4 ms·
Simple: pay for things you need. Over the last few decades the American people have been conned into this idea that government is fundamentally too big and nee
by rm_-rf_slash 10y ago
Simple: pay for things you need.
Over the last few decades the American people have been conned into this idea that government is fundamentally too big and needs to be shrunk because of reasons. People save a few measly percentage points on taxes that help pay for the axle damage on their car after being driven over roads that are no longer repaired.
Municipalities had to find ways to recoup costs from slashed state and federal budgets, which is why there is such a big problem in poor, mostly black American cities, as people are pulled over and fined up the ass for every possible infraction just so the city can afford itself.
This kind of crap has nothing to do with terrorism and everything to do with fiscal irresponsibility.
- eloisius 10y agoSo police departments are largely participating in highway robbery because it's the only way they can get by? They're not spending it on margarita machines [1] or trips to Hawaii? [1]: http://www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2014/06/05/cops-in-texas-seize-millions-by-policing-for-profit/#46eeb9c43aa8 http://www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2014/06/05/c...
- rm_-rf_slash 10y agoMore like the municipalities in general. That's why in many parts of rural America you'll find a cop at every other speed limit change, waiting for someone to notice the sign too late, catching people who don't necessary live in the area but unwillingly contribute to the local economy.
- refurb 10y agoMunicipalities had to find ways to recoup costs from slashed state and federal budgets When was the last time you saw any gov't budget go down? I'd say never. The gov't has more than enough money. The problem is where and how they spend it.
- nikdaheratik 10y agoOther than every month in my home state of Kansas. Of course, that is related to much larger issues, but the same thing could be said for a number of other states in the midwest to a lesser degree. And those that aren't going down, are just treading water by pushing the costs down to the local governments.
- rm_-rf_slash 10y agoThe federal government slashed transportation budgets like two months ago which reduced my city's municipal transit budget by $300,000. Routes are being reduced at a time that high housing costs are moving people further out from the city center. So no, not "never."
- tremon 10y agoJust as important, make sure that local governments are funded adequately from higher levels. Completely deferring tax collection from central government to local municipalities creates a distribution problem where poor areas cannot collect enough funds to maintain the same standard as wealthy areas, which causes poor areas to deteriorate even further.
- rm_-rf_slash 10y agoAbsolutely correct. It is the great American tragedy that in a meritocratic society, schools are paid for by local property taxes. European countries tend to tax more at a county or even national level, which makes the distribution of resources much, much more reasonable.