PSC District 4 - I have been asked why I have not made an endorsement in the PSC. Easy answer. I honestly didn't know if Jim Powell would even remain on the ballor. Now that the mess is finally cleaned up...
In the only PSC race that matters (just vote libertarian in the other opposed one), you get to choose between a man who has lived a greased palmed career of politics and a political neophyte who has lived a career studying energy policy.
Easy choice.
VOTE Jim Powell
Court of Appeals - Clown car alert! There are 6? 7? 8? God I don't know how many people running for this office? We're going to have a runoff, so we'll get more detailed at that time. For the moment, just pick a horse to get to the next race.
VOTE Michael Meyer von Bremen or Chris McFadden. MvB is my personal choice.
Dekalb Referendum to Limit the powers of the CEO - And the final stinkbomb of the Vernon Jones era explodes. The CEO is a benevolent dictator but despite the eccenticities of some of the maniacs holding the office, it's always worked. Now, they want to rein in that power. The concessions asked for are reasonable and even incoming CEO Burrell Ellis agrees with the measure. And I'm tired of trying to make the "trains run on time" argument.
VOTE Yes to limit the Dekalb CEO's power
There are hundreds of other ballot thingies out there. Use this weekend to research your own local issues. And if you stumble across some arcane fever dream that only a politician could birth, your default position should always be NO.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Write In Rusty!
If you live in Cobb County, vote Rusty Tanton for Tax Commissioner!
Psssssst. You'll have to write him in.
Democratic Town Hall
I attended a town hall yesterday where Democratic candidates Jim Martin and Jim Powell spoke.
Instead of doing some fancy write up, I turn you over to the videos of Shelby.
To my libertarian brothers and sisters, pay close attention to the passion with which Martin answers the final question.
Instead of doing some fancy write up, I turn you over to the videos of Shelby.
To my libertarian brothers and sisters, pay close attention to the passion with which Martin answers the final question.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Powell On The Ballot
Once again the Ginger Flash is too quick for your humble scribe.
The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled Democrat Jim Powell will be on the ballot as a candidate for Public Service Commission.
Not surprisigly as my legal sources had predicted, the ruling is based on "error of law". A little surprisingly, it was a unanimous ruling.
Can't wait to read the opinion.
UPDATE: Having now read the decision, I can honestly say it's a good one. They threaded the needle. I'll let the legal people get into the down and dirty analysis.
UPDATE II: You can read the decision for yourself here.
The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled Democrat Jim Powell will be on the ballot as a candidate for Public Service Commission.
Not surprisigly as my legal sources had predicted, the ruling is based on "error of law". A little surprisingly, it was a unanimous ruling.
Can't wait to read the opinion.
UPDATE: Having now read the decision, I can honestly say it's a good one. They threaded the needle. I'll let the legal people get into the down and dirty analysis.
UPDATE II: You can read the decision for yourself here.
The Election - The President
On paper, I should have voted for Hillary Clinton.
But I didn't.
On paper, I should vote for Bob Barr or even John McCain.
But I won't.
We stand at one of those moments which will live forever - a point of divergence. It is an instant where the usual fodder of elections - tax policy, spending policy, big vs. small government - must be put aside in order to view life in a greater perspective.
We are at a time where America's standing in the world has a chance to be restored. We can begin to undo the damage of eight years of disastrous foreign policy. We can reinforce the entire planet's belief that America is a place where although we tend to show our flaws right out in the open, we eventually do the right thing.
Also, there is a political party in our system which must be forced to endure the soul searching it so desperately needs. It must reflect on what it once was, what it has become and what it may become. Our system works best when both parties display strength tempered by reason and one party faces the abyss of obscurity if it is not reminded of this balance.
It is time for a fundamental realignment.
It is simply time.
VOTE Barack Obama
But I didn't.
On paper, I should vote for Bob Barr or even John McCain.
But I won't.
We stand at one of those moments which will live forever - a point of divergence. It is an instant where the usual fodder of elections - tax policy, spending policy, big vs. small government - must be put aside in order to view life in a greater perspective.
