Confusion Reigns Today

Another confusing thing hit me this morning. It deals with taxes and our Governor. I read where the <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com//index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/04/07/build/state/25-school-bill.inc" target="_new">property tax increase</a> for the schools was "unanimously rejected" by the House. This was good news because the landowners of Montana can't stand another property tax increase but then I see another story.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com//index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/04/07/build/state/68-property-tax.inc" target="_new>Property tax increase seen to fix pensions</a><br />n<br />nFigures if they will get the money out of us one way or another but since our Governor has said "no" to tax increases maybe it won't happen, except right at the end of the article it says:<br />n<br />n<blockquote>Although the bills will result in automatic property tax increases and Schweitzer has vowed to oppose higher taxes, Ewer said the administration supports the measures because they are essential to the health of the pension plans, and the law requires the needed money to come from the government employers.</blockquote><br />n<br />nSo maybe this tax increase will go through. Trying to get blood from a turnip if you ask me.<br />n<br />nThen in the Bozeman Chronicle I find an <a href="http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/04/07/news/01schweitzer.txt" target="_new">interview</a> with the Governor where he states:<br />n<br />n<blockquote>any bill that would raise taxes, he promised, will get "a big no" from him.</blockquote><br />n<br />nSo, the "administration supports" the tax increase but any tax increase will get "a big no" from the head of the administration. So what is the policy here, I'm confused. Pretty normal for this dumb cowboy.<br />n<br />n<b>We live in an age disturbed, confused, bewildered, afraid of its own forces, in search not merely of its road but even of its direction. There are many voices of counsel, but few voices of vision; there is much excitement and feverish activity, but little concert of thoughtful purpose. We are distressed by our own ungoverned, undirected energies and do many things, but nothing long. It is our duty to find ourselves. Woodrow Wilson</b>