Thoughts on 1991

I spent most of last week learning about the state income tax and the drama that unfolded during the 1991 legislative session.

I can't imagine being a lawmaker during that time. In 1991, the legislature voted to enact a state income tax and people were furious. I heard so many people talk about the rallies against the income tax, the death threats and the 24-hour legislative days.

Comptroller Nancy Wyman was a state representative in 1991 and had someone jump on her car and spat in her windshield. Rep. Mary Mushinsky had people rallying on her front lawn. She took the threats people made seriously and sent her two young children to live with relatives for a while.

Former Gov. Lowell Weicker was hung in effigy for proposing the income tax.

I bet those people didn't know what they were in for when they were elected to office.

With changes to the income tax and a series of tax hikes proposed this session, do you think we are in for similar chaos? Will people rally in the streets? Will they threaten lawmakers and their families? Will they get involved in their state government, or will they be apathetic?

Though they may not have made their grievances known in the best of ways, it sounds like people were engaged in current events in 1991. That is something we often lack today. People don't pay attention to the process, but cry about it later. If you are going to be angry, be angry as the decisions are made and the drama unfolds. Don't wait until it is too late.

And one more observation. Gov. Weicker was on his own, being the only elected official from an independent political party he created. Many often did not agree with his views, but most -- from all political backgrounds -- always say they respect Weicker for standing his ground and doing what he felt was right. How many politicians can say they have that same kind of reputation today?