Years ago, in my advertising agency days, I carried around this Harry Beckwith book called Selling the Invisible. It is a great collection of anecdotes about marketing and idea pitching. One that stands out for me is a story about Jay Chiat, who crafted some of America’s most memorable advertising campaigns – American Express, Apple Computer, Nike, the Energizer Bunny and others.
Chiat said that one of the secrets to his success was this little card he carried with him, and broke out whenever he found himself at an impasse with someone. It said “Maybe he’s right.”
I’ve thought about that recently, as the debates over local politics have become increasingly heated. Property tax caps, LOIT, public safety cuts, etc. have all brought concerned citizens of our city into conflict with one another over what the status quo is, what needs to change, and how to change it. The only thing we can seem to agree on is that the conflicts and infighting have done nothing to move us forward; and now, I have come to believe that the wrangling, and the impasse that results, is actually the status quo that needs to change.
As a result, I’ve come around to Chiat’s way of thinking: Maybe the people I disagree with are right. That being said, I’m going to propose the idea that we as a community go along with the Mayor and the tax repeal advocates that support her.
I’m sure such a suggestion will come as a surprise to many people that know me, but I’ll ask them to ride this train with me for a bit. We have some very real challenges facing us, and we need to pull together if we are going to overcome them. It’s become apparent that new taxes are not only never going to have broad support, but will cause further division within the community, as opponents insist that cutting both taxes and expenses is the best way to prime our city for future growth.
It would be a hard pill for many, myself included, to swallow. I place high value on things like professional fire and police departments, publicly supported libraries and community centers, and general aesthetic maintenance. I believe that they make the city more attractive for investment, and it does; but it’s only effective if we can actually manage it – and we can’t, not without raising taxes to do so.
The alternative is the idea that we appeal to business through low cost of operation. Low taxes, small government and ample and eager labor. Over time, less will become more, as business owners have more money with which to invest and employ; and outside companies will find Muncie to be a more attractive investment.
If that can work, why not get behind it?
Personally, I would have three very reasonable expectations:
1. Supporters take responsibility for it. The claim all along has been that if is business owners paid less to the government, they’d be able to lower rents , employ more people, and invest more. They will have to put their money where their mouths are
2. Be straightforward about what they want. For example, if the strategy involves replacing our professional fire department with volunteers, then say so and make a case for it; and do it without bashing the firefighters, or their union. Just show us it works.
3. Honestly evaluate the results before the tax caps become eligible for constitutional permanence. If their strategy turns out to be the right one, then great; but if not, then we try something else. Plus, whatever the outcome, Muncie can be held up as an example of the legislation’s effectiveness.
It’s an idea that many people have fought against, and many more fervently than I have. Honestly ask yourself this, though: If the solution to our prosperity is the other guy’s idea, how much does it really matter to you that it’s the other guy’s idea?
We can pass tax increases anytime; but repealing them is historically far more difficult. Let’s try something completely different. Let’s all get behind one idea and really try to make it work, even if it isn’t ours.
Why the Mayor’s — and her tax repeal advocate supporter’s — ideas and not another? Because that what it means when I pull out my card, and it reads “Maybe he’s right.” Let’s all come together and give it a chance to work.
