Arizona budget passes; cuts total $1.1 billion (credit card, how much, new house)

[whitem3]

State lawmakers delivered on Gov. Jan Brewer's promise to end the days of "expanded government," passing a budget Thursday that eliminates programs and cuts $1.1 billion in spending.

Arizona budget passes; cuts total $1.1 billion

[Ritchie_az]

Good. I'm hoping the 1.1 billion in cuts is enough to stay above water.

[JGatti]

I understand cut's are needed but why is it no matter where you are the cuts always seem to hurt the kids? You know our future leaders that we hope are better than the ones we have in place now.

[wa3pnt]

I know that this will not be well received, but I offer it for all the people who always tout "what about the children?"

I'm 68 years old, and "I" have raised my children. I really choose not to raise everyone elses children. I put my children through parochial school K through 12 (at my expense, not the governments), and raised them to be responsible enough to seek and obtain their college through scholarships and their part time work while in college.

Was it easy? No. Especially on a Military income, but the sacrifices that we (my spouse and I) made have paid dividends in the success of our off spring. Part time jobs (on my part) and periodic employment (on the wife's part) were necessary. I didn't drive a BMW, have a texting cell phone, or wear the latest most expensive clothes, as many young parent feel are necessary (or even deserved) today.

I guess my point is that it seems today parents feel that the government should be responsible for educating their children, as opposed to undertaking that responsibility themselves. I look at my property tax bill and whince every time ANOTHER education related stipend is added.

Sorry for the rant, but though you might not, "I" feel better.

George

[NAU Alumni]

Originally Posted by wa3pnt

I know that this will not be well received, but I offer it for all the people who always tout "what about the children?"

I'm 68 years old, and "I" have raised my children. I really choose not to raise everyone elses children. I put my children through parochial school K through 12 (at my expense, not the governments), and raised them to be responsible enough to seek and obtain their college through scholarships and their part time work while in college.

Was it easy? No. Especially on a Military income, but the sacrifices that we (my spouse and I) made have paid dividends in the success of our off spring. Part time jobs (on my part) and periodic employment (on the wife's part) were necessary. I didn't drive a BMW, have a texting cell phone, or wear the latest most expensive clothes, as many young parent feel are necessary (or even deserved) today.

I guess my point is that it seems today parents feel that the government should be responsible for educating their children, as opposed to undertaking that responsibility themselves. I look at my property tax bill and whince every time ANOTHER education related stipend is added.

Sorry for the rant, but though you might not, "I" feel better.

George

I couldn't agree more. Here in CA we spend 12k per student (second highest in the country) and yet we still have one the worst systems around. I believe the drop out rate in LA is around 50%. Charter schools are the way to go for education using tax payer dollars. Private schools provide far superior education for half the cost. It's like comparing a 250k new house to a 500k shack. The choice is obvious. LAUSD should abolished and replaced with a better system.

I'm not anti education. I have a BS myself. The citizens of the great state of Arizona helped in paying for my education. I also worked every Summer so I know what it's like to work very hard for something that is important in life. I just know there are better solutions other than constantly raising taxes.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by wa3pnt

I know that this will not be well received, but I offer it for all the people who always tout "what about the children?"

I'm 68 years old, and "I" have raised my children. I really choose not to raise everyone elses children. I put my children through parochial school K through 12 (at my expense, not the governments), and raised them to be responsible enough to seek and obtain their college through scholarships and their part time work while in college.

Was it easy? No. Especially on a Military income, but the sacrifices that we (my spouse and I) made have paid dividends in the success of our off spring. Part time jobs (on my part) and periodic employment (on the wife's part) were necessary. I didn't drive a BMW, have a texting cell phone, or wear the latest most expensive clothes, as many young parent feel are necessary (or even deserved) today.

I guess my point is that it seems today parents feel that the government should be responsible for educating their children, as opposed to undertaking that responsibility themselves. I look at my property tax bill and whince every time ANOTHER education related stipend is added.

Sorry for the rant, but though you might not, "I" feel better.

