What are your state's "hot issues?"

[sezjasper]

I got my specimen ballot in the mail yesterday and once again I am annoyed by the so-called important issues that make it on to the ballot, while there are so many REAL issues that we citizens never get to vote on. Here in Maryland, the life-or-death issues are whether to allow table games at our casinos, and whether to allow gay couples to marry. As an example of a REAL issue, how about letting us vote on where our tax dollars go...especially when so many of them are diverted to other countries while there are people here in need? Why don't we ever get to vote on stuff like that? I can't be the only one who ever asked this question, can I?

Just curious...what are the "important" issues in other states?

 

[MamaRoo]

Gay marriage and legalizing marijuana.Fortunately last year we passed the law that removed liquor sales from state control or that would be here as well.

 

[MamaRoo]

As an example of a REAL issue, how about letting us vote on where our tax dollars go...especially when so many of them are diverted to other countries while there are people here in need?

I'm curious, since foreign aid consists of less than 1.5% of the US budget, why do you feel that's too much?

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1258

13% of US budget goes to safety net programs in the US.

 

[oldrooster]

I'm curious, since foreign aid consists of less than 1.5% of the US budget, why do you feel that's too much?

with our current debt load as a nation can we afford one dime? an argument could be made for that.
issues here are like elsewhere jobs, healthcare debate, money (spending on what where) who said or did what and why I am the better canidate and so and so is a liar....

 

[sezjasper]

I'm curious, since foreign aid consists of less than 1.5% of the US budget, why do you feel that's too much?

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1258

13% of US budget goes to safety net programs in the US.

Even 1.5% of a huge number is still a huge number. Ditto for the 13% to safety net programs that all too often turn into life entitlement programs. My point is that every taxpayer who contributes to the pot should have a vote in how the money is spent, and not just through their elected officials, either!

 

[Capvin]

My response to the OP regarding why we, as individuals, don't vote on a variety of issues; i.e. how to spend our tax dollars, and specifically, let's just stop all foreigh aid. Well, for most people who read your post the answer will be obvious, but the short answer is that most individuals have no idea what they are talking about when then say things like that and secondly, we have a representive form of government and you elect people who are suppossed to vote your wishes. Fortunately, the people and representatives that think we should eliminate all foreign aid are few and far between.. But, becareful what you wish for becuase here in Florida we have a process where any nut case can decide he or she wants to amend the constitution of the State and if they can collect some signatures they can get it on the ballot. That is why at every election cycle Florida has at least 20 items on the ballot that are constitutional amendments for the State of Florida. I, personally, don't even look at them and just vote no to all. Some of them have been so ridiculous and have passed causing the Governor and Legislature to then have to pass an amendment voiding the amendment. It happens a lot. On second thought, I now think we should eliminate all foreign spending and aid and just go right back to an isolationists country and see where that gets us. Or, we can read our own history and see that it just did not work at all, usless, of course, your county is Haiti.

 

[sezjasper]

I don't recall saying that we should eliminate all foreign aid. What I did say was that the citizens should have a say in where our tax dollars are spent. As far as our elected officials go, you make the point that we elect people who are supposed to vote our wishes. Do they always? Of course not...you just gave an example of this yourself.

 

[cupman]

Some foreign investers are trying very hard to open a casino near by called The Grange. It isn't too popular and is almost sure to fail but it does raise some concern. Goes against the state constitution to have casinos here and every year the gamblers get a little closer to getting rid of that ban. I believe the casino will fail. I'm not voting for it.

Also a comment from MamaRoo. I'm kind of on the opposite side of things. I was against state controlled liquor sales but then when Washington let it become private the price of liquor skyrocketed. I'm glad you guys tested it out before us(Oregon) because I enjoy a few drinks every now and again and I really don't want to have to pay any more than I am right now.

 

[MamaRoo]

Some foreign investers are trying very hard to open a casino near by called The Grange. It isn't too popular and is almost sure to fail but it does raise some concern. Goes against the state constitution to have casinos here and every year the gamblers get a little closer to getting rid of that ban. I believe the casino will fail. I'm not voting for it.

Also a comment from MamaRoo. I'm kind of on the opposite side of things. I was against state controlled liquor sales but then when Washington let it become private the price of liquor skyrocketed. I'm glad you guys tested it out before us(Oregon) because I enjoy a few drinks every now and again and I really don't want to have to pay any more than I am right now.

It'll go down in a year or two (I've forgotten the timeline) as there's an initial tax that will expire. I'm not a huge drinker anyway, I just didn't like the idea of the state controlling when I could buy alcohol.

With regard to voting how to spend our taxes, it seems like it would end up being a mess. I would vote to stop subsidies to grain farmers (I can't eat grain, why should I pay for YOU to have cheap grain), stop paying for k-12 schools (no kids, why am I paying for YOUR kids). I would increase foreign aid, since studies have suggested that befriending a country is a more cost-effective way to reduce threat, and reduce spending on weapons surpluses. I'd send more money to research and higher education.

How does this tally with your spending choices? Who would sort out this huge mess of "I want $1.25 to go to rockets, $0.50 to go to medicare, until I'm ready for medicare, then I'll up it, $100 to go to NASA, etc?

 

[Capvin]

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