Saturday Readers' Forum

Thank you for your Oct. 27 front page story, "Habitat for Humanity finds Novato home." The launch was a milestone event for our organization and a testament to the hard work and dedication of hundreds of Marin volunteers.

[New Brian]

Mr. Tam - please re-read the constitution. There are many examples of required supermajorities, so the idea that Measure G did not pass does not mean that democracy was a casualty.

2/3 to remove the president.
3/4 states to amend constitution.

When you finish college and buy a home, you will not be so quick to raise taxes, because you will be raising your own.

Measure G allows people to raise taxes on others but not themselves.

Therefore, the 2/3 requirement.

marintaxpayers.org

[Jim]

Minority rule needs to be abolished!

[Higher Taxes in SR]

The 2/3 rule is actually saving Older citizens (like your grandmother) or retirees from selling their Marin home , to pay the higher property taxes.

The Measure G supporters stated an absurdly low $205 average per year-- a bigger farce than this should be on Broadway.

Property taxes would be probably in the range of $350-$550 per year. I have friends who have run the numbers on their own homes, based on the 41K and $56 per 100k, stated in Measure G.

Since 70% of the Measure G's funding came from CONSTRUCTION UNIONS -- it sounds like it was about UNION JOBS and not about Public Safety buildings. Just a thought.

Yes -- replacement is neeed... Al Boro, where is the money you have set aside to replace the fire stations... Oh, I forgot... that's right--- We needed a Million dollar losing Millenium party instead.

[Jim]

Higher Taxes in SR wrote:

The 2/3 rule is actually saving Older citizens (like your grandmother) or retirees from selling their Marin home , to pay the higher property taxes.
The Measure G supporters stated an absurdly low $205 average per year-- a bigger farce than this should be on Broadway.
Property taxes would be probably in the range of $350-$550 per year. I have friends who have run the numbers on their own homes, based on the 41K and $56 per 100k, stated in Measure G.
Since 70% of the Measure G's funding came from CONSTRUCTION UNIONS -- it sounds like it was about UNION JOBS and not about Public Safety buildings. Just a thought.
Yes -- replacement is neeed... Al Boro, where is the money you have set aside to replace the fire stations... Oh, I forgot... that's right--- We needed a Million dollar losing Millenium party instead.

NO, 2/3 rule lets the minority rule. Sounds like a dictatorship to me, run by a small old boy oligarchy.

Others laws can be put into place to protect the elders on fixed income if they can show need, or a lean can be put on the house when it sells or changes hands. Why should we subsidize you?

I guess you right wingers only like the "free market" when it fits your paradigm. I would have thought that you would support letting the people either pay up of git out.

[cant have it both ways]

Jim wrote:

Minority rule needs to be abolished!

Illegal aliens need to be removed from the US.

[cant have it both ways]

Higher Taxes in SR wrote:

The 2/3 rule is actually saving Older citizens (like your grandmother) or retirees from selling their Marin home , to pay the higher property taxes.
The Measure G supporters stated an absurdly low $205 average per year-- a bigger farce than this should be on Broadway.
Property taxes would be probably in the range of $350-$550 per year. I have friends who have run the numbers on their own homes, based on the 41K and $56 per 100k, stated in Measure G.
Since 70% of the Measure G's funding came from CONSTRUCTION UNIONS -- it sounds like it was about UNION JOBS and not about Public Safety buildings. Just a thought.
Yes -- replacement is neeed... Al Boro, where is the money you have set aside to replace the fire stations... Oh, I forgot... that's right--- We needed a Million dollar losing Millenium party instead.

And don't forget the millions spent in Marin and San Rafael on illegal aiens. Boro's creation.

[resident]

Measure G was written to put smog screen around the issue, scare residents by picturing future disastrous and move own agenda. Who are winner and greater supporter- constructions lobbyists and surrounding “consultants” who are ready to sell you for a buck.
People tired from completely luck of responsibility of so-called “people servant”, from wasting of millions of dollars in to the drain. San Rafael residents already voted for SMART year ago and realized today what kind of financial hole they are in.
Vote “No” was right think to do

[Walter Sobchak]

John Ristow writes: "The unwillingness of those who benefit most from this system to pay their way in taxes has brought us an ailing infrastructure, failing state and local governments, and has elevated greed to an ideal."

Have you lost your mind??? The sheer stupidity of that statement speaks volumes.

FACT - According to the IRS own figures, the top 1% income earners pay 40% of the Federal income taxes collected in this country.

FACT - The top 5% income earners pay over 60% of the total Federal income tax take.

Hey John -- Stick to the "arts" because numbers are clearly not your strong suit.

[letschanceit]

Walter Sobchak wrote:

John Ristow writes: "The unwillingness of those who benefit most from this system to pay their way in taxes has brought us an ailing infrastructure, failing state and local governments, and has elevated greed to an ideal."
Have you lost your mind??? The sheer stupidity of that statement speaks volumes.
FACT - According to the IRS own figures, the top 1% income earners pay 40% of the Federal income taxes collected in this country.
FACT - The top 5% income earners pay over 60% of the total Federal income tax take.
Hey John -- Stick to the "arts" because numbers are clearly not your strong suit.

so the top 50 percent out grossed the bottom 50 percent by 7 to 1 but the percentage of taxes paid by the top to the bottom was approximately 5 to 1? sounds like it should be a little MORE progressive to me.

[letschanceit]

meant to say AVG tax rate rather than taxes paid. oops.

[popeye]

To Habitat for Humanity, I hope you will provide this home to an American soldier who is either homeless or who has just returned from active duty.

[Frankie]

I believe that he was referring to Ristow's comment about "The unwillingness ... to pay their way in taxes" and I believe that he's right -- when 5% OF THE PEOPLE pay 60% OF THE TAXES the inequality is hardly in the favor of those 5%.

If "they" weren't "paying their way" you socialists would really be in a heap of trouble.

Walter Sobchak wrote:

<quoted text>
John Ristow writes: "The unwillingness of those who benefit most from this system to pay their way in taxes has brought us an ailing infrastructure, failing state and local governments, and has elevated greed to an ideal."
Have you lost your mind??? The sheer stupidity of that statement speaks volumes.
FACT - According to the IRS own figures, the top 1% income earners pay 40% of the Federal income taxes collected in this country.
FACT - The top 5% income earners pay over 60% of the total Federal income tax take.
Hey John -- Stick to the "arts" because numbers are clearly not your strong suit.

letschanceit wrote:

<quoted text>so the top 50 percent out grossed the bottom 50 percent by 7 to 1 but the percentage of taxes paid by the top to the bottom was approximately 5 to 1? sounds like it should be a little MORE progressive to me.

[letschanceit]

Frankie wrote:

I believe that he was referring to Ristow's comment about "The unwillingness ... to pay their way in taxes" and I believe that he's right -- when 5% OF THE PEOPLE pay 60% OF THE TAXES the inequality is hardly in the favor of those 5%.
If "they" weren't "paying their way" you socialists would really be in a heap of trouble.
<quoted text>
<quoted text>

i think the rich folks will be doing just fine. and only a fraction of the remaining 95 percent are freeloaders. most are helping the rich get and stay rich.

[Right time Right Place]

Jim wrote:

<quoted text>
NO, 2/3 rule lets the minority rule. Sounds like a dictatorship to me, run by a small old boy oligarchy.
that you would support letting the people either pay up of git out.

The Supreme Court has ruled, it is your RIGHT to pay the least tax allowable. It is your right to fight , as a citizen, and as a voter, to fight BAD laws. Measure G was a bad law with poor tax planning. Your infamous San Rafael city Council was there to vote it in place. Jim-- er, Mr Johnny Frieman -- you can pay my share of the tax. Follow the money -- why are the TRADE UNIONS putting up all the money for Measure G? 2/3 Rule was put in place by the same spirited and angry voters-- who threw tea in the Boston Harbor in 1773 !! Remember democracy? Live with the 2/3 rule !

[cHAZZZ]

letschanceit wrote:

<quoted text>i think the rich folks will be doing just fine. and only a fraction of the remaining 95 percent are freeloaders. most are helping the rich get and stay rich.

Maybe money goes a bit further in Cheyenne my friend, but I'm in that supposedly "rich" 5% and I can tell you that $150k for a family of four doesn't go very far here in Marin.

Rest assured, I hardly qualify as "rich". Then again, you socialists never let the facts get in the way of a good story ... do you?

[cHAZZZ]

My $150k per year is roughly the same as a $69k income in in Cheyenne, WY ...

Gee "letschanceit" ... are your neighbors making $69k now members of the "rich" elite too?????

Try again, fool.