Comments on: New push expected for property-tax cap

By: Tim Hays

Tim Hays — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:33:18 +0000

Go get “Slang and Euphemism,” by Richard A. Spears (Signet, 1982 and 1991 revision) and let’s compare historical “bad language” to today’s.

We should have no problem with “Black English,” as spoken by Black African-Americans during the 20th Century. That lingo was a defense mechanism, used primarily in the South and other regions where Black Americans were a minority, to speak confidentially when other people deemed hostile were present. It was a “survival” language.

The use of Black English by “wannabe” middle-class caucasians has jump-started this 21st Century language frenzy, in which “My bad!” has become commonplace.

Me: I would take some of these boastful, ghetto-wannabe spoiled caucasian teenagers and drop them in Compton some late night, and tell them to find their way home.

By: GOP Girl

GOP Girl — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:22:39 +0000

You have heard about LOL cat language-well some people have translated the entire bible into LOL cat-speak. You might think that that is a bad thing, but imho
I think it has a plus side to it-it means they actually had to read the bible to translate it!

By: GOP Girl

GOP Girl — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:16:04 +0000

Wassup peeps?
I’m down with theez language comments, for rizzle.
;o)

By: ed1

ed1 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:17:37 +0000

Well, in that case we would all be well cautioned not to “get jiggy with it.”

By: Tim Hays

Tim Hays — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:26:45 +0000

Teachers should be paid good salaries—if they are in fact good teachers.

I am one of those Republicans who does not scapegoat teachers.

There are few “bad” teachers—but there are a lot of neglecting parents.

Kids should use the library if they need a computer—unless their parents are willing to sacrifice, as my wife and I do, in buying a reasonable computer for their children. Forget vacations.

My two boys enjoy a computer lab in school which has better computers than I use for my business. But: my wife and I pay for it in taxes.

Parents bear the burden here.

Otherwise, we should move to North Dakota, which has the highest SAT scores.

I agree that the vocabulary used by modern children is one of the most repugnant, and least literate, in modern times. But, we are trying to overcome a bombardment by major media (see: “Family Guy”) in which our children are enveloped, regardless of choice.

It can be overcome, through discipline.

As a proud dad, I must say that both my boys had “A”s in their first-quarter report cards last night. We are fortunate to have good teachers, parental inspiration for studying, and the good grades which result.

By the way: I disdain the expression “My bad!” and the other illiterate euphemisms which our children are accustomed to using.

By: the consultant

the consultant — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:13:22 +0000

MY 19 YEAR OLD EXPERT JUST EXPLAINED IT MEANS A NUMBER
OF THINGS INCLUDING I’M SORRY, DIDNT MEAN TO DO IT
AND OOPS….

By: hopeful

hopeful — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:07:20 +0000

“My Bad” is one of the worst expressions I have heard in years. Saying it just takes away any of the responsibility of the perpetrator. It’s very cavalier and arrogant in my opinion. But I guess that’s how the younger generation “rolls”!

By: edpoise

edpoise — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:05:04 +0000

Con/GOPGirl) Like many parents, for years, while your teen was trying to apologize (“my bad”) for something, you thought he was bogarting! Reminiscent of that Paul Newman movie with the classic line: ‘What we have here is a failure to communicate. : )

By: the consultant

the consultant — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:02:53 +0000

I always thought MY BAD was short for AM I BAD..
shows what I know…WORD!

By: GOPGirl

GOPGirl — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:58:18 +0000

“the consultant, December 2nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
ed 1 you must have a teenager…if i didn’t “word” would be ..how shall i say it…inexplicable! maybe its my age”

Oh, I’ve got the teenager, and then the young 20-somethings at the office and the things I have learned. 2 of my favorites are:

1. “My Bad” – which actually goes back to Adam and Eve.

2. “Failed” – that says it all

Have a wonderful night all-got to get off the computer.

By: ed1

ed1 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:40:02 +0000

I think it’s one of their good, laconic ones. Rather like the British with “jolly good,” or “Here, here.” Much better than the tired “Right-on.” The best word we older folks have that is so direct as “Word,” is “Seconded.” The kids win on this one!

