[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

Most of the time I just keep my mouth shut and read. Occasionally I chime in with some observation about a topic in this forum. But honestly, as one who spent 30 years in a public service career, I take a little offense at your statement about "wasteful bureaucrats" and feel compelled to respond. I guess I am one of those wasteful bureaucrats of which you speak. I spent a career as a public school teacher, elementary school principal, and a a statewide education department. I don't recall trying to waste your money, nor did I ever.......ever come in contact with someone else whose goal was to do that. We always tried to provide good service to the public, most of the time with meager budgets.

Yes, people want good roads, street lights, public buildings, parks, police and fire protection, armies, sanitation, health standards, etc, that government provides. They just don't seem to want to pay for it. You tell me friend, in increasing populations, with increasing public and social demands, and increasing inflation, how government budgets are supposed to continue to provide service, but at the same time be cut. It's simple arithmetic. It doesn't work that way.

You state, "They will always waste it." What? Are you serious? Remember that the next time you cash a social security check, take advantage of Medicare, vacation at a state or national park, drive on a paved four lane, or see a service man walking down the street. Remember that when you see school buses taking children to learn and back home and providing them with a hot meal and supervision all day long. Remember that when you see bridges, overpasses, hydroelectric dams, public utilities, road signs, and public universities. Remember that when you see firemen and policemen risking their lives to protect us all. Remember that when you think about this country and all the dedicated and honorable public service employees who make it run every day.

Has government ever wasted a buck? You bet, every day. And so has everyone else, including major industrial corporations, and every small business owner who ever made a payroll in every hamlet in America. They waste too, but they don't call it taxes, they call it prices and pass it on to the consumer. I'm not complaining. Thats just the way it is. You spend to grow and show progress, except in the private sector its called research and development and innovation and in the public sector its called waste.

Just stop it. Stop the government bashing. Stop the anti-tax nonsense. Do I want an impact fee in Sumter? Not particularly, but if they create one, I'll try to be constructive in seeing that it works for me too, and when it does I'll appreciate it.

Please I'm not going to get sucked into this but Social Security among other examples is an awful example. My private investments have grown at many multiples of my "Social Security " investment I wonder why that is???

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

Most of the time I just keep my mouth shut and read. Occasionally I chime in with some observation about a topic in this forum. But honestly, as one who spent 30 years in a public service career, I take a little offense at your statement about "wasteful bureaucrats" and feel compelled to respond. I guess I am one of those wasteful bureaucrats of which you speak. I spent a career as a public school teacher, elementary school principal, and a a statewide education department. I don't recall trying to waste your money, nor did I ever.......ever come in contact with someone else whose goal was to do that. We always tried to provide good service to the public, most of the time with meager budgets.

Yes, people want good roads, street lights, public buildings, parks, police and fire protection, armies, sanitation, health standards, etc, that government provides. They just don't seem to want to pay for it. You tell me friend, in increasing populations, with increasing public and social demands, and increasing inflation, how government budgets are supposed to continue to provide service, but at the same time be cut. It's simple arithmetic. It doesn't work that way.

You state, "They will always waste it." What? Are you serious? Remember that the next time you cash a social security check, take advantage of Medicare, vacation at a state or national park, drive on a paved four lane, or see a service man walking down the street. Remember that when you see school buses taking children to learn and back home and providing them with a hot meal and supervision all day long. Remember that when you see bridges, overpasses, hydroelectric dams, public utilities, road signs, and public universities. Remember that when you see firemen and policemen risking their lives to protect us all. Remember that when you think about this country and all the dedicated and honorable public service employees who make it run every day.

Has government ever wasted a buck? You bet, every day. And so has everyone else, including major industrial corporations, and every small business owner who ever made a payroll in every hamlet in America. They waste too, but they don't call it taxes, they call it prices and pass it on to the consumer. I'm not complaining. Thats just the way it is. You spend to grow and show progress, except in the private sector its called research and development and innovation and in the public sector its called waste.

