School Tax

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Jazzy
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Post by Jazzy »

Do you think it's fair that people without children and the elderly should have to pay school tax? I just received my school tax bill yesterday and almost fainted. Even though I can afford to pay it, I don't think it's fair that I should have to. Many of the elderly are selling their homes that they have lived in for over 35 years because they can't make ends meet. Why should they and people like me be forced to pay school tax? Your thoughts on this would be much appreciated.
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Post by Ahso! »

I don't think anyone should pay school tax here in the U.S.. Its a total ripoff. Most teachers here are religious fanatics that haven't got a clue what real science is. They deny facts and indoctrinate with hero worshiping and idiotic values.

Thats not to say these teachers are bad people, but lets face it, they don't bother educating themselves enough to educate others. What I learned in school was not only mostly useless in the real world, but it was mostly a pack of lies. If I were a teacher today, I'd have to totally reeducate myself and educate myself with evolution in order to be accurate. If teachers are not teaching from an evolutionary viewpoint and are throughly taught about it, they are teaching false doctrine.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,

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chonsigirl
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Post by chonsigirl »

Well, free education is a responsibility for all. Did you attend school as a child? Public or private, education should be given to all young people in our society.
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Post by chonsigirl »

Ahso!;1278644 wrote: I don't think anyone should pay school tax here in the U.S.. Its a total ripoff. Most teachers here are religious fanatics that haven't got a clue what real science is. They deny facts and indoctrinate with hero worshiping and idiotic values.

Thats not to say these teachers are bad people, but lets face it, they don't bother educating themselves enough to educate others. What I learned in school was not only mostly useless in the real world, but it was mostly a pack of lies. If I were a teacher today, I'd have to totally reeducate myself and educate myself with evolution in order to be accurate. If teachers are not teaching from an evolutionary viewpoint and are throughly taught about it, they are teaching false doctrine.


As a public school teacher, with a PhD in history, (and very well known in my field with current works ) I think you need to reevaluate your comments. Most teachers are not religious fanatics, in fact, it is the opposite. I choose to teach young people because I want to, it certainly is not for the money. I would be paid three times as much if I taught at a collegiate level, and not middle school.

You have a mixed metaphor in that last line of yours..........................
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Post by Clodhopper »

If only parents pay, what standard of education will be available to the young? I suspect if it happened in Britain we'd have an awful lot more kids who can't read or write. Is it different in the States?
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Ahso!
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Post by Ahso! »

chonsigirl;1278661 wrote: As a public school teacher, with a PhD in history, (and very well known in my field with current works ) I think you need to reevaluate your comments. Most teachers are not religious fanatics, in fact, it is the opposite. I choose to teach young people because I want to, it certainly is not for the money. I would be paid three times as much if I taught at a collegiate level, and not middle school.

You have a mixed metaphor in that last line of yours..........................My apologies to you, Chonsi.

after I made that post, I saw you were reading/posting in the thread and thought that my comments were expressed in a harsh manner. I respect you as a person, and you do indeed seem to be an intelligent person.

I'm sure your heart is in the right place as most teachers, but it seems to me that teachers have an obligation to seek truth about what they are teaching and that requires an open mind. Far too many teachers in this country are completely ignorant of the theory of evolution due to the fact that they chose not to believe it in the face of all the evidence. That reluctance may be good for a political or religious agenda, but it certainly is not fair to the children that are forced to sit in classrooms and be lectured about life from people that refuse to look at life the evidence points to.

So, while I apologize for the harshness of my post and my disregard for you as a person, I stand by the gist of my post in that American children are not being taught properly and therefore the tax money is wasted.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,

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chonsigirl
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Post by chonsigirl »

Well, education also needs reforming but it hasn't been done yet. No Child Left Behind is a failure, and hurts schools that have students who cannot reach a certain level no matter how hard you try. The bar is raised every year. (my personal opinion, all those years without phonics hurt those kids the most, they are finally learning to read properly again as they reach middle school)

I will not debate evolution v creationism on a tax thread, but in public school you do not teach creationism. I teach 6th and 7th science-since I am credentialed in that area also (and math too, but don't like to teach it nowdays). And oh yes, I personally believe in creation and do not preach to my students, it is for them to make up their own minds. As a public servant (or slave, as the case may be in my school, when you are here long enough something will pop up about the latest surprises there) we have such strict guidelines for everything that I think you would be surprised how much freedom of thought is prohibited in the classroom nowdays. Kathy's wonderful Astronomy Photos of the day-I showed those in my classroom for 8 years, and was prohibited this year from showing them, even though astronomy is one of our units for a whole quarter. :confused:

Go sit in on a local science class to see what they teach in your district. Go down to the school board and check out the policies and curriculum. Take an active role. It is when people do not become involved, that the schools suffer the most.
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Post by Saint_ »

Ahso!;1278644 wrote: I don't think anyone should pay school tax here in the U.S.. Its a total ripoff.


Really? How did you learn to type? Or to form intelligent sentences and coherent thoughts? I suppose your job has nothing to do with anything you learned in school, correct? I never cease to be amazed at people who denigrate education, yet use it daily.

Most teachers here are religious fanatics that haven't got a clue what real science is. They deny facts and indoctrinate with hero worshiping and idiotic values.


Wow. Such hatred. What school did you go to? I've been a teacher now for 18 years, and that includes Night School and Summer School. I've never seen a teacher put forth any religious opinion in a classroom. Good teachers, in fact, only help others to form their own opinions.

Thats not to say these teachers are bad people, but lets face it, they don't bother educating themselves enough to educate others.


Flat out wrong. Not only are teachers universally required to be extremely educated, they constantly attend professional development courses and relevant college courses. How many college classes does your job require you to take a year? I will be going to a professional development class tomorrow, as a matter of fact.

I, myself, have three college degrees: ASET, BSET, BSED representing over 11 years of college classes and I'm going after my Master's Degree. That's AFTER two other careers in the military and corporate sectors. And I'm not even the most educated teacher I know!

What I learned in school was not only mostly useless in the real world,


Because of your lack of ambition? Or because you choose an occupation that is low-level?

but it was mostly a pack of lies.


Go ahead...name a single curriculum element from a modern school that is a lie... I'm waiting. :confused:

If I were a teacher today, I'd have to totally reeducate myself and educate myself with evolution in order to be accurate. If teachers are not teaching from an evolutionary viewpoint and are throughly taught about it, they are teaching false doctrine.


I don't know a single school system in the United States that does NOT teach Evolution as it's Science curriculum. so I have no idea what you are talking about...

And neither do you.:rolleyes:

Now, enough of that, we ALL pay taxes to support our schools because education is the key to our civilization. If we stop educating our youth, or don't make sure an education is available to them everything goes straight to chaos. People aren't intelligent enough to compete worldwide, so jobs go out the window. Research and deveolpment stall.

Just think about it, someone educated made the drugs that keep you alive. Someone educated invented the computer you are typing on. Someone educated makes your business run, makes your family healthier, makes your home brighter, makes your entertainment and music prettier, and makes your entire life better DAILY!

Think of a School Tax as "paying yourself." Because that's what it is.;)
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Post by Saint_ »

chonsigirl;1278686 wrote: Well, education also needs reforming but it hasn't been done yet. No Child Left Behind is a failure, and hurts schools that have students who cannot reach a certain level no matter how hard you try. The bar is raised every year. (my personal opinion, all those years without phonics hurt those kids the most, they are finally learning to read properly again as they reach middle school)


Absolutely true.

Kathy's wonderful Astronomy Photos of the day-I showed those in my classroom for 8 years, and was prohibited this year from showing them, even though astronomy is one of our units for a whole quarter. :confused:




Why?

Go sit in on a local science class to see what they teach in your district. Go down to the school board and check out the policies and curriculum. Take an active role. It is when people do not become involved, that the schools suffer the most.


Well said. What's worse is that people begin to form weird and untrue opinions of what modern education is like. They assume, incorrectly, that everything is still the same as when they went to school decades ago.:rolleyes:
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Post by Ahso! »

Saint_;1278698 wrote: Really? How did you learn to type? Or to form intelligent sentences and coherent thoughts? I suppose your job has nothing to do with anything you learned in school, correct? I never cease to be amazed at people who denigrate education, yet use it daily.



