Phoenix's image problem??? (renting, mortgage, credit)

[Greatday]

One of my Grandsons, who started High School TODAY - gave me the biggest compliment last weekend - He said "Grandpa, you're COOL"!

How neat is that???

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Greatday

No, it is NOT BS. The States coffers are dry. State employees are being laid off. Basic services are being discontinued / or severely reduced.

There is NO EXTRA MONEY

Soak the rich.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Soak the rich.

Oh please - let's keep the conversation on some sort of a mature level shall we. Let's not resort to old and tired out metaphors.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by Greatday

One of my Grandsons, who started High School TODAY - gave me the biggest compliment last weekend - He said "Grandpa, you're COOL"!

How good is that???

That is really good

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Oh please - let's keep the conversation on some sort of a mature level shall we. Let's not resort to old and tired out metaphors.

I am completely serious. It is time the wealthy start paying the cost of their upkeep in this country.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I am completely serious. It is time the wealthy start paying the cost of their upkeep in this country.

You cannot be serious to try to imply that those with wealth don't already pay a lions share of taxes -

Frankly, the "rich" (subjective term) pay most of the taxes now - they provide for / are responsible for most of the employment in this country now.

IMO, the "rich" have / are soaked enough. How about everyone simply not relying on the government for every little thing - cut the waste. Tighten the belts.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Greatday

You cannot be serious to try to imply that those with wealth don't already pay a lions share of taxes -

Frankly, the "rich" (subjective term) pay most of the taxes now - they provide for / are responsible for most of the employment in this country now.

IMO, the "rich" have / are soaked enough. How about everyone simply not relying on the government for every little thing - cut the waste. Tighten the belts.

Our democracy is better characterized by the phrase "of the few, by the few and for the few" than the familiar platitude. Most government spending (witness the bank bailout and the oil wars) is aimed at providing a fertile environment to make and retain wealth and influence. Even welfare is just there to keep the masses from rising up and storming the walls.

Make the SOBs pay for it like before Reagan. Things were better back in the highly-progressive-tax 50s, right? The fat man will squeal, but he'll pay. Where's he going to go, Communist China?

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Soak the rich.

If we are broke why would we be borrowing money to give to other countries.
Cut off ALL Foriegn Aid until we pay off our deficit
Quit NATO too, another giant waste of money

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Boompa

If we are broke why would we be borrowing money to give to other countries.
Cut off ALL Foriegn Aid until we pay off our deficit
Quit NATO too, another giant waste of money

I second that! Let the euros defend themselves.

[Greatday]

Well, let's talk reality.

First off, as for the State of Arizona (and Nevada), we are broke. Due to the decline in the real estate markets, property tax revenue is declining. Property tax collects are declining.

Sales tax revenues are declining. With more and more not traveling, fees collected on airline tickets have declined - impacting our airports. People are driving less - causing a decline in tax revenues from gas taxes.

Decline in employment means a decline in income tax collections.

While on the other side, requests for governmental aid - Food Stamps, utility assistance, unemployment, health care etc., etc., have increased substantially.

And while some would prefer to "soak the rich", that is not only not going to happen, it is not practical. The so called rich provide a lot of employment and they are having problems as well keeping the doors open of some of their companies. They are cutting costs including benefits provided to their employees. So, it is not a good time if nothing else to suggest we should "soak the rich".

No, we are ALL going to have to ride out the storms - and we will.