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Post by tncoaster37 on Jul 28, 2007 22:45:14 GMT -5
True and the people who work for the government don't understand the principal of being held accountable to your employers. Everyone in County government are employees of the citizens of this county. We have been tossing money at education for more than a decade. It's time that we turn off the faucet and make the government live within thier own budget without asking the citizens for more increases.
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cloverhoney
Full Member
Sweet as Tupelo Honey
Posts: 354
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Post by cloverhoney on Jul 28, 2007 22:48:58 GMT -5
I'm sorry to say, Mr. tncoaster, that we don't get much choice in the matter of our taxation. Even when we vote out the offending politicians that do that to us, they never cut the taxes back to where they were before.
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Post by tncoaster37 on Jul 28, 2007 23:18:36 GMT -5
True but we do have the choice of the politician and holding his feet to the fire on being accountable to his employers which is us. In the past 10 years our population in this county has decreased by over 75,000 people who have had enough of the taxes being raised as well as the value of the majority of the new crackerbox subdivisions. Tourism is can do so much but this city was based on the manufacturing side. Guess what majority of those jobs are gone compared to what it used to be. So screw the politicians who treat the county courthouse adn thier jobs as thiers to keep forever when in fact it belongs to the citizens of this county.
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Post by tcrashfx on Jul 29, 2007 3:47:31 GMT -5
Hamilton tax rate in line with other metro counties'
Sunday, July 29, 2007
By Ian Berry
Staff Writer Although Hamilton County's 26 cent property tax increase has drawn the ire of many homeowners, the overall property tax rate here remains comparable to or lower than Tennessee's other major metropolitan counties, records show.Shelby and Davidson counties have higher county tax rates than Hamilton. Although Knox County's rate is lower, taxpayers in Knoxville pay higher rates than in Chattanooga when factoring in city taxes. Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey discounted comparisons with other counties, saying his only consideration in proposing the increase was "what needed to be done here." "I think we're competitive," he said. So, our taxes aren't the highest in the state as claimed by some.
Naw, I think I will stay here.
Absolutely a brilliant idea! |
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Post by tncoaster37 on Jul 29, 2007 5:05:02 GMT -5
Crash, you forgot to mention that they pay less per capita than in Hamilton county in taxes. Knox county has gone metro like Davidson and Shelby has. Try $.15 cents goes to pay the top man as in Hamilton try $.50 per capita pays for Ramsey alone. You need to refigure your numbers Crash since they don't add up. Also if you want to go to those counties and make more money, please feel free to do so. Since it's all about what the government can take from the citizens and also the benjamins. For those who agree with Crash, feel free to give up all your money to the government so that there isn't no accountability as to where the money goes.
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Post by tcrashfx on Jul 29, 2007 6:01:16 GMT -5
Here is a link, but it far from a "line item" budget format that Kordax was requesting. Koaster, you still haven't told me what part of the HCSO budget you would cut to balance the budget without a tax increase. I guess you could move to Memphis or Nashville and see if you would get the same level of service. You get what you pay for, usually. The electorate put these people in office and can take them out next time if they are dissatisfied. Do you think I like paying higher taxes? It was just another cut out of my paycheck, too. But I am being realistic and I am willing to pay a little more to retain, and increase, the services I get now. |
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Post by tcrashfx on Jul 29, 2007 14:47:09 GMT -5
Rhonda Thurman Says She Received Threatening Calls
Says She Will Not Back Down On Anti-Tax Fight posted July 29, 2007 County School Board member Rhonda Thurman, who has been very vocal against the 26-cent property tax increase passed by the County Commission, said Sunday she has received threatening phone calls. Ms. Thurman said, "We expected that these calls would come, and we were very prepared for them." She declined to give details of the context of the calls. Ms. Thurman, a leader of the Had Enough Taxes group, said, "I have been advised not to discuss the matter publicly other than to say the proper state and federal authorities have been informed.
