Politics Extra: And here's what the Hamilton County GOP says

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

And here's what the Hamilton County GOP says

Here They Go Again,
Democrats Raise Our Taxes!

CINCINNATI – Today, Democratic Commissioners Todd Portune and David Pepper voted to enact a sales tax increase to pay for a new jail. The “comprehensive safety plan” includes $450 million of extra spending that was not even included in the first proposal that voters already rejected in November. The duration of the tax is scheduled for 15 years, but the extra social programs created require funding that will not cease in 15 years. Future leaders will be forced to extend the increase. Even more worrisome, is that Democratic Commissioners imposed this sales tax without yielding to the decision of the taxpayers by putting the issue on the ballot.

STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN GEORGE H. VINCENT

“I believe that Hamilton County needs a new jail in order to hold criminals accountable for their actions and I applaud the efforts of Sheriff Leis and the Commission for working toward this effort. However, I also believe in fiscal responsibility and empowering the citizens of Hamilton County. Voters should have the opportunity to decide if they want their taxes increased to fund a new jail.”

20 Comments:

at 7:02 PM, May 30, 2007

Anonymous said...

Here they go again, Republicans whine about taxes!

They'd rather have criminals running around in our streets than govern responsibly.

The Republican knee-jerk reaction to any new government revenue is getting tiresome. And the American people agree:

Democrats are currently trusted more than Republicans on all ten issues measured in Rasmussen Reports tracking surveys. Democrats even have slight advantages on National Security and Taxes, two issues “owned” by Republicans during the generation since Ronald Reagan took office.

On National Security, 46% now trust Democrats more while 43% prefer the GOP. On taxes, the Democrats have a five point advantage, 47% to 42%. Democrats enjoy double digit advantages on ethics and government corruption, the War in Iraq, Immigration, Education, Social Security, and Healthcare.

Grow up Republicans; inflation is a fact of life. Things get more expensive over time. Do you think it costs the same amount to run the government as it did 50 years ago? I'm not saying that we should raise taxes needlessly, but it's maddening to hear you whine about each and every tax increase.

If you don't love living in America, then why don't you leave?

at 9:09 PM, May 30, 2007

Anonymous said...

Sales taxes are a percent of the sale and, as inflation impacts the price of the good, should provide additional revenue consistent with inflation WITHOUT having to raise the tax.

That said, George Vincent's statement was a joke. It was as tempered and politically convenient statement as they come. It shows neither courage nor conviction, and is painfuly empty pandering.

Portune was right. -“It’s time now to end the debate and end the posturing and act now to solve this problem." 'Nuff said. We elected them to get things done. They did.

at 10:59 PM, May 30, 2007

Anonymous said...

When is the Hamilton County GOP finally going to get rid of George Vincent?? He raises no money for candidates and his efforts at leading are half hearted. Sigh.

at 12:28 AM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

What does the last part of your comments have anything to do with this issue? I am a conservative not a republican but the truth is the republicans that have been in control of this county have raised taxes and raised taxes and they have not used money wisely. One example is the Stadiums. We were to get 2 new stadiums and the "Banks” where that money is? Why could we not take away that money and use it to build a new jail. That tax is already on the books. Or did your republicans give all the money away to Mike Brown? The Banks still are not built KY is kicking our butt when it comes to development and all we have are criminals. I am all for a jail but not at the expense of the middle class person. In the America that I love the people not the politician gets the say so not the other way around and we spoke, and said NO! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

at 2:21 AM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

The last time an across the board sales tax was enacted in the county was by REPUBLICANS for a stadium for Mike Brown.
HAH!
And we all know what happened to commissioners who govern by political patronage - they work for their campaign contributors.

(And, by the way, the jail issue was an issue back then that never got fixed - that's why THIS board had to take EMERGENCY ACTION to address a crisis in public safety now)

And, if the reforms work - the recidivism will go down and the problem will not be never ending.

