Can't Buy Me Love
Are you one of thousands of Tampa commuters who'd rather drive off a cliff than down Bruce B. Downs or I-4 during rush hour? Do you have children attending an overcrowded school? Are homeowner's insurance premiums going through the roof - forcing you to subsist on grilled cheese sandwiches and American beer?
If so, please contact your legislators in Tallahassee. Tell them to shelve the idea of a week-long tax-free holiday. Jim Davis correctly referred to this plan as a gimmick and I agree. Instead, our representatives should use this revenue to solve some problems.
A quality education is expensive and kids cannot excel in elementary schools currently overcrowded by about 500+ kids. Perhaps you don't have children and can't understand the influence smaller schools have on a learning environment. Okay, how about this argument: Property values go up and crime goes down when neighborhood schools are well-funded and supported by the local community. Take it from someone involved both as a parent and educator - investing in education helps the residents of our state more than discounts on plasma televisions.
The widening of Bruce B. Downs from four to eight lanes has been postponed - don't expect relief until at least 2008. Currently, New Tampa residents spend a half-hour just driving down the street! Ever visit other highways in town during morning or afternoon hours? Combine careless drivers with too-few lanes and about six hundred rubberneckers and I'm not surprised when a stray bullet grazes someone's windshield. Unless we start kicking people out, Florida legislators are going to have to solve our growth problem. Open the roads and clear the way.
The Tampa Tribune even suggested using this tax money to alleviate the current crisis with Citizens Property and rising homeowners' insurance premiums. Citizens is often the last resort for folks who can't get insurance elsewhere and all Florida homeowners pay to offset its deficit. What are the alternatives? Try foreclosures and bankruptcies. As a community, we must make a decision: Do we want a work force owning homes here or not? I believe its best when everyone - those with and without - are connected to the towns in which they live and work. Ownership has its privileges.
Tallahassee: keep my hundred bucks and fix our schools, roads, or insurance woes. Instead of a week, try making every day a holiday.
posted by kate @ 5:40 AM
17 comments
17 Comments:
Can't but me love? When you suggest to your readers that Florida should kep your money, and subtly suggest they should be taking more of it, then buying your love is exactly what you are proposing.
With a little more money, a little more resources, a little more taxation, then we could have smarter kids and better schools.
What about responsibility? Parental involvment? Discipline? Accountability for teachers who fail their students? A return to basic education standards? Emphasis on math, science, reading and writing? What happen to that?
When do we get to quit making excuses for schools that fail and parents who blame them? The state is only required to provide an education, it is not required to guarantee students actually learn anything.
For the first 175 years of our existence the United States led the world in education, research, scientific advancement, technological breakthroughs, the creation of wealth and increasing living standards. It surely was not because we were leading the world in classroom spending. So, what do you accredit the "decline" over the last 50 years?
It can't possibly be because of decreased spending. Thanks to the NEA spending in education has gone through the roof over the past 25 years. Billions are spent every year educating children and for what? 50% of Florida's General Revenue is spent on education and barely half of the money is used for actual education. The rest is used for administration and every year another billion in trust fund money is added to the pot for government funded childcare ($400 million for universal pre-kindergarten) and smaller class rooms (another $600 million). Why?
The only purpose for these programs are to increase the number of teachers. That's it. There's only spurious evidence that either program has ever done anything positive on a large scale in any state for graduation rates, comprehension, advancement or increasing enrollment in colleges. Both programs primarily address behavioral issues among "at risk" children.
It's starting to sound more like a gumball machine that raises money for nonprofits but keeps 95% for "administration." We don't need more gumball machines Kate, we need more teachers, we need more responsibility and we need more competition.
What role does the NEA play in this and will Jim Davis propose education reform that requires money to be spent on education? I have no interest on raising taxes just to pay another vice principal... or to buy your love.
Well, good, because you already have my love. Or hate. It all sorta blends together where you're concerned.