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Post by tncoaster37 on Jul 29, 2007 15:44:44 GMT -5
How long have you been a cop? From what I heard you have been around for 25 years and only making $30,000 a year. If you don't like the pay of being a cop in this city, then leave and get hired on with some other department. I am sick and tired of hearing how you aren't getting paid enough. Remember this Crash, you work for the citizens of this county not the other way around. It's time for you, Crash to take the sucking sound out of your mouth and get another job if you are that pissed off at your pay.
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Post by tcrashfx on Jul 29, 2007 18:13:17 GMT -5
And that clearly demonstrates that you have absolutely no idea what makes a cop tick, nor why he or she does what she does for a living. It's a cop thing. Or anybody else that actually "works for a living" thing. I won't try to get in the head of someone like you either. We'll call it a draw.
You are darned tootin' I work for the citizens of the County and have sacrificed to do so.
Proud of it. The good Lord is proud of it. My wife and kids are proud of it. People that know me are proud of it. Most citizens are proud that there are people, like me, who are willing to do what we do for what we get paid. You have always wanted to be a minority and now you are!
I think a living wage is not too much to ask for.
If you think that me working for a substandard wage while doing what I do, for 25+ years is stupid, then I guess I am stupid, as you look through those glasses the guvmint bought you. Stupid, but proud.
Seriously, you wouldn't understand, so don't strain your milk trying to do so.
You are venting your anger at the wrong folks. (Good thing we aren't all black or you would really be pissed.)
Since you have no concept of the "workin' man or woman" (Especially those in blue), I guess you wouldn't understand. How 'bout they cut the benefits YOU get from the Guvmint without even having to work, I might add?
What the hell have you done for your fellow citizens to deserve the payments YOU get? Where are YOU in the guvmint line items, there Koaster? Good thing they don't run the guvmint like a busines or YOUR CHECK would be the first line item cut. That would suck.... for YOU, but it would be a tax saving bonanza for us regular working taxpayers.
Hey, there is an idea! I am gonna run it by Mr. Price and Mrs. Thurman. Put your picture on a billboard with a Santa hat on! "Koaster demands a guvmint check, so the bastards raised taxes!"
Maybe I am sick of paying taxes so some non-working ass can sit around all day and contribute nothing to his fellow man. Would you bitch about that?
That is the ticket. Let ME decide exactly where MY taxes go. It's not like I could VOTE or anything.
Yea, yea, I know you worked three years at McDonald's drive thru so you CONTRIBUTED to SSI; therefore, YOU are damned ENTITLED to live off the dole for the rest of your miserable life.
I expect I'll just stay here, actually work, contribute to the betterment of my fellow man and bitch about things, if it is all the same to you.
I also expect you to return the COLAs you have been receiving while on the dole, too! (Since your retirement from the hectic, "You wanna more fries wit dat" working environment)
It would be the right thing to do, really, man. Don't wanna have to pay more taxes, just so your guvmint check keeps pace with inflation and all.
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Post by tcrashfx on Jul 29, 2007 18:34:37 GMT -5
So? You movin', or what?
Got good guvmint checks there and the taxes are low, too, I hear.
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Post by tncoaster37 on Jul 29, 2007 19:26:19 GMT -5
True on that Ex but if Crash is so pissed off how low his pay check is. Then he needs to leave the city. Just think 25 years on the force and only making $30,000. What a disgrace. I guess Crash must have had some reprimads and got demoted a few times by his attitude.