I think the GOP should start talking to their judges who are throwing people in jail for open flasks in OTR while drinking beer at the Taste and Bengals games with their campaign contributors.

at 2:26 AM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

The GOP isn't anti-tax, they're just against taxes that benefit the community and for taxes that go into their greedy little corporate coffers.

Make Castenelli give back his windfall profit for property used for the stadium deal, make Brown pay for his own "enhancements" and forfeit his prime real estate in downtown used for a practice field and we'll be well on our way for paying for public safety programs like jails and programs to get derelicts and the mentally ill off the streets.

at 2:43 AM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

If the black community really cares about the long term welfare of their young black men, they will support this criminal justice program that helps get their men out of the system and into the bosom of their families.

The GOP and COAST are playing you for the fools you are in working against this initiative.

(COAST wasn't against a jail to warehouse your men (remember last November?)- they're only against a program that serves black men for their betterment - idiots)

Whitey will come out against this in force because they're scared to death of black men being free of the "system" (free from oppression, free from drugs, nurturing to their children and wives, working in "their" jobs, etc.)

African Americans are being fooled by their own leadership and led astray by the white GOP hahahah

at 7:59 AM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

So costs go up, but revenues from taxes don't? Of course there is inflation, but if you think that it only affects the costs of government, you are a bona fide idiot. Taxes take a percentage of money, not a set amount. That means that the ratio of revenue from taxes and the comparable value of money remains the same.

Anyways, you can keep your tax increase. Just don't be surprised when sales tax revenues jump in the surrounding counties and this new tax doesn't bring in what is expected, because I know that I'm going to be buying as little as possible in Ham. County, and I'm certain I'm not alone.

at 8:25 AM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

What a weak response. Odd Todd and Lil David raise taxes without a vote, and the best the local GOP can come up with is this release.

What a joke.

at 9:55 AM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

"Whitey will come out against this in force because they're scared to death of black men being free of the "system" (free from oppression, free from drugs, nurturing to their children and wives, working in "their" jobs, etc.)

African Americans are being fooled by their own leadership and led astray by the white GOP hahahah"

To this poster I want to say one thing, "Whitey" does not care and we don't wake up every morning and think "How are we going to mess up a Black person’s life." What world do you live in, and what a horrible world you must live in when you wake up everyday and feel like someone is out to get you. This is not the 50's, 60's, or even the 70's this is the 21st Century and we care about conduct not color. We (being whitey) want people of every color to be married, raise their kids respectfully, PAY TAXES, and live the American dream. But if you and people who think like you are scared of the "whitey" that just wants to hold you down you are never going to stand up. Are there butt head groups of white out there "YES". You are a fool to think that there are not butt heads in every race I will stand with anyone black, white, brown, or yellow and tell them the same thing. There is no place for fear in this country, and hate is based on fear, fear of Whitey, fear of the Blacks, fear of the next 9-11. Stop!
If we want crime to stop here is what we need to do.
1) Everyone that is a parent be a parent say things to your kids such as NO!
2) Take responsibility for your actions.
3) Get a job, work smarter not harder.
4) Put term limits on every elected official from local government to Congress.
5) Stop giving everything away to people for free, free money, free housing, make them work for it they will appreciate it. Look at those in section 8 housing verse those who get a house from Habitat for Humanity. You have to have something vested before you appreciate anything.
6) Stop feeling cheated everyday, you will never think you get your just rewards. Look at a sunset, clean your house, drink a beer, and love your kids until it hurts.

One last thing even if you go to college and do everything right like get married, have kids, buy a house, you might not ever make $100,000 dollars a year. It is a fact. But if you do right then when you close your eyes for the last time you can say I lived a good life, take me home.

at 10:49 AM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

Now that this unseemly bit of political activism is over, Maggie and Kathryn can go hit the sale at whatever retail is left downtown and George can show his face at the University Club again.

Maybe they'll have something to say next month.

at 12:49 PM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

Funny this didn't go out last year when Phil and Pat proposed raising taxes. What a tool!

at 1:26 PM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:25 - Just a few years ago the Hamilton County GOP were bigger tax-and-spenders than Bill Clinton and Jean Schmidt. Now they're actually acting like Republicans. Much has improved.