You are skirting the issue. A tax-free holiday encourages people "spend to save". Hardly a conservative ideal. And a hundred bucks back in our pocket won't cover a weeks' worth of groceries. Therefore, I am suggesting three ways to better spend this money.
If you have any ideas regarding THAT subject, you let me know. Don't like the idea of building more schools? (That's crazy talk, but okay...) Then what about roads or the insurance issues?
Stick to the subject, Ranting Man. Quit trying to Rove me.
I am with you on the tax holiday. We need the money for other things. I think that this (the tax holiday) is another attempt to starve the beast.
You may want to mention the 3 billion surplus that Jeb is considering "giving back" to the people.
We could use the money for Kid Care- or something like it.
Those proposing these ridiculous plans have never lived amongst us trying to get by in REALITY. They don't have to sit in traffic, they never have to leave their desks via conference calls. They don't have to worry about over crowded schools, they have private tutors for their heirs to the throne.
Some obviously childless idiot above wrote ...what about our responsibility as parents??? For those of us ALREADY responsible, our role is made even more difficult with these burdens. We must be providers and parents in a failing system. Yes, the state is to "provide education" but in turn they must have resonsibility to create an environment that will flourish.
The quick response - I agree we need more roads and existing roads need to be widened. I agree people should own homes were they live (what kind of inane argument is that?!) However, your assumption is that the state should be providing funding for those projects, and if I do not agree then how do I propose we spend the money?
The basic premise of your argument, when the state taxes more and spends more tax dollars then problems get solved, is flawed from it's inception. The best use of tax dollars in excess of those costs mandated by the constitution are to return them to the taxpayers. I would support a fully funded rainey day fund of as much as 20% of the budget to provide revenue in times of need or shortfall. But using excess funds simply because we have them is theft.
This would be the same as is business started keeping the change from every transaction. Suppose Home Depot or Publix decided to do this every spring. They know hurricane season is fast approaching and there will be an incresed need for generators and ice. Shouldn't they keep your money now because they know you will need it later? Of course not. So why should the government do it?
The best use of ones revenue is best determined by he who earns it, not by a central authority. So Kate, if you think we need to spend more money on schools, roads or insurance, then please, write a check of the corresponding amount you think will help and mail it to the State of Florida.
But the for me the question is, if revenue exceeds the budgeted amount how does the state return the money? The sales tax holiday is not a gimmick - there are only two sources of revenue for the state of Florida, coporate taxes and sales taxes. The only way to return revenue generated through sales taxes is by providing a respite from taxes for a period of time that will correspond with the amount of revenue exceeding budgeting needs. We can debate how long it should last, which items should be targeted, or if the overall rate should be lowered (if we are raising too much money then the rate is too high). Since we have no process for providing cash directly to individuals the options are alternative spending plans (your ideas), alternative tax holiday's, or lowering the overall rate (my preference).
The answer to the problems of transportation, insurance and education are more personal responibility (debt reduction and savings accounts) and competition among providers, not alternative spending plans as you suggest. What say you?
Furthermore, anonymous wrote - Some obviously childless idiot above wrote ...what about our responsibility as parents??? For those of us ALREADY responsible, our role is made even more difficult with these burdens. We must be providers and parents in a failing system. Yes, the state is to "provide education" but in turn they must have resonsibility to create an environment that will flourish.
First, I'm not childless. Second, being a parent is hard. Responsbility doesn't start after you have children, it begins before the act that created them. Life is hard, government was not designed to make it easier for you, it was designed to protect you from intrusion and assualt upon your personal life, property and pursuits. It does not allow you to abdicate your responsibilities onto the rest of society by substituting other peoples tax dollars for the lack of time or interests you have allotted to your children. Your statements, and your desires to expand government, invite the state into your living room, your bedroom and your classroom. The state has no requirements whatsoever to create and environment that will flourish.
I'd prefer my tax dollars pay for MORE schools in overcrowded areas, MORE teachers in such schools and MORE space on existing roads and MORE roads where there aren't any connecting major points of traffic. I'd also prefer to help offset the premiums homeowners are paying to cover insurance rates.
