More Coverage in Defense of Small Business

Again, the Libertarian Party of Hamilton County was featured prominently in a news article, in support of local restaurant owners, employees, and patrons, and in opposition to the food & beverage taxes. From today's Noblesville Ledger:

Calling it a "Republican-led tax increase" to support the state's financing plan for a Colts stadium and expanded convention center, Hamilton County Libertarians Rob Place and Wayne Kirk told city councilors that some people may "vote with our feet" by not attending games or buying Colts merchandise.

"Let's not use our small business owners as scapegoats to solve a minor budget problem," Place said.

and

Libertarian Mike Kole said good representative government responds to the will of the people. "The majority of Hamilton County residents are opposed to any tax increases, for any purpose," he said. "Affected business owners and employees were not consulted as to the impact they would feel.

The county council arrogantly rejected the will of the people in order to placate the governor, on the basis of party politics."

We didn't defeat this motion. It passed, 5-2. But we changed those two votes. Those two Councilors had to respect the fact that we run serious local candidates, and that we could beat them in the local 2006 elections.

As we continue to build on our momentum with more pub crawls and media events as these taxes are considered by Fishers and Westfield, we may well see Libertarian victories- defeat of the taxes- in one or both of those Towns.

Here's a clue for my fellow Libertarians who check this blog from across the country: Follow Tip O'Neill's advice. He said that all politics is local. You can interpret that statement many ways, but I do it this way: forget about Federal issues. Only address local issues.

This is tough advice for some Libertarians to swallow, because they are most passionate about Federal issues. Remember that nobody starts at CEO. You have to show people that you can be effective and trustworthy at the local level before they give you the keys to the Pentagon, the Capitol, or the White House.

Besides- it's easiest to make our case where people have an immediate connection to the issue at hand, and they feel specifically let down by the existing political power, and where there is a feeling that something can be done about it. If either of these three elements are missing, Libertarians aren't going to sway voters in large blocks. That last element is missing in a huge way when talking about Federal issues.

So, if you want futility, focus on Federal issues. Consider: if you oppose, say, the war in Iraq, do you think that there is much you can do about changing the policy? Heck, you have a major party trying to affect that, with no success.

If you want success, take on local issues, where you can look local policy makers in the eye and make them see the opposition and feel it viscerally. US Senators and even US Reps aren't threatened in the slightest by a hnadful of local opponents. After all- they get their campaign support nationally any more, and from corporations. Indiana's Senators scarcely even campaign at home. Local officials- county commissioners, county councilors, county recorders- they all get their support locally.

Election returns bear this out. The higher up the ticket you look at Libertarian candidates, the lower the election results. As you descend down the ticket, you see higher and higher returns.

Why buck the trend and common sense at the same time? Let's win local elections and earn the trust of the American people. When we do, they'll beg for the chance to give us the keys.

Here Come The City Taxes

When the all-Republican Hamilton County Council passed new food & beverage tax, it triggered a law passed by the Republican-dominated State Legislature allowing a handful of municipalities to raise an additional tax of their own.

Confused? A lot of people are. They used to think that Republicans stood for lower taxes and smaller government. This is neither your father's nor Ronald Reagan's GOP anymore.

Fortunately, the Libertarian Party is there so that fiscal conservatives need not be politically homeless. Although the Noblesville Common Council voted to pass their own food & beverage tax last night, Libertarians were there to voice the opposition. From the Noblesville Daily Times:

The vote was not a squeaker, but when the Noblesville Common Council voted 5-2 to establish an additional 1 percent food and beverage tax for city eateries it was clear they heard the voice of protest from those who vociferously opposed the tax.

Rob Place and Wayne Kirk, chair and vice chair of the Hamilton County Libertarian Party, both urged the council to vote down the ordinance."

Please let us not use the small business owner as a scapegoat to solve minor budget problems," Place said.

He suggested council members take a harder look at the city's budget or impose user fees for parks and libraries as alternatives to the tax.

Kirk said he is a small business owner who takes clients out to dinner."Now I'm having to think about how I spend my money," he said. "When we get these tax increases it does steal from the common person."

