Say no to a charter commission

The first reason why you should oppose any movement towards a town charter: local cronies, Dan “beautify my storefront” Chartrand and Russ 100k Dean, support it. Don’t believe for a second that the first step, the allegedly harmless Charter Commission, is just to study to problem of Exeter government’s “inefficiency.” Whatever the results, those who want to tax, spend and accumulate power will use it as a springboard to mulct the hapless taxpayer more than they do now. 

It was obvious that the “scathing” MRI report would be used as an excuse to expand the reach of the Exeter government. Of course this makes no sense: if an institution is “inefficient,” it should be dissolved, not given more power and responsibility. For government, trimming bureaucracy (let alone slashing it) is never an option. If government does something “good,” it is an excuse to do more. If government does something “bad,” it is an excuse to do more. The ratchet turns. 

Don’t pay attention to the argument of modernization, that we somehow need more government because life today is more fast-paced than yesteryear. Pace always tends to increase in an increasingly productive society. More government does not help—all this would lead to is less choice over how we live our lives. Only more productivity, more enterprise, more private property will improve our lives. 

Say no to a Charter Commission. To resolve the “inefficiencies” of government, slash the government. Divide Exeter into two towns. Read Mises.