Wait HSA's are being phased out? What happened to "if you like your insurance you can keep your insurance"? Hey America maybe next time you should think about voting for someone with some experience instead of voting for the "man child" simply because it makes your conscience feel good!
>> sonsofjohnburns Thursday, July 1, 2010 7:06 PM Report Comment

What can bring the USA to ruin? The perfect storm, Obama, Pelosi, Reid!!! We better get it right in november,
>> Steve Thursday, July 1, 2010 7:12 PM Report Comment

Hey Enrich, Have you ever run a business or are you just another leftist sponge? After the Bush tax cuts expire, I as a small business owner, will be paying higher taxes(39.6%) of income than the largest companies in America (35%)! Where's the logic in this? Small business account for two thirds of the national job creation. It's simply idiotic that the regime is hell bent on killing the economic engine of this country.....the small businesses! Eventually, all of these additional costs, if implemented, will get passed down to the end user....the consumers, who will then start crying for more handouts and entitlement programs. Our only hope as a country is too totally remove the House majorities and defund these Marxist policies.
>> Brian Friday, July 9, 2010 9:15 AM Report Comment

Hey Republicans, Part of getting it right in November means owning up to the fact that the last Republican administration added five trillion dollars to the debt. Tax cuts do mean squat when they spend more than the liberal democrats
>> Steve Clemens Friday, July 9, 2010 7:43 PM Report Comment

Point fingers all you want; I know its frightening to realize that every president elected to office over the passed 40 years has been a puppet, but the sooner you see this, the sooner you'll understand that politics divide us and leave us to bicker amongst ourselves while the 'men behind the curtain' carry out destructive federal policies. I'm 26 and I have the rest of my life to watch these occurrences unfold before me, while a good portion of this nation (unfortunately, most of the world is all ready privy to this) is still blinded by faith, political party ideals and ignorance. It's in your hands, you just have to see what it is you're holding.
>> Undivided Friday, July 9, 2010 9:09 PM Report Comment

Correction: fortunately, most of the world is all ready privy to this. Thank you.
>> Undivided Friday, July 9, 2010 9:12 PM Report Comment

I believe Obama will keep his promise and not raise taxes on any person who makes less then $200K and that is most of us. These lies are being spread by the rich who now pay only 15% capital gains tax and no social security tax. As Warren Buffet has said, it is wrong for his secretary to pay a higher tax rate than he does.
>> Raymond Saturday, July 10, 2010 12:57 AM Report Comment

This guy can't even keep his lies straight. Read the article closely. Since when is Insulin an Over the Counter Drug?
>> Jim Saturday, July 10, 2010 1:09 AM Report Comment

@ Jim. Since always? You can purchase insulin at any pharmacy without a prescription. Bodybuilders even use it to gain mass if you need an example.
>> Sigh Saturday, July 10, 2010 2:20 AM Report Comment

Why does the Left seem to cling to Lies and slogans for their info. They seem to be clawing at the door and flailing about now that their Messiah is being shown to be a "Hollow Suit" out to bankrupt the country and ruin its chances of recovery. Kathie and Erich talk about suspended Tax Laws. They are Tax RATES not laws. The rates were rolled back by Bush, now that rollback has expired and the O-job is leting them expire.civily dead peasent is actually 'brain'dead & not present... The reason Barry Hussein O-job is raising taxes on the middle classes is because THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THE MONEY IS. And he is coming after you too...even the Obama zombie clones.
>> Albert Saturday, July 10, 2010 3:03 AM Report Comment

Well, folks, this isn't the largest tax increase in history and it isn't going to bankrupt us. Would you prefer to pay fewer taxes and build the deficit even faster? Would like to shut down the DoD and cease highway repair? Want to teach your kids and grandkids at home? How about closing down the prison system? Just what is it you would like to do in order to pay off the debts we've incurred over the past decade making a few people very rich and a lot of people very poor? Now's the wrong time to raise the taxes for most people as we need their spending to keep the economy going. But all taxes will ultimately have to rise whether the folks in charge are lefties or righties.
>> fgbouman Saturday, July 10, 2010 4:15 AM Report Comment

I think we can all agree on one thing; that we are represented in Washington, DC (for the most part) by greedy, egotistical folks, with no concern for the country, "we the people", the economy, the environment.... Except where the use of certain buzz words related to the latter could further enrich them personally. Now, find someone who will represent the people, and elect them in November...
>> Dick Saturday, July 10, 2010 10:30 AM Report Comment

Yes, America is on the road to bankruptcy, not recovery. There is no reason for the deficit to be being built at all. Stop some welfare checks, stop giving our money to the IMF. Stop investing in Brazil for deep water oil drilling and start investing in our own country. Why are we giving millions to the U.N.? Why are we giving millions to underdeveloped countries? Why aren't these dollars staying at home? Can anyone give themselves a raise to spend more money? NO! You have a budget and you live in your budget.... So, tax hikes are just another way to say that our government can not live on what they're being paid. honestly, Uncle Sam needs to get a job, or at least live in the real world.
>> notaliberal Saturday, July 10, 2010 12:04 PM Report Comment

"Notaliberal" said it well. In the last decade the middle class did very well as did the wealthy. To say different is trying to rewrite history. But a lot of commenters here have it right. We can keep the services we have but everything can be scaled down. Budgets HAVE to be made reasonable AND MET! Without exception. Cut spending and LOWER TAXES to help job creation. In this downturn the last thing the country needs is Tax INCREASES. Tax Increases virtually ensure a double dip recession will edge toward a depression. Perhaps that is what Washington is trying to do?
>> ConservativeRepublican Saturday, July 10, 2010 12:38 PM Report Comment

