Video: Iowa politicians don’t like citizen involvement
posted at 10:14 am on April 1, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Our neighbors to the south in Iowa don’t exactly have a reputation for stoicism, thanks to the quadrennial presidential caucuses, but they’re not exactly known as radicals, either. Fellow Midwesterners like myself will be surprised to see Iowans this agitated over something other than a populist politician making a bungee visit during primary season. In fact, they got so angry over the state legislature’s consideration of a new tax on tax that the legislature cleared the chambers rather than listen to more protests:
More than 500 people who are upset with a plan to change Iowa’s tax laws were cleared from a hearing tonight at the Iowa House after they interrupted multiple times.
House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, cleared the crowd at about 8:30 p.m. The decision brought about loud protests as the crowd was escorted from the chambers by Iowa State Patrol officers.
“This is the most atrocious thing I’ve seen in the history of the 15 years I’ve been a lobbyist. Pat Murphy has acted like a jack-booted Nazi,” said Ed Failor Jr., president of Iowans for Tax Relief, a conservative taxpayers’ rights group from Muscatine with 50,000 members.
Iowa wants to end their rather unique tax policy of federal deductability. Iowans pay state taxes on income after deducting what they pay Uncle Sam in income tax. I’m not aware of other states that allow this; I know for certain that neither California, Arizona, nor Minnesota have this policy from first-hand experience. Iowa Democrats want to raise almost $600 million in new revenues from this policy, although now they say they want to provide balancing tax cuts for most income brackets.
Needless to say, Iowans are not impressed with this logic, especially in a recession that has hit their state hard already. With seasonal flooding affecting businesses on top of the economic turndown, protestors demanded an end to tax increases, especially on taxes on money Iowans don’t keep anyway. The bigger issue now though isn’t the tax per se, but the fact that their political elite just booted them out of the hearing for expressing their anger.
The “jack-booted Nazi” remark is complete hyperbole, but one does have to wonder why Iowa legislators seemed more interested in hearing themselves talk than their constituents. It may be a while before they have to face the voting public for re-election, but don’t expect Iowans to forget this insult.
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SARAH PALIN FOR QUEEN OF THE WORLD!!!
alexraye on April 1, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Ok Ed, what’s the story with the all Sarah, all the time photo spread this morning?
Kjeil on April 1, 2009 at 10:16 AM
That’s OK I could look at her all day!!!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on April 1, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Palin-mania!
Ed, you do realize that you are contributing to the mental breakdown of PopTech and others?
carbon_footprint on April 1, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Kjeil what date it is????????
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on April 1, 2009 at 10:16 AM
On another note, with this April Fool’s gag of posting her photos everywhere, I would say there is a good chance that Palin visits Hot Air today.
carbon_footprint on April 1, 2009 at 10:17 AM
had we only known it was so simple…
look for C-span to get locked out soon as well…
sven10077 on April 1, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Best April Fool’s day ever.
NebCon on April 1, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Oh, now you’ve done it, carbon_footprint. Poptech will be here any second posting his “Palin doesn’t read” thread.
yogi41 on April 1, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Palinmania!!!!
Repurblican on April 1, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I’d like to think Sarah is blowing AP a kiss in this one…
jp on April 1, 2009 at 10:20 AM
ED, THIS LOOKS LIKE CFP!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!! KEEP IT UP SWARM THE BOARD WITH SARAH’S PICS!!!!
BWHWHWHHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!
ProudPalinFan on April 1, 2009 at 10:20 AM
note to Ed: one of these Palin as Queen photoshops is the icing on the cake
jp on April 1, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Sarah Palin is gorgeous and an inspiration to all of we women in our 40s.
But Ed, you are teasing the guys to death with that kiss.
BigD on April 1, 2009 at 10:20 AM
This tax policy isn’t limited to Iowa.
I know for a fact that Louisiana’s income tax deducts federal income tax from a filer’s Louisiana taxable income, at least in the case of state residents.
teke184 on April 1, 2009 at 10:20 AM
It’s going to Palin all day isn’t it? Ugh. Lovely April Fool’s day joke. If I were a Palin lover here at Hot Air, I’m not sure if I would be offend or not.
What’s say you?
Lance Murdock on April 1, 2009 at 10:21 AM
if it happens in Iowa, it could happen in your neighborhood.
kelley in virginia on April 1, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Why the hell are all of these idiot legislatures raising taxes? Not one is doing a thing to cut costs.
Iblis on April 1, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Her Majesty Queen Sarah
alexraye on April 1, 2009 at 10:21 AM
There’s a clue here….sommerz…..still looking…..gottabe a clue here….
Skandia Recluse on April 1, 2009 at 10:22 AM
SARAH PALIN FOR QUEEN OF THE WORLD!!!
alexraye on April 1, 2009 at 10:15 AM
note to Ed: one of these Palin as Queen photoshops is the icing on the cake
jp on April 1, 2009 at 10:20 AM
:D
alexraye on April 1, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Palination!
loudmouth883 on April 1, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Gee, it’s almost as if these politicians don’t understand who it is they actually work for. Here’s a hint for the clueless (and that includes you, Mr. “I’m ready to rule” Obama): the only sovereign in this nation is “we the people” — and we are not amused.
AZCoyote on April 1, 2009 at 10:25 AM
That’s a horrible photo of her…
TheBigOldDog on April 1, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Yep, along with Mitt’s resume.
carbon_footprint on April 1, 2009 at 10:25 AM
THANK YOU ED!!!!!
DCJeff on April 1, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Well she is an attractive visual and agitating AP is fun -so those are pluses. However do we really want to see poptech’s head cyber-explode? Of course some might see that as another plus.
katiejane on April 1, 2009 at 10:26 AM
And oh, yeah, kudos to my neighbors to the east for speaking out against the lunacy of that tax proposal.
NebCon on April 1, 2009 at 10:27 AM
She does have a beautiful genuine smile, doesn’t she?
ctmom on April 1, 2009 at 10:27 AM
What’s up with all the Palin photos? This a April 1 thingy?
jediwebdude on April 1, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I must be so out of it, I didn’t even realize there was a joke going on here with the Palin pics. I hate today.
Looks like the Iowa legislature is taking a page out of Congress’ book – they stopped listening to constituents ages ago.
Anna on April 1, 2009 at 10:28 AM
thats more like it…
alexraye on April 1, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I want the photo of Palin winking!
JammieWearingFool on April 1, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Ed, you magnificent ba$tard! Keep the Palin pics comin’!
Mr_Magoo on April 1, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Best April Fool’s day ever.
Bob's Kid on April 1, 2009 at 10:29 AM
this one is MUCH better!!!
alexraye on April 1, 2009 at 10:29 AM
???
I guess Ed is trying to prank Allah???
Kai on April 1, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Idiots
Out
Walking
Around
I kid, I kid*
*Relax and go have a corn on the cob.
carbon_footprint on April 1, 2009 at 10:30 AM
This will piss off every liberal troll that visits here today…genius, Ed…thanks for giving me a big smile this morning!
DCJeff on April 1, 2009 at 10:30 AM
WWAPD: What Will AP Do?
Mr_Magoo on April 1, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I live in Iowa and I’m part of the Tea Party movement here. This from one of my fellow organizers, who attended the event:
Get involved, everyone…
beatcanvas on April 1, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Is this a violation of Iowa code 21?
Quoting from guide–”This chapter seeks to assure, through a requirement of open meetings of governmental bodies, that the basis and rationale of governmental decisions, as well as those decisions themselves, are easily accessible to the people. Ambiguity in the construction or application of this chapter should be resolved in favor of openness.”
canditaylor68 on April 1, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Nice.
BadgerHawk on April 1, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I’m glad Ed put up pictures of our beautiful Sarah instead of AP subjecting us to his infatuation with Lardass McAirhead.
single stack on April 1, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Where’s the hotair dude that’s lookin’ in the camera?
lorien1973 on April 1, 2009 at 10:32 AM
YES, YES, YES!!!!
I would have been for humpbots all day long. Now, that, would have been funny.
Lance Murdock on April 1, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Ed, the form of government, even in Iowas, that we have in the U.S. is a representative republic. The idiots interrupting the debate in the state house were the ones who abjured decorum, not the speaker. They may be right, but they were wrong in how they expressed themselves.
Tennman on April 1, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Allah: he will roll off the couch around 11:00 AM (EST). After he trips over his empty Jack Daniel’s bottle, he will stand up, turn on the television to The View and log onto his laptop. He opens up Hot Air and sees Palin plastered everywhere! Priceless joke Ed.
carbon_footprint on April 1, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Love that flute embouchure!
HarneyPeak on April 1, 2009 at 10:34 AM
yep, good smile…essential for national politics.
quick, lets join the libs and throw her overboard with distortions!!!! /AP
jp on April 1, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I just want to say that I heartily approve of the “All Sarah, All Day” concept.
rbj on April 1, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I need that photo as a screensaver.
james23 on April 1, 2009 at 10:36 AM
\
My guess is that he was cut to make room for the new square ad space.
Hot Air is not linked with PJ Media any longer, IIRC.
carbon_footprint on April 1, 2009 at 10:37 AM
I agree,but the real joke is on the American people who elected B.Obama as president. The libtrolls will continue to defend his joke policies even as Rome(USA) burns.
canditaylor68 on April 1, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Oh. I can’t see advertisements, so I figured it was a april fools thing.
lorien1973 on April 1, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Anybody who engages in this Palin Vs Romney crap at this point in our history is really not very smart.
If they wouldn’t take either one of them in heartbeat over Obama then they aren’t very smart.
If they spend a second attacking either one over Obama then they aren’t very smart or helpful.
TheBigOldDog on April 1, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Aaaw….. isn’t it nice that Ed’s first thought of an April fool’s spoof is a Palin photo!!
So this is the day that Ed get’s to be.. acting like Allah (which is what he has always wanted to be).
I wonder if Allah, is going to act like Ed… for an April fools spoof?
YOU CAN DO IT ALLAH, JUST ONE DAY YOU HAVE TO ACT SANE LIKE ED!
Mcguyver on April 1, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Also – If there’s an ad there; its awful placement. Unless it pays out by pageview, it’ll never make money.
lorien1973 on April 1, 2009 at 10:39 AM
This is the best April Fools Day ever.
calabrese on April 1, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Next time the protesters should just show up with buckets of tar and feathers. No need to be polite to these politicians any more.
t.ferg on April 1, 2009 at 10:40 AM
New York does, Ed. It’s explicitly on the long form as an itemized deduction and, therefore, presumably part of the standard deduction for the short form.
Dusty on April 1, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Ed, you’re too funny with the Sarah pix today. The HA frontpage has never looked better…Allah’s gonna think he’s entered the Twilight Zone when he starts his shift later…
RepubChica on April 1, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Sorry I’m slow on the margins.
Kjeil on April 1, 2009 at 10:44 AM
So is this the Iowa legislature’s Waterloo? (sorry couldn’t help myself)
Limerick on April 1, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Actually, I’m not seeing ads now but early this morning I was. There were also the Google Adsense stuff, but I’m not seeing that anymore either.
carbon_footprint on April 1, 2009 at 10:45 AM
what a joke. at least this other governing body was able to continue on despite its own ‘disturbance’
gatorboy on April 1, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Wow, when Barney Frank finally croaks from HIV or from choking on a sausage, the absolutely worthless, corrupt and incompetent Democrat Party can snatch this Iowa Rump Ranger out of the bush leagues to replace him.
NoDonkey on April 1, 2009 at 10:46 AM
nodonkey: thank God there is no adequate replacement for Barney Frank.
kelley in virginia on April 1, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Sarah is also a inspiration to women in their 50′s as well. :)
Had to add that. Happy april Fools dag för alla på Hot Air! A tad of Swedish for you all.
sheebe on April 1, 2009 at 10:49 AM
I dunno. Ed’s new senator seems a likely candidate.
Limerick on April 1, 2009 at 10:49 AM
There are ads on HotAir? Apparently AdBlockPlus works better than I guessed…
Snowed In on April 1, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Agree, but I would also say there is no inadequate replacement for Frank, either.
Replacing Barney Frank with a stray mutt from the dog pound would be a more than adequate replacement, in my opinion.
NoDonkey on April 1, 2009 at 10:52 AM
c_f kids not I
thomasaur on April 1, 2009 at 10:52 AM
There were early this morning but now I am not seeing them.
carbon_footprint on April 1, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Allah must be somewhere in the fetal position rocking back and forth.
portlandon on April 1, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Wow, HotAir has never looked so good as it does this morning…
Norwegian on April 1, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I agree, Palin is a real true woman. Intelligence and beauty all in one. Is a rare sight for sure. She is a inspiration to me.
sheebe on April 1, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I’m glad I see the ads. I click on every left-oriented ad I see, to cost them $, & to help HA.
jgapinoy on April 1, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Ed,
You could accelerate the mental breakdown of PopTech and getalife by blocking them from HA.
It would even bring back serious discussion of HA posts.
Right_of_Attila on April 1, 2009 at 10:59 AM
This event is good.. Another point of the boiling pot called tax increases is starting. Looks like Des Moines is ripe for a tea party!!
Dire Straits on April 1, 2009 at 10:59 AM
More Sarah!
JimK on April 1, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I hope Iowa raises hell and throws tea parties like crazy. Something has to be done with our Greedy Government taking everything that we have. Literally. There are actually Tent Cities going up in States. When will People start to wake up and speak out? When we email them or call them they don’t even care. They think that they are above us and we can’t touch them. But we can.
sheebe on April 1, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Is amazing that there are such ignorance in those two individual’s. I love Hot Air but it has been discouraging. Why I been going to manlyrash’s site. But Hot Air was the place where I met wonderful people. Cannot forget that. You do bring up serious discussions. That I do remember.
sheebe on April 1, 2009 at 11:08 AM
The State of Oregon has such a provision in it’s State Income Tax. Kinda sucks actually, because every time the Feds send out a “rebate” or tax cut the State gobbles the lion’s share of it up.
