Norm, Norm, Norm. Normally I don’t respond to ad hominem attacks [ Questioning integrity Ranchland News 11/1/07 ] but this time I will because I like you a lot.
First:
RE: “First, I must question the integrity of this committee, which in turn questions the contents of their flyer.”
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem “An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin: “argument to the person”, “argument against the man”) consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characteristic or belief of the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim. The process of proving or disproving the claims is thereby subverted, and the argumentum ad hominem works to change the subject.
It is most commonly used to refer specifically to the ad hominem abusive, or argumentum ad personam, which consists of criticizing or personally attacking an argument’s proponent in an attempt to discredit that argument.”
Questioning the integrity of this committee [ OCC registration ] in no way questions the contents of their flyer [ OCC flyer ].
Second:
RE: “The ballot is quite specific the revenue from sales/use tax will be spent only for Capital Improvements, which includes hard surfacing roads among other capital improvements.”
See:[ County Sales Tax Ballot ] The ballot measure actually says that funds will be applied to “road and bridge capital and operating expenditures.” The measure actually uses that language twice, once to name the fund and a second time to describe how the fund will be used. Also, the measure does not in any way define the substance of capital expenditures, or the split between capital and operating expenses.
The measure is a blank check.
Third:
RE: “They state that Douglas County sales tax is 10 percent. A call to the Douglas County confirmed the county sales tax is 1 percent[.]”
See: [ Colorado Sales and Use Tax Rates ] If you add up all the sales and use taxes in Castle Rock and/or Parker, you get somewhere between 7.5% and 8.0% currently in effect. Looking at the 2007 Douglas County ballot (see: [ Douglas County 2007 ballot ] ) you will find existing sales taxes continued, new sales taxes proposed, and a variety of proposed property taxes.
A rough estimate of 10% is reasonable.
Fourth:
RE: “TABOR prohibits the commissioners to increase the county budget by more than 6 percent per year even if the funds were available - refer to TABOR.”
See: [ County Sales Tax Ballot ] 1B says that funds may be collected and spent without limit “under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution [TABOR] or any other law[.]”
This is a “de-bruced” measure, exempt from TABOR limits.
Fifth:
RE: “It is one thing to be critical, but not to offer two or more solutions to improving our county transportation system is beyond apprehension.”
Pro 1B arguments have ignored dramatic and on-going revenue growth in the county budget over the last decade, and have failed to ascertain why these additional millions have not led to the desired end they seek of improving road conditions. Each year, Elbert County collects additional millions in revenue, yet now, these particular additional millions will fix things.
I don’t think so my friend.
Sincerely, Brooks
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