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Bulletin, Progressive, Record, Reporter Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 11B
COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE
Protect Main Street: Keep Proposition 13 whole
Wi-mp,_e I STAND has no intention of"strength-
............................................................................................ ening" the property tax
GEORGE RUNNER
MEMBER
STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
Give Gov. Jerry Brown
credit. He's smart enough to
recognize that imposing
massive property tax hikes
on California's struggling job
creators will hurt, not help,
our state's economy. And
he's willing to take heat from
members of his own party for
his stand.
On Aug. 16, Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
gave a speech to the Sacra-
mento Press Club urging "pro-
gressives" to "start thinking
and acting big again" in order
to "invest ... in our economy."
He challenged Brown to have
"the courage" to "strengthen"
Proposition 13, an important
taxpayer protection measure
approved by voters in 1978.
Lest anyone be confused,
let me translate: Villaraigosa
protections in Proposition 13.
Instead he wants to strip
away those protectiofis for
business owners, including
Main Street morn-and-pop
businesses like hair salons,
hardware stores and restau-
rants.
According to the Howard
Jarvis Taxpayers Associa-
tion, an organization that
exists to defend Proposition
13, prior to that measure
there were no limits on .
property tax rates and assess-
ments. Taxpayers' properties
could be reassessed 50 per-
cent to 100 percent in a single
year and see their bills jump
accordingly. As a result
many taxpayers lost their
homes and businesses.
At a time when taxpayers
are once again losing homes
and businesses, it makes no
sense to make the problem
worse. The businesses we see
when we drive down the
street are survivors of the
Great ReCession, but that's
no guarantee they will be
able to continue to keep their
doors open and workers
employed.
Yet Villaraigosa and
others want to target these
survivors. Apparently, for
"progressives" the definition
of "progress" is to make
California first in taxes and
unemployment.
According to the Tax Foun-
dation, Californians bear the
sixth highest overall tax bur-
den in the nation. Our state's
income taxes, sales taxes and
fuel taxes rank at or near the
top. Even property taxes
aren't particularly low --
California ranks 14th -- but
without Proposition 13, they
would be much, much higher.
Taking even more money
from private taxpayers to
"invest" in more government
bureaucracy doesn't grow
our economy. Instead, it
would shrink it. The tax-
payer would have less money
to spend, invest and hire
workers. And our state would
end up with even higher
unemployment.
The vast majority of jobs
and investment in our state
come from the private sector,
not from government. In fact,
even public sector jobs and
investments only exist be-
cause the private sector pays
for them.
Like it or not, California is
in a global competition for
jobs. Many California busi-
nesses can no longer afford to
expand. The cost of doing
business in our state is
already too high compared to
other states. As a result, many
taxpayers are leaving our
state for greater economic
freedom elsewhere. Accord-
ing to a recent study, Califor-
nia is experiencing a net loss
in new business startups,
falling from first in the nation
to the dismal rank of 50th last
year.
If our state's leaders want
more revenue for public
sector investments, they need
to attract more private sector
investment. There are no
shortcuts. Only a healthy,
vibrant economy that creates
jobs for Californians will
produce tax revenue in
abundance.
A good place to start
would be for Brown and the
Legislature to launch a com-
prehensive review of the
costly regulations burdening
private sector businesses.
Commonsense reforms could
free up millions of public
and private sector dollars. A
similar effort at the federal
level recently found savings
of $14 billion.
Making government
less costly, intrusive and
burdensome for taxpayers is
one way to start restoring
public confidence.
California's leaders must
confront the truth that tax-
payers don't trust govern-
ment to "invest" their tax
dollars in a wise manner.
Years of government mis-
management and wasteful
spending have caused the
public to rightly doubt claims
that additional taxes and
government spending will
solve the problems facing our
state.
Big thinking is good, but
bad thinking is not. If we truly
want progress, we need to
start viewing private sector
taxpayers as a partner, not a
piggybank. And if we truly
care about Main Street, we'll
keep Proposition 13 whole.
Elected in November 2010,
George Runner represents more
than 9 million Calq'ornians as a
member of the State Board of
Equalization. For more infor-
mation, visit boe.ca.gov / Rwmer.
