Do you think cities should tax college students?
It is an insulting proposal. Studies have shown that students tend to stay in their communities after finishing their studies. The benefits from the Brown medical graduates alone is worth it''s weight in gold.
#1 - Wed May 13, 2009 9:08 PM EDTAnother day, another tax with the Obama administration! Air will not be free for long. Yes, it is getting that ridiculous!
What the hell does this have to do with Obama? And who's to blame in the first place you idiot? Moronic hypocrite Republican.
How come when anything in the world goes awry some one without a clue always says it's Obama's fault? This has nothing what-so-ever to do with Obama. The financial crisis was in full swing long before he took office and there's no way that he can create a miracle out of the mess left behind. It will take years to pull through this and then only if EVERYONE sucks it up and acts like a grown-up by doing the right thing. Enough finger pointing. If you don't have a solution to the problem, quit whining/armchair quarter-backing and help be part of the solution. That's what REAL Americans do.
to all that get upset when Obama is blamed; How do you think he is going to pay for all the freebies? Let me tell you how with our money through taxes, you are just seeing the first wave there will be more. Please take off the blinders and be objective, we will be taxed to the max to pay for poor or mediocre services at best. Happy government run health care, if they do the same good job they have done with education we will have no problem with social security or medicare.
Actually...the first wave was Bush's 700 billion bail out on the mortgages. It was the tip of the financial meltdown problem and Obama inherited the rest. That was after Bush financed two wars with no bid contracts and created the biggest deficit in our nations history.
After all, it wasn't Democrats that favored a totally unregulated financial sector...they have been trying to get some regulations in place for years. It was Bush and the Republicans who refused to institute any controls prefering to believe in a "free market"which is why we are where we are now.
Go look at Bush's speeches on the economy and free market and how ridiculously proud he is of refusing to act. Sorry...but this time the shoe fits.
um the root of this proble is blind sheep people believing that it is the repulicans fault or the dems infact its both .the dems like Dian fienstien ,nancy polosie and the head of fanie and fredie mac actualy stopped rep. eforts to regulate the banking industry. The resson they did this was so they could keep givig loans to low income people . very noble but dumb. cause people who make 15,000 ayear can not afford a house that costs 260,000 sorry it just does not fly.
kstana, you are very silly person!! now.... back into reality? you are right it has nothing to do with OBAMANATOR and that's the problem. while he is helping spend hundreds of billions of dollars to save bankrupting corporations, he has left us with these issues that we have to deal with our selves because he hasn't helped to bail out the American people. but wait we did get a tax break that we should see $15 dollars extra on our monthly checks, that we'll payback next year though. ooooh wow!!! its awesome help isn't it.
How come when anything in the world goes awry some one without a clue always says it's Obama's fault? Same goes for MR G. W. BUSH! Presidents are Presidents no matter what they are a politician first, remember that. I am an Independent and believe that the dem's and the repub's are all how did AP-NYC put it (Moronic hypocrites) and have the same agenda to achieve which is to control us and keep us oppressed but do it in different ways. there is a reason why you have a donkey and an elephant as a mascot. ones a jacka$$ and just takes everything and the other is a fat a$$ that takes every rights you have in exchange for free government handouts. so tell me how can you not blame obama? WHERE IS OUR BAILOUT? I think its better to live as a corporation or a criminal than being a hardworking citizen in America barely making it from paycheck to paycheck who gets crapped on all the time by our officials who dwindle our rights and do nothing but tax and tax and tax and tax us again and again!
Karl Marx said it - "The rich will do everything for the poor but get off their backs"
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!
Look folks....
Neither president has really much to do with this. Sure, in the enourmous tangled web of politics and given the entirety of the recession one *might* be able to blame it on either president, but come one us some sense.
I don't think the tax is a good proposal and to use the arguement that the students use "a lot of the services" is an absolute fabrication. First off I'm willing to bet most of the students live on campus which means the school has their own police for. Secondly, if they do travel out of their campus chances are they are going to another city. Which in turn uses its own police/fire dept.
Jo-411538 If I come into your house with a baseball bat and smash everything up and then leave and you walk in, should we blame you for the mess because now you're there?
Yea it's Obama! I am still waiting for my change for the better he promised.
Jo, you're right. We Obama fans should know that everything was Bush's fault during the last eight years, and now we have to listen to the critisms from the other side. That shouldn't be a problem - no double standards here. I'm increasingly surprised at how blindly conservatives continue to support the Bush admin after such a horrific eight years. Baffling. You sounded like an articulate, educated person in your post...
if you remember, if the Clinton admin did all they could Bush wouldn't have inherited 911 and the we probably never would have had the war. You could keep going back and back to each admin and say it started with them. No matter what , it is Obama's problem now to solve. No matter who is in the BIG SEAT, it's alway going to be their fault. That is just how people are. The war is not the reason the banks kept giving loans to people who couldn't afford them. That was the banks and the banks are the reason we are in the state we are in. Just think, if it wasn't for the war alot of other people would be out of work instead of collecting a paycheck from Uncle Sam. Then when these guys get out of the service, they can collect on their free college education and maybe they can start paying the college student tax, see, more people to get additional money from.
The schools and students are often the only thing holding up the economies of their communties. Taxing students is just pure greed.
#3 - Wed May 13, 2009 9:23 PM EDTyeap you are right! now that town will probably loose alot because no one is not going to go to that school anymore. I know I wouldn't.
If you think enrollment to this liberal assed college will decrease because of a tax on the rich college kids, you probably will have to think again. I am sure that the number of students requesting admittance to this private university far outnumber the actual number enrolled. Lighten up already. After all it is only a $150 tax on the rich.
True, but a silly tax is still a silly tax, no matter who it's enforced upon...
After all it is only a $150 tax on the rich.
Yes, but it sets a dangerous precedent for other college towns. Besides, these students already pay sales tax and support restaurants, bars and hotels.
I don't get it. Kids go to college. They mustgo into town for "provisions." Isn't that spending money and helping the local economy? If they're taxed even higher then kids will probably avoid that college. Therefore creating a downturn in business, loss of revenue, downsizing, etc. I think this mayor needs to re-evaluate his strategy, no way this is going to work.
#4 - Wed May 13, 2009 9:28 PM EDTI agree! Why even suggest an extra tax to students? In a perfect world, they wouldn't be taxed for anything but public services which they use while they were enrolled at least part time in school. They would then have more money to pour into the local businesses. Why even suggest a tax that could make college appear even more unappealing than it is (to some) already?
Totally. Not to mention, they have to pay the sales tax on those "provisions" as well. They go to bars, they're paying alcohol tax. Luxury taxes if they eat out. So, they ARE paying taxes. This is just ludicrous.
Of all the groups of individuals whom a city could tax, one of the least suited groups is college students. Most students are taking out thousands of dollars in loans a semester to attend college, only with the promise that when they graduate they will be able to find a job that pays well (so they can pay back the loans).
Many students would have to draw from loan money to pay for the additional tax. The $150/ semester tax is then really much more due to interest that rapidly accumulates.
#5 - Wed May 13, 2009 9:38 PM EDTWhy must they have loans unless the program they are in does not allow them to have a job? I earned a Bachelor of Sceince Degree and a Master of Education Degree without any loans or government handouts. They should get a job.
REALLLYYYY... You know, you MUST be single. I earned two BS degrees in Human Biology and Chemistry in four years, supporting a family of four off of financial aid AND working full time. Now I'm in medical school - surprise, doing the same thing, although my time commitment is more, so I can only work part time. Just because you had time on your hands and went to a local university that you could afford doesn't mean the rest of us are in a prime position to completely pay for school out of pocket. Unfortunately, you only have one life - if you don't take the opportunity when it presents, no matter the costs, you can't exactly go back and have a do-over!
Ah the hypocracy of it all. Universities - those hotbeds of liberalism and social activism get their panties all in a wad when the debate turns to THEIR CONSTITUENTS contributing to the massive costs of the social programs they espouse.
Oh me oh my, what's a good liberal to do?
#6 - Wed May 13, 2009 9:50 PM EDTThat's rediculas school tution is costly enough! Let's start with government and all there wasteful spending on themselves and whoever else they give our money to!
#7 - Wed May 13, 2009 9:52 PM EDTThis would represent taxation without representation as a majority of students are not registered to vote at school. Then again, the students can re-register in any town that chooses to tax them. By doing so they would become THE voting block in most college towns. Good luck to Providence’s mayor in the next election if he chooses to change the electoral make-up of his town.
#8 - Wed May 13, 2009 9:53 PM EDTcollege towns have been proven to be a boost in the economy. students should get together and vote this clown out of office. isn't it enough that tuition is already high as it is? puh-leeze...
#9 - Wed May 13, 2009 9:56 PM EDTThat mayor is a moronic imbecile and should go screw himself. What an idiotic plan. How about a pay cut or a vote of no confidence to can your ass.
#10 - Wed May 13, 2009 10:13 PM EDTI think any person in a position of running a city or of that high power and letting the city get into such a bad financial shape should be fired and never ever be able to return to a postion of power anywhere in the world. He should be made to shovel @!$%# the rest of his life as punishment for his or her idiotic thouhgts.
I for one have had enough of tax payer dollars being spent frivolously. Maybe it's time American's to wake up and take a stand before this country is ruined. How is this encouraging our youth to succeed in life by going to college and paying a tax to bail out the Mayor mistakes?
#11 - Wed May 13, 2009 10:44 PM EDTPhil,
I agree. How about the city cut their expenses instead of trying to tax more. Government never wants to cut, but just thinks the taxpayer is bottomless pit of money. We should all stand up and tell our local, state, and federal goverment no more.
Sounds like the college students of Providence should hold a TEA PARTY and say no to increased taxes.
This is really silly and could effect the colleges' enrollment and jobs. Not only that but day by day the cost college education if spiralling upward as our economy has been moving downward. Additionally to tax private school and not tax state school students is somehow discriminatory. If you tax one, you tax all. State schools get taxpayers money in addition to the tuition that the students pays. I guess Providence would like to be a ghost town for college education while places like UNC and other universities would be happy to have these students. The current plan by the mayor is not prudent. Hopefully there is someone in Providence or Rhode Island who can bring the mayor back to reality.
#12 - Wed May 13, 2009 10:46 PM EDTSales tax doesnt count?
The fact that students own nothing kind of makes it hard to tax them... they already pay income tax levels appropriate to earnings...
What the hell money is the local government going to tax? The loans they take? Geeze...
#13 - Wed May 13, 2009 10:59 PM EDTSounds as if there may be a funny smell coming from the direction of Providence town hall/mayor's office. Otherwise, someone there has complety gone off the deep end.
#14 - Wed May 13, 2009 11:23 PM EDTLets fire the mayor and city staff for poor management.
#15 - Wed May 13, 2009 11:32 PM EDTGood Luck, Here in Toledo, Ohio have been trying to have are mayor fired for the last 6 months. Now it's stuck in the courts, so we are doomed until Nov. when we can vote him and his crazy bunch out of office. That is, if he doesn't completely kill the rest of the city by then. No salt for winter road, no road repairs,( most are so unsafe if you don't break the shocks or struts on your car or blow a tire every month your doing good!), no garbage pick up in some areas, city cemetery has 2 foot grass that need to be cut, (city claims no money, don't die here, people wont be able to find your grave!), cut 150 cops and fireman this month,and this list goes on and on. No job here either, unless you want to work fast food, but those are even leaving too!
I have a better solution, why not tax every breath and fart that a person does in Providence, including the citizens as well as every political official (especially the mayor). When everyone quits breathing or farting, then the town will disappear. End of problem.
#16 - Wed May 13, 2009 11:34 PM EDTas usuall, the government demonizes a group of people to get what they want, more money, and while everybody's trying to fight the demons "students" nobody's paying attention to them. If we would cut some of their pay, bonuses, perks, ect... they'd have enough money. Did anybody hear of the straw that broke the camel's back?
