Well, they're back and so are we

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Dumb idea then - Dumb idea now

Six months does not change an ideas merit. Accountability is a given, not something to use as a selling point.

Let's be blunt - we just plain can't trust our local leadership to make good decisions concerning public expenditures. Let's look at the history of the metro area's leadership.

1. The race track and casino were to solve all of our fiscal problems - did it?

2. The state lowered taxes on our utilities; many local governments increased our franchise fees to take back the money. This issue is still in the courts and we have not received any information about how this will be resolved. Was this good planning by the local governments? How will the governments pay back the money should the court decide in favor of the utility users?

3. CIETC is still an issue. If the city could not appoint qualified, honest and duty-bound folks to supervise this entity shouldn't they have said so and sought another form of oversight?

4. Local option school taxes have further damaged the reputation of our "leaders". Does doing what you say you'll do with entrusted funds have any meaning once the dollars are in your checking account?

5. Look for storm clouds on the horizon. The local governments will "need" more money to not only feed current obligations but also to cover liabilities that they themselves fostered.

There is an overall lack of confidence in our leaders and no amount of meetings (private or public) will stand in the way of the public's right and duty to deny these folks access to our hard-earned dollars at this time.

I'm looking forward to seeing open forums for the discussion of all issues on a level playing field. The venue would be in a public place, led by a panel of objective news media personalities with speakers coming from the floor to speak in favor or against the issue for a limited period of time. The meetings should be broadcast over Des Moines City Council's cable channel. This would be very interesting but I don't think that it will happen. Not only are there too many issues to be addressed concerning this proposal, but public input is not something that the "leadership" of Des Moines ever wants to face.

I'm also predicting that the petitions to have the measure added to the ballot will be circulated on private property and that objectors to the issue will not receive access to those same properties to express any opposition to the issue. If you don't believe in the measure, don't sign any petition to have this issue placed on the ballot.