Of course, the average RI voter will take the promised bait and end up on the hook for the cost, one way or another. However, I think there is one candidate, Lincoln Chafee, who is being honest when he proposes how we might pay for those promises of jobs, etc. through a broader application of the sales tax, while at the same time lowernig the rate to 2%. At least, he has the courage to point out that "the king has no cloths." when it come to the annual budget deficit and is proposing a way to resolve the problem.
A recent Projo a story, R.I. governor candidates trade promises at series of public forums, illustrates this point.
I have to agree with the Ethnographer's comment that before you make promises, tell us how you will pay for it. Here is what Ethnographer had to say:
"Caprio will go out and get the money to repair the infrastructure. He is to be praised for focusing on infrastructure. Commerce in Rhode island is made expensive by the lack of good roads and dangerous/closed bridges. Commerce brings jobs. Go Frank.
However, how will he get the money? If there is no tax increase or tax restructuring to provide the money, are we going to borrow more?
Wouldn't the $75 million going to Studio 38 do more good fixing the Route 95 Pawtucket bridge rather than have business reroute their trucks around the bridge? This is a hidden tax on business and a deterrent to business coming into the state.
I'm glad to see Linc Chafee point out that you can't keep making promises and not pay for the promises. Linc is asking Rhode Islanders, all of us, to stop weaning and start thinking about the future of our children. That starts by addressing the problem of paying for our services as we go.
We (adults) made the problem by buying into the Democrat controlled GA mismanagement of the State budget. As responsible adults it is time to take personal responsibility and clean up the mess and not leave it to the next generation.
If taxes are too high, watch them go higher as we let the state's infrastructure rot away on empty promises."
When are Rhode Island voters going to overcome their denial? When are they going to recognize that there is a direct relation between the government services they demand and the taxes they need to pay to get them?
It is time for voters to give serious thought to the basic question: "What is the proper role of government?" To answer this question they must answer three basic questions. "What do we need from government that we can agree upon? What can we afford? and, What are we willing to pay for (and what are we not willing to pay for) ?"
For example, is it fair to use public money to help the unemployed construction worker, who is a fellow citizens, by rebuilding our failing infrastructure; or is it better to invest $75 million in an outside private company with no product, no local employees and which could not convince private investors to fund it without a guarantee by the tax payers of RI?
Right now it seems Rhode Islanders want both, but Rhode Island can't afford both. The question before the local gubernatorial candidates is not "What can I promise you to get your vote?"
Rhode Island needs candidates who have the courage to explain honestly what choices Rhode Islanders face and what they will cost? Rhode Island needs candidates who are leaders with the courage to say "NO!" to ideas and practices that do not promote the common good. Rhode Island needs leaders who can help educate the public about the problems facing the State and explain what their real options are to solve these problems.
It is up to the voters to take responsibility and ask these questions of their candidates. If the voters don't or don't care, and if the media does not press the candidates for specifics, then Rhode Islanders will continue to get high on the political smoke bleaching out of these want-a-be Wizards of Oz. And then the day after the election, the voters will wake up to the same old mismanaged reality they went to bed with..
The Rhode Island Voter should be asking themselves:
If I do not take responsibility or hold my elected representatives responsible for their promises, then WHO will?