Anon 9:55 - don't worry about this racial agitator. He knows that The Black Community is strongly opposed to The White Democratic Tax Hike and he's desperate to change that.

Anon 12:49 - Last year's tax increase was for $300 million. This one is for $700 million, and it follows the voters overwhelming rejection of the much smaller option. It is easy to see why one might have supported the last one but not this much-more expensive one.

Everyone - How about posting with a username?

at 4:12 PM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

anon 9:55-
I agree with your enumerated a, how actions - but how do you explain:
1) white guys at Bengals games and the Taste of Cincinnati can drink to oblivion while a black guy sitting on his stoop ACTUALLY goes to jail for "open flask"
2) why is it that white people in the suburbs are allowed to have a couple joints and just pay it out as a ticket - but black guys in downtown are put in jail for the same thing
3) white guys using cocaine no big deal, black guy with crack (same product) goes to jail
4)blacks being charged with resisting arrest - but there's no other offense to warrant an arrest - in jail
5) bonds are supposed to be sufficient(based upon their relative resources)to ensure the offender's return to their next court appearance - so why are blacks charged more than whites, and denied OR bonds, for release pending a hearing than whites
6) why was hamilton county recently sued and found to be holding blacks in "debtors' prison" because they can't afford the fines, but whites are left to do payment arrangements instead of serving their time for the costs?
7)do you want to talk about prisoners being told by the board of elections that they're not allowed to vote when they are?

These are a few examples of INSTITUTIONAL RACISM alive and well in Cincinnati Ohio today.

And let's get some history on the table - the reason blacks have more unwed mothers, more poverty, etc. is because it takes generations of unencumbered freedom to pursue the American dream.

During the great depression- blacks were denied the help white America got by it's charitable institutions - I love this one - a white family could get welfare and food stamps and participate inwork programs that lifted their families up - while blacks were told that as long as there is a "man" in the house they couldn't get any benefits (because black males were considered "lazy" and refused to work, while white men were just down on their luck due to the depression)-- So, black men were forced out of the home in order for their families to get benefits and not starve.---- this public policy is what created the phenonmena of absent father's in black families. Furthermore, whites and blacks got pregnant out of wedlock at the same rate; the difference was rich white women had access to illegal abortions and gave their illegitimate children up for adoption because there were institutions that made money placing little white babies - black babies didn't have a money market for them, so the illegitimate children remained with their mothers, unwed, and were raised by the family.

A little education on the facts, a little education on how institutional racism shaped the inequities today and support the current system of racism can really open your eyes to what is going on.

Oh, and by the way, people in section 8, getting food stamps or a welfare check (which must be paid back - but we don't talk about that)must work (unless disabled)for those food stamps and to get into housing ---- ignorance run amok

And this jail plan helps black county residents - no matter what whitey keeps telling them in order to get them to vote against their own best interests and join this ridiculous fight

sorry so long folks

at 4:44 PM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

Anyone else besides me notice that the Right-Wing Nutjobs have been off their message ever since Falwell died? Dude really must have been telling all those so-called moralists what to say and do.

at 5:30 PM, May 31, 2007

Anonymous said...

I think the key thing to remember is that the REPUBLICANS "tax increase" proposals (both for the stadium and the jail) were left up to the voters! The VOTERS increased the taxes and built the stadium-- and don't forget DEMOCRAT BERDING was head of that campaign. The VOTERS decided NOT to build the jail (& the Republicans respected that)

The people had spoken, but that has never stopped a Democrat before from having THE GOVERNMENT decide what is best for me and MY money.

at 2:15 AM, June 01, 2007

Anonymous said...

