Who's better for Hartford: Rell or DeStefano?

[grock]

Despite this being a democratic city, I think Rell might be better for Hartford. During last night's debate she talked about the benefit of the 6 pillars program and eliminating the car tax. She talked about the importance of improving Hartford.

The car tax hurts many city residents because many people rent homes and the only property tax they pay is for their car.

DeStefano criticized the 6 pillars, the new housing in Hartford and the Connecticut Convention Center. He is also against eliminating the car tax, which he says would only benefit the wealthy. I don't understand that.

I also think if DeStefano is elected he would favor New Haven over Hartford because Mayor Perez endorsed Dan Malloy.

[beerbeer]

The democrat wiill not eleiminate any taxes, what a surprise. The real surprise is which taxes he will raise if elected.

[robm324]

I am not 100 percent in favor of Rell, but I give her a moderate approval, and will definitely support her over DeStefano. He would be useless for the city of Hartford, In my opinion.

[spatulashack]

The democrat wiill not eleiminate any taxes, what a surprise. The real surprise is which taxes he will raise if elected.

Sometimes there are more important things to do than "lower taxes." The republicans always yammer on and on about it even if these lowered taxes mean cuts to important programs of the state and even if they mean little to no help for the poor and middle class. They say it to get elected without any regard for what lowering them will eventually do for the state in the long term. Personally, I think there should be an astronomical tax for families under 4 people who own two minivans and two SUVs driving around taking up space on the roads and polluting. I always look behind the wheels of these monstrosities and there is without fail only one person in them.

[MadVlad]

DeStefano will help cities to an extent, but at a high price. New Haven is a nice city, but it's basically lost all it's sports teams, and the change in the city isn't significant. He'll do a horrible job, I'm with Rell....

[beerbeer]

There is nothing more important than lower taxes. The more money government takes the worst it gets. Everything the government touches turns to crap.

Your little lecture in social engineering is exactly why government doesn't need another dime. I think that all the environmentalists who oppose ANWR should have to live there. That would solve many of the country's problems.

[JimSawhill]

Sometimes there are more important things to do than "lower taxes." The republicans always yammer on and on about it even if these lowered taxes mean cuts to important programs of the state and even if they mean little to no help for the poor and middle class. They say it to get elected without any regard for what lowering them will eventually do for the state in the long term. Personally, I think there should be an astronomical tax for families under 4 people who own two minivans and two SUVs driving around taking up space on the roads and polluting. I always look behind the wheels of these monstrosities and there is without fail only one person in them.

Excuse me, shack:

If I want to DRIVE an SUV -- and I can afford the gas - which I can - I think I should drive it. I need it for my business - and I can't fit in some of these small car - I'm 6'6". If Ford or GM made a small car -- that I feel comfortable in and it would tow -- I'd buy it!

So far, they don't have a car for me -- so I'll drive my SUV - WITH PRIDe. I know some people will be mad, but I have to say 'Mind your OWN BUSINESS!!'

JimS

[spatulashack]

Excuse me, shack:

If I want to DRIVE an SUV -- and I can afford the gas - which I can - I think I should drive it. I need it for my business - and I can't fit in some of these small car - I'm 6'6". If Ford or GM made a small car -- that I feel comfortable in and it would tow -- I'd buy it!

So far, they don't have a car for me -- so I'll drive my SUV - WITH PRIDe. I know some people will be mad, but I have to say 'Mind your OWN BUSINESS!!'

JimS

Calm yourself. I never said that no one should own an SUV and my rant about SUV's and Minivans was just that, a rant. That being said, taxing people who own cars that slowly ruin the environment is not saying that you CAN'T own the SUV. It's just saying that you have to pay a little more for your ammenities. It makes more sense than a luxury car tax which no one seems to complain about.

beerbeer, I'd love to here more about why you hate taxes so much. I understand that most governments are corrupt and that the money is often wasted but the government taking in less money wouldn't stop them from wasting just as much and being just as corrupt. Taxes, when handled properly betters the greater good of the city or state. We just need someone to put the money to good use is all.

[spatulashack]

Your little lecture in social engineering is exactly why government doesn't need another dime. I think that all the environmentalists who oppose ANWR should have to live there. That would solve many of the country's problems.

Ahh yes... environmentalists are the enemy. When your children's children are living in smog surrounded by an explosion of natural disasters every week, I'm sure they will thank you.

