Chairman's Message by James Mathieu Republican Party of Pasco

FIVE CENT A GALLON GAS TAX SUMMARY

Last evening the Board of County Commissioners raised the milage rate. This was not unexpected. Many have been of the opinion that the Five Cent a Gallon Gas tax was just a ruse so the milage increase would go through without much fanfare or objection. Perhaps they are right, but I can assure you, the County Administrator made a full court press for the Gas Tax. I can further assure you that without the efforts of the Republican Party of Pasco you would be paying more at the pump now. And yes, we had help from other conservative groups that objected to the tax.

I am sure many of you watch the talking heads on Fox News, (as myself) follow conservative blogs and stay up on republican and conservative issues. The issues you observe at the national and state level are alive and well in Pasco County. I invite each and every one of you to go to the Board of County Commission website under agendas and watch the evening meeting on 09/10. Let me explain.

At 6:30 PM the County Administrator began its dog and pony show for close to an hour and a half citing all the need for the gas tax and the resultant benefits. Then came public comment from approximately 35 citizens who voiced opposition to the tax. Yes, from the eloquent to the angry. Then came approximately 10 of the "suits", as I call them, that supported the tax. Yes, they did not live in Pasco, but they owned companies that make a living either directly or indirectly off your tax dollars. It was shameful. City planners, engineers etc... Just think about that, no scores of citizens of Pasco standing as proud liberals saying: tax me more.

Unlike me, if you have a life, start watching the meeting after the end of the aforementioned public comments and save two and a half hours. Then watch the Boards discussion. Commissioners Mariano and Wilson calmly stated, and I summarize, that efforts to cut costs have not been thoroughly investigated and that although they want a premier county our citizens just cannot afford this tax right now. Eloquent arguments, no, but they knew, the issue was much broader and they had made up their minds. Kudos to them.

Once the Five Cent a Gallon motion was defeated a motion was made for three cents then two cents. Both suffered a similar defeat. Then when full frustration set in on the Commissioners that wanted government to grow, one said that we must represent all of the 468,000 residents of Pasco. Not just Republicans, Democrats, conservative or liberals, but all. She then said I know when you run again (referring to Wilson and Mariano) your vote against the tax can be told to that "Big Republican in the Sky" blah, blah blah. It's worth sitting through the first three hours just to watch that. You just can't make this stuff up.

I could go on for many pages of my analysis of what transpired here in little old Pasco County, but I would bore you to tears. So here are my conclusions. The only way to fight government growth is to stop feeding the beast. To win on an issue requires advertising which requires money. To be assured of a win we need 350 people in the room not 35. No government, local, state of federal, will ever run like a business, be efficient, not subject to corruption and self interests for a multitude of reasons. Every government, local, state and federal, will always want to expand and grow, more programs, more benefits, and more money. Rationale arguments or positions are a waste of time. The only way to obtain less government, less intrusion in our lives and less taxes is to make the Big Republican in the Sky even bigger.

Never forget, that when the County Commissioner, who wanted the Gas Tax, ran out of arguments, the attack on Mariano and Wilson, was "when you run again" blah, blah, blah. "The Big Republican in the Sky" blah, blah blah. Well Madame, rest assured, the Big Republican is not in the sky, but alive and well in a polling booth. Don't give up, get involved, forget the intellectual arguments, just do everything to stop feeding the beast. Show up when we need you, contact your elected officials, tell your neighbors etc... "Big Republican in the Sky", you got to be kidding. Hang in there, we will make progress.