“When you get everything you need from government, government will get everything you have.” Larry Reed, member of Mackinac (Michigan) Public Policy Center and recent WLOB radio guest
As I stated last week, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) petition drive hit a snag in Superior Court in Augusta. The debate concerns whether signed petitions were turned in late to the Secretary of State’s office. The judge in Superior Court ruled that the so-called late petitions were turned in too late last year. The ruling was appealed to the Maine Supreme Court by lawyers representing the supporters of TABOR. The Secretary of State will also be appealing the decision by the judge in Superior Court. At the same time the Secretary of State has announced that TABOR might be unconstitutional.
All I have to say is, isn’t it amazing that it always seems like a citizen initiative is hated by those in government?
Although one could believe this legal action is defeating to TABOR, one must remember that the party that brought this issue to court in the first place would have appealed to the Maine Supreme Court if the TABOR side had won. I am pleased that TABOR has gained a lot of publicity because of this legal action. More and more citizens are interested in why TABOR is such a good thing for the state of Maine and are joining grassroots organizations like the Citizens Alliance of Maine. Other states, like Oregon for example, have petition drives to institute a Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
For excellent information on TABOR, please go to www.taxpayerbillofrights.com and learn why it is a good thing for Maine. One of the links is an excellent conversation between talk host Kevin Crocker of WLOB radio and former Colorado Senate President John Andrews. This interview is an eye-opener about TABOR and Colorado. A word of caution as this interview is lengthy and regular dial-up Internet service might cause for a lengthy download. It is information right from the horse’s mouth instead of the anti-TABOR propaganda coming out from the other end of the horse.
I, like many supporters, believe that the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is an important first step in controlling the runaway spending of government at all levels. Government at all levels in Maine has increased spending to such a degree that it is harming our lives and damaging our economy. Our children are leaving for better opportunities in employment. One of the most disappointing things to hear about is that citizens have to ask their local governing body to be exempted from property taxes because they can no longer afford to pay them. Under TABOR in Colorado employment increased and so did the population.
One can go to Google and search for TABOR. Remember that the information on the Internet is put there by people. The left-wing socialist liberals have created a barrage of information that attempts to persuade citizens to vote against TABOR. Even non-profits have joined in the fight. The Gang of 75, as we call them, evidently feel threatened that their access to your money is their right. Do you want to spend your money or would you rather have someone else spent it?
Columnist Lu Bauer stated that the facts I had in my previous column were wrong. Really? My information came from the Honorable John Andrews, not some floozy Web site. Remember how Lu ended her column last week with “sharing prosperity is a lot better than going through bankruptcy?” I have heard of countries doing that. Countries like Cuba and North Korea are two examples.
Isn’t it time that all Americans make money the old-fashioned way, earn it!
Send questions/comments to the editors.
