Well, see, I didn't tell you that I live in Canada so none of your valuable taxes will ever go to anyone over here. Same thing applies for my taxes. I doubt you or I could run one of the many agencies that take care of the less fortuneate and show any beter results. The thoughts of ever leaving you to decide who gets a can of soup, and who goes hungery, is sobering ideed.

I find it kind of telling when someone says, '' I don't want my taxes going to ( fill in the blank ) because they ( or that ) don't deserve it. '' Since when are income taxes ear marked? Some of the smaller tax versions such as a hunting permit may go towards consevation programs but Federal or Sate taxes go into the general fund, don't they? The State makes these choices where your tax money is spent, not you.
At a more local level, your municipal, property, or city taxes are usually more clearly seen to be at work. You have a bit more say about those - just attend a council meeting.

Welfare is handled by the county around here and is funded by the Province AFAIK. Disabilities are a Povincial responisiblity. My taxes go for a host of diffrent things. I don't sit there and fume about who got the lump of coal if they were cold.

There are abuses of the system of course, but the penalties are unpleasant. But then there are abuses of all systems right up to the largest corporations, to Presidents, dictators or Kings. Once you've paid your coin it's no longer yours. You can complain ( which is what we see here ) because it's your right, but don't expect too much to come of it. It wouldn't matter who was in power L or R the results would be pretty much similar.

^^^

I've been to Canada. That's north of here, right?

You've expressed some opinions, mostly, I think about me.

If you say something like, "this is what I see, this is why, this is what should be done, this is the evidence to support my view, etc then the discussion moves from the emotional/opinionated to the reasoned/factual.

As an example. I wont go into all of the steps because they are preset in my various postings.

I believe a fraction of local tax dollars should be directed by the tax payer. That means that if I pay $100 a year for local education taxes that $80 keeps going where it is already is spent but the other $20 I can direct to schools or programs that I wish to encourage.

In a similar manner I suggest this should be done with 'social safety net programs' and other local programs.

I'm a big believer in the market and letting products, ideas, people succeed or fail based upon the customer-response.

If the programs I support produce better results more and more people will start to question the status quo. If they don't I'll either need to develop new ideas or disappear.

That's what we use to call, "put up or shut up" when I was growing up.

I'm willing to have my ideas tested in the market instead of the shrillness of today.

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Not everything is about you. However, if you feel so strongly about your convictions, run for office. Try the school board, municipal council or whatever is suitable at a local evel. I really don't think you'll accomplish anything posting here.

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You quote me.

I respond. And where you offer specifics I attempt to address them.

I offer specific ideas to you and am listening for a response to the ideas.

That's what's usually done in a public forum.

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What argument did I lose maestro? No recuerdo que estabas involucrado. At least I can spell it.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

You cannot claim that the left or right is a imaginary group- and you did via the insult to me as "you people"- (and then asked if I like being lumped in a imaginary group as I said you were in the left) - which is the precursor to more offending terms as I posted.
You offered that you had decades in public schools- you made it personal, not me. I'm biased against you because you are an educator? Did you fail to read my wife is a teacher? Go back and attend some more reading comprehension courses grasshopper.

I'd say you need the comp class. I never said, "you people". YOU did. Your exact words were:

Folks like me? the next step is you'll be calling me "you people" instead of niggar... geez.

In addition, I never asserted that the left and the right were imaginary groups. You accused me of that assertion but I never made it.

10Fords will be along shortly to announce the score, which is apparently all he has to add.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I rest the argument and retire. It's been fun. I have a Hurricane to deal with.

Likewise. Good luck in the blow and stay safe.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

This isn't a public forum. You have to log in and agree to a set of rules. That usually doesn't happen in real life.

I gave you some specific ideas such as running for office at the local level where you can have a say where you're taxes are being spent. How much more specific do I need to be?

sure - ok with me

instead I've been motivated by a half-dozen or more reasons in my activities on OD

when I first started posting somewhat consistently I said that I was going to be expressing myself here for the next few weeks but by September or so I hoped to be strong enough to something else during my day besides being at the keyboard

I'm up to 3 miles a day on the tread-mill and 200 reps a week with light weights. Once I can start engaging large muscles I can start to process/metabolize all this stuff that is stuck in my body

So I am stepping back more. I've meet quite a few folks that seem real decent and have struck up some enjoyable chats

Regarding the original heading of the thread - IMO our educational approach is way off course.

Be well.

So, all of this is something you're doing to pass the time while recovering from some sort of ailment. I suppose this would be as good a place as any.

How would you change the current education system? It's a moutain, not a mole hill.

Not primarily passing time, trying to use my mental faculties as the both detoxify from all the drugs and release all the fear, anger, etc from the contortions.

I've actually learned a number of things (quite a few actually) in the process.

One of the biggest is that very, very few people, sources, etc are the least bit interested in examining the most contentious issues but simply want their perspective reinforced. I had not realized how deeply-ingrained this is. It is extremely difficult to find un-tainted facts because everyone is putting out their propaganda piece and then their opponents put out a contrary one. I'd like representative data and then I'll think about it myself. Very, very hard to find.

It's sad how rare it is (here or anywhere folks discuss) to hear -

"I hadn't thought of that"
"there's validity to your comments"
"let me correct a prior remark"
"I apologize ..."

Regarding your question or the 20% poverty rate (which I do not believe for one moment):

1. There is an amazing denial of personal responsibility present in all of our society. Folks need to realize the mirror is not just for looking pretty, it is also for self-examination

2. I'm a big believer in market-response. Allow individuals to personally direct a segment of local expenditures. Let me choose how 20% of my education, social services, etc dollars are spent. Let's say there are 3 different options I can select for my 20%. If after 5 years the ones I select are out-performing the current programs then the voters will start to ask why is that.

You know, you may have something there but after reading all of yor stuff over the past few weeks, I have to honestly say that I don't have a clue where you're coming from. How you manage to keep half a dozen threads straight ( mostly started by you ) is a bit of a mystery to me.

I'm still of the opinion that you still have too much to say about too many things but I understand that it's part of your recovery so I'll look past that and not question. I too had a long recovery after tyroid cancer 5 years ago.

Could be.

I'm benefiting from being engaged.

Certainly do not foresee this becoming my life.

I'm glad to hear that you have recovered from your challenge.