Most of the congress (Dems.) have no experience with running business. About all the know how to do is kiss ass and do photo ops. Bottom line. The US government spends (waste's) too much money. Period!
>> Rocket Man Saturday, July 10, 2010 12:45 PM Report Comment

SPEND way less, cut government salaries and benefits, cut out wasteful habits, work 4 years, get paid, move on, no more benefits from the taxpayers. Get a grip liberals, they are robbing us blind and have been for years. DOWN with this outrageously BIG government.
>> Nancy Saturday, July 10, 2010 3:43 PM Report Comment

There is no legitimate way to call yourself a fiscal conservative and not be in favor of slashing our defense budget. The U.S. spends more on defense than all the other nations of the world combined. We maintain troops in over 150 countries worldwide. We cannot possibly balance our budget without huge cuts in defense spending. Where are the real conservatives on this issue?
>> James Saturday, July 10, 2010 6:43 PM Report Comment

James, You want to cut the ONLY program that our government is supposed to be over- defence. Government was never intended to be the money handlers for the American people.
>> notaliberal Saturday, July 10, 2010 7:08 PM Report Comment

DAm Ridiculous. Now i and kiss being able to pay my homeowners tax and school tax good by. He is truly the biggest mistake voters every made. He has got to go. Peolpe got to fight back and clean house and vote all the goverment officials out that support these tax hikes.
>> Michael D'Angelo Saturday, July 10, 2010 8:29 PM Report Comment

When I was growing up, people said if you didn't like policy you should go to Russia. If you're not willing to pay your fair share you should go to the Cayman Islands or Switzerland. Stop whining, morons.
>> rich888` Saturday, July 10, 2010 8:47 PM Report Comment

rich888 and James have it right. Government does have to be brought under control without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Defense isn't the only reason for government to exist as notaliberal claims. Benjamin Franklin, who got wealthy as a postmaster, made certain that the U.S. Government was guaranteed monopoly power over the Post Office by the Constitution. A reminder that the Constitution was a democratic document of the rich for the rich. These are the initial reasons for the Constitution: 1. Form a more perfect Union. 2. Establish Justice 3. Insure domestic Tranquility 4. Provide for the common defence 5. Promote the general Welfare 6. Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity
>> fgbouman Saturday, July 10, 2010 9:45 PM Report Comment

Hey Raymond -- Warren Buffet is donating big chunks of cash to charities so he DOES NOT have to pay taxes on it, plus he has all the loop holes written into the tax law by both Republican AND Demoncrat administrations. Why do you think people like John Kerry can make $8,000,000 in a year and only pay 12% income tax? Because the system is rigged for ALL rich people, including the rich Democrats like Buffet and Kerry. When laws are routinely 2,000+ pages long, they write all kinds of loopholes so they don't have to pay. Get your head out of your idealogical arse and vote candidates that believe in less government, not more spending. Imbecile!
>> Alan Saturday, July 10, 2010 10:21 PM Report Comment

fgbouman -- but the Constitution does not have provisions for funding public education, establishing that everyone have haelth care, funding welfare, funding every every little project that every congressman wants for his/her district, funding local roads, and thousands of other pet spending initiatives that make up most of the $3.5 trillion deficit. Congress began overstepping its jusridiuction beginning with Woodrow Wilson and its only gotten worse since. The problem is SPENDING -- NOT revenue gathering. My God, they confiscate $2.7 trillion from the citizens now!
>> Alan Saturday, July 10, 2010 10:29 PM Report Comment

How to cut back? I want to cut the useless parts of Government. i.e. The Department of Energy was created by Jimmy Carter to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. !!! Great job!?? DISMANTLE THAT DEPARTMENT. The Department of Education was created in the 1960s to ensure school integration was accomplished. Job done! DISMANTLE THAT DEPARTMENT. The Department of Health and Human Services is outside the purview of the Government in accordance with the Constitution and is not a legitimate function of Government. DISMANTLE THAT DEPARTMENT. I believe the foregoing actions would be equivalent to saving 1/3 of the Defense budget. Now that would be significant. No need for new taxes or slick terminolgy to cover what is in effect a new tax.
>> G-Man Saturday, July 10, 2010 11:34 PM Report Comment

Some people think they're so smart, but they're actually not too bright (i.e., Erich, Kathie). The big tax hikes go beyond just the simple repeal of the upper income Bush tax cuts. Everybody who pays income taxes, regardless of income level, will have their taxes increased. No one is denying that Bush played a role in creating a deficit but Obama, for all his nice words about change, is worsening it. He not only doubled the national debt, he tripled it! And FYI, Jim, insulin can be over-the-counter in certain states. Do your research, please. On a side note, I just love how liberals resort to name-calling (i.e. morons) when someone doesn't agree with them. So petty.
>> Aubrey Saturday, July 10, 2010 11:59 PM Report Comment

Hey America! YOU Should have voted for RON PAUL!!!!
>> Angela Sunday, July 11, 2010 4:14 AM Report Comment

