[Thanks to Bert]
The city of Troy, Michigan was facing a budget shortfall, and was considering closing the Troy Public Library for lack of funds. Even though the necessary revenues could be raised through a miniscule tax increase, powerful anti-tax groups in the area were organized against it. A vote was scheduled amongst the city's residents, to shut the library or accept the tax increase, and Leo Burnett Detroit decided to support the library by creating a reverse psychology campaign. Yard signs began appearing that read: "Vote to Close Troy Library on August 2nd - Book Burning Party on August 5th." No one wants to be a part of a town that burns books, and the outraged citizens of Troy pushed back against the "idiotic book burners" and ultimately supported the tax increase, thus ensuring the library's survival.
Bril.
7 comments:
"Even though the necessary revenues could be raised through a miniscule tax increase,"
This is bs. There will never be a ballot measure for putting new carpets in the Mayor's office. It's always the libraries, the fireman, the schools that are put on the ballot. They would put kittens and fuzzy bunnies on the ballot to raise money if they could.
This is how gambling became legal in the US. "It's for the kids, we'll only spend the money on education." Well, whatever other money used to be spent on education, it's being spent on other things now. We are stuck with a negative feedback loop - the more gamblers the schools graduate, the more money the schools are rewarded with.
I'm not sure, but do I understand your comment to be a justification for not voting for libraries and schools. I know many "tax gripers" who complain about waste as an excuse to be selfish and neglect our kids and public assets. If that is the case, then to you sir, I say BS.
Bruce is full of shit anyway. I guess he's one of those guys who, rather than doing any research, figures it's easier and quicker to just decide what he wants to be true and then believe it.
Legalization of gambling in Nevada came about from the effects on the state of the Great Depression and the Hoover dam. The government needed money - same reason booze became legal again. Plus there were many illegal casinos and legalizing it would help with that as well.
Nothing about the money going to schools or libraries. I know Indian casinos are supposed to help the different tribes but this doesn't seem to have worked very well.
Remember, Jerry - it's not a lie if you believe it.
-George Costanza
I should have been more specific. The California state lottery profits go to schools. The voters approved a ballot measure in order to start that lottery. The story is similar in other states. "This is how the government started sponsoring gambling," would be more appropriate.
Apparently some people who have posted here have access to my voting records. The system is the only one we have, and, realistically, not voting for these bonds will usually make things worse. They are still bs as far as I am concerned.
Looking at the bigger picture, the way money is raised by the various governments in the US is deeply flawed, and the ballot measures are one symptom of that. I suggest a book called "Winner Take All Politics..."
The few people and organizations who pay for election campaigns are getting a very good return on their investment, at the expense of most of the citizens. "We don't have enough money," can usually be translated as, "the people who paid for my election won't let me tax them."
The idea is brilliant.
But I totally agree with Bruce about the situation:
"Even though the necessary revenues could be raised through a miniscule tax increase,"
This is bs. There will never be a ballot measure for putting new carpets in the Mayor's office. It's always the libraries, the fireman, the schools that are put on the ballot. They would put kittens and fuzzy bunnies on the ballot to raise money if they could.
Obviously Bruce and Anna are the same Anonymous and used the same line about the fuzzy kittens because it didn't get a laugh. That's because it's not funny. It's the kind of desperate attempt at a witticism you find in these trolls.
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