Opinion: yes

For as much as I have said I wanted to be an opinion columnist, I’ve found I am oddly voiceless when I go to my blog to open my mouth on local issues. I want to offer my two cents, but I can’t help but hold back. I don’t want to alienate sources, and I don’t want to seem biased. However,I really don’t want to feed into the dated notion that journalist aren’t biased, either. Of course they are.

In full hillbilly voice I say: I is biased and so are everyone else. Real people run the world, and we can't let ourselves forget that. So, onward I march.

In my view, people don’t hate Fox News because there’s an obvious right-wing slant to much of their news programming (that’s why they love them). They hate Fox News because they’ll tell you what they're offering as news is “fair and balanced.” Just be honest, Fox. Tell people upfront your channel supports a conservative ideology. That's not such a terrible thing. Occasionally, I will hear our CFP ad guy compare us to Fox News when he’s trying to sell. It makes me cringe every time.

To get a sense of my own biases, please read my opening blog post.

I’m getting off point.

When I’m not using this blog as a creative outlet, I’d like to use it to express my own opinions about the stories I’m covering. At least every so often. I suspect that others like me may be hesitant to do this, and that's understandable. I believe other reporters have the same fears of perceived bias I have and so they shy away from taking a stand. In fact, the Society of Professional Journalists recommends reporters stay away from conflicts of interest "real or perceived."

But then newspapers have been writing editorials forever. I think the same code of ethics draws the line between news and opinion correctly: "Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context."

Don’t get me wrong: we need objective reporting. People who are reading or watching news want facts to form their own opinions about important issues. I want others to be objective, too. And when I’m writing news for CFP, that’s what I’m doing. But here aint news. It’s beauty and fear and love and greed and something more honest. And by exposing that side of myself, I’m meeting the mission of this blog: to say something true about the human experience.

But why should my opinion matter, you may ask?

Ultimately, I know how I approach stories. I’m going in trying to learn what people need to know to make up their own minds. And if I wasn’t myself, I’d be interested in what I thought. So, for what it’s worth, I’m offering up my opinion on the story that won’t go away … please, take it more as a polite suggestion rather than the ramblings of a nut case who found a megaphone.

On Nov. 3 pension sales tax

My take: Vote yes, y’all.

Click here to read my story on the upcoming pension sales tax vote in the latest issue of CFP (Page 1 and Page 4).

I believe the cops and firefighters have tough jobs as it is. The city is responsible for their pension, and their pension is failing. You can blame the city if you like, but no one is served with a “no” vote. I agree with the citizens’ pension task force: the best way to fill this gap is with a sales tax. People from surrounding areas spend money in Springfield, thereby lessening the Springfield tax burden. It’s the quickest and easiest fix. Cutting benefits will likely result in a lawsuit. And the state can potentially take away tax revenues if the city doesn’t keep the fund at 60 percent of its actuarial value. It's at 46.5 percent now.

Many have expressed concern about the city’s wasteful spending. And that’s fine. Many have expressed concern about the ballot language not including a clear and obvious sunset-- including Bob Mace on Page 6. Okay. But a “no” vote only ignores the problem, and then the problem will only escalate. You can be mad at the sky for the storm, just don’t forget to fill the sandbags out of spite.

I voted for the 1-cent initiative in February, and I think that would have been a better and quicker way to address the issue. I do think the ballot language in this initiative should have called for a 90 percent funding goal, which would have been in-line with actuarial recommendations. However, that’s not enough of a reason for me to avoid the real issue. Police and firefighters deserve to not worry about their pensions. I’m sorry the stock market tanked on your 401(k), but as for me—and I am broke—I don’t mind pitching in an extra penny when I buy a candy bar. And don’t tell me it’s 75 cents when I buy a pizza because I don’t want to know.

I have the highest regard for Bob Mace, Jackie Melton and Fred Ellison. Each are intelligent and involved citizens whose opinions I hold in high regard. Each have said they're opposed to the tax. Mr. Ellison, if you are reading this, I thought you should know I didn't like the way the mayor spoke to you and others opposed to the sales tax. With all that said, I hope each of you change your minds and vote for this thing. I believe city leaders are trying to make this right, and we can pitch in.

After all, real people are running this city. People who answer calls for help in the middle of night. I hope we don't forget that Nov. 3.