One last post on the Special Madison School Board Referendum to Permanently Authorize Property Taxation in excess of State Revenue Caps. I can’t pretend to present the case for a YES vote better than the Madison's Progressive Daily. The Capital Times Editorial: Yes Votes Essential, because look at what voting NO entails.
Claim: “They want to sacrifice the quality of Madison schools and the city's long tradition of providing the resources needed to maintain that quality.”
Emotional Scare Word: sacrifice
Supporting Evidence: None – take it on faith.
Claim: “Whatever the motivation of the opponents, however, the change that will result from the defeat of any of Tuesday's three referendums is the same: Quality will suffer.
Emotional Scare Word: suffer
Supporting Evidence: None – take it on faith.
Claim: “But it is also a dangerous calculation, as the needs these proposals address are real. Failing to meet those needs will not make them go away and indeed could create greater needs - and greater expenses - in the future.”
Emotional Scare Words: dangerous, failing
Supporting Evidence: None – take it on faith.
Claim: “We understand that the school district will not collapse if the referendums are defeated. Children will still be educated. But educational quality will slide. And then massive infusions of new tax dollars would be needed to get standards back up to the point where they are now.”
Emotional Scare Word: none
Supporting Evidence: None – take it on faith.
There is some evidence that rational Madison citizens are beginning to see through the illogic of a total reliance on emotional appeals as evidenced in this post by Tracy.
“I had a conversation with a father at our kids "Spring Strings Concert" last week. A program for 4th and 5th graders to get music teaching that is "threatened with cancellation" if the referendum does not pass. I was undecided until speaking with him, now I am firmly opposed. The School Board often uses popular programs as "examples" of programs that will have to be cut to push financing increases. Frankly, I am willing to call the bluff.”If you live in the Madison School District Vote NO Tomorrow. If you live outside the Madison School District, then pay attention because if this money grab works it will be copied throughout Wisconsin.
