The Governor is on his tour of the doughnut counties, letting people vent some spleen while trying to get the various County Councilors on his lap, er, on board on voting for a 1% food & beverage tax that would support the Marion County project for the Colts and for a convention center.
The tour has already visited Shelby and Hancock Counties. Like all the other doughnut Counties, these are Republican-dominated. Those attending want to support the Governor, but just don't like the idea of taxes. From the Indy Star:
About 70 residents in this Republican stronghold, where Daniels won by about a 2-1 margin in 2004, gave the governor a polite but unenthusiastic reception. Most applauded briefly as the governor was peppered with questions about increasing taxes.
These projects didn't have to be taxpayer funded. They could have, and should have, been private investments. The Governor could have used the presitge of his office to attract major investors, who could have then issued bonds and stocks to other smaller investors who believe in the project and want to support it. That way, those who want no part of it could have been left alone. Alas- officials, Republican or Democrat just don't think this way. They only think of taxes. This is why the Governor, Mayor Bart Peterson, State Senator Luke Kenley, State Rep Mike Murphy, and others all came up with solutions that only relied on taxes.
Another issue has arisen, and has to do with similarity of thinking. The Governor is now claiming that the importance of regional thinking.
Those counties have a stake in the regional economy, Daniels said, noting that about 14,000 Hancock County residents work in Marion County.
Enacting the tax in all seven adjacent suburban counties would keep any one of those counties from having an advantage, Daniels said.
The growth of the doughnut counties is due to many things, but a huge factor is that many people are leaving behind the policies of Indianapolis for the relative freedom the suburbs offer. I know- I am one such transplant. My neighborhood in Fishers, in Hamilton County, is full of other such people.
Regionalism is a dangerous way to govern. It ensures that the dominant populations and cultures- in this case, Indianapolis and Marion County- dominate the smaller ones. What happened with Uni-Gov? The dominant culture of Center Township spread out into the surrounding townships, and people began to flee to the doughnut counties.
If you want to make the suburbs subservient to Indianapolis, take a regional approach. The immediate result will be that the suburbs will pay for the big city. The long-term effect will be that people of means will not only leave the big city. They'll leave the doughnut counties.
Ever wonder what causes sprawl?
The tour continues. Be sure to attend, tell the Governor that you are a Libertarian, and that you oppose paying for someone else's stadium. Above all, you appose the Marxist regionalism of 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his need'.
Boone County - today, noon at the Fairgrounds 4H Community Bldg in Lebanon
Hamilton County - today, 5:30 at the newer Judicial Center in Noblesville
Hendricks County - Wednesday, noon at the Mayberry Cafe in Danville
Morgan County - Thursday, 12:30 at Forky's restaurant in Martinsville
Johnson County - Thursday, 5:30 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin
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