A liberal arts education -- the foundation of freedom
WHERE I STAND
KENT BARTEL
FORMER ASSISTANT HEADMASTER
ST. ANDREW'S ACADEMY
A number of years ago,
while I was touring a certain
university with some of our
students, the tour guide men-
tioned, "When I first came to
this university, I didn't know
what a liberal arts college
was. Since • then I have learned
that a liberal arts college re-
quires me to take classes such
as history and biology along
with my business major
courses, so I can have a well-
rounded education." This
answer amused me, and I was
also amused that the St.
Andrew's students I had with
me could probably have
explained it more thoroughly
than this college student. A
liberal arts education is far
more than taking science and
history.
But what is it, then? The
phrase "liberal arts" is com-
mon in our culture, but, as
this tour guide demonstrated,
we do not have a very precise
idea of what it means. The
liberal arts are truly founda-
tional to our Western culture.
If we value our culture and
civilization, we need to re-
fresh our knowledge of them,
and their implications for us.
So then: according to one
scholar, "The liberal arts are
the learned habits of thought
and speech considered essen-
tial for a free man." They are
the acquired skills that are
required for a free person
to live well -- though not
perhaps wealthily -- and to
remain free.
Those who went before us,
those who built the culture
we now see in decay, did not
presume that a free person
naturally knew how to live
well. Our inclinations lead us
downward, to gratify our de-
sires immediately, to trade our
birthright to fill our stomach.
The habit of serf-denial for
the sake of a larger good must
be learned; it is not naturally
occurring. This is the real
task of a liberal education --
teaching the young person to
see truth and wisdom and to
love living by it. A society
that does not understand this
principle will find itself
becoming less human, less
free, less beautiful. To be
human is to be free, but free
from what? The self is a
tyrant as powerful as any. To
indulge one's impulses, to be
governed by one's passions,
is to be enslaved. The habits
of mind and speech must be
trained in better directions.
How did this happen in the
past? First of all, the seven
liberal arts of the Middle
Ages were divided into the
Trivium (three paths) and
the Quadrivium (four paths).
The Trivium was language-
based and consisted of gram-
mar, logic and rhetoric. The
study of these subjects taught
the individual to think clear-
ly and to express himself well
-- skills a person must have
if he is not to be a slave -- but
they secondarily taught the
student how to approach fur-
ther learning. For these rea-
sons, the study of the Trivi-
um remains the foundation of
education at schools such as
St. Andrew's Academy.
The subjects of the
Quadrivium were arithmetic,
geometry, astronomy and
harmony (or music), and the
study of these were only to
be undertaken after the stu-
dent had proficiency in the
Trivium. It is important to
note that these four subjects
touch on ideas of beauty and
form. For example, the study
of form in numbers is arith-
metic, of form in space is
geometry, of form in time is
astronomy and of form in
sound is harmony. These
subjects taught how to find
and create beauty in the
physical world and are there-
fore more sublime than we
generally acknowledge,
especially in contemporary
education. If one understands
beauty, then his actions and
his life are more likely to be
beautiful.
The recovery of liberal arts
education is vital to the preser-
vation of the blessings that we
have thus far enjoyed in
America. Institutions labeling
themselves as "liberal arts"
need to be held accountable to
all that the title implies, and
encouraged in whatever ways
possible. We have been en-
trusted with a great heritage;
let us protect it.
, L ET T E 1K S t o t h e E D I TO R
Guidelines for Letters
All letters must'contain an ad-
dress and a phone number.
We publish only one letter per
week, per person and only
one letter per person, per
month regarding the same
subject. We do not publish
third-party, ano'nymous, or
open letters. Letters must be
limited to a maximum of 300
words. The editor will cut any
letter in excess of 300 words.
The deadline is Friday at 3
p.m. (Deadlines may change
due to holidays.) Letters may
be taken to any of Feather
Publishing's offices, sent via
fax to 283-3952, or e-mailed to
mail@plumasnews.com.
Huge problem
Today I had the pleasure of
attending the watermaster
meeting in Taylorsville. The
people representing the
water board were very re-
spectful. Lots of options were
discussed and will be followed
through. Most were there to
find out how they could
circumvent an astronomical
increase in the charges on
their property tax bill, placed
there by the direction of the
state water board.
I have a huge problem with
this. Property taxes come out
soon, and there is no way
that the people of Indian
Valley can stop this charge.
From what the county tax
assessor said, they had no
choice but to add this charge.
