Do You Feel Lucky Punk? Well, Do You?

It's hard to write a good hit piece.

It's easy to write a good fluff piece.  You should probably include a puppy and a few senior citizens.  There are a few pitfalls.  For example, if you pose your candidate with kids, it's better if they are his kids.  But those mistakes are rare.

It's easy to write a good comparison piece.  You just put up a picture of your candidate and his opponent, pick some key issues and show how the candidates are different.  This works better if the two candidates, you know, actually have different positions on the issues.

It's easy to write a BAD hit piece.   A bad hit piece has no subtlety, no finesse.  It's a car bomb not a cruise missile.  A bad hit piece oftentimes destroys the candidate (and the consultant) who deploys it.  I've profiled a couple bad hit pieces this cycle.  Some hit pieces are bad because they are overtly racist.

Some hit pieces are bad because they are so nuclear that the only one left standing is the targeted candidate.  Not only do these pieces risk offending the electorate, but they also risk an editorial response. (I don't want to pick on my friend Nathan because he won't speak to me again, but it's becoming clear that I'm the only one who is still speaking to him anyway.)

If you want to see a hit piece clinic, check out the Republican Primary in CD 5. 

I met David Schweikert in 1990...Susan Bitter Smith introduced us. I been friends with both of them ever since.  I work with Susan on CAP issues and I was the best man at Schweikert's wedding.

They have both run for Congress and lost; they are both pros, they are both well financed and they are both hungry.  They also both have internal polling that says they are tied ten days out.  The gloves are off.

Schweikert fired the first salvo. 

Bitter Smith is running as "Reagan Conservative" and Schweikert fashioned a variation on the classic comparison piece by contrasting Reagan with Bitter Smith on key issues. 

Susan resisted the temptation to come back with a nuclear response.  She learned that lesson in 2000.  That's when Bitter Smith and fellow candidate Tom Liddy got into a bizarre "he-said, she-said" over opposition research that would have allegedly put fellow candidate Jeff Flake in a bad light.

The finger pointing escalated into lie detector tests and the spectacle eventually drew a sharp rebuke from Republic--which had already endorsed Bitter Smith.

However this story evolves this week, this affair has become a pathetic political side issue that demeans Arizona's most energetic and issue-oriented campaign. As we near the final week of the campaign and candidates turn up the heat, we urge each to conduct him or herself with the same sort of integrity each demands of others.

Worse than the Republic Editorial Board's response, was the awful Benson cartoon that followed.  The affair derailed both the Bitter Smith and Liddy campaigns.  Bitter Smith came in third and Liddy came in fourth.

So Susan had one chance to get it right this time.   But it's tough.  Schweikert has been running for Congress since high school, so he doesn't have a voting record that can be used against him.  He's a conservative running as a conservative, so the classic "Here's what he says vs. Here's how he votes" comparison wouldn't work.  He's more conservative than Bitter Smith on social issues, so a candidate comparison certainly won't work in a Republican Primary. 

How does she handle it?  Brilliantly.

A good hit piece evokes a subtle emotional response.  It makes you feel a certain way through imagery instead of words.  After all, words can be true or false, images simply ignite emotions.   The image on the left is what CD 5 voters found in their mail boxes yesterday. Here's a larger version.  That will get your attention.

In addition to the gun barrel, notice the font?  That's classic horror movie font.  The little splatters evoke an emotional response that is almost as powerful as the gun.  That's why movies like Clawed use the font.  Ironically, Benson used it in the Gutter Smith cartoon. 

There is no way that you can get this piece in the mail and not flip it over.

The back side is even better.  Here's the larger version.  The only actual fact in the piece is the tired old claim that Schweikert raised the tax on diesel fuel in 1993.  I've already debunked that story here.  The bill that Bitter Smith refers to was a tax REPEAL. Here's the AP story about the bill.

PHOENIX - Arizona stands to lose scores of high-paying jobs unless it gets rid of a tax that costs truckers more than double the national average and nine times what they pay California, lawmakers say.

Sure, some will complain that Bitter Smith has gone too far.  But this cycle has already seen mug shots, battered women and Nazi imagery;  the "Make my Day" theme is mild by comparison.  The hit piece doesn't cross the line.  It's scary without being racist or referring to Hitler.   It distorts Schweikert's record, but doesn't actually lie about it.  The Gothic font, gun perspective and over all layout evoke an image of fear and violence, but those theme's aren't overtly expressed or taken too far. 

The bill Schweikert supported repealed the tax on the commercial trucks and increased the tax on commercial diesel fuel.  It was revenue neutral and requested by the trucking industry.  But, the one fact in the piece is technically correct.

Bitter Smith has subtly inoculated herself from criticism. Notice that the pump handle is green? That's brilliant.  Susan can always claim that she disclosed that the tax increase was only for diesel fuel.  The rest of the piece is just imagery and emotion.  It's powerful, yet unassailable. 

Considering her constraints--Schweikert's record matches his rhetoric, he's the more conservative of the two, he has no legitimate skeletons and she got burned for going too far in the last campaign--I think the piece is brilliantly executed.

Let's see if Schweikert can respond without self destructing. 

Comments

[Annie Hoyle]

Greg,
I disagree that this hit piece doesn't "cross the line". My 7 year old brought me the mail yesterday and as she hands it to me, she asks, "Mommy, why is that gun pointing at us? Whose gun is that?" When my other kids hear that, they come running and my 5 year old wants to know, "does someone want to kill us"? As I flip the flier over, my 13 year old see's David's picture and says, "No, I think they want to kill Uncle David". It crosses the line because my children have been so intently watching the whole process of their Uncle running for congress and I was so hoping it would put a fire in them for their beautiful country! I'm embarassed to show them that this is how adults behave.. adults who want to run this country. I'm horrifed that through their own mailbox, they are shown how ugly politics really can be. My kids deserve better! Your kids deserve better!
Annie Hoyle

[Patrick]

Schweikert is a shady, manipulative little man. He deliberately mislead the public into thinking that school districts had jacked up property taxes (they didn't) and were realizing new funding (they weren't -- the state sets the level of per pupil funding). The result is most of the overrides in Maricopa County last November failed -- BUT NOWHERE ELSE IN THE STATE. He gave the shaft to school kids and should not be voted for under any circumstances.

[Patrick]

By the way, if you doubt my story...pull up your property tax statement from last year and then one from the year before. Notice anything different? Like giant arrows and hiding the homeowners rebate to make people think they have to pay more? Yes, Schweikert did that.

[Brad]

Greg,
I also received the postcard, and my whole family's reaction was the same: high gas prices are bad, but comparing them to having a gun stuck in your face was way "over the top." I don't think it will achieve its intended purpose.

[John]

Patrick...

What is wrong with you? Accusing David of bankrupting that school district is just like accusing the bank when you write a bad check. Get your information straight and quit distorting the facts. You are an embarrassment.

Greg...

I completely disagree with you about the piece not being offensive. As a Life Member of the NRA I find the front part of Susan's mail piece despicable. As a "Conservative Republican" which she claims to be, she should not be showing guns in that manner. It does not support our cause to demonize guns. Both of you should be ashamed.

[DGN]

Patrick:

The Treasurer has no authority over ballot overrides for school districts -- none.

Not only that, your statement that overrides only failed in Maricopa County is inaccurate. School overrides failed in multiple disticts nationwide. It's a function of the voters in many districts finally getting wise to some of the financial shenanigans that occur in school districts -- again, not a function of the county Treasurer.

You are grasping at straws and incorrect on your facts -- spectacularly incorrect.

[ron]

Mail-in ballots are changing how people vote - mine are already in the mail. I don't think I am alone - so I made up my mind before these kind of hit pieces hit my mail box.

It will be the same in November. I will have voted by the 20th of the month - late hit pieces will not affect my votes.

I don't think I am alone. These people need to rethink how they are doing compaigning.