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Felix
Global Moderator
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Post by Felix on Jul 29, 2007 21:30:32 GMT -5
Lingually wedged, excelsior proposed: I've got a novel idea let us all arm ourselves and layoff all police. ...and buy picks, shovels and earthmoving/paving equipment to maintain our roads, form citizens' committees to inspect food service businesses for unsanitary conditions, buy tanker trucks and other fire equipment to keep our homes from burning...in fact, let's go back to the XVIIth century! Who needs government employees? </sarcasm> |
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Kordax
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Hank Rearden
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Post by Kordax on Jul 29, 2007 21:31:06 GMT -5
If the debate is about the recent tax increases (past 5 years) -- (and I personally like & respect Crash very much), I'm 100% anti-tax regardless of which government department or agency stands to benefit from an increase in their budgets or which government employee also stands to personally benefit SO LONG AS THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY ON NON-PROFITS (Philanthropic community should fund them in total), THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE (should be funded entirely by the membership), GREENWAYS (philanthropic community, again), SHOULD-BE PRIVATE BUSINESS VENTURE LIKE HOTELS & INTERNET SERVICES and anything else that reeks of government creep into areas where they have no business meddling around.
But a cop is worth more to society than a teacher yet foundations, non-profits, union thugs & community volunteers fall all over themselves to jack up their pay at every turn -- "the skools are underperforming, therefore, we need to raise teacher pay to attract better ones than we have now" or "test scores in our skools have really improved; teachers must be rewarded with enhanced pay now" or "teachers are leaving Hamilton Co Skools for better paying positions in GA; we must raise the pay for everyone immediately." How many foundations & non-profits are all about enhancing the criminal justice system along with the people on the front lines protecting society from anarchy? None? How many times have non-profit & foundation flacks, burdened with vested interests, melted their keyboards writing bogus “Chattanooga Story” stories insisting that crime (among other negative regional attributes) is no big deal here as soon as real world news leaks out depicting crime as a problem? That judges turn arrested criminals back on the public as fast as possible? Cops get marginalized, teachers get layers & more layers of extras.
Cops & teachers – government employees dependent on taxes & supplements for their incomes -- flip the priorities & get private sector foundation & non-profit funding flowing into police agencies & away from government skools…..
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Kordax
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Post by Kordax on Jul 29, 2007 23:35:59 GMT -5
Found this pleasant echo in the Greenville News, Greeville, SC's paper of record: www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070729/NEWS01/707290346I agree with Rutledge. The whole problem started when our society began promoting an attitude of arrogance and liberal attitude. The whole concept of appreciating and respecting the law and the lawman as symbols of America went out the window. As a result, people can pretty much do what they want, when they want and, if they have enough money, can get by with little more than a slap on the wrist. The problem runs deeper than most know. Just look at our illustrious Lt. Gov. and the stunts he pulled with SCHP and other LE agencies, whose hands are tied when it comes to enforcing the laws and seeing them through the courts because of the incredible amount of pussies we have for judges in this state. Until the punishment starts fitting the crime, we are in for more of the same. There is also a problem with staffing levels in LE agencies. Fewer qualified people are answering the call because they can make more money doing a much less dangerous job-the whole "grass is greener" philosophy. Current LE officials are also allowed to retire and return to work and keep their present rank, which clogs up the promotion system and effectively cuts off the light at the end of the tunnel for up-and-coming officers. They don't have anything to work towards, then somebody comes in and offers them more money and/or incentives, and they're gone. I find it ironic that we have to constantly dig in our pockets and give money whenever the school districts complain and whine about not having enough to teach our children, yet we are consistently last in virtually every educational category except for flunkies. Where do those flunkies go? Out on the streets, where they become law enforcement's problem. Meanwhile, LE agencies are having to deal with cut budgets and low funding from their respective councils, while being expected to perform at the highest level. It is time to get LE off of the back burner and direct more funding their way. The whole concept of "build schools today or prisons tomorrow" doesn't work anymore. We ARE building schools, yet our society is going into the sewer faster than ever. We need to restore the teeth to the death penalty, build more prisons, and fill them with these maggots that are terrorizing innocent, law-abiding citizens. We can start by ousting these liberal, bleeding heart pussy-fied judges and replace them with people who will actually be fair and impartial, instead of being bought or intimidated by flamboyant defense attorneys. Maybe then our LE officers won't need to be so numerous, and can go back to being the public servants they were originally designed to be.fleemus peeble Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:58 pm |
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Post by tncoaster37 on Jul 30, 2007 7:11:40 GMT -5
Hey Crash, you claim that I am getting a handout from the government it's not a handout but something that I have paid into the system just like you did. I don't abuse the system like so many others do but only use it when neccessary. Guess what asshole, I am disabled and thus had to go through a ton of paperwork to verify that fact and now that I have IPN which to you doesn't mean shit. Let me explain it to those who can understand, it is MS' lighter cousin and it's idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. The docs don't know what caused the nerves in my feet and legs to slowly die. Try to imagine yourself living without knowing when and where you are going to have an attack, which can be itching and extreme pain. Even the pain pills and the other meds I have to take doesn't knock the pain out. So don't you ever say that I am getting a handout from the government because you don't know shit about being disabled. I have already been through this once when people have attacked me for being disabled.
