OCR Text |
Show Volume XIV Issue XV The Ogden Valley news Page 17 October 15, 2007 Guest Commentaries COMMENTARIES cont. from page 3 A Requiem for the Republic: “Give us a king!” (1 Samuel 8:5) I apologize for using a Bible reference, so-called church & state, you understand, but many of the letters and articles published in The Ogden Valley news bring to mind the adage: “Be careful what you ask for, you might get it!” as well as “Go ahead and hate your neighbor, go ahead and cheat a friend; do it in the name of heaven, justify it in the end,” the chorus of a 1969 song, “One Tin Soldier.” Christian houses of “worship” dot the landscape, talk of good “Christian” and/or “American” values abound in the media, balancing against the “why does anyone notice?” morality of public persons and corrupt individuals (many of them elected officials, arrogant “public servants”, lawyers, bankers, securities agents, et al.) sit in the prime pews of their chosen church, synagogue, or mosque, affecting piety! The upcoming 2008 election of a new President has generated much rhetoric about Democratic and Republican candidates in the guise of a two-party system. We no longer have a two party system. Our country has, in the years since the Civil War, devolved to a one party system that decries liberty and individuality. The National Socialist Party is that one party, and it has control of the nation. The Democratic and Republican “parties” are two factions that fight to control the party, not unlike Fatah and Hamas associated with the Palestinians. With FDR’s main streaming of socialism and the infamous “a switch in time saves nine,” the Republic, with its protection of liberty through the rule of law, became terminally ill! At some point since WWII, during the interim congresses and presidencies, assaulted by the Korean “police action,” the Viet Nam “conflict,” the Bush I Gulf “war,” 9/11 aftermath, the “Patriot” Act, the Bush II Iraq occupation, public acceptance of mob rule by the majority, and other anti-Liberty campaigns, the Republic of the United States succumbed. It lives on only in the hearts and minds of the few who understand and love liberty. Socialism promotes a false sense of equality and justice while demarcating a strict class system. It requires a totalitarian government that demands strict submission and obedience to appear successful (review Germany’s history, 1930-1945). The “elite” amass power and capital and they determine the fate of the working class. The party allows only acceptable Republican or Democratic players demonstrating “party” fealty and suitable “party” subservience from youth, to, despite public perception, achieve elected office. In extreme moments of regional rebellion, a Jesse Ventura may break the barriers, and become but an annoyance for the party. The difference between the two party factions is: the Republican favors Fascism while the Democratic promotes a brand of Marxism. Both wave the Stars & Stripes and display the Bible and the U.S. Constitution at times, but ignore the true principles, tone, and tenor of each, claiming that times have changed; the world is not the same now. That is a Socialist lie. In reality, truth is eternal and there is only truth or untruth. There is no grey area— only black and white. A half-truth is a lie! Individually or collectively, honesty, honor, liberty and justice exist; or there is dishonesty, dishonor, slavery, and injustice. Justice exists only if it is evenly administered without regard for status: financial, social, political, or moral! As for separation of church and state, truth and justice are independent of any person’s perception of God: they are simply higher planes of humanity that mankind may attain. Totalitarianism controls masses of people in various ways. Three of the most successful are: make them ignorant, make them poor, and make them immobile. Poverty and individual immobility encroach on more people every day, while public ignorance is at an all time high. We do not read unless the content is fluff, porn, directed readings, or bias loaded memoirs and opinions of some cleric, politician, or guru. We have been conditioned not to think: we must leave that to the Socialist elite. Socialist control of our political and educa- tion systems has created a “mommy will do it” false sense of entitlement in U.S. residents, legal and illegal, resulting in a government dependent society. Parents no longer feel responsible for the care, support, control, and education of their own children. Far too many young people have no clue concerning independence, self-reliance, responsibility, honor, honesty, or justice. Socialism defines successful public education as teaching a child to sit down, be quiet, do whatever he or she is told, and