything about this candidate other than what you post. My comments go merely to the list.

1. Is it the total list? Were there other votes on fiscal issues to put this in context?

2. Raising alcohol and tobacco taxes does not offend all conservatives. These products cause many social problems that result in government and other public costs. In my opinion, those costs should be born significantly by the users. Without more information regarding the vote, I would not criticize this.

3. Ditto on the fuel taxes. User fees - of which this is a type - are consistent with traditional Republican views.

4. By the Death Tax, do you mean the state inheritance tax? Was this perhaps a package in which some rates rose and others dropped? In any event, a primary objection to such a tax involves taxes on transfers within the immediate family unit. Taxes outside such a unit are less offensive. We need more information before we attack this.

5. I don't know what Kansas Insurance premium taxes are. However, in many states the sales tax system is a mess. We need to raise rates on some items and lower them on others because exclusions and exemptions and exceptions abound. Again, perhaps she had a very good reason for this.

6. Generally, I don't like a state income tax. I'd prefer a lower property tax and higher sales/use taxes, including on services. Government must be supported, however. I notice these votes were in different years. Perhaps, however, one affected the other or resulted from the success or failure of prior bills. Out of context, I do not know and am reluctant to judge. A sales tax, as a consumption tax, is better for our economy than income or property taxes. This is consitent with a VAT or FAIR Tax supported by many Republicans. Also, perhaps the votes were a compromise or the result of a failed compromise.

By way of example, in Florida, many Republicans are supporting a restructuring of the state tax system. It would raise sales taxes and lower property taxes. I don't know how it will come out and I don't support it all, but it illustrates that supporting a tax increase is not necessarily a bad thing: it can often be part of a greater plan.

I also agree with Adam C: we need to have room for moderates and conservatives.

Steve Willis
Professor of Law
University of Florida College of Law

As far as I know she voted in favor of the union thug bill, the Democratic budget with a massive tax increase, and the surrender and retreat bill. Am I missing anything? So far she is toeing the moveon.org and dailykos line if anything.

“.....women and minorities hardest hit”

At the end of the day, it's far easier to get a Republican to vote the Republican line than it is to get a Democrat to stand up against their party.

There are exceptions, like Zell Miller or Lincoln Chafee, but 99.9% of the time, the Republican candidate will be the better conservative than the Democrat candidate.

Once a primary has been settled, I think conservatives owe the Republican nominee their vote.

"Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich. "

William F. Buckley, Jr.