Me and the petition guy in front of the library today

[eleny]

I got so irritated that I spoke to the head librarian about it. She calmed me down and I love my library all the more.

You see, there was a man outside the main Lakewood Library in Jeffco with three petitions to have ballot initiatives accepted - all for lowering taxes. One was for lowering property taxes, which btw are already pretty reasonable. And property taxes are the source for Jeffco library funding at least in part. Many years ago during another economic downturn the county library had to cut back on hours and even close one day a week. A mil levy for the library made it to the ballot and we eagerly voted yes. It passed and the library went back to full steam ahead mode.

On the way out of the library I stopped at the table and let the man explain the petitions. I let him know how disgusting it was that he set up at the library. That he proposed cutting the library's throat right outside the front door.

Another older man was signing the petitions so I told them both they ought to be ashamed of themselves for wanting something for nothing. They'll expect the fire and police to help them and they'll borrow library books and then complain when cuts are made in other government services. I told them that at our obvious advanced age, none of us is about to start filling potholes in the streets.

My last word was that they were the worst example to the young people coming and going at the library and that their lack of patriotism is why our country is in the mess it's in. As I walked away I heard the word "ridiculous". So be it. When they destroy this beautiful state maybe they'll remember the woman who shook her finger at them in front of the library and said, "Shame on you!"

:rant:

[donco6]

1. Thank you.

If anything it's even worse in Adams County. We have a mill levy for our schools this year. We applied for and won a state BEST grant for $32 million - the largest ever. We cut our request in half from last year because of this grant. We have a modest request for override funding $2 million. Altogether it would raise taxes by $5/month per $100,000 to replace our old schools with their rotting pipes, asbestos ceilings, inefficient windows and doors, broken-down HVAC systems, and to reinstate our teacher and staff salary cuts.

Will it pass? We've failed twice in two years. You tell me. Last year we had our business community rise up against us in a huge way. They sent postcards to every single voter saying we were going to raise their taxes by 150% - twice. They rented billboards on the highway. They paid for a scrawl along the bottom of Channel 9. We had all of $20K to spend on our campaign. They had multiple tens of thousands. We lost by 300 votes.

I have 5 years to retirement. When I'm done here I'm totally done with education forever. It's worn me down to nothing already. Maybe I'll buy a doughnut shop. Who, when they find out you sell doughnuts, feels free to publicly berate you and call you a "waste of taxpayer dollars"?

[eleny]

2. Oh god!

The ballot initiative for schools failed here last year. In a year that went big for Dems, too. I couldn't believe it. I'm so sick of hypocrites.

Good for you and your plan. And thanks for your service in the trenches all these years. :cry:

[blaze]

3. ridiculous

Sad, isn't it? They don't seem to understand. So many people working and speaking against their own interests.

I'm in Cherry Creek and there was a HUGE sigh of relief when our bond issues passed.

Thanks for speaking up, eleny.

Too bad it went over their heads.

[ljm2002]

4. Good for you for talking to them...

...yes it may seem as though it had no effect, but when we all just make sure that our points are heard, we do make headway.

I know when raising my children, there were times I would say something and the reaction (especially when they were teens) was similar to the one you got: "Ridiculous!" But weeks (or sometimes years) later, I'd hear one of them making the very same point I had made to them. Now it's different because it's family, but still the same principle is at play: a person who is called on something will usually reject it out of hand, if for no other reason than to save face. But most people are still susceptible to reason in the long run. I believe that the reason we have so many people working against their own interests is the barrage of propaganda we are all subjected to. So it is our responsibility to poke holes it in whenever and wherever we get the chance.

[eleny]

7. I so agree with you that they just try to save face

They had no arguments to refute what I had to say. All they had was the word "ridiculous". Meh.

I also told them that I spoke to the librarian about the petitions. So hopefully they'll feel sheepish about being there with the petitions or signing them and then using the library facilities.

I'll think of you when I see anyone with these petitions. Thanks!

[vinylsolution]

5. I caught a bunch of Repugs doing this....

.... in Falcon, a few weeks ago. Prime Doug Lame-born territory, if ever there was.

Same approach: three tax-slashing petitions on a form, just sign here sir, and ask no questions.

But I did ask questions... they were completely floored when I asked how these revenue-cutting measures would help a State that's already desperately short of money.

"You Republicans are the most selfish, idiotic people on earth," I reminded them.

"No, we're not Republicans," they kept repeating. I smiled a reptile smile back at their worried faces.

They'd been found out.

Defeated, rejected, and still lying liars to the end. And beyond.

[eleny]

6. I always figure they're Libertarians or Republicans

I called the guy with the petitions both the other day. Just covering the bases.

It was great to read about your experience. I go to the library every few days and will talk to the guy again. He wasn't ready for anyone to challenge him the day I walked up and spoke to him. So I have confidence and will do it again.