Whose in favor of taxes?

[LovetoGiveRoses]

It is really easy to increase taxes. There are a hundred, no a million worthwhile needs that we could help with. However, many people loose sight of the fact that every tax increase destroys more jobs than it creates (even if the new government funding is for jobs). Increased government spending is often associated with an erosion in our freedoms also. Do we want to continue to increase Government spending and styfle our economic engine....like what's happened in Europe?

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

I guess I'm a thread killer.

 

[Gilly Bean]

In our town,w e have a state run university (Central Michigan University), and there are similiar probelms. They aren't taxes, but here's the basic layout of the problems they are having right now:


1. Budget was cut by the state, causing them to have to lay off quite a few employess in the technology department.

2. They just finished a 50 million dollar renovation for a library.

3. They are working on a new health building, where there is a room that cost 3.9 million ALONE, not to mention the price of the total new building.

4. The president of the uni just approved a 10% pay raise to himself, pushing his current yearly pay to over 300k a year, which is completly seperate of mandatory living expenses paid (ie: his house is CMU property, his car as well, his wife who doesn't have a liscence has a chaffuer, thier utilities are paid, they have a gardner, and all grocery bills are paid)

5. They are considering cutting programs and while still threatening more lay offs.




So, while the state cut some funding, President Rau is making more than the US president, getting a pay raise of 30k a year, while building stuff they can't afford. The kicker, the new building is heavily technilogical, but they are laying off all the tech people. So, hey, look, we have a fancy new building. Whose going to run it?


This topic is sensitive to me, because my husband holds one of the tech positions. His, so far, is safe. But, for how long? He makes just over 30k a year, but because the pres felt that 280k a year wasn't enough, my husband may loose his job. How fun is that?

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

Nasty situation Gilly. I hope that enough people care deeply enough about the situation to do something practical about it. I hope that your husband is safe through the rif.

Has the press grabbed it yet? I hope that it comes to light. Too often the "real" story never sees the light of day. If this story was published, I'm sure enough people would be motivated to do something positive about it.

 

[Johnny Mayberry]

I've got no problem with taxes...how is 'tax and spend' so much worse than 'borrow and spend'? I just wish the money were spent better!

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

I've got no problem with taxes...how is 'tax and spend' so much worse than 'borrow and spend'? I just wish the money were spent better!

I have a problem paying huge amounts for SSI when I'll get something like a -20% return on it. I'd do much better if the Government just kept their hands off of it and I could put it into a 2.3% bank savings account, not to mention other investment opportunities.

I agree with you completely, if the money was spent in a sane, sensible fashion, then I'd be happy with it. I figure that if we used that approach (sane and sensible), I could keep half the taxes that I pay.

Current seniors are the richest segment of our society. We're paying for a large "transfer" of money to them...and away from other segments of the population that need it. For example, children are the "poorest" segment of society, yet mothers and fathers have to pay a large % of their income to SSI (a transfer payment). Some might argue that seniors have paid into the program for years and "deserve" the money. I'd agree that they should get the amount that they paid in back out..but no more. Many are getting huge "returns" on their 'investment". For those who would be "poor" except for the SSI payments they receive, give them money they need to survive in the form of welfare.

They sure vote in high percentages though. Can't touch that.

 

[Gilly Bean]

Nasty situation Gilly. I hope that enough people care deeply enough about the situation to do something practical about it. I hope that your husband is safe through the rif.

Has the press grabbed it yet? I hope that it comes to light. Too often the "real" story never sees the light of day. If this story was published, I'm sure enough people would be motivated to do something positive about it.

The press ignores the entire situation, but the town has a steadfast policy that the campus is considered seperate then the town, despite the people it brings, and employs.

However, the campus paper has free editorial ability, and they have loads of fun at Pres. Rau's expense.

Now, admittadly, the guy has done a lot of good for the campus, such as instituting free shuttle buses from the near by apartment complexes, to grocery stores, and the movie theater and what not, plus he has turned around enrollment, which is now up by like 25%.

However, the situation just makes me think of how the actual government is run, because they are done very similiar. Give the big whigs everything they can, and take it from the little people.

-sighs-

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

The press ignores the entire situation, but the town has a steadfast policy that the campus is considered seperate then the town, despite the people it brings, and employs.

However, the campus paper has free editorial ability, and they have loads of fun at Pres. Rau's expense.

Now, admittadly, the guy has done a lot of good for the campus, such as instituting free shuttle buses from the near by apartment complexes, to grocery stores, and the movie theater and what not, plus he has turned around enrollment, which is now up by like 25%.

However, the situation just makes me think of how the actual government is run, because they are done very similiar. Give the big whigs everything they can, and take it from the little people.

-sighs-

Most of the government is actually pretty good at restricting "big wigs", though I agree with you the trend in the wrong direction is alarming. Good luck with this.

 

[Johnny Mayberry]

I have a problem paying huge amounts for SSI when I'll get something like a -20% return on it. I'd do much better if the Government just kept their hands off of it and I could put it into a 2.3% bank savings account, not to mention other investment opportunities.

I agree with you completely, if the money was spent in a sane, sensible fashion, then I'd be happy with it. I figure that if we used that approach (sane and sensible), I could keep half the taxes that I pay.

Current seniors are the richest segment of our society. We're paying for a large "transfer" of money to them...and away from other segments of the population that need it. For example, children are the "poorest" segment of society, yet mothers and fathers have to pay a large % of their income to SSI (a transfer payment). Some might argue that seniors have paid into the program for years and "deserve" the money. I'd agree that they should get the amount that they paid in back out..but no more. Many are getting huge "returns" on their 'investment". For those who would be "poor" except for the SSI payments they receive, give them money they need to survive in the form of welfare.

They sure vote in high percentages though. Can't touch that.

Funny..we don't agree on war, but we agree on economics. What i found most offensive was the Bush family holiday special, in which they showed the incredible luxury in which one "public servant" lives, the same week that they ran out of money for unemployment benefits.

 

[clit_licker30]

Funny..we don't agree on war, but we agree on economics. What i found most offensive was the Bush family holiday special, in which they showed the incredible luxury in which one "public servant" lives, the same week that they ran out of money for unemployment benefits.

That was Daschle's fault. He wanted the Dims to run on a "do nothing president" so he stalled everything in the Senate.

We saw how well that strategy worked, didn't we?