THE DIATRIBALIST SPEAKS

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR TAX  DOLLARS! It may be reckoned, with the lower end of assessments to support the unwanted and unnecessary county healthcare district (25 cents on each $100 of valuation), that approximately 50 million dollars would flow into the district's coffers annually.  Looked at another way, that would represent several million dollars that many small businesses in Cameron County could be missing.  Oh, sure, the proponents will say that the district's bureaucracy will be spending freely locally,  and that its projects will spread greenbacks throughout the economy.  But, is that actually  true? There is a fallacy that has been circulated for as many decades as I can remember, namely that a multiplier effect from government spending of $1.00 will result in a positive $2.00 effect on the economy.  However, the outcome of the expenditure by the government of $1.00, in reality, produces a negative multiplier.  Quite simply, taxpayers would have less

Finally, after waiting with bated breath, the wording that will appear on the ballot for the special election on the proposed Cameron County Healthcare District has come down from Austin.  Consequently, and for the information of the electorate, the wording is as follows: "The creation of the Cameron County Healthcare District, providing for the imposition of an ad valorem tax at a rate determined by the board of directors of the district, which rate may not exceed 25 cents on each $100 valuation of all taxable property in the district.  District funds shall be used for district purposes, including providing medical and hospital care for the needy inhabitants of Cameron County, improving health care services for inhabitants of Cameron County, supporting the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, training physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, obtaining federal or state funds for health care services, and providing community health cl

DON'T' MISS THE GREAT NEW FRIENDS OF CAMERON COUNTY RESIDENTS FACEBOOK PAGE AT: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vote-No-                                   Cameron/146301899035430?fref=ts BE SURE TO LET YOUR CAMERON PROPERTY-OWNING FRIENDS KNOW ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INFORM CAMERON COUNTY TAXPAYERS OF THE ELECTION THEY WILL BE FACING IN NOVEMBER.

In the upcoming battle to defeat the devious scheme that our local politicians refer to as the Cameron County Healthcare District, there will surely be an onslaught of money directed against us.  In a previous posting, it was pointed out that, for example, the notorious law firm of Linebarger, Goggan, Sampson and Blair will certainly have some dogs in the fight.  Already spending thousands in political contributions going to politicians who never even seem to have opponents in their elections, Linebarger, et. al. will likely be shelling out their big bucks to help their compadres to carry the day and to up your property taxes.) Another group that in all likelihood will be involved in the fray is the Border Health PAC, which is headquartered in McAllen.  With all kinds of medical money swelling their war chests, the odds are great that this group will be backing the proponents of the healthcare district.  Hopefully, you will remember that just a few years ago, the national spotlight

THE NEXT MEETING  OF  FRIENDS OF CAMERON COUNTY RESIDENTS  WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, JULY 25, FROM  12 NOON TO 2 PM  IN THE MAIN HALL OF THE TROPIC WINDS RESORT, LOCATED AT 1501 NORTH LOOP 499 IN HARLINGEN,  JUST WEST OF TSTC. ALL CITIZENS IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED  CAMERON COUNTY HEALTHCARE DISTRICT ARE  CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND. PRECISE DIRECTIONS WILL BE POSTED MID-WEEK.

Cameron-countians have a huge election coming up in November, the results of which will either turn back the tide of the proposed Cameron County Healthcare district, or result in a significant increase in taxes for residential, commercial, industrial, business, agricultural and rental properties.  We simply cannot afford this thing, people, as it will affect every darned one of us, as property owners and renters, with no exemptions for agricultural property, or for senior citizens. As the poorest county in Texas, we already have too many folks who are delinquent in their taxes, and too many who are experiencing foreclosure.  If the healthcare district becomes a reality, more people will fall into delinquency, and more will even lose their homes. There are some misguided proponents who say we need to offer more services for the indigent. Well, excuse me!  We already have those services, and this thing would not provide anything new. With a whole new bureaucracy to support

The words uttered at the conclusion of the 1950's blockbuster film, "Bridge Over the River Kwai," were unforgettable.  Surveying the results of the idiocy that went into building a bridge for Japanese forces by British POWs, the James Donald character, Major Clipton, cried out, "Madness!  Madness!"  Viewing the political terrain of South Texas, many of us, at times, would probably like to echo James Donald's memorable lines. Yes, we have our own type of madness in the Valley, a madness of a barren political landscape of one-party rule, badly informed voters, ethically flawed electioneering and miniscule voter turnouts. It is little wonder, then, that a few devoted  politiqueras  have traditionally been able to swing not a few elections in our region of the state for big-mule politicians, who just seem to never fade away . The latest madness to afflict Cameron County is a drive to establish a county healthcare district, which would be overseen by a non

