This from our local newspaper this morning

[China_cat]

about tax 'cuts'. We're going to get a break on the tax on unprepared food. But the following makes me want to scream. (Charleston Post and Courier, requires subscription to get into)

"The tax cut is part of a recently approved property tax relief bill that takes effect in late 2007. Responding to complaints of rising residential property taxes, state lawmakers this summer approved a plan that, among other things, will exempt owner-occupied homes from the property tax that pays for school operations."

How this fits with our governor's re-election ads that say he 'fully funded education' has to be beyond anyone with more than a single working brain cell.

[asjr]

1. I had to read this three times to make sure

it is in English and not Greek, because it would be unbelievable unless I realized this is the way we now operate in this country. Players on the political stage will say anything to get re-elected and if they are re-elected will never remember a single promise that was made. I had someone call to push-poll me last night and I had to cut them short because I told them not to waste her time or my time on bullshit.

[patrice]

2. Every penny anyone earns is his/her own by Divine Right,

God blesses the worthy for living according to his will.

What other people do not have, by way of the ability to pay for an appropriate education, is because of their own rejection of the Lord, anything that anyone is required to give to people who are not righteous reinforces the errors and sin of their ways.

:sarcasm:

[ladywnch]

4. its scary but probably what fundies really think eom

[patrice]

7. I'm afraid so.

Many churches are really just cartels of various types:

An article in today's local insert in the metro-area newspaper, K.C. Star, tells us about all of the nice young folks "camped" out overnight (with TVs and electric guitars etc.) in a strip mall parking lot awaiting the opening of a Chik Fil A store that will reward them with free sandwiches. I'm wondering . . . ??? Toward the end of the article we find out what a "Godly" business enterprise Chik Fil A is because they close on Sundays. So what else do you suppose Chik Fil A is doing to live by, say, the Beatitudes Christ preached at the Sermon on the Mount?

How many of those eagerly awaiting those chicken sandwiches, in support of a "Christian" business, care about the peanut butter (no jelly) on the cheapest white bread there is, their peers on the other side of town eat every day, or all of the people dying for what they *might* do, so we can feel safer. (And yes I am doing what I can about these things and I'm embarassed that it is so little.)

Sorry! really. I've got an attitude about religion lately. I see almost nothing but hypocrisy. Perhaps you can understand why.

[sandnsea]

3. Wha?? Huh?

Exempt homeowners from paying for their own schools?? I understand your point on the campaign disconnect - but I'm more baffled by people who think not paying school property tax is a GOOD IDEA.

:wtf:

[jilln]

9. I think not paying school property tax is a good idea.

I think everyone should pay for schools, not just those of us who have property. The funding should not be linked to owning property.

[sandnsea]

10. Who doesn't live on property??

Everybody already does pay for public schools, that's just another tall tale concocted by the right to excuse underfunding public programs. This tax proposal would have renters and business owners paying for schools instead of the homeowners themselves, who actually have the most stake in the public schools. It'll be a whole lot easier to destroy public schools when the very people who send their kids to them are no longer paying for them. Public schools and social security, Republicans go after them more than they do bin laden.

[China_cat]

11. I absolutely go up a wall when I hear people saying

"I don't have kids in school, why should I pay for them?"

Unless you are totally self-sufficient...grow all your own food, spin your thread, weave your cloth, sew your clothes, make your own shoes and never, ever leave your property (which is totally off the grid for ALL public utilities), you -do- use the public school system. The doctor you see probably came out of the public schools, as did his/her nurse. The lawyer you consulted when you got hurt at work was most likely a product of the public schools. Your accountant, etc. Your professional people as well as the person who rings up your groceries, pumps your gas, reads your meters, does maintenance on your vehicles. Every person in every business you do deal with in any capacity is more likely to have started out in the public school system.

So, no, you don't have kids in school. Do you really want to have to deal with the alternative?

[jilln]

12. Isn't that a local thing?

My understanding where I live is that property taxes from homeowners pay mainly for schools. Renters do not pay property taxes. I think everyone should pay.

[sandnsea]

14. lol, landlords giving homes away are they?

Renters pay property taxes. Landlords are not renting property at a loss, no matter what they try to tell you.

The law in SC would exempt homeowners and consequently put the burden on business - landlords who will pass the increase on to renters. I can't think of anything more unfair and flat out stupid.

[jilln]

15. lol!

[China_cat]

16. You're about to.

Properties owned by churches (which is about 50% of the neighborhood I live in) are exempt from property tax.

Yes, the church is the landlord.

[Vinca]

13. Renters pay property taxes because landlords include

taxes among their operating expenses when deciding how much to charge you for rent.

[filer]

5. Good plan! Destroy public education.

Replace it with voucher paid home schooling and religious indoctrination (er...education). Are the Rupubs in charge there? Just guessing.

[China_cat]

6. South Carolina

So yeah, redneck red state.

[filer]

8. I sympathize fully.

Oklahoma, here. Land of the Redneck.