Browncoatone on April 1, 2009 at 11:10 AM
And let’s not forget us spring chickens in our 30′s! ;-)
RepubChica on April 1, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Where is that? He was great fun during the election season.
BigD on April 1, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Palin doesn’t read the right news.
The stockmarket is up 45 points. Obama wins.
Europe loves Barry.
The reccession be over. I now buy an Obamabile.
Palin is too old. Michelle is winning Europe.
We won, you lost. Barney and Barry says the world is saved.
My head hurts. Barry was here.
My butt hurts. Barney was here.
needalife on April 1, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Darn it. I just can’t get the hang of this pay-per-post thingy. I need a bailout, stat!
Yoop on April 1, 2009 at 11:13 AM
It will be interesting to see if Iowans have enough political memory for this to have an effect.
OT (sorta)–Ed, Did you happen to get a tip about the Palin pics the other day?
Random Numbers (Brian Epps) on April 1, 2009 at 11:13 AM
North Carolina has a variation on the “tax the taxes” concept. If you itemize deductions on federal taxes, your state income tax withholding is deductable. North Carolina calculates how much that reduces your federal taxes, and adds that back into your next year’s state return as taxable income.
It’s a crappy way to write a tax law, but it’s been the law as long as I’ve lived here, nearly 30 years.
NeighborhoodCatLady on April 1, 2009 at 11:14 AM
I don’t want to step on Ed or Allah, but we need all the Conservative sites we can get. Here it is would love for you to drop in and say hi as well.
sheebe on April 1, 2009 at 11:15 AM
On the subject of trolls…Venom Award goes to capitulus–the guy openly calls Sarah white trash, HA posters rednecks, bigots, and other Ad hominem delights and continues to retain his posting privileges despite the immediate banning of Mercy4Me who referred to Mos Dumb as a “negro”….interesting the double-standard…and pathetic that it’s on a so-called conservative website, where we come to escape the liberal msm and their similar tactics in the news realm….
RepubChica on April 1, 2009 at 11:16 AM
http://www.manlyrash.com/blog/
Join the Tri-Corn rebellion.
thomasaur on April 1, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Oregon, which also happens to have no sales tax, also does, but up to a limit of $5,600 (I think it is, used to be unlimited, then $3,000, something like that).
MB4 on April 1, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Clear the room of politicians……NOT TAX PAYERS!!!!
.
.
.
.
GOV PALIN 2012!!!
christene on April 1, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I know, I have read his vile words. Lately though a lot of new ones here are very impressing and have high intelligence. They come up with some solutions or idea’s. Is the trolls that ruin it though. They are blind and cannot see what is going on. I have a hard time ignoring the trolls. I have to admit, I messed up one day and didn’t realize what I said was cruel about TOTUS. But I am against totus. Some wonderful people here but the trolls are nasty creatures.
sheebe on April 1, 2009 at 11:21 AM
The Race Card once told me to “pull my head out of my a** and wipe the blood from my butt” and Ed/Allahpundit had no problem with it. The standards for what AP calls “elevated discourse” can be a bit loose around here.
BigD on April 1, 2009 at 11:27 AM
I do remember that and that was not right. He has said cruel statements to many that are on our side. He doesn’t read the words. That is what annoys me. Is some people read what they want to see. Not the words.
sheebe on April 1, 2009 at 11:29 AM
When Legislators fail to Listen to Taxpayers & Voters You have the Right to Be Heard, as was the case in this event.
Legislators are elected to Balance the States Checkbook & Pay the Bills. Period. They refused to do that. The Hearing was a Public one open to comment per Iowa Code. No violence, No Property Damage, No arrests because no Laws were broken except by The Speaker of the Iowa House.
Decorum means little when Legislators are not accountable or held responsible to Taxpayers & Voters that object to having their hard earned incomes plundered by Fools that can’t balance the State’s Checkbook… Do you understand that? Look for more of this.
It was a clear violation of Iowa Code and a reprehensible action by Speaker Murphy. Period.
old trooper2 on April 1, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Ed – rationalize it all you want, but this still constitutes a tax increase for people in Iowa, just the same as if they had raised the marginal tax rates. the net effect is still the same – people in Iowa pay more taxes than they did before. Justifying a tax increase by saying that other states do it this way does not hold water.
Are you sure you didn’t really vote for Al Franken up there in Minnesota? Your comments sound like something that would come out of that camp.
tballard on April 1, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Don’t mind getalife’s blather nor DTMH’s deeply-penetrating political (mega sarc) thoughts…the cheap insults on the other hand from the guy mentioned above…that’s not acceptable at all.
RepubChica on April 1, 2009 at 11:34 AM
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