Don’t know if anyone noticed the (albeit small) presser presented by small businesses against any revenue proposals to solve the budget crisis. But, it’s hard to take the so-called representatives of small businesses seriously when the spokespersons speaking against a tiny income tax increase (about 50 cents per month to the average Vermont taxpayer) are giving hundreds and thousands of dollars to Jim Douglas and the Republican Party.

A cursory search of the Secretary of State campaign finance disclosure reports showed:

Bart Frisbie gave at least $3,250 in contributions to the Governor alone.

Blair Enman and/or Enman Engineering gave at least $200 to Gov. Douglas

Rene Laberge gave at least $200 to Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie.

Shawn Shouldice Banfield (the lobbyist/organizer behind the news conference) personally gave at least $400 to Lt. Gov. Dubie.

Amanda Ibey’s PAC, HOME PAC gave $300 to “Friends of the Republican Party” and at least $1000 to Gov. Douglas

William Driscoll’s group, Associated Industries of Vermont gave at least $1000 to Friends of the Republican Party

Nobody would ever suggest that these folks don’t have a right to contribute to whoever they wish. But, it is disingenuous at best to suggest they cannot afford a very modest income tax increase when these folks are literally giving away hundreds and thousands of dollars to their conservative friends at the highest levels of state government. Something doesn’t add up.

When most people understand they could save hundreds of jobs, preserve essential services and institutions, avoid a massive cost-shift onto their local community (and avoid a worsening of the recession for that matter) by contributing a dollar here and there, they overwhelmingly support a small tax increase, or a tax increase on those with the greatest ability to pay.