We live a few miles from an exclusive golf resort, Bandon Dunes, a huge complex for serious golfers who enjoy playing on links with ocean views and panoramas resembling Scottish links.
This picture was not taken there.
Most of the locals would love to play golf; but, we can't afford the fees and the clothing, and the caddies, and the entire experience of Bandon Dunes. Most of us will hit the ball at a miniature golf place, or in our backyards, or at a less expensive venue.
The trouble Oregon will have in the election at the end of this month is convincing citizens to up the business tax base. Our initial business tax is $10-ten dollars. Yes, ten dollars. Prop. 66 and 67 ask the voters to reform this ordinance by making the tax commensurable to the income the business generates.
Fair. Equitable.
The opposition contends that passing these propositions, upping business taxes and upping the percentage of income tax for folks with income above 250,000, doing that would imperil job creation.
Our caddies at Bandon Dunes are part-time college students. The number hired is proportional to the number of players who fly in on their private jets to play for the weekend. These folks are dropping an average of $3,000 for a few days of golf in an unspoiled paradise. Charging a higher tax base will have no effect on the number of golfers or caddies. It will, however, have an effect on the number of teachers Bandon School District will layoff.
The State coffers have fewer dollars for education; schools are forced to cut additional days and additional staff if these propositions fail.
Politics is a game we all play.