regurgitating the proper programmed facts and figures when asked. That is a good Socialist. Critical thinking and/or the questioning of authority are punishable offenses. Some of the best and brightest, because they know something is wrong but they do not understand what, along with those of the special “deprived” class, become dropouts. We lose many talented, gifted people to menial pursuits, while causing others to become druggies, drunks, or criminals; thus, creating a false need for more behavior controls, more professional Socialists, and more taxes for those who cannot afford shelters. We have allowed our society to rise to the height of mediocrity, the benchmark of Socialism. The vast majority, if not all, of the causes for our current problems as a community, county, state, or nation can be dropped at our own doorstep. We either refuse, or are too fearful, to be responsible for our own situation in life: we either refuse, or are too fearful, to be free! Socialism has taught our people that it is best to leave everything to the “government”! Forget liberty! Let the Republic lie in state! Residents may complain about rude county commissioners because a bigger fish gets a special interest that infringes upon them. People may blame taxes that are too high on elected persons. And they may chide everyone else for the loss of a stable environment and open space through the removal of productive soil from production and the use of nature’s water shares for sewers, lawns, golf courses, and swimming pools. They may curse God for wild grass and oak brush, and flood waters or landslides. They may move to rural areas and decry the disappearance of the “rural” atmosphere because of stores, office buildings, and other amenities they bring with them, along with drugs, crime, bureaucracy, and police they demand everyone else pays for. They may use tax money to develop entertainment facilities, sports complexes, parks and pathways; or other special interests “for the good of the children” and prostitute themselves for tourists’ dollars, then complain about business development and crowded, unsafe roads, and insist that the “government” pay to solve the problems. They may “legally” tear down local and state cultural boundaries in the name of development or equality, and erase U.S. borders for profit while increasing the cost of living while, at the same time, removing opportunity and living wages in the name of investment and for the pleasure of buying cheap junk at a favorite big-box store. They may continue to stick their nose into everyone else’s business and then wail for the “government” to punish those who bite it off! They may act irresponsibly and petition the government to have everyone pay for their destroyed property, lost capital, or even HIV/ AIDS cocktails and cures. They may think they deserve extended mortality and receive “government” funded medications. The elite call it freedom, or Christianity, or justice, but it is neither one of those nor in keeping with Constitutional principles. It is Socialism! The National Socialist Party hides in the shadows behind its factions because it is a thief, a liar, and a slaver. It steals the will and strength of the people while it feeds greed, vanity, jealousy, and prejudice to pit neighbor against neighbor, thus weakening social ties to empower itself. It is anti-liberty, anti-individuality, anti-American and, for those who claim to believe, it is anti-Christ. However, it is what the people have asked for; it is democracy! I mourn the Republic. Roger I. Price, Huntsville Letters to the Editor but others throughout the state and let them know you support an “Acquisition Get Informed and Get Involved! Value” based tax system, and not a can $ Huntsville resident and activist D-Bell of band aids to patch our broken syshas completed hundreds of hours of tem. research on the subject, and he posts $ Write letters to the editor of publicaregularly to <www.dbelltax.blogspot. tions throughout the state. com> Sign up to be added to his email $ Be prepared to march and rally on the list. capital steps. $ Other sites have been created and can be linked to from <www.ov-tax.blogspot. If Louis Farrakhan can arrange a Million com> Sign up for these lists as well Man March, then certainly we can organize so you can receive instant notification a 1,000 man (woman) march. and alerts of breaking news or events. A unified group will be a loud voice for On the lower right column of this site, change this January. What is your commityou may click on the email icon next to ment level? “Reading Lists” to be added to all lists. See you at the Capitol! $ Place your property on the tax reform market by placing “For Sale - Can’t Richard L. Sorensen, Afford The Taxes” sign(s) strategically. Utah