Campy's Editorial Page

RECALL TAFT?!

Time for the Gov to go....

November 2003

By: Matt McGowan

    It's the most dreadful time of the year.  OK, maybe it's not quite as bad as tax time, but in some ways it's quite worse. The foul stench arising from city halls, state capitols, and Washington, D.C. is unmistakable.  The sickening amount of lawn signs cluttering front yards and other open spaces is appalling. The vitriol being spewed forth on television and radio waves around the country is enough to make your skin crawl.

    Yes, once again, it's election time.

    Time for more phony promises, lies, and deceit from politicians who care about little more than getting elected. Now, don't get me wrong. I do believe that there are still some good politicians, but anymore it is getting very hard to tell the good ones from the bad ones.

    Take, for instance, Ohio Governor Bob Taft.

    Though raised in what could be considered a staunchly Democratic household, I have always tended to vote Republican. There are, of course, numerous exceptions to this, but overall the Republican ideals of lower taxes, less intrusive government, and self-reliance have always been what's appealed to me the most.

    And that's what I thought I was getting last November when I voted for Bob Taft.  Indeed, Taft delivered something of an anti-tax message to voters last fall, as he ran for reelection. Everybody knew that budget problems loomed, and the governor refused to rule out "narrowly tailored revenue enhancements" as part of a solution. But he also ridiculed his Democratic opponent as "Taxin' Tim Hagan" and left the distinct impression that new taxes would be an absolute last resort. 

    Instead, taxpayers are expected to give up an extra $3 billion by 2005, mainly through a 5-cent sales tax broadened to include the service economy. There are also new levies on businesses, a 45-cent tax increase on each pack of cigarettes, a doubling of the alcohol tax, and a gas-tax hike of 6 cents per gallon. And instead of cutting back on wasteful spending, Taft's latest budget would make even Ted Kennedy blush.

    Of course, over-spending is what's gotten Ohio into this mess in the first place.  In the 1990s, Ohio's budget more than doubled in size, while it's population dwindled. Thus, we have a $720 million budget gap this year, with an estimated $4 billion hole over the next two years. Only six states increased spending at a greater rate than ours, and they at least experienced rapid population growth to match. Simply put, we are spending way too much.

    However, instead of putting a stop to this, Taft has continued this spending binge on into the new millennium.  In 2001, he slapped $349 million in new taxes on businesses, which, by the way, was less than the $465 million he originally sought. Last year, he boosted business taxes by another $400 million (still wondering why you can't find work, Ohio?), and jacked up the cigarette tax by 31 cents per pack. All the while, state spending rose faster than the combined rate of inflation and population growth, and still continues to do so.

    Outraged voters are left with little recourse because A) term limits will prevent Taft from seeking reelection, and B) Ohio's constitution, unlike California's, has no recall provision. Still, there is a growing grassroots movement in Ohio aimed at holding to account those politicians who have failed to live up to their word  (see www.recalltaft.com for an example). Due to the lack of accountability brought about by term limits, many believe those who are seeking reelection may pay for the political sins of those whom the public cannot vote against.

    Are you listening, Senator Voinovich?       

(Sources: National Review and Ohioans For Concealed Carry)