Wow. Such hatred. What school did you go to? I've been a teacher now for 18 years, and that includes Night School and Summer School. I've never seen a teacher put forth any religious opinion in a classroom. Good teachers, in fact, only help others to form their own opinions.



Flat out wrong. Not only are teachers universally required to be extremely educated, they constantly attend professional development courses and relevant college courses. How many college classes does your job require you to take a year? I will be going to a professional development class tomorrow, as a matter of fact.

I, myself, have three college degrees: ASET, BSET, BSED representing over 11 years of college classes and I'm going after my Master's Degree. That's AFTER two other careers in the military and corporate sectors. And I'm not even the most educated teacher I know!



Because of your lack of ambition? Or because you choose an occupation that is low-level?



Go ahead...name a single curriculum element from a modern school that is a lie... I'm waiting. :confused:



I don't know a single school system in the United States that does NOT teach Evolution as it's Science curriculum. so I have no idea what you are talking about...

And neither do you.:rolleyes:

Now, enough of that, we ALL pay taxes to support our schools because education is the key to our civilization. If we stop educating our youth, or don't make sure an education is available to them everything goes straight to chaos. People aren't intelligent enough to compete worldwide, so jobs go out the window. Research and deveolpment stall.

Just think about it, someone educated made the drugs that keep you alive. Someone educated invented the computer you are typing on. Someone educated makes your business run, makes your family healthier, makes your home brighter, makes your entertainment and music prettier, and makes your entire life better DAILY!

Think of a School Tax as "paying yourself." Because that's what it is.;)Should i be taking you seriously here? If you're being 100% open then I'll respond, otherwise I'll forgo the opportunity.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,

Voltaire



I have only one thing to do and that's

Be the wave that I am and then

Sink back into the ocean

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Post by Saint_ »

Ahso!;1278708 wrote: Should i be taking you seriously here? If you're being 100% open then I'll respond, otherwise I'll forgo the opportunity.


No, you should dodge any kind of intelligent debate and rational discussion. Besides, you've already made yourself quite clear, you don't like school and think education is a waste. BTW... How's that working out for you? How do you make a living without any "useful" education? How do you support a family?

Of course, this thread is about everyone in society taking responsibility for their country's progress and education is integral to that process. It's not about why you think school sucks and why you hated your academic life.:rolleyes:

So, back on topic: Ahso: What do you think would happen if people stopped supporting education. Seriously, I'd like to know. Do you think everyone will take time off work to home-school their own children? Are you educated enough to teach your children Calculus?
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Post by Ahso! »

So, i should take that as not willing to take responsibility for what you're posting. Because when you are proven incorrect you claim you weren't serious anyway and the other person was too serious.

Enjoy!
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,

Voltaire



I have only one thing to do and that's

Be the wave that I am and then

Sink back into the ocean

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Post by Ahso! »

chonsigirl;1278686 wrote: Well, education also needs reforming but it hasn't been done yet. No Child Left Behind is a failure, and hurts schools that have students who cannot reach a certain level no matter how hard you try. The bar is raised every year. (my personal opinion, all those years without phonics hurt those kids the most, they are finally learning to read properly again as they reach middle school)

I will not debate evolution v creationism on a tax thread, but in public school you do not teach creationism. I teach 6th and 7th science-since I am credentialed in that area also (and math too, but don't like to teach it nowdays). And oh yes, I personally believe in creation and do not preach to my students, it is for them to make up their own minds. As a public servant (or slave, as the case may be in my school, when you are here long enough something will pop up about the latest surprises there) we have such strict guidelines for everything that I think you would be surprised how much freedom of thought is prohibited in the classroom nowdays. Kathy's wonderful Astronomy Photos of the day-I showed those in my classroom for 8 years, and was prohibited this year from showing them, even though astronomy is one of our units for a whole quarter. :confused:

Go sit in on a local science class to see what they teach in your district. Go down to the school board and check out the policies and curriculum. Take an active role. It is when people do not become involved, that the schools suffer the most.Don't you think, Chonsi, that what a person both believes and does not believe comes into play in the classroom?
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,

Voltaire



I have only one thing to do and that's

Be the wave that I am and then

Sink back into the ocean

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Post by chonsigirl »

Yes, Saint is really a teacher too Ahso. There are a few of us here at FG. We all teach in public schools.