We are at a time where America's standing in the world has a chance to be restored. We can begin to undo the damage of eight years of disastrous foreign policy. We can reinforce the entire planet's belief that America is a place where although we tend to show our flaws right out in the open, we eventually do the right thing.
Also, there is a political party in our system which must be forced to endure the soul searching it so desperately needs. It must reflect on what it once was, what it has become and what it may become. Our system works best when both parties display strength tempered by reason and one party faces the abyss of obscurity if it is not reminded of this balance.
It is time for a fundamental realignment.
It is simply time.
VOTE Barack Obama
The Election - The Senate
One man will try to invade your pocketbook and your bedroom.
One man will try to invade your pocketbook but not your bedroom.
One man will do his damnedest to do neither.
Now, more than any time in your life, is the moment to make a stand. Send a message about the things that really matter.
VOTE Allen Buckley.
When the runoff gets here, we'll talk again.
Next: The President
One man will try to invade your pocketbook but not your bedroom.
One man will do his damnedest to do neither.
Now, more than any time in your life, is the moment to make a stand. Send a message about the things that really matter.
VOTE Allen Buckley.
When the runoff gets here, we'll talk again.
Next: The President
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Election - 8th Congressional District
(Editor's Note: I will only write about the 8th. If you believe any of the other races are close, feel free to post in the comments, where I'll probably laugh at you)
It would be tempting to use the mule rule here, but Democrat Jim Marshall has been involved in enough high profile issues over the last two years to merit a closer look.
Marshall drives progressives absolutely wild. He voted against the children's healthcare program Peachcare. He supported the Iraq war and the surge. Hell, he touts a cozy relationship with right wing talk shows in his radio ads.
Progressives will tell you he needs to challenged to push him to be more Democrat-like. Realists will tell you in order for any Democrat to win the 8th district, a candidate has to be Republican-lite.
Despite all the weirdness of Marshall's stances, none of them are the white elephant. None of them should be the determining factor.
The true outlier is the bailout.
It was one of those votes where if your re-election is fairly safe you can vote for the thing and weather the consequences or if you are in trouble, it is an opportunity to spout populist rhetoric to stir up the passions of the anti-Washington/Wall Street crowd. Very few voted simply in a way which they believed was right.
It takes a brave man to run as a Democrat in a district so ardently Republican. It takes a braver man to cast a critical vote which may destroy his political career.
I do not know if the bailout is wisdom or folly. Only time will tell if it was a necessary evil or a tremendous boondoggle. However, I do know that it provided Jim Marshall with yet another opportunity to display a willingness to do the difficult instead of the convenient.
That particular trait is a rare commodity in politics these days. Agree or disagree with the particulars of the politics, but we should all agree the 8th and Georgia is fortunate to possess a representative with this type of resolve.
VOTE Jim Marshall.
It would be tempting to use the mule rule here, but Democrat Jim Marshall has been involved in enough high profile issues over the last two years to merit a closer look.
Marshall drives progressives absolutely wild. He voted against the children's healthcare program Peachcare. He supported the Iraq war and the surge. Hell, he touts a cozy relationship with right wing talk shows in his radio ads.
Progressives will tell you he needs to challenged to push him to be more Democrat-like. Realists will tell you in order for any Democrat to win the 8th district, a candidate has to be Republican-lite.
Despite all the weirdness of Marshall's stances, none of them are the white elephant. None of them should be the determining factor.
The true outlier is the bailout.
It was one of those votes where if your re-election is fairly safe you can vote for the thing and weather the consequences or if you are in trouble, it is an opportunity to spout populist rhetoric to stir up the passions of the anti-Washington/Wall Street crowd. Very few voted simply in a way which they believed was right.
It takes a brave man to run as a Democrat in a district so ardently Republican. It takes a braver man to cast a critical vote which may destroy his political career.
I do not know if the bailout is wisdom or folly. Only time will tell if it was a necessary evil or a tremendous boondoggle. However, I do know that it provided Jim Marshall with yet another opportunity to display a willingness to do the difficult instead of the convenient.
