Arkansas Gov. Huckabee
Posted on 01/05/2002 11:06:07 AM PST by DCBryan1
Tax Me More Fund tops $1,000 with $200 donation
BILL SIMMONS
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Gov. Mike Huckabee's Tax Me More Fund hit $1,000 this week, receiving its biggest contribution yet: $200.
Another contributor sent something for Huckabee: A coupon to an exercise center.
Barbara Stanford, 58, of Little Rock gave the $200, double the previous largest gift to the fund, explaining in a letter to Huckabee that as she made her Christmas wish list, she realized that many things she values most are things the state does with her taxes.
"As I think of all the really important benefits I gain from the state, I think that my contribution should be more," wrote Stanford. "If you need to raise taxes to keep the services that add so much to my life, please do so."
Citing particular benefits from the government, she mentioned library services and "priceless" Pinnacle Mountain State Park, where she grieved in 1991 after the death of her husband, Gene, and where she has walked the trails with friends.
"As I approach retirement age, being part of a caring society is important to me," she wrote.
Stanford, a teacher in the teacher education program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, said in an interview she was "annoyed by the governor's reaction to" state government's record $142 million budget cut.
"He doesn't seem to be willing to consider other options," Stanford said.
The cuts have eliminated funding for new college scholarships this spring, made it likely that many public school teachers will not get this year's promised $1,000 raise, and posed the prospect of cuts in services to the elderly and the poor.
Stanford's gift raised the fund's total to $1,051.91. She was its 36th contributor. Some donors contributed only pennies.
The fund was set up by Huckabee in November to receive contributions from legislators and others he described as "demanding" and pressuring for state tax increases, though no lawmaker had publicly demanded a tax increase. Huckabee has said he wanted to give "the liberal tax-and-spenders" a "put up or shut up" opportunity.
Lawmakers were particularly upset when the governor created the fund mocking those who said tax increases shouldn't be ruled out.
The exercise coupon contribution came with a $1 donation to the fund and an evidently tongue-in-cheek letter, signed Sheffield Nillson of Little Rock. No such person could be located in Little Rock telephone records.
The letter said:
"I don't want to be taxed no more so please spend this wisely.
"I have also included some pizza coupons that you can give to some poor children. And a Jazzercise coupon you can use to keep yourself fit and trim for the upcoming race.
Don't worry, they tell me Jazzercise isn't dancing.
"Good luck with your funds. I just wanted you to know that the real people out here don't think you are as big a fool as you might look."
Another card addressed to Huckabee's fund said: "Attached to this card is a 'plug nickel' which represents the approximate value of your silly and cynical 'plan' for dealing with real problems that affect real people. This state deserves a whole lot more from its leader than (Gov) you are willing to give."
It was signed, "Snowman, registered voter." A nickel was attached.
A letter from John Threet of Fayetteville began: "This letter is not intended to be anti-Governor Huckabee!!"
He sent along $40, $10 from each member of his family. His two-page, handwritten letter asked that others, especially Christians, do the same. "$40 may not go far, but it goes farther than a mere sympathetic word or two," he wrote.
Huckabee, a Baptist minister, has said he doesn't intend to contribute to the fund.
Take care!
Arkansas Gov. Huckabee
Bake Sale....
Here is his web page:
Good luck!
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?
Therein lies the problem. Probably a member of NEA to boot.
The cuts have eliminated funding for new college scholarships this spring, made it likely that many public school teachers will not get this year's promised $1,000 raise, and posed the prospect of cuts in services to the elderly and the poor.
That was the liberal view as spewed by the biased reporter. The newspaper should have given the everyday working persons view:
"The tax cuts have allowed workers to keep more of their own money, providing struggling families with additional needed food, expense money for their homes and cars, and clothes for their families."
Since Barbara Stanford has lived off of OTHER PEOPLES tax money all her life as a school teacher, its little wonder she wants another tax increase. Heres an idea Barb, why don't you get together with all your other "raise taxes now" friends who live off the government, and all of you continue to send in extra money to relieve some of those who kept you up all those years!
Certainly, no one could imagine, for instance, Orrin G. Hatch, taking on liberals in such a confrontational style -- not the Orrin G. Hatch (friend of EMK) who once on national TV "begged" President clinton to come clean on Monica Lewinsky!!! It always amazes me when Huckabee wins again in AR, and I always still think the "right" Democrat can unseat him. Many who would never contribute to this "fund" would indeed vote to raise taxes of "others" if they thought they could spare themselves of the extra burden. We still can't think the tax-and-spend crowd have gone behind a rock; indeed they are even now planning new ways to impose greater burdens on productive workers.
and thus one of the most boring, uninformed, silly and shallow persons on the face of the earth.
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