Over and over, as I have taken a good look at the inner workings of national, state, and local government, the idea that keeps coming up is that “It is OK to vote no.”
Locally, I have seen a lot of proposals for high and mighty plans for the city and county. On the surface they may sound great and possibly even grandiose. However, a balanced view of government shows that the best approach is to let free enterprise thrive and to exercise limited government. This has been a main thrust of the Republican Party platform since about the time of Abraham Lincoln.
When free enterprise (that is what the United States has thrived on since its beginnings) is in place, then people can make their own way in life, make their own decisions for their personal lives, and there will be prosperity on a personal level (and in turn on the national level).
When you have a socialist type of government (what the Democrat Party seems to be espousing), then the poor and needy SEEM to be receiving assistance (but at the expense of the honest, hardworking middle class). And when government programs are in force, it is impossible for there to be equity in the way funds are doled out.
This can be seen in the various disaster areas (Hurricane Katrina and other hurricane ravaged areas as well as earthquake, tornado and flood-damaged areas, etc.). Also, big government always keep some of the tax monies for themselves. It works something like “one for me, and two for you”—and sometimes even “two for me and one for you.”
People (whether individuals or state or county government) have to actually apply for assistance (and not everyone has the knowledge to do that), and then some government entity (that might not know all the factors involved) makes the final decisions. In the end there is lots of red tape involved, and of course there are lots of administrative costs involved. What it boils down to, is that people pay in lots of tax money (from whatever source it comes), and then only get a portion of it back. (The administrative costs and red tape—and slow moving of government—are to blame for the portion taken out.)
Government programs are not all they are promoted to be. Look at Social Security for a prime example. People pay in money for years and years and receive very little back. If the same money had been invested privately, the people would be much better off.
There are lots of matching funds and grant money available for various projects. The ones (cities or other entities) that fill out the paper work usually get the funds—it is not necessarily the ones most needy or most deserving. How is this fair and equitable? It is not.
Also some programs get promoted or acted on because big government is dangling matching funds or other monies to help enact a certain program. It is like “If you don’t act on this program and take this money, then we’ll give it to someone else ‘more deserving.’” So somewhere, the programs of big government are bound to get acted on—whether or not they are good or needed programs. This is a big hindrance to free enterprise.
Here in Greene County, Missouri, the people have experience two major ice storms in two years. The first one crippled the city of Springfield and people in the county for several weeks, with lots of downed trees and power lines. Also there was much damage to property. The rules (thanks to City Utilities and the city and county government) have made it difficult to receive the assistance needed.
One of the plans was to have contractors pick up all the tree debris for every neighborhood. This took months and months, and it was quite expensive for the city and county. If individuals had hauled their own brush to the landfill, that could have been done possibly in a week or two. Why drag things on and on, and spend tons of money for a contractor to do the debris pick up? Surely there could have been a better way.
There are still issues that property owners are dealing with that concern property that was damaged by “city-owned trees.” Apparently any tree that is within a couple feet of a curb actually belongs to the city instead of the property owner. The city is reportedly supposed to trim these trees (but only if they need a major trim job or get in the way of power lines) and is in charge of cutting them down whenever the city decides it should be done. I have found this true in my own yard. It took several for the trees to be cut down, and then additional months for the roots to be ground up, and then more time before grass seed was sowed. The damage to fence and house has not yet been dealt with (a year and a half later) due to “regulations.”
Over and over again, I see that “less government is better.”
Anymore, when I go to vote on candidates and issues, I am looking to vote “no” on most things. It seems that special interest groups and sometimes well-meaning individuals in power think that programs and new laws are what people need. I personally do not need anymore new laws. Our country as we know it has been around for 232 years since 1776 (although our actual independence came a few years later). Surely, in all that time, just about every aspect of human life has been dealt with. And when inequities or problems or discrimination has been shown to exist, I believe almost all of those problems have been dealt with through laws (and some of the good laws have now even been repealed).
There are congressman and lobbyists who promote special interest ideas, and they want to put a feather in their cap to say they voted for or proposed this bill or that. I for one do not need anymore new bills or taxes. I don’t care what it is. VOTE NO. Whether you are a legislator or someone who votes in the polls, I want to stress to you that “It is OK to vote NO!”
