Editor:
I was somewhat surprised and quite amused at the creative nature of the language used by our local politicians (Page 7 – Parsons Advocate – July 6, 2016 – ATTENTION TUCKER COUNTY RESIDENTS) in alerting the county taxpayers of an additional $25.00 fee being imposed for EMS Services. The Tucker County Commission has passed an EMS Ordinance to collect an annual voluntary fee. There will be a voluntary payment form included in your tax tickets from the Tucker County Sheriff. This voluntary payment can be paid at the Sheriff’s office separate from your taxes. What is the definition/meaning of voluntary in this case? Is non-payment of this fee a risk free (without consequences) choice?
The definition of the word voluntary obtained from Webster’s New World Dictionary is: (1), brought about by one’s own free choice; given or done of one’s own free will, freely chosen or undertaken, (2) acting in a specified capacity willingly or of one’s own accord. Is the use of the word voluntary, in this case, a poor choice or is this just a small part of the “gobble-de-gook” double speak language (bureaucratic in nature) that is so prevalent in all aspects of politics and the “screwed-up” political world of today? From the President, members of Congress and to members of all the 50 state legislatures, it seems as if the ability to communicate with some degree of ambiguity, obfuscation, vagueness and confusion is the most important qualifications for those who represent us.
Obviously, one might ask when honesty and always telling the truth (leveling with the constituents) in a simple straightforward understandable manner, by the politicians, who represent us will again be an admirable characteristic on which you can feel justified in supporting them in solving our nations’ problems. Haven’t we had enough of the long standing “Political Correctness” environment and the evasiveness of high level government officials to adequately address obvious conflicts of interest and other important issues of our national security?
I thought that in my returning to West Virginia after a fifty plus year absence (1955 – 2007) would isolate me from the malaise of politicians conduct to address/solve our serious national problems but I’m now convinced these problems are more societal in scope and solving them will take longer to achieve than my remaining years of life. Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we are paying for!
David B. Currance
Hendricks, WV