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DISCUSSION ON ISSUE 8 -- SIN TAX FOR THE ARTS ON CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY RADIO STATION WRUW-FM WITH HOST MERYL JOHNSONSubmitted by Satinder P S Puri on Sat, 10/17/2015 - 22:32.
THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ON BOTH SIDES OF ISSUE 8 -- SIN TAX FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE -- ON CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY RADIO STATION – WRUW-FM 91.1 ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2015 BETWEEN 1:00 & 2:00 P.M. WITH HOST MERYL JOHNSON!
 PROBLEMS WITH RECORDED RADIO SHOW:
I experienced a number of problems with the recording of the radio show.
First, it would not play -- there was no audio. Second, the length of the show was listed as 38:00 and not 60:00 (minutes). It was not clear which 22 minutes were not playing. The problem occured only with Ms. Johnson's recorded show -- all other archived shows played fine.
The matter was brought to the attention of all responsible parties. For four days there was no reponse to my concerns.
Now I am told that the radio show has been permanently erased as per the station's policy -- the recorded shows are saved only for a week. I have been promised a technical report by the end of October 2015.
The radio station instituted some corrective action for future recordings.
I was finally able to save a copy of the full-show.
I am looking into the possibility of embedding the saved copy into this post.
In the mean time -- please read the slides and accompanying text -- both essentially cover what was discussed in the radio interview.
UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 11, 2015:
No techinal report (due by end of October 2015) was ever received. The responsible parties that I contacted and who did not respond for four days were the host, General Manager of the Station, and the President of the University. My conclusion: I believe the archived broadcast of the radio interview was willfully tampered with. After what happened with The Plain Dealer and the City Club -- this was not a surprise.
 ISSUE 8 – SIN TAX ON CIGARETTES – 30 CENTS PER PACK – TO FUND ARTS AND CULTURE IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY – IS UP FOR A 10-YEAR RENEWAL IN THE ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015.
The ten-year levy (2017-2026) on cigarettes, if it passes, at the rate of 30 cents per pack. will be a continuation of the existing (2007-2016) levy. The Sin Tax levy, promoted by Jimmy Demure, was first approved in 2006 by a vote of 56 to 44%.
The interview was conducted via telephone by Meryl Johnson the host of the radio show called “Its About Justice” which airs on Saturday afternoons. Meryl Johnson is well known in the Cleveland community as an activist, educator, and member of the NAACP Executive Committee.
The radio station: WRUW-FM is located on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in University Circle in Cleveland, Ohio.
  First the proponents spoke. I spoke after the proponents had finished speaking. The interview was conducted in a very fair and dignified manner. I enjoyed the experience.
This is the first time I was invited to present my arguments in a radio or TV setting as to why voters should VOTE NO ON SIN TAX – ISSUE 8 on November 3, 2015.
Even though I am actively campaigning against Issue 8 – the powerful Arts establishment has been able to deny me a seat at the table in all major discussions that have taken place in Cleveland on Issue 8.
PROPONENTS & THEIR MESSAGE:
The proponents were represented by two big guns: Greg Harris, CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Karen Gahl-Mills, Executive Director, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (a sanitized name for what is really the Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County).
Both Mr. Harris and Ms. Gahl-Mills spoke first – they were working like a team – going back and forth -- and made the following points about the benefits of the Sin Tax:
*The Sin Tax is not a new tax – it is simply a renewal. The tax is penny and a half per cigarette – 30 cents per pack. It generates almost $15 million every year.
*Sin Tax has funded over 300 Arts and Culture organizations in North--East Ohio. The benefits reach hundreds of thousands of people and tens of thousands of students in all sections of the community -- including artists.
*The Rock Hall is a recipient of funds from the Sin Tax. (Mr. Harris did not mention that his organization (with assets of $88 million) -- received $7.7 million from the cigarette smokers.)
*Sin Tax delivers great program for kids and adults.
*Sin Tax is good for public health.
 COMMENTS MADE BY Satinder P. S. Puri, Community Activist, on behalf of his
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX campaign:
BACKGROUND:
A word about myself -- I am a retired structural engineer, community activist, senior citizen, and a volunteer teacher at a public school. This is my 11th year.
Don’t smoke.
Love the Arts and the role they play in enriching our lives on a daily basis.
I have integrated the arts in the teaching of science, math, and engineering.
 OPPOSITION:
So why am I opposing the Sin Tax – Issue 8
That the Arts benefit our community is indisputable.