As more laws are passed, I find that I have to lower my speed limit in neighborhoods (when the speeds were already low enough). I find that I cannot go through a red light without paying an automatic fine (that is camera enforced). I find that I am required to give my children questionable immunizations (that contain mercury and other ingredients that counteract any of the supposed good benefits). I find that I must have fluoride in my drinking water (when the benefits have been proven to be questionable, and when most of the water goes into the bath water, toilet, the grass, etc.). Soon I will be forced to use supposedly “green light bulbs” that are extremely dangerous. They contain 5 grams of mercury. That makes this a hazardous material. What is wrong with the standard light bulb that has been around for years (or maybe there is some other alternative). If people want to use the reported energy-saving light bulbs, let them do it, but don’t have Federally mandated laws to force light bulb usage.
In the recent political scene, one of the gubernatorial candidates for the state of Missouri has seen the light of day on this. Sarah Steelman recently held a press conference in Springfield, Missouri (and in other cities) to state that she no longer can support government mandates on ethanol being introduced into our fuels. She believes in free enterprise, and the current ruling would force farmers and others to use ethanol when they don’t necessarily want to. If something like this is voluntary, then OK. But don’t force an issue like this. She has also said the same thing about the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). If people want to microchip their animals, let them, but don’t force this on all animals (even farm animals). Sarah Steelman’s field director for her gubernatorial race says Steelman is 1) Opposed to North American Union straight up, no need to complicate it with KC Smartport; 2) Against eminent domain to generate more tax revenue; 3) Against illegal immigration and for employer sanctions; and 4) Opposed to NAIS. I say “bravo” to State Treasurer Sarah Steelman who is running for governor in the state of Missouri.
Missouri 5th District Representative Jim Guest of King City, Missouri is also opposed to NAIS. He has also sponsored a bill against the REAL ID. He is another Missouri legislator who is not afraid to say NO against bad legislation.
Two of the most well-known proponents of the “vote no” idea include Senator Ron Paul of Texas (who until recently was a candidate for U.S. President) and former Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina (who passed away on July 4, 2008 at the age of 86). Dr. Ron Paul has voted “No” on so many bills and laws that would have hurt our citizenry and free enterprise, that the media has labeled him as “Dr. No.” Senator Helms became known as “Senator No” for opposing just about anything that obstructed his conservative view of the world.
As these two legislators point out, “it is OK to vote NO!” So often new legislation is not well-thought out, and it panders to some hidden agenda or special interest group. It may not in the main thrust of a bill, but often there are underlying bills attached to larger bills. And these other bills can be VERY counter productive. That is why there has become the need for governor vetoes and Presidential vetoes (a power that is not used often enough).
Personally, it would be fine with me (or at least better than what I now see) for all the legislators to take a holiday for their whole term of office (or at least most of it). Then, at least, they would not be proposing and voting on dangerous bills that will in the long-run have dire consequences. I say leave well enough alone. If something isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it. And most of all, no more increased taxation. That is what our forefathers rebelled against when they orchestrated the Boston Tea Party, signed the Declaration of Independence, and went to war with Great Britain.
In the past, when I have had the chance to vote regarding a sale tax increase (or any other type of tax increase), I have voted NO. I plan to continue doing that. A few times I have voted YES to continue a small tax fee that was already in place, but I think to restore the monies to the citizenry, we need to back track. Next time I will also vote NO on any tax that is a continuance (an extra tax put into place several years earlier). All those additional “highway improvements” and library and school tax levees, etc. should be stopped instead of continued. Some of the supposed “improvements” are not improvements at all. How often do these entities get the input of local citizens before embarking on some of the grandiose ideas that keep surfacing? A lot of the (city, county, state, national) government problems stem from wrong priorities and mismanagement of funds—not from a lack of funds.
We need to take care of necessities first. It is not that important to put Springfield (or any other community) “on the map.” It is important to pay for pension funds for police and firemen. It is important to meet the needs of school children (needs not wants), and it is important to help the common man with a few issues in life, but grandiose park schemes and downtown betterment are not always a necessity.
So, I encourage you that next time you have a chance to vote NO to be sure and exercise that privilege. I think you will be pleased with the results.
UPDATE: The city of Springfield and Greene County currently has a referendum on the August 5, 2008 ballot to continue a 1/8 cent tax for the purpose of improving roadways, making expansions, etc. According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, most of those who donated money to send out a flyer to all the citizens of Springfield-Greene County regarding the 1/8 sales tax continuance are groups of people who stand to benefit from such a tax (i.e. trucking companies, engineering companies, striping and sealing companies, etc.). And of course the Director of Public Works endorses this continuance. City Utilities and members of City Council have also been promoting the sales tax. I’m sure the average citizen does not realize these things. From my perspective, some of the “improvements” are not necessary, and it is odd when people who stand to gain from such a tax are promoting it. They can’t be unbiased. with the current economic outlook on things, it seems wise to rethink some issues like this. I am voting “NO” on this continued extra sales tax.
