'I Don't Think It's a Good Idea What the Politicians Are Doing'

Maybe some day these folks will wake up and stop reflexively voting for Democrats. Until then, they can expect to be gouged mercilessly. The sad thing is, as a commenter noted on another story, is they flee New York and exporting their liberalism to other states. I've noticed that trend already.

Working stiffs are getting stiffed.

That was the angry reaction of New Yorkers last night to Gov. Paterson's plan to impose new or additional taxes on everyday purchases like nondiet soda, taxis and cable-TV service.

"That's messed up. Everything is higher but my salary. The beer and the cab rides are going to leave me broke," said Harlem resident Ivan Quinones, 37, a grocery stock clerk and father of three.

Asked what would happen when his children ask to go to the movies, he said, "They're going to upset because they want to watch the movie, but we can't because it's too much money."

Harlem neighbor Nestor Zapata, 24, who has a wife and two children, agreed.

"I don't think it's a good idea what the politicians are doing," he said.

"One, people are getting laid off. Two, there are no jobs to apply for. And three, if you're going to pay more taxes, it's going to be terrible," he added.

"It will be like the 1970s. Crime is going to increase and people will just start robbing one another to make ends meet."

I'd like to correct this item from last night noting there would be 88 new taxes in New York. It'll actually be 137 new taxes.

Gov. Paterson yesterday socked New Yorkers with a mind-boggling 137 proposed new and hiked taxes on everything from beer to cab rides to iTunes downloads and movie tickets.

The doomsday, $121.1 billion plan represents the biggest tax hike in state history and slashes services across the board - while still increasing spending by $1.4 billion.

Just hope Dave doesn't get to upset if Saturday Night Live portrays him as an out-of-control tax-and-spend liberal. Seems he's still whining over that.

Whereas Cuomo, a national-class orator, inspired the state to tighten its belt and fork over more taxes as it faced a calamitous economic down turn in the early 1990s, Paterson delivered a flat and sometimes awkward budget presentation.

"So I want us to be optimistic," Paterson declared at one point. "I think we can come back to Albany, we can take responsibility, we can take control of this budget, we can take over 'Saturday Night Live.' "

Take over "Saturday Night Live"? Paterson appeared with that odd observation to be more focused on the nasty and embarrassing portrayal of him on NBC than he was on the state's dire financial straits.