The liberal governor who cried wolf

With apologies to my fellow Greek scribe, Aesop, I'd like to tell you a story about the liberal governor who cried wolf about property tax cuts.

Any similarities with the popular children's fable, "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," are purely intentional.

Everyone is familiar with the original story. A shepherd-boy who watched a flock of sheep near a village brought out the villagers three or four times by crying out, "Wolf! Wolf!" and when his neighbors came to help him, laughed at them for their pains. The Wolf, however, did truly come at last. The shepherd-boy, now really alarmed, shouted in an agony of terror: "Pray, do come and help me; the Wolf is killing the sheep!" But no one paid any heed to his cries, nor rendered any assistance. The Wolf, having no cause of fear, at his leisure destroyed the whole flock. (Reprinted from www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/)

The focus of our story is a grizzled politician who has spent his entire life spending other people's money in a land called Pennsylvania. He was elected to the highest post of the land by promising to cut property taxes.

In 2003, Gov. Ed Rendell promised to cut property taxes if the Legislature would approve a higher state income tax. Taxes went up, but the promised property tax relief never materialized. "Wolf! Wolf!"

In 2004, Gov. Ed Rendell promised to cut property taxes if the Legislature would approve gambling in Pennsylvania. The Legislature authorized 61,000 slot machines. The promised property tax relief never materialized. "Wolf! Wolf!"

In 2005, Gov. Ed Rendell promised to cut property taxes if the Legislature would approved Act 72. The Legislature approved it. Eight of 10 school districts said no thanks. The promised property tax relief never materialized. "Wolf! Wolf!"

In 2006, Gov. Ed Rendell promised to cut property taxes if the Legislature would approve Act 1. The Legislature approved it. Voters in 99 percent of the state's school districts rejected the tax shift. The promised property tax relief never materialized. "Wolf! Wolf!"

In 2007, Gov. Ed Rendell promises to cut property taxes if the Legislature approves a 1 percentage point increase in the state sales tax. First he said most of the additional revenue will go to cover state spending, but now he says all of the money will go back to taxpayers in the form of property tax relief. More promises.

The liberal governor cried wolf four times already. Why would anyone believe him when he promises to cut property taxes if the Legislature approves his sales tax initiative?

The moral of the story?

"A LIAR WILL NOT BE BELIEVED, EVEN WHEN HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH."