VICKY - You've got it backwards! The nine county metro area actually subsidizes the rest of the state to the tune of about $3 to $1 - conservatively!
The fact is though, that no community is independent of all others. People in Moorhead, Aitkin, and Waconia - as well as Minneapolis - all use services and facilities that are provided for and operated by other communities, counties, and the state. Whom you characterize as "spendaholics" are simply people elected as county commissioners, mayors, council members, school board members trying to keep necessary services and facilities that people in their communities depend on. One the stupidest questions that I heard repeatedly when I was in office was the "why should my tax dollars here in (insert speakers town) be used for (insert name of project) over in (insert another town) when we don't live there or hardly ever go there?" This runaway parochialism has already created modest crises in some rural and urban communities and, in the current political climate, will get worse before it gets better. FYI, more often than not, the speaker either identified themselves as a republican or conservative or lived in communities that consistently elect republicans. My conclusion: the dumbing down of America and more people voting republican is not a coincidence! Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Victoria Heller Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 7:26 AM To: Mpls Forum Subject: [Mpls] Minneapolis wants your money, but not YOU Tim Bonham asks: "Do you maybe have a few million extra out there in Waconia that you can contribute?" Vicky comments: The people in Waconia (and Aitkin and Moorhead, etc.) are already subsidizing Minneapolis - and they're getting tired of doing so. Bonham: "With the State taking Minneapolis tax money, and sending less and less back in LGA, our city can't afford to do that." Heller: Please identify the tax money that you claim the State takes from Minneapolis. Income and sales taxes go to the State regardless of where a person lives. LGA (local government aid) is supposed to assist small, less affluent localities. It was never intended to enable spendaholics. Minneapolis needs some tough love from Mother Legislature. Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
