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Author Topic:   A Liberal's Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives ...by Michael Moore
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 1 of 161 (364413)
11-17-2006 6:10 PM


Michael Moore | Substack
quote:
Well, cheer up, my friends! Do not despair. I have good news for you. I, and the millions of others who are now in charge with our Democratic Congress, have a pledge we would like to make to you, a list of promises that we offer you because we value you as our fellow Americans. You deserve to know what we plan to do with our newfound power -- and, to be specific, what we will do to you and for you.
Thus, here is our Liberal's Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives:
Dear Conservatives and Republicans,
I, and my fellow signatories, hereby make these promises to you:
For those who love to hate Michael, you might want to read the words first.
Enjoy.
Edited by RAZD, : changes link to cleaner version

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 6 of 161 (364546)
11-18-2006 11:24 AM
Reply to: Message 5 by Omnivorous
11-17-2006 8:54 PM


It's the difference between living a democracy and pretending to while pushing totalitarian policies.

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 12 of 161 (364797)
11-19-2006 8:25 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by Wepwawet
11-19-2006 3:21 PM


Points not already addressed by others.
At some point the dems will realize that they will now be held responsible and get to catch all the blame for the next two years.
Pardon me if I find this particularly funny. The republicans have been blaming the democrats for everything for so long that when they had the full run of all branches and STILL messed up, they STILL look to blame the democrats.
Fine, the democrats are going to get their turn at bat...let's see 'em knock a few out of the park before we celebrate.
The question is whether you will recognize it as a hit or yell foul eh? If they hold the administration responsible for their profligate, war-mongering, uncontrolled and unmanaged overspending, forces them to come to grips with financing their massive mistake ... republicans will howl that the democrats are raising taxes yes? The reality is that the Botch administration has ALREADY raised taxes - AND SPENT IT, they just don't have the GUTS to fess up to it.
At some point the republicans will realize that they need to be held responsible and get to catch all the blame for the last six years.
Enjoy.

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 30 of 161 (365036)
11-20-2006 9:19 PM
Reply to: Message 22 by Wepwawet
11-20-2006 6:56 PM


namecalling? or tough-love ...
I guess we must live in alternate universes. The results of the last election made it clear to me that the republicans have caught the lion's share of the blame.
The people blamed them. That is different from the GOPs blaming themselves. But there were still significant numbers of republicans that haven't seen that their party failed because their policies were faulty.
AND they have yet to publically recognize that it was their fault: their mistaken policies, their lack of oversight, their failure.
Who cares what I acknowledge?
Well then I don't need to wait two years to see if you think the Democrats "hit one out of the ballpark" as the goalposts have already been moved (to mix mangled metaphors).
Does the name calling actually fix anything?
quote:
prof·li·gate - adj.
1. Given over to dissipation; dissolute.
2. Recklessly wasteful; wildly extravagant.
warmongering - noun
a policy of advocating war [syn: war advocacy]
un·con·trolled - adj.
Not under control, discipline, or governance.
o”ver”spend - verb, -spent, -spend”ing.
1. to spend more than one can afford: Receiving a small inheritance, she began to overspend alarmingly.
2. to spend in excess of: He was overspending his yearly salary by several thousand dollars.
3. to spend beyond one's means (used reflexively): When the bills arrived, he realized he had foolishly overspent himself.
I'll give you "unmanaged" as a word creation to mean the failure (either by intent or by disregard) to manage:
quote:
man”age - verb, -aged, -ag”ing.
1. to bring about or succeed in accomplishing, sometimes despite difficulty or hardship: She managed to see the governor. How does she manage it on such a small income?
Are you saying these are not accurate descriptions of the Botch administration?
And if they are accurate descriptions (which I believe it is based on the evidence before me) then is it really name-calling or is it really just descriptive?
We're living in a country where we seem to be performing a perverse type of natural selection on politicians that will result in a new species of hyper-successful insult comic. Can't we do better than that?
The day we can't make fun of politicians is either a very good day or a very bad day. The first is highly unlikely, the second something to worry about.
But I agree that the problem is that people forget that they are supposed to laugh at those silly jokesters like Limbaugh and Colter and Hannity and ...
Sorry, but I'll take Jon Stewart any daily.
Enjoy.

