comet65:
If they get a hold of health care and all that $$$, the same thing that has happened with social security will happen. They will blow all the money, the system will go broke, and then they will come running to the tax payers to keep their precious programs going. Because we all know that once BIG government programs are enacted they NEVER get cut, and in fact; just ADDED onto.

Kiowahmohican

Amen brother on too much government. I am completely with you! You can throw in the education system with your examples too. Sad thing is that all the current presidential hopefuls seemed to have conceded that a government run healthcare system is the answer. I can only shudder and shake my head about what will happen to our healthcare in this country when the politicians get their hands on that money. Same thing goes for Wisconsin. Government please stay out of my life!!!

comet65:
This is why many (like myself and many on this blog) strongly believe in the Reagan theory of limited government. As the government is the PROBLEM, NOT the solution. Most don't want the government to tax them to death, and control their life from cradle to grave with endless social programs. If you want something SCREWED UP just let the government get control of it! Look how Government has BOMBED in just about everything it has got a hold of throughout the history of our country. The Great Society and war on poverty that spent billions, only to increase poverty. The war on drugs, billions spent again, only to increase drug use and incarcerations. The list goes on and on. yet many still feel government is the answer to every little social problem out there, even after it's been a failure over and over again.

The sad thing is democrats will come up with a tax increase like the cigarette tax they throw out let's say $2.00 a pack increase. The republicans have to come to some sort of agreement with the democrats and they end up at a dollar a pack. When is the last time a republican plan was compromised by a democrat? They get all hot and bothered and filibuster a bill or something irrational.

I am weary of the cliche' that surrounds 'wannabe politicians'. You are right Billnewbie about career politicians. It amazes me how the government can come up with the billions of dollars when there is a crisis anywhere in the world or around the state. If there's that much money in government, it seems to me that they have way too much. I'm interested in anyone who wants to be in government to make my city or county, the state and the nation a better place with no selfish self interest or eye toward re-election. The Repbulicans in Madison did stop so many of the tax increases Gov. Doyle wanted. That's reality!

joeflint:
MANY ARE moving to Texas, especially businesses. Miller brewing will be the next. Texas is one of the few states were housing has not declined, business is booming, and population is exploding. This is due to the pro-business/economic climate there. Perhaps after big taxing states are vacated, Robson and all your big government tax and spenders, will realize that a good economy is never built off government and taxation.

If Doyle would have got all the taxes he proposed in his last budget, we would have jumped into the top 5. Thankfully most of the taxes were stone walled by the Republican house, and all he got was the cigarette tax, which is still a disgrace; as that tax hurts the low income/working class most of all. A group Doyle and the Democrats CLAIM to "care" so much about. Doyle also got a higher "fee" which is essentially a tax as it effects most everyone who owns a vehicle. The motor vehicle registration went up to $75, I think it is. Who does that hurt most? A guy making $20,000 barely hanging on, or a guy making $100,000? But the Democrats care about that poor working class..haha

I'm sure we will regain our top ten presence in the near future. Doyle can't be happy that we are dropping.

We should be proud that we are only 11th?

Both parties are to blame. Politicians use money wasting programs to buy votes. Lifelong politicians are the problem. We need new faces and fresh ideas.

They must have left something out when they figured this.

Maybe Doyle shouldn't get the credit or blame here. What is certain is that if Sen. Robson and Rep. Hixson had their way in passing a $1.3 billion tax increase in the state budget last year, Wisconsin would have zoomed to the top of this list. There's no arguing about that. I know there are many people who don't want to admit this, but it is the State Assembly's slim GOP majority that has been the last line of defense from making Wisconsin a tax hell.

It took the republicans 15 years to get us into the top 5 and now you want the Doyle to fix there problem in just a few short years. When he does make a move the Republicans cry like crazy. I think they would be happy again if we where number 1 and then they would not have anything to complain about.

Wow. Just wow. Doyle would have us be #1? Republicans certainly have an interesting worldview, a very carefully constructed, cultivated, and maintained worldview. Why is it that Wisconsin has such "high" taxes? Because the level of services (police, fire, rural, roads, ...) are much higher than most states. It's hard to find a gravel road in Wisconsin south of Wausau... how about any of our neighboring states? We don't have tollways like Illinois. We do have very good public schools and a university system that is the envy of many states. If you want to enjoy a land with few taxes, might I suggest Texas? Great weather and beautiful country down that way too.

Lydia - apparently you missed the bit that said "since 1980"... that means it was the Republican Dreyfus who was at the helm when we broke into the top ten. There was a Dem in governor's mansion for four years in the early 80s (Earl) and then Republicans Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum were around from 1987 - 2003. Huh - doesn't quite fit with the worldview that only Republicans lower taxes, eh? (Yes, other states have raised theirs recently in feeble attempts to cover their shortfalls.)

Kudos to Gov Doyle??? You people have got to be out of your mind!!! If he had his way we would have been no. 1!!! The Beatles wrote a song about him a long time ago.. "Taxman" Listen to the words of that song and you'll see a clear picture of the governor.

You people need to get your heads out of the sand and realize that it was the Repulicans in Madison that forced so many of the taxes that the governor wanted to be removed from the budget. But then afterall, he did get the $1 tax added to a pack of cigarettes. Gosh without that we may have fallen all the way to no. 12!!!! The answer to the problems of today is NOT more taxes!!! And this governor had NOTHING to do with Wisconsin falling out of the top 10. It was the Republicans!!! Pay attention!

Don't like Janesville schools? Try rural Minnesota! Rural and small towns account for less than 1/2 of the population of MN so most taxes are shipped out to the Twin Cities mega-opolis for their schools leaving the rural school districts high-and-dry. Those who object to Wisconsin taxes should try living in one of those other states where, often, the cost of living is higher and the basic services funded by taxes that Wisconsin citizens enjoy are far less.

Kudo's to Governor Doyle? Who do you think put us in the tax bracket we're in?

kudo's to Governor Doyle.