Some Beliefs Die Hard

Is there any doubt that racism is still alive and well in the state of Mississippi?

From an article written by Ward Schaefer in the Jackson Free Press:

State Sen. Lydia Chassaniol’s decision to speak at the annual conference of the white supremacist Council of Conservative Citizens last week drew disapproval from her constituents, as well as a defense from her state party chairman. As reported first by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Hatewatch blog, Chassaniol, R-Winona, spoke to the racist, anti-Semitic group about “Cultural Heritage in Mississippi.”

“I wouldn’t associate myself with any hate group,” Lewis said. “For someone to do that sends a message to me that they somewhat or totally agree with their agenda.”

For Chassaniol, that would mean agreeing with the CofCC’s opposition to interracial marriage and “race-mixing” and the claim that black people are “genetically inferior.” Columnists in the CofCC’s newsletter have hyperventilated that non-white immigration to the U.S. was transforming the country into a “slimy brown mass of glop.”

The senator added in the e-mail that she has spoken at the all-black Greenwood Voter’s League, which some could consider racist for lacking white members: “I do not abide by labels such as this, and I hope you will forgive me for taking exception to the insinuation that I am racist, because I choose to belong to a conservative organization. Conservative is a term which also applies to fiscal matters.”

Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Brad White admitted that he would not have attended. “I wouldn’t have went,” White said. “Seeing the turmoil that it’s caused and some of the bad light that it’s put on her—I think unjustly and unfortunately—I wish that circumstances would have been different.”

Her attitude is a good indication of why Mississippians voted overwhelmingly for McCain in the last election.  Race will be denied as the reason but voters in the state would have voted for Attila the Hun over Obama.

I am not saying that all voters in Mississippi are racists but the older more likely to vote regularly…are.

What Of Gulfport?

Gulfport’s new mayor is sworn in and the promises have begun…the new mayor got elected because he was doing it for Gulfport.

Schloegel outlined the main goals in a new strategic plan they developed: Enhance revenue through economic development, with a city emphasis on retail expansion; work with the state port and state Transportation Department to plan a transportation corridor that will meet the needs of port expansion; tap a variety of programs to help residents rehabilitate substandard housing; improve infrastructure, from roads to playgrounds; build on the momentum that has led to superior fire and police service; and achieve a new standard in early childhood education.

During his first few months in office, Schloegel will lead the city’s economic development effort. He said a hiring freeze will temporarily prevent replacement of the director who recently resigned. When the position is filled, he will look for a director with experience in retail development. He said the Harrison County Development Commission and Mississippi Development Authority do a good job of focusing on industrial development.

Declining revenue will make any program he may want to start difficult…..my question is will he find new ways of increasing the city coffers or will he be giving away the city in the name of progress?

In the past, too many mayors have given away the school and killed the children (a metaphor, I think).  They have given tax breaks where tax breaks hurt the city and then the workers pay the price….companies get the gold…workers get the shaft.

Will our new mayor be good for the city or will he just be worried about the next election?

Barbour in 2012?

I recently heard a report that our beloved governor is on a swing through Iowa and New Hampshire….sounds like he is setting the stage for a run in 2012.

Back in the early days of the primaries, I suggested that the GOP candidate might consider Barbour as a VP candidate….boy, was I laughed at by many.  But once again I say he has the credentials for a run….head of the RNC, been a governor, a successful lobbyist, etc….he has the experience and the qualifications…so why not?

Since he cannot run for governor again……he has done as much damage as he could to the working population of the state and has helped bankrupt a state…they all sound very good for a Repub candidate.  He is also a Southerner which is another leading qualification for a run since the only support that the GOP really has is from elderly, white Southerners.

All in all….this makes him a pretty good prospect fort the party of “NO”.

Will Energy Costs Go Up?

If you listen to Repubs, it will.  They pick some obtuese figure to use and scare the public into submission.