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 72 of 161 (365513)
11-22-2006 9:05 PM
Reply to: Message 71 by Wepwawet
11-22-2006 8:50 PM


Higher taxes ARE due to BUSH
Problem is we're looking at different numbers. I agree that Clinton had a budget surplus (sort of) but I contend he did so by increasing the government burden on the economy and playing accounting tricks that would get you or I jailed.
And it is only fair to look at the budget surplus or deficit for a presidents actions to apply: he writes the budget and presents it to congress.
The equation is simple:
Clinton + Republican Congress = Budget Surplus
Bush + Republican Congress = Budget Deficit
When you take out the common element and solve for relative performance you get:
Bush = Clinton + Budget Deficit - Budget Surplus
Particularly when the main element of the deficit is the false war in Iraq waged by the Botch administration.
It is Schwubbia's tax whenever it is passed to bring the budget back into some resemblance of fiscal responsibility.
I do think that the total DEBT is the responsibility of all the past president AND congresses. Congress could pass a bill that requires a balanced budget AND a program to deal with the Debt (bonds or equal = volutary tax, or tax on those who benefit from the economy in proportion to their benefit = user tax).
Enjoy.

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 76 of 161 (365649)
11-23-2006 8:07 PM
Reply to: Message 74 by Wepwawet
11-23-2006 10:41 AM


Re: Higher taxes ARE due to BUSH
I also think that the fact that the U.S. debt grew during the Clinton administration shows that he was not responsible enough.
We can quibble all day long in the middle ground but unless you can show a reduction in the U.S. debt during the Clinton presidency I think my point is valid.
So you hold him responsible for not being able to create enough surplus to pay for the all the annual interest due on the debt accumulated by previous administrations (Reagan, Bush I ...)? Those administrations were the ones responsible for the debt and the interest -- just as Scwubbia is responsible for his.
How can you possibly feel that Clinton is responsible for inherited debt and any of the interest on it?
Agreed...although I'm personally in favor of a flat tax.
Why should someone who ends up with less {personal value} at the end of a year than they started with pay tax at all?
Compare this to someone who makes more off of interest in one year than the previous example -- someone who has done squat for the money, but who has benefited directly from the economy that is also a direct result of the US government: why should not a significant proportion of that be due to the US that doesn't just make it possible but that actually earns the money becomes this interest.
Further, I'll bet if the same amount of money that was squandered on the Botch tax rebate (with no accountability or any means of tracking whether it was benefiting the US economy or not - or even if it was spent in the US) was given in equal amounts to every tax payer with coupons that could only be spent on american product that there would have been an immediate response in the economy -- because the economy is the MOVEMENT of money, not how much you have.

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 94 of 161 (365853)
11-24-2006 6:37 PM
Reply to: Message 78 by Chiroptera
11-24-2006 8:59 AM


Re: flat tax
because the main argument I have seen advanced for it is so stupid
You mean because it is easier to calculate? Most people look it up in the table so they don't have to calculate anything.
The real issue is with all the deductions and permutations to allow interest groups to pay less tax.

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 96 of 161 (365862)
11-24-2006 7:34 PM
Reply to: Message 81 by Wepwawet
11-24-2006 2:20 PM


Re: Higher taxes ARE due to BUSH
I don't and didn't say so. I said that the federal debt grew during Clinton's administration which makes any claims of surplus a lie.
This is contradictory. The debt went up because of interest over and above what surplus was in Clinton's budget.
Thus you ARE holding him responsible for the interest.
Are you trying to twist my support for flat tax into a tax-the-poor argument? A flat tax is fair to everyone.
A flat tax does tax the poor more than the rich because it is on gross income and not on net gain (or in the case of many poor net LOSS).
It's not twisting your support - it's reality. When you can't make enough to make ends meet and STILL pay tax it is unfair - particularly when a lot of what you are paying out is lining the pockets of the rich who aren't even working for it.
If person {A} buys a stock at $10,000.00 and sell it at $9,000.00 they don't pay tax on the $9,000.00 or on the $10,000.00 but get a tax credit for capital LOSS of $1,000.00. If they sell it for $11,000.00 they don't pay tax on the $11,000.00 or on the $10,000.00 but only pay tax on the capital GAIN of $1,000.00.
If person {B} makes $10,000.00 a year and have expenses of $9,000.00 or $11,000.00 a year they pay income tax on the $10,000.00 regardless of what it cost them to earn that money - in any "flat" or other income tax scenario.
Tell me how one is fair and the other is not.
Then compare the amount of work done by the two people: the first one sits on his duff and waits, the second works 40+ hours a week 52 weeks a year and definitely "breaks a sweat" in the process.
You still think it is fair?
And don't get me started on "cost of living" as a percentage of income either. The real "cost of living" is the same for Bill Gates as it is for a homeless family, the only difference is one has surplus money to spend on whatever and wherever one wishes and the other has no choices left.
...go watch Lion King, ...
First we had economics based on fiction (Ayn Rand) and now we have economics based on animated cartoons?
Excuse my incredulity.
It's sort of an economic circle of life thing ...
The problem for you is that it really is a economic circle -- that is stronger and fairer when it includes everybody, and not just the economic "kings". When you only give profit to the kings you don't have an economy.
When everyone has disposable income then more money moves in the markets - THAT's an economy. Why should someone with gazzillions get a freebee tax break so they can buy curtains from Morrocco through a dealer in France for their castle on the Rhine? How does that boost the American economy that gave them that money?
Give 100 poor people a dollar each and it will be moving in the economy that very day. Give a rich person $100 and it will likely end up in some variation of a "chump change" jar for a year.
If the U.S. does not offer a safe and profitable haven for investors then the money will go places where the return is better. Just another effect of a world economy.
Which is exactly WHY those investors should support the US Government that makes it possible.
If the cost gets to be too high let them take their money elsewhere -- that is basic economics eh? As it sits the US pays more profits to investors than to the people making the products that make the money that result in the profits. How is that fair?
Why should money get a break when labor doesn't? Labor MAKES the products that MAKE the real money. Money just sits on it's duff and waits, no sweat needed.
What's fair about that?
Enjoy.

