5 ms·

I've always liked the idea of flipping the tax situation so states keep the vast majority and the feds get peanuts - attacks the root of federal power. How cou

I've always liked the idea of flipping the tax situation so states keep the vast majority and the feds get peanuts - attacks the root of federal power. How could CA accomplish that? I guess we need our own tax collection agency?

WalterBright 7y ago
California (as all states do) already has their own tax collection agency.
maxerickson 7y ago
It would have to attempt to withdraw from the United States.
- pmart123 7y ago
  No. People would just have to vote politicians in that support more power at the state level. This has happened throughout US history. Secession is unconstitutional, and no state has a military. In fact, the US military would already be there (and most troops stationed there likely wouldn't be from that state).
  - maxerickson 7y ago
    "attempt" I'm going to repeat my point, and try to expand a bit, to maybe make it clearer. To unilaterally change where taxes go, California would have to attempt to withdraw from the United States. There's no other mechanism for a state to directly reduce their federal tax burden. Sure, people across the country could elect federal officials that were committed to reducing the importance of the federal government, but then it isn't California doing it, it's the whole US doing it.
    - pmart123 7y ago
      Cities and also states will be in a precarious financial situation after this. There is a danger this allows for the federal government to exert further power and control. Since history often rhymes: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/07/four-times-the-government-held-highway-funding-hostage/454167/ https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/07/four-ti... Rather than a single state attempting to withdraw, it would likely have to be a coalition of states acting upon a unified effort for increased state rights. If representatives in NY/Tri-state, CA, IL, MA, etc. acted in unison, it would likely be more effective.

WalterBright 7y ago

California (as all states do) already has their own tax collection agency.

maxerickson 7y ago

It would have to attempt to withdraw from the United States.

pmart123 7y ago
No. People would just have to vote politicians in that support more power at the state level. This has happened throughout US history. Secession is unconstitutional, and no state has a military. In fact, the US military would already be there (and most troops stationed there likely wouldn't be from that state).
- maxerickson 7y ago
  "attempt" I'm going to repeat my point, and try to expand a bit, to maybe make it clearer. To unilaterally change where taxes go, California would have to attempt to withdraw from the United States. There's no other mechanism for a state to directly reduce their federal tax burden. Sure, people across the country could elect federal officials that were committed to reducing the importance of the federal government, but then it isn't California doing it, it's the whole US doing it.
  - pmart123 7y ago
    Cities and also states will be in a precarious financial situation after this. There is a danger this allows for the federal government to exert further power and control. Since history often rhymes: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/07/four-times-the-government-held-highway-funding-hostage/454167/ https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/07/four-ti... Rather than a single state attempting to withdraw, it would likely have to be a coalition of states acting upon a unified effort for increased state rights. If representatives in NY/Tri-state, CA, IL, MA, etc. acted in unison, it would likely be more effective.