Republican throw the shat to see what sticks....this is one big misleading post to grab the ignorant...Are you one? It basically states what will happen when Bush's tax brakes run out...but Obama has submitted his tax breaks, just as he stated...only people making over $200,000 will receive a tax hike...people under that amount will get a reduced tax. Are YOU an Idiot? The Republicans are looking for YOU.
>> jorae Sunday, July 11, 2010 4:46 AM Report Comment

I find it comical how sensitive the lefties get about the "half-truths" and etc.. in this article. Why are you trying to defend Obama, etc. Face the fact that taxes are going to rise, Maybe not exactly as this article states, but they are going to rise. You can't fool the public, There is no way you can spend the kind of money that our current government is spending and not end up adding to the deficit, or increasing taxes.. Democrats spend, panic about the budget, try to find a fix with republicans, they buckle instead of cutting and Viola a "bi-partisan" tax increase.
>> Chuck Sunday, July 11, 2010 5:51 AM Report Comment

let's just say for the sake of argument that he really did give under 200,000 earners a tax break - not true, but let's assume that it is. What are you going to be paying in hyperinflation at the gas pump, and the grocery store? This is not inflation generated by a strong demand, but rather inflation driven by federal reserves efforts to weaken the dollar. Then you have tax hikes on the rich(?)putting even less money in circulation in the form of job creation. I'm really not understanding the jealousy, envy and guilt towards people with money. What exactly does tanning have to do with the rich?!That's the middle classes on of many tax hikes.
>> notaliberal Sunday, July 11, 2010 8:03 AM Report Comment

G-Man, I don't use them either - I'm in the sun too much. I'm in the DFW area and we're seeing lot's of salons going out of business. Fact is, middle class America is what uses them... and a 10% tax is a little much.So, in effect, there is a tax on the middle class... and actually, white people if you get right down to it. So to these people saying that he's not going to raise taxes on anyone making under 200-250,000 a year is just wrong. He is....over taxing goods and services is in fact a tax hike.
>> notaliberal Sunday, July 11, 2010 10:28 AM Report Comment

It kills to sit and watch this man ruined the USA.........just remember all this in November, PLEASE
>> A. Marinaccio Sunday, July 11, 2010 11:01 AM Report Comment

Small businesses haven't been bought up by the big corporations, like that moron above stated. If that happened, the small business would no longer be a small business, but a large one. Small businesses account for 40% of this country's GDP, and employ half of all private sector employees. Thus, the high unemployment rate brought to you by President Itsnotmyfault. 41% of all high tech workers are employed by small businesses, and 60 to 80% of all new jobs created over the last decade were created by small businesses. So don't believe these liberal liars that hop on here and spew false information. All that they want is a free ride on your tail!!!
>> Taxpayer550 Sunday, July 11, 2010 4:25 PM Report Comment

Jorae, any successful business will make over $200,000 and we as consumers will pay for that tax increase. No one is exempt.
>> James2 Sunday, July 11, 2010 4:30 PM Report Comment

Jorae is a very naive person. As are most liberals. No one will be unscathed by these tax changes. All will pay, including those earning less than $200,000. Anyone that thinks differently either isn't or can not think for him or herself.
>> Rocket Man Sunday, July 11, 2010 4:46 PM Report Comment

Yeah, let's blame the Bush adminsitration for the current $13 billion deficit now staring this country in its red, white and blue face. The Democrats have controlled Congress since 2007, but hey, it's all Bush's fault. You might as well call Obama's group the "Bart Simpson" administration. Whenever anything goes wrong, (and with this bunch it's pretty much everything), the standard line to the country, as Bart would put it is simply, "I didn't do it." Instead of addressing problems with real answers, Obama reads straight off his teleprompter and immediately appoints a commission to study the matter. The Dems Waterloo is coming in November. Thank God.
>> David Huff Sunday, July 11, 2010 6:40 PM Report Comment

The 10% and 25% and 28% will DEFINITELY affect those earning less than $200,000. As will the increase in Dividend and Interest tax rates. All of you liberals who have retirement accounts will see this affect your balances for years to come. Because it makes those underlying assets LESS attractive to those who can afford them. Also those who could afford to speculate before will now be taxed higher on THEIR income. Thus making investing itself less attractive. A double whammy that ultimately will affect EVERYONE. Obama is a lier simple as that. NOVEMBER 2010 !!!!
>> David Sunday, July 11, 2010 8:29 PM Report Comment

I have a serious question.... what if people don't vote out the incumbents... what it the same players go back to Washinton, then what? What if Dems are still in their seats come novemeber, then what happens. This is a serious question that's been on my mind. While, yes, it would be a nighmare to me and others, but what if?
>> notaliberal Sunday, July 11, 2010 9:10 PM Report Comment

Those that think Obama kept his promise about raising taxes for those making under $250k can stick it. The first thing he did in office was raise the tax on cigarettes. I guarantee there are more smokers making less than $250k then there are that are making more than $250k. He didn't say no tax hikes for those making $250k or more except for.. Raising taxes on businesses is pointless. That tax just gets passed on to the consumer (If you don't believe that, check your tax rates on your energy, phone, cable bills over the past 20 years). If you still don't believe that, watch the prices of consumer goods rise when these tax hikes go into effect.
>> nonliberal Sunday, July 11, 2010 9:15 PM Report Comment