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This message is a reply to:
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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 97 of 161 (365868)
11-24-2006 8:40 PM
Reply to: Message 86 by truthlover
11-24-2006 2:38 PM


Re: I'll believe it when I see it
You will call them racist, hateful, oppressive, Nazis, child abusers, brain washers, primitive, etc.
Nice straw man argument.
If I call someone a racist, it will be because they are a racist, and whether they are conservative or liberal will be beside the point (Gibson? Richards?).
If I call someone oppressive, it will be because they are oppressive, and whether they are conservative or liberal will be beside the point.
If I call someone a Nazis, it will be because they are a Nazis, and whether they are conservative or liberal will be beside the point.
If I call someone a child abuser, it will be because they are a child abuser, and whether they are conservative or liberal will be beside the point.
If I call someone a brain washers, it will be because they are a brain washers, and whether they are conservative or liberal will be beside the point.
But I would never call anyone "primitive" -- that IS a term of bigotry eh? A more likely term is "backward" -- as in actively retrograde -- or "willfully ignorant" ... and again it would be because they are "backward" or "willfully ignorant" and whether they are conservative or liberal will be beside the point.
Really? I wouldn't believe this from conservatives or liberals without some sort of proof it's happening.
Run up the biggest deficit in US history, invade a country on lies and misrepresentations because you want to invade them, while at the same time giving no bid contracts and big tax "rebates" to your rich friends.
Really? Not even on a mistake? Exactly how are you going to guarantee avoiding that?
By erring on the side of doubt, and double checking the facts: such as waiting for a recount to establish the truth of the vote, waiting for the inspectors on the ground in the field to finish their job before concluding a result NOT born out by facts. And it was not a guarantee, it was a promise.
We already can see a doctor regardless of our ability to pay. It's posted as a right in the emergency room of our local hospital.
Emergency room care for childhood colds is NOT cost effective NOR is it proper use of medical facilities, but it IS what some families are reduced to when they have no other means.
This isn't medical care, it's the last stage before complete failure. Real medical care is PROactive - preventing small problems from becoming life threatening BIG problems that end up in ER.
I heard that promise from the conservatives, too.
You also heard them tell you lies about liberals in this regard. You also see them abrogating that promise to launch a war on a country that had nothing to do with a certain mass murderer that killed ~3,000 people on our soil and who is STILL free and where the hunt for him has been hampered by the loss of resources AND compromised by the loss of integrity and moral high ground due to the false war in Iraq, to say nothing of it being the BEST recruiting tool that Al Queda could have WISHED for.
US invades Afghanistan to find OBL = ~world wide support
US invades Iraq based on lies and misinformation = ~world wide condemnation + reason for arabs and muslims to join forces against the US
US claims Geneva convention doesn't apply, actually and actively uses torture, uses "enemy combatant" and "rendering" and GITMO as excuses to disregard US and international conventions, agreements and treaties = total loss of any moral high ground that came from US declaration of independence, constitution, laws enhancing equality and freedom, legal precepts based on being innocent until proven guilty, etcetera.
This administration has done more damage to the USof(N)A than OBL did. They've killed more americans than OBL, and in addition they have killed many many more innocent Iraqi AND trampled the constitution and several international treaties in the process. AND in the meantime, the number of terrorists has grown and the number of terrorist attacks on Americans has increased.
If you call that protection, then you should find a liberal version refreshing.
I hope that's true, but I see no evidence of it. I've heard more than once, right here on good ol' EVC, that teaching my children my religious beliefs is child abuse, and it is generally liberals who decree that spanking a child, even one time, is child abuse and scars them for life.
What we object to is any attempt to teach MY children YOUR beliefs (regardless of who "you" is and "what" those beliefs are), particularly as SCIENCE instead of comparative religion and philosophy (where ALL beliefs get equal time).
Really? That will be awesome. I sure hope it's true, but you know, this isn't the first time the democrats have had a majority in congress.
Yeah, I know. We are also dealing with politicians in a system that is de facto corrupted by the need for vast amounts of cash to get re-elected, where independents are shut out and only party hacks get a chance.
The real question will be whether the transgressors are protected by colleagues or not. Personally I think there will be enough in-fighting between factions to prevent anyone getting away with this - they don't have that big a majority and it is NOT monolithic in the way the GOP was.
I also have a basic problem with any group that has their own "ethics" committee to police themselves -- whether it is politicians, the military, or big business. See comments on Evolution of Governments, particularly Message 34
Enjoy.

