RAPPAPORT: Why I'm voting No on Question One
I was seriously considering voting yes on Question 1. Hah, this will teach 'em, I thought. Stop sending the money up to Beacon Hill and watch the irresponsible spenders squirm. I began salivating just thinking about that extra wad of cash I could save all for myself every Friday when my check came in.
But then I hit a pot hole. And got a flat tire.
After I drove my car to the nearest gas station and called AAA, I had some time to think. In fact, I had a considerable amount of time - an hour and 45 minutes of good think time. My first conclusion: I should really learn how to fix a flat tire. My second: If I voted yes on Question 1, and a majority of Massachusetts voters voted with me, would that pothole ever get fixed? Was it worth it to send my frustrated message to Beacon Hill? So, in the name of potholes, of nearly two hours of wasted time and $209 in cash to replace my tire, I decided to vote no. And then, feeling pretty good about myself, I started thinking about the states without income tax - namely Alaska. I may be taxed to the nines for the rest of my Massachusetts life, but at least my bridges will lead somewhere, I thought.
-- Julia Rappaport