The history of Latin America after World War II basically consists of the United States having propped up an endless series of tinhorn fascist dictators (Somoza, Pinochet, Noriega, and on and on). All these bloodsuckers had to do was promise our government that they would be staunchly anti-Communist and the U.S. would shower them with money and grant them carte blanche to rape, pillage and plunder their own countrymen blind.
Here in Arizona (and, to be fair, in other parts of the country, as well), we have a somewhat analogous situation. There is a significant portion of our society who will allow the state legislature (and governor) to break the law, ignore the Constitution and gleefully strangle the life out of a once-proud public-school system. In exchange, all the elected professional deadbeats have to do is promise not to raise taxes.
You want to systematically degrade Arizona’s public schools to the point where they are the laughingstock of America? That’s okay with us as long as you don’t raise taxes. You want to use state funds to help your rich friends send their kids to exclusive private schools? Knock yourself out; just don’t raise taxes. You want to ignore your oath of office, openly defy court orders, flip off the state constitution and refuse to do the job that you were elected to do? Look, I’ve told you before. You can slap my mama, expose yourself to nuns, and sell small children on eBay. It’s all good as long as you don’t raise my taxes.
Last year, during the election season, I went to a tea party-type rally. You know the scene—anti-government, anti-tax, anti-Obama. It wasn’t hard for me to mingle; I certainly look the part—white, overweight, bad wardrobe. I pretty much look like I was conceived at WalMart. Anyway, I just love those people. They’ll tell you, “I hate Barack Obama more than I hate any other person who ever got elected in the history of America … but it has nothing to do with race.”
Leaving race out of it—would that they could!—I don’t understand the vitriol. You can’t possibly say that Obama is the worst, not as long as Richard Nixon is still on the list. (Or Jimmy Carter, for that matter.) You don’t like what Obama has done in terms of social programs? Then you should be much angrier with Lyndon Johnson. You’re not happy with what Obama has done with people who are in this country illegally? Then you should despise Ronald Reagan, who granted amnesty for 10 million such people back in the 1980s. You’re upset about the budget deficit? How about focusing your anger on President Dick Cheney, who waged costly wars in two different countries without even thinking about raising enough tax revenue to pay for them?
(I know that Cheney wasn’t actually the President. Sorta.)
Anyway, I’m at this event and I went over to the we hate taxes pavilion (not its real name). There was a group of people standing around, with this one guy pretty much dominating the conversation. I waited until he came up for air and then introduced (and identified) myself. I asked him if I could ask him a few questions. (It’s really weird; I’m generally able to talk to people without their automatically wanting to punch me in the face. That urge may come later, although I have never actually been punched in the face.)
I told the guy (his name was Dan) that while I was fairly certain that his reflex response would be “Too damned high!,” I would appreciate a more precise answer. Here’s how it went:
Do you know at what rate your income is taxed by the federal government? “It’s about 20 percent.” (Wrong. There are seven different tax rates, depending on income level. Twenty percent is not one of them.)
How about by the state? “It’s five percent.” (Wrong. The maximum amount is 4.54 percent, making it the 11th lowest in the country and that includes the seven states that have no state income tax whatsoever.)
Where does Arizona’s sales tax rank in the country? “It’s in the top 10.” (It’s actually 28th.)
And on and on it went. (I’ll be honest. I looked up those numbers before I left the house. Nobody, not even the most strident tax protestor, knows that stuff.)
Unfortunately, this is a rather pervasive attitude these days. There are people who (quite sincerely) believe that they are under the thumb of an oppressive (and perhaps even evil) tax system. There is no reasoning with them, despite the fact that we, as Arizonans, are somewhat under-taxed compared to other states; and we, as Americans, are wildly under-taxed compared to other countries.
Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. once said that “taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.” Unfortunately, some people just can’t grasp that notion.
Finally, I asked Dan if he would be willing to pay an extra 10 percent in taxes for five years if it would help totally eradicate cancer in the U.S. He couldn’t bring himself to say yes. That’s not surprising, really. Just a couple years ago, Arizonans were asked if they would kick in a paltry one percent to keep their schools from sinking below those of Mississippi. We all know what the answer was.
This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2015.
Not sure the mantra ” higher taxes mean better schools” is accurate. Too many examples ( Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, DC etc etc.) of schools getting big helpings of cash but the students don’t benefit. When Baltimore had all the riots, the schools had some of the nation’s highest per student spending levels but only 40% of students read at grade level while 99%+ teachers got satisfactory or better ratings.