[ron]

On an unrelated issue. I note that David S. says that Bitter Smith didn't vote for an end of state income tax. I assume that David wants to end state income tax so I have a couple of questions for him:

1. How does he plan to fund the state budget without an income tax? It is one thing to accuse an opponent of not voting for something; it is another thing to delineate a plan to address the issue yourself.

2. Does he buy the line that reduced state income taxes actually create more state income tax (Robert Robb floated this idea a while ago)? I have a question about this line of thinking: while it may be true that reduced state income tax may temporarily increase tax revenues, eventually, you are saying that the state income tax will be 0%. The last time I went to school Xx0=0. Maybe David can explain his math to me. Oh, By the way , is he saying he wants to reduce the federal income tax the same way? The same questions apply.

[TnT]

Greg:

I think it would have been a service to your readers if you would have detailed the THREE hit pieces sent out by Schweikert (not just the Reagan piece) prior to this piece coming out. The difference, Schweikert's contain no backup as to the accusations (primarily because they are non-existant). As you so ably point out in your piece, Smith documents the fact in hers.

Annie, it's sad that your children were affected so badly by this mailpiece. I wonder what Smith's teenage daughter felt like when she saw your brother's mailpiece saying her mother conspired with terrorists; or the vile phone calls your brother has issued?

[Patrick]

Schwekert had everything to do with the property tax statement which was deliberately distorted to inflate what schools were getting. The Maricopa tax statements were different than all the other counties. The overrides in Maricopa County failed in 17 out of 22 districts but passed everywhere else. That was Schwkert's doing.

[Herb]

The best hit piece was the Pearce one. Should be "hit piece of the year" Don't know what everybody is crying about. Susan is no conservative, but David isn't much better. Either way the only Republican who has a chance of beating Mitchell is Arpaio, and Congress is too small potato for him.

[Patrick]

And exactly what financial shenanigans are you speaking of? You mean the 2 out 230 school districts that overspent their budgets? Yes, those greedy little school districts always wanting more...don't they think 50th out of 51 in per pupil funding is good enough?

[Roger Maris]

Patrick,

Does your tinfoil hat interfere with your cable modem or are you really that clueless in municipal finance...

Greg...

I usually agree with your assessments but you are way off on this...

Not only is it an offensive comparison to lawful gun owners like me... I think it is incredibly insensitive to victims of violent crimes...

I wonder what the Scottsdale Gun Club and there members now think about hosting that event for Susan as she has now demonstrated once again that she'll take both sides on any issue to promote herself...

p.s. - you may wish to include a simple civics pop quiz prior to letting anyone post on here as this blog is typically the more articulate discussion place... sans Patrick.

[Popeye]

Greg - you are waaaaayyyy off the mark on this one. It's not as bad as the piece on Pierce, but this one is going to boomerang. First of all, it shows a certain detachment from mental reality and it really upsets gun owners like me who have had to defend and justify ourselves for years. I find it hard to believe that Sheriff Jose could approve of this one. I mean, if gas prices are bad (and they are) where are her ideas to make them better? Second, What in the world does a handgun have to do with the price of gas? This lady is loose from her moorings.

[Patrick]

It was not a mistake how the property tax statements were put together and Schweikert deliberately misled people in thining they were being taxed more than they were. Those statements came out in October 2007 and were timed right before the override elections. Maricopa County was the only county that had a problem. People didn't vote for the overrides because they thought school districts were receiving a windfall that they weren't. These aren't the ravings of a lunatic -- they are facts, look it up. If Schweikert wants to stand by this, fine. There are plenty of people out there that don't want to fund education. But there a lot more that don't want to be manipulated into voting in a way they otherwise wouldn't have.

And I'll put my knowledge of civics -- Arizona and National -- up against anyone on this site.

[Sheila]

Susan has really crossed the line with her gun "hit piece". I find it extremely offensive and as a female, moderate conservative, she just lost my vote.

[jdleslie1]

I usually throw the campaign mailers straight into the recycling bin.