Recently Gov. Barbour made this observation:

“Instead of a policy of more American energy, the proposed Obama policy is to establish a cap and trade tax, increase taxes on oil and gas companies by $81 billion and create a requirement that a certain percentage of electricity be generated with renewable fuels … a so called renewable portfolio standard,” Barbour said. “These policies have in common that they would all inevitably and substantially increase the cost of energy to the American families and American businesses, especially manufacturing.”

This should not effect manufacturing in the state….why?….they are given a free ride at every turn….so Barbour BS concerning industry is just so much crap.  Barbour is just repeating the playbook and daily talking pointys issued for Repubs to use in their count-offensive against “clean air”.

The Barbours have been champions of eliminating litter in Mississippi…good idea…but some how clean air means NOTHING to them.  Eliminating litter would involve getting free labor out of the the residents…..eliminating air pollution would require the govs donor base having to do the work…something we cannot have (that is sarcasm, in case you missed it).

Primary Run-offs Approach

Runn-offs is not far away and voters will be asked to once again to return to their voting location and cast a vote for the future of Mississippi—-HA–sorry that was just too sarcastic, even for me.

There are some rule changes for the run-offs:

If you are an eligible voter and did not vote in the primary, you may vote in either of the political parties’ primary runoffs.

If you voted in the Democratic primary on May 5, you may only vote in the Democratic primary runoff. If you voted in the Republican primary, you may only vote in the Republican primary runoff.

Only voters who are blind, physically disabled or cannot read or write are eligible to receive voter assistance upon request.

Candidates whose names appear on the ballot cannot assist absentee voters.

By law, mailed absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Monday. But those voting absentee in person at the clerk’s office have until noon on Saturday.

The signatures of the voter and attesting witness must be signed across the flap of the absentee ballot envelope. Failure to do so will result in rejection of the ballot.  Choose wisely and the state can prosper.

Time To Rethink Property Taxes

Mississippi is struggling with the reality that there is not enough cash to pay for the programs they have, much less any new programs.  The tax structure has been the problem….give aways to business and increases on others have made the whole system a joke at best.  It is time to rethink taxes, especially property taxes.

May I see a show of hands on the people that pay NO property tax thanks to Homestead Exemption?

I hate to be the one that pops a bubble here….but…you do realize that property taxes pays for such services as schools and funds many local programs, right?  Times are tough and getting tougher every year and every year the local politicians find ways to tax everybody.  Eventually reality will set in.

For too long Mississippi has given away revenue with the hope of attracting business and then asks the working majority to foot the bill.  There is a better way…and it would be a win-win scenario.

By making the Land Value Tax the rule, then the Coast and all of Mississippi could have the needed funds to use where it is needed, whether it is education or Medicaid or wherever.

Land rent means taxing land. Not buildings, not work, not commerce, just bare land. Or if land has buildings (as most land has) then the equivalent value of the land if it had no buildings.

Land gets its value its improvements (buildings etc) and from its location. The improvements were made by the hard work of the owners. But the location has value because of what society does, because of roads and schools and good neighbors.

If society taxes buildings and improvements, it steals people’s hard work, their time and energy, their life. Most taxation is therefore theft. But if society taxes the location, then it simply claims back the value it creates. Land rent distinguishes between the individual’s property and society’s property.

If you tax work, the amount of work goes down, because some work becomes less profitable. But if you tax land, the amount of land remains the same. So if you want to encourage work, you should tax land, not work.

Land rent is the only guarantee of fair property rights. If people can charge rent but they pay no rent themselves, eventually one person or one elite will own everything and nobody else can have any property unless it suits the elite. To see why, play the game Monopoly. Monopoly is based on “The Landlord’s Game,” invented by Lizzie Magie as a way to show why we need land rent.

Land rent is the most efficient way of creating wealth because it gives resources to those who can use them best (that is, those who can generate the most wealth from the land).

Land rent creates economic justice, by ensuring that everyone keeps the wealth they create, and any extra is given back to society. So nobody has unfair privileges, and everyone has an equal chance to succeed.

Land rent provides a fair system for all, because it generates wealth for society, yet it is so simple that corruption and inefficiency have nowhere to hide.  This is a definite plus, for today, those are the major problems with the taxation of land.

