On the evening of September 24, 2008, George W. Bush stated the United States economy is in “a serious financial crisis.” To this he added “America could slip into a financial panic . . . More banks could fail, including some in your community. The stock market could drop even more . . . . And if you own a business or a farm, you would find it harder and more expensive to get credit. More businesses would close their doors, and millions of American could lose their jobs.” [President’s Address to Nation, 9:01 PM EST September 24, 2008].
On September 25, 2008, Washington Mutual (WaMu), the nation’s largest savings and loan was seized by federal regulators and brokered in an emergency sale to JPMorgan Chase. This is the biggest bank failure in the history of the world and a big wrench into the gears of free market economic theory.
So – on September 25, 2008, our visionary Commissioners found an infamous date to impose two “emergency” sales taxes on the citizens of Hancock County. County politicos cannot wait for new offices. And it must be stressed that a token part of the sales tax increase may go to flood mitigation. In what some may described as a “smart move” is revealed a – government first – mentality that places buildings before people. Those who question Commissioner vision are challenged to obtain and review audits. The pretense of an audit begs the question of actual leadership.
Perhaps it is time of for our county and city leaders to consider consolidating overlapping city and county departments to provide more cost effective and efficient services to the citizens of Findlay and Hancock County. It may be suggested that for far too long Ohio citizens have paid a tax premium to maintain an antiquated and redundant system of townships, villages, municipal corporations and county governments. It is possible to preserve the identity of political subdivisions without duplicating cost inefficiencies entailed in the preservation of overlapping departments and service providers.
The good people of our townships, villages, cities and county deserve an efficient delivery of services to preserve their roads, infrastructure and human service needs. It is possible to consolidate and save tax dollars while making consolidated departments more linear in service to citizens. The point is not that government should be run like a business. The point is that the way government is run is the business of people not the preservation of inefficient divisions that redundantly hinder the delivery of services to people.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
The nature of our government established in The United States Constitution is always important and relevant. Of equal note is the fact that the form of government established by our Founders is and was truly remarkable.
I wish to suggest that our Constitution establishes a federal democratic republic. We enjoy an indivisible union of 50 sovereign states. We enjoy a democracy for the reason that people govern themselves. It is representative in that people choose elected officials by free and secret ballot. And of course, it is a republic because the government derives its power and legitimacy from the people governed, not a monarchy.
If we were to retrace the path of our founders, it might be discovered they understood the concept of “polis” or political things from the Greek city-state form of social organization. In the Platonic dialogues around 365 B.C. and Aristotle at about 322 B.C., Greek philosophers examined the conditions for people to take a rational and critical view of the relation between individual and collective society. Aristotle sought to inject “man” as a species of animal that possesses intelligence as found in collaborative groups to become a political animal. In the “polis” Aristotle insisted on political virtue and man-made laws that make up a constitution for the polis by using the word “politeia” which is the same word that Plato used in the title of his dialogue called the Republic.
In the course of that examination Aristotle and other philosophers noted that in the Greek city-states examined deliberations took place in face-to-face discussions among the people “demos.” Man-made laws “politeia” applied in city-states not ruled by monarchs. A republic, interchangeable with “politeia,” became a state where the people “demos” directly impact their government. Through man-made laws “politeia” the people “demos” ruled “kratos” themselves. Hence, people “demos” ruled “kratos” political organization “politeia” can be viewed as a demos + kratos (democratic) politeia (republic).
Our founders enjoyed the great virtue of classical studies that included Greek, Latin, Machiavelli’s The Prince, Grotius’ Law of War and Peace, Hobbes Leviathan, Locke’s Of Civil Government and some - The Bible. It is unfortunate that our Founders did not have the benefit of The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Julia Ward Howe 1861) or the Pledge of Allegiance (Francis Bellamy 1892) as their guide in 1787. Still, I have great faith that they realized what they were doing. Quod Erat Demonstrandum.
I wish to suggest that our Constitution establishes a federal democratic republic. We enjoy an indivisible union of 50 sovereign states. We enjoy a democracy for the reason that people govern themselves. It is representative in that people choose elected officials by free and secret ballot. And of course, it is a republic because the government derives its power and legitimacy from the people governed, not a monarchy.
If we were to retrace the path of our founders, it might be discovered they understood the concept of “polis” or political things from the Greek city-state form of social organization. In the Platonic dialogues around 365 B.C. and Aristotle at about 322 B.C., Greek philosophers examined the conditions for people to take a rational and critical view of the relation between individual and collective society. Aristotle sought to inject “man” as a species of animal that possesses intelligence as found in collaborative groups to become a political animal. In the “polis” Aristotle insisted on political virtue and man-made laws that make up a constitution for the polis by using the word “politeia” which is the same word that Plato used in the title of his dialogue called the Republic.
