So, folks in Georgia, early voting has started (in most places). Hopefully you've considered for whom you will cast a vote. My votes today were as follows:
Governor: This one's a no-brainer. I could vote for King Roy, one of the most power-hungry maniacs ever to serve as an elected official in Georgia (and one who royally fucked teachers). I could vote for Nathan Deal, one of the most corrupt politicians in Congress (and that's saying a LOT!) Or, I could vote my conscience and choose John Monds. Mr. Monds believes in personal freedom, individual liberty, sound fiscal policy, and would be the first effective leader in a long time. He's also the first African-American ever nominated to run for Governor. Vote -- Monds. Vote in runoff -- None of the above, or Monds if he happens to make it. As a Georgia political writer whom I respect greatly put it, "A vote for Deal in 2010 is a vote for Cagle in 2011."
Lt. Governor: Didn't do my homework on this one, but I can't in good conscience cast another vote for Casey "Gun owners should be happy with the little bit of freedom we gave them" Cagle. I voted Libertarian.
Senator: Johnny Isakson is a political weathervane. Whichever way popular opinion blows, that's where he's pointing. Don't forget his votes for key Obama policies. Vote: Chuck Donovan (L). Vote in runoff: Write-in. I can't reelect Johnny.
GA Congressional District 8: In 2008, I cast a vote for Jim Marshall (in a very close election) the day before he voted for TARP. Fool me once, shame on you. Austin Scott all the way. Side note: There wasn't a Libertarian nominee here. I'm guessing because they didn't think they needed one, with Austin Scott running.
All the other races I care very little about: Libertarian all the way. Especially Kira Willis for Superintendent of Schools.
Local races: I didn't vote for either of the candidates for State Court Judge who have littered my streets and highways. I did vote for the one with very few signs. Sometimes signs can backfire -- looking at you here, Jason Ashford and supporters...
Cecil "Censor" Staton is running unopposed. I wrote in Mickey Mouse. He'd do a better job, and wouldn't fire radio personalities for speaking their minds.
Larry O'Neal is also running unopposed. I don't like it when they're able to do this. I wrote in my girlfriend's dad.
On the Amendments to the state Constitution: "NO" to all of them. New debt instruments are bad. New taxes (that's what that $10 license plate "fee" is) are bad. Allowing the state to obligate YOUR MONEY without first appropriating it is bad. Do the math.
On the referendum: YES. Taxes on business are bad. Tax cuts for business are good. You make a business pay less in taxes, they can spend the money they didn't have to pay in taxes to hire another employee, buy more inventory (which they won't be taxed on now!), or enlarge their space. This is how you create jobs. This is smart fiscal policy.
Showing posts with label Warner Robins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Warner Robins. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
More on the $40,000 waste in WR
So the question I want answered in the worst way is where will the $40,600 used yearly to line the pockets of the City Council and Mayor come from?
Are they going to cut police salaries? Public safety funding? Infrastructure? City employee salaries? Water? Gas?
Or are they going to raise taxes? This is the most likely explanation, as salary cuts would piss off a bunch of city employees, ALL of whom are registered voters. Tax increases just piss off most folks but can be levied at a time when it's not near an election so they're easily forgotten.
Most people believe that money grows on trees. It does not.
Warner Robins politicians may try to tell you that they can increase their salaries without cutting programs or raising taxes. They can not.
At least they're doing this legitimately and in plain view instead of skimming off the top behind the scenes.
The City Council meets Next Monday (the 20th) at City Hall, at 6:30 pm. I will be there with bells on... please come join me! I hope to be able to ask the above question and possibly speak a little.
Are they going to cut police salaries? Public safety funding? Infrastructure? City employee salaries? Water? Gas?
Or are they going to raise taxes? This is the most likely explanation, as salary cuts would piss off a bunch of city employees, ALL of whom are registered voters. Tax increases just piss off most folks but can be levied at a time when it's not near an election so they're easily forgotten.
Most people believe that money grows on trees. It does not.
Warner Robins politicians may try to tell you that they can increase their salaries without cutting programs or raising taxes. They can not.
