Do the amish really tear up the roads?

[wildbill59]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Thanks too all that gave out some great responses to this question. I used some of the ideas in a letter to the editor to our state newspaper which posted it yesterday as a guest columnist.<br /><br /> Amish editorial<br /><br /> Amish edit northwestern

 

[KRS]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Read the articles, good read.<br /><br />I still contend that road use = road tax, and since they don't register or buy fuel.... they should pay a tax. And I still contend that a thin metal wheel and a horse shoe probably exert a greater pressure psi than a car does, and since the roads may not be engineered to carry that load, it could contribute to excessive wear.<br /><br />I'm interested to know more as things pan out, keep us posted.

 

[wildbill59]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

I imangine it'll go as far as the last attempt by Republicans to raise taxes on cigs. They were so shamed after my letter writing. Somebody has to expouse these people. <br /><br /> tax brats and cheese

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Perhaps each Amish ought to be paid instead of taxed, for their contribution to energy conservation, hence the creation of less pollution.

 

[salty87]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Originally posted by KRS:<br />...And I still contend that a thin metal wheel and a horse shoe probably exert a greater pressure psi than a car does...

KRS you are most likely right. i can't remember all the formulas, or even the teacher's name. but, i had a class where the teacher mathmatically showed that a 125lb woman in high heels exerted much more pressure on a marble floor than an elephant. in fact, if i'm not smoking something, this was the reason that women in high heels weren't allowed to walk in certain areas of the Lousiana State Capitol...the marble was getting chipped from their shoes.<br /><br />flashback over<br /><br />on topic...i don't think $40 is too much to pay. i also wonder what other taxes they do or don't pay. we're all in this together.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

In NE Ohio the Amish have been known to braze chunks of carbide on to their horses shoes in the winter months to improve their footing on icy roads. The effects of this can be seen as there are troughs worn in the road ways where the buggies travel. So it seems reasonable to assess a fee to repair the damage.

 

[KilroyJC]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Q: What goes:<br />"Clip clop clip clop clip clop BANG!! clip clop clip clop"?<br /><br /><br />A: An Amish Drive-by shooting.

 

[gatorboaterUF]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Originally posted by rolmops:<br /> An important thing in the amish way of life and why their use of technology stops at a certain point is based on the idea of creation.<br />Whatever was created by God can be used,adjusted and owned.(make a horse shoe from iron).That which was created by man (plastics for instance)can sometimes be used but preferably not and should not to be owned.<br />

well if ya think about it all things are created by god. matter can not be created or destroyed it just take on another state so plastic or composits are made by god and are just adjusted by man. <br /><br />i've never even seen an amish but i know people who have lived around them and i've heard they are not that pleasent. I pay taxes to use the road it cost me $60 a year to register my truck and i've gotta pay taxes trough gas. the amish should not have a way around the law of the land. give to ceaser what is ceaser's and give to god what is god's

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

-"I've seen a bunch of Amish boaters on one of my favorite lake in Northern IN."-<br /><br />I don't know what would be funnier, a bunch of Amish in a boat or seeing a horse hitched up to a boat trailer back at the ramp. <br /><br />spots

 

[heycods]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Originally posted by Elmer Fudge:<br /> Perhaps each Amish ought to be paid instead of taxed, for their contribution to energy conservation, hence the creation of less pollution.

Hey Elmer ever been on the recieving end of a mule f@rt. Now thats air pollution!

 

[wildbill59]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

"The biggest myth is that they don't pay taxes because they hold church in their homes," said Richard Dawley, author of the book "Amish in Wisconsin." "They pay every tax that you and I pay. I think rumors like that are generated by hatemongers who don't want more Amish here."

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

When the Amish can pay cash for large pieces of property in excess of $100K, I think they can afford to pay buggy tax. Think about it, they make just about everything they need to survive on. All money that they make is used for land, clothing material, and food bases.<br /><br />BTW for those that hate second hand smoke, sit by an Amish family in a resturant for awhile and you may change your mind. Running water in their homes would make life pleasent for those around them.

 

[badandy]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

any one else find the irony of the Republicans wanting to "pick on the Amish" <br />come on can you get much more conservative than them?

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Too bad we don't have some Amish folks on here to give their take on the tax

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Originally posted by heycods:<br />

Originally posted by Elmer Fudge:<br /> Perhaps each Amish ought to be paid instead of taxed, for their contribution to energy conservation, hence the creation of less pollution.

Hey Elmer ever been on the recieving end of a mule f@rt. Now thats air pollution!

It surely cannot be beneficial to your health if you insist in keeping your head up an equine's arse

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Originally posted by SS Mayfloat:<br /> When the Amish can pay cash for large pieces of property in excess of $100K, I think they can afford to pay buggy tax. Think about it, they make just about everything they need to survive on. All money that they make is used for land, clothing material, and food bases.<br /><br />BTW for those that hate second hand smoke, sit by an Amish family in a resturant for awhile and you may change your mind. Running water in their homes would make life pleasent for those around them.

I think that wildbill59 summed it up well in his post. <br /><br />Quote:<br /> "They pay every tax that you and I pay. I think rumors like that are generated by hatemongers who don't want more Amish here."

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

After Reading through all the politics that came after what this thread was intended i feel a reponse is needed here.<br /><br />I work with the Amish and Mennonites everyday in my business.<br /><br />Bondo..if your going 60 or over then you are braking the speed limit in Amish country. I have never seen an Amish buggy on the freeway where that limit exists<br /><br />The Amish pay taxes just like us except Medicare. They have their own health care . Meaning they have a fund on a national side that takes care of all their medical bills. When the old get old the sons and daughters take them into their homes. Unlike us where we tend to put them into nursing homes and are forgotten.<br /><br />There are many different branches. Each branch determines what they can and can't do. They live a simple life.<br /><br />You may see many of the younger generation drivng cars. Its called (Rum Springa) sp)..At a cettain age they are allowed to taste the English side meaning that they can drive cars and party all they want. Its a test to see where they want to be. If they come back again and then leave they are not allowed back into the Amish Community.<br /><br />I got a good chuckle out of the buggys doing damage to asphalt. Commpare the wt. of a buggy to a car. Holmes county has the largest concentration<br />of Amish except maybe Pa. The sides of the road were expanded to allow them there own lane. The roads are torned up alot quicker on the car side.<br /><br />Most state laws require them to have reflectors or many have battery packs for Additional lighting.<br /><br />The Amish are some brave folks. I got a first hand experience When i have rode with them on the highways. I winced everytime<br />a car went by,knowing any second an idiot was going to slam into me. Most of there horses are trotters and maintain speeds of about 10 Mpr. The horses are trained thoughly before they are allowed on the road.<br /><br />We are so quick to judge and make fun of those who maybe different then us<br /><br />If something ever happens and electric is gone i am going to join the Amish community because they won't skip a beat . They sure can put on the feedbag. I spend many dinner at their homes and believe me its no comparison even in the so called Amish restaurants that that dot the USA.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Very well said GF, such a statement from a unique perspective as yours is indeed enlighting

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

Well said, GF....Maybe we can go with a "foot tax" instead ...JK

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Do the amish really tear up the roads?

So you mean it isn't a problem with too much acid in the horse droppings dissolving the asphalt?