The recent programming on NPR concerning voter fraud in South Texas did not tell us anything we did not already know; but, thanks to Mary Helen Flores and CAVA, the word is spreading that, for too long, this type of corruption has been  commonplace in Cameron County.  The results are apparent for all to see:  a one-party dominant county government, an unsophisticated electorate, politicians promising everything from barbecue and beer to pie-in-the-sky by and by, and too many "public servants" filling their pockets with whatever they can pick up from whatever sources.  Having been a city commissioner at one time in another locale, I spent $300 and a lot of shoe-leather to win an election. Accordingly, the thousands of dollars spent even on school board elections are telling:  Too many candidates are looking for kickbacks from the awarding of contracts to make their "public service" worthwhile.  Sad to say for a citizen of these United States, but I cringe each time

I read with disappointment that our elected officials, Senator Lucio, Representative Lucio, and Representative Olivera, are sponsoring a new taxing entity: a Hospital District. The Cameron Appraisal District certified property total for 2014 shows $16.831 billion of net taxable value. 2015 certified property values are not out yet, but are likely to be higher. At the tax rate of 25 cents per $100 of value, this would be a pot of tax money just over $42 million.  Not a bad "haul" to be allocated by the 9-member board of political appointees.  And this is especially so in the poorest county in the USA. This appears to be a political power grab, instigated by our elected representatives in State government, creating more taxes in order to have more power. I think this stinks.  $42 million of our money,taken from us in the form of taxes to be doled out by non-elected appointees. Shame on the Lucios and Representative Olivera  "We are already doing this..." was

HEALTHCARE DISTRICT OPPOSITION MEETING WHEN:  SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2015, 3 PM WHERE:  2955 PRIMROSE LANE BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS 78521 TENTATIVE AGENDA ATTACHED: I.   Call to Order II.  Welcome III.  Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting IV.  Old Business        A.  Letter Writing        B.  Flyers        C.  Facebook        D.  Blog        E.  Radio/TV        F.  Service Clubs        G.  Signage        H.  Block Walking         I.  Other V.  Unity of Purpose       A.  Unification of Efforts             1.  Official Name of Organization             2.  Election of Officers VI.  Political Action Committee (PAC) VII.  Meeting Venues (Harlingen & Brownsville) VIII.  New Business IX.  Date of Next Meeting X.   Adjournment   

Some boards having oversight of taxing districts are composed of members who are elected by the public and are accountable to those who elected them.  A good example would be the Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees.  Subject to regular elections, those board members are accountable to the taxpayers, and may be voted out of office if their actions are inimical to the will of the people.  In effect,  the ballot box provides a safeguard which may be used to apply the brakes to college policies and procedures deemed to be inappropriate by the electorate. In the case of the proposed Cameron County Healthcare District, the governing body of the taxing district would be appointed by elected officials, such as county and city commissioners.  Such a structure of governance erects a double-layer of political obfuscation, thus making it more difficult for citizen input to be effective.  The reality is that, once in place, the healthcare district would be next to impossible to undo.

Lest we forget during the Fourth of July weekend, the revolution which spawned the exceptional republic in which we have been blessed to live came about in large part because of frustration over taxation and resentment at not having a stronger voice in the political process.  During this 239th year of national independence, a time which is marked by advancing political correctness and disregard of our founding principles, far too many politicians have a tendency to use any means possible to thwart the public interest.  A case in point is the flawed proposal for a Cameron County Healthcare District, a scheme which was clandestinely hatched in the halls of the Capitol in Austin for the welfare of self-serving politicians and for-profit healthcare interests and corporations.  It is little wonder that the vast majority of Cameron County citizens did not see this coming down the pike; and, thanks to a vigilant few, the word is now going out to those who would see their tax-rates soaring.

Did you know that, if the Cameron County Healthcare District becomes a reality, You, as a taxpayer, will be paying for the following: 1.  A well-paid director for the program. 2.  An assistant director to help the director 3.  A collector to facilitate the collection of your taxes. 4.  A support staff composed of secretaries, clerks, administrative assistants, etc. 5. Attorneys 6.  Nurses 7.  Technicians 8.  Accountants For the above staff members, you will be paying for: 1.  Salaries 2.  Recruitment 3.  Advertising 4.  Marketing 5.  Travel 6.  Education 7.  Tuition 8.  Retirement Some of the things the district will be able to do are: 1.  Create a new tax-line item, which will affect senior citizens whose taxes are presently frozen. 2.  Issue bonds and impose ad valorem tax. 3.  Use the power of eminent domain. 4.  Build buildings and contract for mortgages. 5.  Grant money to any person for medical or scientific research. 6.  Sue oth

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS LINK FOR AN ARTICLE ON HOW TAXES ARE INCREASED THROUGHOUT OUR STATE BY THE CREATION OF SPECIAL TAX DISTRICTS.  IN EFFECT, IT IS A SNEAKY WAY TO RAISE CITIZENS' TAXES AND CREATE MORE BUREAUCRACY: www.texaswatchdog.org/2011/02/growing-governments-how-special-districts-spread-across-Texas-power-to-tax/1297796531.story