That particular trait is a rare commodity in politics these days. Agree or disagree with the particulars of the politics, but we should all agree the 8th and Georgia is fortunate to possess a representative with this type of resolve.
VOTE Jim Marshall.
What Is Goin' On: Pye On The Election
Whoooooooooo! This is a fun one. Wilson and Jason light up the airwaves with some frank talk about wages, taxes and their views of what's fair.
It's a good one!
Listen here.
It's a good one!
Listen here.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Crist Goes Off The Reservation
Florida Governor Charlie Crist extends voting hours. Republicans are not happy.
"He just blew Florida for John McCain," one plugged in Florida Republican just told me.The opening salvos of the coming Republican civil war are being fired.
The Election - House 81
Someone recently said, "nothing turns off an independent faster than negative campaigning". That's gospel.
If the campaign for House District 81 were about Republican Jill Chambers record as a reformer of MARTA, advocate of a woman's right to choose or her obstinate battle to throw cold water on the rush to create the city of Dunwoody, this bit of political writing would quickly conclude with the simple "Vote Chambers".
Unfortunately for the voters of north Dekalb, Georgia and the state of politics in general, instead the battle for the 81st is about mailers.
Jill Chambers has never shied from rough politicking. As Rusty put it, she plays with her "cleats up".
But her initial mailer implying that Democratic challenger Chris Huttman was involved in "hard core pornography" was absurd. More troubling, Chambers response to Creative Loafing was a lame non-denial denial followed by the politician's karmic band-aid of "that's politics".
In 2000, John McCain begged George Bush to stop the push polling implying McCain had fathered an interracial child. Bush responded, "That's politics, John. Senator, it's just politics."
At this point, the final line changes to "Vote Huttman".
Then they had to bring mamas into it.
Huttman has never been known to take jabs lightly. He recently responded with his own mailer accusing Chambers of trying to cover up medical lobby influence on her CON vote by telling a "sob story" about her mother's battle with cancer.
Now, much as certain writers frame their product through the perspective of life experience, legislators certainly use life experience to weight support for policy. It is true sometimes particular life experiences may result from a close relationship with cold hard cash, but if you're going to allege the graft is being obfuscated by an ill mama, you better be sure.
Now the final line shifts back to "Vote Chambers".
Rep. Chambers responded with an email decrying Huttman's use of her now deceased mother. And if she'd stopped right there, she might have been back on the side of the Lord.
Instead, Chambers went on to use the tragedy of her mother's death to attempt to justify her politics. That's not framing politics through life experience. That's playing politics with things that should remain most personal.
The only thing worse than taking a shot at an ill mama is using a dead mama as a political prop.
I also lost my mother to cancer. I rarely talk about it - even to my closest friends. I try to stay grounded in cold reality when talking politics and I understand that politicians will say damn near anything to get elected, but I just can't get my head around this one. There is no scenario where I can conceive of using the story of my mother pain for personal gain. It just ain't right.
I wish the 81st race was about the issues. Rep. Chambers has been an effective legislator. I believe Chris Huttman has the potential to be an effective legislator. They could have had a soaring debate on what really matters to the citizens of north Dekalb.
Instead we are left with choosing the one we consider the least dirty.
I really wish I could tell you to just skip past this one and if you do, you will find no criticism here. But one of them has to be elected.
The final line is "Vote Huttman".
CORRECTION: A reader pointed out my inaccuracy in the quote from 2000 and points to this article which implies McCain's outrage was directed at scurrilous accusations from a fringe veteran's group. I'm not sure it is clear which smear McCain was actually referencing but the general point of the moment remains. Any version of that's politics is not a response I ever want to hear.
Next: 8th Congressional District
If the campaign for House District 81 were about Republican Jill Chambers record as a reformer of MARTA, advocate of a woman's right to choose or her obstinate battle to throw cold water on the rush to create the city of Dunwoody, this bit of political writing would quickly conclude with the simple "Vote Chambers".
Unfortunately for the voters of north Dekalb, Georgia and the state of politics in general, instead the battle for the 81st is about mailers.
Jill Chambers has never shied from rough politicking. As Rusty put it, she plays with her "cleats up".