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 98 of 161 (365870)
11-24-2006 8:52 PM
Reply to: Message 90 by truthlover
11-24-2006 5:29 PM


spanking wasn't needed
Have you ever raised any children?
Yes, and we did not need to resort to physical punishment. He's 22 now, and amazingly he is NOT a criminal, amoral or insane.
Now I realize that this is really due to having such a naturally good child to begin with (good genes and a positive loving family environment?) - ( )
Now I don't claim that my experience is enough to base a universal claim on, but it is enough to refute that it is always necessary to use what should be a very last resort.
Edited by RAZD, : smiley simile

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 99 of 161 (365876)
11-24-2006 9:09 PM
Reply to: Message 93 by Wepwawet
11-24-2006 6:29 PM


flat tax not the issue
As would be the case of any simpler progressive scheme. Either way we go I think it'll require a constitutional ammendment to keep future governments from messing it up again.
What about any change to tax laws have to go through a national referendum? It could be part of the tax filing process -- those paying the taxes get to say who gets a benefit.
I would also like to see a referendum on what the tax is spent on: what programs would each taxpayer like to see reduced (list ordered by most expensive to least expensive with anything over 1% on the list?).
In addition I would like to see:
- NO pork addendums on any tax bills
- NO bill passed that invokes a cost without addressing the means to pay for it.

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 101 of 161 (365937)
11-25-2006 11:27 AM
Reply to: Message 100 by Silent H
11-25-2006 6:59 AM


Re: flat tax with floor = discontinuity between two tax rates
Wep has agreed with a flat tax scheme that includes a "floor" below which people are not taxed. Do you see a problem with that sort of idea?
Yes. For one, there are now two tax rates rather than one formula, and thus tax tables anyway.
For the second, it is analogous to the welfare problem: there will be no incentive to exceed the point of discontinuity. Two people making D-1 will have more disposable income than one person making 2D-2 and sharing.
A hyperbolic formula that has results in tabular form is no more difficult to implement and provides a continuous transition from full welfare to full millionaire.
Physical punishment is a valid way to teach discipline, even if it is not to everyone's taste.
But discipline is really the issue eh? The question is really the amount of discipline that is necessary to produce a socially productive member of the community, versus what is needed to impose a socially unnecessary level of behavior on an individual to comply with certain other preconceptions.
Society only asks for acceptance of the social contract in return for being a member, it doesn't ask for any specific beliefs and special behaviors.
I'll be back tomorrow night - it's T-day session 2 at the in-laws ...