I guess folks who actually pay taxes want value for money. If public schools don’t deliver it, then it makes sense to explore alternatives.
Israelis hate Obama and the current government as much as tea party members. Oh look I guess it isn’t whites only.
More money = PRIDE?
You are wrong again.
No, more money isn’t the automatic fix but it is interesting that the best private schools advertise small class sizes, the best teachers, wonderful facilities and the latest technology to attract students. All of these things take money. In Arizona, the average private school tuition is about $10K. State provided funding per pupil in public schools is under $4K. Can more be done with more money? Absolutely. Claiming funding doesn’t matter is a myth perpetuated by those who are to selfish to do the right thing for our kids.
It’s very hard to argue with a well-informed, intelligent man, and win. It’s impossible to win an argument with an idiot. An acquaintance of mine refused to pay taxes until the federal government took his land away from him in payment. He then proceeded to live “under the radar” by doing jobs for cash only, never declaring the income to the feds or the state. I told him that if he became sick or injured, us tax payers are going to have to pay his medical bills. He said that he didn’t want anything from the gummint. Well, he got hit by a car while riding his bike, it required brain surgery and lots of therapy to help the poor guy regain his life. He didn’t have the hundred of thousands of dollars it took to repair him. Good thing he qualified for ACCESS. After he got back on his feet, He had the audacity to tell me that he credits God with saving his life, and that he thanks God every day. I told him that God didn’t save his ass, us taxpayers did. If it weren’t for us folks who pay taxes, he would have been left to die in the street where he was run over. He said that he didn’t ask for taxpayers to pay for his surgery. I said that he had to file to qualify for ACCESS, that’s the same as asking the taxpayers to pay his medical expenses. To this day, he still feels that he does not owe the government nor the state, nor the taxpayers who saved his life a single thing.
Realpatriot…take the total amount of annual funds provided to TUSD from ALL sources and divide it by total number of students. It’s not $4,000.
Add to that the fact that many K8 private schools have tuition under $5000 and they even finance/build the facility costs into it.
Public school math got you down bubby?
Bravo Tom, another factual column that will be lost on the rubes who repeatedly reelect the same dimwits over and over while the state sinks into the sewer and the jobs never come here. When is the state going to get slammed for stealing the COLA that education was mandated to get years ago? The judge ruled they have to pay a continuously changing amount (depends on who you read) but no contempt of court ruling after the legislature says that they won’t pay. As for Governor Douche bag and his promises we see more of the big con job in action.
At 79 when people ask me about living in Arizona I tell them that it is a great place to die but if you have kids or are looking for a job go some where else to live. A great way to lose friends is to advise them to start a life here.
You guys don’t even understand what you write in comments.
Smaller class size with nicer facilities leaves less room for salaries and profits.
Now I see who really cares about the kids. And it’s not the public school warehouses.
By the way breakfast increases childhood obesity. Fatten them up with free food and ask us to pay for health problems.
Very progressive of you.
Tom’s usual mouth, same old points, different week. I think if our taxes went to schools, fixing bridges from falling down,securing the border and a proper national defense, people would not mind paying them or even more. Instead it goes to stupid Obamacare and other handouts, worst of which is foreign aid to countries who hate us.
Excellent column, Mr. Danehy. Your viewpoint is an important exposure of the fallacious basis for many extreme political positions about taxation. Funding education adequately is essential for the future of the United States. You contribute to furthering that objective. Thanks.
“Excellent column, Mr. Danehy’ The last time I heard that………
I’m sure it’s just the heat, Ricardo.
” Excellent column, Mr. Danehy” God how embarrassing.
Almost as bad as John Stewart interviewing Obama last week.
I really thought John was going to go down on Barry and my wife would accuse me of watching porn.
It must be the “dog days” of summer because you are obviously ” mailing it in” Tom.
Let’s trot out the old ” pay your fare share of taxes” column.
The heat must be making you nasty too.
I noticed that the name calling is in high gear. Last week Huckabee the ” Jesus Freak”.
This week it’s that stale old “tea bagger” taunt. You should apply for an IRS job and you could really
stick it to us. Lois Lerner would love your ass.
Isn’t your pastor teaching on “civility” at mass anymore Tom?
No he’s probably too busy talking about ” Climate Change” or maybe the beauty of Sanctuary Cities.