In the course of that examination Aristotle and other philosophers noted that in the Greek city-states examined deliberations took place in face-to-face discussions among the people “demos.” Man-made laws “politeia” applied in city-states not ruled by monarchs. A republic, interchangeable with “politeia,” became a state where the people “demos” directly impact their government. Through man-made laws “politeia” the people “demos” ruled “kratos” themselves. Hence, people “demos” ruled “kratos” political organization “politeia” can be viewed as a demos + kratos (democratic) politeia (republic).
Our founders enjoyed the great virtue of classical studies that included Greek, Latin, Machiavelli’s The Prince, Grotius’ Law of War and Peace, Hobbes Leviathan, Locke’s Of Civil Government and some - The Bible. It is unfortunate that our Founders did not have the benefit of The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Julia Ward Howe 1861) or the Pledge of Allegiance (Francis Bellamy 1892) as their guide in 1787. Still, I have great faith that they realized what they were doing. Quod Erat Demonstrandum.
Monday, September 15, 2008
We the People - Tax Time Again
Our founders chose the words “We the People . . .” to establish the foundation of our democratic republic. The word “we” refers equally to all people. Our founders believed that all government begins and remains with the people.
“We the People” are the foundation of government. Without this, those we elected would hold some power above us as the people governed. American Independence was declared and the American Revolution was fought to forever end the subjugation of people to the government. When any part of our government presumes a voice superior to the people governed, “we the people” have the obligation to raise our voices. This is called – Democracy.
It is proper to question the decisions of our elected few to use a sales tax increase to fund prospective budget shortfalls and buildings when the Labor Department reports 605,000 jobs lost in 2008 with serious losses in manufacturing, housing, finance and other economic sectors. At this time of record foreclosures, consumers may not be buying much when challenged to cope with increased costs for housing, food and gasoline. This is particularly true for many families, farmers and our seniors on fixed incomes. Yet our county government must be immune.
At a time of declining sales, a sales tax increase for buildings is unlikely to inspire a counter-cyclical increase in spending. More it is a distraction from focusing on the essentials necessary to serve the people of Findlay, Hancock County and those who live within the Blanchard River watershed. A tax cannot be accepted as a substitute for long term leadership.
Flood mitigation is a priority for the people of our community. The preservation of services is also essential. There are no easy solutions. There are responsible steps we can take as a community. I believe we must use these challenges to become a better, more unified community where we use our very best attributes to invite increased sales and revenues in Hancock County, Ohio.
I believe that we – the Findlay/Hancock County community - must so assemble and present our resources – including the lowest sales tax rates in Ohio – to make the City of Findlay and the wonderful villages in our County as the place where the people of our state come to shop - for less. Why not? This will increase sales tax revenues while keeping our taxes low. It depends on where “We the People” fit into the plan of democracy as viewed by our local politicos.
“We the People” are the foundation of government. Without this, those we elected would hold some power above us as the people governed. American Independence was declared and the American Revolution was fought to forever end the subjugation of people to the government. When any part of our government presumes a voice superior to the people governed, “we the people” have the obligation to raise our voices. This is called – Democracy.
It is proper to question the decisions of our elected few to use a sales tax increase to fund prospective budget shortfalls and buildings when the Labor Department reports 605,000 jobs lost in 2008 with serious losses in manufacturing, housing, finance and other economic sectors. At this time of record foreclosures, consumers may not be buying much when challenged to cope with increased costs for housing, food and gasoline. This is particularly true for many families, farmers and our seniors on fixed incomes. Yet our county government must be immune.
At a time of declining sales, a sales tax increase for buildings is unlikely to inspire a counter-cyclical increase in spending. More it is a distraction from focusing on the essentials necessary to serve the people of Findlay, Hancock County and those who live within the Blanchard River watershed. A tax cannot be accepted as a substitute for long term leadership.
Flood mitigation is a priority for the people of our community. The preservation of services is also essential. There are no easy solutions. There are responsible steps we can take as a community. I believe we must use these challenges to become a better, more unified community where we use our very best attributes to invite increased sales and revenues in Hancock County, Ohio.
I believe that we – the Findlay/Hancock County community - must so assemble and present our resources – including the lowest sales tax rates in Ohio – to make the City of Findlay and the wonderful villages in our County as the place where the people of our state come to shop - for less. Why not? This will increase sales tax revenues while keeping our taxes low. It depends on where “We the People” fit into the plan of democracy as viewed by our local politicos.
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