[Winona Online Democracy]
Some are proposing that citizens should not vote unless they own
property.
I propose that citizens not vote until they pass an IQ test. That
measure,
too, would have affected the referendum vote.
I am only partially facetious here. How can anyone underestimate the
importance of WSU, SMU, and SE Tech to our community. If young people
choose to come here to live as they attend school that gives them the
right
to vote...at the same time it supports hundreds of businesses and employs
thousands. Students pay their way in this community. That they are a
progressive voice is a blessing to us all...ah, to be young again!
I understand that some people fundamentally like to complain...there is
no
solution to this eternal irritant. Some of our neighbors,
though...especially many of our seniors, for whom money is very, very
tight...are justifiably concerned about an additional hit on their budget
in
these times of high energy prices, high drug prices, etc.
Two observations:
First off...find out about the property tax circuit breaker...ask your
tax
advisor, the Senior Advocate's office, whomever. I have not heard
anything
concerte yet about how it will cushion the blow locally, but it may help.
Secondly...additional education spending is an investment in the future
and
in ourselves. I may be old fashioned, but I'm a tree planter...even if I
won't eat the fruit. In this case, however, I will at least get a
nibble...the better educated our kids, the better jobs they'll have in
2030...and the bigger share of my future property taxes they'll pay when
I
retire.
Winona's future depends on her willingness to invest in herself...that
future is imperiled by short-sightedness. This is not the first time
such
sentiment has reared its head in our hometown. This should, however, be
the
time we recognize it for what it is...foolishness. Eating' seed corn may
taste good...but it ain't no good for the farm.
Bob Sebo
Winona
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