Saint-my goodness, I still must call you Jives if you don't mind, because you are you. :-4 The astronomy photo, it was a personal thing-my prinicipal doesn't care for me too much, tried to make me move to another school last year, I stayed with a nice contractual loophole-first one to use it actually. She was a little shocked, so they slam me alot this year with prohibitions. I think I will last out the year, and if scores do not pass the state standards-I am not holding out they will, we've never made it yet but were close, but then, we love our students and they try their best, that is what counts. Oh, I gossiped too much on this thread, but this is what happened before you returned. (oh I am glad you are going for you MA, good for you!)

Ahso, those of us who are teachers here, really like what we do. We wouldn't teach if we didn't believe in the future generation. We teach them things you might not at this point in life see as useful-but the concepts of thinking you have gained from your education is evident on a daily basis.

Thank goodness we have free education for our children and for the future, where would be without it!
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Post by Ahso! »

chonsigirl;1278720 wrote: Yes, Saint is really a teacher too Ahso. There are a few of us here at FG. We all teach in public schools.

Saint-my goodness, I still must call you Jives if you don't mind, because you are you. :-4 The astronomy photo, it was a personal thing-my prinicipal doesn't care for me too much, tried to make me move to another school last year, I stayed with a nice contractual loophole-first one to use it actually. She was a little shocked, so they slam me alot this year with prohibitions. I think I will last out the year, and if scores do not pass the state standards-I am not holding out they will, we've never made it yet but were close, but then, we love our students and they try their best, that is what counts. Oh, I gossiped too much on this thread, but this is what happened before you returned. (oh I am glad you are going for you MA, good for you!)

Ahso, those of us who are teachers here, really like what we do. We wouldn't teach if we didn't believe in the future generation. We teach them things you might not at this point in life see as useful-but the concepts of thinking you have gained from your education is evident on a daily basis.

Thank goodness we have free education for our children and for the future, where would be without it!I realize Saint is a teacher, I'm just not going to engage him for reasons I've already stated.

Where did you get the idea that I was questioning your dedication to your profession? i haven't.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,

Voltaire



I have only one thing to do and that's

Be the wave that I am and then

Sink back into the ocean

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Post by chonsigirl »

Ahso!;1278719 wrote: Don't you think, Chonsi, that what a person both believes and does not believe comes into play in the classroom?


Only by the example set before them.

Do my students know me? Of course they do, and have knowledge from their older brothers and sisters who know me.

Do I tell them my personal beliefs? I have no need to, I am me. They know I am: their teacher, I am a staff member at a church, I never comment on anyone's religious beliefs-unless I see persecution or harassment against someone about it. I expect the same respect in the classroom as I would from any of my children, and you know what, I am given it. The same as I do with them. They are a fountain of information, I ask them things I do not know. And they will tell me.

And do you know I am allowed to break the cell phone rule in school-I carry one active at all times. My husband is an invalid, and I am allowed calls from the nurse if he becomes ill. But luckily, five years have passed and it has been a year since I have had to rush home.

So, my beliefs are an aspect of me, present in the classroom as part of my personality or atmoshere, or however you would chose to describe it. But then, so are theirs. And there has never been a clash yet between student and teacher on this issue. (or parental either)

Does it influence my teaching? Nah, not really. I teach the curriculum, and use the methods I know are best for them. They do very well this year, I am quite proud of them.

But do beware those who tilt their chairs back in my classroom-one look of my eye and they sit up straight and say "I'm sorry" because I will cry, my husband became ill from hitting his head on a tiled floor. And I do tell them I never want it to happen to them, they are young, and have their whole life ahead of them. And what a glorious life it will be, they are so smart. :-4
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Post by Ahso! »

chonsigirl;1278729 wrote: Only by the example set before them.

Do my students know me? Of course they do, and have knowledge from their older brothers and sisters who know me.

Do I tell them my personal beliefs? I have no need to, I am me. They know I am: their teacher, I am a staff member at a church, I never comment on anyone's religious beliefs-unless I see persecution or harassment against someone about it. I expect the same respect in the classroom as I would from any of my children, and you know what, I am given it. The same as I do with them. They are a fountain of information, I ask them things I do not know. And they will tell me.