Wingmen For Property Tax Reform Help your neighbors do the same. $ Write and call, not only your legislators, Huntsville LETTERS cont. from page 2 “Wing Men for Property Tax Reform” Host Media Day to Draw Attention to Gross Property Tax Inequities Anyone driving through Ogden Valley is with other groups like Citizens for Tax Fairness sure to see a plethora of red and white signs www.citizensfortaxfairness.org, a Bountiful indicating that property taxes in Ogden Valley citizens group co-founded by Ron Mortensen. are much too high. This group has additional contacts “For Sale - Can’t afford the with other groups; thus, the nettaxes” is a citizen initiative begun working continues across the entire after Weber County Tax notices state forming a growing coalition. were received in early August. North Salt Lake Mayor Shanna The idea came from Indianapolis, Schaefermeyer drafted a letter she Indiana where a similar politisent to Davis County Assessor cal statement proved effective James Ivie calling for immediate in drawing national attention and complete relief from the 2007 to citizen’s who felt they were property market valuations, threatbeing abused by disparate and ening litigation if the assessor’s excessive taxation. office fails to comply. Huntsville Town citizen Bell and Sorensen are both Richard Sorensen began design, pilots, so it was natural to select the purchase, and distribution of the lawn signs name “Wing Men for Property Tax Reform” while Huntsville resident D-Bell began a as the name of their coalition. Together, they campaign to have Huntsville Town proper- have delivered petitions with more than one ties reassessed. A petition written by Bell thousand signatures to both the Weber County and distributed by Sorensen rolled through Assessor and to the Chairs of the Utah State Huntsville Town (population 600) like a high Legislature’s Revenue and Taxation Interim speed freight train such Committee. Bell gave an that an “informational” impassioned speech for meeting with county broad and comprehensive officials had to be moved property tax reform on to Snowcrest Junior September 19. Additional High. Another petition residents also testified at the Can’t afford the taxes! also spread across the hearing. Bell states, “They Forced out by Weber County entire Valley. were joined, and continue On August 15, Commissioners, Weber County to be joined, by citizens hundreds of angry from all over the state who Assessor, and Senator Valley property ownare mad as a wet hen.” representing Weber County. ers congregated at the Representative Call Weber County Assessor Snowcrest Junior High Froerer has attempted, in Cheryl Madsen for gymnasium to “pin vain, to meet with Weber most current price @ back the ears” of Weber County Commissioners 399-8572 County Commissioner and the School District Craig Dearden, County (Prices constantly) increasing.) to mimic Davis County Assessor Cheryl Madsen Commissioner’s rebate and members of her staff, and local state program after they legally held Truth in representative Gage Froerer. The audience Taxation meetings. Yet the highest taxed vented their frustration and even called for county in the state—Weber County—has a major tax revolt. Someone left tea bags turned down all efforts to gain tax relief at scattered throughout the school’s parking lot, every bend and turn. harkening to another government incited tax So, for now, Huntsville Town is up for revolt held in December of 1773. Sale. The “Wing Men for Property Tax Reform” While the For Sale signs have been distrib- held a media day on Saturday, October 13 at the uted by “wingman” Sorensen, D-Bell has been town park. Sorensen and Bell also offered busily networking with hundreds of concerned guided tours of the town, pointing out particular Valley residents. He has also been networking grievous assessment errors. For Sale Ogden Valley Homes POWDER MTN cont. from page 1 courses on the almost 8,000 acres that are located within the two counties. It is purported that developers eventually contacted Weber County Commissioners, and stated that they backed out of the deal due to a suppressed economy brought on by the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. Weber County decision makers also stalled on making a quick decision for the proposed development, citing transporta- tion and utility concerns. The only access to Powder Mountain is through Ogden Canyon and the steep, narrow, and winding road to the resort area. This leaves Weber County responsible for emergency services, and electricity, sewer, and water services. For more information, contact Weber County Planning staff at 801-399-8791 or 399-8767, or visit the county’s web site at <http://www.co.weber.ut.us/wiki/index. php/Powder_Mountain_Rezone> |