Stop, Drop and Roll

20 March 2008 | AUSD, Alameda Community | John Knox White

…respond to the absolutely ridiculous anti-school parcel tax argument that will apparently be appearing in the voters guide this spring. I mean seriously, if this is the opposition (and I mean the arguments, not the people), then nobody should be concerned about this passing, it’s a slam dunk. (not that I would jinx this measure by actually saying it’s a slam dunk, just that if these are the arguments against it, then everyone but a tiny minority will be voting for it).

That said, I have seen much more reasoned and understandable arguments on the blogs against the parcel tax. I don’t agree with them, but I can certainly appreciate and accept their philosophical positions.

The argument that jumped out at me was:

THE PROPONENTS APPEAR TO WANT HOUSING IN ALAMEDA TO BE EVEN LESS AFFORDABLE THAN IT IS NOW! With all other taxes rising (not to mention the cost of gasoline), can you afford this tax?

Seriously. One of the arguments for not passing the parcel tax, according to the voter guide, is that by making our school worse, we can keep property prices down. I mean really? Was this language written by the “Coalition That Hates Alameda?”

I have a real problem with arguments that just through everything one can think might possibly support an argument, and this is a perfect example. (Another is “think of the children,” and guess what they make that to!)

So the argument being made is A) don’t give the schools money in a time of great need (support the children!) and B) decreasing property values is good, so don’t vote for the parcel tax (housing equity stinks!). This should guarantee that all homeowners (a little over 50% of the city vote for Measure H…here’s a map of home ownership in Alameda circa 2000 census, I’m sure it’s gone up). So maybe this is an extremely cynical ploy to hope to convince renters that bad schools are good for them! That’s a campaign I think one can be really proud of.

So come this June, remember to vote against the schools so that we can decrease property values! Do it for the children.