Banditos theorem proof and Rule of politics #4
My apologies to my reader(s) from Oklahoma. The story I'm about to hit on has been a story there for months, but until the results were in, I couldn't comment on its idiocy of the proposal out of fear that it might work. For the rest of you, Oklahoma held a single issue statewide referrendum asking the people to approve, of all things in today's climate, an increase in the state's gasoline taxes to "allegedly" pay to repair the state's decaying bridges and roadways.
People across the nation, including many Oklahomans, are screaming at the top of their lungs about the escalation of gas prices for last two years. Yet the oblivious politicians and construction firms who would be instrumental in bridge repairs pushed for a 5 cents per gallon increase in fuel taxes (8 cents per gallon for diesel) so that the state would be on par with neighboring states in the region. While the cause they cite is a worthy one, (The bridges and roads in Oklahoma are in hideous shape.) Their methods and timing are more of an issue. First there's the idea of giving yet more money to a backward state government that has rarely if ever maintained a promise to spend tax dollars on the project for which the money was solicited. Second, any political strategist involved in this should be fired on the spot for not understanding political rule #4.
Rule 4: "Timing is essential to the passage of any political agenda"
If the effects of the legislation you're pushing would exacerbate a situation that your constituents are already less than pleased about, you would normally have about as good a chance as me in a 100-meter race with Mike Vick or Adrian Peterson. This is however Oklahoma and stranger things have mysteriously passed.
With the unofficial results in, It's clear that the state of Oklahoma has a number of misguided people. Luckily they were outvoted nearly 7 to 1 thus restoring my faith a little that the idiots only run the asylum part time.
Song Lyric of the day:
"Just a number
Not even a name
But with enough numbers
Everything can change"
-- Caffeine and Starlight
People across the nation, including many Oklahomans, are screaming at the top of their lungs about the escalation of gas prices for last two years. Yet the oblivious politicians and construction firms who would be instrumental in bridge repairs pushed for a 5 cents per gallon increase in fuel taxes (8 cents per gallon for diesel) so that the state would be on par with neighboring states in the region. While the cause they cite is a worthy one, (The bridges and roads in Oklahoma are in hideous shape.) Their methods and timing are more of an issue. First there's the idea of giving yet more money to a backward state government that has rarely if ever maintained a promise to spend tax dollars on the project for which the money was solicited. Second, any political strategist involved in this should be fired on the spot for not understanding political rule #4.
Rule 4: "Timing is essential to the passage of any political agenda"
If the effects of the legislation you're pushing would exacerbate a situation that your constituents are already less than pleased about, you would normally have about as good a chance as me in a 100-meter race with Mike Vick or Adrian Peterson. This is however Oklahoma and stranger things have mysteriously passed.
With the unofficial results in, It's clear that the state of Oklahoma has a number of misguided people. Luckily they were outvoted nearly 7 to 1 thus restoring my faith a little that the idiots only run the asylum part time.
Song Lyric of the day:
"Just a number
Not even a name
But with enough numbers
Everything can change"
-- Caffeine and Starlight
posted by Aaron at 11:50 PM
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