I'm not talking right now about failing schools and teachers or about ineffective parenting. Growth is out of control and we should deal with it.
I would argue that returning the money to taxpayers in the form of schools or roads would be better than tax-free shopping. It's a simple argument for a simple idea. Simple as that. ;-)
To address Mr. C - Kate shouldn't have to waste her time spoon feeding you. It can't be broken down any simpler. You are a hopeless mega-tard.
I didn't waste my time reading your yimmer-yammer above, but did YOU actually READ the last sentence you wrote? ...The state has no requirements whatsoever to create and environment that will flourish.
That could make you the largest living idiot to date.
Of course this state consistently fails in many areas...because of poor planning. However, there's always the INTENT for success.
As for parenting, you highlighted your own point -- perhaps YOU should spend a little more time with YOUR children instead of playing cyber-tag. Lay off the bong.
I'd prefer my tax dollars pay for MORE schools in overcrowded areas, MORE teachers in such schools and MORE space on existing roads and MORE roads where there aren't any connecting major points of traffic.
But Kate, they are. An additional $600 million this year (and every year for the next decade) for class size reduction alone. As an alternative just last year Governor Bush offered legislation that would raise salaries, provide for more teachers and allow for bonuses. The legislature said no. They want class size reduction. The legislature made the priority.
Should we put class size reduction on hold to build more schools and roads? Is that what Davis proposes? If we build more roads and schools won't that encourage more people to move to those area's and further clog roads and schools? It's not as simple as you make it sound. If you are giving the responsibility to the government to decide what is needed and when then you have to live with it when they do decide.
Maybe the reason the voters have been putting Republicans into office are because they are tired of putting democrats into office who theink they know better what we need. We already know what the result of democrat central planning is - clogged roads and overcrowded schools.
Maybe you are suggesting we should raise taxes because we don't have enough money to do everything. Isn't that really what you, and Jim Davis, want to do? Raise taxes so you can have your cake and eat it too? Did Davis learn that trick in Washington?
Why build more schools when the ones we have don't work? Why build more roads when the ones we have are clogged? Can't you move downtown and walk? You're a teacher, keep your kids at home and teach them yourself. You would save a fortune in transportation costs and you would make the roads less clogged for the rest of us.
Listen, once again Mr. C is correct. Kate you're fueled by emotion. How about we mow down some more nature for your precious roads. Would you like that? And by the way $100 is alot of money per week for some of us. So you can send me yours...
I would argue that building more schools would help with class-size reduction. Obviously. And I believe most teachers and schools are working - just not as effectively as if the schools weren't so booked or if parents were involved. The houses are built and communites planned - not due to democrats or repubs so spare me the partisan bullshit.
Your argument is: If schools and roads are better, more people will move to our neighborhoods? That's almost as funny as the "megatard" comment from anonymous (which I will use sometime soon). Keep people out because we suck? If we rock, that'd just clog up our roads even more...wow...then let's hire Crist so we can reduce population problems in Florida.
Sure-fire solutions you have, C. SURE FIRE.
Ok, for starters, those are questions, not my argument. They are intended to make the point you made, the alternative is to suck. And why would people want to live here if we sucked? These problems are because we are a great state and we are doing something right, otherwise people wouldn't be moving here in record numbers and unemployment wouldn't be at national lows. Your call for more spending only increases the cost of living and discourages people from wanting to live here, making it suck more. There are other options.
I clearly said, the problem lies in priorities set by the state, a la the legislature denying an opportunity to hire more teachers at higher pay, and that my preferred course of action for the budget surplus is to reduce the sales tax to bring revenue in line with costs.
You, and your insult commenting friend, suggest that I don't live in reality and would like your readers to think the only solution to crowded schools is spending more money to build new ones.
These are but some of the alternative options currently available for overcrowded schools -
1) Raise taxes to fund more school construction (requires legislation)
2) Allow vouchers for students to attend private schools (requires legislation)
3) Allow vouchers for students to use at better performing, public, schools in the local area (requires legislation)
4) Approve additional charter school permits (requires legislation)
5) Home school
6) Private school
With the exception of raising taxes, I suspect you don't like these options because they mean less money for public schools. But, these solutions offer real world strategies for parents who are truly concerned about their children's education, not solutions offered by union officials seekign to protect jobs and benefits.
This whole idea of overcrowded schools is largely fantasy. Because there are 25 students in a classroom instead of 22 doesn't make it overcrowded and it shouldn't reduce the ability of a good teacher to teach students. It's simply an effort on your part to deflect the failure of educators and teachers unions in their mission, which is protecting jobs.
Regarding transportation - I have personally suggested that one of the greatest things Bush could do in his final year would be to invest heavily in infrastructure and launch an initiative for long term road construction statewide. But, just to be clear, the article you link to in your original post is not a problem of the state.
The widening of the Bruce B. Downs has already been approved and is slated to begin construction. The delays are not due to poor funding or misplaced priorities, they're due to local government bungling. They aren't even through the planning phase yet. For you to suggest that the GOP is to blame or that Davis can do anything about it is ludicrous. If you want to talk about changing the priorities for state spending, or increasing taxes to increase spending, then those are two things we can discuss.
So kate, -
Should we change or funding priorities to spend more on education and roads?
And where will you take the money from (ie prisons, citrus canker, veterans affairs, children affairs)?
Or should we raise taxes to increase spending on education and roads?
And should it be through an increase in the sales tax or should we institute a personal income tax?
Also, which does Davis support, changing priorities or raising taxes?
Fire away.
I moved here in 1999 from a very small town, you can't even find on the map in NJ. One day when my son was in 4th grade, here in New Tampa, I asked him why he didn't bring his book home to study. He said, "oh Mrs. so and so's class is using the book." I said What??? you mean you have to share books?"
He said yes, there weren't enough books for all classes.
When the PTA was given money from the state, I suggested we buy more books...guess what they bought.....
A cotton candy machine.
In my little home town in Jersey, the children never had to share books. With all the taxes we are paying up here in New Tampa, why aren't the schools getting the books they need??????????????
And they want to go a week tax free????
Why should they care, I am sure their kids are in private schools.
Okay, C - you're grating on my last nerve trying to make this about everything but the issue at hand. I've said all I care to say about the tax-free holiday and what I'd prefer. You are a giant ass ache with endless dissertations on issues that I'm not even addressing! I refuse to be led off on tangents and for the last time, lawton, I am not g*ddamn emotional!
Tax free holiday? no. I don't like it. I support the theory, but can think of endless alternative ways to give the money back. I would prefer lowering the sales tax rate overall permanently, not just for one week. I thought I said that somewhere before?...
I would prefer the budget surplus money to go into a rainy day fund and saved and sales taxes permanently lowered from .25-.50 cents for the next fiscal year. Also, I would prefer Citizens Insurance to stop issuing insurance and for that money to be spent on teacher bonuses. I would prefer the state stay completely out of the insurance industry unless they are violating contracts, at which point the judicial system and law enforcmenet system would step in. Also, I would cancel UPK immediately and use the money on the class size initiative and new teacher hires.
In my dream world, I would prefer all taxes in Florida abolished and a 25% across the board consumption tax (also called fair tax) to replace it.
Happy?
In my dream world, you'd stop wasting precious blog space. It only took one jillion blogs for you to address the right issue. Which officially makes you an Omnitard. Your Indian name would be "all over the map".
Pal, really, you should hit the playground with your kids a little more often. Get some dopamine built up in the brain. You don't have to volley every ping for pong. No, I didn't write bong. Although you should lay off it.
Yes, Mr. C - I'm happy now. 'bout time. Rarely can someone make me smile this early in the morning.
I'd take that bonus, too. ;-)
Here's an idea: ride a bike/commute with friends to share the cost of gas, etc../walk/bus/skateboard/broom
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