Sen. Lynn Bromley is to be complimented on watching out for the interests of her constituents by supporting a sales tax exemption for a business looking to come to Scarborough’s Haigis Parkway.
In so doing, she makes a very good argument, but the fact that Cabela’s proposal was wrapped in a threat stimulates consideration. Cabela’s told the state of Maine that if the state did not accede to the company’s demands, Cabela’s would not grace us with its presence. “Let me pitch or I will take my ball and go home.” Ouch!
The word Cabela’s is not in Funk and Wagnall’s, but a few other words that are contained therein come to mind when the proposal is considered.
First there is the word mantra, which is defined: “A sacred formula…believed to possess magical power.” Cabela’s demand is justified by the mantra “more jobs – more business,” a sacred formula that for years Maine politicians have used as a horse to ride all the way to seats in the Legislature. This mantra also seems to possess magical power not only in Augusta, but also in local municipalities. When rubbed, its smoke has produced cleared land, paved streets, sewers, water, and power where hills and woods stood yesterday – all at town or city expense. Now this mantra is about to use its magical power to shield Cabela’s mail order business from the state sales tax.
In her effort to juice up Scarborough’s tax rolls, Bromley says that this proposal is “incredibly” exciting -a word defined as “unbelievable.” Maybe. But what is truly unbelievable about this rip-off is the inimitable style in which it was presented. “Style” is defined, “the way in which something is said or expressed,” also, “a surgical probing instrument.”
Bromley “had to question the motives” of L.L. Bean staffers who “helped draft a letter to the governor arguing against the proposal.” Funk and Wagnall’s again: to “question” is to “express doubt about.” All too often today in the drum beat of political spin we hear opponent’s motives doubted, a tactic that implies ulterior, generally nefarious purpose – to the damage of the debate. In this case, L.L. Bean’s motives were straightforward. The company wanted to protest the exception for perfectly sound reasons. Their patriotism should not be “questioned.”
She also argued that the basic “over the counter” Cabela’s store would produce bountiful sales taxes for Maine. But it does seem possible that many of those sales would be at the expense of other Maine merchants, including – horrors! L.L. Bean. There is only so much discretionary spending. To pay Paul we may not mind robbing Peter, including L.L. Bean, but increased taxes on the robbery seem to be ephemeral.
Then she turned to “everybody else is doing it,” an argument that seems as weak as a standard for Maine tax policy as it is as for teen sex. Whoring for business investment has surely become a standard of political morality in most states and municipalities. But that hardly makes it requisite for Maine.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we come to “gut” which is defined: “a basic emotion as in – a gut response.” During the days of, “As Maine goes, so goes the nation,” we called ourselves “Mainiacs.” Today we seem to be Mainers. While Mainers may decide that the “incredible” offer made by Cabela’s is worth accepting – even with its caveat – a Mainiac gut response to such a threat would be to tell Cabela’s to take its proposal and to use it as “a surgical probing instrument.”
Bromley is correct. Cabela’s would be an asset to Scarborough and, to some extent, to Maine. Nevertheless, even rich corporations should realize that while poverty stricken Mainers may fawn or scare, when dealing with Mainiacs – please – carrots only, no sticks!
[tagline] Rodney S. Quinn is a Gorham resident. He is a former member of the Gorham Town Council, the state Legislature and he is also a former Maine Secretary of State.[tagline]
Send questions/comments to the editors.
