workingmom

Petition opposing proposed Fisher Lake sewer proj.

Three Rivers Area • May 30, 2011 9:09 PM

I would think twice about getting into an agreement with Three Rivers.

Public hearing on proposed Historic District

Three Rivers Area • May 25, 2011 12:07 PM

The problem is a Historic designation might well be counter productive. Adding additional tax or costs plus increased regulations will make it even more difficult for businesses to survive. Higher costs and more regulations have the same effect every time. This is something that is more appropriate in a city that has a healthy local economy. There seems to be one desperate attempt after another to re-vitalize downtown, trouble is the burden to the taxpayers just keeps increasing. When will anyone realize a thriving downtown is the result not the cause of a healthy local economy? We all want downtown to be prosperous but there has to be a limit to out tax burden. We already have the highest taxes in the county and there are proposals for more.

Public hearing on proposed Historic District

Three Rivers Area • May 18, 2011 9:32 PM

Originally posted by Shutesie Because it will possibly raise your property values doesn't seem to be a very good reason to create this district. Maybe they want the the cool sign that will say Three Rivers Historic District. I would think it will just create extra headaches for property owners with little to no benefit. If it increases taxes that will be great because then they will have to raise rents to cover costs making the the downtown even more attractive to potential business. Very well said Shutesie

Major changes proposed in Three Rivers city budget

Three Rivers Area • May 16, 2011 11:21 AM

Jim, Shutesie and I were basically saying the same thing (I think, I don't want to speak for Shutesie). That is Soc. Sec. was never meant to be a sole source of retirement income but it clearly is a retirement program. Too many people just assumed they could live on SS so they didn't make any other provisions for retirement. It is good advice to anyone to take retirement seriously and start preparing for it early in life. Believe me when I say retirement gets here sooner than you think. Also most individuals only pay 1/2 of their SS premium, your employer pays 1/2 for you. Self employed people pay 100% of their SS premium.

Major changes proposed in Three Rivers city budget

Three Rivers Area • May 15, 2011 11:33 PM

Once again I don't disagree with you and once again you help me prove my point. Soc. Sec. was supposed to be a supplement to peoples retirement but as benefits were improved it was viewed as the retirement program. This is my point, most Govt. Programs are well intended and serve a public need. The trouble is they grow in benefits and it becomes obvious they are under funded. When a number of these large programs are underwater the budget deficit becomes huge which is where we are now. Politicians rarely have the courage to amend programs along the way or the political process itself makes it difficult. Politicians usually give away the farm. Can these programs be saved of course they can but it takes discipline and probable cuts. I think you have more confidence than I do about that process. As far as educating the public about retirement good luck. Everybody knows they will get old. I know and you do too people that have had good jobs and made good money and they have none. This really is the challenge, sorting out the truly deserving from the ones who just squandered their resources. What bothers me is people who waste their money, drinking, gambling and making one poor choice after another end up being supported by the people who make the right choices. There is clearly a lack of discipline in today's society and there is usually a social program that makes it ok. In too many cases welfare has become the family business. The real tragedy is social programs stifle creativity and ingenuity. Necessity really is the mother of invention. I am old enough to have seen the world before the "Great Society". We all want life to be good for everyone. The answer is self reliance and achievement not some Govt.program. Do you really think it is just a coincidence that most of these Govt. programs are underwater? Have you ever seen a govt. program solve the problem it was designed to fix? We have spent billions on social issues and things are worse not better. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.