Well now that we have a more up to date version of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, will the citizens of Maine decide whether or not it is right for them? As I have stated before, I supported the Taxpayer Bill of Rights publicly as a Selectman for Norridgewock. At the municipal level and the state level, I looked at it as a way to give the voters a voice about their taxes. The newer version simply does that as well with a few exceptions. As for me and whether or not I will support it again, I WILL as long as it gives the voters of Maine a way to say "NO" to increasing government spending (and it does) and it has to include a way allow the "majority" of voters a way to win as well. The issue with the previous version would have forced a two thirds majority vote at the town council/town meting AND voter approval at the next election. At that rate, a two thirds vote at the town meeting would seem unlikely if there are any major issues with items in the budget. Nonetheless, this version does "reward" so to speak, the majority.
Here is another link to an article about it as well: http://waldo.villagesoup.com/Government/story.cfm?storyID=98576
All I ask is to give this a chance and talk with the major players that will be endorsing this proposal, as I will be one. The Maine Heritage Policy Center, which drafted this version of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2, is a good organization with loads of economically and fiscal experience in dealing with the numbers on all levels of state government. Bill Becker, the President and Chief Executive Officer of MHPC is a person whom I've had the pleasure and opportunity to deal with on a few occasions regarding fiscally conservative ideas at the county level as well as the first Taxpayer Bill of Rights. For more information on the Maine Heritage Policy Center, who drafted the lasted version of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, go to www.mainepolicy.org
When I think of the line "Taxpayer Bill of Rights", the first words that come to my head are: "We The People....". Remember, this proposal is about us, the Maine Taxpayer. It gives us a voice in our government for the sole purpose of keeping the elected officials in check. Every two years we are asked to give individuals a chance to make a difference in Augusta and every two years we get disappointed. This time we are asking you to be a part of a team that will give your voice a chance at all levels of government. Remember how many times you have gone to the voting booth and read a question something like: "Do you favor a bond package worth...." You do have the right to say NO to them. It's true, that will not increase your debt if you say NO to a bond package. Why do you ask? The state pays back the bonds and who is the STATE? We are. Having said that, use your voice to be heard at all levels of government. If you follow the opposition of this proposal, you will soon discover the reason they are against it, they are funded by taxpayer money. They do not want their funding determined by the average voter. Groups like the MMA, MEA and Maine State Chambers of Commerce all get their funding from the taxpayer. And, they will vote against you so they can secure their funding. They do not want you to have a voice in budget spending. Now you have the nuts and bolts of what is at stake here. Do you want a say where your money goes or do you want the same high taxes we have experienced for the last 30 plus years? You decide. I know what I'm going to do.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
What can we learn from a State Fair in Maine?
The past few days I have had the opportunity to work at the Skowhegan State Fair at the Somerset County Republican Booth. Ironically, the location of that booth couldn't be more fitting, Constitution Hall. Walking around that building you are able to see a variety of vender's from cosmetic retail with Avon and Mary Kay sales to ice cream with The Ice Cream Shoppe to outdoor power equipment with Skowhegan's own Whittemore and Sons. All the vender's all share one thing in common here, Capitalism. Yes, these hardworking individuals take time out of their normal busy schedules and normal routines in order to try and gain some extra leads or business. I talked with a few and some are not even getting paid or are taking vacation time in order to take a chance an opportunity that a State Fair can give. To me, they are owed a great deal of respect for doing what they have to do to make a living here in the tax burdened State of Maine.
As I stated earlier, the building we are located in is called Constitution Hall. How fitting isn't it?When I think of the Constitution, I think of our Founding Fathers, who, through hot summer days and countless heated debates in 1787, drafted (along with plenty of other "drafts" at local taverns at nights) the most important piece of literature in our American History next to the Declaration of Independence. Shortly after the final draft was completed, three very knowledgeable and influential statesman, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay started their own editorials named The Federalist Papers under the pseudonym "Publius", all to gain support from the people for this great piece of craftsmanship known as the Constitution. Before I go any further, I will mention or quote from The Federalist quite frequently due to the notion that it will bring us back to our roots of our country. If we can look at what our Founding Fathers went through, maybe we can see the light in order to get through our rough times we are having in our own State of Maine. They had very little history to go off from but countered that with a great deal of wisdom, intellect and freewill. In our situation, we have probably too much history with regards to the amount of statues we have in Maine that have put limitations on our business owners, citizens and workers. Additionally, history has provided us some negatives as well such as all the political action groups lobbying on behalf of "this" organization or "that" group of individuals as well as all the "rights" that have been infringed upon that caused a substantial payouts of "damages".