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 123 of 161 (366125)
11-26-2006 6:08 PM
Reply to: Message 102 by Wepwawet
11-25-2006 1:29 PM


towards fair taxes
We cannot (at least should not) ignore our debts.
And the annual cost in interest on it. We've seen what a republican president with a republican congress does (makes it much worse - highest increase in history) and we've seen what a republican president with a democrat congress does (makes it much worse - second highest increase in history), we've seen what a democrat president with a republican congress does (easily the smallest increase in the last 4-5 administrations, and the increase is left over interest, not principle). We'll see if congress can reign in Bush any better than they could reign in Reagan eh?
In your scenario person A began the game with $10,000 of his own money which he has supposedly already paid taxes on at some point. He earns $1,000 and therefore pays taxes on the $1,000 of income. Person B on the other hand earned $10,000 and so has a tax burden based on that amount.
You seem to want to twist it so that every time a person makes a return on their investment they must pay taxes again on their principal as well as their return. Nice way to discourage investments.
What I am pointing out is that BOTH people gained or lost $1,000.00 when the cost of their investment is deducted from earnings.
I'm sorry; you cannot twist my argument to support tax breaks for the rich without outright lying. Address my arguments and keep your strawmen confined to your private life.
So you agree that tax breaks for the rich, especially at a time of increasing overall public DEBT is a BAD idea, and therefore another example of mismanagement by the Botch administration?
I also notice that you said nothing about giving the same amount back to each taxpayer AND stipulate that it be spent in america on american products, and the difference that would make to the economy.
The only way the U.S. will get more investments is to offer a better environment for those investments...not by relying on the "kindness of strangers".
So instead of giving it away (especially to "strangers" and foreign governments) it should be sold at fair market prices. That's what the user tax establishes.
But I'm not talking just about foreign investment either: we can also talk about the totalitarian "regimes" of certain companies like Wallmart that rake in the highest personal profits to the Wall family, while paying the lowest average wage to workers in the nation AND having states pick up the tab for their lack of providing health care and other benefits -- companies that ask you and me to supplement their profits to be shared at the top levels only. Is THAT fair?
{added:}
Message 104
I think those are all great ideas RAZD. My only concern with the referendum is that there needs to be a constitutionally set minimum tax to prevent an angry public from yanking the carpet completely out from under the pillars of government. But that idea sounds like it'd throw in so many loopholes that we may be better off with a straight referendum.
The no pork addendum would be a nice alternative to shut up all the folks demanding line-item veto. I especially like the requirement to fund every mandate. You've got my vote.
Can you think of a better way to "impeach" a government that is not responsive to the will of the people?
Enjoy.
Edited by RAZD, : added 104 comment and response

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This message is a reply to:
 Message 102 by Wepwawet, posted 11-25-2006 1:29 PM Wepwawet has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 126 by Wepwawet, posted 11-26-2006 7:01 PM RAZD has replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 125 of 161 (366139)
11-26-2006 6:53 PM
Reply to: Message 103 by Silent H
11-25-2006 1:31 PM


One program instead of ? how many?
A person simply doesn't have to pay 0 or negative numbers.
ummm ...
Why not? If you make less than the "after tax" level then you get a rebate.
You can combine the {capital gain\income} tax with the unemployment and welfare and etc all into one program: way less overhead and management. There are no other loop holes for qualifications and means testing etcetera, the program is streamlined and results immediate. If your job\earning situation changes you can file a notice to IRS of the change, and you still make final adjustments at the end of the year.
Message 110
However, I guess I am not seeing a huge advantage to progressive tax schemes either. Once an adequate floor is found, I don't see a problem with an even tax on all profits. If that is something that can bring people to the table to create a realistic "floor" on taxes, all the better.
The floor should be the poverty level - that is just taking care of the society, part of the social contract, to ensure that people do not have to resort to criminal means to live. Anybody at this level does not benefit at all from the economic system - it is a net loss to them.
After that, any money earned should initially have a major proportion accrue to the earner to encourage further earning, while people at the top of the spectrum do not need any encouragement and they also benefit the most from the economic system. One could argue that they need to be discouraged from further earning and encouraged to spend more time enjoying what they have: Does Bill Gates really need to earn a single penny more? Does the {american\world} society\economy as a whole benefit from his earning a penny more?
The economy is the movement of money: so to improve the economy you need to improve the movement of money.
Enjoy.

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This message is a reply to:
 Message 103 by Silent H, posted 11-25-2006 1:31 PM Silent H has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1434 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 154 of 161 (366414)
11-28-2006 12:01 AM
Reply to: Message 152 by truthlover
11-27-2006 4:44 PM


Re: evidence contrary to schraf's assertion
A combination of consistent discipline (the lines were clear for the children)
Agreed. Add to this never threaten {punishment\consequences} you are not willing or able to carry out (this includes the infamous "wait til your daddy gets home"), and in very young children you need to keep the consequences timely.
One also needs to distinguish reason(s) for {innapropriate act} from intention to {innapropriate act}.

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