THE GROTESQUE RECEIPTS TAX: GOVERNOR FLIPS A BOOGER AT THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE ILLINOIS BUSINESS GO

This is terminally stupid. A global tax only works when it's global. Doesn't work when people can move to another state, one which isn't afraid to tax net income instead of arbitrarily taxing grossing in non-comparable industries.

I know a guy who manufactures a tiny little product, which becomes a part on another product. His markup, and he's a very thorough cost calculator, is .5%. Fortunately for him, his business is in another state. He creates about 160 jobs in a poverty stricken, rural area. He doesn't need to work or to run a business. If his state started up such a foolish assessment, he'd just close or sell out to an overseas interest which would move the jobs to the Far East. How many of him are there in Illinois? Plenty, I'd guess.

The premise for this whole exercise is false. There is no choice between "The big corporations and the people". When a corporation is assessed a tax or fee, it passes it on to customers. Whether it's lawn mowers or medical equipment, the folks who pay for it are......drum roll......PEOPLE!

Do we need to change our entire approach to taxation in Illinois, from top to bottom. Of course. Is a Gross Receipts Tax any kind of answer? Hell, no.

Even the GOP knee jerk response is right once in awhile. This is one of those times.