If low taxes are so great...Why does my street look like this?

[SlowLX]

You've already admitted they maintain at least some of the streets in your town, just not yours. Instead of encouraging the same bad practices to continue with increased taxes why don't you nut up and become an advocate for your neighborhood? Either run for council or crawl up your public works directors ass and make a 2nd home there until your neighborhood gets taken care of.

[Forever_frost]

Where did you read that I wrote that I trusted the government?

I may not be a rabid tea bagger, but I sure as hell am not some tree hugging government loving sheep.

Chill man, we`re on the same team in most areas.

Right. You think that the government that you have an issue with, would do so much better if only they took more money from someone to fix your road. You don't see the disconnect? They aren't fixing your shit with the money you pay them right now, so you think the answer is to give them more not to fix your shit. If you really want it fixed, blow up their phone and ask the local newspaper to come out and show them the road conditions between your road and areas where the council members live. Or, you could run for office and do like they did and have your shit fixed.

I grew up on a road where we fixed it ourselves because the county didn't. That whole personal responsibility thing. They weren't moving fast enough, it caused vehicle damage, we fixed it, county probably still doesn't know that it hasn't been repaired.

[Denny]

Right. You think that the government that you have an issue with, would do so much better if only they took more money from someone to fix your road. You don't see the disconnect? They aren't fixing your shit with the money you pay them right now, so you think the answer is to give them more not to fix your shit. If you really want it fixed, blow up their phone and ask the local newspaper to come out and show them the road conditions between your road and areas where the council members live. Or, you could run for office and do like they did and have your shit fixed.

I grew up on a road where we fixed it ourselves because the county didn't. That whole personal responsibility thing. They weren't moving fast enough, it caused vehicle damage, we fixed it, county probably still doesn't know that it hasn't been repaired.

You should deduct the costs for repair in your next tax statement.

[Forever_frost]

You've already admitted they maintain at least some of the streets in your town, just not yours. Instead of encouraging the same bad practices to continue with increased taxes why don't you nut up and become an advocate for your neighborhood? Either run for council or crawl up your public works directors ass and make a 2nd home there until your neighborhood gets taken care of.

This is how my taxes haven't gone up in a decade. I make the tax office my home until they surrender.

[Forever_frost]

You should deduct the costs for repair in your next tax statement.

Never thought about it but it doesn't matter. It needs to be done and as I'm told by idiot liberals "We have to educate our children!!!" I live in the country, taxes aren't too bad and I tend to raise enough hell on taxes as it is.

[BP]

Why would you blame the federal government for horrible city roads? I think this is one of the major problems in America today, people just don't understand how government works.

There isn't a US government pothole repair crew that drives around fixing city streets. Your local government has a budget that's filled by various revenue streams, almost none of which come from your federal taxes. There may be grants available from time to time and some free equipment but generally your city government is who is supposed to be repairing roads.

[snacksnack]

Has anyone ever come up with an average number that an average person pays in taxes a year? I'm sure there is info somewhere but I cant imagine what may be considering how many ways you are taxed in day to day life.

[BP]

Has anyone ever come up with an average number that an average person pays in taxes a year? I'm sure there is info somewhere but I cant imagine what may be considering how many ways you are taxed in day to day life.

You'd need to define what an average person is and then what is considered as a tax. Is an average person of legal working age? Do you include people paid in cash that don't file? What about workers using the social security number of someone else? Then do you consider in sales taxes, user fees, admission prices to city/state parks, franchise fees, tolls, etc...

You'll never come up with a firm number because there are far too many variables. It'll be different depending on the motivation and criteria used by the counter and no matter what someone will call the entire operation racist.

[Forever_frost]

You'd also have to offset which government you are talking about paying and if you're ignoring property taxes that those in public housing and apartments do not pay and the almost 50% that pay zero in federal income tax.

[03mustangdude]

Heck one pothole right in front of 24 hr fitness in fort worth has been there for years, I send a strongly worded letter and get a generous we dont care reply back every few months.

[Forever_frost]

Heck one pothole right in front of 24 hr fitness in fort worth has been there for years, I send a strongly worded letter and get a generous we dont care reply back every few months.

One could conceivably have an attorney write up a letter stating that failure to maintain the street over an extended period of time opens up the city to liability from lawsuits over damaged vehicles or accidents caused by failure to upkeep the roadway.

[BP]

You'd also have to offset which government you are talking about paying and if you're ignoring property taxes that those in public housing and apartments do not pay and the almost 50% that pay zero in federal income tax.

Someone pays property taxes on apartments. Not the renters directly but part of the rent goes back into the city. Then you also need to figure in all the people that get back more than they pay which I'll never understand. It's supposed to be a revenue generating tool, not a government funded wealth redistribution system.

[Mongoose]

One could conceivably have an attorney write up a letter stating that failure to maintain the street over an extended period of time opens up the city to liability from lawsuits over damaged vehicles or accidents caused by failure to upkeep the roadway.

Which is why it is a requirement that one must prove the city was given ample notice that the problem such as a pothole or dangerous sidewalk existed in the first place, and why most attorney's will never take on those cases.

Good luck on getting that letter being nothing more than a letter should it be ignored.

[Gasser64]

Which is why it is a requirement that one must prove the city was given ample notice that the problem such as a pothole or dangerous sidewalk existed in the first place, and why most attorney's will never take on those cases.

Good luck on getting that letter being nothing more than a letter should it be ignored.

That's just one of many things that needs to be done. You're basically putting the pressure on, letting them feel it. That letter is one thing. Constant calls from you are another. Getting your neighbors together and getting them in on it, is another. Going to town hall meetings and showing pics and talking about it is another. If you do your due diligence, they're going to know full well what they are expected to be doing. You have to keep hounding them, its been done many many times in many many different towns. Simply giving them more money guarantees NOTHING. You'd still be relying on them to hopefully go your way, and do what you want. But they've got things they want, too. Don't forget that part.

[Forever_frost]

Or...you could sit here and bitch to us while demanding others pay more to the government that isn't listening.