Boy, is my state screwed up!!!! (Vermont)

[VTSeaRay]

They had their swearing in ceremony today, and the governor (R) said we need to cut back on everything, including the most sacred cow, school budgets. (Which I agree with)

The Senate President (Peter Shumlin-D, with the speaker of the house beside him) has a press mtg afterwards saying that he thinks the governor's wrong that they should get in line with the rest of the people getting money from Washington! Obama is going to save us with a stimulus package and we need to get in line to get our piece of the stimulus package or something along that line is what he said! I have no idea what his problem is, but people need to cut back, not go begging for money from the fed. government!

Ever since about '69, when the Dem's took over, this state has been screwed up! Damn hippies, tree huggers and granolas have overrun the state.

I love living here, love the lake and the mtns, but I'm seriously thinking of leaving it. I'm one of the few remaining native Vermonters, with more than 6 generations living here before me. My sister and brother have already left.

-VtSeaRay

 

[wish2fish]

yep, one of many messed up states!

[/IMG]

 

[skibum]

I'm always wondering why that type of voter doesn't get mad when the important stuff gets cut. Seems to me that the taxes should fully fund (in this order):

Fire department (includes EMS)
Police department
Court system
Penal system (for punishment, not rehabilitation)
Water supply
Sanitation
Road & bridge maintenance
Schools

When the budget gets cut, these things should be off limits. Fully fund these first, then use whatever might be left over for the "fluff". I'll bet a complete list of VT gov't programs is 50 pages long. Tons of other places to cut.

Oh well... In a month, the entire country will be run by the fools who think along the same lines as your state gov't. Maybe we just needed this to happen in order to prove to everyone which line of thinking is really causing the problems that we are having. There aren't any of the "other" guys left for the Dems to point their fingers at and blame for our country's woes. Whatever happens in the next few years, they will have to accept responsibility for. Come to think of it... I've never seen them accept responsibilty for anything that they actually did. They're real good at accepting responsibilty for the good things that happen, particularly when they had nothing at all to do with it.

Michael

 

[Southpaw II]

I agree with Micheal, that the Govt. is involved in a lot of programs/issues that they should either stay out of, or defer to a more local responsibility. I am from a "red" state, but trust me, Mississippi has more than its share of problems. What's amazing to me, is how different states can be as how they structure their tax codes. Example: Where I am from in Tennessee, a car tag is $20. In Mississippi, the price varies from County to County, based on the value of the vehicle and the local tax system. It's possible to pay $800 for a car tag if you own a luxury car in a large city. Crazy.....

 

[Turtlesboat]

At least you have a Governor that was elected. It's becoming VERY obvious that NY's Governor is in way over his head.

 

[Jack F]

You should move to Mass, Our politicians have their priorities in order….They are getting pay raises.

 

[osd9]

Simple observation here.....based on Skibum's post, how the hell did an 'R' even get elected to governor????

 

[Jack F]

R= Radical?

 

[wannasearay]

I am so proud of my governor. He might not be gay, or had an affair, but believe me he has done plenty of screwing (the people of Illinois). Sure hope he gets to meet a handsome lad named Bubba who can learn him the finer points of takin it in the backside!!!

 

[Fishnut]

Hey, we are all in this boat. But based on the number of folks in this country that voted for the new administration you have to wonder where the heart and soul of this country has gone.

Americans have lost their toughness and ability to fend for themselves. We all need to roll up our sleeves and work a little harder at taking care of ourselves.

Government should build bridges and roads and provide for defense. :thumbsup:

 

[tmhudson2]

I love living here, love the lake and the mtns, but I'm seriously thinking of leaving it. I'm one of the few remaining native Vermonters, with more than 6 generations living here before me. My sister and brother have already left.

-VtSeaRay

Just curious, Where did your sister and brother move to, and was it mainly because of Vermont's screwyness, or opportunity elsewhere? If and when you move, what will you be looking for?

 

[billandamy]

said we need to cut back on everything, including the most sacred cow, school budgets. (Which I agree with)

Can I ask why you would want to cut back on education?

 

[billandamy]

Mississippi has more than its share of problems.

http://www.drbukk.com/gmhom/park.html

It looks like things are fine.

 

[VTSeaRay]

re: my brother and sister - NH and Maryland - both for better opportunities than are available in VT these days. (VT has been a very strong anti-business environment for a while, taxes are high, and the permitting process for any kind of new business development is extremely long - measured in yrs)

http://www.wcax.com/Global/category.asp?C=18195&nav=menu183_1 (Unfortunately, it's a flash app, so I can't get the url for you) -> half way down the left of the screen - videos - "top news videos" tab -> item #2 Douglas lays out vision for Vermont 4:38 - go to 3:50 into the video ...

Currently, Education and one other program(I forget which one at the moment) consume 62% or so of our tax dollars. Our student population has dropped 10%, yet our school budget has climbed 22% or so. I just feel that there should be cuts made to this piece of the budget as well as all the others.

-VtSeaRay

 

[billandamy]

It is still a beautiful place to live. I cant speak for your actual situations, but I love VT.

ill be up at mount snow at end of this month for a few days.

 

[VTSeaRay]

Like I said, I love living here... but ....

 

[VTSeaRay]

re: what would I look for in a state I move to... good question. I'd want water to boat on(I boat as often as I can when it's warm, even slip out after work on weeknights if it's nice) and snow to ski on (I ski at least every Sat. in the winter), so that limits things. I've even thought of going south, and then using my fairly long vacation time to go north to ski, and spend some time in the snow. Not sure yet. I'd look for a state that's not so tax-happy (not easy I'm sure), has a good business environment. I can keep my current job and work anywhere I can catch a plane, and have high-speed internet from home. I currently work from home, 4-5 days of the week as it is, others in my group work completely from home, since they're a long ways from any office we have.

-VtSeaRay

 

[VTSeaRay]

LOL just got this - that must be our State Senate President...
The photo below captures a disturbing trend that is beginning to affect U.S. wildlife.

Animals that were formerly self-sufficient are now showing signs of belonging to the Democratic Party... as they have apparently learned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and provide for their care and sustenance.




This is a Democrat black bear in Montana nicknamed Bearack Obearma.

 

[fc3]

It's darn shame that after the liberals screwed up Massachusetts so badly that they couldn't afford to live there any longer. Then they found Vermont, which they could afford. But alas, Vermont was sooo backwards. Being liberals, they did what they do and set to work making Vermont more like enlightened Massachusetts. Why do liberals have to foul someone else's bed after they crap in their own?

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Jack F]

It's darn shame that after the liberals screwed up Massachusetts so badly that they couldn't afford to live there any longer. Then they found Vermont, which they could afford. But alas, Vermont was sooo backwards. Being liberals, they did what they do and set to work making Vermont more like enlightened Massachusetts. Why do liberals have to foul someone else's bed after they crap in their own?

Best regards,
Frank

They did this to New Hampshire already.