I did get a recorded call from Schweikert's people this week. The nice-sounding lady on the recording called Smith "Susan Gutter-Smith" three times, I believe. She also used the phrase "the liberal Susan Bitter-Smith" twice.

I made up my mind right then that Schweikert would not receive my vote.

A conservative politician I respect very much once said contrast ads were acceptable, important even. But it was vital that you portray the opponent's positions correctly and not to distort them.

Of course, he had ethics.

[DGN]

A partial list of 2007 school override failures (in no particular order):

De Soto, KS; Columbus, OH; Lampasas, TX; Minooka, Oaklawn, Matteson, and Barrington, IL; Astoria, OR (comunity college); Liberty, CA; Brazoria, TX; Harris County, TX (community college); Michigan Prop 5 (statewide).

That's just a partial list.

I'm sure Schweikert is to blame for those, too.

Shenanigans? Let's set aside criminality or gross incompetence, as in the case of a few districts such as Saddle Mountain, Pappas or Peach Springs. Let's just look at the ordinary goofiness that plagues government school finance.

School districts could easily trim 1/3 of their administration and pass the savings on to pay for teacher raises. (And no, I'm not one of those 65% folks.)

Many districts have federal grant dollars that they do not spend entirely and those funds revert to the federal government. That's not a bad thing in many respects, but it imperils further funding and makes pleas of financal straits seem a bit disingenuous.

Media outlets reported some time ago that some schools reqesting money for English language learners asked for funding for karaoke machines, additional classrooms (even though they had the same number of pupils and in some cases the schools in question had several empty classrooms already), additional teacher for 2 or 3 added students and other items, that really were featherbedding.

The Supt. In Apache Jct. was on Horizon and said that the districts would ask for more than they really needed because they assumed the State would lowball them. Nice. It's just taxpayer money they want -- your money. They should get all that they need, but they should accurately and honestly report how much they really do require.

Those are facts. I believe AZ education does need higher funding, but that's a function of the legisature. And the legislature, just like the voters, wants to see better financial accountability in the school districts.

Overrides sent a message, just not the one you're selling.

[George]

Arizona district schools will average over $9,300 in spending this year. The National Education Association ranks kindergarten through 12 instructional salaries in Arizona as the 12th highest in the nation.

Schools are doing well. However, like all completely dependent entities, they understand that continuous whining and posturing maximize their potential improvement.

[George]

Both Anderson and Knaperak are far more accomplished and effective legislators than either Schweikardt or Bittersmith.

Also, they have the ability to defeat Harry Mitchell.

[todd]

George, the number is $6,200. Or are you using some of that Goldwater math? Arizona also has the worst student to teacher ratio in the nation.

[Reagan Republican]

Yet again, Republicans cannibalize their own in a primary--if one of these two buffoons go against Harry, he will walk right back into Congress.

[Dan]

Good analysis of the primary campaign in CD 5 and the battle of the mail-boxes that has taken place between Bitter-Smith and Schweikert.

Unfortunately for the Republicans in CD 5, both candidates are self destructing with this mud bath. One of these two will almost certainly win the primary, and will hobble into November not only with a large contigent of their own party angry at them, but facing a well-financed and proven vote getter in Mitchell.

Defeating Harry Mitchell was going to be a daunting task in any case, and the GOP primary campaign in CD5 is making it much, much harder. If I were Harry Mitchell, I would not believe my good fortune.

[Royce]

I received a political "hit" piece in the mail today that highlights the dirty politics seemingly running rampant today. It not so cleverly shows the first sentence of a cover letter to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors attached to an April 2007 audit report. What it doesn't show is the second paragraph, conveniently covered up, which reads in its entirety "For the Period reviewed, we found the Treasurer's portfolio to be in compliance (emphasis added) with State Statutes and with Treasurer's Office policy. We also found that the interest is apportioned in compliance (emphasis added) with authoritative guidelines."

