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drjim
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13
Torrance, CA
clubs: | HUH???
Put a tax on my LAN??? What idiots! If they're like California, they already tax the $hit out of the phone bill.
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One man's Magic is another man's Engineering. | |
tomsprat
Draw Me A "Cold One"
Premium,ExMod 2002-04
join:2000-11-03
Fort Lauderdale, FL
clubs:
| said by drjim  :
Put a tax on my LAN??? What idiots! If they're like California, they already tax the $hit out of the phone bill.
Governor Jeb Bush recently O.K.'d the largest increase in telephone rates in Florida's history. Ironically, he vetoed a measure that was less costly last year, as it was an election year. Although you may say, "That's not a tax increase, that's a raise in rates for the Telco", you must keep in mind that there are State and local taxes based on a percentage of the Telco's charges.
Florida has been the fastest growing state for the past decade. The school system is one of the biggest drainers of the state's economy. Necessary, yes, but who gets taxed for it? It isn't the family with five kids who uses it, nor illegal immigrants who, according to the courts, have a right to an education, it's tourists, businesses, and individuals with no children. The same holds true for Medicare. The large number of retired folks who move here don't pay income taxes, so the balance of the populace pays for them.
Taxes are a necessity for running any government organization, but there needs to be a more adequate way to proportionately tax those who use certain services the most, rather than placing the burden on others. Florida is already experiencing a heavy downturn in new business, due to the "Free Trade Act" that no longer imposes tariffs on imported goods. The Textile Industry that was, at one time, a huge part of Florida's commerce is nearly dead, as workers in other countries, e.g. China, earn $.20 p/hr., vs. minimum wage plus taxes and required benefits in Florida.
If Florida isn't careful, it will gradually lose its' largest revenue generator - business.
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Anything that ever was, was once a dream... | |
drjim
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13
Torrance, CA
clubs:
| reply to drjim
Same reason businesses are moving out of California. I just started a small business, and I have to pay $800/yr to the Franchise Tax Board for the "Privliege of doing Business in the State of California", whether or not I make any money! This was on top of all the fees, permits, and other 'taxes' I had to pay just to start.
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One man's Magic is another man's Engineering. | |
pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
 ·Comcast
| reply to drjim
said by drjim :
Put a tax on my LAN??? What idiots!
Perhaps we need to start an organization that will lobby on behalf of network owners like ourselves. The government will only ever be able to take our network gear...
<Bad Charlton Heston Voice>
from my cold, dead hands.
Git yer stinkin' paws off me, you damn dirty bureaucrat!
</Bad Charlton Heston Voice>
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Jewel got Britney-fied! There is hope for the world yet!
[text was edited by author 2003-08-26 16:05:13] | |
TACSPEED
Premium
join:2001-04-14
Tacoma, WA
·Advanced Stream
| reply to tomsprat
quote:
The school system is one of the biggest drainers of the state's economy. Necessary, yes, but who gets taxed for it? It isn't the family with five kids who uses it, nor illegal immigrants who, according to the courts, have a right to an education, it's tourists, businesses, and individuals with no children.
You forgot the old people! Old people don't use K-12 schools.
Here is Washington state, no income tax, K-12 gets 47% of the state taxes with the community colleges and Universities getting an additional 11%.
quote:
The same holds true for Medicare.
Medicare is a federal tax or forced saving, depends how you look at it. Are you thinking Medicaid? To get on Medicaid, you have to be poor. It would be interesting to see the statistics on the number of poor seniors in Florida.
quote:
The large number of retired folks who move here don't pay income taxes, so the balance of the populace pays for them.
Don't the retired folks pay sales tax, property tax and all the other nuisance taxes.
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Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum. | |
tomsprat
Draw Me A "Cold One"
Premium,ExMod 2002-04
join:2000-11-03
Fort Lauderdale, FL
clubs:
| said by TACSPEED :
quote:
The school system is one of the biggest drainers of the state's economy. Necessary, yes, but who gets taxed for it? It isn't the family with five kids who uses it, nor illegal immigrants who, according to the courts, have a right to an education, it's tourists, businesses, and individuals with no children.
You forgot the old people! Old people don't use K-12 schools.
Here is Washington state, no income tax, K-12 gets 47% of the state taxes with the community colleges and Universities getting an additional 11%.
quote:
The same holds true for Medicare.
Medicare is a federal tax or forced saving, depends how you look at it. Are you thinking Medicaid? To get on Medicaid, you have to be poor. It would be interesting to see the statistics on the number of poor seniors in Florida.
quote:
The large number of retired folks who move here don't pay income taxes, so the balance of the populace pays for them.
Don't the retired folks pay sales tax, property tax and all the other nuisance taxes.
