Washingtonians

[Greg Richardson]

Quote: I disagree............

1.8 BILLION is the cost of that project.

1% or .000001% is to much.

If artists want homes to live in, health care, jobs, do not rely on my tax dollar to get them.
Sell your art to people who enjoy it.
I buy art.

Some years I do two jobs a year for people who did the American dream.
They worked hard.
Bought their home.
Own it free and clear but..................

Can no longer stay in their AMERICAN DREAM because they are being taxed out of their home.

You take into account the 1% on every project and minus that from the tax roll.
Take the rediculous schools the kids go to with glass walls, stone walls, ball fields nicer then your average college, politicians 10 K desks, the list goes on and on.

When you look into the eyes of people giving up their home cause their taxed out of it and the whole time you are working there you get to know them.
You find out how this came to be.
You see the hurt involved.
Your heart aches for them.
They never lobbied for the tax dollars to supplement their income.

The Wife tells you what it has done to her husband, to both of their health.
Their kids who are struggling also who can't afford to help.
You might then have a different perspective on what I call wasted tax dollars.

Even if I didn't have that experience I'd feel the same way about our tax $$$$$$$$$$$.

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:
I don't think this is really politics, it's more about the economic environment we are currently living in. It's not about any political party, or taking sides as much as wanting to see that money is spent wisely, and not squandered on "stuff" that doesn't help improve our lives.

Having said that, opinions differ in what improves a person's life. As an ARTIST, I feel very strongly that art is an extremely important part of our culture, and that even in an economic downturn, we need art and entertainment, otherwise what is the point of living at all? (This is not meant as a religious statement either)

I don't know about in this country, but in Britain, during times of depression, people still went to the pub for a night out, even scrimping and going without something very necessary, because you cannot sustain a happy life without some form of pleasure to lessen the hard knocks.

Now, some people feel that we should spend money one way, and another percent of the people feel we should spend it another way. There is always going to be disagreement.

There is a movement who feels that we should not rely on fossil fuels, but should develop other types of fuel. Some people want "clean" water, others art installations, clean city streets, parks, and the list goes on. We can't have it all.

And yes, there are hungry people out there, and we spend billions in aid to other countries, when we have hungry kids at home. I don't believe there is a "UTOPIA"; we are allays going to have hungry, deprived people.

I don't have any answers, but I DO FEEL STRONGLY, that we need to air these issues in a constructive manner and perhaps positive ides will come from these discussions.

 

[Totalcolour]

The Wife tells you what it has done to her husband, to both of their health.
Their kids who are struggling also who can't afford to help.
You might then have a different perspective on what I call wasted tax dollars.

Even if I didn't have that experience I'd feel the same way about our tax $$$$$$$$$$$.

If we got rid of all the unions, it would help . . . bloodsuckers!

 

[Totalcolour]

And get rid of all the lying Politicians . . .

 

[Totalcolour]

Any idea how many people abuse our system, and how much it costs taxpayers in "FRAUD"? Taking SS or disability when they aren't entitled to it?

 

[Totalcolour]

So, I think the best thing we all can do, is look after our own, help where we can, spend our time and money wisely and hope that things will turnaround in the not too far off future.

 

[Greg Richardson]

Kate. Yes, it is good to discuss ideas, thoughts, etc.
There is a lot of good artist right here on this board of which imo you are certainly one of them.
I've seen your work. Very nice!
Cl and CR are others I have seen.
And I know I'm missing others.

 

[Rainwolf]

OMG the Baklava is out of the oven, and it maybe the best I have ever made. It should be perfect on Saturday. It ssmells divine. CR our honey is fabulous.  

Oh Please! pretty please! bring me some? I will stand on side of freeway as you go by so you can just toss it out to me

Won't be able to be there myself ... so ya all have fun

Making changes to route to include a shopping stop at RW's since she won't be home.  Good thing I will have the trailer for all the goodies I am going to steal Uhm I mean be unknowingly gifted! 

Ahh But I will be home.... working and not at the show

I think that I am making a big batch of black bean soup too. Things like that happen at my house. 

Remember we had waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much food last time & no room ???

So do not make too much stuff !!!!!!!!!    you need a catering business !!   

All extras can come visit my house! I wish I could come but I ALWAYS work weekends.....

OMG the Baklava is out of the oven, and it maybe the best I have ever made. It should be perfect on Saturday. It ssmells divine. CR our honey is fabulous.  

Oh there isnt going to be any Baklava sat Im heading over 

Hey! Save me some!!!

Any idea how many people abuse our system, and how much it costs taxpayers in "FRAUD"? Taking SS or disability when they aren't entitled to it?

I know many people will abuse any system where they think they can get something for free, cheaper, discounted, etc....
some people abused the bereavement discount we had so much that they got banned from flying on us when they got caught....
one guy even had his mother "die" 10 different times! all to get a discount for a last minute flight.

BUT I have MAJOR issues with people judging me as a disability abuser. I have to go spend tax money (they are required to pay my legal fees) to fight for my disability status almost every 5 years or so.... I am currently in a legal fight that is at 3 years now just because I don't "look or act" blind. EVERY time I have to go into the SS office to sign something or another within a month I'm defending my disability.

Oh and this is SSDI the insurance I paid for in all of my paychecks and is based on how much I've worked.....

But if you were to see me walk down the street you would never think I am legally Deaf and Blind. I'm one of those people who refuses to let anything limit me. so far the major limit in my life is I can not drive. I still hike, camp, snowboard, fish, etc etc etc etc etc
and my eye doctor now says "I don't want to know what you have been doing.... it scares me!"

 

[Tailfeathers]

I haven't followed this whole conversation but just wanted to let you know Greg, that I agree with you.

I think art is GREAT! I do a lot of outdoor photography and other photography. I own paintings from several artists. Having said that, I think artists should earn their living the old fashioned way. I don't care if it's Christian art, pagan art, or what-have-you art. It doesn't matter to me if it's art that I really, really like or art that I don't think even qualifies as art or that I find disgusting. I do NOT think my tax money or anybody else's should go to funding it. Let the free marketplace dictate what happens. If folks like it, they will either buy it or sponsor the artist so someone else can. If they don't, they won't.

God Bless,

 

[TheReidHomestead]

It's not bad now. You just might want to check the king country roads website to make sure.

Whoops! Meant to quote Zgoatlady when she mentioned she was coming up 18 and taking the back roads and she asked if there was any flooding out this way!