Political Hippo Circle Jerk - America, farg YEAH!

[ice grillin you]

IGY, Your knowledge on the subject seems to be much deeper than mine... i can admit that

actually probably not as deep as you think...i probably know a little more about this stuff than john mccain...but i do know that raising taxes is not always by default a bad thing

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Sock the rich!

[Geowhizzer]

On the possible Republican VP candidate Crist:

Crist helped push through a Florida "constitutional amendment" last year that doubled the homestead exemption on property taxes.  On the outside, it saves about $100 or so per year on your property taxes.  The teachers, police, and fire fighters unions all campaigned against it because it would lead to a drastic cut in services, but it passed anyway.

Well, here we are: 

My school district (in Florida, each county is a school district - my district includes at least 10 high schools I can remember offhand, with about 2.5 middle school and 4 or 5 elementary schools per high school) is facing a $30 million cut next year in the budget.    As such, the district has exercised its option to re-open the contract with the local teachers union.  Because it is now an ongoing negotiation, all raises and steps are frozen - in other words I will begin next year with the same salary as I have now.  The after-school tutoring programs are being drastically cut (from 4 to 2 days per week), and athletic programs are also facing deep cuts. 

Our school didn't have to lay anyone off because we had a couple of retirements, but some schools are facing up to 10 teachers being cut.  Obviously, there is also a hiring freeze until those teachers that are surplused are given positions - if there are any to be found.

There are similar cuts for the police and fire staff.  Since there was just a major brushfire within sight of my own home, I hope that their effectiveness isn't compromised, but how can it not be when they're losing people and the ability to maintain and replace/upgrade equipment?

I'm not overly upset about the pay raise - I actually expected it to come, and I can't blame the district for exercising the option that was there in sight of the budget crisis.  I am upset, though, about the short-sightedness of both Crist and voters who went for the minimal gain of this amendment (actually entitled the "Save our Homes" amendment - like $100-150 per year is going to keep you out of foreclosure) in exchange for a much higher loss in services.  I argued these points with my own mother, but all she saw was getting extra money.  She even said that the police could deal with a loss in man power and vehicles, because there were too many on the road.

My wife and I are actually considering donating the extra we get back from property tax to my school.  Won't be much, but it's something.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Vote Obama, and your troubles will all be resolved.

[rjs246]

That shtein makes me sick. Our education system is in the farging toilet right now and everyone knows it and still teachers and school systems have to scratch and claw for every extra cent. Our priorities are so farged.

[Geowhizzer]

Vote Obama, and your troubles will all be resolved.

In a sick, twisted way, if McCain takes Crist on as VP, I hope they win.  Another thing that Crist did was change the law so he does not have to actually resign as governor to run for VP.  I want Crist gone from Florida.

Of course, with my luck, McCain will croak on Jan. 21, 2009, and I'll be stuck with President Crist.  And our country will proceed to go to hell.

[phattymatty]

president christ, how ironic.

[ThirdStreetMafia]

do you guys really think McCain has chance? I've talked to a lot of people lately that seem to think he does. personally i dont think he has a chance in hell. They are sooooo many people who hate Bush and associate mccain as the same. If the democrats find a way to loose this election... there's just no way they'll lose. I've always voted republican in the past but i have no idea who to vote for... I absolutely hate the thought of any of these guys!

[ice grillin you]

people voted for bush twice why would it be a shock that they would do it again


actually going against a liberal negro muslim i wouldnt be surprised at all if mccain won this year by more than bush did vs kerry

[ice grillin you]

On the possible Republican VP candidate Crist:

Crist helped push through a Florida "constitutional amendment" last year that doubled the homestead exemption on property taxes.  On the outside, it saves about $100 or so per year on your property taxes.  The teachers, police, and fire fighters unions all campaigned against it because it would lead to a drastic cut in services, but it passed anyway.

Well, here we are: 

My school district (in Florida, each county is a school district - my district includes at least 10 high schools I can remember offhand, with about 2.5 middle school and 4 or 5 elementary schools per high school) is facing a $30 million cut next year in the budget.    As such, the district has exercised its option to re-open the contract with the local teachers union.  Because it is now an ongoing negotiation, all raises and steps are frozen - in other words I will begin next year with the same salary as I have now.  The after-school tutoring programs are being drastically cut (from 4 to 2 days per week), and athletic programs are also facing deep cuts. 

Our school didn't have to lay anyone off because we had a couple of retirements, but some schools are facing up to 10 teachers being cut.  Obviously, there is also a hiring freeze until those teachers that are surplused are given positions - if there are any to be found.

There are similar cuts for the police and fire staff.  Since there was just a major brushfire within sight of my own home, I hope that their effectiveness isn't compromised, but how can it not be when they're losing people and the ability to maintain and replace/upgrade equipment?

I'm not overly upset about the pay raise - I actually expected it to come, and I can't blame the district for exercising the option that was there in sight of the budget crisis.  I am upset, though, about the short-sightedness of both Crist and voters who went for the minimal gain of this amendment (actually entitled the "Save our Homes" amendment - like $100-150 per year is going to keep you out of foreclosure) in exchange for a much higher loss in services.  I argued these points with my own mother, but all she saw was getting extra money.  She even said that the police could deal with a loss in man power and vehicles, because there were too many on the road.

My wife and I are actually considering donating the extra we get back from property tax to my school.  Won't be much, but it's something.

thats horrible....the problem is there are to many people like FF that dont care about things like this unless their wife gets layed off...or he doesnt doesnt get a pay raise...or his childs school cant afford supplies or programs...until it directly effects them the $100 in their pocket is much more important

[PhillyGirl]

Geo, that's HORRIBLE. I have a lot of friends from college that went on to be teachers (mostly elementary school) and I hear about stories like that a lot from them. Its disgusting.

IGY hit the nail on the head with his last post.

[MDS]

not god bless america, god DAMN america

[Wingspan]

Maybe they should consider a bake sale?

[SunMo]

i got brownies covered

[Wingspan]

mmmmm $50 brownies....