Today's Daily Times also ran my letter, criticizing the County Council vote in favor of the new tax:

Libertarian is disappointed with county's approval of new food and beverage tax

The Hamilton County Council's vote in favor of the food and beverage tax was expected, but still disappointing for a variety of reasons.

1. Taxes are a drag on the economy, no matter what they are for.

2. Public policy enacted by the County Council should always serve to make Hamilton County more competitive, not less.

3. Good representative government responds to the will of the people. The majority of Hamilton County residents are opposed to any tax increases, for any purpose. Affected business owners and employees were not consulted as to the impact they would feel. The County Council arrogantly rejected the will of the people in order to placate the governor, on the basis of party politics.

4. Food and beverage taxes for Marion County stadium projects have a history of outliving the buildings they pay for. History will repeat itself.

5. Contrary to the rhetoric issued by the Council, conventioneers in downtown Indianapolis will not be visiting eateries in Sheridan, Cicero, Noblesville, Carmel or Fishers. Most conventions are catered and most conventioneers walk to nearby attractions.

6. Contrary to the small government talk Republicans spout at election time, their track record is increasingly tax-and-spend liberal policy.

7. The regionalism touted by Republican officials should set off warning signals to Hamilton County residents, who chose to live here, not in Marion County. Regionalism ensures that the dominant population center sets policy direction at the expense of the satellites. This vote shows the result, which reads like textbook Karl Marx — from those according to their ability, to each according to his need. This is only the first blow. Just wait until the bill comes for the regional transit plans.

The Libertarian Party mounted the only organized opposition to these taxes and provided the only organized support for the affected business owners, workers and patrons. As the Republican Party continues to drift ever leftward, the Libertarian Party remains as the only true home for fiscal conservatives who believe in limited government, lower taxes, home rule, and — most importantly — responsive government.

The Libertarian Party is eager to run candidates against those councilors who voted in favor of the taxes. I encourage people who share our views to get involved with us, to help build a party that best represents the views of Hamilton County residents. Call Hamilton County Chair Rob Place at 776-1042, or call me at 845-9857.

Mike Kole, Fishers

Mike Kole is the former Hamilton County chairman for the Libertarian Party.

More Council Arrogance

In an incredible display of arrogance, the Carmel City Council called a special afternoon meeting yesterday, introduced an ordinance, and passed it- all before any citizen could act.

Carmel zipped through the process, passing a 1% food & beverage tax in their city. It comes one day after the County passed a 1% food & beverage tax of its own.

The city put the spin on the way it hid from public comment and the opportunity for opposition forces such as the Libertarian Party to mount a campaign. From the Indy Star story:

Carmel and Noblesville leaders said they pushed their votes ahead Tuesday so their local tax will take effect the same date the county tax does -- Aug. 1.

That, they argued, would keep hundreds of businesses from having to reprogram their cash registers and computers twice.

See? These cities are the friends of the restaurant and bar owners!

Of course, the hospitality industry knows this isn't shinola. From the same article:

John Livengood, president of the Restaurant & Hospitality Association of Indiana, called both votes a rush to add the tax without public input.

"They didn't have to do this the day after the county did," Livengood said.

The Carmel City Council voted in front of an empty room after it decided to hold an unusual Tuesday night meeting for the vote. Council member Fred Glaser asked in vain to postpone the decision to allow more public input.

"There was not adequate public notice by Carmel," said Livengood, who hurried to attend the meeting after learning of it late Tuesday afternoon.

These cities are going to keep the Libertarian Party so busy over the next few election cycles. Every time a City Council practices this kind of imperious government- no public notice, no public comment, taxing despite a public weary of taxes- we will post candidates to run against the Councilors.

This is what Charlie White's Republican Party looks like: tax & spend liberal, arrogant, imperious, and greedy. The Libertarian Party is crucial to bring things back to sanity.

200th Anniversary of Trafalgar

Since I've been going crazy with the pictures of late, I thought I'd share something pretty unique- my pictures of Trafalgar Cemetary, in Gibraltar.