Just stop it. Stop the government bashing. Stop the anti-tax nonsense. Do I want an impact fee in Sumter? Not particularly, but if they create one, I'll try to be constructive in seeing that it works for me too, and when it does I'll appreciate it.

Cedwards: I do not wish to hurt your feeings nor denigrate your standing. However despite ever increasing educational costs America's standing in education against other countries is 17th. And while we do better in universities it is because of immigration and not a result from our high schooling programs.

The OP welcomed impact fees. The OP might consider that Sumter County village residents are charged a bond in addition to the land and domicle unit.
Perhaps I was misled but it is my understanding that Lake county village residents did not pay a bond.

We don't need more taxes. We need better money management by our public servants. They are quite wasteful and use our taxes to futher their re-elections. It is all getting maddening. Seniors would not be dealing with the hemming and hawing about social security and medicare if our public servants kept their hands off of the fund. Public sevrants for the most part perform like teenagers on spending steriods with a newly acquired credit card and they know how to recklessly spend our money.

I don't blame Mickelson in the least for his comments. the recent tax changes by the fed and the state of CA bring him to 60% tax rate and that is just plain obscene

[Cedwards38]

Thanks for your response. I don't recall advocating for more taxes. I just stated that its not all "wasted." On behalf of all public servants across America (and I'm not talking about elected public servants, I'm talking about the bureaucrats referred to in the comment) I'm sorry you feel that way. You get what you pay for. I'm done.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Cedwards: I do not wish to hurt your feeings nor denigrate your standing. However despite ever increasing educational costs America's standing in education against other countries is 17th. And while we do better in universities it is because of immigration and not a result from our high schooling programs.

The OP welcomed impact fees. The OP might consider that Sumter County village residents are charged a bond in addition to the land and domicle unit.
Perhaps I was misled but it is my understanding that Lake county village residents did not pay a bond.

We don't need more taxes. We need better money management by our public servants. They are quite wasteful and use our taxes to futher their re-elections. It is all getting maddening. Seniors would not be dealing with the hemming and hawing about social security and medicare if our public servants kept their hands off of the fund. Public sevrants for the most part perform like teenagers on spending steriods with a newly acquired credit card and they know how to recklessly spend our money.

I don't blame Mickelson in the least for his comments. the recent tax changes by the fed and the state of CA bring him to 60% tax rate and that is just plain obscene

I think the Sumter County Commissioners do a good job keeping our taxes low and providing services.
Impact fees should not be used for building a performing arts center.
You don't belive that Mickelson pays 60% in taxes.........really!

[l2ridehd]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

Thanks for your response. I don't recall advocating for more taxes. I just stated that its not all "wasted." On behalf of all public servants across America (and I'm not talking about elected public servants, I'm talking about the bureaucrats referred to in the comment) I'm sorry you feel that way. You get what you pay for. I'm done.

I thank you for your dedicated service and your commitment to such a valuable career. However for every one of you that did as you stated, I can find 20 who did not. I am a teacher advocate, but look at the teachers unions who refuse being held accountable with testing. Look at those other public employees who take as much as they can get. Toll agents who work triple overtime in their final year so they collect 175% of final year salary in retirement. Look at our elected (bureaucrats) who refuse to cut any spending and want more revenue. They refuse to support a $1 in cuts for a $1 in new revenue.

All wasted? No. Way to much wasted? Yes. Sorry but I stand by my original comments and will always refuse to support any new tax or fee until those making the decisions find ways to reduce spending.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

Most of the time I just keep my mouth shut and read. Occasionally I chime in with some observation about a topic in this forum. But honestly, as one who spent 30 years in a public service career, I take a little offense at your statement about "wasteful bureaucrats" and feel compelled to respond. I guess I am one of those wasteful bureaucrats of which you speak. I spent a career as a public school teacher, elementary school principal, and a a statewide education department. I don't recall trying to waste your money, nor did I ever.......ever come in contact with someone else whose goal was to do that. We always tried to provide good service to the public, most of the time with meager budgets.

Yes, people want good roads, street lights, public buildings, parks, police and fire protection, armies, sanitation, health standards, etc, that government provides. They just don't seem to want to pay for it. You tell me friend, in increasing populations, with increasing public and social demands, and increasing inflation, how government budgets are supposed to continue to provide service, but at the same time be cut. It's simple arithmetic. It doesn't work that way.

You state, "They will always waste it." What? Are you serious? Remember that the next time you cash a social security check, take advantage of Medicare, vacation at a state or national park, drive on a paved four lane, or see a service man walking down the street. Remember that when you see school buses taking children to learn and back home and providing them with a hot meal and supervision all day long. Remember that when you see bridges, overpasses, hydroelectric dams, public utilities, road signs, and public universities. Remember that when you see firemen and policemen risking their lives to protect us all. Remember that when you think about this country and all the dedicated and honorable public service employees who make it run every day.

Has government ever wasted a buck? You bet, every day. And so has everyone else, including major industrial corporations, and every small business owner who ever made a payroll in every hamlet in America. They waste too, but they don't call it taxes, they call it prices and pass it on to the consumer. I'm not complaining. Thats just the way it is. You spend to grow and show progress, except in the private sector its called research and development and innovation and in the public sector its called waste.

Just stop it. Stop the government bashing. Stop the anti-tax nonsense. Do I want an impact fee in Sumter? Not particularly, but if they create one, I'll try to be constructive in seeing that it works for me too, and when it does I'll appreciate it.

Thank you for a good, common sense post. I too was a public service employee, and I don't think the public really realized how much dedication and hard work there is from these employees.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I think the Sumter County Commissioners do a good job keeping our taxes low and providing services.
Impact fees should not be used for building a performing arts center.
You don't belive that Mickelson pays 60% in taxes.........really!

Yes, I do believe that he pays 62%
Under current tax rates, Mickelson would pay 13.3 percent in state income tax and 39.6 percent in federal income tax. That's 52.9 percent combined. Medicare and Medicaid is an additional 2 percent. The new health-care levy is .9 percent on earned income and 3.8 percent on investment income.

Now figure in gasoline tax, property tax, personal property tax, sales tax, etc, etc,etc.
Each of us probably pays FAR more in taxes than we realize.

[BobnBev]

Toll agents who work triple overtime in their final year so they collect 175% of final year salary in retirement.?????????????????????????????????

You must have made that up. Can you support that statement with facts?

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

Toll agents who work triple overtime in their final year so they collect 175% of final year salary in retirement.?????????????????????????????????

You must have made that up. Can you support that statement with facts?

You will find such supporting data in this Bloomberg article:
Port Authority Seeks to Increase Tolls as Overtime Pay

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

Yes, I do believe that he pays 62%
Under current tax rates, Mickelson would pay 13.3 percent in state income tax and 39.6 percent in federal income tax. That's 52.9 percent combined. Medicare and Medicaid is an additional 2 percent. The new health-care levy is .9 percent on earned income and 3.8 percent on investment income.

Now figure in gasoline tax, property tax, personal property tax, sales tax, etc, etc,etc.
Each of us probably pays FAR more in taxes than we realize.

I'm sure he has a good accountant and doesn't pay anywhere close to 62%.

[buggyone]

IF Phil Mickelson does pay 62% of his millions in taxes, he should fire his tax advisors IMMEDIATELY!!

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

Most of the time I just keep my mouth shut and read. Occasionally I chime in with some observation about a topic in this forum. But honestly, as one who spent 30 years in a public service career, I take a little offense at your statement about "wasteful bureaucrats" and feel compelled to respond. I guess I am one of those wasteful bureaucrats of which you speak. I spent a career as a public school teacher, elementary school principal, and a a statewide education department. I don't recall trying to waste your money, nor did I ever.......ever come in contact with someone else whose goal was to do that. We always tried to provide good service to the public, most of the time with meager budgets.

Yes, people want good roads, street lights, public buildings, parks, police and fire protection, armies, sanitation, health standards, etc, that government provides. They just don't seem to want to pay for it. You tell me friend, in increasing populations, with increasing public and social demands, and increasing inflation, how government budgets are supposed to continue to provide service, but at the same time be cut. It's simple arithmetic. It doesn't work that way.

