Voter Education
By: Clyde “Jocco” Baccus, President
The Learning Tree, Inc.
After reading Sen. John Douglas’s viewpoints article in the Newton Citizen, his analogy on why trusting government is so hard to do, raises another question. Is it really government we don’t trust or is it the people we elect, thinking they will have “in our best interest” as the #1 agenda item?
Let’s take a broader look at the decision to charge tolls for another 10 years on Ga. 400. Twenty years ago Georgians were promised that when the road was paid for, the toll would disappear. It should be noted that a promise was signed, sealed and delivered to us by a democratic Governor, a democratic majority in both the house and in the senate. The State Transportation Board also had a democratic majority.
As we fast forward to the 2010 session of the General Assembly, the decision to extend charging a toll on Ga. 400 for another 10 years was made by a republican Governor, a republican majority in both the house and in the senate and the State Transportation Board. You guessed it, a republican majority
It’s important to look at the difference between doing what’s right for the citizens of Georgia rather than continually adding another tax to our wallets. The general assembly should have let the toll expire as scheduled June, 2011. Sen. Douglas (member of Senate Transportation Committee) pointed out that we already have several ways to fund highway projects in Georgia, but as I finished reading his article and began to evaluate his political savvy, first he is not on the November 2nd ballot and if he has standing in his party, he should have known (pending legislation set to expire) the state Road and Tollway Authority and the Department of Transportation were drafting recommendations to present to the Governor, Lt. Gov., Speaker of the House, and the Majority leadership in both the house and in the senate. Why weren’t you speaking out then?
When did you know there were enough votes to bring extending charging toll on GA 400 to the floor and get it passed?
Hind sight is just what it is, a golden opportunity missed. Yes, Sen. Douglas, your article points out some interesting facts. All taxpaying citizens of Georgia are digging a little deeper into their pockets, no thanks to the majority in control under the gold dome for the 2010 session. Sen. Douglas, your vote has been recorded in favor of passing a 1 percent sales tax for highway improvements during the 2010 session. Now we have on the November 2nd ballot, Amendment #2. Voters are asked to approve yet another tax, $10 added to your automobile tag.
In the words of Sen. Douglas, “It’s your money.”
Finally, there is a voter’s movement in Georgia, unlike anything we’ve seen. We understand the meaning of “Majority Rule” under the gold dome and inside state government. Makes no difference what party is in control, when the general assembly sine-dye, we the citizens end up taxed/tolled and they have the nerve to tell us, it’s in our best interest. Registered Voters & Property Owners, the message is clear for the people we’ve elected; your first order of business is to let your whip know #1 on your agenda will be advocating and delivering a pro-rada-share of the state budget back to your district, otherwise, we will elect someone who listens, but, also hears.
Your posted comments are welcomed!
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