The Virginia Tax Referendum - broken promise

And Del. Suit isn't subject to taxes she wants you to approve


When we send a member of our community to the general assembly, we entrust them to faithfully and justly represent us. Notice I said entrust, not trust. 

Trust is something that is earned through actions and performance. For that matter, so is mistrust.

During past campaigns for election, or re-election, several of the Virginia Beach delegation made a promise by voluntarily agreeing and signing a witnessed pledge.

It read:   "I, (candidate's name), pledge to the taxpayer's of the (number) district of the State of Virginia and to all the people of this state, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes."

According the Merriam-Webster's dictionary, pledge is defined, " a binding promise or agreement to do or forbear."

We Americans take pledges very seriously.

We pledge allegiance to flag of the United States of America. We pledge our troth (faithfulness) during marriage vows.

Yet, four of the five Virginia Beach delegates that made the tax pledge covenant either sponsored or voted in favor of the enabling legislation (SB668) and support the sales tax increase.

The upcoming referendum isn't just about tax increases and road projects. It's about citizen approval of flawed legislation. It's an enactment that sets up an Enron type accounting and monitoring system.

It provides for an  authority that can avoid complying with the Freedom of Information Act and operate behind a veil of secrecy.

Not every piece of legislation can be perfect. All things being equal, even flawed statutes can be okay provided our governing bodies apply them prudently and don't misuse them.

But, that requires our trust. So it comes down to trust, or as the case may be, mistrust.

Should we trust that the sales tax legislation will be employed prudently and judiciously and vote in favor of the referendum? Or, do we mistrust the legislators that openly break pledges and promises and vote in opposition to the referendum?

The answer is obvious, isn't it?

WE - Virginia Beach


Note: (Dels. Welch (H-21), Suit (H-81), McDonnell (H-84) (see: McDonnell joins Political Liars Hall of Shame) and Drake (H-87)  signed the Americans For Tax Reform Pledge. The aforementioned delegates voted in favor of SB668, the enabling legislation.  Del. Suit was a sponsor (see Del. Suit doesn't have to pay taxes she wants you to increase on yourselves).

See also:  
How assessments are stealth increases that double your taxes
Real estate assessment code
List of 106 taxes and fees you pay in Virginia Beach
Political Liars Hall of Shame

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