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Rensselaer County Taxpayers Association

November 2001                                                                                                                                                     Volume 6, Number 6

Is more important to us than ever before. We have much to be thankful for and never tire in our gratitude to our Creator for allowing us to be born and live in this beloved country. Regardless of the present setbacks, terrorist activities or domestic problems, we will emerge triumphant.

Hang in there

Winston Churchill once remarked that the American people could always be counted on to do the right thing - after they have exhausted every other alternative. Nowhere is it written that America’s greatness can continue without constant vigilance, dedication and a love for the ideals of our Republic. We are most fortunate at this time to have top leadership that can put us to the test and show us the right and most intelligent way to cope with whatever may confront us. Liberty is our watchword and freedom our guide. Security should never be traded for either.

Is it not time to ask, nay demand, that petty politicians, public figures and academicians think in terms of the well being and preservation of the Republic, rather than continue to pursue their own selfish ends? Many regular working citizens have suggested a 10% cut across the board to fortify our economic position and bolster the productive activities of our Nation.

A federal study, which appears cited in the October 1, 2001, issue of The Wall Street Journal, found that high-achieving schools operated by the Pentagon on military bases offer a model for public school reform. This study was commissioned after a Journal article in December 1999, reported that the Department of Defense schools score at or near the top in reading and writing on national exams.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee, attribute the impressive scores to small schools, high expectations, a strong sense of community among military families, rich and varied teaching methods, higher per-pupil spending than the national (not local) average, and parent accountability for their children’s behavior in school.

The Pentagon operates 227 elementary and secondary schools enrolling 112,000 students in the U.S. and overseas. The study, done for the National Goals Panel, reviewed 15 Department of Defense middle schools in the U.S., Germany, and Japan. The student body was described as poorer than the national norm, more racially diverse, and more mobile. The researchers recommended that civilians re-evaluate workplace policies which hinder parental commitment to public school education.

The East Greenbush Central School District’s decision to use dead cats in the new advanced placement anatomy and physiology class is controversial. Additionally, it has elicited some interesting observations about the current membership of the school board.

A selection of board comments printed in the September 28, 2001, edition of The Independent follows. Ms. Hart said, "I apologize for not doing my homework. I made a mistake, and it won’t happen again." President Hennigan, referring to complaints about more than 25 calls stated, "I’m incredibly busy and don’t appreciate it." Vice–President Baldwin is quoted as saying, "This is a distraction from education and has the potential to undue (sic) a lot of good work that has been done." Mr. Angelo went on to say, "Those in opposition are not going away. They want all or nothing. I will vote against voting on this issue again."

Homework is a fact of life in education; all are expected to do it in a timely fashion. When elected officials are "too busy" to listen to constituencies, it’s time to leave. The concerns of the public, large or small, should not be labeled as a distraction. The comment "vote against voting" by a former social studies teacher is incomprehensible.

Our youth are on call. It has been said by many about our present up-coming generation not having the stamina to meet the tough times and see the Country through, regardless of wars, economic downturns, social problems or whatever misfortunes may befall us.

TV commentator Tom Brokaw recently wrote a book called "The Greatest Generation". In it, he extolled the 20’s to 60’s generation as being credited with bringing the Nation through a depression and victory in WWII under the most adverse conditions and putting us on the road to prosperity almost beyond our dreams.

While this is quite flattering and pleasant to hear, the vast majority of people who lived through this period feel that they did their best as loyal Americans and point to the accomplishments of those who have gone before, in forming this great Country, starting with the first settlers of Plymouth when they stepped ashore and never looked back. As an earlier Caesar pronounced. "The die is cast".

The human desire for freedom and the ability to handle ones own affairs and worship God unfettered by kings, dictators or evil manipulators remains paramount in our daily lives. The opportunity to realize one’s dreams and creative ambitions and bring them to fruition surpasses all other forms of human existence.

