Amish People

[mom2taz]

I grew up near Amish communities and have been around them all of my life.  If you want a good farrier then the Amish are the best....they are very good because they grow up learning the trade....their primary means of transportation depends on horses being taken care of very well.  We have had the materials for a new roof prepared by an Amish crafter....we gave him the measurements and the design of the house, right down to how many gables and where they were located, and the man cut the roofing without even seeing the house and it fit perfectly.  They are very hard workers and take great pride in their work.  A friend of mine lost her father a few years ago, and he was very close with many of  his Amish neighbors...offering them rides into town when the weather was bad, helping them out in emergencies, and such...and got to be good friends...when he passed away, they came and asked the family if they would mind if they built his casket for them, it would be a great honor to them as they had come to respect him a great deal and considered him a part of their community....the casket was beautiful.  It was made with great detail and perfect craftsmanship.    I have never run into an Amish man, woman or child that was disrespectful or rude.  I really miss their cooking, haven't had it in a while...and love to travel to the Amish area's near us whenever we get the chance. 
I respect them for their ways of life and beliefs.  I know they home school or have their own "community school" in homes of friends or family, they operate businesses out of their homes most times, but I was under the impression that they also pay taxes.  I know when I worked for the Census, we also visited their homes and they were included in all of the homes counted.

[Annella]

We have an Amish community around here where I live. They are kind and warm people. 5 families went in together and have a Bakery/gift shop. I'll be going there next week to pick up some bakery items, organic fruit and veggies. They have the best peach scones I've ever ate. Also their homemade Quiche Lorraine. You can buy organic produce that they grow themselves and are in hugh bins in their store. I'm sure they must pay taxes on a business that is open to the public.

They maintain hugh orchards of fruit trees and many gardens. They give hay rides to the kids during the Fall season through the orchards. Plus a "maze" made out of hay bales so the kids can play. Mountains of pumpkins to sell, and hot chocolate while you let your kids play. They have the most unique gifts in their shops and I can always find that perfect gift for someone hard to buy for.

I've gotten to know a couple of the Elders personally and they are fine people that love God. These Amish do drive cars however and do use modern technology.

[alaric99x]

I live fairly close to Lancaster County, PA.  The Amish are very interesting and pleasant people.  I think that those who drive are actually Mennonites, the Amish don't depend on anything provided by the "English." which means those of us who aren't Amish.  They don't depend on gasoline, phone service, public water or electricity.  They could use electricity that they produce themselves, maybe with something like a water wheel, but they wouldn't accept electricity pumped into their properties over cable by the "English."  Their food is superb.  They don't use any pesticides or herbicides.  Teir cattle are grass fed, not the feedlot mongrels pumped full of corn that provide the meat we're used to eating.  If you have an opportunity to visit an Amish butcher you'll taste meat unlike any meat you've ever tasted, even their vegetables have a flavor we're no longer used to with our mass produced food.  We drive up to Lancaster Co. regularly to buy produce, meat and cheese.

[mrstina08]

I have respect and love the Amish people. I remember growing up. How they would visit my grandmother. I didnt know anything about them.  I was very young at the time but I remember their unique way of dressing and the warm and  loving presence.

[bschumacher]

I think the car and truck drivers should slow down and respect the Amish, who are a national treasure. They know how to live sustainably, and we should be trying to learn from their example rather than treating them like a nuisance!!!

[mom2taz]

I was curious after posting,,and reading some of the other posts...so I looked it up...Amish DO pay taxes...on income...they don't pay Social Security tax.....