And do you know I am allowed to break the cell phone rule in school-I carry one active at all times. My husband is an invalid, and I am allowed calls from the nurse if he becomes ill. But luckily, five years have passed and it has been a year since I have had to rush home.

So, my beliefs are an aspect of me, present in the classroom as part of my personality or atmoshere, or however you would chose to describe it. But then, so are theirs. And there has never been a clash yet between student and teacher on this issue. (or parental either)

Does it influence my teaching? Nah, not really. I teach the curriculum, and use the methods I know are best for them. They do very well this year, I am quite proud of them.

But do beware those who tilt their chairs back in my classroom-one look of my eye and they sit up straight and say "I'm sorry" because I will cry, my husband became ill from hitting his head on a tiled floor. And I do tell them I never want it to happen to them, they are young, and have their whole life ahead of them. And what a glorious life it will be, they are so smart. :-4Yes, I'm aware of your husbands condition and he is a lucky man for the partner he has.

My position is not that I'd like to see people such as yourself out of a job, not at all. My point is, as with anything with taxes, reduce the military budget and reallocate those tax revenues for other things such as education. As the pro life person says so often, why should my tax dollars be going towards a system where its teachers are not fully acquainted with evolution? As one teacher once said to me on this forum that evolution is the "how" but not the "why" or "who." That statement in itself tells me this particular person is completely ignorant on the subject of evolution. Why is my tax money paying people like that?

I could not care less what anyone including school teachers do on their own time and what they choose to believe religiously, but when asked about science in the capacity of a teacher, at least understand what it is that is scientific fact.

Surely, you've been asked a time or two in all those years by students whether or not evolution is accurate. What was your answer and are you sure of it to the degree that you throughly investigated it?
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,

Voltaire



I have only one thing to do and that's

Be the wave that I am and then

Sink back into the ocean

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Post by chonsigirl »

Oh, I am sure I answered correctly. My old principal at the time, he always loved to sit in my class on that topic. (being an old science teacher himself, and knowing me)

You know, when questions of anything like that occur in a classroom, students are told to go home and ask an adult about it.
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Post by Ahso! »

chonsigirl;1278750 wrote: Oh, I am sure I answered correctly. My old principal at the time, he always loved to sit in my class on that topic. (being an old science teacher himself, and knowing me)

You know, when questions of anything like that occur in a classroom, students are told to go home and ask an adult about it.Thats unfortunate because the adults at home were educated through the same system and don't know either. I think its the schools job to educate.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,

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I have only one thing to do and that's

Be the wave that I am and then

Sink back into the ocean

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Post by Saint_ »

chonsigirl;1278720 wrote: Yes, Saint is really a teacher too Ahso. There are a few of us here at FG. We all teach in public schools.


Or as I call it, "The Front Lines" or "The Trenches." :D

Saint-my goodness, I still must call you Jives if you don't mind, because you are you. :-4


lol. Well, by all means, go ahead! Let's hope I'm a kinder gentler version of my old self. I'm working on that. (Although people slamming education really gets my hackles up!):rolleyes:

The astronomy photo, it was a personal thing-my prinicipal doesn't care for me too much, tried to make me move to another school last year, I stayed with a nice contractual loophole-first one to use it actually. She was a little shocked, so they slam me alot this year with prohibitions. I think I will last out the year, and if scores do not pass the state standards-


Something most people do not understand and most beginning teachers are not prepared for: educational politics. I hate it. Like you, I just want to teach.

I am not holding out they will, we've never made it yet but were close, but then, we love our students and they try their best, that is what counts. Oh, I gossiped too much on this thread, but this is what happened before you returned. (oh I am glad you are going for you MA, good for you!)


Something else many do not understand, how difficult it is to care for hundreds of children daily. Thanks for the encouragement, the problems are all financial and paperwork of course. I'm hoping, (like many Americans) for a better year financially.

Ahso, those of us who are teachers here, really like what we do. We wouldn't teach if we didn't believe in the future generation. We teach them things you might not at this point in life see as useful-but the concepts of thinking you have gained from your education is evident on a daily basis.


My point exactly. I get so tired of people with a negative outlook on life and the future! Work with children for a while, their eternal optimism will give you hope.

Thank goodness we have free education for our children and for the future, where would be without it!


Well, we certainly wouldn't be the only remaining hyperpower on the planet. Which is what I always think of when someone says they don't like education. Why not? Just look at the country educated people built! America!

Good to see you again, Chonsi... Have a great second semester!:-6
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Post by chonsigirl »

All questions refered to home don't involve evolution, but many topics that is best left to an adult who is an influence in their lives. Has nothing to do with an education system, it's a life situation sometimes.
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Post by Saint_ »

I agree. If a child's question has to do with religion, that's when I refer them to their parents. That's their job. Mine is to teach known Mathematics.

For example:

Student: Mr. *****, how do we know that the known Universe is expanding?

Me: Chris the answer is the Doppler Effect. Just like race cars sound higher coming towards you and lower going away because of the compression of sound waves, stars will blue-shift or red-shift because of the compression of light waves.

Student: Mr. ****, who created the Universe and why?

Me: That's a question for your Minister and parents, Chris. Here at school we teach how things work, why they were made to work that way is a question for the home or the church and everyone has their own beliefs about that.

It's called "The Separation of Church and State" and its a very, very good idea.
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Post by Lon »

Jazzy;1278636 wrote: Do you think it's fair that people without children and the elderly should have to pay school tax? I just received my school tax bill yesterday and almost fainted. Even though I can afford to pay it, I don't think it's fair that I should have to. Many of the elderly are selling their homes that they have lived in for over 35 years because they can't make ends meet. Why should they and people like me be forced to pay school tax? Your thoughts on this would be much appreciated.


We all pay some form of tax for which some of the payees do not benefit.
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Post by FUBAR »

Jazzy;1278636 wrote: Do you think it's fair that people without children and the elderly should have to pay school tax? I just received my school tax bill yesterday and almost fainted. Even though I can afford to pay it, I don't think it's fair that I should have to. Many of the elderly are selling their homes that they have lived in for over 35 years because they can't make ends meet. Why should they and people like me be forced to pay school tax? Your thoughts on this would be much appreciated.


Were you a victim of crime last year--why pay for law enforcement you didn't use it.

Did you get sick--Why pay for medical insurance you didn't use that either.

Has your house burned down--Fire department,who needs em.

Drug rehabilitation or any type of help your council or government supplies--pphht who needs that.

In fact almost everything you are taxed on you personally probably never use so why pay for any of it? Just imagine how nice you neighborhood would be if everybody only paid for what they used.........:thinking:
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Post by mikeinie »

Yes I do.

Schooling is an investment into the future and the well being of the (any) country. Everyone benefits from an educated population.
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Post by gmc »

Jazzy;1278636 wrote: Do you think it's fair that people without children and the elderly should have to pay school tax? I just received my school tax bill yesterday and almost fainted. Even though I can afford to pay it, I don't think it's fair that I should have to. Many of the elderly are selling their homes that they have lived in for over 35 years because they can't make ends meet. Why should they and people like me be forced to pay school tax? Your thoughts on this would be much appreciated.


Did you not benefit from a free education as a child? In which case it's payback. I personally benefited from free education up to university level and beyond now I pay it back through taxes. If you would live in a free society you need to educate the young to keep it that wa and to take over from your generation.
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Post by Jazzy »

gmc;1279033 wrote: Did you not benefit from a free education as a child? In which case it's payback. I personally benefited from free education up to university level and beyond now I pay it back through taxes. If you would live in a free society you need to educate the young to keep it that wa and to take over from your generation.


My question was about school tax but now I will ask other questions as to why I'm getting charged twice for this?

What Is the Property Tax?

Counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and special districts each raise money through the real property tax. The money funds schools, pays for police and fire protection, maintains roads, and funds other municipal services enjoyed by residents.

I pay a hefty property tax where I am. Is it fair that I'm also supposed to accept a separate school tax on top of this?
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Post by gmc »

Jazzy;1279040 wrote: My question was about school tax but now I will ask other questions as to why I'm getting charged twice for this?

What Is the Property Tax?

Counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and special districts each raise money through the real property tax. The money funds schools, pays for police and fire protection, maintains roads, and funds other municipal services enjoyed by residents.

I pay a hefty property tax where I am. Is it fair that I'm also supposed to accept a separate school tax on top of this?


If you received a free education then somebody else paid for it just as you now pay for others. We have free education up to at least age 16 and usually longer although tertiary education is paid for if your parents have no money there are still grants available. I assumed america was like everywhere else in the western world where schooling is free for all unless you want to go to a fee paying school.

The system sounds similar to ours where the local tax rate is based on property values. As to people being forced to sell their homes because they cannot make ends meet why should you expect other taxpayers to pay more just so they can stay in their homes? At least they have the wherewithal to buy another smaller one. Do bear in mind I am not an american so allowing people to hang on to houses they can't afford
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Post by Jazzy »

I don't mind paying for education. What I mind is getting taxed twice for school money. As for the elderly and people who do not have children attending school, I think there should be some kind of school tax discount given to them. You can apply for a property tax discount if your wages are under a certain amount but you cannot apply for a school tax discount. Does that make any sense? :thinking:
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Post by Clodhopper »

I think this sort of ties in with Lon's Rights thread. I have the impression that you regard paying for the education of others' children as an infringement of your Rights.

Short digression: I'm being quite careful in what I say here, because I'm British and you're American and although our cultures are in many ways similar, there are also significant differences and we can get very tangled up with the way we use words and with the cultural differences between us. And we're wandering into a classic area. :wah:

I don't have kids. But I regard paying my taxes toward the education of the nation's children as part of living in this society. If they are not properly educated (and I'm not going to get into a discussion of current Brit educational issues!) then tomorrow's economy will lack skilled workers and decent managers. Looked at from a purely selfish point of view, it means less chance that there will be the skilled labour and healthy economy needed to look after me in my old age!

Equally, I consider that my State offers free education at the point of delivery to all as a Right. This Right must be paid for if it is to be real and at that point the requirement to pay becomes a Responsibility.

Does this make sense to you, or just sound like Socialist rubbish?
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Post by Jazzy »

Clodhopper;1279185 wrote: I think this sort of ties in with Lon's Rights thread. I have the impression that you regard paying for the education of others' children as an infringement of your Rights.




As I stated in a previous post, I have no problem paying for the education of others' children. I do not like, however, to pay twice towards the school system. I pay for the education through paying very high property tax and then I pay again when I receive another separate school tax notice. All I was trying to get across is that I feel people like the ederly and people without children in the school system should get some kind of discount on the amount of school tax we pay. If they allow you to claim a discount on your property tax because you fall below a certain income level, why do they not let those same people claim a discount on their school taxes? Like I also stated previously, the elderly are having to give up their homes because they can no longer make ends meet with the property and school taxes as high as they are.
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Post by Ahso! »

The simple answer is for the government to reduce at least by half the military budget and then provide tax relief to the American people in whatever form that is done.

It really bothers me that Americans just disregard how much tax money goes to military contractors. But we'd rather take the food out of the mouths of babies because their mothers and fathers can't find jobs than do that.

Pretty sickening really.
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Post by Clodhopper »

Jazzy: I'll step aside from this one then. Brits and Americans arguing about who should pay taxes has already caused touble at one Tea Party (in Boston...) :wah:.

I will note that you have some really good Universities. Generally I regard your University system as one of the great achievements of America. So you are getting something for your money, even if it's only admiration.
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Post by Ahso! »

It seems to me that the thread is more of a complaint than an inquiry. I doubt anyone here can resolve Jazzy's issue and she should probably bring it to the attention of her state representatives. She believes shes being overtaxed apparently.
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Post by Jazzy »

Ahso!;1279251 wrote: It seems to me that the thread is more of a complaint than an inquiry. I doubt anyone here can resolve Jazzy's issue and she should probably bring it to the attention of her state representatives. She believes shes being overtaxed apparently.


Thank you for telling me what I believe. I simply started this thread to ask if people thought it was fair that the elderly and people without children should pay school tax. To me it was a simple question. I thank all who responded and realized it was a question and not a complaint thread. Thank you as well Ahso for your replies. I'm done now with this :D
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Post by Ahso! »

I don't understand the hostility, jazzy. You did say in more than one post that you thought you were being charged twice for property taxes, didn't you? That translates to me that you believe you are being overtaxed. Hell, I believe we are all being overtaxed. Oh well!
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Post by Jazzy »

Ahso!;1279255 wrote: I don't understand the hostility, jazzy. You did say in more than one post that you thought you were being charged twice for property taxes, didn't you? That translates to me that you believe you are being overtaxed. Hell, I believe we are all being overtaxed. Oh well!


I apologize, Ahso, if I sounded hostile towards you. That was not my intent and this is an issue that has been discussed for ages. I thought it might be an interesting topic. Yes, I believe that I am paying twice but that's just my opinion. I wanted to get the opinion of others as well. Again, I apologize to you.
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Post by Ahso! »

Jazzy;1279258 wrote: I apologize, Ahso, if I sounded hostile towards you. That was not my intent and this is an issue that has been discussed for ages. I thought it might be an interesting topic. Yes, I believe that I am paying twice but that's just my opinion. I wanted to get the opinion of others as well. Again, I apologize to you. NP, I thought it was an outstanding topic. Though I know how frustrating politics and taxes can be, It feels like we are not heard at all.

The fact that our country is so divided doesn't make matters any better.

Cheers!
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Post by Saint_ »

Jazzy;1279241 wrote: I do not like, however, to pay twice towards the school system.


That sounds reasonable, but what I am saying is that education is ALWAYS a good use of tax money for everyone. It benefits the entire civilization of humankind.

What you really need to do is get on your local politicians for wasting the money they do have. My city council, for example, bought an airport restaurant for $1,000,000, renovated it, and it promptly went out of business because nobody could afford to eat there anymore. Sheer waste.

I'm betting if we could completely lose waste in government, the money would be available for lots of other things and taxes would actually go down. That why I advocate government by sentient computer. ;)

Oh.... and fighting wars is a complete waste of tax money too.:-3
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Post by Saint_ »

Ahso!;1279243 wrote: The simple answer is for the government to reduce at least by half the military budget and then provide tax relief to the American people in whatever form that is done.

It really bothers me that Americans just disregard how much tax money goes to military contractors. But we'd rather take the food out of the mouths of babies because their mothers and fathers can't find jobs than do that.

Pretty sickening really.


Best post ever.
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Post by Bryn Mawr »

Jazzy;1279241 wrote: As I stated in a previous post, I have no problem paying for the education of others' children. I do not like, however, to pay twice towards the school system. I pay for the education through paying very high property tax and then I pay again when I receive another separate school tax notice. All I was trying to get across is that I feel people like the ederly and people without children in the school system should get some kind of discount on the amount of school tax we pay. If they allow you to claim a discount on your property tax because you fall below a certain income level, why do they not let those same people claim a discount on their school taxes? Like I also stated previously, the elderly are having to give up their homes because they can no longer make ends meet with the property and school taxes as high as they are.


Why are you being taxed twice for education? From here I'd assume that the property tax pays for the maintenance of the town infrastructure whilst the school tax pays for the schools.
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Post by Jazzy »

Bryn Mawr;1279311 wrote: Why are you being taxed twice for education? From here I'd assume that the property tax pays for the maintenance of the town infrastructure whilst the school tax pays for the schools.


This is taken from my post #27 on this thread:

What Is the Property Tax?

Counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and special districts each raise money through the real property tax. The money funds schools, pays for police and fire protection, maintains roads, and funds other municipal services enjoyed by residents.

I pay a hefty property tax where I am. Is it fair that I'm also supposed to accept a separate school tax on top of this?

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Post by Bryn Mawr »

Jazzy;1279333 wrote: This is taken from my post #27 on this thread:

What Is the Property Tax?

Counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and special districts each raise money through the real property tax. The money funds schools, pays for police and fire protection, maintains roads, and funds other municipal services enjoyed by residents.

I pay a hefty property tax where I am. Is it fair that I'm also supposed to accept a separate school tax on top of this?




If this relates specifically to your district rather than being a general statement then you are, indeed, owed an explanation by the council.
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