Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Misbehaving Politicians

As Mount Juliet city commissioners consider tripling the property tax, there have been interesting developments.  Surprisingly, my commissioner, Vice Mayor James Maness, has thrown his support to increasing the tax.  In a public conversation on social media, when I suggested no tax increase be accepted, Maness asked what I would propose instead. He also cited that city budgets are open records to the public.

In another conversation, commissioner Ray Justice also threw his favor toward the increase of property tax.  "The budget is available online and I invite you to look at it then provide options." He also said about keeping the same tax level: "Not without sacrificing services. I’m not playing with people’s lives in an effort to save pennies."

Maness has been conservative in most every other aspect.  Perhaps he has been in office too long, or perhaps he is not as strong a conservative as I had thought.  Perhaps he lost his way. 

Ray Justice lost his bid for sheriff 70%-30%. That margin is the typical margin by which conservatives win in Wilson County.  Further, he is linked to activities unbecoming a conservative public official.  Only Democrats get away with these things regularly. 

Whatever the reasons, the call from both for me to look at the budget and "solve" the problem has two main issues:

1. It is disingenuous - simply bait for a proposal which will be ridiculed for whatever fabricated reason. 
Liberals often utilize this strategy. 

2. It is wrong of a politician to suggest someone else do the job they were elected to do. 
How would it go over if I demanded they do my job!?!?

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