Taxing Problems

A recent post from Wonkette reminded me of a recent vote here in our area.  Ours was about whether to authorize borrowing funds to build a new regional fire hall to replace the run-down, dilapidated, inadequate building currently "tacked on" to the side of the historic city hall.  In advance of the referendum, comments against the plan sounded familiar: "never a basement the fire department couldn't save...", "building legacy monuments...", "showers and a kitchen??  WTF are you thinking - waaaaay too fancy...", "how about a metal Quonset structure..." and so on.

Thankfully, sensible heads prevailed and the vote was positive by almost 2 to 1.  What I had trouble understanding is how a subset of society seems to believe that there are NO minimum levels of services that should be part of communities in developed countries.  I include here treated water, centralized sewage treatment, fire and police services, libraries, primary health care....all have had their time in the spotlight of local discussion.  Sound familiar?

Back to Oregon, where voters refused to raise their (incredibly low) property taxes so they could afford to have police services available outside regular business hours.

One comment following the story made the following observation:

 "The libertarians have themselves an awesome vicious circle going on. No or very little taxes -> low services, which means you can point out that the government isn't doing anything to help you, so why pay taxes, let's cut 'em more! -> lower taxes mean cutting necessities like police, fire, road maintenance, etc -> OMG, the society is going to hell in a handbasket! Government can't control anything, this justifies my hoarding of guns, gold, and supplies so I can take care of myself -> etc, until non-libertarians step in and behave as frickin adults."

Amen, brother.

Kootenay River Paddle

 A group of us decided to canoe part of the Kootenay River from Canal Flats to Wardner, which is at the top end of Koocanusa Lake, not far from the USA border.

The plan was to be on the water earlier than the mosquitoes and before the rush of snow melt hit the river, making it much faster and more dangerous.

It took most of a day to drive over to the East Kootenays and do the vehicle shuffle, but we were on the river by 5 pm.  The first bit was fairly fast and exciting, but the water was clear and cold and the weather prospects were good.  We only paddled about an hour the first afternoon.  The next 3 days were spent paddling south under absolutely clear, hot skies.  Stretches of calm water followed by sections of fast.  It was excellent.

Pictures are at: https://plus.google.com/photos/106717482826961530532/albums/5875368938986209073?banner=pwa