SEE ALSO:
Our Responsibility: Be An Informed Voter!
http://princessofthetwilite.gaia.com/blog/2008/6/our_responsibility_be_an_informed_voter
JESSE HELMS
Jesse Helms: ‘Senator No’ helped lead conservative comeback
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/05/jesse-helms-senator-no-helped-lead/
Wake up America: ‘Senator No’, Jesse Helms Dies at 86
http://wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com/2008/07/senator-no-jesse-helms-dies-at-86.html
Greatest Senator of our time
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3827/is_/ai_n8975905
Jess Helms: To Mold a Nation
http://www.newsobserver.com/642/story/255955.html
Why the World Is Better For Jesse Helms
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E2D81030F931A15757C0A9679C8B63
The Jesse Helms Center
http://www.jessehelmscenter.org/”>http://www.jessehelmscenter.org/
RON PAUL
Congressman Paul’s Legislative Strategy? He’d Rather Say Not
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/08/AR2006070800966.html
Ron Paul: We Say “Yes” to Dr. No
http://www.vutorch.com/vutorch/2007/10/ron-paul-we-say.html
Yahoo! Answers: Ron Paul has been called “Dr. No”. Why?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071004072445AAnwqx7
Dr. No (R-Texas) / Interview by John Stossel, Part 1 (12/12/2007)
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/12/my_interview_with_ron_paul.html
Dr. No (R-Texas): Ron Paul on War / Interview by John Stossel, Part 2 (12/19/2007)
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/12/ron_paul_on_war.html
Dr. No (R-Texas) / Interview by John Stossel, Part 3 (12/27/2007)
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/12/dr_no_rtexas.html
WATER FLUORIDATION
Professionals’ Statement Calling for an End to Water Fluoridation
http://www.fluoridealert.org/statement.august.2007.html
VIDEO: Professionals Call for End to Water Fluoridation
http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/video-professionals-call-for-end-to-water-fluoridation/2118/
COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
Florescent Light Bulbs: The Truth (YouTube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqrCij6CbHA”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqrCij6CbHA
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ENERGY SAVER LIGHT BULBS! (YouTube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-LOtKIIKcg”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-LOtKIIKcg
Compact fluorescent light bulbs are dangerous when broken CFL (YouTube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUl1iVE3qXU
SARAH STEELMAN
Sarah Steelman is right–about one issue anyway
http://blog.showmeprogress.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1269
Sarah Steelman calls senators ‘cowards’ for vote on ethanol plant tax credits
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/18947299.html
Steelman calls for end to ethanol mandate
http://news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/NEWS01/807020506/1007
Steelman Backs Repeal of Missouri Ethanol Mandate
http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=149185&catid=3
NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (NAIS)
NAIS Press Release
http://ozarksrealnews.blogspot.com/2007/02/nais-press-release.html
NoNAIS.org
http://nonais.org/
REAL ID
REAL ID Becomes Real Issue at Capitol
http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=ECD3CACA-9291-D818-326396AC1B8A20CD
Department of Homeland Security Confirms Real ID Act Regulations Coming; States Rebel
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/DHS-Confirms-Real-ID-Act-Regulations-Coming-States-Rebel/
Legislators Against Real I.D.
http://legislatorsagainstrealid.com/
JIM GUEST
The Jim Guest Show
http://thejimguestshow.com/about/
Minutes of City Council Meeting held July 14, 2008 that mentions the 1/8 cent sales tax
SEE THE MAIN SITE OF GLENN GOHR’S WEBLOG:
http://glenngohr.wordpress.com
Thanks Glen,
The individuals which have taken money from their own pockets to promote this idea of voting NO are great patriots to the movement of freedom, limited government, and self responsibility. I’m proud to consider these individuals as friends and knowing the population at large is becoming more suspicious is quite gratifying.
Believe me, I am voting no. It may not increase taxes, but that 1/8 of a cent ads up and I think that the economy is stressed and every little bit we can save helps.
I also was quite suspicious of who paid for the mailer that I got that was encouraging a yes vote. And, if I was paying for it somehow. Probably indirectly or something, either way, why continue a tax? There are other issues that need to be dealt with and I think those may only be faced when there is a cut in spending.