Even the Mississippi Economic Policy Center has called for the state to revamp its taxation system, then why not take the opportunity to truly revamp the tax policy?  Mississippi is always in need of funds, but its ruling few refuse to find a more equitable system.  The economic situation that Mississippi and the country finds themselves is a perfect time to find a more efficient tax system.

Put All Eggs In One Basket

Recently I read an editorial in a local newspaper about the amazing people of the Coast and their recovery from Katrina.  I agree with them somewhat, but they seem to give the Gaming Industry all the kudos as the savior of the Coast.

But permit us to again recognize three institutional aspects of the recovery process:

First and foremost has be the generosity of the American people, as expressed through the appropriations of the United States Congress.

Then there is Gov. Haley Barbour’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal, which provided the means for South Mississippians to develop visionary plans and devise practical solutions.

Last but not least is the Mississippi Legislature, which passed two indispensable pieces of legislation:

The onshore casino bill ensured the survival of the casino industry in South Mississippi.

The extension of the tourism tax incentive bill to include casino companies will help ensure the expansion of the casino industry into non-gaming activities.

On this foundation we can build any future we choose.

So according to this writer, the Legislature has done the best thing for the Coast…..well don’t think so!  They did the best thing for the coffers of the State…..liquor sales pay many of the bills in Mississippi and Casinos are the major consumer of the state monopoly.

Would almost bet, that the people that voted for the favorable gaming industry stuff will be well compensated for their support.

Cig Tax UpDate

Mr Specter was facing a tough challenge from conservative Pat Toomey, in a primary election to decide who would run as the Republican candidate for Mr Specter’s Pennsylvania senate seat in 2010.

Polls suggested that Mr Specter’s decision to vote for the president’s economic stimulus package earlier this year had been unpopular with Republican activists in the state.

If this is successful then I want to see what they will go after next…you can bet that it will not effect the wealthy.

Mississippi Gets A Tax Holiday

Consumers will not pay sales tax on clothing or footwear that costs less than $100 on July 31 and Aug. 1. Gov. Haley Barbour signed the bill into law earlier this month.

The Tax Commission has been working to assemble information on the tax holiday since the state enacted the exemption earlier this month, commission spokeswoman Kathy Waterbury said

Mississippi’s sales tax holiday is relatively limited, but it is designed to give consumers, especially parents buying back-to-school clothing, a break.

Exempting some items from sales tax once a year is not a new concept.

The District of Columbia and 13 states have tax holidays of their own. Alabama and Tennessee’s include computers and school supplies, while Louisiana allows up to $2,500 in purchases.

In Mississippi, cities receive a portion of sales tax collections. Cities that feel it will cost too much can opt out of the sales tax holiday next year.

Is this a good idea in this time of economic crisis?  This where the disconnect gets interesting……the state is broke….it wants to tax somethings…..and then give some money back…….unfortunately this is just a misdirection…..give the people something to think about and they can run other crap pass them ….unopposed.

It is a political game and Mississippians fall for it everytime…….

It Is A Cig Tax —-Again

House and Senate negotiators have been locked at an 11-cent impasse over how much to raise the state’s 18-cent per pack cigarette tax.

Heading into the meeting, both sides appeared to be calling on the other for compromise, though no one was hinting at what the tipping point could be.

Senate conferees have offered a tax of 64 cents – the average of Mississippi’s surrounding states.  The House is proposing 75 cents.

In a statement released Monday, House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, argued that the car-tag dilemma is among the reasons for the House’s proposed 75 cents a pack.

“Car tags, the Medicaid deficit, other beneficial programs and better health for smokers who choose to quit are unique advantages for enacting a higher cigarette tax,” he said. “Opinion polls show voters overwhelmingly approve of such action.”

It is all so pathetic….the state is still giving away the farm to businesses and then try top make up for it by taxing the things that the workers indulge in , in their off time.  Before you support this type of game, ask yourself what happened to the hundreds of millions that is to come from the cig companies through the lawsuits?