The literal anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar is not until October 21, but a celebration event took place today, with a collection of tall ships gathering, and a fireworks display. More on the event from the Scotsman.

Here are three of my photos from Trafalgar Cemetary, from January of this year, when I visited there with my son Alex:

I'm especially fond of this marker with the touching tribute from fellow officers, and cannonball on top.

Isabel

I'm a proud papa, and I'm just not satisfied with adding links to Yahoo for photos of my little girl, so here are two pictures.

Mama Ame holds Isabel.

Just Desserts for Supreme Court Justices?

The Supreme Court's abhorrent decision in the landmark Kelo v. New London case gave municipalities the ability to use eminent domain to take private land not for public uses such as roads or bridges, but for private, for-profit development.

I wonder if the five Justices on the majority side gave any thought to their own homes when they handed the decision down? Freestar Media has. From their press release:

Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.

...

On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter's home.

Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.

The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."

It all looks like poetic justice for this Justice.

Al Barger needs to get in touch with the good folks at Freestar. Hat tip to Gregg Puls.

County Council Votes Complete - One Surprise!

Let's hear it for the Morgan County Council, whose members listened to their constituents and consciences, and voted accordingly, defeating the food & beverage tax by a 4-3 vote. Indy Star story.

Predictably, the tax passed today in Hendricks and Hamilton Counties, by wider margins.

Here's my bullet point summation:

• Taxes are a drag on the economy, no matter what they are for.
• Public policy enacted by the County Council should always serve to make the home County more competitive, not less.
• Good representative government responds to the will of the people. The majority of suburban County residents are opposed to any tax increases, for any purpose. Affected business owners and employees were not consulted as to the impact they would feel. The County Councils arrogantly rejected the will of the people in order to placate the Governor, on the basis of party politics.
• Food & beverage taxes for Marion County stadium projects have a history of outliving the buildings they pay for. History will repeat itself.
• Contrary to the rhetoric issued by the Council, conventioneers in downtown Indianapolis will not be visiting eateries in Sheridan, Cicero, Noblesville, Carmel, or Fishers... or Avon, Zionsville, Greenwood, or Greenfield. Most conventions are catered, and most conventioneers walk to nearby attractions.
• Contrary to the small government Republicans spout at election time, their track record is increasingly tax & spend liberal policy.
• The regionalism touted by Republican officials should set off warning signals to suburban county residents, who chose to live outside Marion County. Regionalism ensures that the dominant population center sets policy direction at the expense of the satellites. This vote shows the result, which reads like textbook Karl Marx- from those according to their ability, to each according to his need. This is only the first blow. Just wait until the bill comes for the regional transit plans.

The Libertarian Party mounted the only organized opposition to these taxes, and provided the only organized support for the affected business owners, workers, and patrons. As the Republican Party continues to drift ever leftward, the Libertarian Party remains as the only true home for fiscal conservatives who believe in limited government, lower taxes, home rule, and most importantly- responsive government.

The Libertarian Party is eager to run candidates against those Councilors who voted in favor of the taxes, in all of the counties. I encourage people who share our views to get involved with us, to help build county parties that best represents the views of suburban county residents. Go to the Libertarian Party of Indiana's web site for contact info on the various county affiliates: www.lpin.org

Here's what Hamilton County Chair Rob Place had to say about the tax & spend Republicans, per the Star:

"We're going to remind people that these are the guys that raise taxes, and there is an alternative for those people who don't want to send their money down to Marion County," Place said.

Fill-In on WXNT

For the second time, Libertarian Party of Indiana Executive Director Brad Klopfenstein filled in for Abdul on the Abdul in the Morning show on Newstalk 1430, WXNT-am. Brad invited me to be his in-studio guest.

The show was quite a success, as we talked about the food & beverage taxes being voted on later in the day in Hamilton, Hendricks, and Morgan Counties. Reagan Assistant Doug Bandow, now a Senior Fellow of the Cato Institute, spoke about the folly of publicly funded stadiums as economic engines.