Is this "hit piece" the kind of misleading information we want from our leaders? Misleading, cowardly personal attacks cannot be tolerated by voters. We should elect candidates with the highest integrity to represent us. Don't give your vote to candidates stooping to this level. It's up to all voters to put a stop this despicable tactic.

Royce Flora, Chairman

Legislative District 8 Republican Committee

[Patrick]

DGN: You couldn't be more wrong. The overrides in Maricopa County failed. They passed everywhere else in the state. Why? Because of Schweikert's gaming of the system. School districts could cut 1/3 of administrators without feeling it? What? I know for a fact that most school district agonize over maximizing the amount of money given to teachers every year and take a very hard look at all administrative positions. Central administration in Arizona is 9.5% of school budgets. The national average is 11%. Look it up.

Funding for education is partly up to the Legislature. The Legislature also allows for some local control in overrides. Fine. But guys like Schweikert shouldn't be able to game the system to their advantage and that's just what he did.

And Arizona gets over $9000 per student. That is a lie. With weights added, the average Arizona student generates $5000 in M&O funding for a school district. We are 50th out of 51 in funding.

And ELL funding is way more than $40 million a year and the courts will call the Leg. on its underfunding. What I want to know is why more people aren't upset by this: the schools have to provide the education whether it is properly funded or not; if they aren't, that just means they take funding from YOUR kid's program to cover their legal mandate.

I love all of the grand school conspiracy stories. They would be really funny if it weren't for some irresponsible people in power actually buying some of them.

[Royce]

The Treasurer is nothing more than a bank. They don't give money or take money away from anyone. The Treasurer cannot affect the budgets, credit lines or anything else the school does. The Treasurer simply pays the bills. Check the statutes. Schweikert doesn't have mechanism to "game" the system even if he wanted.

[Patrick]

Who puts together the property tax statement? That's the Treasurer. As I've said before, the property tax statements in Maricopa County, coming out right before the 2007 elections were designed in a way to mislead the taxpayers in thinking that school districts were jacking up tax rates and that taxpayers were generally paying more than they were. The homeowner's rebate -- a significant source of tax reduction -- was deliberately buried. Giant up and down arrows were next to the tax entities. Most of these were up because evaluations were up. No one RAISED taxes, in terms of the rate, it was simply a function of increased value. Most importantly, school districts -- a major reciever of property taxes didn't see one more dime if evaluations did go up. It simply changed the "mix" between state and local funding, with the state picking up less. Again, Schweikert designed the property tax statement. That was his job as Treasurer. Anyone who votes for him and cares about education is a fool.

[Royce]

The design of the tax statement doesn't control funding. As a taxpayer, the only thing I care about is the amount I have to pay and its use. If it goes up, as a voter I want to know why. Is that something you think should be withheld from voters? I think its something they need and deserve to know. Your implication is if they know what they are voting for they would vote differently. And it is not simple a mix as you say. The concept is simple. Once the Assessor is finished the amount is back calculated based on how much the government needs to pay all the bills. This includes school districts, lighting district and everything else. The Treasurer just mails the bill and collects the money. Then warrants are process as long as the jurisdiction has funds available. If not, there are other mechanisms in place to make sure bills are paid. If you really want to understand the process, I'm sure the Treasurer would be glad to explain.

[Roger Maris]

Dear Patrick...

You are inept fiscally... Your argument that taxes didn't increase is ridiculous! If I pay more... Then my freaking taxes went up!

Your argument sounds much like Obama's... "Look, they're making more... so they can afford to pay more..."

Problem is... Property values went through the roof and may people are feeling the pinch now... If you bought and could afford the taxes on a $250,000 home, doesn't mean that you intended to pay on $500,000 home...

That is the same lame argument that Bitter-Smith is chirping... I lowered your CAWCD taxes by 25%... all the while knowing that values had skyrocketed... and thus there was still a net gain in tax revenue...

The arrows on the tax bill are accurate and put there for people like you that can't comprehend the tax code...so let’s go through assessment-valuation-levy-rate 101. Listen closely class. In fact, let’s boil it down to it’s most basic level for you.

