The Trojan Horses of Amendment 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 were well articulated in the Denver Post article “The Blue Book should explain the effect of ballot measures” (http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_15954419).
We taxpayers have every right to rant at our government when it says it will do one thing and it does another. It happened so often that Coloradoans passed the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).
Thank heaven for TABOR because it ensures government stays on track and TABOR allows us, as voters, to prevent bad ideas and policies, like proposed State Constitutional Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101.
It is unprecedented that many Republicans and Democrats oppose these initiatives! The opposition is bi-partisan – how rare is that when Coloradoans, regardless of party, can agree on something!
I’m as leery as the next person about the doomsayers and fear tactics. We just saw it last year when we were told in Colorado Springs that certain fire stations would close if a tax initiative failed. Well the initiative failed and the fire stations are still open.
Demonstrateably, taxpayers are not ignorant and take the time to do their homework. So note! There are no state tax measures on this November’s Ballot! Our state legislators balanced the budget last year without these initiatives.
If you oppose taxes, clearly you are a Fan of TABOR. Under TABOR, we vote on tax measures and initiatives. First and foremost, unlike the Colorado Springs initiative, these three initiatives will broadly affect the entire state and local governments in Colorado. We voters want specificity and local control, not broad state-wide generalities. These three initiatives are too broad and damaging to demonstrate a basis in fiscal responsibility or local control.
These three ballot initiatives are absolutely Trojan Horses taking advantage of people’s disappointment and rage at the Federal tax burdens and issues. These initiatives do not affect the Federal issues! They directly affect our state and local governments. It is certainly not clear how these iniatives improve the use of taxes. The proponents of these initiatives can’t aim their rage straight or true!
Why isn’t one of these initiatives directly aimed at the vehicle registration fees or other fees that the state legislature passed last year? Instead it attacks institutions that are already held in check by voters through TABOR and elections.
Government is not a cash-based business. Government is not a business at all, although it certainly can do with sound business practices. TABOR, not 60, 61, and 101 injects the voters’ will. These amendments and proposition undercut the value of TABOR.
Government relies on tax revenues to provide services for the greatest number without expecting to have a profit. In fact, Government should never profit. Our Mandate to Government is to use our taxes wisely. Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 are not wise, do not promote fiscal responsibility, nor do they improve Government use of our taxes.
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