I understand that the tax
assessor's office had notifica-
tion of this increase earlier
in the year and should have
notified people in time so
they could make a change
in time to circumvent this
enormous charge.
To my way of thinking, a
large burden of fault and
guilt rests on the tax asses-
sor and his office. This is a
breach of an American right
-- the right of no taxation
without representation. If
nothing else, this shows how
much the assessor cares
about the citizens of Plumas
County. I feel that the Board
of Supervisors or the Grand
Jury should be encouraged
to investigate.
Plumas County residents
receiving this increased
charge on their tax bills
should have been warned
ahead of time. This could
easily have been done by
putting a prominent notice
in the local newspapers, i.e.,
"To all who hold property
water rights, expect a large
increase in your tax bill." A
brief explanation of the prob-
lem should have followed.
This should have been done
as soon as the tax office
learned of the situation. If
this had been done, there is a
distinct possibility that all
the agitation and upset by
the taxpayers could have
been held to a minimum.
Larry Marsh
Greenville
Slap in the face
The decision to have the
Sloat Towne Hall Halloween
Party on Oct. 29 was purely a
practical one on our part.
Over the past 31 years we
always tried to have it when
it is most convenient for
our many hardworking vol-
unteers. To call us selfish is
like a slap in the face.
The Sloat Towne Hall al-
ways supports our local busi-
nesses as much as possible.
The STH purchases most of
our supplies needed for this
event locally, from our deco-
ration, the libations for the
bar to advertising in this
newspaper. We also get all of
the costume prizes donated
by local businesses, which
is greatly appreciated. We
would never intend to take
"food off of your tables."
Also, we have many people
that attend every year from
as far away as Reno. Our
hope is that there are enough
Halloween revelers so that we
all enjoy a fruitful evening.
We wish you the best of
luck.
The Sloat Towne Hall
Halloween Party Volunteers
Cromberg
Voodoo economics?
In several recent letters to
the 'editor Geng Kailing has
argued that supply-side eco-
nomics is a success story
that economists generally
agree upon. But for the 300-
word limit on letters, I would
have quibbled already with
his claim.
Where Gene finds broad
agreement, I find controversy.
Both Google and market
watch.com -- the latter
owned by The Wall Street
Journal -- attest to disagree-
ment among economists
about supply-side policy. I
recall that President George
H.W. Bush -- one of the most
underrated of our presidents,
in my view -- once described
supply-side theories as
"voodoo economics."
I suspect that Gene and I
will agree, nonetheless, that
the United States tax code is
in drastic need of overhaul-
ing. Its chief beneficiaries
are tax accountants, several
of whom are among my
friends. One of them calls the
code "the tax accountants'
lifetime employment plan."
Andy Johnston
Clio
Worth remembering
I was glad to note the
moderation of Gene Kailing's
Sept. 21 letter to the editor. I
do want to comment on his
assertion that Karl Marx
started progressivism after
1848.
Marx remained a commu-
nist all his life. The progres-
sive movement was an Amer-
ican idea. Its roots were a
handful of intellectuals who
were both inspired and
alarmed during their gradu-
ate studies in Germany. They
learned the ideas of the day,
but wanted to avoid the
economic crashes and social
conflict of Europe. Although
many advocated social owner-
ship policies, most of them
were devout Christians,
rejected violent means and
were prepared for compro-
mise.
Marx believed capitalism
would ultimately destroy it-
self. The progressives wanted
social justice, but also meant
to prove that modern society
eager to elevate any small
difference to the level of
"class warfare."
Scott Corey
Quincy
Mammon rules
I have tried to understand
the mentality of the tea party
members, but, after reading
that the tea party members
think that the uninsured
should be left to die, I have
stopped trying.
This is the party that is
against choice. In fact, oneof
their slogans is "life." It is a
strange kind of mentality
that tells women they must
go through a pregnancy no
matter what, but once the
baby is born, it should be
left to die if the family can't
afford the insurance to keep
it alive.
Also, "life" doesn't mean
"life" if an unwanted child
grows up to commit a capital
crime. In that case, the
prisoner's life has no value.
It must be "aborted."
There is one sort of logic to
their thinking, however, and
that is that in the cases of
the uninsured 'and the
death penalty the state saves
money.
Money comes and money
goes. It is one of the
most transient aspects of our
society.
