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Very well said. Arizona is so corrupt it is not even funny. My best friend has just informed me that his warden now has been given a brand new company car. Of course, they can not cut that from the budget.
Your "friend"? He does not work for the State I take it - he works for one of the private companies that run the prisons. Being the case - the state budget process has NOTHING to do with "his warden" getting a "new" car (the State is not buying New cars - and has not for a couple of years now)
After excessive delays the state finally passes a budget and oh what a budget it is.
Kidscare has been permanently canceled, full-time kindergarten is virtually a memory, and 310,000 poorer adults will no longer be getting healthcare under AHCCCS.
Aren't these entitlement programs anyway?
Most of the state parks and rest areas are closing but they might as well, there's no money allowed in the budget for improving the highways to drive to them.
Amenities that in times of plenty may be offered but when their is no money how do you propose that the state pays for rest stops or parks?
At the same time plenty of money continues to be available for Nickelbag Joe Arpaio's immigration sweeps.
Many of us in California wish for the same thing and see Joe as a great American. Do the tax payers of Arizona want to pay for services of illegal Immigrants?
Funny how our brilliant legislature can find ways of keeping their pet projects while cutting vital services for the public, but they didn't volunteer to cut their benefits or reduce their salaries. That alone would have cut a lot of fat from the budget.
I agree that even pet projects should be cut. I kind of think that all projects should be cut, including anything that looks, or smells like an entitlement or socialistic budget entry.
On the sidelines they can sure find enough time and money to pass laws restricting adoption preferences to married couples, allowing guns in bars, and chipping away at abortion access.
What is wrong with allowing only Maried couples to adopt? What is wrong with allowing people the freedom listed in the Constituion? Why do you think it is OK to have an Abortion and add that in the same sentance as adoption?
People and businesses are not wanting to move to Arizona or visit the state as much because of so many services being cut, the speed radar cameras are also hampering visitors and newcomers.
Funny that people don't want to visit when the Phoenix forum is one of the more lively of the nations forums. Seems that many disagree with you on that. As far as business, that is everywhere for the moment. It is a hard time now everywhere.
Thank goodness there are primaries and elections coming up, I feel confident we will have some positive change in November because most Arizonans I have met do not have the same mindset as the knuckleheads who presently run the state.
Hoping people will realize how good you all have it in Arizona and elect those that will do away with socialistic ideals and those programs that include entitlements.
I do not have children but I think we have a civic duty to provide basic services to other children, at least education and healthcare. To a certain degree, I agree. It's the abusers of these programs that cause a drain on the economy: parents who wish to classify their children as "learning disabled", when they are merely undisciplined spoiled brats for example, is one of the problems. Your tax dollars pay to provide special services, free lunches, and other things for some of these kids, while their parents commit fraud by applying for these programs. Not all of them do, mind you. But this is an issue for sure.
Today's rugrats as you called them will be tomrorrow's leaders. Neglect them now and we will all pay the price in regards to more crime and more ignorant adults.
Either pay for better education and healthcare now or pay for more prisons, probation officers, and welfare later for the grown children whose schooling and healthcare funding are being slashed.
The problem here is the voting public. People want their cake and they want to eat it too. People vote for spending cuts, vote for tax breaks, property tax reductions, etc., and they can't understand why their benefits and public funding is in the toilet. You can't have both. Sure, it looks nice when something is on the ballot telling you you'll save $1000 a year on property taxes, but people check the "YES" box without even considering where the money will come from that funds those "special" projects and benefits!
I have read the same tiresome socialist labels over and over again in regards to public services and taxes.
If these things are socialist and un-American why are other states able to keep their services in tact and their citizens usually have few or no complaints about helping to pay for them?
Really? Tell me which states those are...with a population similar to Arizona, that is. Because Florida is right in the crapper with Arizona it seems. We are having all kinds of things cut- state funded pensions, county programs, educations, etc. ad nauseum. We are in a serious recession; you'd be hard pressed to find many states maintaining a lot of those programs.
Arizona is unique in the country, we slash basic core services but don't cut legislators' salaries and benefits which we are paying for out of our taxes. They should be willing to suffer the budget cuts along with everyone else.
Unique? Not even close. At the county level, we have county commisioners telling police and fire "NO RAISES" for over 4 years- yet they continue to reap bonuses, salary increases that border on the sickening, and our state reps are using credit cards for perks they don't have to pay back! Don't think for a minute AZ is alone in this nonsense. This is going on EVERYWHERE.
Illegal immigrants pose gigantic strains on state budgets, I will admit that, but many people act like they are demons out of hell. Most of them come here to do the dirty grunge work that spoiled American citizens refuse to do.
^That attitude^ is nothing more than brainwashing. You've heard that said in the media and you have bought into it. Speak for yourself when you say "spoiled Americans". The problem is, they don't have the opportunity to do those jobs because employers exploit foregin workers and don't dare offer such lousy wages to AMERICANS because it is AGAINST THE LAW. When was the last time you saw a classified ad for "tomato pickers" or "grape pickers"? They don't draw from the American workforce. Bottom line...not a big mystery. Any legit company or farm force would have citizens working for them if they didn't engage in slave-labor practices for the sake of the almighty dollar. Don't get me wrong, I think some illegals are hard working, and you are right- they do jobs the average Joe wouldn't dream of doing--or are too lazy to. They are not a scourge- some of them are people I would be glad to see as LEGAL citizens of this country. But the rest of them are a drain on our economy and services. If you want to cast blame, blame the people who hire the illegals and follow these labor practices. THEY are the ones taking jobs away from the real citizens of this country.
No matter how many sweeps Nickelbag Joe does, illegals who are true criminals will find ways to skirt around the law and milk the system.
^very true! And they do. But at least he is doing something about it, and not sitting on his hands letting it happen. Funny how people slam this guy, when they sit in their ivory towers and gripe about things.
I looked at budgets for the western states. As a typical example WA state had a total budget of one billion dollars in 1980. 30 years later it's 35.9 billion. A 36 fold increase in 30 years and this is AFTER all the cuts. Is there anybody out there that's taking in 36 times more money than in 1980? If so that's means your salary more than doubled every year. But many people freak out about cuts. There is massive fat that can be cut. Sure there are many school districts that don't have enough while others act like they have money to burn.
Where I live I was at the dump one day. A truck from the school district was in front of me. When they pulled out I could see that they dumped a huge mountain of computer cables etc. There was keyboards, printer cables, network hubs and switches some routers etc. I gathered some of the stuff up and took it home. It all worked. As I left the dump I asked the attendant how many yards of stuff they dumps. He said 10.
About a week later the school had an open house. The wife and I went to it. What was supposed to be an open house turned out to be a plug to try and get people to vote for the new tax levy they wanted. What happed to having a rummage sale to try and sell the extra stuff. They throw away perfectly good stuff then want more money to buy new. I saw a closet with hundreds of failed electric pencil sharpeners. They displayed this so that the public could see that they needed new ones. When I was in school we had the kind that fastened to the wall. One per class room. What's wrong with that? Perhaps it was too practical...it worked and was inexpensive. And last but certainly not least why do new schools have to be architectural master pieces? They sure are in my area. Expensive to build and maintain.
I looked at budgets for the western states. As a typical example WA state had a total budget of one billion dollars in 1980. 30 years later it's 35.9 billion. A 36 fold increase in 30 years and this is AFTER all the cuts. Is there anybody out there that's taking in 36 times more money than in 1980? If so that's means your salary more than doubled every year. But many people freak out about cuts. There is massive fat that can be cut. Sure there are many school districts that don't have enough while others act like they have money to burn.
Where I live I was at the dump one day. A truck from the school district was in front of me. When they pulled out I could see that they dumped a huge mountain of computer cables etc. There was keyboards, printer cables, network hubs and switches some routers etc. I gathered some of the stuff up and took it home. It all worked. As I left the dump I asked the attendant how many yards of stuff they dumps. He said 10.
About a week later the school had an open house. The wife and I went to it. What was supposed to be an open house turned out to be a plug to try and get people to vote for the new tax levy they wanted. What happed to having a rummage sale to try and sell the extra stuff. They throw away perfectly good stuff then want more money to buy new. I saw a closet with hundreds of failed electric pencil sharpeners. They displayed this so that the public could see that they needed new ones. When I was in school we had the kind that fastened to the wall. One per class room. What's wrong with that? Perhaps it was too practical...it worked and was inexpensive. And last but certainly not least why do new schools have to be architectural master pieces? They sure are in my area. Expensive to build and maintain.
Even factoring in core inflation: $100=1980 $258=2009 as well as the increase in Wash State's population................a 36 fold budget increase from 1980 is way over the top.
To the OP, do you really think that the speed radar cameras are actually hampering visitors and newcomers? Wow. When we first visited Phoenix and later lived in the area, I was THRILLED with the speed cameras! Phoenix was like the one really large city where I felt like I could drive the speed limit or slightly over and not get blown off the road by angry, finger-flashing nutcases driving 85+ mph! I'm not a little old lady, I am a woman in my mid-40s who likes to feel safe on the road. If anything, I think that the speed cameras are an asset.
