Welcome to Not Self-Evident. Thank you for taking a look.
This site attempts to answer the question that inevitably comes up after every "We've Built a City We Can't Afford" presentation:
"What can we do?"
In short: Vote for candidates who understand and are committed to addressing these issues. Then, hold them accountable.
Here you'll find the "City We Can't Afford" story along with some thoughts about the weak links in our American Experiment,
thoughts about values, human nature, the importance of governance, and a path forward.
The focus is on Kansas City, Missouri, but the message applies to most any city in the U.S.
Hopefully you'll find something worthwhile, no matter where you live.
More hopeful still is that this will inspire you to take the time to become more informed and take action.
That's how our world is supposed to work.
Scroll down and click into the following sections to learn more.
The Moral to the Story
Most stories don't lead with the moral up front, but this one does. The assumption that our foundational values are or ever were clearly understood, or "self-evident", has not been helpful.
Understanding those values and honoring our role in preserving the rights and freedoms we cherish is a necessary first step in addressing even basic responsibilities, like fixing potholes.
To get started, click on the adjacent phrase that begins what many consider the most important sentence ever written.
The Heart of America
Meet our protagonist. Kansas City is experiencing a renaissance: a thriving downtown, an expanding streetcar system, Superbowl trophies, World Cup hosts . . . the last 25 years of strategic reinvestment have renewed the Kansas City spirit, creating a civic sense of optimism and what appears to be forward momentum. However, like any good story, there is a danger lurking that places our Kansas City in peril. Will our protagonist recognize this danger while forward momentum is still on its side?
Clicking on the photo will set the stage for our story.
Building A City We Can't Afford
Since 1950, Kansas City has expanded in a way that is unlike the ways cities grew in the past. Most other American cities followed the same path but not nearly to the same extent. To those of us who grew up during these last 75 years - which is most of us - this is our normal. Everything seems fine; actually good.
Clicking on the map will explain what has really been happening.
Understanding Value from the City's Perspective
The property tax system is essentially a one-size fits all approach. Regardless of where you live, your taxes are based more on the value of the improvements on your property - your home, gardens, etc. - not the land itself. This has created inequities and false economies. A Value per Acre understanding of property value would help us address these inequities and encourage a more financially sustainable use of city land.
Click on the map to learn about Value per Acre.
The Canary in our Potholes
Potholes are a nuisance, for sure, but nothing a shovel of asphalt can't solve. Right? In reality, potholes are an early indicator of a much deeper problem. Like painting over rust, just paving over potholes is at best a temporary fix. The real threat is much more challenging, and more than we can afford. So, what can be done?
Our ability to care for the city we've built and for the people who call Kansas City home ultimately comes down to a balanced budget. Contrary to what you might have heard, our budget hasn't been balanced for decades.
Click on the graphic to understand structural imbalance.
Public Service Alert! The following section includes pie charts.
The Journey Forward
This is the "choose your own adventure" part of our story. An example can be found by clicking on the "Housing as Economic Development" graphic. Whether this or some other journey is the one we choose, our choice should be guided a by great city vision: thriving urban and suburban neighborhoods that offer a broad range of affordability, high-performing public schools, beautiful streets and parks, and a robust public transit network. All of these attributes are related and achievable in a community that is committed to balanced budgets and a well-managed city.
That is not our current future, but it can be. We simply have to choose it, then make it happen.
Should You Choose to Accept It
The task of resetting Kansas City's course towards a sound future of balanced budgets may seem like being asked to reverse the flow of the Missouri River: land use policies, regulations, and incentives will need to be revised, the way property is taxed will need to be reformed, and entire industries will need to adjust to new business models. This is the "Hero's Journey" part of the story, and you're being recruited.
Superhuman abilities are not required, however. Real humans are more than qualified. Click on these lesser-known excerpts from the Declaration for the recommended next steps.