|
Post by daworm on Apr 13, 2007 12:44:46 GMT -5
The current batch of Republicans are as bad as the Democrats when it comes to "tax and spend". Or, as some lament, "spend and spend", running up the deficit directly (when the Democrats did it, at least they put in a tax to try to pay for it, which it never did because it always cost more than they said it would, regardless of what "it" was.).
If you hear me say it, though, I am not saying we shouldn't spend the tax money. I am saying the tax money should never have been collected in the first place. It should have stayed in my pocket where it belongs.
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Apr 13, 2007 12:57:24 GMT -5
> the typical liberal response to a problem
I would have to amend that to say, "typical politician's response" since the GOP has spent even more money than the Dems have in the past six years.
|
|
|
Post by daworm on Apr 13, 2007 13:04:51 GMT -5
Maybe you missed a post?
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Apr 13, 2007 13:08:52 GMT -5
It's likely... even I can't read everything posted here.
|
|
|
Post by el Gusano on Apr 13, 2007 13:18:09 GMT -5
Although, since the tax rate reduction, revenues have been increasing tremendously.
However, spending has been increasing tremendously as well.
I just detest having to choose between a liberal like GWB (who has at least a few good traits) and a whacko like Kerry.
BTW, when "tax and spend" is applied to things such as roads, what are the roads for? Are they needed, or is it a boondoggle pork project like a former governor here who wanted to put a bridge across the Turnagin arm. When it was shown that the silt was at least 1000 feet deep, he wanted to make it a float bridge. We're talking the second most severe tides in the world (the difference between low tide and high tide is often more than 30') here, with hurricane speed winds frequently and heavy snowfall. That's a "tax and spend" complaint.
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Apr 13, 2007 14:12:16 GMT -5
> a liberal like GWB This word you use, I do not think it means what you think it means.
|
|
kroisis
Full Member
Do not feed the Trolls, for they are a loathsome lot...
Posts: 313
|
Post by kroisis on Apr 13, 2007 14:55:21 GMT -5
If not you.....whom?
|
|
|
Post by el Gusano on Apr 13, 2007 16:18:27 GMT -5
Read the discussion on liberal vs conservative.
I think it does.
|
|
kroisis
Full Member
Do not feed the Trolls, for they are a loathsome lot...
Posts: 313
|
Post by kroisis on Apr 13, 2007 21:54:26 GMT -5
Somebody want to check my math? * Estimated total population of TN: | | 5,689,283 | **TN population smoking approximately 1 pack per day: | | 1,592,999 | x .40 per pack per day: | | $637,199.60 | ammount generated by this tax per year for education | | $232,577,854.00 | *** Average Teacher's salary per year in TN | | $40,318 | number of yearly salaries paid per day by the new tax | | approx 16 | number of salaries paid per year by the new tax. | | approx 5,840 | ****number of teachers (pre K-12) in TN | | 59,215 |
...Looks like we need A LOT MORE SMOKERS if we're gonna do anything about our educational system. * US Census Bureau ** CDC *** American Federation of Teachers’ (AFT) annual teacher salary survey (2005) **** National Education Association, Rankings & Estimates 2005-2006 -=+=[(heh)]=+=-
|
|
Longshot! [ Saint ]
Moderator
Jack's Complete Lack of Surprise
I'm the Broken One who Fixes It
Posts: 4,309
|
Post by Longshot! [ Saint ] on Apr 14, 2007 1:45:20 GMT -5
Crash...the future of education in Tennessee is clearly up to You.
|
|
kroisis
Full Member
Do not feed the Trolls, for they are a loathsome lot...
Posts: 313
|
Post by kroisis on Apr 14, 2007 8:03:03 GMT -5
|
|
kroisis
Full Member
Do not feed the Trolls, for they are a loathsome lot...
Posts: 313
|
Post by kroisis on Apr 16, 2007 6:59:00 GMT -5
Altered cigarette tax bill gets OKPanel cuts increase, dumps education funds, passes contentious amendment
By TOM HUMPHREY, tomhumphrey3@aol.com April 11, 2007 NASHVILLE - The House Agriculture Committee voted Tuesday to cut in half the cigarette tax increase proposed by Gov. Phil Bredesen and reject his plans to spend the resulting revenue on education. Instead, the committee - traditionally the deathbed for bills to raise tobacco taxes or restrict smoking - decided to spend $21 million of the new money on "agriculture enhancement grants" and the rest on reducing the sales tax on selected grocery items. ... As proposed by Bredesen, the bill - HB2354 - would have increased the state tax on cigarettes by 40 cents per pack, from 20 cents to 60 cents. That was projected to produce $219 million in new revenue, with all going to classrooms except $15 million for anti-smoking education programs and $6 million for grants to agricultural projects. .... source: Knoxville News SentinelAltered cigarette tax bill gets OK
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Apr 16, 2007 7:27:43 GMT -5
> decided to spend $21 million of the new money on "agriculture enhancement grants" and the rest on reducing the sales tax on selected grocery items
The first is most likely going to line the pockers of the agricultural lobby, while the second will actually be popular depending on what those "selected grocery items" end of being.
And now they can't say "it's for the children" but instead "it's for the agribusiness lobby" which doesn't quite have the ring.
|
|
ScarlettP
Senior Forumite
Cookie Fairy
Posts: 4,856
|
Post by ScarlettP on Apr 16, 2007 8:06:08 GMT -5
Oh, the taxes are ALWAYS for education. The Children always need more money for the schools. Blah Blah Blah. I wouldn't mind it so badly if I thought the schools and the teachers who need and deserve the money actually GOT it instead of the 'upper management' people who just keep giving themselves raises to reward themselves for thinking of new and better ways to get people to send money to the schools. *grump*
|
|
kroisis
Full Member
Do not feed the Trolls, for they are a loathsome lot...
Posts: 313
|
Post by kroisis on Apr 16, 2007 8:55:07 GMT -5
Oh, the taxes are ALWAYS for education. The Children always need more money for the schools. Blah Blah Blah. I wouldn't mind it so badly if I thought the schools and the teachers who need and deserve the money actually GOT it instead of the 'upper management' people who just keep giving themselves raises to reward themselves for thinking of new and better ways to get people to send money to the schools. *grump* Personally, I agree with my ex-wife in that I feel that any tax money recovered from tobacco sales should go into health care programs.
|
|
|
Post by tncoaster37 on Apr 16, 2007 9:25:46 GMT -5
Kroisis, it was previously stated that nothing can be earmarked for any specific area such as education. Look at what happened to the Tobacco money that was supposed to go to anti-smoking programs. Tn blew it on other things and they will do the same with this new tax if it happens. From what I read, the committee members didn't even know how much the tax was and what is was supposed to be going for.
Everytime I hear the politicians yell, "its for the children" makes me want to kick them out of office but the hard way not by the election box.
|
|
|
Post by voxpopuli on Apr 16, 2007 12:51:46 GMT -5
Is anyone even remotely surprised about this? Politics as usual.
|
|
kroisis
Full Member
Do not feed the Trolls, for they are a loathsome lot...
Posts: 313
|
Post by kroisis on Apr 16, 2007 14:15:08 GMT -5
..., it was previously stated that nothing can be earmarked for any specific area such as education.... True.. I guess I didn't post my original thoughts about a revised state constitution. (I was too busy fighting off singing monkeys at the time,... but I digress) One wherein all taxes gathered by The State in the name of a particular program be mandated to be directed towards the same. (ooOOOoohhh the $$$ for oversight of such and the possibilities for corruption!) ...of course it's not that simple...but it should be.
|
|