I agree with notaliberal in that the effect of taxing and regulating small businesses is pointless. I am disincentivized from adding employees...thus fewer jobs created by all the small businesses flirting with the arbitrary number. In addition to letting some of my people go, I'll have to raise my rates to try to match previous net revenues. That may lead to lower revenues as consumers decide they can go without my company's services, leading to further layoffs. Now multiple that across the hundreds of thousands of small businesses. The end effect is fewer jobs, less tax revenue, and congress' response will be additional taxes...the cycle continues to spiral downward.
>> smallbusinessdoc Sunday, July 11, 2010 10:47 PM Report Comment

@nonliberal..If the same Clowns retain power, or if we elect nothing but RINOs then we will continue down the slope of losing our Republic to a quasi Socialist dictatorship of the Washington Elite. They will go after free speech via other-worded fairness doctrines, after Gun rights by getting more Supreme court rulings 5-4 in favor of a blancket restrictions of some sort, and they will enact stealth rules to allow Obama and Cass Sunstein to end the internet as we know it. There will be more laws pushed thru the EPA, midnite votes and thu Executive order. The Czars will be given some legal authority. What do you think will be the result? just curious?
>> David Sunday, July 11, 2010 11:35 PM Report Comment

@smallbusinessDoc...Same here our small business hired 4 people in the last 2 years. The reason it was not 2 more than that is because of this BAD economy. If the Obamacare is not REPEALED we may have to let go 1 possibly 2 of those new hires because of broad increased costs to EVERY employee we have. @ Truth Seeker...What You say has truth in it. But we need to solve one problem at a time. True Conservative candidates or Republicans need to be elected. Then we hold their feet to the fire to Reverse Obama and STOP further insane legislation., and LOWER TAXES.
>> David Sunday, July 11, 2010 11:43 PM Report Comment

We already have a quasi Socialist dictatorship. They are already going after free speech. I want those goons out of power too, as should any American who values individual freedom. As for the 5-4 vote, it should have been 9-0 IMO. I think you may have misread me, and that may be my fault. Politically I am middle fence. The only redeeming quality I thought of about obamacare as it was sold was that no insurer could disqualify someone for pre-existing conditions. The rest of it can go in the garbage as far as I am concerned.
>> nonliberal Sunday, July 11, 2010 11:49 PM Report Comment

--------------- Response back to him... Funny, the title of the piece seems to be stating a firm fact...not a projection. You are peddling your junk to the lowest brain dead, sheep in our midst. You twist reality by cleverly hiding, altering, manipulating facts…that sort of slight of hand is all it takes to make all sorts of nonsense seem perfectly rational to those who don’t have mental acuity to see through the fog. jorae
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 12:12 AM Report Comment

@nonliberal...Well I consider myself a Conservative. I believe in a Constitutional Republic and would like to see it restored. I agree with your post 100%. I'd say you were more committed than "Middle Fence". I want them out too, and believe we are in the danger zone already. What I meant to say is that if they aren't significantly stymied in NOV...then we will see this Socialist Dictatorship solidified. You & I and many millions more are on the same page. We will have to 'fight' for our country either way. jorae....please continue with your Meds...a mind is a terrible thing to waist. Thanks.
>> David Monday, July 12, 2010 12:34 AM Report Comment

Then dispute the stated "facts" with actual facts. be sure to include sources that counter anything that's been said here. Look at my next-to-last post and read about the cigarette tax. Then look at the quote on this page with the tax exempt card that quotes Obama directly. Are you going to tell me there are more people in the US smoking tobacco products making more than $250k than there are less? I think not. Remember his campaign promise of tax in ANY form. Cigarette tax is, even though it's a health hazard, a tax. The fact is, he raised that tax. That's a campaign promise broken right there. There's no in-between on that one.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 12:39 AM Report Comment

I can't beleive all this will come down on us and we voted for this! I wanted change, but at the expense of all Americans. We are hurting more now than ever under Bush. Why is it always 'on the backs' of the lowly taxpayer? I, too, am glad Noveber is almost here--remember America! Please pray for God's guidance and Blessing............we are way out there right now!
>> Columbo Monday, July 12, 2010 12:42 AM Report Comment

@dave there are a few issues other than this one in which I would probably be labeled a liberal if the topic being debated were different. I won't change to an example here for fear of trolls, etc..On this issue, however, and the administration in general, and how it's being run, it's certified guarantee that no democrat or liberal independent will be getting my vote this Nov. @Jorae The namecalling and slandering does not help your case. Either present something tangible that disputes what's here or go away.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 12:49 AM Report Comment

Author admits it was a "projection"...I emailed him about the "lie" and he said you have to go to the TCP page to see it was just a project. Now who needs meds? and I still think people who bought this are in the fog
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 1:27 AM Report Comment

@jorae to which author to you refer? searching the page reveals that you are the first to refer to a projection. projection and project do not necessarily refer to the same thing. Please clarify. Who bought what? Who do you suggest raised the federal tax on tobacco products? It had to have been done within Obama's admin, and it had to have his approval for it to get passed. Bottom line is, he broke his selling campaign promise with that tax hike, which means neither he nor the democrats are to be trusted with this.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:59 AM Report Comment

@ nonliberal. Then in a way...in a Microcosm if you will, You and I are exactly what this nation needs to Do....You are Moderate to Liberal ( using what you've self described) and I am Conservative . And yet about these crucial issues concerning This Administartion and where we are headed we will vote united...for the Country, to leave a better world for all our children. COLUMBO would fit in there as well. We need to do this together. I am VERY AGAINST OBAMACARE. It needs to be repealed...and yet I do want real health care reform...focused on health care not Gov't bureaucracy and Ins. Companies. We all need to vote together FOR the country, Conservatives, Liberals, Independents this is serious.
>> David Monday, July 12, 2010 2:16 AM Report Comment

