The Year Of Just Say No

The first, definite NO is the GO Bond vote. With rumors and surveys floating around strongly suggesting that the new Austin Elementary will open, Day ONE with trailers, what greater indictment of this System Administration do you need. With their total incompetence when it comes to planning facilities why in gawd's name would you give them more money to abuse? Because you hope to get some?

Then there is the county government where SB7, sponsored by State Senator Emanuel Jones, is poised to gut what little remains of DeKalb's ethics board. Some have observed that the more you know about SB7 the less likely you are to vote in favor. This is why Jones, after a challenging public meeting with only limited discussion of SB7, published a smarmy notice that "it had been decided" to postpone the remaining two public meetings until after the vote. In itself a disgusting political ploy that is made all the worse by suggesting (he won't allow you to pin him down on anything) it needed to be closer to the legislative session since they intend to put out more proposals to fully eviscerate the ethics board.

At least voting should be easy. The county, on two fronts, are shoving referenda most foul into our face and all we have to do is Say NO!

TSPLOST: Pure Genius

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them."
-- Albert Einstein

Don't give the people who created Atlanta's problems more of your money. They will make the problems worse and are intellectually unequipped to make anything better.

TSPLOST: It's About Trust

We already know it isn't about traffic, it isn't about congestion relief and it isn't about the right way to do the right thing.

It is all about trust.

Do you, as a voter, trust the folks who are pushing for approval? Do you trust the folks who will collect the tax? Do you trust the folks who will take that money and "use" it? Do you trust the folks that will "oversee" these operations?

Do you trust that any of the money you will be asked to pay will do any good?

TSPLOST: Just Plain Silly

TSPLOST is a sales tax and one would like to think that would be it. Plain and simple. Tax on every sale. You buy something -- you pay the penny. But nothing created by the losers who cooked up this plan can be anything but cocked up.

While this sales tax does apply to milk, bread and aspirin, it does have at least one notable exemption. Gasoline!

So we have before us an initiative alleged to address all our traffic woes and the one group not asked to pay their fair share are drivers.

Folks, you simply cannot make this up. No sir, something this silly requires the unholy alliance of greedy developers and self-serving businesses whose hands are firmly wedged up the arses of sock puppet politicians.

TSPLOST: Get Your Story Straight

Unless you've been Rip Van Winkled you cannot help but notice the $8Million carpet bombing of media adverts in support of TSPLOST. These suffer not only from the overall flexibility of the message -- "It's about congestion...no, no...it's about trains...no, no...it really IS about development" -- but more importantly the messages are self contradictory.

In one advert we're told "The Yankees are comin! The Yankees are comin!" and that it is inevitable that the region's population will grow by "X" million over a mere "Y" years. It's like a cancer that just won't go into remission no matter how hard we don't try. They're coming and they can't be stopped. Therefore, and here's the hook, we just MUST pass this sales tax to handle the onslaught!

But in a competing advert we're told something quite different. We're told that Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Jacksonville, and a host of other third tier American cities[1] are going to clean our clocks and steal away any hope we have of continued growth. THIS is presented as the uncontestable reason we MUST pass this sales tax -- if we don't then growth will pass us by!

REALLY??!!!???? Puhleeze. Get your story straight. These garbled, contradictory messages have us wondering not WHICH of these two fools are experts on the issue, but whether the TSPLOST-ers have any expertise at all.

Seems like the pro-taxers are hellbent on getting this thing pushed through and will prostitute themselves in the most obscene ways to make it happen. But just because they're tax whores doesn't mean the voters are all DFCs.

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[1]Yes, you must set aside the prevaricating politicians' pontifications about Atlanta being an "international city" in which case we should be competing with the likes of Tokyo, Paris, London, Bejing, Sidney, ... and not "Ship Dit, Alabama". Golly how the truth doth out.

TSPLOST: Untying the Nots

As the TSPLOST vote nears we know more about TSPLOST, particularly what TSPLOST is NOT about.

TSPLOST is NOT about Atlanta traffic, NOT about improving Atlanta traffic and definitely NOT about congestion relief.

TSPLOST is NOT about a world class public transit system, NOT about adequate arterials and definitely NOT about bypasses to address unnecessary thru traffic.

TSPLOST is NOT about redress to years of infrastructure neglect born of short sighted politicians, greedy developers and whoring businesses.

TSPLOST is NOT about improving your quality of life and NOT about making Atlanta a better place to live.

And finally, TSPLOST is absolutely without a doubt NOT about you.

TSPLOST: All Show and No Go

Recent reporting in the AJC has revealed the true reasons behind this TSPLOST movement and it certainly is not about traffic in and around Atlanta. 

A site relocation consultant is quoted as saying "who wants to be in an area where you don't do anything about this sort of issue?" Exactly what issue? Given the state of the local economy, especially the jobless rate, traffic is not as bad as the boom years. So this "issue" is largely made up by the Tax and Transit forces behind TSPLOST.

