Taxes and Politicians

Now we have the jail-tax debacle. Let’s see if I have this right? It was an unconstitutional tax because it wasn’t passed by two-thirds of the vote. The court said the purpose of the commission set up to front for the issue was to subvert the process and the two-thirds vote requirement. The court said the money had to be returned. Pretty clear to me. They got caught with their hand in the till. Are they sorry? Repentant? Contrite? Promise to follow the law in the future? Not on your life!

Hey, they worked hard to trick the people into paying this tax and they’re not about to give it up now. In the first place, they’re still going to collect it while they decide if they’ll follow the law and the court. Since they got some money anyway, but can’t spend it on jails, maybe they can spend it on something else. Sound a little like a bait and switch? Sound a little out of touch? Like with reality! Where do these politicians get their gall?

The Proposition 13 requirement for a two-thirds vote for a tax passed because the politicians of the ‘70s also were out of touch with the people and unresponsive to their desires. Politicians seem to have a problem with the two-thirds vote requirement; too hard to manipulate the people. Well, government has a legitimate interest in ensuring a broad consensus for sensitive issues. For example: It takes two-thirds to overturn the governor’s veto. It takes two-thirds to change the state constitution. It takes two-thirds to overturn the President’s veto. It takes two-thirds to convene a U.S. Constitutional Convention and it takes three-fourths to change it. It takes a unanimous vote for a jury to convict a criminal.

Some issues are too serious for a simple majority.

RALPH ROBERT NEBIKER, San Diego