Local Dem Opposes "Flip-Flops"

On Friday, Lindsay Webb launched her campaign against Joe Birmingham by complaining that he “flip-flopped” in his position on the trash fee proposed by Carty Finkbeiner. While I have no problem with taking Mr. Birmingham to task for his position on raising taxes, I do find it a bit interesting for Ms. Webb’s approach. According to a Blade article, Ms. Webb criticized Joe for “voting for the tax after saying he opposed it.” I’m sure she voted for President Bush in the last election – he didn’t “flip-flop” on the war issue.

Even more interesting was the presence of Mark Sobczak at her press-conference. Mr. Sobczak could be accurately described as having “flip-flopped” on the issue of conflict of interest regarding the trash tax. I’m still waiting to see the position paper given to Mr. Sobczak which stated that voting for a fee that would benefit an organization he personally profits from is not a conflict of interest. I suppose that if one sold short pharmaceutical stocks, then announced a plan to nationalize the entire health-care industry (allowing one to personally profit), one might run for president.

In any event, I’m looking forward to Ms. Webb laying out her outline for the budget – one that doesn’t include new taxes. Somehow, however, I don’t think I’ll be hearing any concrete plans. And there is the real tragedy, a political sub-party playing on our fears (where have I heard that before) of new taxes to get elected. Upon gaining power, sadly, they continue to drive up spending and taxes, and sending those who can fleeing from the city. The only flip Toledo needs is one to some old-fashioned fiscal conservatism.

Margaritas ante Porcos,
Right Wing Toledo

Friday's Quote 3-2-07

Balanced budget requirements seem more likely to produce accounting ingenuity than genuinely balanced budgets.

- Thomas Sowell, American Economist

Budget From the Blue Means More Green From You.

Well, Emperor Finkbeiner has released the portions of the 2007 budget, aka “Your Seized Money.” Some of the budget reduction ideas hold some merit, such as the shuttering of the pool system. Let’s face it, the system is underused, and overly expensive to maintain, staff, and insure. Personally, I have no problem with filling them with concrete, then painting them green to placate the environmentalists.

Staff reductions and department “eliminations” also hold promise. But, why are we simply giving the section another name, why not eliminate Affirmative Action completely? After all, in a time of budgetary woe, why are we accepting bids from someone other than the lowest bidder who meets the requirements? According to the Fourteenth Amendment, protection, due process, and by extension, the benefits of government cannot be discriminated by race. And, receiving a governmental contract is a benefit of said government. And, can someone tell me why we had Departments of Recreation along with Parks and Forestry? Oh, that’s right, more jobs for cash contributions (that’s pay to play for those keeping score at home).

Most importantly, however, is the raising of revenue proposed by the Emperor. There is to be a new tax on your trash, a tax that was covered by the “temporary” ¾% income tax that keeps being renewed. The new tax amounts to a near 20% increase on top of the average city resident’s income tax bill.

So, what I want to hear is, the sound of liberals screaming – this tax hits the poor far more than the rich. The poor create far more of the garbage being eliminated, that is the stuff that isn’t tossed into the streets by young hoodlums dealing drugs and shooting police officers. So, I suppose, being the evil conservative that I am, I should be in favor of this regressive tax. Sorry guys, as a true conservative, I’m against governmental taxation in as many forms as possible. Let’s try working the guys 8 hours a day (instead of the 6 they average), or better yet, open up the city contract for bids. Oh rats, I suppose we can’t privatize trash collection at the same time we’re trying to seize the ambulance business from private industry. My bad.

Margaritas ante Porcos,
Right Wing Toledo