The only caveat is that there are no guarantees, only opportunities. So to our youth we say, the door is wide open. There are large shoes for you to fill. We elders know you are up to the task. We are confident you will stand as proud Americans because you have the right credentials.

As appeared in Investors Business Daily, October 2001.

Removed from the spotlight, Hillary Clinton appears to lose her pep. Recall her obvious boredom during President Bush’s speech before congress. But not to worry: She’s back in stride, directing the klieg lights to her own "suffering".

In an interview with The New Yorker, the junior senator from New York found a way to relate the deaths of thousands of New Yorkers to the "unreasoning anger" she’s seen from conservative critics. Asked about "murderous rage", she replied, "oh, I am well aware that it is out there." She explained that she faced it when she tried to save America from its health care system.

"One of the most difficult experiences that I personally had in the White House was during the health care debate, being the object of extraordinary rage," she said.

"I remember being in Seattle. I was there to make a speech about health care. This was probably August of 1994. Radio talk show hosts had urged their listeners to come out and yell and scream and carry on and prevent people from hearing me speak. "There were threats that were coming in, and certain people didn’t want me to speak, and they started taking weapons off people and arresting people."

Who knew of this harrowing tale? Sounds like a real close call. Her armed security detail must have had their hands full with that cell of Rush Limbaugh listeners.

Perhaps Bill Clinton can console New Yorkers with his own tale. He, too, stared down the terror of "radio talk-show hosts." In fact, after the domestic terrorism of Timothy McVeigh, he offered up the sober and dispassionate thought that "loud and angry voices" on the "airwaves" bore some responsibility for it. "they spread hate," he said. "They leave the impression, by their very words, that violence is acceptable."

America still has much to learn from these two. Without their bracing insights, we might foolishly search for the terrorist cells in Afghanistan.

Americans have many worries over what is going to happen next. We can only guess what the minds of terrorists can conceive. One form of terrorism that has existed for many years is the terrorism that is inflected by union militants on uncooperative members. In past years tires have been slashed, rocks thrown, windows broken, fires set and threats made all in the name of unionism. The effect of such crimes on individuals is fear, and that fear often results in the individual submitting to demands that are against his beliefs. Too often law officials look the other way and allow the unions to engage in terrorism.

The NEA (National Education Association) represents over two million educators. The NEA was awarded a Federal charter by Congress by merging with non-profit groups. Its purpose was the betterment of teachers and students, and membership was voluntary. That all changed in 1960 when militants seized control and transformed the NEA into a union. A statement by George Fisher, former president, NEA says, "The Union intends to control who enters, who stays, and who leaves the (teaching) profession. Many sad tales of teachers who believe in the right to work without paying to get or keep a job have been documented. They have been demoted, ridiculed by union members and even fired because of their beliefs. Compulsory union dues have been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court yet thousands of teachers across America pay dues out of fear of reprisal. And the union bosses use much of this Money (beyond their fat salaries) to promote their left wing political agenda. And this agenda is lobbied in all government bodies backed by an unending supply of union dues. All this costs us taxpayers enormous amounts of money. Let’s have this anti-terrorism crusade extend to union militants and help calm the fears of the people who are affected by union demands.

If you are angry over the way Union bosses have hijacked our Government, you can do your bit to reverse the trend by supporting the
National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, Inc.
8001 Braddock Road, Suite 600
Springfield, VA 22160
703-321-8510

Town of East Greenbush supervisor, Robert Angelini, in a response to questions about salary increases during his current administration indicated that the average expenditure was 3%. Additionally, some employees deserved greater rewards.

This information prompts another question for the supervisor.

Why does the tentative budget for the upcoming year provide for additional increases of 3% to 3.5% for town employees? The current increase in inflation is only 2.92%. What is the justification for rewards that exceed the rate of inflation?

Readers should do their homework and ask questions of their elected officials. For example, are town employees given health care insurance as a fringe benefit? If so, what portion of the premium do they pay? If the answer is none, the next question is why? Health insurance costs are huge burdens for those who pay. Employee and employer cost sharing is now common place. Also, tell the public what, other than the retirement program, constitutes a fringe benefit and to which employees they apply.