Ano 4:12
1) I explain this by Black guy goes to jail not because he is sitting on his stoop it's because he is sitting on his stoop again, drinking a beer again, and did not pay his fine so he has a capiases.
2) In the City of Cincinnati a Black man thought it was a good idea to have a new City code added that made having a joint a Misdemeanor of the fourth degree, instead of the Ohio code of a minor misdemeanor, white suburbs use the Ohio revised code.
3) It is true that it used to be no big deal, but now that cocaine use falls under the same law and same penalties. Why because someone called the Government on this, because why someone stood up and sued. From the Ohio Revised code (D) “Cocaine,” “crack cocaine,” “hashish,” “L.S.D.,” and “unit dose” have the same meanings in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.
4) If a police officer shows up and tells you to come here and you run that is Obstruction of Official Business, if you pull away from and officer, that is Obstuction of Official Business, if when the officer pats you down after asking you do you have anything on you and the officer ask you to search and you consent to the search you run or pull away then that is resisting arrest.
5) I am assuming you are mention Stack v. Boyle, 1951 but bail is to insure that you show up for court if you continue to capiases obviously the smaller bonds do not guarantee that the person comes back to court.
6) I cannot respond to this one because I am not aware of this could you please provide a link or something so I can look at myself.
7) Yes, not sure what you mean here. If you are a felon then you can not vote. If you mean something else sorry I missed it.

With out going into a long story like you wrote, look into the history of when the Irish people came to America. Kind of the same story. Except they keep fighting when someone knocked them down, the worked smarter not harder, pulled themselves up and keep going. They took care of their own.

Your statment is my point:
"A little education on the facts, a little education on how institutional racism shaped the inequities today and support the current system of racism can really open your eyes to what is going on."

You will let what happened in the 1930's dictate what you are doing in 2007. My children for example are the most important thing in my life, more important than an SUV, more important than my life. Why that is some program in the 1920's and 1930's excuse how important children are? It does not. Are you saying that because of programs you don't know what is right and wrong? How is a program from the 1920's and 30's responsible for your choice on learning to read today? Illiteracy by the way is a disability so that you don't have to pay back your section 8 and welfare checks, and food stamps,so is drug abuse, alcoholism. How much money is spent on those unwed mothers that is that 1920's and 30's fault when they have 2,3,4 kids out of wedlock, by different fathers? How much does a condom cost? Wait their free to just go to any clinic. You can call excuses institutional racism but they still are excuses.
I agree with you on one thing this jail plan does not help out people white or black, Cincinnati/ Hamilton County said NO and that is what they mean. I say instead of putting people in jail put people to work. Teach the younger generations anyway that the can do something else with their life than gangbang, or live the "thug life".

To Jeff I have no, none, not a care in the world to change you or anyone elses mind about a tax. The increase to 7% is just too much. I don't think that I mentioned anything of the sort in my earlier statements. Except to say that I want people to work so they can pay taxes that we are already paying. What's up with the name calling? WOW.
I will stand again on one thing, term limits. Any politician should not be able to make a mint while (and I use this term loosly) serve at the will of the people. I would love to change everyone's opinion on that.
You can have the American Dream you just have to go out and get it.
I guess my username will be Anon 9:55
PS I am not going to get into a peeing wcontest with you and name calling I will not respond but I love these exchange of ideas and points of view I must admit I like the challenge. Thanks Anon 9:55

at 11:13 AM, June 01, 2007

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised Mean Jean Schmidt hasn't already endorsed the Democratic tax hike, given her affinity to raising the Sales Tax.

at 3:33 PM, June 01, 2007

Anonymous said...

Anon9:55,
Ilove the debate too - just another opportunity to learn from someone else's point of view.

