the state of the state

I found this article interesting (i don't know how to make a link, so forgive me if this messed up).

I've long noticed that "important measures" that are essential in times of high need are never repealed, even when times of high need fade into times of high prosperity.

Personally, I'd rather they'd just raise my taxes than charge me $50 a year to use public parks, or $5 a day for a local playground, or even force one to bring their own toilet paper to work. Seriously, I like it when the government does basic stuff for me, nothing above and beyond, but the same basic stuff they've always done, and I'm willing to pay more in my property & income taxes to cover this sop everyone pays equally whether they choose to use said services or not.

I think all of those cities that are firing all their police are going to regret it. If one gets rid of city police and then relies on county/state police when those same organizations are in a budget crunch too, then the EMT/Fire/Police services become overworked, underpaid, and emergency wait times increase.

Baltimore city, like most cities, is in a major crunch, and they want to lay off police, fire EMT, trash services etc. I LIKE having trash pick up. I like the fact that when I call 911 (emergency or non) it only takes them 5-10 mins to respond. If the city has these lay offs, we woul;d have to go to trash pick-up every 2 weeks and the police/fire/emt reponse time would take about 40 minutes in an emergency and multiple hours in non-emergency situations (if at all). P

art of Baltimore's issue is that the dumb bitch known as sheila dixion, our former mayor, broke many laws, including stealing from the city's homeless fund (i didn't vote for her, she looked like a cheap hooker someone had dressed up and tried to pass off as a lady). anyway, when she was tossed out of office because of her actions, the city was forced to pay her a LIFETIME pension of $83,000 a year. See, not only does she, an admitted criminal, gets to keep her $83,000 a year, but ALL the local elected officials get a generous pension like that. This is a national thing, not just a rare Baltimore stupidity. Perhaps there should be an ethics requirement in the pension, that if one is convicted or must resign from the job, then one loses said pension or takes a reduced pension? I'm sure that could be managed if catholic schools can fired people for getting IVF....

And guess what? If the next mayor gets more than Sheila did while in office, her pension could go up fron $83,000 a year to as much as $95,000 a year. FOR NOTHING. I'm in the wrong line of work, we all are. Sure, $83,000 would pay for about 2 cops, or 3 911 dispatchers, or 2 EMTs, or 2 fire fighters etc., but if you took the total amt of over-blown lifetime pensions the city gives away like this and you know, quit doing that, you'd find a lot of savings. Plus in a times like this, does it seem fair that these people are paid so high when state employees are going to work a dew dozen times a year and not being paid for it and being asked to take pay cuts as well as pension cuts? If my friends and family don't get their pensions, why should sheila dixion?

in the county my guy works for, the superintendent of schools has gotten a 60% raise over the past 3 years while over the past 3 years they've: Laid off people, fourloughed, cut pensions, cut medical benefits, elimintaed raises, cut funding, reduced reminburesements for schooling (that are manditory to keep your job), frozen steps, reduced starting salaries etc. Sure, he's one man, but does it seem right that HE gets his pension increases and raise etc. when all of the non-central office employees are being asked to give up so much? Oh and the asst super and other board members also got their increases and pension increases. I'm usre if you took all of that money together, it would have helped to close some of the gap. Sure, it wouldn't have been all of it, but if they suggest quitting buying TP because "Every little penny helps" then perhaps the public should pressure some of the leaders about their pennies and sacrifices?

I also think that the CA state employees wouldn't be so pissed at Arnold's screwing them over if he and his wife didn't have enough money to wipe their asses with $100s every time they shat and not feel any financial burden, but that's just my opinion. But i also know that my being okay with increasing taxes is rare. The same people at the state who are angry at going to work without pay would be pissed if they had a tax increase, even if they got their raise.