Florida Exodus
 

And they wanted to be the new California.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/2009090...08599191991600

Ron %/

Hi Ron,

Finally got a chance to drop in again. Hope everyone is doing well. :)

Yeah, I can see the economy down there headed for a fall. With the size of the population centers, it's got be an expensive proposition to run any form of government down there. Now, with reduced revenues based on an economic downturn, the only thing government can do, and maintain the status quo, is raise taxes. :CRY:

It's not like nobody will buy the more expensive product as in private enterprise. Government is like a bookclub that one can't quit. Private enterprise just naturally folds up and the product disappears, but government can't legally go bankupt. :rolleyes:

This is the sort of thing that AARP predicted a few years ago. They didn't have a solution of course, but forewarned is forearmed. Owning an address is going to get expensive in the near future. Guess we'll all have to go live in the woods like the folks in the movie DEFIANCE. :JEKYLHYDE

Wes

...

:)

Wes,

Good to see you back. And yes, things here are a mess and nothing is getting a lot better in this area as more and more people leave. Raising taxes is no solution as it just causes more small businesses to close and they lose those taxes and actually collect less than before the latest tax raise. The unemployment rate here is the highest it has ever been, but it is slowly going down as a few places are hiring back some of their former employees.

Ron ;)

Palm Beach County hired an outside consultant to find ways for the county Government to save money. They recommended that the county fire 52 firefighters. The county was politically astute enough to disregard the recommendation. Not hiring consultants would be a savings.
Governor Crist promised to lower property taxes and to lower insurance premiums. My property taxes are up $800. with no improvements done and my insurance up $1800. If he saves me any more I won't be able to buy food. And for you liberals, the Gov. is a Republican. I am an equal opportunity government scoffer.
Politicians, local, state, and federal, seem to live on some other planet than we do.

You know it just might be that the rest of the country is sick and tired of subsidizing Florida residents getting their homes rebuilt every other year when something blows them down. Insurance is there to anticipate the total pot of money needed to rebuild by spreading that cost over a large group of individuals. We here in the Midwest are tired of paying for the guys on the coast to have their houses rebuilt so now they're spreading the cost out amongst those who are incurring the risk instead of all of the rest of us. I'll bet premiums go even higher in anticipating future costs.

My brother moved to Panama City Beach when he retired. Within four years he moved back due to the hurricanes. Guys, it's not safe to live down there. Move somewhere else or pay the premiums and shut up.

Democrat-Republican? doesn't matter. Until we all stop looking for politicians to "cut our taxes" or "provide more services" or otherwise make our lives better somehow, we will all remain disappointed and poorer. We are the only ones who can make a difference in our lives. Please stop looking for, expecting, hoping for politicians or government to PROVIDE for you.
Bigger government unavoidably leads to servitude.

As I contemplate a new residence on the mainland in the near future I'm looking very hard at the whole "tax picture", in several different states. The one common thread I find is: Get out of town! Away from the schools, the population centers, even the suburbs. Getting out in the sticks comes with another set of problems though. I kind of like "civilization", I like being reasonably close to town, shopping, things to do, places to go. Not quite ready for that "off the grid" thing, but I'm considering my options! :)

Oregon property tax rivals Texas, I was surprised to find out! In both cases WHERE you live can make a huge difference. California leaves you pretty much screwed no matter where you go. :)

Ernie,

From the impression I have of you, it just shouts "OREGON". They'd find you hanging in a tree in Texas. :rolleyes:

:LOL:

Beancounter,

First they would have to grow one.:LOL: That would take a long time. And Ernie is correct about the tax situation and where you live being important. Some friends of mine own property in the Grants Pass and Medford area and some in other areas. I couldn't hardly believe the difference in their taxes between the places. Some of them were as high as here in California.

Ron :)

Ernie qualifies for the Special 2nd Hanging Tree in Texas. It's used as a "just in case".

:eek:

Are you saying that Texas has TWO trees? When did they plant the first one?

Ron :D

Why do you hate us in Oregon so much?:)

Ernie I live near the margin of the "sticks" about 15 miles east of Salem in a relatively small school district with a rural volunteer fire department. My property taxes on around $400K value was $5100 last year and with a built in 3% increase every year they soon will be very tough to pay.

Oregon's 9% income tax rate with a new surcharge of all incomes over $250K coupled with Obama's health care plan will leave us with a tax burden just slightly under Denmark yet ahead of Hawaii, maybe you had better stay put...

http://www.oregoncatalyst.com/uploads/denmark.jpg

:LOL:

Ernie,

Korea looks good for your taxes. Just mount missile launchers on the Cobra.

Ron :p

...

Poor Ernie. You are one of the most tolerant guys I know.

Ernie, you are welcome to come to North Dakota. We are neither liberal nor conservative here, but a healthy mixture of both. A mixture of the old fashioned kind where government was still by the people and for the people and fiscally responsible ...sort of.

The last hangin' here was a long time ago. There are no trees here either, except for the state tree which is a telephone pole and we're busy burying lines. So they had to use a bridge that last time. It was over a crick, but there was probably no water in it for those scared the rope might break.

Onlyest thing is, you will be expected to work when you get here. The good part is you won't have to be ashamed of it in North Dakota.

State Tax revenues were in the black again, so there was the usual refund.

Wes

...
Rules of North Dakota :

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

3. They are cattle & oil wells. That's what they smell like to you. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-94 goes east and west, I-29 goes north and south. Pick one.

4. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 combines that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

5. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

6. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of ducks are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time!

7. Yeah, we eat Catfish, Walleye & Paddlefish. You really want sushi & caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

8. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the second Friday of November.

9. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.

10. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak... Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

11. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and Picante Sauce!! Oh, yeah....We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat....IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!! Chili was born and bred in Bismarck . . . . and real chili never met a tomato!

12. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

13. College and High School Basketball are as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

14. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards -- it spooks the fish.

15. Colleges? Try North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, Minot State University , or Williston State College, hey graduates come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at passing pickups when they come for the holidays.

16. We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines than any other state, so "Don't Mess with North Dakota ," If you do, you will get whipped by the best.

17. After hours bar fights here are fair. One on one. They quit after one guy gets a bloody nose and they shake hands. You are certainly welcome to bring a gun ...but you won't need it.

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Florida insurance premiums are computed on Florida losses vs. income. Has always been the case. Insurance is regulated by EACH state, however each state wishes to do it. NEVER have losses in another state been a consideration for increases in premiums in ANY other state. It is exactly the same as your auto insurance [daily driver]. If you live in a rural area, the high premiums of a major city in YOUR state, do not affect your cost and if you live in Mt. or NM, or Oh, the premiums in New York City or Chicago DO NOT figure in your premiums.

While I briefly DID consider Texas, your right, I am concerned they might plant a tree, just for me, before my time! :)

Scott, whoa, 9% state tax on income? Ouch, I had over looked that. Wes makes an interesting case for North Dakota, to cold for me though!