As I said.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Well...if you insist!

Maybe a new mower.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

This kinda reminds me of the picture of the guy with a wheelbarrow full of money, and still not being able to buy a loaf of bread with it. I believe that was in Germany. Printing and dumping money into the system doesn't work...

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

Not only that, it's much worse than a tax increase and paying as you go. We need to do one of 2 things or both. Significantly raise taxes and/or significantly cut spending. Given the mentality of the American public, proposing such things is political suicide.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Given the mentality of the American politicians the thought(s) never crossed their minds. Especially the latter.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I know. I've been saying the same thing since ninth grade. I keep hoping the electorate will pull their heads out of where they don't belong, but considering the current presidential front runners*, it hasn't happened yet.

*In addition to 90+ percent of those currently holding elected office in the federal government.

BTW, the IRS spent its postage money just to send me a letter explaining that I wouldn't be getting the idiotic rebate (taxable income in '07 below $3000). Now I don't get to implement Tim Freeh's idea.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I'm all for cutting spending. Higher taxes, not so much.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

What would you like to cut first?

Not sure, too many people rely on too many programs. How about cuts across the board with the exception of education? We need better education more than anything.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

I don't know if throwing more money at education will do anything. We already pay more per student than most countries, yet our kids are still dumber.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Please point out the section in the constitution that specifically authorizes the department of education? I can find the war dept..heck, I can even find the post office, can't find education. Some things are best handled at a more local level. Neither I, nor the politicians in DC really know/understand the needs and issues the schools in your area face. I would be doing you a great diservice if I meddled in your schools' business. This of course after confiscating your money and keeping a percentage before sending the rest back to you with instructions on EXACTLY how you had to spend it.
Oh and the "we do that all over the place in the federal government" line doesn't cut it. No matter how deep a hole you have dug yourself into, you have to stop digging somewhere if you ever want to get out.
Most political decisions are best when made as close to the people they are about as possible.

Bob, while you are at it, try to find the section of the Constitution that allows taxes to be used for charity. Personal funds for charity--and I do; but tax dollars for charity is not there.
But it is the "fair" thing to do.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Tim,
You owe drunken sailors an apology. After all they spend their own money!

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I agree, taxes for charity is a crime. If people had stuck to the original instructions in the owners manual (the constitution), we would be in a lot better shape. It is never too late to change things. We simply have to say no to the spending and let our elected reps know how we feel. And then vote them out when they ignore our wishes. I would be perfectly happy for the government to stop sending any money to the schools in the states if they would also reduce our taxes by what ever percentage of federal expenditures that amount equalled. If we need to spend that money at the local level, let us put the taxes on ourselves. At least we will have local control and eliminate the middleman in DC taking his cut (while telling us how we must spend OUR money).
I don't care if they are blue or red, liberal or conservative, from Venus or Mars, I just want SCOTUS justices who will follow the letter of the constitution as written and amended.

Bob,
Some may say you are a dreamer
But you are not the only one
I hope someday that all may join us

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags