Hey, Buckeyes! Thanks for Rockin' the OHIO FORUM!

[VolcanoJen]

I'm so proud of the Buckeye/ex-Buckeye DUers! This is one of the busiest State Forums on DU.

It's interesting, isn't it, to be the center of the universe for a change! Let's rock this vote, do our ever-important ground work (where this election will be won, F the Polls!), and win OHIO for John Kerry/John Edwards!!

You're the best, fellow Buckeyes!

VolcanoJen
Ohio Forum/DU Moderator

[Eurobabe]

1. I'm a future Buckeye

Look for me to get very active in politics as soon as I get my feet on the ground near Cincinnati! The middle class is getting hammered out your way by taxes out the wazoo. -Crozet

[cmd]

2. I've noticed that you have mentioned Ohio taxes several times

Where do you live now; and how are services paid for where you live? I have no huge issue with taxes because I can see and appreciate what I'm getting for my money.

[Eurobabe]

3. I don't have a problem with taxes, as long as the

services are there, and you see results. I currently live in Virginia, our property taxes are very low (.74 per $100 assessed value) My RE taxes are approximately HALF what you pay for same house in Ohio. My local sales tax is 4.25% vs. OH 7%. The one difference is that we have personal property tax and I understand OH doesn't have that (yet). But most townships have earned income tax, so it evens out.

I see virtually NO difference in the services offered in Virginia vs. Ohio. You guys do have more roads I think than we do, but that money can't all go for roadbuilding! I think you have many more schools too.

(In my opinion, VA is one of the best run states in the nation. Thank you MARK WARNER!!!)

We are trying to figure out if Buckeyes are just accepting these tax rates, etc. because they don't know any different? (Oh, and I may have referred to some folks as morons, my bad, I did not mean to put anyone down. I am an Ohioan by birth, so please don't take offense. I should have put it more diplomatically. Mea culpa. :p) -Crozet

[Kolesar]

4. How many $ Billions did Virginia spend on prisons lately?

We have more than doubled the prison population and I think the prison annual operating budget exceeds a billion dollars.

[cmd]

5. Ohio homeowners do pay more in property taxes

Our school systems depend upon local taxes. You will find that in Ohio you will be voting regularly on your property taxes. You will also find that their is very little fat in any of the local budgets.

[mosin]

6. You live in Ohio...

with Gov. Shaft and you think you're getting your money's worth in exchange for our comparatively high tax burden? I certainly don't.

Our school funding system is a joke. The state legislature is a joke. Our governor is a joke. Our comparatively high tax burden is driving businesses into northern Kentucky and other states. Down here, we can see it in the paper almost every day. Cincinnati has to resort to outrageous local tax incentive packages to compete with northern Kentucky.