Local Taxpayers Beware - Commentary on DSM Register piece
December 29, 2008 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
“Plan Would Give Iowa Cities Power to Tax Incomes”
The Register’s Jason Clayworth writes, “Cities would have the power to tax Iowans’ incomes as a way to reduce the reliance on property taxes under a proposal that will be pitched to lawmakers next month.”
Local taxpayers need to beware.
The latest suggestion to allow local governments to tax incomes in order to reduce the reliance on property taxes is troubling. I say troubling because I do not believe there will be any “reduced reliance on property tax”. Most likely the local taxpayer will continue to pay the same or higher property tax and an additional tax on income as well.
If the legislature wants to debate the idea of exchanging one tax for another so that the net impact on the taxpayer is neutral to positive then that is another matter. The only way to protect against this result is to permanently remove from the Iowa Code a requirement for certain services to be paid for by the property tax. Any proposal to allow local governments to tax income should at least be coupled with the removal of an equal or greater property tax requirement. However, the nature of government is to only talk about reducing taxes and in the end the taxpayer finds out they end up paying more.
For the most part this discussion is not about reducing the reliance on any tax, it is about finding a way for government to take more out of the pocket of the taxpayer.
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The Iowa Republican Party and Technology
December 26, 2008 by Danny Carroll · 2 Comments
There has been a lot of talk lately about the use of technology in politics. I think what is meant most often by “technology” is the use of websites, YouTube, Facebook, email lists, Twitter and the like. To be sure these are fascinating new ways of communicating. But they are just that….ways to communicate. They are inexpensive, timely, convenient and less vulnerable to manipulation by journalists.
The new State Republican Party Chair must have a passion for and familiarity with current communication technology. He or she must, however, not make the mistake of thinking that technology alone will win elections. Ideas and people win elections.
Communication technology is a tool in the campaign tool chest. To the extent a candidate can effectively communicate her/his message they will gain votes. Republicans especially have a compelling message of conservative, traditional values. The more people we can reach with our message and the better able we are to communicate that message the more victories we will see.
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I’m Danny Carroll…and I’d like to serve as Iowa’s Republican Party Chairman
December 26, 2008 by Danny Carroll · 1 Comment
I have expressed an interest in serving the State Republican Party as its next Chairman.
I look forward to the forum to be held on Saturday December 27th. I admire the effort the committee has made to allow for an open and fair process in the selection of the new Chair.
It will be challenge for the Republican Party of Iowa to overcome the adversity of recent years. But we have been able to do so in the past and will again in the future.
I think it is important that the new chair bring County Chairs and the State Central Committee together in a more inclusive process. There is too much work to be done just to leave key players out of the communication loop. With email, conference calls and the like communication should not be a problem. Travel to Des Moines is not always necessary.
For example many ask about the new Executive Director. The State Chairman usually chooses the new director and informs the committee. I think a sub-committee headed up by the State Chairman should receive resumes and letters of interest from applicants for the position and conduct interviews. That sub-committee then would make a recommendation to the full central committee. This would allow for a healthy process and hopefully result in someone who has a strong base of support from the central committee and Chairman as soon as they start the job. Such a process will continue the practice of open and meaningful communication.
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…and the people shall decide
December 26, 2008 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
- Image by programwitch via Flickr
I have been thinking about the debate about the Republican Party’s balance between the conservatives and moderates. Some say we need to broaden our message and focus and avoid being too conservative while others insist that Republicans need to move toward the middle.
I think the matter should be left up to the people.
That is a concept often forgotten in today’s focus on party leadership. If someone wants to see a focus on conservative issues they should either run for office or encourage someone who shares their views to do so. The people in a state or legislative district can then make their views known through the Primary Election process. That is the essence of self-government. If an elected official strays from the message they stood for prior to election the same people can certainly hold that person accountable in the next election cycle.
The same goes for the party platform. If the Republican Party platform is not to your liking plan to attend the 2010 Republican Caucus, county, district and state conventions and let your voice be heard. Our current platform was determined by the people in the past 2008 cycle.
Republican leaders should honor the choice of the people and help Republican candidates win in the General Election. Those leaders can certainly advocate for certain platform issues just like any other citizen. However, once the Primary is over it is time for all Republicans to come together and work for victory in the General Election. County and state leaders should set an example.
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