THIS IS THE way the reigning political mythology goes: George Bush I lost his presidency because he raised taxes. Former governor Pete Wilson lost his political career because he raised taxes. Art Agnos was a one-term mayor of San Francisco because he raised taxes.

Mayor Willie Brown knows that, so the budget he presented this week doesn't include any tax increases. Instead it's balanced on the backs of the poor. That's the way politics works in this country these days.

Let's face it: Most of the members of the Board of Supervisors are ambitious. Two are already candidates for the state assembly; two others have announced that they're running for mayor next year. Some of the remainder believe they're also on the fast track to higher and more powerful office.

And I think any political consultant in town would say, without a moment's hesitation, that getting tarred as the person who helped raise taxes is a good way to damage those dreams.

But this is San Francisco, and you have to wonder: if the dominant paradigm is ever going to be subverted, the way the bumper stickers suggest, won't it have to start here?

Brown is proposing to cut $300 million from the city budget. Some of that is probably waste; there's clearly a lot more waste out there. But there are also huge needs that aren't being met – and as federal and state aid to cities continues to decline, those needs will just multiply.

And there are some very, very rich companies and individuals in this city that haven't paid their fair share of taxes in at least 20 years.

It seems to me that this is an opportunity, a chance to honestly look at where the money comes from, as well as where it goes.

Cities and counties have to do a lot more than they did in the past. Why not try to make the people who no longer have to pay as much federal tax (thanks to Bush II) pay a little more to San Francisco? Why does that have to be political poison?

Yeah, the Chron will blast anyone who talks about higher taxes, and certain reporters and political columnists will make fun of them. But if you communicate it right – we're taking money from Chevron to pay for nurses at S.F. General – I think San Franciscans will go for it. And if we can't even do the right thing in this city, aren't we all doomed anyway?