But her initial mailer implying that Democratic challenger Chris Huttman was involved in "hard core pornography" was absurd. More troubling, Chambers response to Creative Loafing was a lame non-denial denial followed by the politician's karmic band-aid of "that's politics".
In 2000, John McCain begged George Bush to stop the push polling implying McCain had fathered an interracial child. Bush responded, "
At this point, the final line changes to "Vote Huttman".
Then they had to bring mamas into it.
Huttman has never been known to take jabs lightly. He recently responded with his own mailer accusing Chambers of trying to cover up medical lobby influence on her CON vote by telling a "sob story" about her mother's battle with cancer.
Now, much as certain writers frame their product through the perspective of life experience, legislators certainly use life experience to weight support for policy. It is true sometimes particular life experiences may result from a close relationship with cold hard cash, but if you're going to allege the graft is being obfuscated by an ill mama, you better be sure.
Now the final line shifts back to "Vote Chambers".
Rep. Chambers responded with an email decrying Huttman's use of her now deceased mother. And if she'd stopped right there, she might have been back on the side of the Lord.
Instead, Chambers went on to use the tragedy of her mother's death to attempt to justify her politics. That's not framing politics through life experience. That's playing politics with things that should remain most personal.
The only thing worse than taking a shot at an ill mama is using a dead mama as a political prop.
I also lost my mother to cancer. I rarely talk about it - even to my closest friends. I try to stay grounded in cold reality when talking politics and I understand that politicians will say damn near anything to get elected, but I just can't get my head around this one. There is no scenario where I can conceive of using the story of my mother pain for personal gain. It just ain't right.
I wish the 81st race was about the issues. Rep. Chambers has been an effective legislator. I believe Chris Huttman has the potential to be an effective legislator. They could have had a soaring debate on what really matters to the citizens of north Dekalb.
Instead we are left with choosing the one we consider the least dirty.
I really wish I could tell you to just skip past this one and if you do, you will find no criticism here. But one of them has to be elected.
The final line is "Vote Huttman".
CORRECTION: A reader pointed out my inaccuracy in the quote from 2000 and points to this article which implies McCain's outrage was directed at scurrilous accusations from a fringe veteran's group. I'm not sure it is clear which smear McCain was actually referencing but the general point of the moment remains. Any version of that's politics is not a response I ever want to hear.
Next: 8th Congressional District
The Election - House 80
(Editor's note - I will only be writing about two legislature races. If you are interested in others the comment section is all yours)
A race with an actual independent! How exciting!
Not really.
Last spring, a vibrant, young knight whooshed into Georgia offering oodles of money for the battle against the traitorous, line jumper Mike Jacobs (R-80). Unfortunately, for Democrats in north Dekalb, young squire Keith Gross had a problem hidden beneath his paper mache' armor. He wasn't qualified to run in the 80th district.
Not unqualified in a let's-dive-into-the-legal-minutae Jim Powell kind of way - full bore unqualified.
Gross quietly slinked away and Democrats pulled their collective heads out of their asses quickly enough to run aforementioned posteriors around the district collecting signatures for a write-in candidate.
Michelle Conlon's (I-InNameOnlyLand) only campaign issue seems to be she's not Mike Jacobs.
Meanwhile, Mike Jacobs, he who roiled the waters by jumping to the elephants last year, spent most of the last session acting like the new playtoy for the fat cats running the joint. He voted for Glenn Richardson's (R-Parts Unknown) crazy ass tax plan. He voted for a particularly vile anti-abortion amendment that nearly scuttled the vital Grady plan.
It is to be expected that one newly minted into a political party spend some time playing punching bag on the harsher things in political life, but with those two votes, Jacobs pushed the line and possibly hurt his moderate cred for future races.
Mike you get a pass this time. But have care. Folks will watch your next actions with a new level of scrutiny.
VOTE Mike Jacobs
Next: House District 81
A race with an actual independent! How exciting!
Not really.
Last spring, a vibrant, young knight whooshed into Georgia offering oodles of money for the battle against the traitorous, line jumper Mike Jacobs (R-80). Unfortunately, for Democrats in north Dekalb, young squire Keith Gross had a problem hidden beneath his paper mache' armor. He wasn't qualified to run in the 80th district.