Just remember this, everyone is walking on a thin line between being healthy and being a disabled person. I didn't want this to happen to me nor do I wish it on anyone else.
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Felix
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Post by Felix on Jul 30, 2007 7:17:44 GMT -5
Kordax said: I'm 100% anti-tax regardless of which government department or agency stands to benefit... He then went on to qualify that statement by citing all his Usual Suspects, non-profits, "Skools," the PEF, and so on and on and on. I understand his points on input from those in the community other than at the ballot box, but as the recent umpteenth iteration of anti-tax campaigning shows, the remedies for any government action through public protest are in good order. Holding law enforcement hostage to anti-tax issues, and blaming non-profit boogeymen does not improve the situation. |
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Post by tcrashfx on Jul 30, 2007 7:39:39 GMT -5
I would agree with most of what Kordax proffered.
But, taxes are a necessary thing and I would agree that all of the guvmint should be subjected to strenuous review and audit to ensure that the moneys given to them are spent wisely and that the taxpayers receive the best bang for their bucks.
Again, the electorate put these people into office and they can sure take them out at the next election. So if you are pissed, you only have yourself to blame.
The "run guvmint like a business" argument simply will not work. I wish it did, as in the business model the most necessary services are the highest paid.
Wonder where LE would rank in the "business" model?..........
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Kordax
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Post by Kordax on Jul 30, 2007 8:08:29 GMT -5
"Holding law enforcement hostage to anti-tax issues..."
But if a certain downtown music festival holds the same LE agencies hostage in reality -- not in debate (as they have for many years) to secret backroom deals where overtime isn't paid to LE's as it should be & where the taxpayers are forced to pick up the security tab for an event that other promoters have to pay for themselves, who's the hostage & who's the holder?
And who is the hostage holder & who is the hostage when the County diverts precious taxpayer money into things like reading programs so that one person overseeing a learn-to-read initiative can make $120+K a year in salary & benefits or when the County franks $800K/year into the effete Chambers of Commerce bank accounts without so much as a request for accountability or hundreds of thousands of funds poured into the Finley fiasco or the gratis grab bag of taxpayer dollars doled out to the Trade Center Boyz who are always doing better & better year to date while they're losing money at the same time -- in other words, the hostage holders aren't the fiscal critics, it's the government wastoids themselves....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2007 8:08:56 GMT -5
> Wonder where LE would rank in the "business" model?
5251 Highway 153?
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Post by jester on Jul 30, 2007 16:33:10 GMT -5
I'm new at this posting thing so give me some leeway.
The problem as I see it is the lack of availability of information on how those tax dollars are spent. John Q. Public cannot find minutes, agendas, or financials that are spread enough to be meaningful on line. Hiking to various offices and paying a dollar a page for a copy, if you can get a copy, is a real obstacle to public participation don't you think? And when you hear a certain festival "official" state that the public can see part of their audits - well it makes you wonder which part.
Taxes are necessary. So is oversight. I'm not sure that "just trust us" is a good reason to open my checkbook and pay out whatever is requested.
By the way, first responders are a critical part of our society. That's why in the years following 9/11 they have gotten so much more in the way of federal funding - they did get that funding didn't they?
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