moocow wrote:I didn't mean for it to sound like we should give all of the money to the families. I guess I couldn't think of a way to word it. It's just hard knowing that my grandparents are struggling and my parents sometimes struggle, as do I, and there's $11 billion coming out of no where to build a tower. After reading your post, I do think it would be better to build something there, so I can agree with you on that, I just wish I didn't cost so much money.Now, I'm kind of stupid when it comes to this, but how do things like this get paid for? Will there be more taxes taken out on the people in NY or are there other ways?
I understand where you're coming from with the money issue, and reading my post it may have been a bit harsh. Believe me I think all the time about how 5% of the American population has and controls something like 95% of the money and think it's not fair at all. But then I think of the alternatives, things like communism, socalism and such and remember how good we have it. I know it won't make you feel any better, b/c it dosen't make me feel any better when I think about it... but we could live in China, N.Korea or one of the Middle Eastern Countries where the people live in dirt huts while the government/royalty or what-have-you live in freaking palaces. As Americans we sometimes forget how good we have it b/c we are used to livng as we do.
I'm not trying to be condescending or anything b/c believe me I understand how it is. I'm married with two children and we are very far from rich, hell we're in debt up to our eyes and sometimes can't pay all the monthly bills, so I know how it is. It's hard seeing people like Bill Gates with something like 200 BILLION dollars. Do I think he needs that much money? Abso-friggin-lutely not, but he worked hard for it and delivers a product that people need and use. Really, that isn't out of reach for anyone in this country, even the poorest of the poor. The thing is though, how successful we are as adults comes from our choices when we're young and in school, and sometimes even from our parents choices, and those are out of our hands.
I do really feel for your Grandparents though. If there is something I really don't like it's how senior citizens are starting to be treated in this country. Our government is really screwing them with all these social security and senior services cuts they are making and the high medical and drug costs hurt them the most. Our seniors should never have to worry about paying thier bills or struggling to survive, ESPECIALLY when they have worked hard and paid taxes all thier lives. And if you think it's bad for them, wait til we get to be seniors. By then Social Security will be broke and probably non-existant which is rediculous. People that work all thier lives and pay taxes is what keeps our country the great place it is and should NEVER have to worry about how they will get by when they retire. But that's something else entirely.
Sorry for going so off topic there, but I feel very strongly about these issues. Now, back on topic:
As to where that 11 billion is going to come from....I'm pretty sure most of it is coming from private investors and the like, while the rest will come from the federal, state and city governemnts. Yes, the tax payers will have to foot some of the bill, but it will be so spread out that no one will feel the crunch. That's what taxes are for, to pay for things for the welfare of our country and it's people, so it's only natural that's where at least some of it will come from. 11 billion may sound like a lot to you and I, but really it's only a drop in the bucket when you think about how much money is collected in taxes every year. But out of that 11 billion price tag, I'd say probably less than half will come out of the tax payers pockets. And out of that it will be spread across the millions of people in this country so that no one feels the burden.