What is the worth of
fleeting, artificial money as
contrasted with the worth
of a living, breathing,
cognizant Homo sapiens?
The tea party people have
made it obvious that to them
money is worth more than
life.
I might suggest an apt
slogan or two for them: "I
love lucre" or "Mammon
rules"!
Salvatore Catalano
Taylorsville
Politically clueless
Before he entered the race
for the Republican nomina-
tion for president, Gov. Rick
Perry wrote a book entitled
"Fed Up! Our Fight to Save
did not ha,e to be self-' America From Washington."
destructive or revolutionary. Release of the book was
This is worth remembering in the fall of 2010. There is
at a time when too many are an denunciation of Social
Security as a Ponzischeme.
Now Perry is in the race
Perry continues his attacks
on Social Security.
A current example of a real
Ponzi scheme is that of
Bernie Madoff. A once-
respected Wall Streeter who
didn't steal milliops, but
rather stole billions from
people until the end of the
suckers came.
Social Security doesn't
come to an end. It has been
going for 76 years paying
monthly benefits. It has
lifted 13 million Americans
out of poverty either as an in-
come supplement or as a sole
source of income. A large
number of those getting these
benefits are women. Forty-
eight percent would fall be-
low the poverty line instead
of the current 8 percent.
More than 3 million children
receive benefits. Social Secu-
rity remains solvent until
2037 according to the Con-
gressional Research Center.
Rick Perry is cute, glib,
folksy and cocky. Politically
he is clueless. If he should
win the nomination, then
God save the republic.
An important part of
the Perry persona is he is
against the federal govern-
ment except when he is for it.
During the recent Texas
wildfire crisis fire-fighting
efforts were slow because
Perry had slashed funding
for the Texas State Forest
Service and volunteer fire
departments. Perry told the
people to pray for rain.
Perry loses no sleep over
the death penalty. He has
presided over a record 234
executions. Cameron Todd
Wlllingham was executed for
arson in 2004, even after
forensic evidence proved
him not guilty.
James L Overstreet
Quincy
See Letters, page 12B
Contact your elected officials...
PLUMAS COUNTY SUPERVISORS - 520 Main Street, Room 309, Quinc
i CA 95971; (530) 28,3-6170; FAX: (530) 28.3-6288; E-Mail:
i pcbs@countyofplumas.con Individual supervisors can also be
e-mailed from links on the county website, countyofplumas.com
PRESIDENT - Barack Obama, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW Washington, D.C. 20500. (202) 456-1414. Fax: 202-456-2461.
E-mail: whitehouse.gov/contact /
!!U.S. SENATOR - Dianne Feinstein (D), 331 Hart Senate Office Bldg.,
Washington, D.C. 20510. (202) 224-3841; FAX: 202-228-3954; TTY/TDD: (202)
224-2501. District Office: One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104;
Phone: (415) 393-0707; Fax: (415) 393-0710 Website: feinstein.senate.gov.
U.S. SENATOR - Barbara Boxer (D). DistriCt Office: 501 I'St,, Suite 7-600,
Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 448-2787; FAX (916) 448-2563; OR 112 Hart
Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20510. (202) 224-3553. FAX (202) 228-0454.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 4TH DIST. - Tom McClintock. 508 Cannon HOB,
Washington, D.C. 20515. (202) 225-2511; FAX (202) 225-5444.
mcclintock.house.gov. DISTRICT OFFICE: 8700 Auburn Folson Rd., Suite
#100, Granite Bay, CA 95746; (916) 786-5560, FAX: (916) 786-6364.
STATE SENATOR, 1st DIST. - Ted Gaines. State Capitol, Room 3056,
Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 651-4001, FAX: (916) 324-2680. Roseville office:
2140 Professional Dr., #140, Roseville, CA, 95661. (916) 783-8232, FAX (916)
783-5487; Jackson office: 33 C Broadway, Jackson, CA95642, (209) 223-9140.
STATE ASSEMBLYMAN, 3RD DIST. - Dan Logue, State capitol,
Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 319-2003; FAX (916) 319-2103.
District Office, 1550 Humboldt Rd., Ste. #4, Chico, CA 95928; (530) 895-4217,
FAX (530) 895-4219.
GOVERNOR - Jerry Brown, office of the Governor, State
Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814. Website: gov.ca.gov/
(916) 445-2841. FAX: (916) 558-3160.