@dave I was waiting to see if Jorae had another rhetort but he appears to be silent at the moment. I guess moderate would be the best description for me. I am all about individual freedom, no government telling me what I can and can't do with my own person or property. I think the only way we're going to get our government's attention is by voting out each and every incumbent running this term, then voting out the remainders in the next term. @Jorae if what I suspect is true, you are either very young, very uneducated, or do not have a good grasp of the English language. If you're going to claim we are in the fog, demonstrate to us why we are not. Give us actual PROOF, not some half-hearted claim based on something someone else said.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 2:28 AM Report Comment

err..that is, show us WHY we are in the fog.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 2:32 AM Report Comment

I emailed Mr Ryan Ellis at his taxpayer site...this is his reply On Sun, 7/11/10, Ryan Ellis wrote: From: Ryan Ellis Subject: Re: In just six months, Date: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 11:46 PM If you actually read the piece, all it says is that current law projects the following trajectory. Said trajectory is cited by the linked-to JCT document.
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 3:04 AM Report Comment

It was written to make you think the tax on Federal Income...(which should be explained is personal income, not small business, not corporation taxes) would be going up in 6 months...Jan 2011...It is misleading since that legislation has not gone to the floor to be passed. The budget calling for a certain amount of money has gone through, the next step is the Bush tax break expire, then the new provisions are taken to congress. The CBO workes with the CJT to review what they they would be best...they approve of the Obama tax method...but it will not come to the floor until Bush's expire. http://www.ctj.org/pdf/bushtaxcuts2010.pdf
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 3:16 AM Report Comment

@Jorae I know the JCT document of which you speak. I have read it. There is nothing covered in this debated article that would apply to the JCT expiration dates aside from the first wave as described here. Those are non-issue. I doubt that most people were aware of them (myself included until a couple of days ago). What we are talking about here is the new taxes. For example, the name brand drug tax. It's supposed to only apply to the manufacturers of said name brand. Do you know what than name brand company is going to do? They will do one of possibly 4 things: 1) Reduce employment 2) Reduce availability of drug 3) Raise the price of the drug 4) shut down operation. Business management 101
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 3:17 AM Report Comment

"all it says is that current law projects the following trajectory} per Mr. Ryan Ellis... What does that mean? The current law, has the Bush "breaks" that expire on January 1, 2011. When these expire, it will bring the taxation for individuals citizens back to the Clinton administration....which the Clinton breaks have expired...and now the Bush's Breaks have expired...so it would be the highest tax rate ever! But the outline of the Obama taxation has already been written...the next step is to the Congress floor... So is Ellis playing you for a sucker?? yep If you like Obama or not, this kind of journalism stinks.
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 3:43 AM Report Comment

@Jorae Pay close attention to this document (http://www.jct.gov/publications.html?func=startdown&id=3646). I will concede that some of what's listed is part of Bush's admin. Those are listed above in phase 1. It's the taxes in phase 2 and 3 we're talking about here. Those are Obama's, and those go into effect at the same time that Bush's expire. BTW, you never did say whether or not you were willing to admit that Obama broke his campaign promise by raising federal tobacco tax.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 3:50 AM Report Comment

@Jorae now that I have conceded that some of those tax codes are part of Bush's admin, apparently intended to be only temporary (I did not vote in either of his elections so I will not complain), will you admit that Obama could have continued those tax breaks if he chose to, thus avoiding this entire debate?
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 3:59 AM Report Comment

Mr. Ellis said it was "projected" in his reply email to me and I could have found it if I had clicked on the link in his story where it was written.."there are many others." Like who would know that those words would take you to the JCT page which is a 151 KB download. If I hadn't emailed him, I never would have known he knew the truth or how he thought it was okay to write something so misleading using such a link to clear himself.But you decide...find when the new tax breaks were signed into law...you won't find it..cause it has not happened yet. My guess he is waiting till October...I wonder why.
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 4:08 AM Report Comment

nonliberal... why would a President continue a tax break that was a poor decision in the first place? We are in trouble with the deficit and the people it will hurt the least are taking their turn. And new taxes that effect people with the most money can make their own decision to pick their wealth or our Country. They are well aware of the deficit and their tax brake help put us in this mess. Crying for people who make over $15,000 a month income just doesn't brake my heart...why does this upset you. You question just is not applicable to our situation.
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 4:21 AM Report Comment

@Jorae the jct page I sent is not written by Ellis. And, if you pay close attention, you will see that your site that you sent is a .org site. This makes a world of difference when it comes to politics. Pay attention to my site's address. It's a .gov site for the joint committee of taxation which means it's directly from the taxation committees of the house and senate. BTW, you STILL DO NOT ADMIT that OBAMA RAISED TAXES on TOBACCO, which MORE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UNDER $250k use, which in turn GOES AGAINST his campaign promise to which you have previously vehemently defended... I think this is the 4th time now I've brought this matter and has yet to be refuted?
>> @Jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 4:26 AM Report Comment

sorry.. the previous labelled @Jorae actually comes from me, but while I am here, I will say that the tax break was not a poor decision. Liberals say that it was a poor decision because some people didn't get as much as others... well, duh, because some people don't make as much as others. If I were working a job, any job, making, let's say, 100k/yr, and let's say you were making 20k/yr.. who's paying more in taxes?.. And, if the govt decides too much in taxes is being collected, who should get the refund? should the person making 20k/yr get the same back from taxes as the person making 100k/yr? no! because the person making 100k/yr pays more in taxes.. they should get more back. how hard is that to understand?
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 4:37 AM Report Comment