Earlier this year federal income tax payers were given a tax rebate of up to $300 for singles and $600 for couples. This was a refund of taxes paid that were in excess of what the government required for its expenses.

Since the rebate was only to income tax payers, those that pay no income tax did not get a rebate. In year 2000, single wage earners without dependents needed to earn $7,200 before they were subject to income tax. A married couple with no dependents needed $12,950. However, all earned income is subject to payroll taxes. This is 1.45% of all income for Medicare and 6.2% of all income up to $80,400 (year 2001) for Social Security. The employer pays an equal amount.

Some argue that low-income wage earners should be given a rebate on their payroll taxes and that payroll tax rates should be graduated, like income taxes, and low wage earners should be exempt entirely from Medicare and Social Security taxes.

This would be a mistake. Medicare and Social Security were set up not to be welfare programs. All wage earners were to pay into the programs and then when they retired or otherwise proved need, they would receive money from the program. Exempting some income from payroll taxes and exempting some workers entirely from payroll taxes would cause the programs to become welfare programs. People who did not contribute their fair share would receive money from the program.

At first glance this may seem humane for low wage earners, but in the long run it will be to their detriment. Low wage earners generally do not save independently for their retirement and rely exclusively on Social Security and Medicare. Having these programs become welfare programs would make them more susceptible to political whims and possibly be taken away.

A recent note to us from a Schodack resident asks, "have you looked at your school tax bill? Mine went up 7%. In calling the local assessor, we were told that the taxes were raised because the state legislature did not pass the budget on time. The question in my mind is this a legitimate reason for gouging the public for every wrongful act of politicians?

A second statement I’d like to make - are charitable hearts in need of alert minds? Millions of dollars have been collected from compassionate people for the victims of terrorist attacks. We are hearing that these people are not receiving any phone calls, any notices or any money from organizations that have collected these funds.

Before we blindly ship out hard earned dollars in the name of compassion, shouldn’t we try to determine where the money is going and who is benefiting?

Editors Note:
In reference to the first paragraph, from whence comes the authority to allow schools to act as tax collectors?
Thanks to this letter. Perhaps some of our readers could enlighten us.

I recently paid $86.50 for 2 year vanity plates. The Motor Vehicle Dept. sent me a bill for another $43.50. So far, no plates, no nothing.
Elliot Road Resident

Courage is contagious. Let’s have more of it.
No. Greenbush Resident

All of a sudden traffic on Columbia Tpke. Is low. The commuters, speeders and lane jumpers are now forced to use I-90 because of road construction. Too bad. Some good has come of this.
Clinton Heights Resident

If you think you are a person of influence, try ordering around someone else’s dog.
Averill Park Resident

The reduced sales tax on clothing and shoes has ended. Who gets credit for this? No takers?
East Greenbush Resident

Back issues of the Taxpayers News are available at:

In these trying times, to those who ask – what can I do? Simple – to all those who own and drive automobiles, drive safely at reasonable speed, use courtesy and caution. To our schools, concentrate on teaching and never mind pushing Driver Ed. More of our police are needed for more serious matters.
Castleton Resident

Heard on a radio show from George Will. "Two liberals came upon a badly beaten-up man lying by the side of the road. The first says to the other ‘We better find the man who did this. He is in desperate need of help.’"
Schodack Resident

¶ ¶ Coming Attractions ¶ ¶

• RCTA is interested in articles about tax concerns or problems in all of the county. Please, if you choose, write a succinct article for submission to: The Editor at the above address.
• Members of goodwill solicited.

The undersigned hereby wishes to join the Rensselaer County Taxpayers Association (RCTA). Annual dues of $10 are due on acceptance of this application.

Name:_____________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

City: ___________________ Zip Code: __________

Telephone: _________________________________