How about a column exploring the value or lack of value that government unions bring to society? The principle that properly has followed unions in the past – namely, that the ultimately limited pockets of the employer keeps demands within reason – does not apply to government unions. They recognize that the ease with which their ’employers’ (in practice, the elected officials that negotiate, but in fact the taxpayers) can obtain additional money to satisfy their demands (simply by raising taxes) removes the ‘union-controlling principle’ that private employee unions must follow. More money for education leads inevitably mostly to money for higher pay for the school unions, both teachers and other employees. When you compare private school costs, check the teacher salaries. A great many of private school teachers are well paid indeed, but far more are working for a pittance by comparison with public school teachers. Check it out.
Well Vince, now you stepped in it. You had the nerve to speak bad of the King of Kings, the true one who died for our sins, the all knowing, all caring, almighty B.H. Obummer. Now all these civil folks are going to call you a racist.
Don’t forget “Papa Doc” Duvalier.
Vince, At the risk of appearing to throw one of my Weekly compatriots under the bus, I feel compelled to note that I have NEVER used the term “tea-bagger” in my column, believing that “Tea Party member” is descriptive (and pejorative) enough.
I guess I’m no longer Tom’s go to right wing pal.
No worries CW13. I am ready to retire from the TW comments section.
Tom is all yours. I argued with him from 1998 until about 2013 on a radio talk show. Even when you win the debate, he ignores your points.
That old line about not wrestling with pigs is really true with this ” progressive” crowd.
Tom, thanks for the tea party clarification. I wouldn’t want to remember you as ” mean spirited”
Adios
The Weekly has been around since 98? How often do they publish it?
C’mon Vince. Don’t abandon us. I can’t say I blame you,but annoying the left is what we do best.
We hardly find you annoying. It’s more like amusing.
Really? Then why did I get 102 dislikes last week.
Staff, family and illegal supporters. Where else would 100 readers come from?
cw….because you’re an idiot
Vince……I listened to you “debate” Tom on the radio.
You never won. Never.
Anti-gunners ,KoolAid drinkers, Obummer lovers and Libs in general. We lost a good ally this week, Rat. Looks like Good “ol Vince has had it with these morons. I picked up a new stooge from the Danehy fan club. Some clown calls himself Old Man. He snuck one in on me at the last second last week so I couldn’t properly reply. Seems he knows all about people he’s never met. Me for instance. I told him to keep his day job and he responded that he got up, ate, slept, etc. when ever he pleased. Like he’s the only person who’s retired. I packed it in at age 52. Bet he was still working at that age. Told me I was so unhappy because my party was falling apart. Wrong again, Einstien. I’m registered Independent, I have no party. I’m also the most happy-go-lucky person you’ll ever meet. Even Tom would vouch for that. ( Except when the Rangers lose) Have no idea who I’m voting for yet, but it won’t be the one who just got her computer confiscated by the D.O.J. In his bio Old Man claims to be an artist. Even has one of his paintings to go with his name. It reminded me of a time I was partying with some of my biker friends at Fat Frank’s house when his cat came in and got sick on the living room floor.
Catwoman. Always with something intelligent to say. A few weeks back I asked what became of your gorilla. You responded that he ran off with my girlfriend. Thanks for the update. I was wondering what became of your sister. She was a very nice girl. Nothing like her moron of a brother.
I am trying to figure out when Tucson had a “proud public-school system.” I moved here in 1988. We didn’t pay any attention to the school district because I never DREAMED that a school district could be as bad as TUSD. So we are a lot of beans and rice to be able to send our daughter to parochial and private schools. If charter schools had been around then we’d have been there in a heartbeat. And not because my offspring is so bright but because she had a common learning disability and TUSD wouldn’t deal with it in spite of the two-inch file I brought with me, documenting the diagnosis and previous actions taken.
Hey Danehy, you are a total scumbag and liar. I feel free to call you this because of your use of the term teabagger.
Fact is Arizona ranks number 9 just behind California in combined state and local tax burden at 8.17% according to the International Business Times
http://www.ibtimes.com/united-states-taxat…
As usual your answer to any problem is more taxes, more money, more power for the bureaucrats. There are no studies showing that increased funding to public schools results in better education results.
Now you’ve done it Frank. You hit Pulitzer Tommy with facts. He may end up in the emergency room.
CW13, “Obummer”? Seriously? Are you three years old? If you hate Danehy so much, why do you read him as if your religion requires it? Do you have no life?