[beerbeer]

Why are you using a computer? Are you unaware of the environmental damage needed to create one? The plastic comes from crude oil. The metal must be mined. The power to run it comes from evil generating plants which could be coal or -gasp- nuclear. Get off that pollution inducing computer and teach your kids to learn using rocks and sticks. I'm sure they will thank ou.

[spatulashack]

Why are you using a computer? Are you unaware of the environmental damage needed to create one? The plastic comes from crude oil. The metal must be mined. The power to run it comes from evil generating plants which could be coal or -gasp- nuclear. Get off that pollution inducing computer and teach your kids to learn using rocks and sticks. I'm sure they will thank ou.

You are confusing environmentalists with crazy tree-hugging hippies from the 70's. There are very few of those people and I am not one of them. I love progress and technology and in fact, it is technology that will help us battle our current environmental problems in the first place. There are certain little things that everyone can do that would make a HUGE difference without major sacrafices from anyone. I just don't like people that think, "freedom" means that they don't need to have any sort of respect for the world around them. Ohh and by the way, I'm confused by the "gasp - nuclear" comment. Nuclear energy is the cleanest we have and I would love it if all or most plants were nuclear. We can argue back and forth with this but the truth is, I am not a crazy super liberal when it comes to the environment, I just think there is a middle ground that the majority of people don't think exists.

[grock]

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE TOPIC?

[drc72]

RELL has got my vote. DeStefano is just to negative, and he has already admitted that he will raise taxes. We don't need anymore taxes, the state already takes enough from us!!!!! CT needs to remain competitive with other states.

[spatulashack]

RELL has got my vote. DeStefano is just to negative, and he has already admitted that he will raise taxes. We don't need anymore taxes, the state already takes enough from us!!!!! CT needs to remain competitive with other states.

CT isn't so bad. Ever lived in New Jersey?!?! My mom owns a small 3 bedroom house in NJ and pays more property taxes than if she had a 10 bedroom mansion in West Hartford. It's insane down there.

[jcrc]

I think Rell will be better for Hartford and for the state because we need two parties in order to check and balance the government.

[drc72]

CT isn't so bad. Ever lived in New Jersey?!?! My mom owns a small 3 bedroom house in NJ and pays more property taxes than if she had a 10 bedroom mansion in West Hartford. It's insane down there.

That's laughable!!!! Have you ever counted in all the little taxes the state and municapilties imposes on you. Sales tax, income tax property tax, car tax, conveyance tax, utility tax, cellular tax, taxes on your home phone, etc, and I haven't even included federal taxes in the mix. I could go on, but you get the point. I'm not saying we shouldn't pay taxes, but we shouldn't have to pay over half our incomes to it. Your right about NJ, I have heard their property taxes are very high there.

[ctman987]

First....

1) I am not a whole hearted republican and I love the city of New Haven and yet I support Rell. She is not my favorite canidate but she is much better then DeStefano and I feel she can do more for Hartford. New Haven right now is a very succesfull 21st century New England City (it doesnt have major big business or sports teams but it is a thriving college town with lots of arts & history and a competitive retail market). New Haven is doing so well right now though because of Yale then because of DeStefano. Hartford has come to far to have someone mess it up

2) CT gets a ton of money in taxes from sales taxes, income taxes property taxes, car taxes, etc. as well as money from the two largest casinos in the world and money from the lottery. CT is a wealthy state, it brings a lot of money in and sometimes spends it on things it doesnt need to or over does it (for example: pensions for state workers)

3) New Jersey has very high taxes but it is a little worse then CT not 10x worse then CT which is not the best thing and at least there is solid public transporation system in northern new jersey for NYC

[asylumhill]

Destefano seems intelligent and progressive in his views on education, alternative energy, and transportation. I don't have a clear understanding of what Rell's "issues" are and where she stands on things, although I haven't heard her say anything I can really object to. I'd just like to understand better what her philosophy is for the future of CT.

[spatulashack]

at least there is solid public transporation system in northern new jersey for NYC

You got that right. Everytime I visit my mom I'm amazed at the sheer amount of trains. Within 10 minutes from the house there is the Montclair line of NJTransit, the Hudson-Bergan Light Rail, Newark Subway, and PATH train. To me, getting real commuter rail in CT should be one of our biggest concerns. Sadly, even the proposed New Haven-Springfield line seems lame with service every 30 minutes and no service on weekends!!

