Republicans, Courage, Taxes Surge

Republicans Surge and Demos Dive in Taos?

Attendees at the GOP rally for Susana Martinez, candidate for Gov., on Sunday, AUG. 8, say 300—400 Republicans and Demos for Martinez turned up for five-dollar burgers. Over at the Colon (Demo. Lt. Gov. candidate) rally at a woodstove shop, we hear about 30-40 Demos showed for free hot doggies. The Republicos have reversed a decades-long slide and excitement is building for the fall campaign.

Given the historically high democratic party registration numbers in Taos County, Martinez could win the election by taking just forty or fifty percent of the vote in El Norte. Gov. Richardson usually garnered about 80% of the vote during his campaigns in Taos and Rio Arriba. The Demo operatives, according to insider anecdotal conversation, are MIA. Martinez has rounded up stalwart GOPers and a few prominent Demos in her drive for the prize.

The Martinez name alone is sure to draw extra voters, given historic Hispanic support for the right last name. Anti-incumbency atmosphere, “pay to play” scandals at the Roundhouse, and the general disappointment with the Obama presidency is creating apathy among progressive Demos. Swing-vote independents are looking for change.

Town Approves 1/8th plus 1/8th GRT Increase

Contrary to expectations, the town council meeting was fairly quiet on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 10, during the hearing on the Town’s proposed GRT increase. The Chambers appeared to be about one-third full. Councilor “Mean Gene” Sanchez argued persuasively for the tax, suggesting the art community, animal lovers, tourist industry, and Eco-Park expansion of sports fields would all benefit from the town’s plans. Sanchez mentioned funds needed for the fire department, police department, the library, and marketing. “We’ve got to try to save the commercial businesses,” said the retired architect and former art gallery owner.

Councilor Mike Silva called the GRT “reinvestment” in the community. The Mayor said the tax was “in the best interests of the town,” referring to the need to replace deteriorating infrastructure—roads, sewer and water pipes.

Mayor Cordova and Manager Miera said they had reached a council consensus on closing down town losers—the Convention Center and Visitor’s Center. Miera noted that more specific plans would be made available to the public later in the fall about increasing operating efficiencies. The Council noted that they would work with the public to define priorities for the extra income, which won’t be available until March of 2011.The Council approved the two new GRT taxes of 1/8th and 1/8th unanimously.

The opponents of the GRT made the usual arguments: regressive tax (though it doesn’t affect food or pharmaceuticals), the downturn in the economy, the perils of the patchwork tax system, an amalgamation of GRT, property taxes, and fees. And opponents called for the town to operate more efficiently and cut expenses, which the Manager claims the town will do. As Councilor Quintana said, the funds would not be available until March of next year, implying that priorities and efficiencies could be managed between now and then.

The Greater Picture

photography by Johnny V. Gallegos

Given wild fires in Russia, melting ice caps, and record high temperatures in 17 countries, climate change, both natural and man-made, cannot be denied—except by superstitious naysayers. The thirty-year decline of American democracy and economic opportunity, i.e. the general promotion of unfairness in today’s capitalist society can be taken for granted today. Courts and congress curtail civil liberties; corporate regulations are undermined in favor of coal miners, oil drillers, and bank bailouts; the disparity of income between rich and poor accelerates.

Here in the semi-high desert along the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos, at least we can see the source of life: water and the watershed. Our proximate isolation from mainstream corporate controllers buffers us from some of the predatory practices. Certainly, we are subject to crimes against nature by mining companies or suffer from nationwide financial turmoil.

We may disagree on local issues—taxes, acequia rights, and zoning regs–but you can give the Town Council credit for courage and vision yesterday—regardless of motives or execution. The courage to hire, fire, and correct based on merit will be a longtime coming. Re-organization, documentation, and judgment are constant challenges: Tase the fat girl! Let the gravel piles accumulate in town. But compare this town council to prior administrations and there’s no comparison—only contrast. No cops have gone to jail, no rumors of romance in the executive offices have surfaced, and the anti-business sentiment is gone.

Similarly, when the County passed the taxes to build “the Complex” and TMS kept the taxes in place to renovate the schools, the leaders of those entities stood up for sustaining the community. The devil is always in the detail and activists—need to yell: “Get thee behind me Satan” when they see wrongdoing—whether sweetheart deals for Gravel Gertie or raises for Fat Cats. But at least we’re having this conversation here–writ large–with each other—across the aisle about whole-wheat or flour tortillas as it were.

According to recent article in The New Yorker, U.S. Senators hardly speak to each other and treat their constituents and office with contempt. House Democrats are being forced to hold “ethics” hearings during mid-term elections. President Obama’s extension of Bush-era politics—catering to the elite, the militarists, and corporate fascists—has shocked his supporters. The Republicans have been aptly termed the “Party of Nope.”

Love’em or hate’em, the late historian Tony Judt (Read: “Ill Fares the Land”) might have called our politics and politicos a microcosmic example of social democracy. Taos is a great place to visit and a helluva place to live. But there’s beauty in the landscape and among the people a recurring belief in hope.