A Georgia bureaucrat makes the big reveal. "If TSPLOST doesn't pass [...] it's going to limit growth for Georgia." Another Atlanta dignitary decries the alleged competitive disadvantage: "They'll continue selling against us, but they'll compound that message by saying that our community can't get its act together." Spot on there. If we had ever had our "act together" we'd not have kicked this can so far down the road.

So it is really all about PR and "messaging". We simply must let it be known that Atlantan's will do anything, make any sacrifice--even a regressive tax on every resident--to keep businesses coming, because a slow in growth would expose the decades old ponzi scheme we've been running.

Golly how the truth will out.

Trust

Trust is earned, not bought.

This appears beyond the understanding of Georgia's Governor who on the eave of the TSPLOST vote has announced a "date certain" for eliminating the Georgia 400 tolls. Naturally this "date certain" is so far in the future that the good Guv might easily backslide on this commitment just as he has in the past.

His campaign platform included a pledge to hold down taxes and eliminate the Ga 400 toll which had been reinstated during the run-up to the election. Had he sincerely wished to earn our trust he would have abolished the 400 tolls in his first week in office, allocating other funds to retire the bonds. Instead he now uses this political side show to mask his support for another new tax, a regressive tax, after coming under fire for failing on his "no taxes" pre-election commitment.  Based on what we've seen from this administration the voters in Georgia passed up the opportunity for  trustworthy, credible governance when we took a pass on Karen Handel.

And let's be very clear. If you take Ga 400 downtown you had better have some change in your pocket, because the toll is still in effect. And based on this politician's ability to hew true to his own promises the smart money says it will be in effect forever.

TSPLOST: You Lose

Since unlike Atlantans most of us will get back many fewer dollars than we will pay in TSPLOST taxes it seems like we would be better off just paying to fix our own problems instead of buying choo-choos and playgrounds for the little boys and girls in the A-T-L.

When TSPLOST Wins, Atlanta Wins

And you lose.

See, the City of Atlanta is the only constituent of its region that will see more money flow in than its residents and visitors will pay out. This is particularly egregious insult to the rest of the region when one considers the amount of sales tax collected in the City of Atlanta that comes from folks who live elsewhere. Atlanta is all take and little give.

So if you are a resident of Atlanta proper, you win big on the TSPLOST lotto. If you don't, well, now you know how THEY can afford trolleys and beltline projects.

TSPLOST: A VERY Hard Sell

This isn't (just) about the incessant barrage of nonsensical Pro-TSPLOST ads on TV. The folks behind this tax and spend boondoggle are so desperate they've added an promotional advertisement right on the ballot.

Now if J. Q. Public went to the polls sporting a "No TSPLOST" tee shirt or button, he (or she) would be hauled off for violating the ad-free zone. But these fools get their ad on the ballot. Now to be fair ballot issue language has always had a favorable, manipulative and even deceptive tone, but this is way over the top, literally and figuratively.

Do you ever wonder why these folks are so desperate?

TSPLOST: Not About Transportation

If you don't already know this, you really must be bereft of what little sense god gave a pigeon to s(h)it on a statue, but the TSPLOST is about "transportation" in name only.

And now it is official.

In a recent commentary in the Dunwoody Reporter a local (wannabe?) politician declares it an investment "in our childrens'(sic) future".

He posits that a "no" vote declares us incapable of "attracting industries supporting higher paying jobs". OK, big boy, HIGHER than what? Than the illegal, lo siento, "undocumented" worker changing toilet paper in the hotel? Wow.

Are we really sure that high paying jobs rely on ground transport more than low paying jobs? REALLY??!! Telecommute, perhaps? Seriously, do that many high-wage "industries" really require a ground based transportation infrastructure? And if so, perhaps these simply are no longer appropriate for this region. The inn is full.

But it continues: "a 'yes' vote means we will be competitive to take on any region, anywhere". Now that's just unadulterated balderdash. Compete on exactly which playing field and by what rules? Are we in a competition to build more roads than LA or sprawl wider than Mexico City? Create more stacked and twisty intersections? More cul de sacs? Well, maybe the last one.

See, this is not and has never been about transportation, congestion or you getting more time with your family. We're not untying any knots here and we're not getting anything to improve our quality of life. It is about our addiction to growth and satisfying our ugly, destructive habit. And like any other druggie we'll commit heinous criminal acts to feed our demons. This tax is just one of many.

But this is more than just a habit and on this point the politico is correct. We have mortgaged everything...our present, our future and yes, our children's future...on ever escalating growth. Not just growth, but growth of growth without regard to the base for that growth or the consequences of that growth. This is the ultimate in unsustainability (witness the housing bubble) but in desperation the powers that wannabe in this region wannabe on their growth binge just a little bit longer.

Then they're cashing out and retiring to St. Simons.

Call To The Altar

Then there were those Baptisms—that's when someone wants to be converted by joining the Church and get religion. So they have to be Baptized. Dig this—I remember one Sunday the Church had a great big guy they had to Baptize. So these Deacons all standing in this river—in water up to their waist in their white robes. They had Baptized several women and a few men—saved their Souls. When in walks a great big burly sinner who came down the line. So—these Deacons whom were very strong themselves, they grabbed hold of this cat and said to him as they ducked him down into the water, as they let him they asked him—"Brother 'do you believe?" The guy didn't say anything—just looked at them. So they ducked him down into that river again, only they held him down there a few minutes longer. So when the Deacons looked in the guy's eye and said to him—"Do you believe?" This guy finally answered—he said "Yes—I believe you Son of Bitches trying to drown me."

Satchmo
Louis Armstrong

Down to the Wholly Sanctified Church of the Congestion Congregation the Righteous Reverend T. S. Plost is holdin a gawd fearin Revival. There's gonna be a heapin helpin o singin and praisin alongside a few good doses of hellfire and damnation. Lawd a mercy.

For this is a great call to the altar, the likes of which we ain't never gonna see again in a decade or more. Maybe even less. And this is more that just a sweltering summer savin of souls--the Reverend gonna be drivin out demons. Puttin the fear of gawd into the devil hisself. Those caught up in the moment will feel the power of his call and will deliver themselves up at that altar with a joyful noise.

Testify.

Those possessed of evil will be dragged by his Deacons to the presence of our Most Righteous Reverend who with the power of the Lord herself flowin through his every vein will lay on hands and drive that devil out, casting him into a dark place far from that promised land where all good things flow without end. After regaining consciousness these newly vacated vessels will be filled with his glory, forevermore protecting them from the evil that threatened their everlastin life. Or at least til the next revival. Without fail and without delay these freshly baptized believers shall go forth into the community spreading the gospel according to our Righteous Reverend T. S. Plost.

Ernest Angley would be proud.

Articles of Faith

It all came from the Old Sanctified Churches. I can remember—way back in the old days in New Orleans, La—my home town. And I was a little boy around ten years old. My mother used to take me to Church with her, and the Reverend (Preacher that is) used to lead off one of those good ol good hymns. And before you realized it—the whole congregation would be wailing—singing like mad and sound so beautiful. I being a little boy that would "Dig" everything and everybody, I'd have myself a ball in Church, especially when those Sisters would get so carried away while "Rev" (the preacher) would be right in the middle of his sermon. Man those Church Sisters would begin shouting so—until their petticoats would fall off. Of course one of the Deacons would rush over and grab her—hold her in his arms and fan her until she'd come to.

Satchmo
Louis Armstrong

There's a special kind of faith running through the Atlanta region. It's called "The Faith" and you need to be gettin you some and you better be keeping it. But lord knows, it ain't easy. See, you must have The Faith to keep The Faith and you must get The Faith to have The Faith. And whilst that may sound simple, just where will you go to get The Faith? Happily--nay, joyously--it is being passed out by none other than the Most Righteous Reverend T. S. Plost of the Wholly Sanctified Church of the Congestion Congregation, Atlanta Regional Bishopric.

And The Faith will change your life. In a good way. Just ask the Righteous Reverend--he'll tell you. Or better yet drop in on any service, hear the man speak and let the spirit move you, because that is the only one and true way to get The Faith. You got to get it in you and to get it in you you better be gettin on down to The Church and hearin for yourself. Listen to how the power of The Faith will restore your family and cure your ill health. How, when The Faith is strong in you the pains you have long endured will be washed from your daily travail like red clay from white carpet. How your visions of streets of gold will be fulfilled and how these heavenly streets will transport you to a better place--a better life. Your every need, your every want will be fulfilled and you will see a heaven you can only enter, an everlasting life you can only enjoy, when The Faith is in you.

As you're listening and learning of the healing power of The Faith pay close attention for when that Most Righteous Reverend whispers from the pulpit that you must "render unto Caesar those things which are Caesar's" you should respond with no more than a whispered "amen".  But when he raises his voice to heaven declaring that you must "render unto the Church, THIS Church, those things that are God's"--and God knows he means your money--you should raise your voice in prayerful acknowledgement of His Righteousness. And no mere "amen brother" will suffice as the choir in nodding approval will be singing the amen chorus. The Congregational response can be no less that shouts of "Hallelujah!" But be not tempted to speak in Tongues as that is reserved for the call to the altar though standing is allowed as it facilitates removal of wallets for the plate that is about to pass.

And you should know that in the Church of Congestion, as in any other church, The Faith cannot be bought. It can only be rented. Therefore in keeping The Faith you must ensure that each time you attend, you attend with cash. In increasing amounts. For whilst The Faith, often substituting for knowledge and wisdom, is competitively priced it is subject to inflation and unannounced price increases. And be not dismayed if your offering ranks among the least for unlike Reverend Ike who once said "Change makes your minister nervous in the service" our Most Righteous Reverend T. S. Plost welcomes with equal enthusiasm the widow's pence, your pocket change as well as foldin money. His Deacons are more than happy to roll all those coins into the billions of dollars needed to start his ministry.

And never forget the first article of The Faith: your mission is to keep The Faith. Let the dear Reverend take care of your money.