Can you grasp the twist...because poor people smoke, and the promise they are referring to is "no new taxes for people making $200,000 or less"...they decided to combine them....he never promised no new taxes on tobacco...Here is where that misleading thought gets the spin.... "The largest increase in tobacco taxes took effect despite Obama's promise not to raise taxes of any kind on families earning under $250,000 or individuals under $200,000. This is one tax that disproportionately affects the poor, who are more likely to smoke than the rich.." Do you see how desperate the right is? How spinning one event into a totally different event just to criticize? This is a none issue.
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 4:39 AM Report Comment

@Jorae.. Uh... he most certainly did. This is a direct quote from Sep 12 2008 during his campaign "No family making less than $250k/yr will see ANY(I REPEAT, ANY) form of tax increase." Raising cigarette (tobacco tax) is a form of tax increase. There is no getting around this argument. You can dispose of it as a health risk if you like, but it's still a tax increase, and he promised no tax increases as previously mentioned. If he thinks that people making $250k/yr or more are the only people that use tobacco, or those that use tobacco don't have families, he's incredibly stupid and needs to be removed from office anyway. Try again please.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 4:45 AM Report Comment

nonliberal...can you reason why you don't lower taxes when you are conducting a war.The Proof is our deficit. Why don't you get that? You are not using real good logic. Google GOP Bush Tax cuts and you will see a whole new world where he is criticized by his own party for doing this...You want to ignore the facts, go right ahead, but to me, that makes you one of the sheep I described earlier...don't be one.
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 4:49 AM Report Comment

@Jorae You don't get it.. he promised no new taxes of ANY type... that was his promise.. ANY type.. it doesn't matter what his tax raise was on.. ANY type of tax raise on ANYONE making less than $250k/yr is a break of his promise. I don't understand why this is so invisible. This is not a spin... this is a direct quote from him during his campaign. It doesn't matter if it's just 1 tax or 13... the fact is, he raised it. He promised not to. Clinton didn't understand why he got impeached. It wasn't that he had an affair.. it was that he lied about it under oath before a legal hearing. That is perjury, and anyone else would have been sent to jail. do you get it now?
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 4:54 AM Report Comment

noliberal...You argue like a teenager...You don't seem to be old enough to do anything but play "I told you so!"...when they are not the same subject. This desperate play is desperate and most people are bright enough to get it...you don't...good nite. PS...I smoke and it doesn't bother me one bit, becaue he is doing what is right for this country, and republicans can't stand it...You left a failed nation...someone has to pick up the pieces...I think the republicans were so ashamed, they picked Palin to make sure they wouldn't get the job!
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 4:54 AM Report Comment

see.. now who's spinning? "can you reason why you don't lower taxes when you are conducting a war.The Proof is our deficit." I do get that. I am not saying I completely agreed with Bush. But, you have to understand the way in which the world works. We weren't in a recession when the terrorists and those that harboured them attacked us. IF you don't remember 9/11 as those of us who are a little older do, then you are too young to continue this debate. Even under Obama our deficit continues to grow. If were solely Bush's fault, then the deficit would not be continuing, now would it? Dems have held the majority power since.. 2008 I think? Think carefully before you place blame. try again please.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 5:04 AM Report Comment

This isn't a debate...it's talking to a clown. My husband refuses to blog due to the idiots you would never give the time of day to are suddenly someone you are communicate with. 9/11 was 8 years ago, so you immature attempt for an insult just proves you are young. Your incapable of thinking of a new angle...Grow up and stay out of politics till your at least 20.
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 6:59 AM Report Comment

Jorae & nonliberal. You both forgot the recent in effect tax ( July 1, 2010) 10% tax on tanning salons. So, now if you want to fake bake, it's going to cost you 10% more. Many here in the DFW area are selling their equipment. Businesses that hire people are going out due to TAXES! But on another note... the dollar is being devalued, what happens then? Hyperinflation! Does it really matter what you're tax bill is if you can't feed your family? if you can't buy fuel to get to work? Alternative energy? boguss... look at spain, they tried that, and it's about to bankrupt them. New puppet, same puppet masters.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 9:32 AM Report Comment

People quit your griping ang look at the real picture here! Politicians are all the same! They all created this nightmare we are in and the majority of you just pick sides and throw blame instead of actually trying to fix the solution. If politicians understood anything it should be "You can not spend more than you take in". I bet they do not do their personal accounts the way they spend our money! They all start out with a goal but the majority all get caught up in the game and line their own pockets instead.
>> Will Monday, July 12, 2010 11:30 AM Report Comment

Will, what exactly is the 'real' picture, that "new puppet, same puppet masters" doesn't cover? Have you ever stop to think that this goes deeper than congress? Have you really taken a look at the headlines lately? Obama keeps Bush wire tapping, Obama keeps Gates-Bush man, The only difference in Obama and Bush is (R)- (D) same policies, same tactics, same everything just more of it. So, that leads me to ask the question, Who's the puppet masters? Until that question is answered and "They" are taken out of the picture, it's the same old story day in and day out... just different circus attractions. Try looking at the Federal Reserve, that's not "federal" at all... but privately owned banking.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 11:55 AM Report Comment

