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| Propagandatour 2013 |
So here is the first attempt to justify a meals tax using "useful idiots"... (with all due respect to idiots)
no... The Taxpayer means to "educate" and "inform"...
So Chesterfield is coming up with some smooth talk to woo the Taxpayer into snatching her purse...
You may find informational flyers in your utility bills, posters in businesses with frequently asked questions, a web page, and even a Facebook post to learn more about the referendum.As well as loading the Taxpayer up with the business...
.... including “things like fact sheets, a website (and) speakers who will speak to various community groups,”
And threatening the Taxpayer's purse with Morton's fork...
“The voters know if the bond referendum passes and the meals tax fails, the real estate tax would need to be raised to complete the school renovations and radio system in the planned time frame,” Jaeckle said in the email.Who put the BS in BOS?
Well things will be "just fine".
Just like in Henrico County ...
The website was designed by the West Cary Group advertising agency, which is also hosting the site at a total cost of $20,250, according to county officials. The content was prepared by Henrico officials in the county manager’s office, and the departments of finance and public relations.
Well Henrico Taxpayers time to get out the scissors and cut cut cut... start with the bloat in the Department of Propaganda... Give your rookie administrator a shave whilst you are there.
“If we make a turn, if we make a turn now, then as a county I believe we can miss that fiscal iceberg that’s out there,” Vithoulkas says.Wow this sounds like Leonardo is on the bow again!! How exhilarating!
PUT A SOCK IN IT!! Before this propaganda causes a ruckus... oops wait... too late...
County Paid Propaganda? Citizens Want Answers!
If It Looks Like a Skunk and Smells Like a Skunk…
Taxpayer financed propaganda
A regular thermonuclear meltdown headed for Chesterfield County...
It is a case of amateur hour striking midnight and the meals tax is about to turn into a pumpkin.
It makes the Taxpayer want to protest... How about August 28th at 6PM? We will circle our calendar. And we will vote NO in NOvember for the children.
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The "useful idiots" referenced in this post are business owners and business leaders who have given freely of their time to learn more about the bond referendum and the meals tax. They have asked probing questions and have challenged County and School System officials on many of the assumptions related to these issues, and the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce has taken no position on these issues, but we will. I am disappointed that the author of this blog post would use such a denigrating term for a group of people who give freely of their time, work every day to have successful businesses, and pay taxes in our County. The characterization used in htis post is untrue and wholly unwarranted. If I had written this blog post, my mother would expect me to apologize to the individuals in the picture above.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
D. Brennen Keene, Chairman--Board of Directors
Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce
Adding to Mr. Keene's response, the Chesterfield Business Council was a co-host of this bus tour which visited local public schools that have been identified to be in great need of revitalization.
ReplyDeleteThe bus tour was held at the business community's request, so that this group of volunteers can make informed and intelligent decisions when it comes to matters around the education and environment of our local children.
To headline this effort as a "Propagandatour" is sensationalizing an uninformed position about the event and further appears ill-willed. The business community is actively going to great lengths to understand the issues facing our county and how we can be a positive driver of its success.
Similar to our sister organization, the Chesterfield Chamber, the Chesterfield Business Council has not taken a position on the meals tax nor the bond referendum. The Business Council does not pass judgment or make decisions without due diligence.
John Bennett
Chair, Chesterfield Business Council
Interesting. Look up the term "useful idiot" in a historic context when it relates to propaganda, agitprop theatre, and the thin space between government and business. Understand where the line is and pledge not to cross it and you will not cross the Taxpayer. The mere appearance of this tour in the wake of revelations north of the James ought to have changed your actions
ReplyDeleteDue diligence is certainly commendable. Just make sure it goes both ways. Due diligence in making sure the county is being fiscally responsible with our money before asking for more. We as voters are easily duped by those playing on sympathy to raid our wallets. It's always interesting to see how government utilizes the use of "children" to beg for our money, that way if you refuse, you can be criminalized for not caring for the kids.
ReplyDeleteMaking an informed decision is the best thing and being informed will place a "NO" vote on the ballot in November.
As a fellow participant on this tour and someone who considers himself a bone fide patriot, I find this blog post to be particularly offensive. I am actively educating myself on this issue as a concerned citizen who lives in and owns a business in Chesterfield County.
ReplyDeleteI am also a member of the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce. We have been asking tough questions of our county administrator, school board members, and board of supervisors and wanted to get firsthand knowledge of the conditions of schools that are slated for investment should the bond referendum pass. This bus tour was organized in response to our request. The Chamber has not taken a position on the bond referendum or meals tax. As you might imagine, a meals tax would negatively impact some of our member businesses. So, we take this issue very seriously.
Signed,
Doug Horton
Chesterfield County Resident & Business Owner
Chair, Government Relations Committee & Chair-Elect, Board of Directors, Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce
PS - If you would like to learn more about my personal beliefs on government, public policy and taxes, feel free to visit my blog at: http://donttreadondoug.com.
Propaganda is defined as presenting one side of an issue to influence attitudes. I have yet to hear anyone in county management or leadership tell the taxpayer that the potential of raising $8 million dollars annually equates to only .067% of the $1.177 BILLION 2014 budget. The county is proposing to institute a new tax (likely to never go away and be raised in out years) that will hurt one business sector, yet it provides NO information about the work it can do to AVOID posing this tax. Bear in mind, that in FY2014 five-year outlook found on the county website, the county is under water even after including this proposed new meals tax. I can't wait to see that tidbit of information on the county's special website and in its flyers. I love reading fiction, just not when it comes from the folks with the power to take.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens on August 28th at 6PM ? Where?
ReplyDelete