Arizona is second poorest state in the nation (Phoenix, Sun City: school district, taxes)

[mosesmoses]

I think everyone should pay the school tax, regardless if they have children or not, because it is the right thing to do.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Ah! I believe I see the big picture now ... and it's all about YOU, isn't it? You have your kids in a public school, which equates to freeloading off the taxpayers in order to have more money in your pocket. Sorry, but that's not capitalist ... that's more along the lines of fraud!

Um, no. You're not seeing the big picture at all. I guess I'll have to spell it out for you.

If we had only private schools in this country, most kids could not afford to go to school. As a result, we would have a severe shortage of educated workers, and industries and government would fail as a result. America's economy would falter and stocks would plummet. We would become a third-world country. All your investments would become greatly devalued, and you would likely be poor.

Instead, this country implemented public schools. We have a huge educated workforce, and we are the most productive nation in the world as a result. You owe EVERYTHING YOU HAVE to the success of America, which is due in large part to public schools. The big picture is that if America continues to make money, YOU (and I) make money. That's how public education puts money in MY pocket as well as YOURS.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by mosesmoses

I think everyone should pay the school tax, regardless if they have children or not, because it is the right thing to do.

I thought they were collected by the county, which means everyone does pay.

Education has little to do with the abysmal mess our politicians have created. Having an economy based solely on new housing starts was ridiculous. Now we have an economy based on selling each other Chinese Crap from WALMART. That'll go far.
It's a good thing we have illegals to blame.

[mosesmoses]

Originally Posted by Boompa

I thought they were collected by the county, which means everyone does pay.

Education has little to do with the abysmal mess our politicians have created. Having an economy based solely on new housing starts was ridiculous. Now we have an economy based on selling each other Chinese Crap from WALMART. That'll go far.
It's a good thing we have illegals to blame.

Yes, you are correct, the county collect the school tax and we all pay, but some people with no children feel they should not pay.
And I agree with you, we need a new economy, and I hope Obama will create a brand new economy for Arizona.
I know, we do respect our illegal aliens, and it is a good thing we have them to blame.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by mosesmoses

Yes, you are correct, the county collect the school tax and we all pay, but some people with no children feel they should not pay.
And I agree with you, we need a new economy, and I hope Obama will create a brand new economy for Arizona.
I know, we do respect our illegal aliens, and it is a good thing we have them to blame.

NO, the same people who don't want your children to learn more than they need to know to work at McDonalds will re-elect the likes of Frau Brewer, Joe Arpaio, Russ Pearce, little Quayle and Chris Kelley and JT Ready. We may yet beat Mississippi for #1

[~PaperMoon~]

Originally Posted by vaio71

How about Michigan. arent they poor too?, lots of jobs specifically auto industry(American) is down. How about Florida where the housing market has driven folks in that state to relocate in cities like Georgia, Texas, as far as California and Seattle. I dont see Phoenix as being poor. Pretending yes. They still has money but dont want to waste it. In fact, the state is still healthy but not yet gasping.

Well I know for a fact and from what I see with my own eyes that Cleveland is far worse and has far more crime and poverty than Arizona so I don't know where someone gets off naming Arizona as second highest in poverty. That's crazy. Places like Detroit and Cleveland are far far worse!

Originally Posted by frackiewicz

Keep in mind too that we have lots of illegal and recent immigrants who tend to now have a whole lot of income. That will bring down the average, as well as the unemployment.

That is true.

Originally Posted by Bummer

Great point, Phoenix Lady.

I am always suspicious of these "sweeping poverty statistics" as being ridiculous.

For example, an annual income of $25K is far more bearable in Arizona than say, New York City or San Francisco. In fact, $50K to $75K could very easily qualify as poverty level in those two cities. Also, if a retired couple owns their home and vehicle or vehicles, a couple thousand a month may not be all that bad.

That's true too, because more people can live easier off of lower amounts of money in Arizona than other places. It doesn't take into account the relative cost of living in Arizona verses other places.

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Depends on whether they report the income. Easy these days to draw benefits plus be paid in cash too. Los Angeles was reported to have 40% of income not reported. When I was in London during the summers, everybody seemed to be in the flea market business and they only took checks or money orders. I used to see lots of people who did local garage and park and swap sales and they were on welfare.

That's true also which shows that nothing is a simple black or white issue and reports like that are not reflecting the situation correctly. I see many more people selling things in flea market fashion here than in Cleveland.

[mike b 1]

Don't worry, when we boot the Dem's out in November, the economy will rebound.. just watch..

[~PaperMoon~]

I don't know where they got their info from but there are lots of places much worse than Arizona!


YouTube - East Cleveland#!

[mike b 1]

What's the definition of poor, no big screen T.V.? only one car, no computer in the house. We have become so spoiled. A poor American today lives better than the
King of England" did in 1500,..

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by mosesmoses

I think everyone should pay the school tax, regardless if they have children or not, because it is the right thing to do.

It's actually the LEFT thing to do. In all seriousness though: not having children is a valid reason to not have to pay school taxes. Look at communities like Sun City. They are not in any school district, and their community is age restricted, so they are not taxed.

Why is it so difficult to comprehend that procreation is a CHOICE lifestyle, and that parents are the ones who should bear the cost for making their choices? This is not rocket science. It's a very simple concept: if you can afford to raise children on your own finances, then more power to you. If not, then don't have kids!

Originally Posted by ~PaperMoon~

That's true too, because more people can live easier off of lower amounts of money in Arizona than other places. It doesn't take into account the relative cost of living in Arizona verses other places.

The only thing is: Arizona is not all that inexpensive when you take into consideration how much A/C costs to operate and stay comfortable, especially during the hottest months of the year (June through September). Also, things like vehicle registration & auto insurance tend to be somewhat above the national average.