In case everyone didn't see The Forum, Fargo, North Dakota, editorial, some weeks ago, and in case anyone still wonders where that fine newspaper stands on property taxes, just take a look at the article (May 15, 2012) that used over half the front page: "VOTERS LEAN HEAVILY 'NO'"
A large pie chart shows 74% voting "NO!" meaning they want to continue paying property taxes and they want everybody else to continue paying too. Another pie chart shows the main reason (among others) as to why they would vote "NO!" They are "Unsure how taxes will be redone to make up for lost revenue."
Let me repeat part of that: They are "Unsure." In other words, along with The Forum not leading the community and the state in positive reform, 74% of the voters agree with the status-quo. They want the Powers-that-be to continue leading property owners around by the nose. They want the school boards and cities to continue spending like drunken sailors with no thoughts as to where the money comes from. And in still other words, 74% of the voters are afraid of change. They are "Unsure" of what will happen so let's stay safe and not change anything.
Another part of that second pie chart shows what 11% of the voters...fear: "The government could run out of money" OMG! The government does not run out of money! I've said it twice already in these blogs, but I guess I need to say it again: "Government money grows on trees! Haven't you heard?" Yes, of course, that is sarcasm, but I consider that front page May 15th article as sarcasm toward Measure #2 proponents. I have to wonder where they found the 500 voters who responded to that poll? How many family farmers teetering on the edge did they ask? And how many property owners who have just a little house did they ask? (Right, I didn't read that entire article.) But was it just Fargo residents? Of course we know where 74% of Fargo residents would stand with that golden small city of a new school far south of the city (where, evidently, Fargo plans to grow and grow, and keep growing, and continue paving over some of the richest land in not only the country but the world;)(and we know what growth precedes [or maybe many of you haven't thought of it] but "growth" just precedes more and more growth, requiring more and more taxes, and then more and more growth to pay those taxes, requiring still more growth) oh yes, and Bluestem. I don't know where Bluestem stands right now, and I'm not going to look. Right, that's one piece of local pork I will try to forget about.
A third part of that second pie chart shows what 27% of the voters, again, fear: "Less local government control" Right, it's easier to beg for money by sending out the "local" property tax assessors, assessors who might even be your neighbor, but he/she can go over to that rich district and soak it to them, or, better yet, go to that poorer part of town and maybe tax them folks right out of existence. That part of town should be torn down and rebuilt anyway, and newer--better taxable--houses put up. And the present residents...? Well, the old can go to retirement homes and the poor, well, they can go to low-rent whatevers...not my problem--I just want that property tax money!
OK, OK, I will admit I got quite sarcastic in this blog posting, but it's getting close to June 5, and maybe it's just time to get down and dirty.
Oh, one more part of that second pie chart, 4% of the voters evidently didn't know why they would vote "NO!" they just would. A less sarcastic reason likely would be The Forum didn't have room to put in every two-bit opinion.
And there I go again with Sarcasm. I better just halt this blog posting and say "Thanks for reading, folks, now go out on June 5, 2012, and vote YES!!!! on Measure #2. And you folks on Twitter, take heed on what North Dakota is doing and follow our lead. Even if we lose this vote we have, hopefully, made the Powers-that-be stand up and take notice. We will try again, just like the school boards who get their beggings put on ballots and keep losing but they keep trying until they get their money, and their "way."
So will the proponents to eliminate property taxes: We will keep trying.
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