The September 18th Vote.

I never thought I would be one to write a political blog post.  However, this month there is something going on in the world of politics that has brought me here.

We all know there is a huge election in November, but if you live in the state of Alabama are you aware of the voting opportunity you have Tuesday September 18- tomorrow?  I first heard of this voting opportunity in an email sent by the CEO of my place of employment.  This email stated Vote Yes on September 18.  I had heard absolutely nothing of this vote until this email.  The more research I did, the more I learned that most people who do not work in a state run facility or listen to political radio all the time had no idea that there was an election of September 18.

So in case you do not know, on September 18 we will be voting on a bill that will allow the government to take 437 million dollars out of the Alabama Trust Fund in order to fund government programs- Medicaid being the biggest headliner.  Currently, the way things are set up, a large percentage of the taxes obtained from oil & gas revenue go into this trust fund each year. The interest this fund gains each year is placed into the general fund. Currently, only interest is touched, NOT the principle.

Before, I get into what I feel about this topic, I just want to mention that whether you agree or disagree with my opinion, it is so important to vote. So many people are not aware of this vote. Whatever the result of the vote is, it would be a much more reliable result if everyone voted. Most people who are aware of it are only aware because they have been told to vote yes but don't know much about the issues. Please, educate yourself on what you are voting for. Whatever opinion you form, I completely respect it. Just make sure you have formed an opinion by educating yourself instead of just listening to what someone tells you to do without doing any research.

If I were to walk into the voting booth and read the ballot without knowing anything but what I read, I would likely vote yes when reading that a yes vote will "prevent the mass release of prisoners from Alabama prisons, and to protect critical health services to Alabama children, elderly, and mothers." However, I have decided to vote NO in order to prevent the release of prisoners and to protect critical health services.

Wait, how does a NO vote, do these things? By taking money out of the principle of the trust fund, we are putting a bandaid on the problem. In the future (estimated 3 years), we will be right back where we are today.  And then, we won't have as much from the trust fund to pull from.  Plus the interest we will be putting into the general fund will be a LOT less when that account is 437 million less!

However, if I vote NO, the government will be forced to make hard decisions regarding the State's budget.  They WILL continue to fund Medicaid and prisoners will NOT be released.  Just paying state employees via direct deposit instead of via check will get them ~50% of the money needed.  Instead of just placing a bandaid on the problem, something will actually be done about the problem.  Three years down the road there will be no question as to if the critical health services will be in jeopardy.

I'm no political person so I would recommend you reading this article that really says everything I would like to say... but better.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20120916/OPINION0101/309160031

However, if you do not read the article, at least read this quote and think about what you would do if this was your personal finances.

"Your referendum is more akin to dipping into your 401(k) each month for the next three years to pay your mortgage note without first looking for a smaller house or a better paying job. That is not just fiscally irresponsible; it is reckless."