By: the consultant

the consultant — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:08:11 +0000

ed 1 you must have a teenager…if i didn’t “word” would
be ..how shall i say it…inexplicable! maybe its my age

By: ed1

ed1 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:50:22 +0000

Word.

By: the consultant

the consultant — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:27:46 +0000

county taxes are 18% of your bill..the rest is school
and town and village…and of the 18% 80% is mandated by
the state..the only way you get substantial taxe relief
is to cap the 100% of taxes you pay not the 18%

By: Donkey Darling

Donkey Darling — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:18:15 +0000

Hey how come Suozzi doesn’t propose a 4% cap on COUNTY TAXES? Maybe its because he runs a COUNTY? County spending and taxation is also a BIG piece of the pie. But he’s silent on that one, n’est-ce pas?

Suozzi is an amobitious pol who’s trying to ride this horse into statewide office. As I have predicted, this is his way of pandering to suburban property tax anger and running for State Comptroller in 2010. You hear it here first.

By: smartporpoise

smartporpoise — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:11:57 +0000

“They want better schools and more things.” Nuff said.

By: don't waste your time

don't waste your time — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:36 +0000

Talk as much as you want but this is a no issue Look at the last election all of the candidates who talked about capping the property taxes – LOST. It will never happen. We do pay high taxes in Westchester but we also make high incomes so it does not affect us.

The people spoke and they want better schools and more things. They also don’t mind paying alittle more so the people who don’t have can get.

Just look at the record. It does not lie.

By: GOP Girl

GOP Girl — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:38:26 +0000

Teachers should be paid based on how well their students progressed. In other words, if you get a child who can’t read or speak English and you can get them to be able to use English to communicate-then you have taught and the student has learned. Sometimes we don’t measure teachers by what the students have learned, rather we grade the teachers by the students’ tests grades. I think that is unfair- you can have poor kids and immigrants who have greatly improved under a teacher, yet may perform poorly on a state test. But if you see an improvement from where the child started the teacher should get credit.

As far as a laptop for every child-get out of here. We have free computers in our public libraries. I had to pay for my kid’s required laptop-I’m not paying for yours! I noticed that my kid’s grades went up since his computer was sent away for repair. It’s amazing how much more sinks in when you have to put a pen to paper.

By: Friend

Friend — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:35:53 +0000

I guess no one wants to talk about Star being reduced another 10% in school year 2009-2010. That means a school tax increase plus 4%.

By: the consultant

the consultant — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:03:07 +0000

as for a labtop you don’t just give every kid a computer
if you want those who can’t afford it to have one make
it a tax credit that phases out as your income goes up
what is the matter with you…

By: the consultant

the consultant — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:02:10 +0000

you must be joking…the people want their teachers to be
able to teach..many of them stink…teachers get paid
plenty..and that salary is worth even more in a deflationary
economy so is their health care package…I have seen
more than a few teachers who were unable to teach effectively..they neglect the kids in the middle and teach
only those who learn easily…its much more difficult to
take a middle iq kid and make sure he learns than the
eager beaver learner who is naturally endowed..I say
we test the teachers teaching ability rate them and
if they don’t measure up ..fire them…

By: genX

genX — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:52:37 +0000

The people have spoken. What the people want is better schools. Higher wages for teachers. Every child should get a Lap Top.

By: smartporpoise

smartporpoise — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:28:54 +0000

Yeah, that’s certainly what the school unions and people who don’t pay property or school taxes want. Take a plebiscite and you’ll quickly find out. As a matter of fact, on this issue, the public has spoken, and spoken loudly. That these fools in the Assembly keep getting re-elected is the mystery approaching that of the virgin birth. I wonder if the power of the incumbency has anything to do with PACs, the flood of union money, phone banks, and special favors.

By: don't waste your tome

don't waste your tome — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:59:01 +0000

Forget about it. Why do these politicans keep talking about this issue. It will never come up for a vote in the assembly. If it did it would not pass the NYC assembly members. They have
been talking about it for years. What the people want is more services not lower taxes. You can say what you want. Just look at the record.

This is a no issue.