Digressing back to the fair for a moment, I observed another item while walking around the various stands and exhibits with my daughter one evening (while enjoying a doughboy of course). That observation was the simplicity that exists amongst children and young animals. What I'm referring to is when the young's parental figure or figures are around, such as with my daughter or with a young duckling, they are at ease and have no worries in the world. Children usually have no fear around their parents while walking around big crowds as well as animals feeling safe when hundreds of spectators are constantly touching them and taking pictures. They feel safe knowing that their parent will provide them the necessities that are needed in case it gets out of hand. Now, that brings me to the relationship between the Maine Taxpayer and the State Legislature. Obviously that simplicity is lost. Who is the parental figure in this case? Is it the Maine Legislature? I mean, they are the governing body right? Unfortunately, I don't know about you but I get "frightened" when they come around (or go in Session). I have two questions that I feel need to be asked about the Legislature. 1). Do they provide the essential necessities that encourage healthy growth and expansion amongst the "young" (Taxpayers, municipalities, and businesses) here in Maine? 2). Do the term limits created by the Legislature provide for a "healthy' turnover of personnel that aides in giving a fresh start to the Maine Taxpayer? I suppose you look no further than the figure next to your "State tax withheld" portion of your paycheck for that answer as well as your W-2's. Let's hope that the next version of the Legislature that gets voted in 2008 provides for those two items I addressed.
Lastly, stop by your local agricultural fair such as in my neck of the woods of Skowhegan, or Windsor, Fryberg or wherever there are hardworking farmers, sole proprietors and other fair related business owners. Agricultural fairs are a great family event and are some of the longest running events (I believe Skowhegan's is the longest running fair in the country at 188 years) in the country that provide for a real backbone of what our country started out on: hard work, determination and a love for this great country.
As always, God Bless America.
Matt Schaeffer
As I stated earlier, the building we are located in is called Constitution Hall. How fitting isn't it?When I think of the Constitution, I think of our Founding Fathers, who, through hot summer days and countless heated debates in 1787, drafted (along with plenty of other "drafts" at local taverns at nights) the most important piece of literature in our American History next to the Declaration of Independence. Shortly after the final draft was completed, three very knowledgeable and influential statesman, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay started their own editorials named The Federalist Papers under the pseudonym "Publius", all to gain support from the people for this great piece of craftsmanship known as the Constitution. Before I go any further, I will mention or quote from The Federalist quite frequently due to the notion that it will bring us back to our roots of our country. If we can look at what our Founding Fathers went through, maybe we can see the light in order to get through our rough times we are having in our own State of Maine. They had very little history to go off from but countered that with a great deal of wisdom, intellect and freewill. In our situation, we have probably too much history with regards to the amount of statues we have in Maine that have put limitations on our business owners, citizens and workers. Additionally, history has provided us some negatives as well such as all the political action groups lobbying on behalf of "this" organization or "that" group of individuals as well as all the "rights" that have been infringed upon that caused a substantial payouts of "damages".
Digressing back to the fair for a moment, I observed another item while walking around the various stands and exhibits with my daughter one evening (while enjoying a doughboy of course). That observation was the simplicity that exists amongst children and young animals. What I'm referring to is when the young's parental figure or figures are around, such as with my daughter or with a young duckling, they are at ease and have no worries in the world. Children usually have no fear around their parents while walking around big crowds as well as animals feeling safe when hundreds of spectators are constantly touching them and taking pictures. They feel safe knowing that their parent will provide them the necessities that are needed in case it gets out of hand. Now, that brings me to the relationship between the Maine Taxpayer and the State Legislature. Obviously that simplicity is lost. Who is the parental figure in this case? Is it the Maine Legislature? I mean, they are the governing body right? Unfortunately, I don't know about you but I get "frightened" when they come around (or go in Session). I have two questions that I feel need to be asked about the Legislature. 1). Do they provide the essential necessities that encourage healthy growth and expansion amongst the "young" (Taxpayers, municipalities, and businesses) here in Maine? 2). Do the term limits created by the Legislature provide for a "healthy' turnover of personnel that aides in giving a fresh start to the Maine Taxpayer? I suppose you look no further than the figure next to your "State tax withheld" portion of your paycheck for that answer as well as your W-2's. Let's hope that the next version of the Legislature that gets voted in 2008 provides for those two items I addressed.