Assume your house is worth $1.00. Assume your primary tax rate is 10 percent. On tax day, you owe the man ten cents. Months roll on, prosperity flourishes and lo and behold, your property is reassessed in valuation at say, $10.00. God forbid we would have a ten percent tax rate on your new valuation. So in comes a Super-heroine like Susan Bitter Smith – ready to slash taxes but clueless as to how finance actually works…much like you. The home is assessed, the city sets a levy by ordinance and adopts a rate of say five percent. WHOOPEE! There’s peace in the valley and we all sleep on satin sheets because Susan says she cut my taxes in half!!!! Except there’s one little problem.

On the higher valuation, a five percent rate means that I now am paying the man 50 cents. HOW CAN THAT BE? SHE CUT MY TAXES RIGHT? WRONG. That’s why the rate matters little and the valuations and levy matter a lot. Incidentally, it’s also why politicians like Bitter-Smith can play their shell game with a straight face and tell you they lowered your taxes. And with anything more involved than a monosyllabic campaign slogan, most of you fall for it and keep electing them.

My suggestion... Go to the library and check out "taxation for dummies"... and then come back here to discuss it for real... Its basically a vicious cycle as to where – if Politicians didn’t keep giving you the screws… they won’t have to pay people more…(ie teachers) and wouldn’t need the overrides you keep whining about…

Capice?

[DGN]

Patrick:

Your theory is flawed for one fundamental reason...

Quite a few overrides in Maricopa County PASSED. They got the same statements as the rest.

But rather than counter your arguments with rhetoric, I will point you to state law:

ARS 15-481 B states in part that the county school supt. shall prepare budget override items for a sample ballot at least 40 days prior to the election. A school district governing board then must send the ballot to qualified electors at least 35 days prior to the election. No mention is made of the county treasurer. And it seems to me that 35 days is plenty of time for a truly interested voter to get as much information on the district tax rates as he or she desires.

Section O of the same law states that when there is a levy of taxes on the taxable property within a school district the state department of revenue - not the treasurer - shall provide the school district governing board and the county schools supt. with an estimate of the assessed valuation... The governing board and the county supt. shall use this estimate to translate the amount of the proposed dollar increase in the budget of the school district allowed by law into a tax rate figure. The treasurer has no role here.

In addition, each ballot has an argument for or against the override. I would argue vociferously that the average voters pays far more attention to the language of those arguments than just about anything else.

ARS 11-493 lays out the duties of a county treasurer. Look it up. It's essentially a bank.

ARS 15-996 lays out the duties of a county treasurer relating to school district monies. He does, in fact, create tax statements as you said.

But you allege the statements are misleading. That's opinion, not a fact. If there was a problem, I'm certain someone more litigious than you or I would have raised objections. I don't know... Someone like the Arizona School Boards Assoc. or Arizona School Business Officers, etc. They have a stake in these things, but they didn't pitch a fit.

All the information required under ARS 15-996 was on those statements. And, as stated previously, voters have more than a month to study the issue, if they want.

As for administrative costs, I'm sure lots of districts agonize over that. That's probably because the people who make those cuts are administrators themselves who don't wish to contemplate cutting their own budget.

You tip your hand to your philosophy when you claim that $40 million for ELL means that program is underfunded. Really? Let's not forget that $40 million is added to whatever basic state aid those kids get anyway. It's not the entire ELL sum.

And I never said state aid is $9,300. That was someone else. It's about $6,000.

In any event, would you have the courts determine how to spend taxpayer money? That's what you just said. That's hardly representational government.

You said we could talk civics....

[DGN]

Patrick:

Your argument is flawed for one basic reason: Quite a few overrides in Maricopa County PASSED. They got the same type of tax statements.

But let's put rhetoric aside and look at the law...

Look up ARS 15-481 section B, and Section O. They detail who prepares the information for override ballots. HINT: It's NOT the county treasurer.

In addition, voters get the ballot at least 35 days before the election. That's plenty of time for someone to study the issue. And they even have handy-dandy pro and con arguments right there on the page.

