I’m afraid I’m too late with this post but it’s still better for me to speak up now than not at all!

If you haven’t noticed there’s pretty much been a total love-fest towards Proposition 1 on the ballot today.  It’s sad.  They’re so in love that they ignore the voices of reason.

Proposition 1 is to approve a $39,000,000 loan, yes a loan, towards building a new community recreation center.

Yes, I would love to have a new recreation center.  It would be awesome.

But no, “honey, we can’t afford it.”

The same spirit that got our country in this mess — the spirit of “oh I really need to take out this loan to buy new furniture” or “i have to buy this because it’s ‘essential’” — that same spirit is now being presented as a false reason to vote for this loan.

Sorry, if you don’t have the money, you don’t buy it.  Period.

For a light hearted review of the principle — please watch one of my favorite skits:

We the people of Provo City — through our government — we have about $50,000,000 (50 Million) in debt.  Most of it is the $30+ million remaining on the fiber optic network.

And now we want to take out another loan?!!!

Have any of the leaders even told you about the current debt load?  They have not presented to you the full truth and that is misleading.

I belong to a church which most people in this town belong to.

A church that taught recently to not go into debt for anything except maybe a house — BUT even then, recently said this past October to pay off your mortgage ASAP.

Recreation equipment is discretionary.  It is not a need.

And what about “honey, we can’t afford it.”

Stop the insanity.  The same people that as a group are condemning Washington politicians for bailouts and stimulus packages — those same people totally switch sides when it comes to a local loan — where are their principles?

They have a double standard.  It’s hypocritical.

Please, do yourself, and the children and grandchildren of Provo a favor and vote NO on Proposition 1.

When we save up the money later I would love to get a new recreation center.

Save up a little with each paycheck until you can purchase it, right?!

P.S. Why not get some rich benefactors to help cover the cost and then get the residents to donate the rest?  That combined with saving for a few years and BOOM, we could pay for a new rec. center in cash and think of the savings then!

Those that tell you we have to take out this loan now are either ignorant or dishonest.  We do not need to add to our debt burden now.

Listen to your own church, you LDS members.  We “[don't have to be] command[ed] in all things”!  And those that are “conservative” but of other faiths listen to those that are advocating good principles of fiscal responsibility for the federal government.   Lastly, what’s good for a family is good for a city.  We need to save up before we buy a new recreation center.  Period.

Sincerely,

Roger Brown