Save Our State

Thousands of teachers and social service employees converge on Springfield to protest cuts in the state budget.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• GHSvid
• JournalStar
• Peoria
• Springfield
• Illinois
• pjstar.com
• rally
• teachers

[ajd1211]

This state is $13 billion in debt. And if every employee, and every program, including education, were to be cut, it would save maybe $1 billion, if that. State government is hurting. Rather than cut state spending even further, which it's already down to the bare bones, this state needs to raise the necessary revenue to pay for state government to operate. Whether it be increasing the tax base, or increasing the income tax itself, something besides more cutting MUST be done.

[vannilaguerilla]

We need REDUCED taxes, not higher taxes. It isn't working in Spain or Greece, it's not going to work in Illinois. We need to cut spending in order to boost sales which will increase jobs, not RAISE taxes. This is ignorance. WE PAY ENOUGH DAMN TAXES!

My website. Believe me, I'm about to blog about this so look for it. This is disgusting. Governments don't create jobs, they just transfer them.

SAVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR!!!!!!!

[john51880]

@artfan14 Vary true! They also have reduced tax revenue's and huge retirement plans that are breaking them! The state might owe them some $ short term but that will get worked out. They have to start living leaner!

[homerpez]

@artfan14 The public sector gets lifetime pensions, constant raises, and trillions of our tax dollars. What are the results? The least-educated students in the modern world. The least-competitive business climate anywhere. Towns, cities, and states going bankrupt. Bridges and roads poorly maintained. "Social" programs making problems worse instead of better.

So they "deserve" a raise, lifelong pension and MORE taxes... why, again? While private sector workers feel lucky to even keep their job?

[artfan14]

@john51880 In terms of education, lots of schools are in debt because the states owe them money. So that's a contributing factor.

[artfan14]

@artfan14 it would be better than cutting more funds, people losing more jobs, and so on. It is time we stop attacking others and stop thinking about only ourselves. Like I said, maybe there is a better solution (and I encourage everyone to explore what those may be...but really try--and really believe that you can make a difference. and make sure your heart is in the right place), but history has proven that simply cutting budgets does not benefit people.

[artfan14]

@artfan14 Also, keep in mind that there would not just be education cuts, but other cuts as well, such as social service cuts. If you are implying that social service workers are generally blood sucking parasites (although there are exceptions to every rule--even for people in whatever profession you may have), I implore you to investigate the life of a social service worker. Lastly, to emphasize, keep in mind that tax increases could benefit everyone. Is it the best solution? I don't know. But

[artfan14]

@homerpez So...are you saying that you're omniscient of their intentions? My father happened to be one of those protesters (as well as one of my professors), and I can honestly say his motive was not to help himself. His motive was to help future generations. Btw, attacking the character of people who disagree with your views does not offer insight to the problem at hand or help to come up with a solution.

[Jawstaysun]

I was at the Save Our State rally Wednesday which was sponsored by the Responsible Budget Coalition. I prayed with the participants. I chanted with the participants. I marched with the participants. I WAITED with the participants. And WAITED. And WAITED. And WAITED...

[demdouches]

RAISE OUR TAXES??????  are you serious....... FIRE THEM ALL