Here are some interesting statistics, not from a biased, "consumer group", either. These were taken directly from the FL State Governor's website! As you can see, spending is down, or remains appx. the same in all areas except health care for children and the elderly, education, and veterans. Don't get me wrong, I believe in taking care of our children, the elderly, and our veterans, but not disproportionately, as indicated here.
Remember, politicians don't act in the best interests of all, nor do they take fairness into consideration. They do what's right for them. Period. If whatever act they perform doesn't benefit them in some way, it isn't performed. There must be a monetary benefit, a gain in popularity among their voting constituents, or a benefit to someone who someone who they will, eventually, receive a benefit from.
In Florida, the vast number of voters consist of family members and the elderly. Therefore, the state budget is designed to benefit those who are most likely to re-elect, or have re-elected, Governor Bush. Take a good look at the State's budget and it's unfairly disbursed revenues. Did you know that Florida voters caused to enact a law that requires the State to provide for "pre-school care" of their children? It's nothing more than a free baby-sitting service!
As far as the elderly are concerned, consider this. The laws and the budget, (Medicare AND Medicaid), benefit them. It does not provide for those under a certain age, nor does it take assets into consideration. Therefore, an elderly person with $500,000 in assets has more benefits than a younger person who is working full-time, barely making ends meet.
Now, is a sales tax paid by all, a fair assessment of taxes? Who spends more in sales taxes each year, an elderly person, (or couple), who has, most likely already acquired the majority of the products they require in life, or younger, working individuals who are active and working? (Remember, there is no sales tax on food in FL).
Again, it doesn't matter to me if you're old, young, married, gay, black, white, red, or yellow, have children, or are a complete "nutcase" living off the land, in my personal opinion of your right to life, and to be treated as a human being. I believe in fairness and honesty. Apparently, they are two long-forgotten words among politicians and the voting public. But, guess what? It's as much our fault, as it is theirs, for not getting off our butts and voting!
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Anything that ever was, was once a dream... | |
drjim
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13
Torrance, CA
clubs:
| An excellent point for all the unregistered whiners who complain "One vote doesn't matter" or some such nonsense. If several hundred thousand of the unregistered whiners actually GOT off their butts, their one vote WOULD make a difference. If you don't like the system, VOTE. If you don't at least get registered and vote, THEN SHUT UP!
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One man's Magic is another man's Engineering. | |
TACSPEED
Premium
join:2001-04-14
Tacoma, WA
·Advanced Stream
| reply to tomsprat
quote:
As far as the elderly are concerned, consider this. The laws and the budget, (Medicare AND Medicaid), benefit them. It does not provide for those under a certain age, nor does it take assets into consideration. Therefore, an elderly person with $500,000 in assets has more benefits than a younger person who is working full-time, barely making ends meet.
Again Medicaid is based on income. A elderly person with $500,000 in assets would NOT BE eligible for Medicaid.
Medicaid Information
An elderly person with $500,000 in assets WOULD BE eligible for Medicare. However we pay a federal tax for Medicare out of our paychecks. I paid over 500 bucks last year in Medicare taxes. Medicare is NOT a state program.
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Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum. | |
TACSPEED
Premium
join:2001-04-14
Tacoma, WA
·Advanced Stream
| reply to tomsprat
quote:
Here are some interesting statistics, not from a biased, "consumer group", either. These were taken directly from the FL State Governor's website!
Didn't show up. Where is the link?
quote:
Don't get me wrong, I believe in taking care of our children, the elderly, and our veterans, but not disproportionately, as indicated here.
I would be interesting to see exactly what is causing the disproportionate increases in these areas. Is it due to an increase in population, the cost of health care, new benefits, or is there some other reason?
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Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum. | |
tomsprat
Draw Me A "Cold One"
Premium,ExMod 2002-04
join:2000-11-03
Fort Lauderdale, FL
clubs:
| reply to TACSPEED
quote:
Again Medicaid is based on income. A elderly person with $500,000 in assets would NOT BE eligible for Medicaid.
Although most assets are taken into consideration, some are exempt. A person with a Homestead filed on a house, (regardless of value), is eligible, even if they are not residing in same. Therefore, an elderly person who owns a $500,000+ house with a Homestead exemption IS eligible.
Also, any senior who qualifies for $1 p/mo.+ from SSI is automatically qualified for Medicaid, regardless of income/assets. (see attachment) quote:
I would be interesting to see exactly what is causing the disproportionate increases in these areas. Is it due to an increase in population, the cost of health care, new benefits, or is there some other reason?
Take a look at the attachment, titled fl2.gif. It is an indication of the disproportionate spending submitted in Gov. Bush's budget. He' catering to those who support him, not the general populous of the state.
quote:
Didn't show up. Where is the link?
Sorry, I forgot the attachments. Here they are, and the link is here .
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Anything that ever was, was once a dream...
[text was edited by author 2003-08-27 14:12:22] | |
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