Don’t Get Me Started
Why local elections matter
Don’t Get Me Started
Why local elections matter
By ANDY HEFTY
GLEN SAINT MARY, FL - What many voters have trouble dealing with as we approach the Presidential election is whether the way they vote on the local level really matters. The mentality goes something like this: "Isn’t the White House the most powerful seat in the world? If so, why shouldn’t I worry about only who occupies that office?"
But there is the problem.
Many of our important issues of the day can be traced back to the needs of citizens at the local level. The biggest issue that comes to my mind is that of taxes. We pay a great deal of money for our homes (even folks who rent are paying their way on this -- don’t think your rent goes only toward part of the cost of the property). Local and state governments depend on that high figure to determine the amount of taxes they would like to collect. The higher the value of your home, the more taxes.
When Governor Charlie Crist decided to crusade for lowering the property tax rate, local governments just about lost all sense of self-control. As you remember, they even threatened us with extended incompetence (longer response times in a fire, for example) if we passed Amendment 1. As an added bonus, some Jacksonville officials decided to have a little creative time in possibly lowering taxes. They wanted to lower the property taxes and increase the sales tax.
The concept alone is one worthy of merit, since it encourages thrift and begins to implement locally what the Fair Tax movement is trying to do nationally. Who opposed it? Government and their various leeches, such as the police, firefighters’ and teachers’ unions. Instead of arguing the case on its merits with voters, they did what most liberals do when they know their argument doesn’t hold water. They go to court.
They cry to their "mommies" in the court system to get it thrown out on a technicality. And that is precisely what happened last week. The "tax swap" measure was removed from the ballot because "it wasn’t clear enough."
So let’s review: A locally-retained-by-voters judge threw out a local case. Some local government officials worked with the unions and "advocacy groups" to get it stricken down so the local taxpayer cannot decide how they wish to fund government. The representative form of government closest to our neighborhood was thwarted. Voters were told they don’t know what’s good for them. Your taxes stay high. Government officials and employees continue to drain your bank account when you’re faced with rising gas, food, and utility prices. And you’re more worried about who sits in the Oval Office.
Clearly, we need to reflect on our ways.
The other "big issue" that should be paramount in local elections is the concept of the rights of citizens to their private property. Remember the Kelo vs. City of New London decision? The Local government was attempting to confiscate the home and land of a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen. Eminent Domain is outlined in the US Constitution. The premise behind it is that if a road, bridge, government office, library, school, or other government facility was to be placed there, then the city, county, state, or federal agency was to pay the citizen what the property was worth and then boot them out. But in New London, Connecticut, the local agency wanted to turn the land over to a private developer to build a condominium.
This complex would then generate more money in the local economy and thus more tax revenue. They city figured that a higher tax base is justification enough. Sadly, the Supreme Court agreed. Because of that ruling, no private property is safe. Nowadays, the way to overcome that is to get local politicians to pledge that they will not abuse the power of Eminent Domain in exchange for feeding their addiction to tax revenue and vote-buying schemes.
Do you know where your local candidates stand on this issue?
Get a sample ballot. Visit the web sites of every candidate (if they don’t have one, they don’t need to be running for office in the 21st century). Call the candidates if they are accessible enough. Get specific with issues. Find out where they stand. Don’t just choose a candidate based on looks, party affiliation, or because you saw a close friend waving a sign on the street corner.
In other words, be an informed voter. Or stay home.
Programming Note: Andy will be on First Coast News’ digital cable channel and FirstCoastNews.com on Tuesday, August 26, from 7 to 11 p.m., evaluating the local election results and looking forward to the presidential election in November. Tune in.
