Hey, CARTA (the regional transit buses) will have a very tough time over the next year...if they exist at all. The SC Supreme Court struck down the referendum that called for an increase in the sales tax based on the wording of the ballot. I have several problems with both their reasoning and solutions for the future.

What's this? An alleged conservative disagreeing with a Supreme Court that stopped a tax increase? Are you crazy Greg? You support a tax increase? What kind of conservative are you?

1.

Background: The referendum was worded badly, yes. Here's the actual wording...

All qualified electors desiring to vote in favor of the traffic congestion relief, safe roads, and clean water sales tax for the stated purposes shall vote "YES."

All qualified electors opposed to the traffic congestion relief, safe roads, and clean water sales tax for the stated purposes shall vote "NO."

The Supreme Court said the wording was such that it may have led some people to vote for it that otherwise would oppose it. I disagree. I shudder to think that we have people that dumb that vote...to me, it's no different than liberals arguing that people in Florida were misled on who to vote for because they couldn't follow an arrow or fully punch a hole in a card. Big mistake to go in this direction if you ask me...but the Supreme Court took the bait (just as they did in Florida). It's hypocritical for conservatives to argue this point.

2.

Fix #1 for CARTA. Very easy. LOWER the fares...not RAISE them as some are calling for to help CARTA. Howard Chapman, who is the director of CARTA said himself last year when they raised fares 33%...they DID NOT get a 33% increase in revenue. That's why you don't increase revenue all the time when you raise taxes. You increase revenue by LOWERING taxes. If a fare to ride a bus is a tax, and I say it is, then you lower the fare to generate more riders who might otherwise skip the bus and walk. By making it cheaper, more people might figure..."Hey, why not take the bus, it's only 50-cents?" Like any business...have a sale.

3.

Fix #2 for CARTA. Another easy decision. Allow advertising on the buses. They currently do not allow advertising. Howard Chapman (who apparently doesn't understand much of anything) said they already have advertising on the side of buses...I asked what...he said they advertise CARTA. Wow...lame. Put billboard space on the sides and rear of each bus, have companies (including Radio) pay to put their ad on the side...you could essentially pay for the whole bus system with this simple fix. I even offered a 100-percent trade of advertising on our station...he gives me ad space...I give him ad space. Very simple.

4.

An alleged fix for the whole thing. People are talking about toll booths on the new Cooper River bridge. Dumb. Show me a toll road or toll bridge that is making enough profit that funds what is needed to be funded here...1.2-billion over 25-years. All I see from toll road stories is more of what we've experienced with CARTA. Complaints about wages from employees hired (by the government) to run the booths; How they keep raising the toll fees; Revenue complaints by the government and a host of other problems. Why are people advocating funding CARTA with another CARTA?

5.

Summary. I just hope that people learn their lesson in this whole debacle. People bitch, complain, moan, and swear they're going to do something about it...yet, they go in that voting booth...and with a shaky hand...keep pulling the lever for the same kind of crap they always get.

Have a nice day!

Whew...a lot has happened since I last posted. My wife entered the hospital for an emergency (she's okay, thanks) and I had to care for the little one all by my lonesome...of course I did have help in the afternoons and the radio show hasn't suffered...I don't think. Anyway, I'm back and here's the rundown of things I need to get off my chest:

1. The war in Iraq...quit your bitchin' you commie pinko libs! If I hear one more time "we have soldiers dying every day" I'm going to puke. These idiots care so much "for the troops" that they want us to pull out...well, that's what they're implying anyway. We have cops, firemen, AND soldiers here at home that die every day in the line of duty, but no-one is suggesting we give up here at home.

2. Ahnold...who the hell cares! California gets what they deserve. The only reason the commie pinko libs are whining as much as they are is because yet another attempt at socialism is failing around their grand plans. And stop the crazy, "right wing conspiracy" crap! Don't like the recall law? CHANGE THE FREAKIN LAW...don't pee on my leg and try to tell me it's raining.

3. The blackout...told you so! About the only thing to add here is that I'm surprised no poverty pimp civil rights leech complained that we call it, "BLACKout"...demeaning minorities in this wonderfully diverse world we live in. The lights are out...make whoopie! Damn...

4. Email virus...another reason I don't read forwards! Again, to re-iterate...your ability to forward is no indication of your comedic talent or your ability to think for yourself. Who are these idiots that sit at their computers every day and read obvious scam emails with the subject headings that are used in this virus? If there's one thing I've learned in my years of using the internet it is this: Read your stinkin' computer manuals once in a freakin while! If you can't handle using a computer, get rid of it! You're not qualified...you're probably also the guy/gal that sits in the left lane on the highway going 55 aren't you?

5. Radio ratings...YEEE HAWWW! You ever get really great news and you don't have the ability to tell the whole world? Yeah, that's what's going on at the station. The all important Spring 2002 ratings numbers came out and we kicked ass. Oh, sure...radio insiders are probably doing a Google right now trying to find the latest numbers. Arbitron only publishes the silly 12+ numbers for the public...we that have the breakdowns of other age targets know the real truth. Better yet, our main competition knows the truth too...and they should be preparing their resumes just in case.

There...I got some things off my chest. Sorry it's been a while, I'm back now and things are near normal for the Alan household. My wife also got her Army Reserves unit assignment this week. I'll keep you updated.