Look up ARS 11-493. This law lays out the duties of a county treasurer. It's a bank, basically.

Look up ARS 15-996. This statute details the role of the county treasurer in override elections. It's riveting stuff.

Yes, he does prepare a statement. You say the last one was misleading. Interesting that you're so worked up about that now. Also interesting is the complete lack of controversy or - more importantly - legal action threatened by any school district or any one of the statewide school administrator organizations in regards to this allegedly poorly designed statement.

Flimsy, flimsy, flimsy.

Now, as to the rhetorical arguments you made.

Please don't try to say that administrative costs in districts are sacrosanct and none could possibly be cut to raise teacher salaries. I know it's agonizing for administrators, but that's why they get paid the big bucks...OOPS, I guess that was ironic, huh?

ELL funding: ELL students get the same basic state aid (about $6,000 - I never claimed it was $9,300). Then you ADD the additional $40 million on top of that. Of course, none of that money will go to karaoke machines as some of your sainted administrators called for some time back.

And should a judge really "call" the legislature on its funding priorities? Isn't that what we elect legislators for? You may not like them. Heck, I may not like them, but that's the system we have. They have the power of the purse.

I mean, I hope you're not against representative democracy or anything.

Whaddya say we put that to a vote?

[DGN]

Sorry about the double posting. Computer error. I kinda liked the second draft better.

[Patrick]

5 of 22 overrides in Maricopa County passed. They passed at nearly 100% in the rest of the state. And yes, the design of the form DOES matter. If you bury the homeowner's rebate -- which might negate over one-half of the actual taxes you owe -- you are being deceptive. Moreover, it is YOU that is doesn't know anything about finance. School finance that is. The state -- THE LEGISLATURE -- sets the amount of money districts can raise. If the property wealth in that district goes up but the rates stay the same, the amount of property taxes collected goes up -- but the state funding goes down. The schools get to spend the same amount as before. The form that Schweikert used left the impression that the schools were getting more money -- they weren't. And Kareoke machines. That's crap. The biggest driver of ELL expense are lower class sizes, which any program worth its salt says you have to do.

And to all of you that think that when it comes to property taxes if the amount collected goes up but the rate goes down, there is a tax increase do you think the same of sales tax collections? I mean if the economy is good and you are buying more stuff and more expensive stuff so that you pay more sales tax in that year than you did in others where the tax rate was the same, do you think you had a tax increase? If you do, you are stupid, but at least then you are being consistent.

For a group that claims to be the most informed and has such strong opinions about education, you really don't know your butts from hole in the ground. You should learn something before you spout off.

[taxkiller]

Well, I can sure say this about you Patrick, you're consistent. Wrong at first, and still wrong. But hey, never let the facts get in the way of a good argument. As long as you don't understand taxation, how about a simple concept like "attendance". Ever wonder which member of the Balsz School District Board missed nearly 30% of the scheduled meetings? The same quirky gal who now claims to have "lowered" the CAWCD taxes. Must be part of the "gold Medal" performance the CFG is talking about ont he radio. I wonder if she would miss 30% of congressional votes if elected.

[Patrick]

I'm no fan of the person you are speaking of and am not affiliated with her in any way.

And I think I have a pretty clear understanding of the facts. The fact that you consider it a tax increase when tax rates go down but the amount collected goes up shows you don't understand what you are talking about. Since you don't get the sales tax argument how 'bout another one? What about income taxes? You have a good year but you stay in the same tax bracket but because you made more, you paid more in taxes. Did you get a tax increase? Of course you didn't. When you use words like TAX INCREASE, which are loaded words in voters minds, to describe a situation where the governing entity either didn't raise the rate or even lowered the rate, you are being dishonest. But then again that's never stopped the tax nazis.

[Royce]

He is an easy test for a tax increase. Look at the amount you wrote your check for last year. Look at the amount you write your check for this year. If the check you write this year is greater than the check you wrote last year, that is a tax increase. It doesn't matter how you got there, you are paying more tax. QED tax increase! Simple

[Roger Maris]

Funny how things tend to work themselves out... Bitter-Smith has had to loan her campaign an additional $125,000 since this piece hit the mailboxes...

