March 25, 2011:
Alcohol Tax to Fund Baltimore City & Prince George's County

"Doublethink" was the concept in George Orwell's 1984 where one could hold two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously and fully believe in both of them. It required incessant public mind control which was the foundation of Big Brother's grasp on government power.

Video Main Page Endorsements show wide support Key Legislative Areas: See What Nancy Has Been Working On for Maryland.

Listening to the advocates for an alcohol tax and the ensuing media coverage is a lot like "doublethink." Incessantly, we are told that the alcohol tax has not been raised since the "Eisenhower Administration."

The lead in the Baltimore Sun's blog (click here) about the vote yesterday by the Senate Budget and Tax Committee reads: "For the first time in more than four decades, a Maryland legislative committee has approved an alcohol tax increase. . . Budget Chairman Edward Kasemeyer noted the historic nature of the committee's move, saying most Marylanders 'probably wonder why it has taken so long.'"

Doesn't anybody remember O'Malley's 2007? Has the Orwellian continuous alteration of the past blotted out our collective memory of that historic tax increase?

The tax on alcohol retail purchases and drinks in restaurants and bars went up 20% in the O'Malley sales tax increase of the 2007 Special Session.

Under the B&T committee's actions, the Eisenhower era excise tax on alcohol will still stay the same. The alcohol sales tax - which O'Malley increased by 20% just four years ago - will increase an additional 50% over the next 3 years.

And where will the new revenues go? Only the Orwellian "Ministry of Plenty" could think of this: next year under a statewide alcohol tax, 80% of the new revenues will go to Baltimore City and Prince George's County. The remaining 22 jurisdictions receive nothing.

As reported by the Baltimore Sun, "Although the new revenue would go into the state's general fund, the Senate committee has plans for it next year: $5 million would assist people with developmental disabilities, $8.8 million would flow to Prince George's County, and Baltimore City would receive $12.2 million. Because Prince George's County has grown relatively wealthier, state aid has dropped, something the alcohol tax money would help assuage. Baltimore would use the money to pay for increasing costs of retired teacher's health care."

This may not make sense but be careful what you think while reading this - the Thought Police of Big Brother are watching you.