Re: Oregon tax hike goes down in flames!!
Re: Oregon tax hike goes down in flames!!
Plywoody, You don't get it.
<br /><br />This is the 2003-2004 fiscal year budget appropriations for NJ<br /><br />1.8% or $442 million in debt service<br />4.7% or $1,136.4 million in capital<br />41.5% or $9,960 million in State Aid<br />30.1% or $7,226.2 million in grants<br /><br />The balance is Operations of the State. Look at those Numbers. Over 70% is Dedicated to some sort of Social Program Or Aid. Now some of it is for good purposes, ie Aid to municipalities for various road improvements or schools for repairs.<br /><br />While a lot of it is bullsh*t, such as free Cond*ms in school, Needle exchange program for Drug addicts, Grants to the arts who's freedom of expression would make some of the most liberal of us puke. And why are we giving money to artist anyway??
And this is just the short list.<br /><br />But in the mean time we have 12 bridges that are so far gone they can't be repaired. And these are not little bridges these are major State Highway Bridges or Interstate Highway bridges. We have Interstates that can not handle the traffic that is on them that need major improvement like another lane added to them. We have Schools that are crumpling they are so old or have leaky roofs.<br /><br />BUT, Aid to schools and municipalities as been flat for the last 7 years.
THAT MEANS; NO, ZERO, NADA, NOTHING, ZILCH increase in funding to towns and schools who must provide certain items because of state mandates. What that means is that everyones Property taxes(or should I say Roberty taxes) has increased 14% every 2 years for the last 6 years.<br /><br />At some time the system has got to collapse. We cannot continue to give money away while the life, the main artery of commerce and education crumble. <br /><br />That being said, there are some tough choices that need to be made, Our Governor last year said there would be across the board cuts in programs, Well you should have heard the whining. Then the 2 faced Bastage turns around to the lobbyist and tells them to go after their Representatives for the programs to be reinstated and he will not oppose them. <br /><br />Yes Some Social programs are necessary, But after the State requirement to maintain, Commerce, Education, Security, and Infrastructure are fulfilled. <br /><br />If there is Money left over after that has been accomplished, Some needs to be put away for a rainy day and the rest can go to programs based on the societal need of importance. ie.. Programs for battered women, special need kids, etc.<br /><br />And No society is not Darwinian, But you tell me where is it in the Government charter that they must provide special items for certain people who have made life
CHOICES that have resulted in their situation.<br /><br />Maybe, if people had more money they would be able to contribute to charities in a greater number. And if the government provided better incentives for people to do so Government
MIGHT be able to get out of most of the social programs they are in. Because Government, with the bureaucracy, is inherently inefficient. I know I work for it.
