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Where we
stand:
The Alliance of Derry Taxpayers (ADT) takes positions only after carefully
evaluating the facts and alternatives. Once these positions are adopted, they
are not subject to negotiation or compromise. We present this information to
the public for the purpose of educating the voter who will ultimately decide
what action to take.
Sound
Economic Policy
What Exactly Is It?
The ADT was formed for the purpose of analyzing all local issues with regard
to how they align with sound economic principles at the local level, and to
study economic policy implications.
When analyzing local, state and national issues, the ADT asks a number of key
questions. Every voter, and every elected and appointed official should be
able to ask and answer these very questions.
On any issue ADT will ask these Questions:
- What "need" is this action supposed to
address? Is this truly the role of government?
- Is the proposed action legal and within the proper
jurisdiction? Does it rely on a narrow interpretation of the
"letter of the law" while running counter to the "spirit
of the law"?
- What other options, including private sector, exist
to address this issue? Have they been properly and effectively
evaluated?
- Which possible solution has the lowest short term
costs to the taxpayer, and which has the lowest long term costs?
- Does this action benefit only a few? Should the
majority of taxpayers fund this benefit for the few?
- What are the short and long term consequences of
implementing this action? Have recurring operating costs been factored
into the true cost to the taxpayers? Will this action force funding
consequent actions?
- What are the likely collateral consequences of this
action? Increased traffic, reduced safety, damage to existing
neighborhood? Will this action increase the size of bureaucracy, and/or
add regulatory interference? Will it result in the loss of personal
freedoms?
- Who truly benefits? Are there hidden agendas that
are being fulfilled by this issue? Is there favoritism or other
remuneration involved?
- Are undefined generalities, vague assumptions and
unverifiable conjecture being used to advance the idea? Or is the idea
being supported by proven facts?
- What restraints are in place to verify that the
intended action will be implemented as planned? (without changes in
scope once authorized)
- How can the action be undone if
it is proven to have failed to meet its stated goals? How much will it
cost to undo the action?
The ADT will ask these and
related questions when looking at issues. The issue must result in sound
economic policy for the ADT to support it.
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