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Propositions are political “tricks”

The more I analyzed Proposition 1 and Proposition 2, the more I realized why that word translates to “trick” (when prostitutes sell themselves as short term solutions, for a long term problem), because whenever money and politics become “bedfellows,” taxpayers are going to get screwed, one way, or another. Especially minority taxpayers trapped in underserved ‘hoods. Need I waste space explaining why disenfranchised minorities are always the ones getting screwed, no matter if it’s a proposition to build sports stadiums, support school bonds, or anything else that’s supposed to benefit taxpaying citizens?
Fact is, the definition for proposition is just a nice word for pimping. Don’t take my word for that. Check it out: “Proposition: n an act of proposing; the thing propounded; a request for sexual intercourse; (inf) a proposed deal, as in business; an undertaking to be dealt with.” If that’s not plain enough for you, just think politician’s promises that they never get around to fulfilling. And that’s why Mayor Bill White’s passionate ad on KCOH (1430 AM) radio, got my attention when he said that a vote for Proposition 1 would give him what he needs to, knock down abandoned houses, build affordable homes and run the drug dealers out of the neighborhoods. My first thought when I heard that, I just naturally thought of HUD’s so-called gentrification plan, that turned out to be nothing but a land grabbing Trojan horse for rich developers.
And sadly, minority community leaders were dumb enough to help them take back the inner-city neighborhood’s prime real estate that White flight left behind in disrepair to become a breeding ground for the drug dealers that White promises he will deal with after voters pass Proposition 1. But, since Acres Home was the first poor community targeted for Model City funds (way back in the 1970s), you know I’ve heard that promise many times before. Yet, Houston has not only had good economy times, but has actually been a boomtown under four mayor’s administrations and not much has changed. So I hope Mayor White doesn’t take it personally if I don’t believe him. Furthermore, I’m sure you already know that I ain’t about to buy into the Fiscal Affairs Committee) has anything to do with.
Particularly when it’s endorsed by the Chronicle and pushed by the mayor’s “friends,’ without looking at it very, very carefully. On the other hand, it bothers me to see an “old school” politician, like Beulah Shepard on one side and a Black, rising political star like City Councilman Ronald Green on the other. After what happened during the mayor’s race, we simply can’t stand to continuously be divided and confused by politicians with deep pockets any. Especially when it’s something that really isn’t going to help our community in the first place. I always think of Willie Lynch’s letter to the slave masters in 1712 American (“You must pit the old slave, against the young slave”), when I hear Beulah, one of our oldest and beloved community activist, at odds with our younger generation’s political leader whom we endorsed.
In last week’s editorial, we used an excerpt that referred to citizens leaning toward Proposition 2 as being “uninitiated,” which translates to being ignorant. And African American News & Issues simply can’t allow that, therefore I decided to publish the three propositions so that Black voters will become “initiated.” FYI: PROPOSITION NO.1, CHARTER AMENDMENT (Relating to Limits on Annual Increases In City Property Taxes and Utility Rates) The Charter of the City of Houston shall be amended to require voter approval before property tax revenues may be increased in any future fiscal year above a limit measured by the lesser of 4.5% or the cumulative combined rates if inflation and population growth. Water and sewer rates would not increase more than the cumulative combined rates of inflation and population growth without prior voter approval.
The Charter also requires minimum annual increases of 10% in the senior and disabled homestead property tax exemptions through the 2008 tax year. PROPOSITON NO.2 CHARTER AMENDMENT (Relating to Limits of the City of Houston Revenues) The City Charter of the City of Houston shall be amended to require voter approval before the City may increase total revenues from all sources by more than the combined rates of inflation and population, without requiring any limit of any specific revenue sources, including water and sewer revenues, property taxes, sale taxes, fees paid by utilities and developers, user fees, or any other sources of revenue. Lesser of two evils aside, if you read the ballot carefully, you’ll see PROPOSITION N0. 3, CHARTER AMENDMENT (Relating to the City Controller’s role in performing internal audits). …
“The City Charter of the City of Houston shall be amended to provide for the City Controller to conduct internal audits of City departments, offices, agencies and programs.” Quite frankly, I can’t see why a voter has to be “initiated” to conclude that Proposition 3 works for us. I know you haven’t heard much about Prop 3, but that’s only because controller Annise Parker’s group isn’t bank rolled by the rich and greedy. Excuse the analogy, but it’s obvious that the city’s mainstream media (like any good prostitute) are paid for “tricks” upfront, and the public’s right to know be damned. I guess what I’m saying is, emotional issues have worked for and against Black voters over the years, therefore the Propositions could become a political trick, that works against us, if we don’t go to the polls in unprecedented numbers.
Historically, Black voters don’t make voting a priority when we aren’t too excited about electing the lesser of two evils for president. It would be a shame if rich conservatives (voting a straight Republican ticket), overwhelm the Black votes for our “untouchable” politicians who have nuisance opponents. For instance, many Black voters don’t even know that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Rep. Harold V. Dutton Jr. are being challenged. And it certainly would be a shame if we allowed Judge Al Green and/or May Walker to get blindsided by a massive conservative vote. And please don’t forget to vote for Reginald McKamie (Who surprisingly was actually endorsed by the Houston Chronicle newspaper), even if you don’t think he doesn’t have a prayer against incumbent District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal.
Black Texans really fumbled the political ball in 2004, and as a result we must rally (to recover some of our dignity), by going to the polls en masse-- on Nov. 2, 2004-- and casting our vote wisely.