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Page 2 · column 1 of 4 · from the scan, no model involved
THE temptation to turn to seemingly simple answers to complicated questions is, apparently, irresistible to most local politicians. At one time, the simple answer was “growth”; the more growth you have the better, it was argued, because from growth flows “progress” for everyone. When that so-called answer failed, a slight refinement was put in its place. “Broadening the tax base” was the catchword of this period. By encouraging more taxpayers to settle in a county, the tax burden would be spread out among more people and, magically, taxes would go down and more services would be provided.
It didn’t happen. More people meant a geometrically increasing demand for services which was supposed to be supplied by a tax rate that was expanding only by simple arithmetic. The imbalance can get frightening rather quickly, as Prince William is finding out, and which Loudoun and Fauquier have tasted.
Now the magic panacea is Industry. Everybody wants Industry, “Clean, Responsible Industry,” of the type which will pay high taxes; provide oodles of jobs, import only a minimum number of people (and those so wellheeled that they can take care of themselves, sending their children to private schools and amusing themselves at private recreational clubs), while demanding no county services to speak of, imposing no traffic problems that can’t be solved by an interstate highway or two, and bringing Progress and Prosperity and an elevated Quality of Life to one and all. Amen.
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