Commentary: Are new taxes: A necessity or a waste?

The governor has taken the position of "no new taxes." Such a position may be politically defensible but is fiscally and morally bankrupt.

I believe many Nevadans and our legislators will support modest new taxes and sensible budget cuts if state default is imminent. Cutting only the budget, we would evaporate into a desert wasteland with only roads left to exit the state. With disabled schools and wounded human services, new businesses are only remote possibilities.

Chuck Muth excoriates legislators weekly who recognize the need for taxes. He suggests the Legislature follow the recommendations of the Nevada Policy Research Institute's (NPRI) paper, "Freedom Budget." Unfortunately, many policy makers view NPRI as politically biased, with little or no objective research credibility. There may be a few good ideas, but most of the recommendations are irrelevant; the budget numbers are based on politically biased assumptions. I doubt thoughtful legislators will give "Freedom Budget" much attention.

I find some anti-government wags entertaining " literate history buffs and conservative political junkies. Leonard Semas, publisher of the Sierra Sage, is a case in point. He clearly knows a bit about history, but his interpretations are so ideologically warped it's hard to believe he doesn't live in an alternate universe.

In the Sierra Sage's April issue, Mr. Semas claims income tax is "an abomination to liberty." Nonsense! Most reputable economists believe an income tax is a progressive and fair tax. It is also stable. Most states have an income tax.

Sales tax, on the other hand, is a regressive tax. It penalizes those who have little while those who have much feel little impact. It is also unstable. I suspect Mr. Semas doesn't like any tax and feels pained when called upon to pay.

With the previous administration we had almost a decade of irresponsible tax cuts for our wealthiest citizens. We deregulated the markets, which critically injured them; we allowed unregulated exotic fiscal instruments to contribute to the collapse of housing markets; we ignored unmitigated, criminal corporate greed. We've played to the anti-government crowd and they failed miserably!

Messrs Muth and Semas need to extricate themselves from anti-government rhetoric, from historically interesting but antiquated 18th century ideas. They must look for 21st century solutions " innovative, civil, moderate, workable and humane.

- Dr. Eugene T. Paslov, former Nevada Superintendent of Schools, is a board member for Silver State Charter School.