What is also indisputable is that this benefit results from Sin Taxes -- 30 cents per pack of cigarettes -- paid by the weak and powerless.
Sin Taxes are regressive taxes that take a higher percentage of income
from our poorest and most vulnerable citizens – the young, poor, and uneducated
– who are much more likely to be smokers.
This is a social justice issue.
 FAIR FUNDING:
It is also an issue of unfair funding.
We need fair funding of the arts – where we all pay – not just the Cigarette Smokers.
 CORPORATE WELFARE:
There is also the issue of distribution of the Sin Taxes (Corporate Welfare).
Since 2007 – 125 million dollars were collected.
Of this amount – nearly 60 million dollars – about 50% -- were distributed to five organizations that we all love – Cleveland Museum, Orchestra, Rock Hall, Playhouse Square, and Ideastream.
Should the Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County be contributing to organizations that have combined assets totaling nearly 1.5 billion dollars?
 FAIR FUNDING OF THE ARTS:
I speak regularly at Cuyahoga County Council meetings.
I have called for fair funding of the Arts.
There was a very important meeting on June 23rd.
I asked the council members to respond to the following question:
“Is it fair that in Cuyahoga County only cigarette smokers should be taxed to support Arts and Culture – an activity that all of us enjoy and benefit from? “
Well, two members responded saying that the Sin Tax was not perfect but did not address the issue of fairness.
Eight members did not respond. One member was absent.
All ten members present voted YES to ask the voters to continue the Sin Tax.
The entire discussion lasted less than 10 minutes.
 NON-COVERAGE BY THE PLAIN DEALER:
In the public session (June 23, 2015, Cuyahoga County Council meeting) – there were five proponents of the Sin Tax and I was the lone opponent.
Unfortunately the Plain Dealer did not report one word I said either on cleveland.com or in the print edition creating the impression that there was no public opposition at the important meeting.
(As a result, The Plain Dealer did irreparable damage to my campaign.)
 CAMPAIGN:
The proponents are waging an estimated 1.6 million dollar campaign – with an army of supporters.
I am a one-man operation – an army of one -- based on the belief that it takes only one finger to stir the pot.
DEMONSTRATIONS:
I demonstrate all over the county with my 5-dollar VOTE NO ON SIN TAX SIGNS.
I don’t have a car – also don’t know how to drive --- so I walk for miles on end and also use public transportation.
So far I have demonstrated for nearly 300 - hours all over the county – including outside Indians games, Browns games, downtown, University Circle, and many other locations.
I distribute flyers printed at home.
I have a dedicated Facebook group and also my own blog at REALNEO.
      NO SEAT AT TABLE:
While the other side has had many programs where they have promoted their case -- I have never had a seat at the table. This is the first time I have had an opportunity to present my case (in the media).
 FINAL:
So if your listeners agree with me – they should FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE –
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX – ISSUE 8 –ON NOVEMBER 3RD.
Thank you very much for your attention.
 REFERENCES:
07-11-15: BREAKING NEWS: IS THE PLAIN DEALER IN BED WITH THE RICH AND POWERFUL IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!
08-07-15: LATE NEWS: 26TH ANNUAL PARADE THE CIRCLE EVENT WELCOMED VOTE NO ON SIN TAX CAMPAIGN!
08-23-15: VOTE NO ON SIN TAX CAMPAIGN OUTSIDE THE “Q” DURING THE FIRST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!
09-08-15: VOTE NO ON SIN TAX CAMPAIGN OUTSIDE PROGRESSIVE FIELD IN CLEVELAND, OHIO!
09-14-15: VOTE NO ON SIN TAX CAMPAIGN AT THE 2015 ANNUAL LABOR DAY PARADE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO
09-19-15: BING IMAGES ON VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOV. 3, 2015 CAMPAIGN!
09-21-19: VOTE NO ON SIN TAX CAMPAIGN OUTSIDE FIRST ENERGY STADIUM DURING OPENING GAME OF 2015-16 FOOTBALL SEASON!
ADDITIONAL SLIIDES WITH TEXT & IMAGES:
LOVE THE ARTS:
Music, Painting, Drama, Drawing, Dance, Sculpture, Opera, etc.
We should all pay taxes to fund the Arts, not just tax citizens who smoke.
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
  ENDS SHOULD NEVER JUSTIFY THE MEANS:
SUPPORT THE ARTS BUT NOT ON THE BACKS OF THE POOR.
FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
  CIGARETTE SMOKERS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY,
have provided, since 2006, $125 million, for Cuyahoga Arts & Culture including Parade the Circle event.
