I remember once hearing an alcoholic giving a talk about what life was like before he got sober
He said,
"People used to accuse me of drinking too much,
But in my eyes, I never drank enough,
Because when I had finished all the liquor that was there,
I needed MORE."
It sometimes seems to me that politicians are a lot like drunks
People accuse them of Taxing too Much.
But in their eyes they do not Tax Enough
Because when the have spent all the Tax Revenue that there is.
They need MORE!
There are of course some differences.
With drunks and addicts the solution is total abstinence, but we do need Government to fulfill some basic functions so moderation, rather than abstinence is required
They DO need help with that it seems.
Left to their own devices, they are powerless against the elusive sense of ease that comes with a Tax Increase and they persist in making our lives unmanageable.
But they are not junkies, they are uncontrolled gluttons.
In "What's the Matter with Kansas" the author seems puzzled and deeply troubled by the tendency of Conservatives to vote against what he sees as their economic self interests and instead in support of what they see as their Principles
In his eyes he this is a result of manipulation,
Some may, however see it as representative of the actions of responsible citizens.
Indeed the Original Tea Party was not about individual economic self interest.
The Taxed Tea would have been less expensive than Smuggled Tea,
It was instead about Principles,.
Taxation without Representation and an assertion of the Rights and Liberties of Englishmen enshrined in the 1679 Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown. often called the English Bill of Rights.
Which the Crown (Government) had ripped from them
If one reads again the Declaration of Independence, one is left with the haunting impression that History's Wheel has come full circle.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
As their forefathers the Present Tea Party, stands more on Principle than individual economic self interest.
Much to the dismay and derision of those like the author of What's the Matter with Kansas"
Among these Principles are the concepts of Fiscal Responsibility, Limited Government and Less Taxation.
In recent times there has been enacted Local Option Sales Taxes called for brevity LOST
They were presented and voted down and represented until they passed.
One justification given to encourage Marion to pass this a while back was a claim that Marion would receive more revenue back from the State than they collected in Taxes.
Now it is desired to extend this 5 year levy to 20 years.
And a justification given for voters in the Unincorporated portions of Linn County to Vote for it is a claim that they would collect 10% of the Tax and receive 17% of the revenue.
For those who believe in Fiscal Resposibilty . Limited Government and Lower Taxation
there is a Question hidden in thiese claims
It is bluntly this
What do they need to offer to Buy your Vote and encourage you to Abandon your Principles?
The Price for MY vote is
Fiscal Resposibilty, Limited Government , Lower Taxation and Less Intrusion of the Government in my Life
If you cannot offer me that
You don't get it
Updated: Sunday, 20 February 2011 11:04 PM CST
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