tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post7509460367227268138..comments2023-08-20T07:06:14.115-04:00Comments on Thurber's Thoughts: So wrong on so many levels - low-interest loans to buy artMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-15384394576029105082007-07-03T08:16:00.000-04:002007-07-03T08:16:00.000-04:00Kurt - I recognize that the purchase of any produc...Kurt - I recognize that the purchase of any product is better for our local economy than if the government spends money. That's why I questioned the decision to subsidize the particular purchase of ART. If you're looking to subsidize the purchase of a local product, why not pick one that has more economic impact - like a vehicle. Comparing sales tax revenues and employment impact, the purchase of a car generates more economic impact than the purchase of art. <BR/><BR/>This is only one aspect of the bad decision. If the 'purpose' is economic development, then the 'investment' should be used for the best economic returns.<BR/><BR/>And how can you place a value on a college education? Many studies try to do this through earnings potential - which, in the long term, generates more economic impact than the purchase of $25,000 worth of art.<BR/><BR/>So the question I raised is a valid one - IF they're going to subsidize the purchase of anything, why ART? Because that's what the commissioners like - or because that's what this special interest group wants. <BR/><BR/>And if you're going to subsidize the purchase of one local product, why stop there? Why not subsidize the purchase of Jeeps, or yacht club memberships, or landscaping services, or lawn mowers, or anything? I think this is where some would use the term "slippery slope."<BR/><BR/>As for the fiduciary duty of the treasurer, I believe his duty is to the residents of the county - whether a taxpayer or voter or both.Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-23990137704231581702007-07-02T22:19:00.000-04:002007-07-02T22:19:00.000-04:00One thing you may be missing here, Maggie, is that...One thing you may be missing here, Maggie, is that consumer spending creates more economic growth than government spending. Essentially, by giving people 1-year loans at an interest less than the rate of inflation, the consumers are actually saving money when they purchase art work, the businesses get a full cut, and more money is turned over in the local economy. It's essentially the same concept as a tax break. Now if you compare that to government spending, where they waste so much money on bureaucracy, this money is going a lot further in the hands of those who get these loans, and the businesses that collect. Consumers get roughly a 2% discount due to inflation(which is why any consumer interested in purchasing art should use this program) and businesses get the whole cut. That money leads to jobs and more economic investment in the private sector. Just something to think about.<BR/><BR/>Bizzyblog, I didn't realize the treasurer had a fiduciary duty to taxpayers. Since he is an elected official, it seems that he is mandated by the voting public to do this.Kurthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13295712494255160794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-38097557787809491382007-07-02T18:54:00.000-04:002007-07-02T18:54:00.000-04:00Wade Kapszukiewicz should be removed from office. ...Wade Kapszukiewicz should be removed from office. <BR/>I have been trying to alert the voters about this guy for the past decade. He is nothing but a political opportunist who has only himself in mind. He has so many people believing otherwise. <BR/>He will do or say anything to advance his personal political ambitions and aspirations. It's all political posturing. <BR/>I've said it publicly before and I'll say it again, I was in the "back room" with Wade and the 'D' leadership back in 1995 when the political future and strategy of WK was formulated. <BR/>Does no one listen?Roland Hansenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14510269002146276854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-456662291725944662007-07-01T15:50:00.000-04:002007-07-01T15:50:00.000-04:00This just the latest demonstration that we have lo...This just the latest demonstration that we have lost control of our government.<BR/><BR/>Thanks Maggie for the education, but it's a bit sad to see our local governments increasingly socialistic tendencies being allowed to continue unchallenged like they are.<BR/><BR/>Seems like the State is blind to these illegal shenanigans too. . .Hooda Thunkit (Dave Zawodny)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13176392380086227377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-42134878994908471412007-06-29T16:27:00.000-04:002007-06-29T16:27:00.000-04:00Art loans? I have a local art museum that I can go...Art loans? I have a local art museum that I can go to. These jokers have lost their friggin minds.-Sepphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11187463448901564093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-88521591779288203602007-06-28T17:59:00.000-04:002007-06-28T17:59:00.000-04:00Brian - thanks for the confidence in me...but I do...Brian - thanks for the confidence in me...but I don't have a masters and therefore don't qualify for teaching at most colleges or universities...