2008 Year in Review

Editorial

What a difference a week makes. This county goes from practically no action being taken on the county sales tax issue, to now having most of the school districts in the county having to take action immediately.

Here is how I see the issue: The state is unable or unwilling to uphold their end of the bargain when it comes to school financing. As a result, many districts in the state are facing a great deal of hardship financially. So the state throws out this opportunity for school districts to raise revenue without raising real estate taxes. This has been sold as a “no one gets hurt” tax. I don’t see it that way. A lot of us are determined to do most of our shopping and buying locally. I make it a point to buy gasoline from our locally owned station. I buy lumber and hardware from our local lumberyard. I buy all of our appliances from our customers right here in the county and city. A one percent sales tax makes everything I buy, (with the exception of groceries and cars) one percent more expensive.

I’m a supporter of our schools, and I think that our school districts are being given an opportunity that they would be foolish to let slip by. In fact, it would be irresponsible of them to take no action on this, considering some of the expenses they have and the lack of state funding. To think that this would possibly lower our real estate tax burden is pretty optimistic with current conditions too. I also think that some businesses near the edges of our county could see business go elsewhere if neighboring counties do not adopt this tax. Let’s just call it what it really is. Tax. It’s a tax that hits some people and professions less hard than others, and raises money throughout the county and distributes it according to enrollment. If more than half of the districts in the county ratify it, then it goes before the county board. If they give it a thumbs up, it goes to the polls where the people have their say.

Ok. I wasn’t critical of the sales tax issue. Let the chips fall where they may. An issue that I have a strong opinion on is the US Government jumping to the rescue of Fannie and Freddy. I am referring to the federal housing lending assistance organizations. I know that we can’t stand by and do nothing. It could give our economy a more severe slide into the abyss. The idea of rewarding irresponsible behavior turns my stomach though. This is really no different than a parent rescuing their adult children from credit card debt. Now before some of you get excited, I do understand that some people have circumstances beyond their control that have made them unable to pay their mortgages. For instance: Someone getting terribly sick or disabled. What I am talking about is the folks who bought more house than they could afford, and the financial institutions who gave them the money to do it. Now, taxpayers are coming to the rescue. I think that many people don’t realize that the American dream of owing a home can turn into an American nightmare. There is almost nothing worse than being strapped with too much mortgage. One slip or one minor household disaster can spell doom for family finances. Lose your job, and you are a very short step from losing the house. And the worst part is that you are stuck with this situation for a long, long time. And if the housing market takes a turn (which it has), you have no ability to sell the house to pay your debt. Some people just aren’t at the point in their lives that they should own a home. It isn’t a God given right to own a home. Renting is a pretty good thing for a lot of people. A no money down loan is touted as giving everyone a chance to own a home. It really just gives people who do not have the ability to save money a chance to get in over their heads. And when that happens, often their relationships fail, and they are miserable. Some dream! Stay tuned to see what happens with the real estate mortgage debacle. This could get nasty.

I mentioned above shopping locally. I really encourage you to do that. It helps keep our local economy strong and keeps your money here in your community, working hard. Even better is if you spend your money at the businesses who advertise in The Morrison Post! But that is just because we like bringing the local news to you for free, and our advertisers are the ones who give us the ability to do that.

Have a great week!

by Ben Wolf, Guest Columnist
July 29, 2008