One way to look at the “Yes to Destiny” situation is that people just can’t resist changing a plan. Tell them that you’ve worked out the perfect formula for dividing 10 pencils into two groups, and they’ll start suggesting a better way.

Backers of a proposed one percentage point sales tax increase have said one-third of the new money will go to property tax relief, one-third to local governments to spend on their announced priorities and one-third to a new regional authority for cultural and recreational purposes.

Last week, Waukee city leaders and Dallas County supervisors each voted to change the game plan. Dallas County wants a 40/40/20 formula. Waukee’s departure was more radical; there, the leaders would like to spend 90 percent of the new money on infrastructure.

Every community has its own priorities. Des Moines wants to do all it can to drive down property taxes, hoping that will wipe out some of the advantage held by the suburbs. Waukee is growing at a frenetic pace and is scrambling to keep up.

Has the day passed when Des Moines could impose its will on the suburbs? It’s like a back-yard wrestling match between young brothers; if you wait until your younger brother starts to win, it’s too late to change the rules.

The leaders of hard-charging Dallas County are flexing their economic muscles and starting to feel quite independent of the capital city.

There are more problems for the “Destiny” side. In Des Moines, it’s likely that blue-collar voters are wondering why the elite get everything they want downtown, while less glamorous projects – rebuilding sewers, paving streets – remain undone.

And it’s just not a great time to talk about increasing taxes – if there ever is a great time. The national bank account is starting to look bad to even the most fearless spenders.

If the “Yes to Destiny” folks are waiting for the right moment to bring out stronger, more inspiring reasons to vote for their tax, they’d better not wait much longer.