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Family budget crisis prompts parents to cut back on work?

Minnesota's Governor Tim Pawlenty has previously used a state-as-family metaphor, saying that when a family is stuck with a budget deficit, they have no choice but to tighten their belts.  This is not quite true, as it ignores the income side of the equation.  Most families I know have tried to acquire more jobs or longer hours in order to increase income.  Some have even invested in something that might pay off in higher income, like going back to school to finish a degree or get additional training.  Looking only at decreasing expenses is considering only half of the problem.

The good news is that Governor Pawlenty now agrees that taxes may enter into the equation.  The bad news is that he's taken a George W. Bush approach to it, advocating lowering taxes to bring Minnesota out of its current financial mess.  My mind boggles at the logic.

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