[sheriff]

And contrary to the myth, NV is the 4th highest taxed state: The best and worst states for taxes - MSN Money

[ClarkGrisowld]

Duh! High earnings (lots of wealthy retirees and investors) means higher federal tax. To tell you how flawed that analysis is, just look at IL, which is ranked 14th. Almost across the board (except federal) higher taxes.

And, note, without federal NV ranks 36th. So your claim that it's a myth is a myth.

[sheriff]

Originally Posted by ClarkGrisowld

Duh! High earnings (lots of wealthy retirees and investors) means higher federal tax. To tell you how flawed that analysis is, just look at IL, which is ranked 14th. Almost across the board (except federal) higher taxes.

And, note, without federal NV ranks 36th. So your claim that it's a myth is a myth.

If one believes this article-----NEVADA RANKS #4 IN TOTAL TAX BURDEN: The best and worst states for taxes - MSN Money

[sheriff]

Originally Posted by ClarkGrisowld

Duh! High earnings (lots of wealthy retirees and investors) means higher federal tax. To tell you how flawed that analysis is, just look at IL, which is ranked 14th. Almost across the board (except federal) higher taxes.

And, note, without federal NV ranks 36th. So your claim that it's a myth is a myth.

NV ranks middle-of-the-pack-----24th or so for income, yet has the 4th highest tax burden.

[redwhale]

desertsun41 said

We all know teachers are grossly overpaid. But so are the rest of the featherbedding government employees.

You really think teachers are overpaid or that government employees are not worth the money? I worked 90 hours a week for years in the Navy at 22k on average a year as a federal employee. I work for the government now with comparative salaries higher than what I'd be making in the private sector. The bonus is I have a slightly higher sense of job security even though the city is in its own budget crisis with layoffs of over 30 employees so far. I chose, like many others, to work for the government because we believe in what we do.

The truth is, I like working as a government employee. The general sense in the public's eye is that government is out to get you but I work in a sector that actually does some good. You want to paint us with a broad brush, have fun. I'm not driving a Hummer to work every day laughing at my huge paycheck at the taxpayers expense. A ton of good folks work hard for their checks, no matter their employer and for you to brush us off like this infuriates me. You want to knock anyone working for Shell, Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, or anyone working for profitable companies because their shareholders and bosses are well off, well, do it all you want but remember that these empires are built on the backs of the average worker. That includes your local government employee.

Who have you worked for, you anonymous coward? Let's see your resume and how justified your salary or pension is. If your hands aren't dirty in some way, I'll buy you a beer.

[sheriff]

Originally Posted by redwhale

desertsun41 said

You really think teachers are overpaid or that government employees are not worth the money? I worked 90 hours a week for years in the Navy at 22k on average a year as a federal employee. I work for the government now with comparative salaries higher than what I'd be making in the private sector. The bonus is I have a slightly higher sense of job security even though the city is in its own budget crisis with layoffs of over 30 employees so far. I chose, like many others, to work for the government because we believe in what we do.

The truth is, I like working as a government employee. The general sense in the public's eye is that government is out to get you but I work in a sector that actually does some good. You want to paint us with a broad brush, have fun. I'm not driving a Hummer to work every day laughing at my huge paycheck at the taxpayers expense. A ton of good folks work hard for their checks, no matter their employer and for you to brush us off like this infuriates me. You want to knock anyone working for Shell, Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, or anyone working for profitable companies because their shareholders and bosses are well off, well, do it all you want but remember that these empires are built on the backs of the average worker. That includes your local government employee.

Who have you worked for, you anonymous coward? Let's see your resume and how justified your salary or pension is. If your hands aren't dirty in some way, I'll buy you a beer.

At $37.53/hr, they are at the high end of entry level jobs for Clark County.

[redwhale]

Sheriff,

I want to thank you for your tempered response as I know you want to say more about the situation given your general divisive nature (edit: I know this sounds like a backhanded compliment but I think you know what I mean. All in all, no disrespect, Sheriff). All I can say in defense of the hourly wage of teachers is that it is probably calculated on two factors.

1) I know that there are a number of year round schools but I suspect this wage is based off a normal curriculum of 9 months on, 3 off.
2) The demand for teachers in this area.

Again in teacher's defense, I would say you have equal argument against high nurses' salaries for similar demand. I think the difference is that one you think you might need for the duration of your life and you think you're done with the other. I have to say that education is severely underestimated in the overall sociological and economic sense. If the kids are educated and have the feelings of profitable futures, economically they decide it is better for them to not steal your catalytic converter, vandalize your house, or be a general nuisance. Without these teachers you face more money going towards law enforcement such as police, jails, and rehab facilities on top of the cost to you as a general citizen worried about your safety.

If you don't subscribe to these thoughts, I understand. If you want to be cheap about education then we can continue to lose jobs overseas, have the highest drug consumption rate of all industrialized nations, and generally see our society go down the crapper then please continue to rob the future generations of their opportunities. That's just what I believe but I am young and idealistic and have much to learn from those older than me.

[sheriff]

Regarding education; those children that are driven, and held accountable by family values, will prosper regardless of location. LV has become the "service" mecca of the world. Not, the financial, education, or culture mecca of the world. Until LV can diversify, and create industry outside of service, the circle will remain unbroken.

[redwhale]

So we will have a 3 a.m. philosophical discussion about the state of the USA's educational system on the morning after our nation's birthday, I again must thank you. I will admit to celebrating a little too hard so you have the advantage, sir. To categorize it as a geographical problem is where I must call out a mistake. It is the everyone's problem across the nation that we produce fewer research scientists, engineers, and other science related specialists that spells our potential doom.

Locally, I agree in your assumptions but what we base our ideals on (at least what I suspect we look back to) is the 1950's sentiment of what society and family should be. If we concentrate on just education I think it only bolsters what I've been arguing in that most of the prosperity is based upon the WWII vets taking advantage of the GI Bill and continuing their educations. It is a fact that no other generation in history was more well educated than them, leading to the nostalgic idealistic society we once held.

On the other point of industrial diversity, I think we'll see it soon. The BLM just reversed their decision and allow solar plant production (although I wish they'd look more to solar-thermal) to go through on their land which can only be a boon to NV, which is still over 80% federally owned. We will power the west and eventually the USA at some point and will need the skilled workers to do it. Hopefully we will have the foresight to train NV's children to do so (which leads back to the original argument, we'll need some folks to teach them).

[Chest Rockwell]

Once again, sherriff, you are using bad math and twisting the truth to support your agenda. Teachers are overpaid? You have obviously never done the job.

My wife is a CCSD teacher and has a Master's Degree, so her category is D, with 5 years experience, so she is step 5. So, after returning to school for two years of night classes after work to get a Master's and after teaching for 5 years, she earns 46,611. Hey, but in 2 more years, she can qualify for the Sherriff's entry level alternate reality salary! I can't wait!

And if you think any teacher in the district works the mandatory hours and nothing more, you're crazy. And she also spent over $1000 of her own money for school supplies. If teachers get paid so much maybe you should go back to school and get a license. Of course, you're going to have to work on your chart reading skills!