THIS IS NOT FAIR! FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE!
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
  Remember, only Taxes on Cigarettes pay for Art & Culture.
VOTE NO ON 8,
TAX ALL OR TAX NONE.
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
  Cuyahoga Arts & Culture a.k.a. Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County.
FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
    CIGARETTE SMOKERS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROVIDED CORPORATE WELFARE TO ARTS’ ESTABLISHMENTS! (2007-2016)For the ten year period: 2007-2016, the Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County will have provided a total of $125 million for Arts & Culture.
Of this total -- $57.4 million – nearly 50% was distributed to five organizations.
These five organizations had assets totaling nearly $1.4 billion. .
The five organizations with their assets and grants received
are listed below:
*The Cleveland Orchestra with assets of $250 million received $15.3 million.
*Playhouse Square with assets of $99.2 million received $12.7 million.
*The Cleveland Museum of Art with assets of $896 million received $11.8 million.
*Ideastream with assets of $43 million received $7.9 million.
*The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with assets of $88 million received $7.7 million.
While we love our Arts’ organizations – they should not be funded on the backs of Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County who for the most part tend to be poor, young, and uneducated. This is a Social Justice issue.
 CORPORATE WELFARE FOR THE CLEVELAND ART MUSEUM!
Paid for by:The Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County.
Cleveland Museum of Art with nearly $1 billion in assets ($896 million to be exact) has received, since 2006, $11.8 million from taxes on cigarettes. (Ref. Roldo Bartimole: “OLD CLEVELAND WEALTH CAN FUND THE ARTS”, May 28, 2015)
THIS IS NOT FAIR!
VOTE NO ON 8,
on November 3, 2015, fight for Social Justice and VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8!
   CORPORATE WELFARE FOR THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA!
Paid for by:The Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County.
The Cleveland Orchestra, with over $250 million in assets,
has received, since 2006, $15.3 million from taxes on cigarettes. (Ref. Roldo Bartimole: “OLD CLEVELAND WEALTH CAN FUND THE ARTS”, May 28, 2015)
THIS IS NOT FAIR!
on November 3, 2015, fight for Social Justice and VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8!
   CLEVELAND ORCHESTERA’S STAR-SPANGLED SPECTACULAR 0N JULY 1, 2015 IN MALL B, DOWNTOWN, CLEVELAND, OHIO WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Cuyahoga Arts & Culture a.k.a. Cigarette Smokers of Cuyahoga County.
FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
 SUPPORT THE ARTS BUT NOT ON THE BACKS OF THE POOR!
FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
  Arts & Culture in Cuyahoga County, Ohio should not work on the backs of the young, poor, and uneducated – who are much likely to be smokers. This is a Social Justice issue.
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
  MESSAGE FROM RODIN’S THINKER:
“I’ve given it a lot of thought …..
And Arts & Culture WORKS in Cuyahoga County, Ohio on the backs of the young, poor, and uneducated – who are much likely to be smokers. This is a Social Justice issue.
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
 FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE!
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
  VOTE EARLY, REQUEST YOUR BALLOT TODAY.
EARLY VOTING STARTS OCTOBER 6, 2015.
VOTE NO ON 8,
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
      COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE VOTE NO SIN TAX, ISSUE 8, CAMPAIGN IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
ELECTION IS ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015
*A FEW PHOTOGRAPHS BETWEEN JUNE 24, 2015 TO OCTOBER 16, 2015
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX. ISSUE 8, NOV. 3, 2015, CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO!
 *BING IMAGES OBTAINED DURING A SEARCH ON 09-19-15.
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX. ISSUE 8, NOV. 3, 2015, CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO!
 *GO BROWNS!
FIRST ENERGY STADIUM IN CLEVELAND, OHIO:
CLEVELAND BROWNS VS. TENNESSEE TITANS ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2015
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX. ISSUE 8, NOV. 3, 2015, CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO!
 *GO BROWNS!
FIRST ENERGY STADIUM IN CLEVELAND, OHIO:
CLEVELAND BROWNS VS. OAKLAND RAIDERS ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2015
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX. ISSUE 8, NOV. 3, 2015, CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO!
 *GO BROWNS!
FIRST ENERGY STADIUM IN CLEVELAND, OHIO:
CLEVELAND BROWNS VS. DENVER BRONCOS ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2015
VOTE NO ON SIN TAX. ISSUE 8, NOV. 3, 2015, CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO!
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