Last week the headline from the Mail Tribune in Medford, Oregon: "Bush visit tab totals $200,000" caught my eye and my ire.  I feel rather overwhelmed with the current political barrage, national as well as local, like most everyone else, which at this point to me has become as irritating as pop-up ads and spam.

Rhetoric, accusations, claims and counter claims.  Let the day come and go so life can return to some sense of normalcy.

I explored the article in detail.  Not only did the local communities in Jackson County expend $200,000 for the two day visit in October for the President and his campaign. The local community also expended $19,000 for Senator Kerry in August and $30,000 for Vice President Cheney's visit in July, and another $12,000 for Senator Edwards earlier in October.  That's  $261,000 the local community has to come up with, which means, most probably, there will be a reduction in services to the community to compensate for the expense.  That is unless they have a money tree, secret benefactor or a stash of Roosevelt dollars hidden away in their coffers.  Maybe New York and Los Angeles are large enough to have a reserve fund for visiting dignitaries at random, my guess is none of the visits were in the smaller communities budgets at all. 

Most communities try and plan the year ahead and expect department heads to submit budgets for approval, usually with cuts that leave public service agencies bleeding trying to accomplish the impossible as it is.  The nature of the budget beast is usually a best guess effort based on historical data and a big prayer that nothing overwhelms them before the end of the fiscal year.

The intent and focus is not on the political system, parties, nor any of the candidates.  We have a great system that we are allowed to participate in, and I support it.  I also believe that the best form of protest is to let one�s voice be heard at the voting booth.  You can stand in lines, march, carry signs, float petitions, write letters to the editor, but if one really wants to be heard in a clear voice, vote.  If you support current administration, vote. If you support change, vote.  Just don�t sit at home and complain if you don't participate in the process.

My question and thoughts are focused on how many communities, big and small in this country have been overwhelmed with this process we take for granted.  As yet the only way the expenses are covered are to absorb the costs locally, which in the trickle down theory of economics means a higher cost to the local community, most often followed with service level cuts and an increase in local fees.  Realistically, when the stumpers come to town they have to pay the hotels, motels, and restaurants.  Why should any community be expected to donate what limited public services exist, straining existing local resources, and the local taxpayers and end users be left to foot the bill?

I would like to see some changes made to tax law and the 1040 form.  Right under one�s name, address, Social Security and filing status, instead of  "Would you or your spouse like $3 to go towards the Presidential Campaign, Yes/No", I'd like to see it changed to one's local  "Public Service Agencies' or "EMS". 

It would be better spent, appreciated more and would provide a funding source to compensate local communities who are not financially in a position to donate large sums of money to provide services for political campaigns while they beat their drums. 

That is something I would vote for.

11/02/04