Op-Ed, Election 2010: Get Back to Democracy — No New Taxes

The pacts of fiscal spending and the expansion of government into every crevice of our daily lives has slithered into dark repositories until Election Day has passed only to emerge once our vote has been cast. This practice of hiding from the electorate, the costs of their choices, has drifted from the federal to the state, county and ultimately to the town level.

In this season of expressing one's view in a palpable way, it is important to reflect on the intent of our country's Founding Fathers and the environment in which our government was conceived. Let us reflect on the most recent heroes that found us moved to explore the very nature of the foundation of democracy: the Chilean miners. There in the darkness, facing the blackest of ends, 33 souls formed a more perfect union. Great visions were invested in this union of a most disparate group. There were leaders and followers; there were the holy and unholy, and all joined together in a struggle for survival. There a pact was made to equalize their experience and the proceeds, should they survive. That lasted until the light of day had shone upon them. Their situation is not unlike this election season.

The federal government, when faced with the prospects of having to leave tax levels at that placed by the previous administration, chose to recess until the election was completed, hoping to evade the consequences of a vote which would surely impact each candidate on their quest to re-election. 

Our state is no better. Contentious bantering has effectively frozen that government's ability to deal with the enormity of the fiscal task that confronts them and all stands immobile, waiting for Nov. 2.

Now we get to our local government. Although it's the lowest increase in three years, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell's proposed town budget tax increase of 1.84 percent increase is unacceptable. It sounds like such a meager rise, but in this economy, at this juncture, zero is the only acceptable figure — and a reduction would be overwhelmingly lauded. 

Believe it or not, there are places in this country where this suggestion is whole heartedly endorsed and placed in black ink before the voting public — and why not? If the Southold Free Library can place its budgeted increased before the voters, why should not the other entities that demand our hard-earned cash, not have to follow suit?

The schools request our permission to enact its budget. The fire departments are also forced to go before the public when contemplating enormous projects. Why not face the music and let the homeowner's decide whether an 11 percent increase, such as was proposed recently by Cutchogue's fire district, will float? Perhaps it is because the expenditure for docks and boats might not be the way the voting public would prefer to see their cash dispersed. 

We, the residents of this idyllic town have the intelligence and fortitude to take hold of our fate and project our desires upon our government. If this government wishes to continue, it needs to take heed and perk their ears, put their nose to the grindstone and sharpen their pencils, remembering that We the People placed it in their hands.

Carla Rosen is a long-time resident of Peconic.