This is the problem: the powerful will not stop treating us like spineless, submissive, easily manipulable morons unless enough of us stop acting that way. Will we?
Taxes are necessary for community and democracy. The constant demand for tax cuts and tax breaks weakens the stability of government. For what? To win a popularity contest? Because if you are in Florida you are either old and don’t care about the future, young and don’t believe in the future, or rich enough to create your own future?
Of course, many are making lots of money housing people in prisons. They donate to politicians to keep their gravy train going at the expense of millions of humans. It is quite sad and many do not care. Most don't evern know about this or if they do can't comprehend what is really going on.
Don't buy a bus ticket to California. We did ourselves in in the 1970s when we passed the original version of this, Proposition 13 which gave permanent tax breaks [leaving homeowners to foot the real bills] to corporations and left municipalcities to pass their own property taxes and assessments to pay for just about anything.
We're in the middle of another tax fight in Oakland opposed by a right wing cabal which says we should punish government for not supplying everything we want thru eternity on existing taxes.
In addition you are taxed based on when you bought your house more than what you paid for it so younger buyers pay exponentially more to purchase and maintain a house.
Great post! Loved your description of Florida statehouse members. With just a few adjustments it can be applied to every representative of the Republican party.
I am hearing stories about teachers who refused to join the union even though the 2026-27 budget has forced Counties to increase the cost of medical insurance by several hundred dollars a month...when coupled with a proposed 1% pay raise, will result in a net pay cut for any teacher that needs family coverage...when they are told 'Talk to the Governor" they reply "Oh he wouldn't do that to us, he's the best...this is the Union's fault"
1. I remember many of my friends in Florida telling me how terrible their public schools were. That was over 20 years ago. Can’t wait to see how much worse they can be! F-L-A!! F-L-A!!
2. Your paragraph re: idiots from your home state reminded me of a poem I quite like:
DEFUNDING and DEREGULATING EVERYTHING but the militia to enforce their will Is the REPUBLICAN AGENDA.
ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY and ABSOLUTE DOMINATION is their aim.
This is the COST, the price we pay —subjugation of the vast majority of us — for short term, temporary financial relief and for temporary relief from free floating anxiety about sharing our resources with all our neighbors in our community and across our vast shores, from sea to shining sea, and beyond.
The price is too high and too cruel and leaves us with a mirage, an illusion of security that will vanish before our very eyes.
I have ZERO SYMPATHY for y'all. You're all on a steep slope to FEUDALISM in a PERMANENT WATER-LOGGED WRECKAGE of global scorching that CANNOT WAIT to KILL ALL OF YOU. Not that 10% of you even know what feudalism means. You'll find out. If you can live thru it by 2035 YOU'LL BE LIVING IT: a SINKING WATERLOGGED WASTELAND of BARBARISM.
COULDN'T HAPPEN TO A MORE DESERVING BATCH OF DUMB FUCKS. ENJOY!
This is the problem: the powerful will not stop treating us like spineless, submissive, easily manipulable morons unless enough of us stop acting that way. Will we?
Taxes are necessary for community and democracy. The constant demand for tax cuts and tax breaks weakens the stability of government. For what? To win a popularity contest? Because if you are in Florida you are either old and don’t care about the future, young and don’t believe in the future, or rich enough to create your own future?
Poor education leads to crime. I suppose that means they'll bring in even more private prisons to lock up everyone who doesn't have money.
Of course, many are making lots of money housing people in prisons. They donate to politicians to keep their gravy train going at the expense of millions of humans. It is quite sad and many do not care. Most don't evern know about this or if they do can't comprehend what is really going on.
Don't buy a bus ticket to California. We did ourselves in in the 1970s when we passed the original version of this, Proposition 13 which gave permanent tax breaks [leaving homeowners to foot the real bills] to corporations and left municipalcities to pass their own property taxes and assessments to pay for just about anything.
We're in the middle of another tax fight in Oakland opposed by a right wing cabal which says we should punish government for not supplying everything we want thru eternity on existing taxes.
In addition you are taxed based on when you bought your house more than what you paid for it so younger buyers pay exponentially more to purchase and maintain a house.
California voters are as dumb as any others.
Great post! Loved your description of Florida statehouse members. With just a few adjustments it can be applied to every representative of the Republican party.
I am hearing stories about teachers who refused to join the union even though the 2026-27 budget has forced Counties to increase the cost of medical insurance by several hundred dollars a month...when coupled with a proposed 1% pay raise, will result in a net pay cut for any teacher that needs family coverage...when they are told 'Talk to the Governor" they reply "Oh he wouldn't do that to us, he's the best...this is the Union's fault"
“…says Ron Desantis, who assumes that voters are gullible rubes with the understanding of a child.”
Then in the next three sentences, you explain that in fact voters are gullible rubes with the understanding of a child: “it’s been working for years!”
1. I remember many of my friends in Florida telling me how terrible their public schools were. That was over 20 years ago. Can’t wait to see how much worse they can be! F-L-A!! F-L-A!!
2. Your paragraph re: idiots from your home state reminded me of a poem I quite like:
https://www.poetryverse.com/william-carlos-williams-poems/defective-record
DEFUNDING and DEREGULATING EVERYTHING but the militia to enforce their will Is the REPUBLICAN AGENDA.
ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY and ABSOLUTE DOMINATION is their aim.
This is the COST, the price we pay —subjugation of the vast majority of us — for short term, temporary financial relief and for temporary relief from free floating anxiety about sharing our resources with all our neighbors in our community and across our vast shores, from sea to shining sea, and beyond.
The price is too high and too cruel and leaves us with a mirage, an illusion of security that will vanish before our very eyes.
I have ZERO SYMPATHY for y'all. You're all on a steep slope to FEUDALISM in a PERMANENT WATER-LOGGED WRECKAGE of global scorching that CANNOT WAIT to KILL ALL OF YOU. Not that 10% of you even know what feudalism means. You'll find out. If you can live thru it by 2035 YOU'LL BE LIVING IT: a SINKING WATERLOGGED WASTELAND of BARBARISM.
COULDN'T HAPPEN TO A MORE DESERVING BATCH OF DUMB FUCKS. ENJOY!