The state of Georgia had been taxing energy used in manufacturing when most or all other southeastern states did not. This makes Georgia uncompetitive. The legislature eliminated this tax with the tax overhaul mess. It will phase in over a three to four year period.

The counties have the authority to reimpose this tax on businesses in their county, but that would make counties uncompetitive to other counties. If Commissioners reimpose this tax it is simply to generate tax collection for more spending. In fact one government official referred to this money as "Tax Revenues."

We are hearing much talk lately of tax revenues, but I submit to you there is no such thing as tax revenues. There are tax collections. This twisting of the language is designed to trick people of their understanding of revenues and tax collections.

Revenues are generated by selling a product or service. You subtract out costs and you are left with a profit or loss. In government tax collections are generated by taxing consumers, businesses or investors then subtract out the spending and you are left with … more taxes.

This is based on the belief that government spending somehow sustains an economy whether it is in the county, the state, or in Mordor on the Potomac. We heard this nonsense with SPLOST VII and TSPLOST. The fact is reduced spending and putting money back into the hands of ordinary Americans is what sustains an economy. Every penny the government spends is taken from the consumers.

Principled Republicans who support free markets and small government know this instinctively and should take it to heart after all we are Americans. We Americans walked across a continent and founded cities, towns, and states and we did it without the help of government. Believe it or not we Americans really don't need all this government.

I submit to you that the reason government is always looking for ways to extract money from the citizens of this county is due to the fact the government is doing things it should not be doing, and the Commissioners panic whenever there is talk of eliminating taxes forcing them to defund ineffective government.

When is the last time our County Manager, Doug Derrer, came to the Commissioners and say; “Gentlemen this service or program is not working and is ineffective. We should cut these programs and put that money to better use over here.” Imagine if the Commissioners got rid of ineffective things the government is doing, you could afford to pay the deputies and firemen higher wages. Afterall, that is what government is supposed to do.

The state legislature did the right thing eliminating this tax. They also did the right thing to allow the citizens in the county to make the decision whether to reimpose this tax. Now it is time for the County Commissioners to do the right thing. Eliminate this tax for good and look at reductions in spending.

I look back on 2012 at this Commissions spending legacy. 

1. You redistributed the wealth of every county citizen to install green space in District 2. 

2. You redistributed the wealth of every county citizen for a recreation center in District 2. 

3. You redistributed the wealth of every county citizen and built an enrichment center in District 2. 

4. You redistributed the wealth of every county citizen and gave it to Mayor Gravitt during the water wars. 

Bravo!