You state, "They will always waste it." What? Are you serious? Remember that the next time you cash a social security check, take advantage of Medicare, vacation at a state or national park, drive on a paved four lane, or see a service man walking down the street. Remember that when you see school buses taking children to learn and back home and providing them with a hot meal and supervision all day long. Remember that when you see bridges, overpasses, hydroelectric dams, public utilities, road signs, and public universities. Remember that when you see firemen and policemen risking their lives to protect us all. Remember that when you think about this country and all the dedicated and honorable public service employees who make it run every day.

Has government ever wasted a buck? You bet, every day. And so has everyone else, including major industrial corporations, and every small business owner who ever made a payroll in every hamlet in America. They waste too, but they don't call it taxes, they call it prices and pass it on to the consumer. I'm not complaining. Thats just the way it is. You spend to grow and show progress, except in the private sector its called research and development and innovation and in the public sector its called waste.

Just stop it. Stop the government bashing. Stop the anti-tax nonsense. Do I want an impact fee in Sumter? Not particularly, but if they create one, I'll try to be constructive in seeing that it works for me too, and when it does I'll appreciate it.

in new jersey, where schools are supported primarily by local municipal property taxes [with a modicum of state aid] we have:
566 towns
BUT we have:
603 school districts
21 counties
AND we have:
624 school superintendent positions - some of which are supported by a schol business administrator!

tell me there is no waste in education!

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

in new jersey, where schools are supported primarily by local municipal property taxes [with a modicum of state aid] we have:
566 towns BUT we have:
603 school districts....21 counties....AND we have:
624 school superintendent positions - some of which are supported by a schol business administrator! tell me there is no waste in education!

I actually agree with most of what Cedwards38 said, but not all school and public administrators are as moral and conscientious as he. Many are brazen and perpetuate this:

"DALLAS — At a state agency in Texas, the executive director is receiving a $123,000-a-year salary even as he is drawing a government pension, as he has for the past eight years. In a struggling Michigan school district, 10 administrators retired, started drawing pension checks and returned immediately as contract employees. A school administrator in Illinois makes a combined $409,000 a year in pension payments and salary for overseeing a public boarding school.

Double-dipping — the well-established practice of public workers collecting government pensions and salaries at the same time — has become a hot topic for lawmakers across the country during these times of severely strained budgets and increased focus on the benefits provided to government employees.

Yet even as some states have begun curbing the practice, a review by The Associated Press found tens of thousands of state and public school employees across the country drawing government salaries along with their pensions. In five states alone — California, New York, Texas, Florida and Michigan — at least 66,000 government retirees also receive taxpayer-funded paychecks.

The practice has come under fire not just because of the cost of paying both a pension and a salary to the same person. It also can strain public pension funds because the rehired retirees draw from them but do not contribute while taking the place of workers who otherwise would be paying into the system.

Of particular concern are people who retire early, only to take another government job and draw pension annuities for many more years than they otherwise would.

State governments already have a combined $690 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, meaning they do not have enough money coming in to meet their future obligations.

“I don’t see any private entity that would allow this to happen, and I don’t see why government should allow it to happen,” said....."

Double-dip incomes draw scrutiny | timesfreepress.com

[BobnBev]

I thought we were talking about FL....how did NY and the other states get involved here?

[l2ridehd]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

Toll agents who work triple overtime in their final year so they collect 175% of final year salary in retirement.?????????????????????????????????

You must have made that up. Can you support that statement with facts?

Whitestone Bridge in NY, toll is $6.50 in each direction. Original toll was put in place for bridge upkeep. Now the tax payers pay for all bridge maintenance as the tolls are used 100% to pay toll taker wagers and retirement. NY Times did an expose on this in 2004. Toll takers all refuse overtime when a co-worker is working his or her final year so that the retiring worker gets all the possible overtime. Their contract for retirement pay is based at 80% of their final year salary plus any overtime. So during that last year they work all available OT to raise the retirement pay to 175% of final base pay. They have finally started to resolve the problem with EZ pass lanes (2005).