Not unqualified in a let's-dive-into-the-legal-minutae Jim Powell kind of way - full bore unqualified.
Gross quietly slinked away and Democrats pulled their collective heads out of their asses quickly enough to run aforementioned posteriors around the district collecting signatures for a write-in candidate.
Michelle Conlon's (I-InNameOnlyLand) only campaign issue seems to be she's not Mike Jacobs.
Meanwhile, Mike Jacobs, he who roiled the waters by jumping to the elephants last year, spent most of the last session acting like the new playtoy for the fat cats running the joint. He voted for Glenn Richardson's (R-Parts Unknown) crazy ass tax plan. He voted for a particularly vile anti-abortion amendment that nearly scuttled the vital Grady plan.
It is to be expected that one newly minted into a political party spend some time playing punching bag on the harsher things in political life, but with those two votes, Jacobs pushed the line and possibly hurt his moderate cred for future races.
Mike you get a pass this time. But have care. Folks will watch your next actions with a new level of scrutiny.
VOTE Mike Jacobs
Next: House District 81
My Morning Wooten
McGuire best pick for Court of Appeals
Really?
Even true north Republican Erick Erickson isn't so sure.
I'm available.
Really?
Even true north Republican Erick Erickson isn't so sure.
I shouldn’t say this, but I will. At what point does Perry McGuire become a perennial candidate? How many times lately has he run for a statewide office?I'm just wondering. What is the going price at the AJC for rewording a press release?
I'm available.
Friday, October 24, 2008
On The Road Again
No Wooten. No more electioning. I'm off to south Georgia for the FSU-Va Tech game. We'll get back in the nastiness next week.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Moultrie Observer Goes Large
I usually reserve my linkings to my hometown paper for such funsies as a dude riding a lawn mower down main street, but honestly this is a disservice to a fine news organization. It's small but the Observer is one of the best main street papers we have in this state.
With the Senate race suddenly taking on national prominence, the Observer is drawing attention from other parts.
Uber-blogger Matt Yglesias linked to an Observer story on Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
That's awesome. But I can't help but envision some poor servers in South Georgia melting through the floor.
h/t: Jmac
With the Senate race suddenly taking on national prominence, the Observer is drawing attention from other parts.
Uber-blogger Matt Yglesias linked to an Observer story on Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
That's awesome. But I can't help but envision some poor servers in South Georgia melting through the floor.
h/t: Jmac
The Election - Amendment III
"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts for the provision of infrastructure as authorized by local governments"
Infrastructure development districts are private cities. There is no way to get around this fact.
In brief, an IDD gives a private developer access to such government tools as tax free bonds to build infrastructure such as sewers, water treatment, roads and even fire stations. The developer recoups the bond payments by charging a fee, similar to an association fee, to the individual home owners.
The IDD must still be approved by the local governing body such as a county commission, it still must comply with zoning and regulation and the home owners must still pay property tax.
So why would anyone want to do this?
Small municipalities have difficulty, even through SPLOST, raising enough capital for massive infrastructure expansion. The IDD removes this burden and places it on the developer.
Developers get a break in financing by having the ability to access tools usually available only to cities and counties.
Residents pay a little more than they would in a regular community but have the privelege of living conveniently near an Applebees, Kroger and multi-island gas station. You'd be surprised how compelling these amenities are to someone who has to drive miles to get a decent, going out on the town meal.
So what's the problem?
If you listen to the Sierra Club, it's a potential sprawl nightmare. If you listen to the risk adverse, it's a potential financial boondoggle which could wipe a local governments right off the map.
In these days of dark sheltering after the orgy of sprawl, offering new development willy nilly should certainly be a concern, but tell that to someone who has to drive thirty miles to get to a Kroger. It's also a version of sprawl rarely seen in Georgia.
