Sandbags stir charges of special treatment

[Driven1]

Why is it that people always throw out cutting essential services as a scare tactic? Our government spends millions of dollars on programs other than these that could be cut. Like I stated in another thread, WE the taxpayers ARE the government. So call it what it is, people being forced to support other people whether they like it or not.

thank you.  unfortunately, this is in one ear and out the other for socialist-minded liberals.

[BridgeTroll]

Providing sand and bags for people to fill and use themselves should not be an expensive way to help people help themselves.

[Lunican]

If anyone wants to take a stab at trimming line items, the 2008/09 Jacksonville city budget is available for review.

Download PDF

[RiversideGator]

If anyone wants to take a stab at trimming line items, the 2008/09 Jacksonville city budget is available for review.

Download PDF

At first glance, I can say I would eliminate the "Jacksonville Human Rights Commission" which would save the City $1,238,253.  Do we really need to spend hard earned taxpayer dollars to attempt to achieve something which government probably cannot achieve and probably shouldnt even be engaged in?  It's charge:  "to change the ethos of Jacksonville and to create an environment where harmony, unity and equality abounds".  Harmony and unity are matters of the heart not of government and are more suited to churches.  Equality under the law has already been achieved.  Equality of outcomes has been attempted and failed in communism.  This is typical bureaucratic nonsense and should face the ax immediately.

I am sure if I drilled deeper I could find many millions more that are wasted on Duval Street.  I just dont have the desire to read all 342 pages of the budget tonight.

[Driven1]

i agree with RiversideGator.  i don't think it could've been said better than when he said...

Harmony and unity are matters of the heart not of government and are more suited to churches.

[Driven1]

That to secure these rights

so now the question:  Whose rights have been denied?  This is not 1850 - or even 1960.  Whose rights have NOT been secured?  If they WERE denied, that is grounds for a civil lawsuit - we have courts for such matters.  Local government should NOT be funding feel-good stuff such as this.

[RiversideGator]

How surprising that your first target would be something that has historically benefitted the african american community.

At least, Im surprised.  Surprised, surprised, surprised.

Where does it say that this benefits blacks?  And how long do you think it has been around?

BTW, the reason why I first listed this is it has its own listing on the table of contents and sounded suspect.  Like I said, I am certain I could find many more wasted millions in the budget.

[RiversideGator]

Hm?  Tranquility?  Perfect Union?  Blessings?  Happiness?  Common Defense?

Thats the very basis of our government and its why we have had the greatest country in history.  I don't think we should stop now.

Are you actually attempting to argue that the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence (which has no force of law BTW) require the City of Jacksonville to have a "Jacksonville Human Rights Commission" which spends over $1 million per year?   

[RiversideGator]

Straw man alert!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man_argument

Sorry but I never made this argument.

[civil42806]

How surprising that your first target would be something that has historically benefitted the african american community.

At least, Im surprised.  Surprised, surprised, surprised.


How exactly has the HUMANS RIGHTS COMMISSION, I put it in caps because it a HUMANS RIGHT COMMISION so therefore obviously important, benefited the african american community. In fact what exactly does the HUMANS RIGHTS COMMISION do to warrant a million dollars a year?  Do they issue scathing reports scolding the citizens of jacksonville, or is it possible that they simply set there and consume a million dollars a year.  Why thats 1/100 of a mile that Och could use for the people mover!

[Charleston native]

...How exactly has the HUMANS RIGHTS COMMISSION, I put it in caps because it a HUMANS RIGHT COMMISION so therefore obviously important, benefited the african american community. In fact what exactly does the HUMANS RIGHTS COMMISION do to warrant a million dollars a year?  Do they issue scathing reports scolding the citizens of jacksonville, or is it possible that they simply set there and consume a million dollars a year...

This is a well-put statement that I meant to respond to earlier. I think this is the reason RSG even mentioned it in the first place.

[gatorback]

Jacksonville should fund that line item.