Greece Entitlement Expectations

[Texas_Bryan]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/11/nyc-high-school-students-walk-class-protest-loss-free-transit-passes/

NEW YORK (AP) — About 1,000 New York City high school students walked out of class and rallied near City Hall to protest a plan to eliminate their free transit passes.

The students converged at City Hall Park at noon. They chanted "Save our MetroCards!" and "This is what democracy looks like."

They planned to march across the Brooklyn Bridge for a second rally at a transit facility.

More than 500,000 city students receive free or reduced-fare MetroCards to get to and from school. Eliminating them would force families to buy monthly passes that cost about $1,000 a year per child.

The city's transit agency proposed ending the free rides to help close an $800 million budget gap.

The protest comes a day after Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a stepped-up effort to fight truancy.




Mild now, but what else are these people getting for free and expect to be a right?

[fightingquaker13]

Actually, I'm siding with the students here. I got a ride to school on the big yellow bus. Obviously, it wasn't "free" as the taxpayers were footing the bill. Still I think there is a difference between an entitlement and an investment. Paying for a universal education (public schools or vouchers, I don't really care) and providing reasonable transportation to get there strikes me as a good use of my tax money. I mean its not like the subways and busses aren't going to run anyway. Why not give school aged kids a free pass on school days?
FQ13

[Solus]

Worked for a school district that, by state law, was required to provide transportation for students to and from school.

They paid (at a discounted price) the city transit authority to issue bus passes to the kids to eliminate as much 3rd part bus service as possible.

One of the effects was a reduction in the full fare passengers.  It's not a pleasure to ride a bus with many of today's youth.

[fightingquaker13]

One of the effects was a reduction in the full fare passengers.  It's not a pleasure to ride a bus with many of today's youth.

I think the same was true of yesterday's youth and will be true of tommorow's youth as well . Children are rude, loud and annoying when gathered toghther in large herds, particularly if they are on their way to or from school. Thats just a universal law that is as old as gravity.
FQ13

[Texas_Bryan]

Even though its an 'investment', the fact that they would take this attitude at being 'denied' something that used to be free is ridiculous.  When I was a little one, parts of town didn't have school buses, but your ass was still expected to be there everyday, and you were.  For all we know this is beyond the money, and like Solus said, these kids abused the privilege of free transportation to and from school.  My ass wouldn't take the bus if two dozen middle school kids were on it...  Still a very valid argument though Quaker.

[Sponsor]

[Solus]

My point was that the transit authority takes a double hit is lost revenue due to the discounted or free ticket to the kids and a loss of paying customers whom might find alternatives and never come back.

Then the citizens who depended upon the bus, many elderly or impaired, are forced to find a more expensive alternative or face the abuse of today's youth.....and that abuse in the past was no where near what it is today....loud and obnoxious would be a god send.

[twyacht]

Surprising, in the city that just hosted the annual Communist Party of America Meeting,....

That is going broke, raising taxes on those who are just leaving for another state, focusing on taxing soda more and regulating salt.

Why wouldn't the kids ride free?

The problem FQ, as your probably aware, is tax revenues are down, so the mindset of these buffoons is to raise taxes on everything else they can, than more folks leave or drop under the tax radar, and revenue STILL goes down...

Instead of promoting anything, they would rather increase taxes on everything, and than their "shocked" when the revenue plummets....

But they did approve the mosque in Manhattan, right across the street from Ground Zero,....you know they have to set priorities...

[fightingquaker13]

But they did approve the tax free mosque in Manhattan, right across the street from Ground Zero,....you know they have to set priorities...

FIFY  
FQ13

[Fatman]

One of the effects was a reduction in the full fare passengers.  It's not a pleasure to ride a bus with many of today's youth.

I think the same was true of yesterday's youth and will be true of tommorow's youth as well . Children are rude, loud and annoying when gathered toghther in large herds, particularly if they are on their way to or from school. Thats just a universal law that is as old as gravity.
FQ13

It's no picnic riding a bus with us old folk either. Especially if we have gas.

[tombogan03884]

Surprising, in the city that just hosted the annual Communist Party of America Meeting,....

That is going broke, raising taxes on those who are just leaving for another state, focusing on taxing soda more and regulating salt.

Why wouldn't the kids ride free?

The problem FQ, as your probably aware, is tax revenues are down, so the mindset of these buffoons is to raise taxes on everything else they can, than more folks leave or drop under the tax radar, and revenue STILL goes down...

Instead of promoting anything, they would rather increase taxes on everything, and than their "shocked" when the revenue plummets....

But they did approve the mosque in Manhattan, right across the street from Ground Zero,....you know they have to set priorities...

Look at Detroit, look at NY under Ed Koch. They never learn.