I guess spinning a web of deception is costly?!?!?

http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00450262/359407/f65

[Taxkiller]

Roger is right - she just had to loan herself another $50,000 tonight. That's gonna leave a mark (in a pocketbook).

[Patrick]

Royce: You are right. Very simple. Very simpleton. If the rate goes down, only clear distortion can call that a tax increase, especially with regard to property taxes and school funding where the schools don't see a single cent more if more is collected. The state sets the amount of money schools can spend and if more in property taxes is collected, it just means the state kicks in less in the very complicated formula. Again, Schwiekert deliberately distorted this and I think he is a dishonest man because of it. I'm not supporting any of the other candidates but when I see someone like Schwiekert do what he did I am going to speak up. That this wasn't a mini-scandal just shows how crappy the press is at doing its job in this state.

[Royce]

The rate is not the tax. I have never heard somebody that can pay more money out of their pocket and call it a tax decrease.

You obviously do not understand the powers of the County Treasurer either. It simple not possible to do what you claim. And once again, NO SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS EVER GONE BANKRUPT. The system will not allow it.

It also a lie the the Audit said Schweikert broke State law. I have a copy of the audit transmittal letter to prove it. Susan covered that part up because she didn't want people to see it. Do you think that is okay? I guess it goes along with paying more tax and calling it a decrease. I am sure some of these people on social security receiving tax delinquency notices will be glad to hear it really not more it less. Maybe they can use the reduction to buy back their tax lien.

[Patrick]

As I said I am not with nor for Susan Bitter Smith and I wouldn't use the terminology she has used to explain the issue I have discussed at length here.

The rate is the only thing that can be brought up when claiming a tax increase or decrease. Anything else is deception.

And the County Treasurer does design the property tax statement. It should be a simple, ministerial task. But in the hands of a rabid, dishonest guy like Schweikert it wasn't. Anyone who votes for him cannot also claim to support schools.

[Royce]

The rate is NOT the tax. You use the rate and the valuation to come up with the tax.

So your real complaint is he designed the statement so people could see where their tax was going? People should know exactly who is taxing them and how much. Then they can make an informed decision on tax issues like bonds. It might encourage administrators to control spending instead of get taxpayer to bail them out of mistakes. Currently 75% of the tax collected by the County Treasurer goes to education.

As taxes continue to increase the Treasurer is getting more request for help from people on fixed incomes. They are endanger of losing their homes as more of their money goes to pay for the "tax decrease" you mentioned. I expect to see legislation next session to help.

The Treasurer has no ability to increase, decrease nor direct how much schools receive.

[Patrick]

Royce: My problem with the statement was not that it told people where the money went. It was that it gave a distorted picture - and on purpose. It was designed to make you think schools raised rates when they didn't and that they were realizing more funding so that they didn't need more. All it was was a responsibility shift from the state's general fund to local property tax payers and because the Legislature sets the overall amount of funding, schools didn't get any more funding. They still need overrides to exist in this state. Schweikert distorted the tax and buried the homeowner's rebate which significantly alters the final tax. As I've been saying -- look it up for yourself. Pull your 2006 statement, then pull your 2007 statement. The difference is alarming. Schweikert did that and unfortunately, no one called him on it until it was too late for too many schools.

And the rate is THE factor when looking at whether taxes have increased. As I said, you don't apply the same logic to your income or sales tax do you?

[ron]

DS's ads need help - they are not very substantive or exciting! The only thing going for him is that the other candidates don't have any ads out there - or at least I haven't seen them.

The wierd thing about the counter- ad (read CFG ads against Bitter-Smith) is that they actually let people know a name is out there and when people get into the voting booth the recognize that name out of the long list of candidates. People don't remember what the connection is - but they see the name and recognize it.

At this point people are seeing and hearing two name David's and Susan's....