Did you know that when Delaware has a divided government it has a better quality of life according to 19 measures?
Do you know that Delaware achieved its highest State Quality of Life Index ranking in 2003-04 with a divided government, when the same political party did not control the state’s governorship and legislative chambers? Delaware has had a Democratic trifecta at the state and federal levels since 2009, and its ranking in the Ballotpedia State Quality of Life Index has languished and declined since then along with its GDP.
What does this mean to you as a resident of Delaware? Unless there is a divided government, it means that the majority party is nearly veto safe and thus can implement whatever legislation they want or not even take up for consideration bills you probably would have liked to have seen put into law. Take for example the Republican-sponsored bills to lower the transfer tax rate from 4% to 3%, meaning when you go to buy or sell a house, your closing costs are lower. Or the bill to put a deadline on when bills can be introduced toward the end of the legislative session, so legislators have time to consider proposed legislation. Or the bill to increase the income tax exemption for veterans so Delaware is on a par with its neighbors on how veterans are treated. Or the bill requiring poorly performing schools to have a remedial plan. That is even though Delaware ranks third from the bottom of all states in educational performance yet sits near top in expenditure per student. The list goes on with good bills that do not see the light of day. Why? Because the controlling party does not want the other side to have a win? Sure, the other side does not get a win, but you the resident are the real victim of this game every time.
Making matters worse, you the taxpayer get to foot the bill for numerous programs the governor has signed off on, such as house purchase subsidies that do not have to be paid back, or abortions paid by Medicaid without a co-pay or deductible. But your healthcare will be priced by five people selected by the governor who will tell the hospitals what they can charge. In every state where this has been tried, costs have gone up and services have declined. Or when the legislator and governor pass a bill such as the ones on voting they know are unconstitutional, our tax dollars are used to defend the ensuing lawsuits. Would it not be better if our legislators passed constitutional laws? Unless there is divided government, there is no stopgap.
When you go to the primary and general election polls, consider the quality of life here in Delaware. Consider it before you vote on party lines. Consider electing the other team to positions such as governor and lieutenant governor, and in the Delaware House and Senate. It will restore a divided government. And that would be a good thing.
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
