Ah, yes, the immortal words of William Tecumseh Sherman. Now don't get all worried that I'm trying to ascend (or DESCEND in many cases) to some public office, and that I'd turn the city on it's butt in the process.
I'm just doing a service for someone who IS running for office (place gratuitous plug for city council 6th district Libertarian hopeful Robert Enders here). We just happen to have the SAME first name. Therein lies the similarity. I'd figure I'd at least give those "Henry" signs across the street some competition! So don't fret yourselves into a tizzy.
The city is safe...for now...LOL.
Item - UAW talks break down; GM workers hit picket line:
Strikes are never "fun", and the "pay" really sucks. Many times, it's not even over MORE money (as in years past). It's more likely to be about BENEFITS, as in will this frigging company keep me long enough to RETIRE, and will I be able to survive on SSI, along with what we used to call a PENSION? Man, I'd like to see THOSE days again.
(Pension? What the hell is a PENSION?)
We always worried about Dad's place going on strike (back in Philly), as we KNEW we'd be eating SOUPS for a while...all week...twice a day! I was in the sheet-metal worker's union for a time, and that was no picnic. Other locals got more money, and we got nothing. Guess it all depends on WHO your local rep was and how much HIS pockets were lined, as he drove away in HIS MERCEDES.
Item - Farm Bureau has "solution" to property tax debate:
They want to RAISE the income tax from 3.4% to 4.4%, and RAISE the sales tax 1% to 7 cents on the dollar. That is pretty much what I said they'd have to do to lower property taxes. But even that in itself is NOT a real solution, just a postponement, because you ALL know that these taxes will only keep creeping UPWARD. Damn shame our salaries don't keep creeping in the same direction to keep pace with all this, isn't it?
Item - Sheriff "Joe" strikes AGAIN:
Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio anc his department found several dogs buried at rapper DMX's house. The dogs had serious wounds, indicative of fighting and that neglect allegations were being investigated. The north Phoenix home also had 12 live pit bulls, numerous weapons and about a quarter-ounce of marijuana in a bedroom which were all seized (horrors...I would have NEVER guesses that). No charges had been filed, but Arpaio said that may change. (go get 'em, Joe!!) Be nice to see DMX eating bologna and wearing pink overalls in a tent out in the desert!
(rap "artist" my left nut)
Item - "King Richard" vows siege:
No, this isn't some medieval headline taken from a history book . This is our own mayor telling the media he will fight Fort Wayne City Council's bipartisan proposal to cut property taxes, saying it will bankrupt the city over the next decade.
OK, first off, IF this city were not known for molly-coddling the limp, lame and lazy, we'd HAVE more money to run everything. IF the real estate association would take to task all these "landlords", we'd HAVE better housing throughout the city, and not be having neighborhoods in such decline. and IF we had the FIRST two things firmly in place, we'd HAVE more responsible people working and OWNING homes IN Fort Wayne, eliminating the need to overtax those that STILL DO own homes here, as well as not annexing everyone around us that doesn't want to BE annexed in the first place.
But that's what happens when your city's tax base is eroding faster than a Louisiana levy in a force 5 storm! I saw the same thing happening in Philly.
Didn't know THIS city wanted to be that bad off this soon, though. But I suppose we DO have to "Keep up with the Joneses".
There you are then...today's food for thought.
Remember to chew it well.
Just don't pop a vein in the process, kapesh?
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