Lady McBride Has Tax on Her Hands

From Stop the Home Tax Page:

Muscle Shoals City Schools and Superintendent Brian Lindsey have apparently decided that there is nothing morally wrong with using taxpayer resources to promote their "Vote Yes" campaign on the 67% tax increase. This morning as I drove by McBride Elementary School, I was stunned to find them advertising for the tax! The only thing I can figure is that they're sensing their tax increase is going to be voted down now that this Facebook Page exists and Stop the Home Tax PAC has been opened to oppose the massive tax increase.

Can you imagine the outrage if the school system decided to promote a candidate for city council on their signage? What if they were using taxpayers' money to give free advertising to a teacher at the school who had decided to run for State Board of Education? The public would be demanding an explanation and that the illegal and unethical campaign tactics be stopped immediately!

How is this any different? Why do they think it is OK to use our own money to tell us how to vote? Please call Muscle Shoals City Schools at at 256-389-2600 and demand that they take this advertisement down and fight fair!

Additionally, there is no "Paid for by" on this sign, which is a clear violation of state law. Any individual or group advocating for or against a ballot referendum is required by law to put a "Paid for by" disclaimer on all of their advertisements.

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Some comments regarding the ethics of public employees receiving discounts on food/drink:

When I was an LEO, it was common practice for most eateries in town to provide free or discounted drinks/meals to LEOs. The late night convenience stores did it in hopes of luring officers inside their businesses during times when potentials for armed robberies were greatest. Restaurants did it in acknowledgement of the generally low wages paid to officers (In 2004, I made $7.54/hr to wear a vest, gun, and badge.). I partook of free coffee and sodas, as well as discounted meals. We all did. But when taking a meal break at a restaurant that gave a discount to LEOs, I always left a tip equal to, or greater than, the discount I was provided. Regardless of discounts or favors, I know of no instance when businesses ever lacked in coverage or response. - JR

Not ethical for county or city employees to get a discount from a business? If that's what people want they need to realize that it wouldn't just apply to law enforcement if the law is applied evenly. If those discounts aren't ethical then businesses that give discounts to teachers would also need to stop, unless the teacher is from a private school. Restaurants often give free meals to bus drivers when they bring a group in; that would have to stop if it's a public school bus. What about restaurants that give food and coffee to linemen working long hours restoring power after a disaster if the utility is owned by a government? Are you breaking the law giving a Christmas gift to your municipal sanitation worker? - BT

Alas, in Alabama we need to be more concerned over what Drummond Coal and similar businesses are giving our elected state representatives.