At least they're doing this legitimately and in plain view instead of skimming off the top behind the scenes.
The City Council meets Next Monday (the 20th) at City Hall, at 6:30 pm. I will be there with bells on... please come join me! I hope to be able to ask the above question and possibly speak a little.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Local politics
So it seems Mr. Terry Horton, the esteemed (sarcasm) Councilman currently occupying Post 3 of the Warner Robins City Council, who is representing (among others) me, has introduced an ordinance to raise the pay of the Mayor by $25,000 a year (a 25% increase) and his own pay, and that of the other Councilmen, by $1200 a year to a total of $6200. The ordinance will also increase the car allowances for all 7 of them (Councilmen and Mayor) by $1200.
This is a total new expenditure of $40,600.
For reference, an entry-level Warner Robins police officer makes $27,898.80 a year. That same entry-level officer does far more difficult and important work and quite literally puts his or her life on the line every single day he or she goes to work. The most important thing a City Councilman does is... show up to a meeting twice a month. The position of Mayor is, admittedly, a full-time job, but I fail to see how the person holding that job deserves to make nearly FIVE TIMES what his lowest ranking police officer makes. When's the last time the Mayor of Warner Robins served a no-knock warrant?
To make it worse, Mr. Horton is not running for re-election this year. He's leaving the Council. So why does he want to raise their salary?
Furthermore, what justification is there in admittedly difficult economic times to INCREASE government expenses, especially those expenses which have absolutely NO profitable return. $40,600 to raise the benefits of 7 people who sit in a nice, air-conditioned room twice a month is absolutely absurd. If we assume (probably wrongly) that there are 100 entry-level police officers in Warner Robins we could increase their salaries by $406 a year. That money would be spent locally by those officers and would... wait for it... STIMULATE THE ECONOMY. Or maybe we could use the money to improve city infrastructure, say expand the sewer and water service to another subdivision just outside the city limits and annex it, which would... wait for it... INCREASE TAX REVENUE.
But no. A bunch of smelly (OK, probably not, just making that up) old men need more money to sit around and HARRUMPH at each other. Instead of doing something about the problem, let's just throw more money at those in charge of trying to fix it. Wait, isn't that what government is for?
For the record, I'm strongly considering running for Post 1 (At Large) on the Warner Robins City Council. Weighing whether or not I want to put myself and my family through the wringer and out on display.
This is a total new expenditure of $40,600.
For reference, an entry-level Warner Robins police officer makes $27,898.80 a year. That same entry-level officer does far more difficult and important work and quite literally puts his or her life on the line every single day he or she goes to work. The most important thing a City Councilman does is... show up to a meeting twice a month. The position of Mayor is, admittedly, a full-time job, but I fail to see how the person holding that job deserves to make nearly FIVE TIMES what his lowest ranking police officer makes. When's the last time the Mayor of Warner Robins served a no-knock warrant?
To make it worse, Mr. Horton is not running for re-election this year. He's leaving the Council. So why does he want to raise their salary?
Furthermore, what justification is there in admittedly difficult economic times to INCREASE government expenses, especially those expenses which have absolutely NO profitable return. $40,600 to raise the benefits of 7 people who sit in a nice, air-conditioned room twice a month is absolutely absurd. If we assume (probably wrongly) that there are 100 entry-level police officers in Warner Robins we could increase their salaries by $406 a year. That money would be spent locally by those officers and would... wait for it... STIMULATE THE ECONOMY. Or maybe we could use the money to improve city infrastructure, say expand the sewer and water service to another subdivision just outside the city limits and annex it, which would... wait for it... INCREASE TAX REVENUE.
But no. A bunch of smelly (OK, probably not, just making that up) old men need more money to sit around and HARRUMPH at each other. Instead of doing something about the problem, let's just throw more money at those in charge of trying to fix it. Wait, isn't that what government is for?
For the record, I'm strongly considering running for Post 1 (At Large) on the Warner Robins City Council. Weighing whether or not I want to put myself and my family through the wringer and out on display.
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