Prop. A housing bond argument

Activists List
1

Okay, here's my stab at this. I decided to give up on the corruption angle this time around and save the juicy quotes from the Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow case for some other argument where they might be a better fit.

Love & Liberty,
                                  ((( starchild )))

Ever notice how “Proposition A” is never a citizen initiative, always a proposal by those in power to let them borrow and spend more money?

That’s because research has shown voters are slightly more likely to say yes to “A” than to other letters (who knows why; perhaps our classroom days have subconsciously programmed us to like A’s?). But assigning that letter to their favorite measures is a little trick the politicians use to stack the deck in their favor.

This year’s Prop. A is typical: They want to spend $310 million on something government is poorly qualified to provide. (Ever notice how “public housing projects” tend to degenerate into neglect and disrepair and become hotspots for crime?) Ironically, it’s largely government regulations that have made San Francisco housing unaffordable in the first place, by making it difficult and expensive to build anything here.

As usual, this Prop. A says nothing about maintenance – even though the Citizens’ General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee’s last annual report clearly stated,“all future general obligation bond proposals should include an analysis of the increase or decrease in annual maintenance costs related to each project and the ongoing implications of these costs.”

(The committee’s report further warns, “The ramifications of investing taxpayer money in capital projects without simultaneously planning for their continued viability are sobering.”)

It’s hard to tell exactly how the $310 million would be spent. We’re teased with a laundry list of causes toward which bond money “may” be allocated, but only “shall” counts in legalese!

The measure would be more justifiable if it were honestly about helping the poor. But subsidizing people making up to $150,000, with part of any property tax increase getting passed along to tenants who mainly earn far less than that?!

Vote NO on Proposition A!

          Libertarian Party of San Francisco

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Hi Starchild. Nice argument, but we will be submitting Marcy's argument under the LPSF name. As already mentioned in previous emails on this list, the first person to claim the ballot measure--that's the one we use with the LPSF name. Marcy's was posted yesterday. You should submit your argument under your name only; should it be chosen, if the DOE allows our name to be added afterwards (and I didn't bother checking with the DOE since we didn't have multiple arguments for the same measure until just now), if you will allow us to add the LPSF name, that would be great. As far as I know, Terence Faulkner and Quentin Kopp will be the only other ones submitting against this one, so with yours as an extra argument under your name only, that gives the chance of a good Libertarian argument being chosen at 50%. Thanks!
I'm wrapping up everything now and will be going to the DOE around 10:00. Do you want to ride with me? I can pick you up on the way.
Thanks!Aubrey

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That's fine, Aubrey, if that's what people want to do.

  Sure, I'll ride with you -- 1030am at my place?

Love & Liberty,
                               ((( starchild )))

4

Hi Starchild. Yes, I'll pick you up at 10:30. Do you want to do anything with my K argument? There's still time to give it a more of a bite, which you're better at (just attached it). Otherwise it will go in as is.
Thanks!Aubrey

5

I just posted it to the SF Bay Area Renters Federation list to see if I can find a co-signer -- that seemed like a politic thing to do. Sonja has talked about the group making endorsements, but we don't have a process yet. I'm a bit concerned on how SFBARF might come down on Prop. A -- I think some on the list support it, and she herself seemed like she might be flirting with support for it at one point.

Love & Liberty,
                                ((( starchild )))

6

Okay, I'm working on a Prop. K revision.

Love & Liberty,
                               ((( starchild )))

7

Here's a revised draft, let me know if this works for you Aubrey.

Love & Liberty,
                                ((( starchild )))

Proposition K isn’t all bad. It tightens up record-keeping, allowing people to see what unused or under-utilized property the city government is sitting on. Sunshine and transparency are vital to holding those in power accountable.

Nevertheless, we seriously question the wisdom of locking up properties via deed restrictions for at least the next 55 years.

The measure states, “These requirements shall be contained in a covenant or restriction recorded against the real property at the time of disposition and be enforceable by the local agency against any subsequent owner” [Section 23A.10(c)].

Who knows what San Francisco will be like in the year 2070? Is it wise to prevent any possibility of surplus property being used for other purposes such as parks or schools during the next half century and more?

It is also ironic that City Hall is stepping in to try to “fix” a problem it largely created itself. The housing shortage in San Francisco is a direct result of years of anti-development policies that have encouraged NIMBYism and made it difficult and expensive to build anything here.

Add to this the Federal Reserve destroying more than 96% of the value of the dollar over the past century by creating more and more of the currency out of thin air, and it’s no wonder many people can’t afford to buy or even rent homes.

Prop. K’s cynical political bid to extend subsidized housing to the middle class is no solution. Any moral justification that government subsidies may have is clearly negated if they do not go to those who are most in need.

Our recommendation: Just sell the excess property and use the proceeds to cut taxes and fees for a change. That would go much further toward making San Francisco affordable again.

Vote NO on Proposition K.

Libertarian Party of San Francisco

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Hi Starchild. It works great--thanks!!!! You have come through in a pinch. I put in the Federal Reserve part just for Phil, so thanks for expanding that part. Phil, if that doesn't make your day, nothing will!
Thanks!Aubrey