Lastly, stop by your local agricultural fair such as in my neck of the woods of Skowhegan, or Windsor, Fryberg or wherever there are hardworking farmers, sole proprietors and other fair related business owners. Agricultural fairs are a great family event and are some of the longest running events (I believe Skowhegan's is the longest running fair in the country at 188 years) in the country that provide for a real backbone of what our country started out on: hard work, determination and a love for this great country.
As always, God Bless America.
Matt Schaeffer
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Will there be another People's Initiative for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights?
We all remember last year when the The "General", Mary Adams and her army of volunteers almost pulled off a decisive victory for the taxpayer. I'm talking about the Taxpayer Bill of Rights or known as TABOR by the opposition (MMA, MEA, Me St. Chamber of Commerce and a few legislators). We heard all the stories from those opposing organizations on how it would hurt local communities and that "essential" services would be lost. Was it true? We do not know for sure the immediate or indirect impact, bad or good it would have had on our communities. All I know is that those organizations, and I'll state them again: MMA, MEA and Maine State Chambers of Commerce; all pushed hard to lobby AGAINST the TAXPAYER. That also includes the legislators that opposed it.
Let's put this in perspective here for a moment. The MMA, aka Maine Municipal Association, MEA aka Maine Educational Association, and the Maine State Chambers of Commerce all get their funds from.....the TAXPAYER. Yes, I said the TAXPAYER. To be more specific, the MAINE TAXPAYER. That is right, money that you pay in property taxes and income taxes gets sent to those organizations, in which was used to lobby against you, the taxpayer. So does that tell you who was against the taxpayer having a voice in where the tax money should go? So the next time you are at the polls and ready to vote to approve a budget or educational item, remember, it was those organizations that help derail your voice. It was those organizations that helped defeat all the hard work, time, and effort you spent in trying to have your voice be heard.
Now to the question of the day. Will there be another People Initiative for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights? For me personally, I hope so. I in fact helped Mary Adams and spoke for her as a municipally elected official that was in favor of limiting government spending. I'm sure I will still fight for that cause and speak on behalf of others such as Mary Adams. With the high tax burden that Maine has, one way to ensure our taxes do not get out of control is for us as citizens to have a voice. One of the best instruments in giving us a voice was the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Yes it is true, maybe the last version had a few flaws but when you consider the flaws that the Maine State Legislature has had over the past 30 plus years, it is no wonder our tax burden is so high.
I will close with the following opening line from Federalist papers No. 1 by Alexander Hamilton, aka Publius:
"After Full Experience of the insufficiency of the existing federal government, you are invited to deliberate upon a New Constitution for the United States of America" (Publius, No#1, 1787)
Let's put this in perspective here for a moment. The MMA, aka Maine Municipal Association, MEA aka Maine Educational Association, and the Maine State Chambers of Commerce all get their funds from.....the TAXPAYER. Yes, I said the TAXPAYER. To be more specific, the MAINE TAXPAYER. That is right, money that you pay in property taxes and income taxes gets sent to those organizations, in which was used to lobby against you, the taxpayer. So does that tell you who was against the taxpayer having a voice in where the tax money should go? So the next time you are at the polls and ready to vote to approve a budget or educational item, remember, it was those organizations that help derail your voice. It was those organizations that helped defeat all the hard work, time, and effort you spent in trying to have your voice be heard.
Now to the question of the day. Will there be another People Initiative for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights? For me personally, I hope so. I in fact helped Mary Adams and spoke for her as a municipally elected official that was in favor of limiting government spending. I'm sure I will still fight for that cause and speak on behalf of others such as Mary Adams. With the high tax burden that Maine has, one way to ensure our taxes do not get out of control is for us as citizens to have a voice. One of the best instruments in giving us a voice was the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Yes it is true, maybe the last version had a few flaws but when you consider the flaws that the Maine State Legislature has had over the past 30 plus years, it is no wonder our tax burden is so high.
