Everybody should stop paying taxes. The Government is only going to give it to the Illegals or Iraq anyway. So keep the money for your self and the hell with the Government. Put the money away for what you need.

I need I-695 paved so my car doesn't get totally banged up. How long will it take me to save before I can repave the Beltway?

I agree we should stop paying taxes the Gov. gives it away and let oil companys charge what they want for our gas

Now that is a oxymoron.

Crack down on the businesses for not paying taxes and not a peep about the illegals who have gotten away with it for years.

Now they want us to pay for their college education. I guess that's why they need the back taxes from the business community. Go figure!

Ok, ok - so the "illegal" joke is on us once again - us being the tried and true legal citizens of Maryland and the U.S.A. For it is deemed by our representatives that we shall pay, and pay, and pay. Again my eyes blur over at the unbelievable assumption a number of our folks in Annapolis must have that we, the people, simply don't care enough to call them on it. Is there something in the water in Annapolis that causes this short sightedness? It is truly mind boggling!!! Is this "death by a thousand stings" to the tax paying, law abiding legal citizens of our great State of Maryland? God knows I don't think I'm being melodramatic about it. I find the silence running deep and the slope getting mighty slippery.

All those in favor of not paying taxes – be prepared to: fix your own potholes; educate your own children; save your pennies for that private college; protect yourselves from crime; put out your own fires; save your money because you won't be getting Social Security; if your elderly parents run out of money, better make room for them in your home and be prepared to pay for their medical expenses!
Come on, folks. Get real. No, our taxes aren’t always spent wisely but saying that we should all stop paying taxes is ridiculous. Better to work on making sure that our representatives make decisions that are in everyone's best interest.

Absolutely, there is waste in our government. That said, I believe that there are basic philosophical differences between those who would prefer to go it alone and those who would prefer to live within the fabric of a society that looks out for the good of all. Our government is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a far cry from a government that takes it all away. Perhaps we can agree to disagree. I hope that our country can do the same.

Vince your statement is a little skewed. You are advocating a double standard.

On the one hand you want the state to hold the businesses accountable and yet you make no mention of the millions of tax dollars we lose by subsidizing the illegals by holding them accountable.

The taxpayer spends $1.4 billion on their education now and the illegals are demanding more.

Where is the outrage there?

Its like the movie "And Justice for All!"

Killi, you answered your own question.

"Sure, the code by many is considered to be archaic, but he knew what he signed up for. He broke the rules. He suffered the consequences."

The "he" you refer to could be a they, if others broke the same code. If BYU knew there were others breaking the code, those players would face the same fate. I doubt if BYU would knowingly allow others to break the code in the same manner as the state of Maryland deals with the issues I have alluded to.

Are you advocating breaking the law, or just holding those accountable who get caught breaking the law?

The old saying that "justice is blind," applies to all, meaning its not a pick and choose justice system.

The crux of my statement is the state is turning its back on those who they no are breaking the law on the one hand and choosing to prosecute others on the other.

Why do you and I pay taxes and others don't? Is that fair just because they can get away with it?

Vince, I may have misconstrued your opening sentence and thought you were implying different standards in the application and enforcement of the law.

While I agree with many of the comments about paying taxes and the unfairness of how it is used, I think an important point is being missed here. The state is not going after taxes on the profits of these businesses. They are going after the SALES TAXES that the businesses have not paid (forwarded) to the state. This is money that every one of us paid when we made a purchase. It was never the business' money to start with. In effect, they are stealing the money we paid them that should have been sent on to the state. I own two small businesses. We keep an accounting of the sales taxes paid and forward that money off to the state every month. These businesses are not withholding taxes THEY owe to the state. They are keeping the sales taxes WE PAID. They are stealing from us.

Carroll, I didn't want to get in this because I see the same agendas over and over that get off topic. Your comment pretty much explains what most people miss. There is a cause and effect on this one. The business is the mere "go between." There is no money being levied on the hard-working business owner.

Moreover, the general state of taxes is so much larger than what is being thrown out here. Certain taxes are earmarked for certain things, so to say this or that tax is unfair because we have illegals or people on the welfare doesn't apply in **this particular case**. It's a maddening situation, I agree, but it's apples and oranges.

Likewise, gas taxes cover much of the road work, so it doesn't compare that because "x" business didn't send in sales taxes (stolen from their customers basically) the roads will be bad. They are all separate issues. You've explained it very well.

Carroll, its just like what our politicians are doing to us the taxpayers. They are taking from us and providing for others in the form of entitlements.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/542.html

Estimates are that 47% of people in this country pay no federal income tax. The middle class is providing the funding for everything and everybody.

Our nations $14 trillion deficit is the result of the reckless spending of our political leaders.

Yes these business are stealing from us, and so are our elected officials.

Kim, take a look at Patch's article regarding the council and the board of ed issues.

The council can put pressure on the school board by cutting their funding. The school board can counter this action by transferring funds to fill those gaps.

We just saw this happened when a governor in one state turned down federal money for a rail system. Upon that news, Governor O'Malley applied for those funds.

In the perfect world funds are earmarked for certain issues, but in reality all funding is subject to change.

This is how Governor O'Malley balanced last years state budget by using federal stimulus money. The shortfall the state is facing now is because the stimulus money is gone.

This happens ever winter with the moneys allowed for snow removal. We saw this last year during the blizzards when the state ran out of money and applied to the feds for relief which they received.

Its the same case on the debate of funding Obama care as to what the savings vs the actual cost will be.

Kim, this is the link I was referring to.

http://towson.patch.com/articles/olszewski-holds-budget-ax-over-schools-system-head

Also this link might help. Government budgets are always a work in progress, epically during recessions as deep as this one.

http://towson.patch.com/articles/kamenetz-balks-at-stoneleigh-renovation-funding-suggests-shipping-students-to-nearby-schools

Thank you, Carroll.

Catain Harvey's sub shop is on a list for $200k state taxes. I grew up buying from this small community shop. I still visit this subshop 2 remember old times & to get a sandwich. Im not sure if the state comptroller's so-called list of top 50 "tax cheats" is a fair practice for individuals or businesses in a spoiled economony. REALLY?TAX CHEATS? Could this sort name calling destroy a business or persons name for good? Talk about bad press! Collecting taxes is an important factor for economic growth but so is profitable businesses in Baltimore, Maryland.

Tax Cheats?? Are you kidding me!!!! The Biggest Tax Cheats are in Annapolis and in Towson they are the BIGGEST TAX CHEATS.

It seems most of the posters on this article are siding with the tax cheaters. I hope that doesn't project to indicate the makeup of our general population.

Yes Mr. Britt I would agree. As I read the article the people on the list are basically thieves. They either a) kept the six percent state sales tax YOU the customer paid, or they b) kept their own employees state income tax withholdings. Or in the case of Capt. Harveys, both. Or am I just reading this wrong?

Mack, think of it this way, and I will use your quote of, " Imagine the result if one policeman saw another policeman shirking his duties and decided to do the same."

I am suggesting that the officer who observed this report it to his commander and hold the officer accountable which you do allude to in you ending sentence by the reference to voting.

If we as voters allow branches of government to operate independently of the standards as they apply to the enforcement of laws, we are establishing a slippery slope.

In the waning years of my career, I helped in drafting written standards in our departments quest for accreditation. This would apply equal standards to every phase of our agency.

Ongoing compliance was critical and this was accomplished by close supervision and management.

This is what we are doing by calling into account the double standard as applied by the various branches of any government entity.

Four years in office is a long time - time enough for many of us to forget. Politicians count on this flaw.

Please stop high-jacking threads to push your own political agendas. This article has nothing to do with illegal immigrants, Martin O'Malley, etc. The people on the list are tax cheats and should be called out for their criminal activity.

I'm suggesting that you comment regarding the contents of the article you are posting in.

giggity, it is human nature in any topic that people will inject numerous ideas and points along with counter points. Otherwise the only comments would be limited to one person making the statement to the fact that the actions of those involved was illegal.

We could spend page after page just on the tax issues. There is nothing more complicated in this state that the tax codes.

I am simply suggesting that in any endeavor involving humane activity and discussion there is a wide range of interpretation and opinion. As they say, its not all black and white but there is plenty of gray in there.

Buzz, you are certainly entitled to post your opinions on whatever topics you see fit. There are plenty of open forums available...go there, post your topic, and have at it.

When you click the button to post a comment in an article, you should comment on the article.

Giggity, you are suggesting that you along with Vince are the only ones who should comment?

What open forums are you referring to? I blog on numerous sites and if you take the time to review this site you'll find out exactly what I am talking about as in the recent issue with the marriages, speed cameras and the presidents visit to Parkville Middle School.

You will both find a wide range of agendas from many different view points.

Vince, please outline your rules for what constitutes "on-topic," discussion and what you consider civil? For you the bottom line is that I abide by your view of humane nature and remain silent. How does one hijack a comments section? Some of the topics I referred to contain a ton of opinions. Are you going to notify those people to?

What you just posted has nothing to do with the topic at hand but rather what you think my agenda should or should not be.

Here is one for you Buzz:
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/forums/

I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you can find numerous other sites to post your agendas and view points. As a matter of fact, just replace the "baltimore" in the url with other city names and you can spread your good word across the nation.

I am finished replying to you, thanks for the fun!

If you want to read some that good word, read the response of V. Shaw.

http://elkridge.patch.com/articles/immigrants-press-for-passage-of-maryland-dream-act?ncid=following_comment

Now you think that attitude is OK by your standards?

I have never tried to censor anyone. I voice my opinion along with hundreds of others who voice theirs. That is the essence of the First Amendment.

I am not suggesting that you stop posting, in fact I think the more people get involved the more we all benefit.

Vince, you are practicing the remedy right here by voicing your opinion.

Robust debate and political discourse are paramount to the existence of our system.

There is nothing wrong with your opinion or anyone's. That is why they put these little boxes here so that we all can partake in the process. Besides, its good for Patch.