Snap Its

Happy Happy Halloween

Carrying on Despite the lack of support

Way to go USS Anzio! We can always count on the men and women in our armed forces to carry on despite the lack of leadership and support from Washington.

The Answer to Global Warming Hysteria

Vote NO on RTA Referendum

 
Early voting has begun in Porter County on a referendum that will determine whether or not Porter County will become part of the Regional Transportation District which will be overseen by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). This is a movement that will do nothing but create BIGGER GOVERNMENT with the power to, and will, INCREASE our TAXES.

Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper sent out a letter to taxpayers outlining several pertinent facts of opposition to the RTA, that many voters may not know. In his letter he lists the following arguments (paraphrasing):

1. The legislation creates no less than 5 new separate regulatory boards. (Holy government bureaucracy, Batman!)

2. The board will have the power to vote for higher taxes and because they will be from various counties voters will not be able to effectively retaliate at the polls. (What is that disease called that "once you get it you can't get rid of it? Oh, yes...now I remember, it is a disease synonymous with politician).

3. Porter County is being asked to support bus lines in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago; cities that have received over $300 million in casino revenues and each has a city tax two and three times that of Porter County. Why is Porter County being asked to support these cities particularly at NO benefit to Porter County whatsoever?

4.  If passed the RTA will take over responsibility for the V-line in Valparaiso (the same one that runs empty all day long). Currently the V-line's annual operating cost is $700,000 but it only takes in $30,000 a year in fares (including a payment made by VU). If the citizens of Lake and Porter County are required to pay taxes to maintain these failed fiscally outrageous bus systems, it is safe to say they will want more bus systems built for cities the size of Valparaiso in these counties. Since this will be astronomically more to sustain...it' is also a safe bet taxes will go up to support it.

5. The tax starts out at .25% to support a bus system in Lake and Porter County and to make improvements on the existing South Shore. All these wonderful projects that no one has sat down to figure out how much the costs will actually be...and we can assume with all things government, they will find that .25% will never be enough...and they WILL RAISE TAXES!

6. County income taxes were to remain at 1%, however, in many counties these taxes have exceeded the 1% (Jasper County is at 3%).If passed this tax will be the third income tax hike in the past 10 years! Anytime a government body has the ability to tax, THEY TAX!

Another threat/promise the proponents make for the RTA is that there will be a South Shore extension into Valparaiso and Lowell. Has anyone bothered to ask whether or not this is a good fit? Seriously, what's the point? You're talking about RURAL areas that have remained rural for PRECISELY THAT REASON! I fail to see why a Porter County resident should have to feel obligated to apologize to Lake County (or anyone else for that matter) for our lifestyle preferences. It works for us. Back off!

I've heard proponents argue that it is time for Porter County to "pony-up" to support 'regionalism' (because the rest of the state doesn't trust Lake County with a dime) and this ridiculous argument, quite frankly pisses me off! Lake County residents have repeatedly voted in and entrusted thieves, thugs and corrupt-ocrats to rape them and lay waste to their best communities, and they alone are RESPONSIBLE for those problems. While I may be understanding of their situation and recognize the virtually impossible task they have to reclaim their political sanity and their communities, I fail to see where a Lake County problem entitles Lake County residents (politicians specifically) to assume it is only logical, reasonable and fair that since they can no longer rape their own (and can't seem to make ends meet on the unbelievable revenue they receive from the casinos and taxes 3 times that of Porter County), that they can extend their corruption and grubby reach across County Line into the back pockets of Porter County residents just to be neighborly. You ask me to pony-up; I'm going to tell you to ride out on the horse you rode in on (and probably not that politely).

I want to thank Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper for his efforts to get the word out about the referendum and for the use of the NO RTA yard sign image. Some of us concerned Porter County residents will be out and about over the next couple weeks passing out information, fliers and signs. If you need a yard sign, you can contact Harper & Rogers (219) 762-3434. They had a new batch on order that should be here this week. And if you see us out and about, please stop and say, "hello" (and take some information to share with your friends, co-workers and neighbors!) If you'd care to join us, we'd be HAPPY to welcome you along!

Storms

I don't know what it is about storms that I find so facinating. They usually scare the daylights out of me, but I'm facinated by them nonetheless. The awesome power; Man's inability to control a single aspect of it; How very small one must realize they actually are in the grand scheme of things. If nothing else, a good storm ought to make a person take stock and refocus on what is truly important in life. And, in my opinion, there is nothing better than being able to observe a storm from the distance...and not be caught right in the middle of it!

It's hard to believe that in just a couple short months this shoreline will most likely be covered in icecaps (and my blog readers and my neighbors will be once again listening to me grumble about the weather!)