I will close with the following opening line from Federalist papers No. 1 by Alexander Hamilton, aka Publius:
"After Full Experience of the insufficiency of the existing federal government, you are invited to deliberate upon a New Constitution for the United States of America" (Publius, No#1, 1787)
It is true that this passage states the federal government, however, as the first line insinuates, "insufficiency of the "existing...government". To me, that is key to our situation of today. Maine's government has been insufficient with regards at looking at the taxpayer as an equal member of what I call the "Holy Tax-Trinity". This consists of Legislature, county/local municipal government and the Taxpayer. I believe it is time for us to call upon our governmental leaders in the Maine Legislature to ensure our freedoms are not burdened by their opportunity to tax. Together we can ensure that governmental spending is curbed to only necessities that Mainers require.
Matt Schaeffer, 2007
What limits should there be regarding sex offenders?
This past year or so, there have been plenty of discussions in the talk radio shows here in Maine, Maine Legislature and other online forums regarding sex offenders. One of the may topics is how close registered sex offenders should be allowed to live near schools and daycare centers. Obviously the issue comes with with many pros and cons. For some, such as the offenders themselves and members of the civil rights organizations such as the ACLU feel that any limitation on these individuals infringes on their rights. However, in the local communities as well as concerned parents and citizens, it is felt with much emotion that we need to do whatever we can to protect our youth from any issue that may cause a grotesque and immoral issue.
I for one have pushed for an ordnance in the Town of Norridgewock that does indeed limit how close these offenders may reside from our schools. For one, in a year or so, our town is welcoming children from the towns of Mercer and Smithfield in a school consolidation effort. It is my belief that we owe it to our neighbors in a great deal of gratitude that we protect ALL school children here in town from any unforeseen situation that puts a child in danger. I would like to see a 2500 ft or 1/2 mile radius limit on these registered sex offenders. I know for a fact that we have a registered sex offender living with in a few hundred yards of a school bus stop. To me that is unacceptable as a community.
Additionally, I want to see and have encouraged the Recreation Department to perform criminal background checks on ALL volunteer coaches for baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. To me, this makes sense. Some on the Rec Board feel that it may cost a few dollar$, to which I replied "I would rather pay some money to be sure than to find out the hard way and have that on our conscience."
As I close here, I want to remind everyone that I am all for justice and doing your debt to society if the situation occurs in which a person broke the law. The issue comes when we as a society decides not to or does not have the resources to monitor the offender. As much as I hate government interference, maybe it is time for the Legislature to enact a bill that does indeed protect the youth and children from any situation that could cause harm regarding a sex offender. I believe every town should have some local ordnance regarding these types of issues. I will close by stating that it is us that must protect our children and us that must keep people in check. We must ensure our the protection of our children by looking at the trends that have taken place and one of those trends is where those offenders live. Keep fighting for what is RIGHT with America. God Bless this great land.
I for one have pushed for an ordnance in the Town of Norridgewock that does indeed limit how close these offenders may reside from our schools. For one, in a year or so, our town is welcoming children from the towns of Mercer and Smithfield in a school consolidation effort. It is my belief that we owe it to our neighbors in a great deal of gratitude that we protect ALL school children here in town from any unforeseen situation that puts a child in danger. I would like to see a 2500 ft or 1/2 mile radius limit on these registered sex offenders. I know for a fact that we have a registered sex offender living with in a few hundred yards of a school bus stop. To me that is unacceptable as a community.
Additionally, I want to see and have encouraged the Recreation Department to perform criminal background checks on ALL volunteer coaches for baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. To me, this makes sense. Some on the Rec Board feel that it may cost a few dollar$, to which I replied "I would rather pay some money to be sure than to find out the hard way and have that on our conscience."
As I close here, I want to remind everyone that I am all for justice and doing your debt to society if the situation occurs in which a person broke the law. The issue comes when we as a society decides not to or does not have the resources to monitor the offender. As much as I hate government interference, maybe it is time for the Legislature to enact a bill that does indeed protect the youth and children from any situation that could cause harm regarding a sex offender. I believe every town should have some local ordnance regarding these types of issues. I will close by stating that it is us that must protect our children and us that must keep people in check. We must ensure our the protection of our children by looking at the trends that have taken place and one of those trends is where those offenders live. Keep fighting for what is RIGHT with America. God Bless this great land.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Welcome to Matt's Blog
Hello, the main purpose of this blog is to inform viewers, voters, and the general public of my view points on various issues that may come up with regards to Mainers or my local community of Norridgewock or of Somerset County. I hope you find these discussions enlightening and informative. Remember, God gave us a voice but our Founding Fathers and our Constitution allows us to use it for the good of all.
God Bless America
Matt Schaeffer
God Bless America
Matt Schaeffer
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