Advertisers scare you

Advertisers scare you by showing a burglar breaking into a home and then flashing a telephone number for a security-system company. They show you beer and snack commercials during football season, and pizza-delivery commercials late in the evening. They know they can take advantage of your need for instant gratification and bypass your normal decision-making patterns.

They're smart, but you're smarter. Make sure you know all the facts before you vote on a bond that will end up being a tax lien on your private property for the next 30 years. Regardless of who's numbers you believe, don't let them scare you into something that could be of great cost to your pocket book. Truth be told neither side probably has the right numbers. Don't let instant gratification bypass your normal decision-making abilities.