As to the Irish (Germans, Italians, Catholics, etc.) the fact is, societies' subgroups assimulate based on their relative similarities to the majority they are infiltrating (for lack of a better word). It has been measured quantitatively across every other subgroup -degree of similarity is proportionate to speed of assimulation.
Everything you say now about blacks, has been said about every subgroup- it is amazing the exact same claims ( promiscuity, lazy, ignorant, etc)
African Americans face greater hurdles because of their vast physcial difference being so pronounced allows for ready identification for discrimination and lessening the "pass" rate that allows them to be accepted.
Then, we got the whole slavery thing - a totally unique history that compounds the majority's perceptions. Life success is passed down - the 1930s -40s wasn't that long ago - that's my mom's age. I am lifted up by her education, her employemnt and her riches - like everything else - it is passed down to me.(and my dad of course and his dad) Blacks faced overt discrimination and lynching in OUR lifetimes . I have sat in church, at mykids ballgames, and in parks and heard my neighbors, friends and strangers talk as if it's 1950. Racism is still alive and well in Cincinnati. People just don't realize that my white, catholic, german heritage, married to a white man owning a house , kids in private schools, suburbanite - doesn't think this crap is funny. You can pretend it doesn't exist - I know it does!
As for the illiteracy, drug addiction and alcoholism as disabilities - the law has changed my friend in government application of these very types of disabilities.

at 2:35 AM, June 02, 2007

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:33

There is no way that I would ever state that Racism is not going on in Cincinnati; I too hear the jokes and remarks. Yet I refuse to feel guilty over things that I had nothing to do with. White guilt does nothing but add on to the injustices of the past. Here is what I mean. Slavery has been going on before America was founded, read the Bible and read how the Israelites had rules for treating slaves. Every country (western) as early as the 1500's starting with Spain and Portugal to replace Native American slaves, so did England and France had a time when slavery it was not only okay, but just another thing to own. Whites were not the only one with slaves, and slaves were sold into slavery by Blacks. Was it cruel, was it wrong, a sick part of our America from the past, 100% a you will get no argument from me. Yet in no way am I responsible for those things that happened way back then. The only thing that I can change is today. The things that I can do are making sure that my kids do not hang with, and learn what is acceptable with civilized society. Rest assure that is what I do, I do not believe in multiculturalism but I do believe in treating everyone that you come in contact with as much dignity that they give you. I just believe that you cannot wake up everyday and use the excuses of slavery, use the excuses of he did not treat me right because my hair is too long, or the way I dress, or the color of my skin. I believe that in this country if you want to succeed you can. Everything that you do is a choice. My choice is to move forward, to not curse the darkness but to move toward the light. (I am sorry I am feeling a bit over dramtic tonight.) As far as "not thinking this crap is funny." Tell them, take your kids away from that situation, and let them know that people who talk that way are a-holes. Teach your children just as I teach mine that you don't want to be around those types of people, because if those people say things about people they don't even know then what do you think they do to their "friends".
I will not accept that these things are my fault, I will not everyday feel that because I woke up this morning that I am a pressing someone. I did not do anything wrong. I did not own slaves, lynch anyone, and I certainly did not get anything for being white. I get up take care of my kids, pay for my kids, and put food on the table. Why should I feel guilty for that? Why should I not expect that from everyone? Blacks should not feel obligated to those past either, nor should they feel guilty for bettering themselves.
My mom was born in 1928 she is the mother of 11 children, she stayed home with us kids dad worked, put us all through private schools the whole deal, and they used words to describe people that were wrong. I know where you are coming from, but I chose not to be that way, I chose that my kids were not going to be that way. I chose that instead of giving a hand out, I will give a hand up.
But we cannot keep paying for the sins of the past; sooner or later we will have to treat people equally. Yet that means in all respects. If someone is an A-hole than they are an A-hole. I don't believe in giving anyone a free "pass". Overlooking the obvious problems, and taking away responsibilities of the individual, and to that individuals family because of the past, benefits no one. Everyone must be called to the carpet. Although my responses seem “raciest” to some let me assure you it is not my intention? My only intention is to tell people we need to learn from the past, but not feel obligated to it. We need to be like the Slaves who fought for their freedom against the land owners (over 500 are documented) they fought not because they felt obligated to the past, but because on that day they wanted something better, a better life, a better existence, a better life for their children. They got up, they made a choice.

This is a little off the subject but what do you feel about term limits for all politicians?

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

And here's what the Hamilton County GOP says

20 Comments: