central florida is extremely dangerous (work, house, crime)

[Magnulus]

The only time people start to slow down in Florida- when you get a real downpour. I mean like the monsoons we sometimes get in the summer. And this is the time they should be getting the hell off the roads... but they only slow down maybe to the speed limit or maybe a little less.

[Petertherock]

At least you don't have to deal with snow and ice in Florida. The last snowstorm I was driving home from work and the interstate I use to go home was down to a posted speed limit of 40MPH from the usual 50MPH. I was behind a snowplow and I was driving in 0 visibility and couldn't even see the plow ahead of me. I was going about 30MPH. All of a sudden this idiot tractor trailer driver passes me going about 70MPH. Then they wonder why they flip over and jack knife all the time. We were talking about this at the fire station and the consenus is that it's because tractor trailer drivers aren't professional drivers anymore. But in all fairness it's not just tractor trailer drivers that are driving like this. It's also morons that have pick up trucks and SUVs that think just because they have 4 wheel drive they can go 70MPH in the snow...FWD doesn't help you stop.

[amax41]

Originally Posted by ssgt

Jezopete!
FLORIDA---High TAXES.....Northerners moved here to escape high taxes....then vote for more!

taxes here are high??? ok so you are a natural Floridian. The only people I've seen say that are either natural Floridian or have been here for so long they forgot where they came from.

Here's the "amazing" news - YOUR TAXES ARE LOW!!!!

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by Petertherock

At least you don't have to deal with snow and ice in Florida. The last snowstorm I was driving home from work and the interstate I use to go home was down to a posted speed limit of 40MPH from the usual 50MPH. I was behind a snowplow and I was driving in 0 visibility and couldn't even see the plow ahead of me. I was going about 30MPH. All of a sudden this idiot tractor trailer driver passes me going about 70MPH. Then they wonder why they flip over and jack knife all the time. We were talking about this at the fire station and the consenus is that it's because tractor trailer drivers aren't professional drivers anymore. But in all fairness it's not just tractor trailer drivers that are driving like this. It's also morons that have pick up trucks and SUVs that think just because they have 4 wheel drive they can go 70MPH in the snow...FWD doesn't help you stop.

I remember that when I lived in Worcester. I drove a truck with 4 wheel drive on it. The minute snow or ice would come I would stop going to work on the highway because people never slowed down. My truck was higher and had the 4-wheel drive so I could go through most snow. I think people are over confident.

This accident that happened over in Polk county is a good illustration of people not paying attention.

[ssgt]

Originally Posted by amax41

taxes here are high??? ok so you are a natural Floridian. The only people I've seen say that are either natural Floridian or have been here for so long they forgot where they came from.

Here's the "amazing" news - YOUR TAXES ARE LOW!!!!

Guess I should have been more concise.......I spent 15 years in the Chicago area, my taxes there were horrendous , here they are nothing compared that....my previous statement was merely me repeating what a large number of people here constantly whine about.

[kwflconch]

Do you realize there was a fog?

[Petertherock]

You think taxes are bad in FL...take a look at Maine...

Maine
The Facts on Maine’s Tax Climate

Here are some basic facts on Maine’s tax system and how it compares to other states:

Tax Freedom Day Arrived on May 4th in Maine

Tax Freedom Day is the day when Americans finally have earned enough money to pay off their total tax bill for the year. In 2007, Maine taxpayers had to work until May 4th (ranked 11th highest nationally) to pay their total tax bill, four days after Tax Freedom Day for the nation as a whole on April 30th. The Tax freedom Days of neighboring states were: New Hampshire on April 22nd (33rd nationally) and Massachusetts on May 6th (9th nationally).


Maine's State/Local Tax Burden Second Highest in Nation

During the past three decades Maine has consistently had one of the highest state and local tax burdens. Estimated at 14.0% of income, Maine's state/local tax burden is 2nd highest in the nation, and remains well above the national average of 11.0%. Maine taxpayers pay $5,045 per-capita in state and local taxes, and per capita state income is $36,117.


Maine's 2008 Business Tax Climate Ranks 41st

Maine ranks 41st in the Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on property, including residential and commercial property. Neighboring states ranked as follows: New Hampshire (7th) and Massachusetts (34th).


Maine's Individual Income Tax System
Maine's personal income tax system consists of four brackets with top rate of 8.5%, kicking in at an income level of $18,250. Among states levying personal income taxes, Maine's top rate ranks 7th highest nationally. Maine's 2004 individual income tax collections were $882 per person, which ranked 13th highest nationally.


Maine's Corporate Income Tax System

Maine's corporate tax structure consists of four brackets with a top rate of 8.93%, kicking in at an income level of $250,000. Among states levying corporate income taxes, Maine's top rate ranked 10th highest nationally. In 2004, Maine's corporate tax collections reached $85 per capita and ranked 25th nationally.


Maine Levies Sales Tax at National Median; Cigarette and Gasoline Taxes among Highest in the Nation

Maine levies a 5% general sales or use tax on consumers, equal to the National Median. State and local governments combined collect approximately $698 per capita in sales taxes, which ranks 33rd highest nationally. Maine's gasoline tax stands at 26.8 cents per gallon and ranks 11th highest nationally. Maine's cigarette tax stands at $2.00 per pack of twenty, which ranks 4th highest nationally. The sales tax was adopted in 1951, the gasoline tax in 1923 and the cigarette tax in 1941.


Maine Property Taxes among Nation's Highest

Maine collected $2,099,394,000 in combined state/local property taxes during fiscal year 2004, which is the latest year the Census Bureau published state-by-state property tax collections. As in most states, the amount collected by the state government of Maine was fairly small. In fiscal year 2004, Maine collected $45,308,000 at the state level. At the local level, Maine's property tax collections are substantial. They totaled $2,054,086,000 in FY 2004. Overall, Maine's property taxes collected per capita in FY 2004 was $1,596, which ranked 6th nationwide. (Non-resident property tax payments are included in Census data.)


Federal Tax Burdens and Expenditures: Maine is a Beneficiary State:

Maine taxpayers receive more federal funding per dollar of federal taxes paid than the average state. Per dollar of federal tax collected in 2005, Maine citizens received approximately $1.41 in the way of federal spending. This ranks the state 13th highest nationally and represents a rise from 1992, when Maine received $1.30 per dollar of taxes in federal spending and ranked 9th highest nationally. Neighboring states and the federal spending received per dollar of federal taxes collected were: New Hampshire ($0.82) and Massachusetts ($0.71).

The Tax Foundation - Tax Research Areas > Maine

[ssgt]

Originally Posted by kwflconch

Do you realize there was a fog?

There is always fog this time of year.....relax.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I don't even live over in that area and I am aware that there is often fog in that area, combined with smoke I think the police should have done more, like close the highway, had cars in the area to moniter it. Thats a pretty heavily traveled road, they should have been more prepared. Its not like it was an uncontrolled fire or they weren't aware of how big it was, it was a controlled burn. I can't help but think they should have chosen a different time to do it as well. Like on the weekend when there was less traffic.

[AONE]

If you really want to see bad drivers go to Kansas City MO... I have been all over the world and am yet to see worse than there. Drivers here arent always in a rush, and that frustrates those that are.... wow we get slowed down so we can't reach our stressed induced heart attack. Like Kansas we have no helmet laws for motorcycles... and some fools opt to not wear one. this is your head in a helmet skidding down a road at 40 MPH.. this is your head on the road after 40 MPH... any questions?
I have to laugh at those that opt to block roads as they wait for red lights as if 20 ft makes a difference. and looking straight ahead doesn't mean we don't see you and your rudeness....ah well life in the fast lane...lol