I’ve never been to an AA meeting and I certainly don’t want to denigrate the good work they accomplish, so please forgive the play on words.
We just finished episode one of what I’ll refer to as ‘The great spendaholic binge.’
Episode 1 was the Harris regime. The great look into the future. How do you see the future? You spend money, lots of money. Politicians believe it makes them clairvoyant. Not all the outcomes were bad. Waikiki got a facelift - all ladies like looking good. Where did the rest of the money go? I’ll get back to you on that.
Episode 2 started two years ago. You remember the date - we call it Election Day. Episode 2 is really just a continuation of Episode 1, with the ‘Star’ replaced. We are now experiencing another leap forward. The new ‘Star’ proclaims that the star of episode one spent money on all the wrong things. How do you correct that? You outspend him. Let’s build a light rail. $20 billion dollars. WOW. This guy must really see the future. How do we build a $20 billion dollar rail? Increase the General Excise Tax and borrow more.
Don’t worry, the new star and his supporting cast, say part of the money is coming from the Federal Government. I wonder where the Federal Government gets its money? Don’t answer - that’s a rhetorical question.
Reality really is a bummer when you’re paying the bills.
Water and sewage, no problem, let’s raise those rates.
The ‘Star’ is going to replace miles of sewage pipes in 5 years.
Property taxes, lets raise those too.
The ‘Star’ proclaims, “I’ve seen the future.” If we don’t spend billions now, it will cost more down the road.” Down the road I may be bankrupt, but that doesn’t matter.
The City Council and the ‘Star’ are on another spendaholic binge with our money.
What these two ‘Stars’ and the majority of the City Council (we have a few abstinence minded councilors) haven’t seen are the people that elected them.
A common problem people with addictions have is they loose touch with reality. And the reality is that the property owners have to find the money to support the City Council’s spending addiction.
I can’t go to my boss and say, “ I need another $400 this year for my property taxes. And next year I’ll need $600.”
If I’m only on a pension or collecting just Social Security, who gives me the extra money?
I eat less, cut back on my medication and try to use less gas with fewer trips to Pearl City to see my grandchildren.
But instead, I’m on a budgetary diet to support someone else’s addiction. I guess their work is too important to reflect the concerns of taxpayers.
Does their vision of the future include not being re-elected?
Joe Brennan can be reached via email at mailto:josbrennan@hawaiiantel.net
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