One I believe, very respected commentator and his panel of the moment took the group apart on this issue. Stated it was little more than a "back door" attempt to block Freedom of Speech. Are you reading this carefully Mr. Rapp, Mr. City Attorney and balance of City Council? Not just my opinion but other grown ups. Some of them might even be "Men"?
This is what I have spoken about many times on the use of one's being Elected and or appointed at any level to abuse their position, power and authority.
They actually called it "Fascism". Now that set me back a little; so I got out my three (3) hard copy dictionaries (yes, three; I look to be sure what is being said or what I mean to say); and looked it up. Than lo' and behold, I found a fourth I had somehow misplaced. In any case, I read slowly and several times to insure I was getting a good honest interpretation.
The Fascist Party was founded to combat Socialism and Communism. So what I had believed was more of a Socialist City Government does not appear to make the cut? I ended up with a definition from The New College Edition of the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. At first, I could not accept the definition. But after reading it several times, I saw where I was in error. Here is the definition: "fascism- A philosophy or system of government that advocates or exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging sf state and business leadership". I felt the other three Dictionary definitions were far, far harsher and possibly more extreme. They basically also ALL noted the "suppression" of those with whom the system disagreed. (The First Amendment).
Now I have to admit, that initially I was not willing or able to accept this harsh labeling of the right. I am and have admitted I am a MODERATE Republican; just slightly to the right of Center. So I felt what would be the Republicans by definition of being to the right was not completely fair? But than as is usual, my old brain kicked in and I remembered where I was. West Virginia; Wood County; Vienna. This is pure and true Tea Party Country and for sure is reflected in our City Government when many issues boil to the surface? Yet, as an offset, we have many who are firm believers and practitioners of excessive taxation; out of control spending and the suppression by both sides of the oppositions right to speak.
I came to realize that one has to look not at the book, but start to dig into the pages; especially the chapters farther in when most people are caught up in the story or bored and are ready to put it down. By then, does the Truth really matter?
In more simple terms; attend the meetings. Listen to the B.S. that is put out, TAKE NOTES and than read the "Minutes" that finally show up. As I have noted before, I have read the minutes, gone back to my notes and wondered if we were all in the same meeting? The white wash, the cover ups, the falsehoods, that just seem to go on and on? That is why I spoke on the tapes of the meetings that were immediately erased and then stopped altogether. They told the tale. The truth dropped out as I have noted in the one and only I was able to get after four (4) years of tries. That single little tape showed the Truths as I had pointed out and the steps the City would take to hide them via the erasing.
It may appear as much as I am not happy with it, that I owe the Socialist's an apology? I really felt that the never ending seizure of people's money via every little tax, fee, surcharge and what ever else the City could call it was the name of the game?
Now some might question the definitions part on "State and business merging"? Well I have felt that the City was doing so much that curtailed, restricted or eliminated the ability of older businesses to expand/ hire and to discourage new ones from coming here. Let's be honest; if you are here and the City is putting on events with regularity at low or no cost to the attendees; are you able to compete? To try to hire and expand? Would you want to set up shop here if you knew the City was going to have some of your potential customer base in their free events?
I am not against the programs per se that the City does; I am against "competing" with any business and a loss to them. The City should have entered into agreements to allow the businesses to participate and make some money out of the deal also. I was as I noted earlier told the City could not legally do this? Why not and what steps were taken to change the Law/ Ordnance/ Protocol? That is called progress and all benefit. 'nuff said.