As a resident of a classic college town I agree the studengts need to be taxed but it is too general a concept. In Berkeley, unlike Palo Alto where Stanford is, Cal, by law is exempt from Federal, State and local taxes. On the one hand the students @ Cal , usually renters a re a potent economic force. On the other hand they vote. We are one of the most overstaffed and taxed cities in the country. If you have a job with the city you are guaranteed a job and health care for life. Health care includes 100% medical, psychiatric, vision dental, every holiday known to man. Your work load is lighter than in comparable cities and it is virtually impossible to be fired. When there is inefficiency which there is in this type of environment more taxes are voted. To evict a tenant the lawyer must be specialized in Berkeley law and is expensive so housing is expensive. Students take on way too much police and fire and city services but homeowners pay for it. Also, the campus is mostly closed. Try running on the track. USC is open and pays. Stanford is more open than Cal and pays its fair share. That is why some students should be taxed. It is not fair if the school already pays.
#17 - Wed May 13, 2009 11:35 PM EDTThe reason for your taxation and over staff rest on the very liberal policies of you city. I have children in college and extra taxation is abusive. Will the students have a seat at the council. If not stop, with all the taxation we will kill any entrepreneurial activity and will become serfs of the state.
Berkeley is still one of the most desirable cities in which to live.
Nope. This is grasping at straws. Tax students, and less students will come, guaranteed, then raise the tax on students and even less will come, and that revenue source is in a death spiral. Take a good hard look at the city budget instead, and cut just like the rest of us in America must do. Startthis tax, and your colleges will suffer, and create even less of a revenue stream. This is a poorly thought out temporary fix.
#18 - Wed May 13, 2009 11:55 PM EDTThe colleges in Providence are all private colleges anyway, which makes them more expensive. What a ridiculous idea. As a student looking at grad schools in Providence, this definitely makes a difference for me, especially since I pay my own way through school.
#19 - Thu May 14, 2009 12:08 AM EDTI hate to say it, but this is what all those college kids who voted in November voted for. I guess you really believed that they were going to only tax the top 5 %. Not when we just spent 8 trillion dollars (more than every administration combined) and a bundle of entitlement programs still to come down the pike. Get ready, because this is what socialism is all about. Consumption tax on top of income tax. Look at Germany, 45% tax and 20% consumtion tax for everyone. That is 65% of what you make borrow or spend ultimately goes to the government. So every year you will work for 9 months out of the year to pay the government. That is why Obama want to call it service...Serve your country!!! It doesn't sound so bad when it is put that way does it?
#20 - Thu May 14, 2009 12:44 AM EDTActually, Germany's tax rate starts at 15% and progresses with income to a high of 45% which you don't pay unless you make over a quarter million Euro's (about $340,000.00).
Our economy is in crisis and if drastic measures aren't taken then we will slip into another depression. It sucks, it hurts, but it's the lesser evil to borrow from ourselves and keep the economy going than to do nothing and let it continue to worsen.
It is what it is...and all the whining about it won't change what it is. We can stand back and watch banks, wall street, major corporations and multi-nationals fail...watch while more and more companies close their doors for lack of business until we're all out of work. We can watch the government fail while we're at it, since no one will be paying taxes anymore because no one will have any income.
If you don't have a real solution to any of the complex problems, then quit whining about doing your part. We all have to. It's the best solution we have and it's infinitely better than just sitting around parroting back a bunch of complaints like well trained ditto heads.
This is one of the worst, accusatory whines I've read thus far. What does Obama have to do with the idiot Mayor of Providence, RI proposing a direct tax on students? Without those students and all the money they spend on junk food alone, Providence would be a little dusty piece of a town on the Atlantic! Obama? I don't see the connection. What?
An even bigger issue is that once we start paying these higher taxes, it will never end!!! It's not like we will get the country out of crisis by paying these outrageous taxes and then the government will lower them to what they were before this all started. It will just continue on and will all be broke. That is a reality!!! The government cannot pay out any money unless it takes it from its citizens first. The government has no money....it is ours, and they do with it what they please and take as much as they want. The government in Washington also decides and votes on the amount of their own paychecks.
ALLthewaylive,
I don't see how you don't see the connection to Obama and his taxation policies. How about cut government spending instead of increasing taxes. Obama and his policies will tax companies out of business, so these poor college students will not have any jobs when they graduate except maybe a government job.
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I can barely keep myself afloat. Not all of us have mommy and daddy to pay for our schooling. Its hard for students like myself already!