True North

I've written previously about the inability or unwillingness of the general population to apply simple math to the issues of the day, thus depriving themselves of a simple, clear and unambiguous path to a rational political position.  Unfortunately, it's worse than I thought.  I now see that the general public has an inability or unwillingness to apply even simple logic to the issues, resulting in the politicians running emotionally-driven con games right through our wallets.  Despite our public schools teaching so-called "critical thinking skills" as a separate subject -- a logical impossibility in itself -- it is quite apparent that the average voting citizen cannot reason their way out of the proverbial paper bag.

Case in point: The legislature has placed a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to increase the Minnesota sales tax for purposes of funding "the environment and the arts."  This is a tax increase, and at least most people understand that.  But the very act of putting these additional taxes on the ballot and enshrining this spending in our State Constitution says that these items have a very high priority.  At the same time and by this same act, the legislature has told us that these items are the LOWEST priority items in the state budget, since there is no other spending they would reduce to fund these items.  This is clearly a logical impossibility, so simple logic commands your NO vote. 

Just to be clear: Nothing can be simultaneously the most important and least important things in the state budget.

You don't have to debate the merits of the individual programs to be funded.  You don't have to be accused of favoring dirty water or hating children (you may be, but shouldn't).  You need not point out that it is the Legislature's job to make this decision, to prioritize spending and to live within its means.  You don't have to argue that this would be taxing the poor to provide recreation for the rich, nor assert the folly of raising taxes (again!) in a struggling economy (or ever).  You should not be distracted by assertions that it is "only a dollar a week" as if you had no better use whatsoever for the dollars you earn.  The simple logic is unassailable-- you cannot accept a logical impossibility-- and all of these other considerations are mere distractions from the simple, direct, logical conclusion to vote NO.   Try it.  There are many more examples out there, and you don't even have to do any math. 

Just THINK.   

Cross-posted at Freedom Dogs. Comments welcome.