Tax pot and the rich, or bury our headsBy Steven T. Jones
Newspapers and politicians can empower citizens, or they can promote cynicism and gridlock. The package of bad choices being presented to voters in the coming election are an example of the latter, and so is an article in today’s Chronicle reporting poll results showing voters want neither tax increases nor spending cuts.
It’s certainly true that most people want maximum services and minimal taxes, but Chron’s writer Carla Marinucci does a real disservice by her selective presentation of the Field Poll results. Rather than writing “state voters strongly oppose both new taxes and cuts in their favorite programs and services,” she could have written this: A new poll shows state voters want to close the budget gap by legalizing marijuana and increasing taxes on millionaires.
Instead, readers must make the jump to learn that 56 percent of voters want to legalize and tax marijuana, something legislation by Assembly member Tom Ammiano would do. And they have to make it almost to the end of the story to read that, “Three-quarters also supported more taxes on millionaires.”
It’s sad that veteran Chronicle political writer John Wildermuth has decided to take the Hearst buyout and leave the ailing paper, and we’re left with Marinucci and her consistently disempowering and conservative point-of-view. If the Chronicle wants to become relevant to this city, they should find a political writer who can recognize and present opportunities for progress.
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Comments (3)
You think Marinucci is conservative because she didn't turn her article about field poll results into a pro-marijuana legalization press release?
For the record, the conservative critics of the Chron are always bashing Marinucci for being a socialist hack. You know you're doing something right when you're pissing off both sides.
I think the SFBG needs to find a political writer with some perspective and a grip on the political realities in this state and this country.
Posted by John | May 1, 2009 09:09 AM
John,
The reality is that the state is broke and refusing to either raise taxes or cut spending simply isn't an option, so good journalists explore what our options really are.
BTW, the moment when I take my political cues from the Chron's narrow-minded suburban readership is when I give up being a political writer.
Posted by Steven T. Jones | May 1, 2009 11:05 AM
"You know you're doing something right when you're pissing off both sides."
Which makes Hillary Clinton the most popular politician ever... right?
Posted by JoshB | May 1, 2009 04:18 PM