 PhoenixDown-- Wants FIOSPremium
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY
kudos:1 | Your taxes and extra surcharges? I seem to pay about 35 - 40% of the monthly net charges in taxes and tacked on surcharges. What about you? |
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 Greg_ZPremium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | said by PhoenixDown:I seem to pay about 35 - 40% of the monthly net charges in taxes and tacked on surcharges. What about you? Gee, I don't know where your getting 35-40% in taxes. I only pay 10-12% in taxes on my bill. Guess I am getting ripped off.
If you don't like taxes, move to a country and decline your US Citenship. But don't try re-entering the country after you do.
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One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
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| said by Greg_Z:said by PhoenixDown:I seem to pay about 35 - 40% of the monthly net charges in taxes and tacked on surcharges. What about you? Gee, I don't know where your getting 35-40% in taxes. I only pay 10-12% in taxes on my bill. Guess I am getting ripped off. If you don't like taxes, move to a country and decline your US Citizenship. But don't try re-entering the country after you do. Taxes are a scam, what hurts us most is income taxes a direct taxes for the benefit of the taxer. We're the sheep, we're a pawn. Ya really believed in this citizenship scam? more like owned, a collateral for the government. We are their property to do as they pleases, your rights have been forfeited at birth when ya mommy signed ya birth certificate that says you are their property. You are not free and you enjoyed being enslaved. It's like Roman Empire who owned slaves, they were called citizen too and at the subject of those to rule them. Those who have higher status were soldiers that served the empire, they fear no death and neither do I. |
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Greg_ZPremium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | Yah, whatever. Without taxes, the country would be in worst shape then it is. Face it, taxes make the economy as it is, and believe it or not, taxes are used for good things like medical, helping to pay for heating and electrical for those without money to do so, helping in building roads, and infrastructures.
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One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
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1 edit | said by Greg_Z:Yah, whatever. Without taxes, the country would be in worst shape then it is. Face it, taxes make the economy as it is, and believe it or not, taxes are used for good things like medical, helping to pay for heating and electrical for those without money to do so, helping in building roads, and infrastructures. I have no problem with taxes when they're used legitimately, as in the examples you posted. But it pisses me off to no end when some thieving politicians raise them because they want pay raises for themselves, or to use our money to finance some pet project that does not benefit the taxpayers in any way. And politicians are not exactly the most efficient bunch of people, either.
Some examples of what's been going on in PA over the years:
1995 -- Our legislators decide that they want more money, so they do what comes natural to politicians: they help themselves to it.
1996 -- Governor-at-the-time Tom Ridge (yes, the guy who's now in charge of Homeland security) decides that we need to increase the tax on gasoline to pay for improvements to our crappy roads. However, since it's an election year for legislators, no one will support it.
1997 -- With the election safely past, the above-mentioned tax passes.
1999 -- The same governor decides to give taxpayer money to sports team owners to build new stadiums. Taxpayers are outraged, but of course, our elected officials aren't listening.
2004 -- Ed Rendell runs for governor, promises to lower property taxes. Not only does this not happen, several other taxes go up.
2005 -- Our wonderful legislators decide to help themselves and the judges to yet another pay raise. Luckily, this one is later repealed, due to the unprecedented public outrage.
EDIT: I forgot to point out -- after the gas tax increase in '97, which was supposed to give us better roads, our roads aren't in any better shape. If anything, they're even worse than before. But we have some nice new stadiums. Hmmm..... |
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Greg_ZPremium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | reply to PhoenixDown
Of course you pointed out about the roads, and yes there are some states that are in worst shape, but others have done a complete overhaul of the roads. Wisconsin is one of them that back in Pre 2000, they should of put up a sign that stated "Welcome to Wisconsin. Our new state moto is "Land of Road Construction.""
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One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
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 pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | reply to TheWickerMan
said by TheWickerMan:EDIT: I forgot to point out -- after the gas tax increase in '97, which was supposed to give us better roads, our roads aren't in any better shape. If anything, they're even worse than before. But we have some nice new stadiums. Hmmm..... I have to disagree with you there... when my family moved to PA in 1992 the roads really were atrocious. When you took US 202 from DE into PA, you literally hit a BOOM right at the state line. Since this gas tax hike went into effect, many roads in south eastern PA have been significantly improved. PA 309 was widened and rebuilt near 276, US 202 was widened and fixed between Chesterbrook and I-76. PA 100 was widened through Exton. US 1 in southern Chester County was also fixed. Most of the other roads are no longer pockmarked and the drive is relatively smooth now.
I don't have much of a problem with the gas tax since it is one of the truly fair taxes in that those who drive more pay more and those who drive less or don't drive pay less or nothing. Same thing goes with sales tax, but its the friggin property taxes (which our current governor hasn't been able to force school districts to accept gambling revenues to replace these) which are killing everyone everywhere now.
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Rove / Rumsfeld 2008! |
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Greg_ZPremium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | Keep in mind our school system is antiquated, and the fact that the buildings are falling down. Majority of the property taxes go to support our police and fire departments, along with the fact that we have to pay for the council members to do or not do their jobs. Also keep in mind that we have to pay for the decisions towards those that sue our cities and get money for it.
There will always be a disagreement to what taxes are used for, or are supposed to be used for. Face it, without money, the world would not be where it is now.
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One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
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pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | said by Greg_Z:Keep in mind our school system is antiquated, and the fact that the buildings are falling down. That's entirely the fault of local school systems. Most governments spend more money on schools each year than in the previous year but the schools never seem to get better. Once charter schools and other competitors move into the education business, government funded schools will have no choice but to get better or go under.