George

Sadly, you are not alone. Too many share your selfish viewpoint and that is the reason why the US children are no longer competitive with even those in developing Communist countries. Until the "me" generation took over, we valued education. The school was the nicest building in town next to the bank. Folks pitched in with the expectation that it would be better for those who followed than it was for themselves. Today, it's all about selfishness, trading in the hopes of the next generations so you boomers can have a few more bucks to spend on the golf course or the buffet or waste in the Indian casinos. Your generation has always been self-indulgent and irresponsible. When you are gone, the US will be a better place.

[NAU Alumni]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Sadly, you are not alone. Too many share your selfish viewpoint and that is the reason why the US children are no longer competitive with even those in developing Communist countries. Until the "me" generation took over, we valued education. The school was the nicest building in town next to the bank. Folks pitched in with the expectation that it would be better for those who followed than it was for themselves. Today, it's all about selfishness, trading in the hopes of the next generations so you boomers can have a few more bucks to spend on the golf course or the buffet or waste in the Indian casinos. Your generation has always been self-indulgent and irresponsible. When you are gone, the US will be a better place.

Is it selfish for someone to want to work hard and provide for his family?

The true definition of selfish is being irresponsible, making bad choices or sitting on your bum and expecting me or anybody else to pay for it.

Time and time again I see it with the new generation an attitude of self loathing and self pity. They expect everything to be handed to them and aren't willing or motivated to work for it. Even just recently my freinds 20 year old son and pregnant girlfriend were gloating about how they are getting WIC, welfare and foodstamps. Oh, and by the way, the new foodstamps are a nifty little credit card. Anyway, selfishness is expecting the taxpayer to rear and raise your children. I would much rather have a country full of "George's" (the OP) than this new generation that can't even take care of themselves let alone children that they bring into this world.

Huh, imagine that, a country where people were responsible for their own actions. We can only hope.

[Zathras]

Originally Posted by NAU Alumni

Is it selfish for someone to want to work hard and provide for his family?

The true definition of selfish is being irresponsible, making bad choices or sitting on your bum and expecting me or anybody else to pay for it.

Time and time again I see it with the new generation an attitude of self loathing and self pity. They expect everything to be handed to them and aren't willing or motivated to work for it. Even just recently my freinds 20 year old son and pregnant girlfriend were gloating about how they are getting WIC, welfare and foodstamps. Oh, and by the way, the new foodstamps are a nifty little credit card. Anyway, selfishness is expecting the taxpayer to rear and raise your children. I would much rather have a country full of "George's" (the OP) than this new generation that can't even take care of themselves let alone children that they bring into this world.

Huh, imagine that, a country where people were responsible for their own actions. We can only hope.

Amen. The explosion of entitlements in recent decades is what has led to our downfall. Everything from the government, from housing to health care. The government doesn't produce money- the producers give money to the government, to pay for entitlements. Entitlements reduce incentive, which results in fewer producers. We're in a whirlpool swirling down the drain of socialism. I hope we have enough strength to swim to safety before we drown.

[Boompa]

How much would going to a one house legislature save?

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by NAU Alumni

Is it selfish for someone to want to work hard and provide for his family?

The true definition of selfish is being irresponsible, making bad choices or sitting on your bum and expecting me or anybody else to pay for it.

Time and time again I see it with the new generation an attitude of self loathing and self pity. They expect everything to be handed to them and aren't willing or motivated to work for it. Even just recently my freinds 20 year old son and pregnant girlfriend were gloating about how they are getting WIC, welfare and foodstamps. Oh, and by the way, the new foodstamps are a nifty little credit card. Anyway, selfishness is expecting the taxpayer to rear and raise your children. I would much rather have a country full of "George's" (the OP) than this new generation that can't even take care of themselves let alone children that they bring into this world.

Huh, imagine that, a country where people were responsible for their own actions. We can only hope.

George did a great thing for his family. I even repped his post. However, not everyone can afford to do what he did. I think that was what Ponderosa was getting at.