Taking a break.

Downtown1974

Well it looks like I will have to suspend my card purchases for a while. Atleast until after the election. I live in Massachusetts and question 1 on the ballot is to repeal our state income tax. If this legislation passes firefighters across the state will be laid off along with police officers and teachers. My fire dept. is looking at approx. 20+ firefighters out the door if this passes. So needless to say, I wont be buying too many cards for now. I will still be coming here to chat and share our great hobby. It will keep my mind off of things. Sorry to bring politics on here, this just has me really bummed out.

lawnmowerman

<< <i>My fire dept. is looking at approx. 20+ firefighters out the door if this passes. >>





That sucks Bob. Hopefully it won't pass.

Ladder7

Chin up brother. It's asinine and won't pass.

storm888

What portion of the FDs' budgets come from state income tax?

rube26105

laying off police,fire,and teachers,thats kinda stupid
no wonder kids are so dumb today
that stinks bob
hope it dont pass

nam812

They cant keep a good man like you down for long Bob. Good luck.

StopYurWhining

Hey, I live in Mass too, even if it does pass, they wont enact it. They repealed it 10 years ago (well attempted to lower it) never enacted it. It would be foolish to do so in this economic environment. Our state like most will face serious budget shortfalls. The governer has frozen hiring and has to cut the fat. He also raided the "rainy day fund" to help offset cutting aid to cities and towns. Bottom line is the economy is in the toilet and this 700 billion dollar bailout is Corporate socialism. Capitalism for the masses, but bailouts for the fatcats.

Im optimistic that youll keep your job bud. I also hope that they decriminalize the wacky weed (question 2) we have bigger problems to worry about

The one place he should and will cut jobs is the turnpike authority, toll collectors making $60-$80K for putting their hand out and taking quarters.

MeteoriteGuy

Sorry to hear about that. I hope it does not pass, and pray that other states do not follow the lead if it does.

ArchStanton

It won't happen. Even if it passes, they won't be laying off teachers and first responders. Typical election-time BS and hyperbole. Just another attempt to scare old ladies and union members. You should be used to that crap in MA.

rube26105

toll collectors making $60-$80K for putting their hand out and taking quarters.

i could do that, if i got a comfy chair, a pillow,and some beer

thats a bunch of $ for taking a quarter,they prob spent a zillion $ in jersey then, got a tollbooth every 5 feet there

CDsNuts

Well at least valuable humans like Ryan Seacrest and Howie Mandell make lots of money.

Blackborder

Funny how they always threaten to lay off firefighters and teachers, but never, ever consider cutting back on welfare payments, or "free" healthcare, or "community" services.

storm888

Which states have no personal income tax?

Seven states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.


////////////////


The flat-rate in MA is relatively ungenerous to taxpayers.


link

StopYurWhining

actually, the group behind the initiative is a Mitt Romney backing conservative organization. The groups opposing the initiative are pretty much everyone and their mother. Taxes are a necessary evil. You want roads, bridges, snow removal, firefighters etc. you pay your taxes (unless your Alaska and youve got bajillions in oil money to throw around lol)

and Mass has comprehensive health care, everyone is required to have, and you pay for it based on income level. I work in a hospital, there is very little "free" healthcare. Most folks try to pay their bills and we work out payment plans if insurance doesnt cover stuff, or Doctors bill for shorter visits when they really saw them for an hour etc. We get folks on studies so they can get life saving drugs or trial meds at low or no cost. Compassion and common sense go a long way.

otwcards

<< <i>toll collectors making $60-$80K for putting their hand out and taking quarters.

i could do that, if i got a comfy chair, a pillow,and some beer

thats a bunch of $ for taking a quarter,they prob spent a zillion $ in jersey then, got a tollbooth every 5 feet there
>>



Randy:

I resent that remark. They've removed quite a few toll booths and now they're spaced quite a distance apart. I'm pretty certain that you'd be hard pressed to find ANY toll booth closer than 11 feet from the previous toll booth!

Downtown1974

Thanks for the support guys. I really dont think it will pass either but I cant be too confident with the way the economy is right now. I think people are fed up and may roll the dice to get that few extra bucks in thier pay check. I just cant imagine not being a firefighter.
Storm, this is how it would break down for my town.

State aid for Public safety = $5,944,152
Estimated cut if passed = $3,847,332
Thats 65% that would be cut. $1.4 million of which is Fire dept.

leadoff4

Florida has no state income tax but they make up for it with property taxes!!!

storm888

I met many of these "private firefighters," during my 2007 travels.

They don't do well with the unions - and volunteer organizations - in the NE, but are popular in the west.

They are almost always hiring.



private firefighters

TJMAC

Good luck man. There has to be other areas to cut waste besides the fire fighters!

VikingDude

<< <i>Which states have no personal income tax?

Seven states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.


My wife is from South dakota. They may not have a state income tax but they DEFINITELY make up for it in property taxes. My opinion is that they will always find a way to get your money regardless which of your pockets their hands are in.

Downtown1974

<< <i>

<< <i>Which states have no personal income tax?

Seven states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.