Raymond said: "As Warren Buffet has said, it is wrong for his secretary to pay a higher tax rate than he does." Yes. Well, the big-government statists running our country will fix that. They will not be happy until ALL of everyone's income, rich and poor alike, is taxed at a 100 percent rate - and then redistributed "from each according to his ability to each according to his needs." That is the change we've been waiting for.
>> SeattleRebel Monday, July 12, 2010 12:33 PM Report Comment

@jorae ... You do realize that the National Debt is due to increase by much more than it ever did for the entire Bush terms (in less than a single term for Obama), right? Not convinced, here's the info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Us_national_debt
>> middleman Monday, July 12, 2010 12:45 PM Report Comment

"So, now if you want to fake bake, it's going to cost you 10% more." Oh dear god, tanning salons are going to incur extra taxes, our entire economic frame will surely come falling down around our ears because of this! ...Seriously, notaliberal, thanks for giving me something to laugh at for the next six hours.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 12:48 PM Report Comment

@jorae ... (continued from my previous post) You'll note that in 2000 when Bush took office, the National Debt was $3.4T. When he left in 2008, it was $5.8T. A difference of $2.4T, and an average of $300M/yr. Caveat that with Obama, who initially had the debt load that Bush left with ($5.8T in 2008), and $8.6T in 2010. A difference of $1.8T (in only 2 years), and an average of $900M/yr. While I believe that the taxes will have to be increased on the middle-class to help offset the sustained growth of gov't. I think it is wiser to shrink the gov't and it's reaches.
>> middleman Monday, July 12, 2010 12:50 PM Report Comment

@jorae I am well over 20.. I was just a few years shy of 30 when 9/11 happened.. I will give time of day to anyone who backs up their claims with some real proof. So, it's ok for Obama and the dems to raise our deficit, but it wasn't ok when Bush was in power? Please tell me how that makes sense. @Joejoe laugh all you like.. tanning beds may seem like a luxury to most, but when you're related to someone who has a serious skin condition (psoriasis) for which tanning is an effective treatment, the joke ends pretty quick.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:05 PM Report Comment

@nonliberal While I can sympathize with people that suffer from it, it's not like there's absolutely no extent alternative that isn't cheaper, and it doesn't make it any less humorous when some melodramatic man-toddler actually tries to act like tanning beds are a pivotal part of our economy, and that a 10% tax increase is going to cripple some massive demographic. So yeah, bud, I'm going to laugh it up, whether you try to make me look like an insensitive douche or not.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 1:13 PM Report Comment

"So, now if you want to fake bake, it's going to cost you 10% more." Oh dear god, tanning salons are going to incur extra taxes, our entire economic frame will surely come falling down around our ears because of this! ...Seriously, notaliberal, thanks for giving me something to laugh at for the next six hours. >> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 12:48 PM --------------------Sir, you totally missed the point in your amusement. I said people are losing their JOBS! Do you understand what taxing more means? Less jobs for people. You can laugh all you want, but I'm pretty sure the business owner that is now looking for a job, and the help they had, that are now looking for jobs - aren't laughing. Must be easy being you.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:16 PM Report Comment

melodramatic man-toddler -- is a woman! I don't use tanning salons, but I do own a small business and I can see past the surface. You make fun of tanning beds, but those beds represent someones income.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:25 PM Report Comment

@notaliberal Newsflash, people have been losing their jobs for the past few years as one major retailer after another has shut its doors. This has been going on since long before these proposed taxes, not to mention the president that proposed them, ever came to be.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 1:28 PM Report Comment

@notaliberal In case you've somehow missed it, the country has been in a RECESSION, and when this happens, consumption slumps and (sic) arbitrary things like tanning beds fall by the wayside. Do you honestly think that, after years of hardship, a ten percent tax increase on fake bakes is going to completely wreck that small penchant of cosmetic industry, let alone this entire country? If you do, then it's gotta be even easier being you than it is to be me, because you're obviously loonier than the ostensibly biased crackpot that wrote this article.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 1:32 PM Report Comment

Hummm. Yet you find humor in it. Ture though, just not as many as fast until 2007. You know, when democratic congress took control. Have you really looked at what taxes do to business? I'm a family small farm/ranch operation.. what is it that you do, JoeJoe?
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:33 PM Report Comment

Well surely then, since we are doing so well over this past year, we should continue with this “Hope and Change” thing. 9.5% unemployement. Up from the 4.5% when he assumed office. Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Certainly this administration has a diagnosis.
>> G-Man Monday, July 12, 2010 1:34 PM Report Comment

You're last post is assuming alot. You have to be a liberal. I've been respectful to you, I even called you Sir. Yet, you call me loony. I never said that it was going to take out an entire demographic... what I said was - people are losing their jobs. This is a tax that didn't have to come to be. This is useless and rascist. These people didn't need to be taken out of the work force... this tax is a direct result of people losing their jobs. Yet, you seem to justify it with " other people have lost their jobs" I thought the main focuse was going to be on "creating" jobs, not taking them away.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:38 PM Report Comment

@notaliberal If you must know, m' dear lady, I work graveyard shifts at a grocery store as an overnight stocker; people tend to regard it as low-brow, but it's pretty blue-collar, use your hands type of work, so I actually like it. I come from a small town down in Texas where small businesses popped up and came down with months of each other. It's simply the way a neoliberal economic system works, and it isn't going to get worse in the middle of a multi trillion dollar debt just because a few taxes on arbitrary, relatively unnecessary things get are proposed.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 1:42 PM Report Comment