Brad Klopfenstein on WXNT

Yours Truly

Brad also had restaurant owners Bill Smythe of Claude & Annie's, and Pete Watson of BW3s. Each gave his perspective of the impact the food & beverage taxes would have on their businesses, employees, and patrons. Sam Goldstein is leading a remonstrance against a multi-million dollar bond issue the Washington Township (Marion County) schools are considering for high end athletic facilities.

I think we gave perspectives that needed to be voiced, and were entertaining in the process.

Votes Monday and Tuesday

The first votes on the 1% food & beverage taxes are right around the corner. It is not too late to take action, to try to prevent passage. Keep in mind that if the County Council fails to pass the measure Monday evening, the Noblesville Common Council cannot pass their measure on Tuesday evening. Helping defeat one measure Monday is like defeating five tax measures in all, since Noblesville, Carmel, Fishers, and Westfield would then be thwarted.

The first thing to do is to contact your representatives on the Hamilton County Council. You will have one District Representative, and three At-Large reps. Contact all four of these reps!

It is very important that they hear from constituents who are opposed to higher taxes. If they do not hear from you, they can and will assume that they are voting correctly when they vote in favor of higher taxes. It also puts more at stake for them if you let them know that you intend to vote Libertarian because they have moved towards more and more taxes. If they think you will continue to vote Republican, they learn that they can take you for gratned. Be friendly always, even if letting them know that you are upset or even angry about the direction local government is taking. It's human nature to listen more openly and carefully to friendly voices.

Meredith Carter – Carmel – mlc1@co.hamilton.in.us
John Hiatt – Sheridan & Westfield – jah1@co.hamilton.in.us
Judy Levine – Fishers – jrl1@co.hamilton.in.us
Steve Schwartz – Noblesville, Arcadia, Atlanta & Cicero – sns@co.hamilton.in.us
Brad Beaver - At-Large bdb@co.hamilton.in.us
Jim Belden - At-Large jjb@co.hamilton.in.us
Rick McKinney - At-Large rfm@co.hamilton.in.us

Same phone number for all. They probably won't be there to answer, but you can leave voice mail, and they do pick up their messages. (317) 776-8402

If you are a Noblesville resident, contact the Noblesville Common Council, Follow the link to the City District Map. Determine which district you are in, and then go back to the page with the Councilors on it to find their contact information.

Noblesville residents have two At-Large representatives. Please contact each.

Brian Ayer: 317-773-1078 / BrianA2662@aol.com
Mary Sue Rowland: 317-877-4126 / marysuerowland@yahoo.com

Pass the above info on to family, neighbors, and friends in Hamilton County and Noblesville. Please do this quickly! Hamilton County Council votes Monday, and Nobelsville votes Tuesday.

It is also not too late to write a letter to the local newspapers, urging the Councils to vote against the taxes. Don't worry about writing perfect prose. Make your point in 100 words, and it will be printed.

Here are links to the Noblesville papers:

Noblesville Daily Times; Robert Hansen, Managing Editor: rhansen@noblesvilledailytimes.com
Noblesville Ledger: http://www.thenoblesvilleledger.com/help/letter_to_the_editor_form.html

For publication in The Daily Times, get the letter in by 9am. For The Ledger, get your letter in by 5pm Monday.

Attend the meetings where the votes will take place. It is important that people show up in numbers to let the Councils know that the vote is important to the voters, and that they are against higher taxes. If the Councilors do not see a lot of people, they assume it isn't important to the voters, and they can vote whichever way they want, without immediate accountability. There's nothing more frightening to an elected official than having to look in the eyes of the voters while casting a vote in favor of a tax. They'd much rather have an empty room.

Hamilton County Council meets Monday, June 27 at 7:00pm to vote. Do not be late! The vote may be over by 7:02! The County Council meets in the Commissioners Chambers, in the new Judicial Center, in downtown Noblesville.

Noblesville County Council meets Tuesday, June 28 at 7:00pm, at City Hall. http://209.43.125.203/council/