My wife is from South dakota. They may not have a state income tax but they DEFINITELY make up for it in property taxes. My opinion is that they will always find a way to get your money regardless which of your pockets their hands are in. >>



Your absolutely correct. Thats exactly what will happen. People will be paying more and be getting less service. As a taxpayer, I take comfort in knowing my daughter is getting a good education, or knowing if someone tried to break into my home, the cops will be there in 2 minutes. My property tax reflects those luxuries. But if this question passes all of that goes out the window. I will be paying more for property tax, more for insurance, and they will institute "fees" for everything under the sun.

TomGshotput

The state does not use my tax money well, so why should I have to give up that money I earned?

Firefighters are union, so if they do cut jobs it will be through attrition, not termination

I'm moving out of state within a year, so don't care too much, but if I were to stay in the Massachusetts work force I would be fully in favor of eliminating the state income tax

To keep this on topic, consider that if you no longer pay income tax, that's like a 5% raise you can use to buy cards

Six years ago it was 53-47, any indication of it being much different this year?

PROMETHIUS88

If indeed it comes to pass, you can count on me. I'll be happy to come out there and start a few extra fires.... you know in like dumpsters and stuff. That way they will realize they can't afford to cut anyone and keep you on. I'll have to wait until spring though, cause it's way to cold to do it in the winter in MA. I'm not THAT crazy!

Good Luck!

larryallen73

that's like a 5% raise you can use to buy cards

Maybe so but will suck when you have to pay your deductible after your house burns down because nobody is there to put it out... and your whole card collection goes up in smoke!

grote15

My wife is from South dakota. They may not have a state income tax but they DEFINITELY make up for it in property taxes. My opinion is that they will always find a way to get your money regardless which of your pockets their hands are in.

Exactly. Measures such as these only guarantee fewer services for the money you will wind up paying anyway.

grote15

that's like a 5% raise you can use to buy cards

Maybe so but will suck when you have to pay your deductible after your house burns down because nobody is there to put it out... and your whole card collection goes up in smoke!



Not funny in an actual sense, but very accurate nonetheless.

detroitfan2

Hang in there Downtown, I'm feeling the same way as an employee of General Motors. Lots of concern in the metro Detroit area right now. It will all work out. In the meantime, get out your 55 set and do what we did as kids - memorize every stat and other piece of information on them suckers.

storm888

Most of you folks have the google ads turned off.

I like them, so I leave them on.

On this thread, every google add is NOW about "taxes."

Pretty slick those google guys. They slide adds in
that seem to relate directly to the topic being discussed
in each thread.

Downtown1974

<< <i>Hang in there Downtown, I'm feeling the same way as an employee of General Motors. Lots of concern in the metro Detroit area right now. It will all work out. In the meantime, get out your 55 set and do what we did as kids - memorize every stat and other piece of information on them suckers. >>



Now you're talking Tom!! The 55s can always cheer me up. I hope everything works out for you with your job!

Piman58

<< <i>If indeed it comes to pass, you can count on me. I'll be happy to come out there and start a few extra fires.... you know in like dumpsters and stuff. That way they will realize they can't afford to cut anyone and keep you on. I'll have to wait until spring though, cause it's way to cold to do it in the winter in MA. I'm not THAT crazy!

Good Luck! >>



I have several thousand 88 Donruss you can use to start the fires.

noanswersonlyquestions

As a resident of South Dakota it is nice not to pay a state income tax. Really don't think the property taxes aren't that bad either. Sales tax is at 6% so all in all really not that bad here. Winter being the only exception!

jimrad

Bob,

Don't forget posting on here is free and fun. And we can always trade stuff for the cost of postage.
Keep the faith.

Jim

rube26105

Randy:

I resent that remark. They've removed quite a few toll booths and now they're spaced quite a distance apart. I'm pretty certain that you'd be hard pressed to find ANY toll booth closer than 11 feet from the previous toll booth!

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-i remember george carlin saying that jersey should have tollbooth capitol of the world on the license late
last time i was in jersey i was 16 working constuction when i ran away in about 1963 or 64 i dont remember much about it really-too long ago

Ladder7

Almost forgot Jake... Question 1 was flushed!

Blackborder

<< <i>Almost forgot Jake... Question 1 was flushed! >>




+1 for taxes.

Ladder7

+2 for no cuts to public safety!

julen23

good point rube, for REAL

your moments of brilliance make us all remember why you're the man & we are all wanting to b the man.

j

scoutsout47

Hiya Bob,

We here in Cali fare just as bad -- if not worse -- so West Coast definitely "feels your pain." Stay positive. Stay visible while in the house and on-call. And, no matter what else you do, be as bad-ass as Kurt Russell was in the movie Back Draft! "You go. We go!"

I'll be in Cooperstown this weekend and I'll ask the Babe to put one out in the right field bleachers for you.


Take care,

Jared

rube26105

at least it didnt pass bob

me:laying off police,fire,and teachers,thats kinda stupid
no wonder kids are so dumb today
that stinks bob


me:toll collectors making $60-$80K for putting their hand out and taking quarters.

i could do that, if i got a comfy chair, a pillow,and some beer

thats a bunch of $ for taking a quarter,they prob spent a zillion $ in jersey then, got a tollbooth every 5 feet there






<good point rube, for REAL

your moments of brilliance make us all remember why you're the man & we are all wanting to b the man.>
im only allowed two good ideas a week or so j that must have been them

rube dont want to the man, the man likes to arrest rube j
im locking myself in on my birthday this year