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July 31, 2006

Being a Good Republican Doesn't Always Mean Cutting Taxes

I am deeply distressed by the report that Oregon Republicans as a party have decided to back TABOR. I am also deeply concerned that Ron Saxton continues to kiss up to the right wing by implying support for the measure while keeping his finger sharply tuned to the direction of the wind.

Some Republicans support limiting State spending because they believe the State has been irresponsible in its allocation of funds, particularly to schools; therefore, they believe, funding must be cut ever-further in order to eventually force the "liberals" to spend the money as the conservatives believe it should be spent. As Russ Walker of Freedomworks said in support of TABOR:

"The average guy knows that government is not spending his tax dollars wisely."

For these people, it's an all-or-nothing fight. If they do not like how any part of the money is spent, they will take the money away. Screw compromise. Those pinko-commie liberals don't have any right to a voice in my country anyway! This type of conservative does not know or care to find out that Oregon doing better than expected with its already limited revenues and school funding isn't excessive the way right-wing organizations have portrayed it.

Other Republicans – those "average guys" why rely on "common sense" (i.e. the lies of people like Paul Jacob) - vote for every tax cut placed before them because that is the Republican thing to do and they are good Republicans (down with RINOS!).

Both of these reasons are a display of mindless idiocy. If there is one thing I know, it is that tax policy deeply affects every American. It is not something to approach cavalierly. It is not something to approach from a pre-determined, closed-minded position. Most people don't know diddly about economics or government finance. To take the attitude that most outspoken Republicans take is arrogant and irresponsible.

Similarly, to always mindlessly vote for more money for schools, parks, libraries, etc. without understanding how it will be spent, whether it is needed, or what it will cost Grandma, who is living on Social Security, just because good Democrats always vote for schools, parks and libraries, is also arrogant and irresponsible.

We have many political parties in this country for a reason. We are a country made up of a lot of very different people. Every one of us has an equal place at the table where we have a right and responsibility to work together. Government is the means by which we do that. And it is disrespectful to the extreme of our democracy to sit down at that table determined to force your views on everyone else without listening to or understanding the facts.

TABOR is a particularly serious step to take. The fact that the Republican party of Oregon was so willing to back it demonstrates a sobering lack of critical thinking or leadership within the party. I can only hope Ron Saxton will have the balls to admit publicly what he seems to believe privately: that TABOR would be very bad for Oregon. Absent that public confession, we can be certain he is not ready for the leadership position he is seeking.

Posted by Becky at July 31, 2006 01:16 PM