Cranston Observations

[Rnrboy]

I do not agree with ljd. But I DO agree with you.

How can I do both? Simple, you gave a true analysis, and saw the root of the problem. He thinks he will move to NC and there won't be problems because of lower taxes. The problem isn't taxes (though the structure does need to be overhauled), the problem is the way our politicians implement them.

The DINOS in the GA who just sit back and let Carcieri do whatever he wants are a joke. We need to replace them with real Democrats. Carcieri thinks that by cutting social programs that are truly needed, we are going to be able to get ourselves out of debt. It will not work.

Just like CT and MA, we need to restore our capital gains to pre-2005 levels. Their economies are doing better than ours, and their rich are not leaving.

The conservatives in the State argue that the rich are fleeing the State. But the stats do not bear this out. Quite the contrary, it is the middle class who are leaving (if anyone) because of the job cuts of the Carcieri administration.

He is doing the same thing to our Economy at the state level as Bush has done at the Federal level. Making it worse. And he's doing it in the same exact way: Cutting taxes for the rich, and hitting the poor/middle class where it hurts.

The problem is, if you want good schools and good infrastructure you don't move to NC. (He will not like what he finds!) You start getting HONEST people into the government. Rhode Islanders seem to think that just because folks in the GA have a (D) next to their name, they're like other Democrats. But Democrats in this state can be a funny bunch. In many ways, at least fiscally, unfortunately a slight majority of them are more like Republicans.

And I agree with you, because of corruption they sit by and watch as Carcieri does his dirty work, with only mainly symbolic protests to create the illusion of a battle between the Governor and they. And most of the popuulation buys it.

[Rnrboy]

By the way, unfortunately RI is only the 23rd most corrupt state in the country according to Morgan Quitno.

In the top 10 were FL, TX, and NC!

[ljd1010]

I never said I thought NC will be a panacea as compared to RI. I'm certain the state has it's own unique problems. We ARE leaving RI because of the problems I cited but we chose NC mainly because of employment opportunities/relaxed lifestyle/affordable housing and we feel it will be a great place to eventually retire to. Actually, there are several problems with the school system in Wake County (NC) but fortunately, our children are grown. If we had school aged children, we would have gone elsewhere. Please realize that we love RI, we were both born and raised here, our families are here. We will miss the beauty of the state, the restaurants, the close proximity to Boston/NY - I could go on and on. BTW, I agree with everything you mentioned in your above post!

[Rnrboy]

In that case I wish you had been able to stay, we need more people who think like you!

[brri]

Originally Posted by ljd1010

I never said I thought NC will be a panacea as compared to RI. I'm certain the state has it's own unique problems. We ARE leaving RI because of the problems I cited but we chose NC mainly because of employment opportunities/relaxed lifestyle/affordable housing and we feel it will be a great place to eventually retire to. Actually, there are several problems with the school system in Wake County (NC) but fortunately, our children are grown. If we had school aged children, we would have gone elsewhere. Please realize that we love RI, we were both born and raised here, our families are here. We will miss the beauty of the state, the restaurants, the close proximity to Boston/NY - I could go on and on. BTW, I agree with everything you mentioned in your above post!

Hi. I grew up in PVD and Newport and have lived in NC past several years. Like the others said NC (like RI) has it's good point and bad as does every place in this country. Though there are a few things I miss about RI (summers) I like NC a lot more than RI. The South often given a bad rap but I found it to be not nearly as bad as I was taught while up North. Here in NC, like RI, you can find highest quality education but, like RI, you'll also find low educational standard in some areas (like PVD, Newport school system, ect).
The quality of life IMHO is higher here than in RI because of cost of living, economic opportunities, physical beauty, weather and friendliness of the people. NC is a progressive state. The biggest drawback here I think is the crime rate is much higher than RI. RI is a very 'safe' state to live if that's what's most important to you. RI does have many qualities also but not enough to draw me back.

[ljd1010]

brri, where in NC are you? We'll be in Cary temporarily until our house in Morrisville is completed. We're very excited about our impending move - we're heading out on Tuesday!

[brri]

Originally Posted by ljd1010

brri, where in NC are you? We'll be in Cary temporarily until our house in Morrisville is completed. We're very excited about our impending move - we're heading out on Tuesday!

I'm in the Charlotte area but I have visited the Raleigh area and find it just as nice but smaller than Charlotte. Cary seemed to be very nice.
If you move to NC not expecting it (or anywhere else) to be utopia then I think you can do very well for yourself here. Educationally Some of the best school in the nation are in NC, (and probably some of the not so good). Charlotte area has outstanding private school and some very highly rated public school but it's a mixed bag. Depends on where in the city or metro you live. My daughter has recieved an outstanding education here and is on her way to college this Fall.
Duke is rated higher than Brown. UNC is rated one of the top ten public universities in the nation and there are many other highly rated such as Davidson outside of Charlotte which is one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Johnson and wales also has their second largest branch in Charlotte and Charlotte is also now wooing RISD to open a branch campus in Charlotte. I don't have to return to RI for RI has come to the NC! Lol!