Kris Kazmar addresses the Towamencin Government Study Commission during the public comment period of their March 1 meeting.
(The following is a letter to the editor from Towamencin resident Kris Kazmar. The views expressed within are his own.)
To the Editor:
I have never voiced my opinions publicly before, but being indifferent to public affairs is no solution.
On March 1, I made a public comment at the Towamencin Government Study Commission (GSC) meeting. In it, I state that “this Home Rule Charter hijacks the sewer system sale for a much larger socialist agenda, and it will do so through carefully worded and misleading referendums.” Why do I believe this? It’s because per the latest HRC draft, almost four times the amount of text is devoted to Initiative and Referendum than to the Sewer System Prohibitions, a prohibition that per the legal opinion I received will represent an impermissible termination/breach of the APA by the township carrying with it potentially significant legal consequences in excess of tens of millions of dollars.
This charter has been mainly drafted and voiced by the chairperson of the GSC, and this chairperson has repeatedly suggested “land value taxes” and taxes on “backyards” in public meetings. As cited in news articles and public websites, this chairperson is also the co-chair of the BuxMont Branch of the DSA, and has authored a resolution on Sept. 23, 2021, that states:
“that a campaign be conducted by the BuxMont Democratic Socialists of America in Towamencin, Montgomery County to oppose and prohibit the sale of Towamencin’s public sanitary sewer and waste treatment facility, and be it further resolved, that this campaign be conducted in coalition with allied community groups and leaders in such a way as to foster deeper and attentive connections with the working class residents of Towamencin, such that BuxMont Democratic Socialists of America be regarded as a productive and knowledgeable partner in future initiatives.”
What future initiatives? New and higher taxes? I am fundamentally opposed to socialism. Socialism doesn’t work anywhere. Capitalism has its issues, but it’s the best system mankind has. Socialism discourages innovation, risk-taking, hard work, and perseverance. Why would one risk financial ruin if one’s upside is limited by socialism?
I’m not alone in my thinking. Per the article “The US House Passes Resolution Denouncing Socialism, Vote Splits Democrats:”
The resolution overwhelmingly cleared the chamber in a 328-86-14 vote. The majority of Democrats — 109 of them — voted with all Republicans for the resolution, while 86 voted against it and 14 voted ‘present.’”
“Congress denounces socialism in all its forms and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States of America,” the resolution reads.
Additionally, some Democrats who voted against the measure have been described as democratic socialists. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) were all endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America in the 2022 cycle.
I’m fundamentally opposed to socialism. I’ve heard that if I mention this socialist agenda, I’ll be attacked for being a racist and exploiting people. People that know me know this is not true. But what is true is that I’m against a form of governance that limits or eliminates the rewards for individual people to excel.
Signed,
Kris Kazmar
Towamencin Resident
See also:
Letter: Towamencin Supervisor Voices Opposition to Sewer Sale
Towamencin Home Rule Charter Headed to Ballot in May Primary
Group of Residents Voice Issues with Towamencin Government Study Commission’s Speed and Processes