[Luca Brasi]

At the debate two nights ago in New London, the democrats in attendance began booing Rell when she mentioned her health issues. Classy.

Much of what DeStephano had to say was mudslinging and bashing. He was not impressive at all.

[jdrct]

At the debate two nights ago in New London, the democrats in attendance began booing Rell when she mentioned her health issues. Classy.

Apparently, there were also DeStefano supporters in front of the Garde holding signs mocking Rell's intellgience and implying that she was a college dropout who was unfit to be governor. For those that don't know, she attended college as an undergrad but left school when she married her husband. I can't see how he can win votes with stuff like that, but as somebody once told me, a campaign is often times more stressful for the heavily favored candidate.

[jcrc]

Apparently, there were also DeStefano supporters in front of the Garde holding signs mocking Rell's intellgience and implying that she was a college dropout who was unfit to be governor. For those that don't know, she attended college as an undergrad but left school when she married her husband. I can't see how he can win votes with stuff like that, but as somebody once told me, a campaign is often times more stressful for the heavily favored candidate.

I just went through DeStefano's issues on his web site, I truly don't think his supporters should be mocking anyone's intelligence. His solutions to these issues are not too bright and it definitely shows a lack of ability to think things through.

[runawayjim]

That's laughable!!!! Have you ever counted in all the little taxes the state and municapilties imposes on you. Sales tax, income tax property tax, car tax, conveyance tax, utility tax, cellular tax, taxes on your home phone, etc, and I haven't even included federal taxes in the mix. I could go on, but you get the point. I'm not saying we shouldn't pay taxes, but we shouldn't have to pay over half our incomes to it. Your right about NJ, I have heard their property taxes are very high there.

your neighbor to the east also has worse taxes than you. i can't tell you how much my taxes have increased since moving here (especially my car tax). sales tax here is 1% higher than in CT and if you go out to eat, you're paying an additional 1% making the taxes 8%. my taxes on my cell phone, cable, internet, and landline phone are also higher here than in CT.

CT taxes really aren't anywhere near as bad as they used to be. destefano would be good for CT, especially the cities. just look at what he's done for new haven. before he took office, you did not venture downtown. now downtown is hopping. he's got very progressive views on the major issues as well, and would probably be a supporter of gay marriage.

[MadVlad]

your neighbor to the east also has worse taxes than you. i can't tell you how much my taxes have increased since moving here (especially my car tax). sales tax here is 1% higher than in CT and if you go out to eat, you're paying an additional 1% making the taxes 8%. my taxes on my cell phone, cable, internet, and landline phone are also higher here than in CT.

CT taxes really aren't anywhere near as bad as they used to be. destefano would be good for CT, especially the cities. just look at what he's done for new haven. before he took office, you did not venture downtown. now downtown is hopping. he's got very progressive views on the major issues as well, and would probably be a supporter of gay marriage.

Actually, I did venture downtown in New Haven prior to DeStefano. I used to go to the Coliseum, the Anchor, the Grotto, the Urban Jungle, there was a ton to do in New Haven. There's still a ton to do, the question is was it really his doing that got it better? I don't think he'd support something like a new Arena in Hartford, I don't think he'd support a quest for a new NHL team for the city, I also don't think the business climate or the tax situation will get better, in fact I think it'll get worse. Whether Rhode Island has better or worse taxes is a moot point, I really don't care. I care that we have very high taxes, and John DeStefano wouldn't help that. I'm all for wiping away the car tax, that's cost me thousands over the last decade. John DeStefano would never try somthing positive like that...

[runawayjim]

Actually, I did venture downtown in New Haven prior to DeStefano. I used to go to the Coliseum, the Anchor, the Grotto, the Urban Jungle, there was a ton to do in New Haven. There's still a ton to do, the question is was it really his doing that got it better? I don't think he'd support something like a new Arena in Hartford, I don't think he'd support a quest for a new NHL team for the city, I also don't think the business climate or the tax situation will get better, in fact I think it'll get worse. Whether Rhode Island has better or worse taxes is a moot point, I really don't care. I care that we have very high taxes, and John DeStefano wouldn't help that. I'm all for wiping away the car tax, that's cost me thousands over the last decade. John DeStefano would never try somthing positive like that...

the point is that your taxes aren't really worse than your neighboring states. in fact, they're better than some of them.