And you'll be thrilled when the ticket comes in the mail. Then you'll find out that the Construction Zone sign had blown down. Shame on you
Well all i can say is stay tuned for more details, you just might see that several parks slated to close won't and you just might see some rest area's reopening by Memorial day
Quote:
Originally Posted by Java Jolt
After excessive delays the state finally passes a budget and oh what a budget it is.
Most of the state parks and rest areas are closing but they might as well, there's no money allowed in the budget for improving the highways to drive to them.
No problem with it! We have to cut the spending to match what's in the piggybank. We could pay for such niceties if our tax rates matched Euro-zones but they don't, and Americans as a whole aren't willing to foot the bill for such a level of gov't spending.
And rightfully so! The United States shouldn't have to copy the more socialist nations just so we can have more inept government controlling things, and our tax money continuously funding these mediocre public services that not everybody uses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ji603
It's not the government's responsibility to provide all day kindercare for peoples' rugrats. Don't have kids if you can't afford to feed, clothe, educate, or babysit them. If you need help, that's what charities and churches are for. Don't take it out of everyone's pocket in the form of tax money which is then redistributed via school lunch programs, WIC, daycare, etc. etc. ad nauseum.
Thank you! Many kudos to you. I'm glad I'm not the only one who strongly believes that parents should pay for their offspring on their own, instead of relying on tax money to raise & educate them. Procreation is not a Constitutional right ... and nobody is instantly entitled to special benefits or favors just for having sex and popping out kids. Good to know that somebody else also uses the term "rugrats" ... which I have also used quite often.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ji603
I'm all for Sheriff Joe's sweeps... illegals have no right to be here, and their very presence detracts from Americans' quality of life ... even down to such as minor levels as decreased police and fire availability, increased traffic congestion, larger than they would otherwise be auto insurance premiums....
Nevermind the fact that they riddle the public housing projects, schools, and prisons - but there's already a forum for that topic.
Yes, and they are also notorious for having multitudes of babies, and expecting everybody else to subsidize their upbringing. Illegals are lawbreakers, but they're not all stupid. They know all about the technicality in the Fourteenth Amendment which instantly grants citizenship to their offspring born in the U.S.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Java Jolt
I do not have children but I think we have a civic duty to provide basic services to other children, at least education and healthcare.
Oh? Where is it written that this is a requirement?!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Java Jolt
Today's rugrats as you called them will be tomrorrow's leaders. Neglect them now and we will all pay the price in regards to more crime and more ignorant adults.
Either pay for better education and healthcare now or pay for more prisons, probation officers, and welfare later for the grown children whose schooling and healthcare funding are being slashed.
I've heard that same kind of bleeding heart nonsense many times before, and it's exaggerated. For one thing, we already ARE paying for prisons, police, welfare, along with public schools. Your answer seems to be throwing more money at these problems ... but things never improve with more tax money and more government involvement. All it does is create more bureacracy and more burden for the taxpayers, but very little in the way of quality.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Java Jolt
Arizona is unique in the country, we slash basic core services but don't cut legislators' salaries and benefits which we are paying for out of our taxes. They should be willing to suffer the budget cuts along with everyone else.
I tend to agree here. While I don't think reducing their pay or benefits would have saved too many things from the axe, they should have been willing to take cutbacks to their own perks just like they are forcing the public to.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Java Jolt
I read there is very little revenue given to the state from the camera tickets, many tickets are going unpaid and there is little being done about it.
Many motorists have become clever to the camera locations lately, they purposely slow down to the speed limit or less when they approach the cameras, and usually resume their fast speed when they are out of range. They still get away with speeding but avoid getting ticketed unless a police officer catches them in time.
Your "friend"? He does not work for the State I take it - he works for one of the private companies that run the prisons. Being the case - the state budget process has NOTHING to do with "his warden" getting a "new" car (the State is not buying New cars - and has not for a couple of years now)
Greatday,
You already know he works for Perryville which is a Arizona state funded prison. Yes, they did just get his warden a brand new Impala at the taxpayer's expense.
To the OP, do you really think that the speed radar cameras are actually hampering visitors and newcomers? Wow. When we first visited Phoenix and later lived in the area, I was THRILLED with the speed cameras! Phoenix was like the one really large city where I felt like I could drive the speed limit or slightly over and not get blown off the road by angry, finger-flashing nutcases driving 85+ mph! I'm not a little old lady, I am a woman in my mid-40s who likes to feel safe on the road. If anything, I think that the speed cameras are an asset.
You are in the minority. All my friends back in Arizona (including me) absolutely despise the speed cameras. When I tell tourists on the strip I am from Arizona the common response back is "the police state."
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Arizona is so corrupt it is not even funny. My best friend has just informed me that his warden now has been given a brand new company car. Of course, they can not cut that from the budget.