<BR/><BR/>not that I'm complaining, mind you...Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-33926105180775100082007-06-28T17:32:00.000-04:002007-06-28T17:32:00.000-04:00Maggie;We need more folks like you teaching our pu...Maggie;<BR/><BR/>We need more folks like you teaching our public administration courses, rather than the loony <B>P</B>ost <B>H</B>ole <B>D</B>iggers.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043279868308825316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-24473293889399415552007-06-28T14:02:00.000-04:002007-06-28T14:02:00.000-04:00Luke, the only reference in the Constitution to 'a...Luke, the only reference in the Constitution to 'arts' is this:<BR/><BR/><I>To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;</I><BR/><BR/>Which basically is patents - not the use of public tax dollars for works of art.<BR/><BR/>Additionally, County Commissioners, being an 'arm' of state government, are bound by the Ohio Constitution to perform only the duties so prescribed to them. If the Constitution is silent on an issue, then commissioners have NO AUTHORITY to do anything about it.<BR/><BR/>From the County Commissioners Handbook, available at www.ccao.org, is this:<BR/><BR/><I>County government does not possess home rule authority. That is to say, county officials may act only when and as specifically authorized by state law. An 1857 Supreme Court case established a general theory of the status of counties which is still relevant today.<BR/><BR/>The court stated:<BR/>"Counties are local subdivisions of a state, created by the sovereign power of the state, of its own will, without the particular solicitation, consent, or concurrent action of the people who inhabit them.... With scarcely an exception, all powers and functions of the county organization have a direct and exclusive reference to the general policy of the state, and are, in fact, but a branch of the general administration of that policy. (Hamilton County v Mighels, OS 109)."</I><BR/><BR/>So, since the state constitution does not authorize such programs, it would seem that commissioners can't do it. But when you have one commissioner who publically stated "I take a different view...that if the Constitution is silent on the issue, we can do whatever we want," it's no surprise that such programs exist.Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-54495247360772250052007-06-28T12:44:00.000-04:002007-06-28T12:44:00.000-04:00I believe the US Constitution does provide for the...I believe the US Constitution does provide for the preservation of the arts. However, that is not in the County Charter so far as I am aware. <BR/><BR/>I commented about this on Ben Konop's blog, but I think the whole thing is a waste of time, money and energy. They're practically giving our money away for nothing.Publiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02738978748809484109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-12371991964485125802007-06-28T11:35:00.000-04:002007-06-28T11:35:00.000-04:00If that's the case, it's something Mary Taylor cou...If that's the case, it's something Mary Taylor could and should go after.Mmattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07092483299040327776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-25370048544885490072007-06-28T11:02:00.000-04:002007-06-28T11:02:00.000-04:00We truly need a national debate to define what gov...We truly need a national debate to define what government is. Unfortunately within our schools and universities the academic community has taught that government is there to be change agents, nannies, art philanthropists, care takers, gambling halls, recreation centers...the list goes on. But what is the only purpose; to provide the services necessary to promote good order and security. But when government steps in and replaces the role of the family, and I say the church, we get stupid actions such as you described. Our elected officials and non-elected bureaucrats have this baseless notion that they some how know what is best to do with our money and how we should live.<BR/><BR/>We need a fundamental shift in this socialist thought.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043279868308825316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-73887591098814512632007-06-28T10:02:00.000-04:002007-06-28T10:02:00.000-04:00I was thinking more of the state auditor...there'd...I was thinking more of the state auditor...there'd at least be a level of objectivity from that office...Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-19380242446474848502007-06-28T09:58:00.000-04:002007-06-28T09:58:00.000-04:00This is a flat-out breach of the treasurer's fiduc...This is a flat-out breach of the treasurer's fiduciary duty to taxpayers with commissioner support. <BR/><BR/>Pressure should be brought to bear on the county prosecutor (I know, in my dreams) to stop this. All he or she would have to do is point to what you pointed to. Short of that, a taxpayer suit might be needed.Mmattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07092483299040327776noreply@blogger.com