Stratham people wise up to the con game...

...and reject a crony deal offered by the Exeter government.

Of course, the hapless Exeter taxpayer will suffer even more.

Voter fraud in Stratham?

100 voters unanimously approved a $10 million budget for the Stratham government. There are a few more than 7000 people in the town, which makes this about $1500 per person. The 100 people (1.4%) who voted are each stealing $150 from every man, woman, and child in the town. How in the world does this constitute anything close to ethical?

"Historic stuff"

The eloquent Dan "beautify my storefront" Chartrand is patting himself on the back after two town governments broker a deal to control the water supply across both towns. Tell me, what is "historic" about a bunch of cronies controlling a scarce good? 

What would be really historic is if the town governments ceded control over all water production to freely competing individuals. Only then would the water supply be abundant and clean. Until then, we will see more slightly poisoned water, reduced supply, government scolding us to consume less water, and ultimately rationing. 

Speaking of rationing, the 150,000/day average over a year will be broken. Stratham will use up its supply earlier in the year (because the costs are artificially low, so that the demand is stronger than the supply) When the day of reckoning comes ("Hey, you're at your cap, you have to cut your water usage from October onward,") there will absolutely be some "exemption" to continue consuming the same amount of water.

Fascinating property rights dispute in Stratham

Someone alleges that a neighbor's wood cutting caused medical problems. I am curious to know if he spoke to the offender first, but that's by the way.

There are two interesting pieces to this story. The first is whether or not the wood cutter is violating property rights. Now the wood cutter--let's call him Woody--is generating noise and pollution, both of which are going onto the alleged victim's (let's say Victor's) property. If we suppose that both Woody and Victor are legitimate owners of their properties, then the pollution is a clear trespass, and Woody is 100% liable. What about noise pollution? That's more challenging, but it has been addressed here. The question that has to be answered is: what were the average noise levels from Woody when Victor moved in?

The second interesting issue is the obvious inability of the Stratham government to enforce property rights. Naturally, a government-run "business" (here, the business of property protection) is a disaster. (Of course, Victor still better pay his property taxes.) This is a reason to disband the Stratham government, to "fire" them, so to speak. Of course, that's never an option because the earth would spin off its axis into the sun.