I Hear the Train A-comin’

The News & Observer headline Thursday (January 19) said “Wake school officials fear sticker shock.” I believe Raleigh Democrats are in for voter shock if they don’t wise up.



This month, Democrats on the City Council refused to even talk about using city revenues to meet school construction needs.


Fortunately, two Council Democrats – Jessie Taliaferro and Joyce Kekas – supported the idea. As did two Council Republicans.


The idea, predictably, has been ridiculed by “progressive” Democrats.


“Progressives” is what we liberals are supposed to call ourselves these days. I’m still a liberal. Which my dictionary defines as “generous…broad-minded.” That’s why I want the City Council – and especially the Democrats – to broaden their thinking.


Here is how this school-bond movie will go, in case you haven’t seen it before:


The County Commissioners, inevitably, will propose a big bond issue – accompanied by a big tax increase.


Opponents – led by opportunistic, irresponsible and public school-averse Republicans – will claim it’s all not necessary. They’ll say there’s too much waste in the schools. They’ll point to the transportation fraud criminals. They’ll find plenty of examples.


“Progressive” Democrats – who love taxes, unlike us Jeffersonian liberals – will be on the defensive. Unless they’re lucky, they’ll get crushed at the polls.


And it will be more than a bond referendum. An anti-tax and anti-spending tide will wash over into the City Council and Mayor’s races.


Just as Tom Fetzer did a decade ago, a smart Republican candidate (probably one listening to my sparring partner, Carter Wrenn) will hammer on the city spending money on hotels and convention centers downtown – instead of roads and schools. And get elected.


This train is coming. It’s time for smart Democrats to get in front of it. And not by tying themselves to the tracks.

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Gary Pearce

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I Hear the Train A-comin’

The News & Observer headline Thursday (January 19) said “Wake school officials fear sticker shock.” I believe Raleigh Democrats are in for voter shock if they don’t wise up.



This month, Democrats on the City Council refused to even talk about using city revenues to meet school construction needs.


Fortunately, two Council Democrats – Jessie Taliaferro and Joyce Kekas – supported the idea. As did two Council Republicans.


The idea, predictably, has been ridiculed by “progressive” Democrats.


“Progressives” is what we liberals are supposed to call ourselves these days. I’m still a liberal. Which my dictionary defines as “generous…broad-minded.” That’s why I want the City Council – and especially the Democrats – to broaden their thinking.


Here is how this school-bond movie will go, in case you haven’t seen it before:


The County Commissioners, inevitably, will propose a big bond issue – accompanied by a big tax increase.


Opponents – led by opportunistic, irresponsible and public school-averse Republicans – will claim it’s all not necessary. They’ll say there’s too much waste in the schools. They’ll point to the transportation fraud criminals. They’ll find plenty of examples.


“Progressive” Democrats – who love taxes, unlike us Jeffersonian liberals – will be on the defensive. Unless they’re lucky, they’ll get crushed at the polls.


And it will be more than a bond referendum. An anti-tax and anti-spending tide will wash over into the City Council and Mayor’s races.


Just as Tom Fetzer did a decade ago, a smart Republican candidate (probably one listening to my sparring partner, Carter Wrenn) will hammer on the city spending money on hotels and convention centers downtown – instead of roads and schools. And get elected.


This train is coming. It’s time for smart Democrats to get in front of it. And not by tying themselves to the tracks.

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Gary Pearce

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