04-11-2017, 08:26 AM
So if kalakoa sounds like a broken record on the tax vs. services equation to some of you, just remember, it is a message worth repeating until it is heard.
There is a collorary:
If these taxes are merely "dues" for the "privilege" of living here, and the services will "never" be provided ... stop pretending there's any "enforcement" and don't tell me what I can and can't do on/with my land.
That highway to Hilo is a state road ... yes, the governor does indeed think you are not paying enough taxes.
Since I don't pay enough taxes to cover the cost of a nice road to town, then give my subdivision the zoning and land-use freedom to include its own services, so that my trips to the store can stay entirely on the "privately owned" roads that are "my problem".
What's that? I have to pay the taxes, not get services, and still be told I can't provide the services for myself? How is that fair to anyone other than the County and State employees who get paid salary, benefits, and pension to collect the taxes and spend the money?
Remember, "services we pay for" includes things like the State courts that are working hard to make sure TMT never gets built in my tax district... cops that won't protect a haole from loose dogs... flying planes over people's houses to figure out how much their taxes need to go up... issuing bond debt... extending the golf course into a nearby public road easement... are we getting our money's worth yet?
There is a collorary:
If these taxes are merely "dues" for the "privilege" of living here, and the services will "never" be provided ... stop pretending there's any "enforcement" and don't tell me what I can and can't do on/with my land.
That highway to Hilo is a state road ... yes, the governor does indeed think you are not paying enough taxes.
Since I don't pay enough taxes to cover the cost of a nice road to town, then give my subdivision the zoning and land-use freedom to include its own services, so that my trips to the store can stay entirely on the "privately owned" roads that are "my problem".
What's that? I have to pay the taxes, not get services, and still be told I can't provide the services for myself? How is that fair to anyone other than the County and State employees who get paid salary, benefits, and pension to collect the taxes and spend the money?
Remember, "services we pay for" includes things like the State courts that are working hard to make sure TMT never gets built in my tax district... cops that won't protect a haole from loose dogs... flying planes over people's houses to figure out how much their taxes need to go up... issuing bond debt... extending the golf course into a nearby public road easement... are we getting our money's worth yet?