I had another NPR moment this morning listening to NPR's Colorado Matters. They were discussing Amendment 51 and whether or not Colorado should increase sales tax another percent to help pay for the developmentally disabled.
But I am not here to argue the merits of such a proposal. I'm still not sure where I stand on this matter...it seems that Colorado should be able to find some extra funding inside our current tax dollars to help handle this initiative. Then again, a couple extra cents on a sale would be a small price to pay to help families and individuals in this situation. Socialism anyone?
No, this is about Douglas Bruce who was interviewed and argues against this increase. Keep in mind that Mr. Bruce serves as a State Representative here in Colorado. A self proclaimed Ronald Reagan Republican.
Mr. Bruce had the gall to compare using tax dollars like this to George Orwell's 1984. WHAT? Mr. Bruce, have you ever read 1984? Do you have even the slightest notion as to the premise of 1984? Have you been waiting years to be able to throw "this is like 1984" into an argument?
This is a situation where the government is being upfront about a tax increase. They are telling us specifically where and why these dollars will be allocated. This is to help a group of our citizens cope with the additional stress of caring for children/adults who are unable to fully fend for themselves.
Wow. I'd say Douglas Bruce was the last person the anti-tax movement should have offered up to make an argument against Amendment 51.
That said, I'm still not sure how I will vote.
But I am not here to argue the merits of such a proposal. I'm still not sure where I stand on this matter...it seems that Colorado should be able to find some extra funding inside our current tax dollars to help handle this initiative. Then again, a couple extra cents on a sale would be a small price to pay to help families and individuals in this situation. Socialism anyone?
No, this is about Douglas Bruce who was interviewed and argues against this increase. Keep in mind that Mr. Bruce serves as a State Representative here in Colorado. A self proclaimed Ronald Reagan Republican.
Mr. Bruce had the gall to compare using tax dollars like this to George Orwell's 1984. WHAT? Mr. Bruce, have you ever read 1984? Do you have even the slightest notion as to the premise of 1984? Have you been waiting years to be able to throw "this is like 1984" into an argument?
This is a situation where the government is being upfront about a tax increase. They are telling us specifically where and why these dollars will be allocated. This is to help a group of our citizens cope with the additional stress of caring for children/adults who are unable to fully fend for themselves.
Wow. I'd say Douglas Bruce was the last person the anti-tax movement should have offered up to make an argument against Amendment 51.
That said, I'm still not sure how I will vote.
1 comment:
Why use Douglas Bruce you ask? Simple, there is NO organized support against this amendment. This is a nonpartisan issue, seeking help for real people with real needs, who through no fault of their own, need help to live. Douglas Bruce was as close as NPR could get to a definite opponent.
From the Blue Book (2008 Ballot Information Book): "Many children and adults with developmental disabilities - and the families who care for them - are at the point of crisis because they cannot get needed services. No alternative public-sector safety net exists to provide care for them. The wait time for services can last as long as ten years. ...there are many aging parents who can no longer care for their children with DD. The need for services is so great that it cannot be met without a new source of funding unless the state cuts money from other programs."
What this neglects to state is that state agencies and advocacy groups have been working with the legislature for years to figure out how to come up with funding through the general fund. Although there have been a couple of increases establishing funding for services, the increases have not been nearly significant enough to even put a dent in the waiting lists.
These people cannot continue to wait until their parents die, or they age out of programs that would truly give them some much needed services. Too little, too late will result in Colorado taxpayers having to pay more for special education services, job counseling, vocational rehab...and the worst, prison services.
Two cents on ten dolloars is a small price to pay to provide services that would make a difference for children and adults. There are matching federal dollars for many of the waiver programs.
There is never a wrong time to do the right things for real people with real needs.
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