I've visited "The Villages" near Oxford, Florida. It is true within the compound (it's hard to describe it any other way), you will see houses jammed so close together neighbors can pass a cup of sugar from one kitchen window to another and the oasis's of retail are pockets of pavement and box stores. But if you travel just a few miles up U.S. 301, you are immediately back in the rolling pastures of central Florida. The sprawl is contained like a virus.
Also, remember, local and state environmental regulations will still be in effect. This is not a free pass to developers and frankly, the Sierra Club's vague reaction here feels like a hammer-on-the-knee kick at the "evil builders".
The possibility of a developer defaulting is much more of a concern. It has happened in states such as Florida, although not very often, and it is always a mess. In this scenario the debt falls back on the local municipality and remember they are the ones who couldn't afford it when it wasn't under water. If the locals can't pay or can't find the scoundrel who skipped town, it defaults back to the state. But guess what happens right now if a local municipality defaults and crashes - it falls back on the state. This is the reason the legislature has to approve such things as the city of Johns Creek setting up a Parks Department. If Johns Creek goes belly up, the state is on the line for the payments.
So, the defaulting process is not that much different than it is now but the default itself could be much deeper than normal and that should be a concern.
But before we decide, let's get back to our basic tests.
First, the issue is extending government powers to private entities and there is no doubt that is a constititutional level question.
Second, it undoubtedly makes the Constitution more complicated (although less than other amendments) so the amendment must show the benefit is greater than the sin.
To answer that question, you must weigh the benefits rural communities would receive against the potential risk of developer malfeasance.
Having seen these "private cities" work in Florida and I mean work for everyone (developers make oodles of money, homeowners live with convenience, governments get more tax money), it is my belief the potential benefits far outweigh the potentials sins.
VOTE YES on Amendment III.
UPDATE: For another view here is an article by Chuck Bonner of Hiking with Chuck.
Next: House Race 80 and 81
To view amendments in their entirety please go here
Infrastructure development districts are private cities. There is no way to get around this fact.
In brief, an IDD gives a private developer access to such government tools as tax free bonds to build infrastructure such as sewers, water treatment, roads and even fire stations. The developer recoups the bond payments by charging a fee, similar to an association fee, to the individual home owners.
The IDD must still be approved by the local governing body such as a county commission, it still must comply with zoning and regulation and the home owners must still pay property tax.
So why would anyone want to do this?
Small municipalities have difficulty, even through SPLOST, raising enough capital for massive infrastructure expansion. The IDD removes this burden and places it on the developer.
Developers get a break in financing by having the ability to access tools usually available only to cities and counties.
Residents pay a little more than they would in a regular community but have the privelege of living conveniently near an Applebees, Kroger and multi-island gas station. You'd be surprised how compelling these amenities are to someone who has to drive miles to get a decent, going out on the town meal.
So what's the problem?
If you listen to the Sierra Club, it's a potential sprawl nightmare. If you listen to the risk adverse, it's a potential financial boondoggle which could wipe a local governments right off the map.
In these days of dark sheltering after the orgy of sprawl, offering new development willy nilly should certainly be a concern, but tell that to someone who has to drive thirty miles to get to a Kroger. It's also a version of sprawl rarely seen in Georgia.
I've visited "The Villages" near Oxford, Florida. It is true within the compound (it's hard to describe it any other way), you will see houses jammed so close together neighbors can pass a cup of sugar from one kitchen window to another and the oasis's of retail are pockets of pavement and box stores. But if you travel just a few miles up U.S. 301, you are immediately back in the rolling pastures of central Florida. The sprawl is contained like a virus.
Also, remember, local and state environmental regulations will still be in effect. This is not a free pass to developers and frankly, the Sierra Club's vague reaction here feels like a hammer-on-the-knee kick at the "evil builders".
The possibility of a developer defaulting is much more of a concern. It has happened in states such as Florida, although not very often, and it is always a mess. In this scenario the debt falls back on the local municipality and remember they are the ones who couldn't afford it when it wasn't under water. If the locals can't pay or can't find the scoundrel who skipped town, it defaults back to the state. But guess what happens right now if a local municipality defaults and crashes - it falls back on the state. This is the reason the legislature has to approve such things as the city of Johns Creek setting up a Parks Department. If Johns Creek goes belly up, the state is on the line for the payments.
So, the defaulting process is not that much different than it is now but the default itself could be much deeper than normal and that should be a concern.
But before we decide, let's get back to our basic tests.
First, the issue is extending government powers to private entities and there is no doubt that is a constititutional level question.
Second, it undoubtedly makes the Constitution more complicated (although less than other amendments) so the amendment must show the benefit is greater than the sin.
To answer that question, you must weigh the benefits rural communities would receive against the potential risk of developer malfeasance.
Having seen these "private cities" work in Florida and I mean work for everyone (developers make oodles of money, homeowners live with convenience, governments get more tax money), it is my belief the potential benefits far outweigh the potentials sins.
VOTE YES on Amendment III.
UPDATE: For another view here is an article by Chuck Bonner of Hiking with Chuck.
Next: House Race 80 and 81
To view amendments in their entirety please go here
What Is Goin' On: Griftdrift On The Election
Wilson and I talk about the big one, Colin Powell, the Senate race and Jim Marshall.
Take a listen here.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My Afternoon Jay
A new feature!
How do you like the title?
Jay Bookman has finally been dragged into the sloppy little world of blogging and all I can say is thank God! I've alway thought Bookman's style was perfectly suited for a blog and was sorely disappointed when I heard he was reluctant.
I will admit that there probably won't be as much Bookman as there is Wooten because even though he is slightly left of me, I agree with him most of the time. Also, he's far less strident than his counterpart.
That does not mean I will not task him when it is deserved.
More importantly, the entire thing is just another stupid distraction along the lines of such tangential issues as associations with Ayers and Wright.
Can we take a moment to stop talking about the shiney things and instead focus on things that really matter.
Wait.
And welcome to the community.
How do you like the title?
Jay Bookman has finally been dragged into the sloppy little world of blogging and all I can say is thank God! I've alway thought Bookman's style was perfectly suited for a blog and was sorely disappointed when I heard he was reluctant.
I will admit that there probably won't be as much Bookman as there is Wooten because even though he is slightly left of me, I agree with him most of the time. Also, he's far less strident than his counterpart.
That does not mean I will not task him when it is deserved.
Does “real America” drop 75 grand at Neiman Marcus? Does “small-town America” shop at Saks Fifth Avenue?Now, Ms. Palin did set herself up for this punchline with all the latest, greatest right-wing us against them populist rhetoric. But first, there's the real world fact that until we get past certain social silos and practicalities in fashion spurred by those mores, women will face the insidious double standard of being required to spend more money and time to appear "appropriate".
More importantly, the entire thing is just another stupid distraction along the lines of such tangential issues as associations with Ayers and Wright.
Can we take a moment to stop talking about the shiney things and instead focus on things that really matter.
Wait.
I was torn about even posting on this story, in part because it’s only natural that Palin and her family would need a wardrobe upgrade to play the parts they’ve been handed on the national stage. Washington ain’t Wasilla.Is that a tinge of regret? Well, Jay, at least I can say this is something you rarely see in my morning giggings.
And welcome to the community.
My Morning Wooten
Freeman's head is going to explode.
The rest is the usual blather about Ayers, buying elections and other Republican mad libs.
But I guess Jim and I agree on one thing this morning. Let the market rule, eh Jim?
Without doubt, we are seeing the end of public financing in presidential campaigns. When this election rolls around, the money raised and spent by the Obama campaign will have rolled it into the morgue with Prohibition.True dat.
The rest is the usual blather about Ayers, buying elections and other Republican mad libs.
But I guess Jim and I agree on one thing this morning. Let the market rule, eh Jim?
Not The Best Response
From Dick Pettys report on the PSC debate at the Atlanta Press Club, Libertarian Brandon Givens asked a question of Democrat Jim Powell which he apparently meant for Republican Lauren McDonald. When moderator John Pruitt gently corrected the situation by redirecting the question to McDonald, he responded.
I didn’t listen to the question because it wasn’t addressed to me.He wasn't paying attention. It's lines like that make the lives of campaign managers shorter than most.
The Election - Amendment II
"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities, and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?"
This is a tough one.
Welcome to TAD land.
TADs are Tax Allocation Districts. The concept is local school districts allow funds raised through property tax, usually dedicated to education, to be used for infrastructure development. The theory is with these improvements overall property value will rise offsetting or even exceeding the original investment.
In Georgia, the Legislature passed law to allow TADs in 1985. Unfortunately, our good representatives on the hill were a little sloppy with the wording and when Atlanta's "Beltline TAD" was challenged in court last year, the Supremes gave it a 9-0 unconstitutional smackdown.
As the "Beltline" was not only the largest TAD ever proposed in the state of Georgia and theorized as the engine which could simultaneously make use of hundreds of acres of unused rail right of ways, spur development in needy areas and alleviate the city's choking transportation problem, the sudden stripping away of this common funding tool bordered on disastrous.
Amendment II is an effort to correct this constitutional mess.
Given the standards we set in the discussion of Amendment I, this may seem an easy call. TADS certainly seem to complicate the tax system.
The problem is TADs work.
The best example is Atlantic Station. At the time the largest reclamation of "brown space" in the nation, this TAD turned a toxic industrial site into a multi-use mixed development of bowling alleys, restaurants, condos and corporate offices. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the increase in property value in just 8 years was an astonishing 7,213%. Money flowed not only back into the always strapped Fulton County School system, but dramatic increase in sales tax revenue helped every municipality involved.
There are many more success stories on a much smaller scale. TADs have been an overwhelming success for over 20 years primarily because local school boards have been good stewards of money spent for your children. Just last year, the Dekalb County School District opted to not fund the potentially disastrous Sembler/Druid Hills redevelopment project.
Ultimately, Amendment II is where the rubber meets the road between principle and realism. So, you're going to get a little wiggle room on this one.
If you believe a stand has to be made for simplification in the tax code and the Constitution, Vote NO.
If you believe this is not an addition to a cluttered Constitution but a minor correction to preserve something that is a proven success, VOTE YES.
Next: Amendment III
To view amendments in their entirety please go here.
This is a tough one.
Welcome to TAD land.
TADs are Tax Allocation Districts. The concept is local school districts allow funds raised through property tax, usually dedicated to education, to be used for infrastructure development. The theory is with these improvements overall property value will rise offsetting or even exceeding the original investment.
In Georgia, the Legislature passed law to allow TADs in 1985. Unfortunately, our good representatives on the hill were a little sloppy with the wording and when Atlanta's "Beltline TAD" was challenged in court last year, the Supremes gave it a 9-0 unconstitutional smackdown.
As the "Beltline" was not only the largest TAD ever proposed in the state of Georgia and theorized as the engine which could simultaneously make use of hundreds of acres of unused rail right of ways, spur development in needy areas and alleviate the city's choking transportation problem, the sudden stripping away of this common funding tool bordered on disastrous.
Amendment II is an effort to correct this constitutional mess.
Given the standards we set in the discussion of Amendment I, this may seem an easy call. TADS certainly seem to complicate the tax system.
The problem is TADs work.
The best example is Atlantic Station. At the time the largest reclamation of "brown space" in the nation, this TAD turned a toxic industrial site into a multi-use mixed development of bowling alleys, restaurants, condos and corporate offices. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the increase in property value in just 8 years was an astonishing 7,213%. Money flowed not only back into the always strapped Fulton County School system, but dramatic increase in sales tax revenue helped every municipality involved.
There are many more success stories on a much smaller scale. TADs have been an overwhelming success for over 20 years primarily because local school boards have been good stewards of money spent for your children. Just last year, the Dekalb County School District opted to not fund the potentially disastrous Sembler/Druid Hills redevelopment project.
Ultimately, Amendment II is where the rubber meets the road between principle and realism. So, you're going to get a little wiggle room on this one.
If you believe a stand has to be made for simplification in the tax code and the Constitution, Vote NO.
If you believe this is not an addition to a cluttered Constitution but a minor correction to preserve something that is a proven success, VOTE YES.
Next: Amendment III
To view amendments in their entirety please go here.
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