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Rove / Rumsfeld 2008! |
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Greg_ZPremium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | said by pnh102:said by Greg_Z:Keep in mind our school system is antiquated, and the fact that the buildings are falling down. That's entirely the fault of local school systems. Most governments spend more money on schools each year than in the previous year but the schools never seem to get better. Once charter schools and other competitors move into the education business, government funded schools will have no choice but to get better or go under. Not a fault of the schools, it is the fault of the local governing bodies to allow this to happen. The monies spent into the schools is to support those students whose parents cannot afford to pay the bills. Both of my children, with one still going have attended an inner city Magnet school that has a large diversity of students, with the majority being from households where the parents have very little income to pay for their tuition.
Privatizing the school system is the way to go, but the majority will not go for it, due to they feel that it should be the way it is.
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One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
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pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | said by Greg_Z:Not a fault of the schools, it is the fault of the local governing bodies to allow this to happen. The local schools are run either by local governments or local school districts. It is these organizations which are directly responsible for the quality of the school systems.
said by Greg_Z:The monies spent into the schools is to support those students whose parents cannot afford to pay the bills. There's nothing wrong with this, but school systems aren't doing these students any favors by providing a sub-par education.
said by Greg_Z:Both of my children, with one still going have attended an inner city Magnet school that has a large diversity of students, with the majority being from households where the parents have very little income to pay for their tuition. School systems should be trying to make every public school as good as the magnet schools. They certainly get more than enough tax money to make this happen.
said by Greg_Z:Privatizing the school system is the way to go, but the majority will not go for it, due to they feel that it should be the way it is. I know that in Philadelphia, school choice was a god-send for many inner city parents who could not afford private school tuition. These children are now finally getting a good education (with the teachers' unions fighting it every step of the way) and will now have a better chance at succeeding in life.
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Rove / Rumsfeld 2008! |
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PhoenixDown-- Wants FIOSPremium
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY
kudos:1 | reply to Greg_Z
said by Greg_Z:said by PhoenixDown:I seem to pay about 35 - 40% of the monthly net charges in taxes and tacked on surcharges. What about you? Gee, I don't know where your getting 35-40% in taxes. I only pay 10-12% in taxes on my bill. Guess I am getting ripped off. If you don't like taxes, move to a country and decline your US Citenship. But don't try re-entering the country after you do. I said taxes AND surcharges that were tacked after the fact by the by the cell phone provider.
I dont mind paying my fair share of taxes but its rediculous when the difference between my living above poverty level or not is because of how much the governement can bleed out of my paycheck.
You try and make it sound like I am unpatriotic but you forget that its things like this that lead to the boston tea party.
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NYC Pagans | NYC Pagan Resource |
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Greg_ZPremium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | My bill has:
Monthly service charge: 56.96 (includes 39.99 450r/5k naw plan, 2.99 detail bill, 3.99 insurance, 9.99 3mb Media Net)
Credits, Adj & other: 1.74
Govrn't fees and taxes: 5.79
Some cities have higher taxes and fees (Chicago is one of them with the separate sub-city taxes).
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One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
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RadioDoc58ef2c0Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | reply to Greg_Z
said by Greg_Z:Majority of the property taxes go to support our police and fire departments Maybe it's like that in Springfield, but up here 3/4 of what I pay every year goes to the grade and high school districts. And I pay a lot. Enough to pay for private school for them if I had any kids. I don't.
Taxes are a fact of life, but like any other government process, mission creep has mutated most into forms unrecognizable to those who initially enacted them.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. |
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Greg_ZPremium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | Same thing here, 3/4 goes to the local school district, but the fact remains that I have only see minor changes. Two new buildings where built because of growth restraints, but the high schools are in terrible shape. All are older buildings, with two being the oldest (one dates back to 1800's).
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One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
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RadioDoc58ef2c0Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | Man, they're building on up here like construction will be outlawed next year: »www.lths.net/about/sc_update.htm . Funny thing is the enrollment is declining.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. |
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Greg_ZPremium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | That is the bad thing, they feel that "If you build it, they will come", but that is not what kids and parents want. They want a place of learning, and also they want the kids to be ready for college and the job world when they graduate.
I was watching College Track on PBS-HD , and I think that they hit it on what kids are wanting and needing. My daughter is in excellerated learning classes, my niece has been taking college course work for the past two years.
Higher taxes are not the course of action, but new school buildings that are technology advanced and gives the experience of the real world are needed.
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One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
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 Homebrew1994Betzwood Basement Brewery
join:2001-11-15
King Of Prussia, PA
1 edit | reply to pnh102
said by pnh102: but its the friggin property taxes (which our current governor hasn't been able to force school districts to accept gambling revenues to replace these) which are killing everyone everywhere now.
You and I have the lowest property taxes in the state. I for one will selfishly oppose any measure to make property tax a statewide payment or other scheme to "share the wealth". I have to deal with all the problems created by living next to the nations largest shopping mall (traffic, crime etc). I like my tax money to stay right here at home. Of course none of this has anything to do with cell phones. |
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Homebrew1994Betzwood Basement Brewery
join:2001-11-15
King Of Prussia, PA | reply to Greg_Z
This is one of the reasons I switched to a prepay plan.
I had a 19.99/month plan (I dont use my phone much obviously), but my bill was $28-29 with all the taxes and fees.
I figure there are taxes included in my prepay, I just dont have to look at them,
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My other cyber-pasttime, Where's George Miserable Failure |
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pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | reply to Greg_Z
said by Greg_Z:Higher taxes are not the course of action, but new school buildings that are technology advanced and gives the experience of the real world are needed. That's not the answer. Schools in this country spend more on each student every year than the previous year. They buy more and more "advanced technology." They keep shrinking class sizes. And in spite of all of this, US public schools suck more than foreign schools which spend waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay less on education than we do.
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Rove / Rumsfeld 2008! |
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