short article
http://www.westernherald.com/news/kalamazoo-county-commission-rejects-homeless-proposal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kalamazoo-county-commission-rejects-homeless-proposal
The Kalamazoo county commission had a meeting over the homeless proposal last week. This proposal required a new tax of an average of $6 per household to prevent the county citizens from becoming homeless, housing the current homeless, and to create "permanent housing". Although many citizens seemed to support this idea, the poll result dismissed this proposal.
Would you have supported this idea? Do you sympathize with homeless to the extent that you would contribute money for efficient change? Are you srprised that this idea did not pass?
I would have supported this tax. I do sympathize with the homeless and I think after reading the we are the 99% blog helped me to become more sympathetic. We don't know how these people got into this position, whether it was a few bad choices or just bad luck and unfortunate events but I think that the public should help to support those worse off. I am surprised that it didn't pass, and its interesting that the Republicans and Democrats all sided together on opposing sides.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised that it didn't pass. I agree with Cate about trying to be more mindful after reading the 99% blog, however I feel that most Americans would support this proposal until it came to a vote, and then people would reject it. It seems like we are all fine with saying we would pay increased taxes in order to help out other people, however, when it comes time to take action, these types of proposals seem to fall short. Especially in a time of economic hardship where people are having trouble looking out for themselves, let alone trying to keep other from falling into poverty.
ReplyDeleteI do also agree with Cate. After reading the 99% blog, I can relate more to the suffering of the homeless people. This tax could have helped a lot of people stay in homes that may be foreclosed on and the amount is not very high per household. I think that more people may support this tax and the amount is quite low that it would not make a significant difference in the total tax payment. It surprises me that it was at least not passed for a vote.
ReplyDeleteI would have supported this tax as well. Kalamazoo needs to help the homeless and less fortunate get back on their feet, and this tax could have turned into a great thing for a lot of people. Disappointed all Dems and Reps sided with their party.
ReplyDeleteGrant brings up a very interesting point. It seems like almost everyone would verbally support the less fortunate, or in this case the homeless. However, when it comes time to act, or vote, the support seems to vanish.
ReplyDeleteHow do we deal with this phenomenon?