Yes we are in a recession. Discretionary income is scarce. That is a perfect time to tax a business which provides “arbitrary things” right? WHAT!!! The king of job creation has struck again.
>> G-Man Monday, July 12, 2010 1:46 PM Report Comment

What’s next? Joe Biden proclaiming not only how many jobs were saved but how many people they saved from skin cancer? Give me a break!
>> G-Man Monday, July 12, 2010 1:50 PM Report Comment

You work in a grocey store. Then you have to be aware that prices are going up...that's inflation. We're looking at Hyperinflation. This inflation is not caused because there is a demand for goods, this inflation is caused because the feds are devaluing the dollar - forcasted at 30-50% by the end of the year. So, what do you believe is going to happen to your job when all this hits? If the american people can not afford to buy groceries, then there is no need for a stocker. I happen to live in Texas as well... and let's just say... Grocery stores aren't the only place to get food from.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:50 PM Report Comment

@G-man First of all, comparing a tanning salon to a fast-food restaurant falls flat on its face. One can be considered necessary in terms of consumption, whereas the other is very obviously 'unnecessary'. No one that's living from paycheck to paycheck is going to try and squeeze in a fake tan if they're being marginally smart with their money. @notaliberal Saying it's "easy to be [me]." when you know literally nothing about me isn't being respectful, sorry. I can at least admit I've been disrespectful to you because what you said was silly. Also, you're assuming WAY more than I am since you're saying a PROPOSED tax that doesn't even exist yet will cause some hike in unemployment.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 1:51 PM Report Comment

What’s next? Joe Biden proclaiming not only how many jobs were saved but how many people they saved from skin cancer? Give me a break! >> G-Man Monday, July 12, 2010 1:50 PM ___________Okay, now THAT'S funny!!!! LOL
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:53 PM Report Comment

@notaliberal if the American people can't afford to buy groceries, jobs are gonna be the last thing on your mind.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 1:57 PM Report Comment

Also, you're assuming WAY more than I am since you're saying a PROPOSED tax that doesn't even exist yet will cause some hike in unemployment. >> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 1:51 PM __________________You need to recheck your facts. That tax came in to exsistance July 1, 2010. It's not "Proposed" it's here! Tanning salons are closing and people are out of jobs. I'm assuming nothing.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 1:58 PM Report Comment

@notaliberal Facts rechecked, I concede that I was wrong about that, but it doesn't really matter. The simple fact is that you're deliberately exaggerating this to give yourself a case. Hell, pointing that out just works against you, because the tax is already in effect, and yet the industry hasn't dissolved, has it? You're really kind of making a mountain out of a mole hill, and hoping obviously hoping that's going to make your vilifying of this administration sound legitimate.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 2:04 PM Report Comment

Let's remember Folks that all this talk of "Expiring" tax legislation etc doesn't hide the fact that ALL Tax Rates on Income are going up. The usual Political shell game of proposing this and proposing that just serve to DEFLECT the Issue. Taxes on Cigarettes have gone up, on Tanning salons and therefore de facto on the Users, Business Owners and the Manufacturers will be effected. In addition the Payroll taxes are slated to increase and the Obamacare Scam Bill has within it FURTHER taxes including on INVESTMENT INCOME. There is the Death tax, VAT tax and a Wealth Tax in the works. All during a recession. It is not mere Hyperbole to talk about this as The LARGEST TAX INCREASE in History.
>> David Monday, July 12, 2010 2:10 PM Report Comment

I give up. I've already said many times, BUSINESS ARE CLOSING!!! DFW has many of them for sale! How many more times would I need to say it?! You're trying to defend the undefendable. To that, I'm going to go do something worth while... Like gather FOOD from my garden.. and MILK my cows and goats later. You might want to reconsider your position on this administration. The fact that the tax has been exsistance for a whole 12 day's and there is equipment for sale in the paper, on craigs list and ebay... say's that perhaps my mole hill/mountain is just out of your line of vision.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 2:12 PM Report Comment

@G-man In that case, "that type of customer" will simply have to learn not to throw their money away on crap they don't need. Boy, that'll be hard to adjust to...And sorry, but I'd prefer a tax to be on a tanning salon than on supplemental income or things that, y'know, people actually NEED to live. Given the state our economy is in and the size of the deficit, things like this simply have to happen, things that are a far-cry from "essential" simply have to be put by the wayside.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 2:13 PM Report Comment

@notaliberal And in case you've missed it, I haven't debated the substance of that assertion, I simply said that it wasn't (and probably never would) reach the magnitude that you're saying it's ALREADY AT, AFTER 12 DAYS OF EXISTING. But yeah, have fun milking your cows, make sure not to squeeze the teet too hard.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 2:18 PM Report Comment

“Things just need to be put by the wayside?” That is not the America I grew up in. The America I grew up in said “We can” and then we did. We did not arrive at any level of prosperity by taxing individuals or business. Government got out of the way or made easier the path to accumulate wealth. Individualism was a virtue. We did without only when we had to and found a way to provide in the face of austerity. We had no use for the present collectivism that smacks of communism. Perhaps it is best that the greatest generation is passing into history. It breaks my heart to see what has come to pass in the last decade.
>> G-Man Monday, July 12, 2010 2:24 PM Report Comment

Uhm...maybe it said "we can" for you, because you could. I won't make judgement, I don't know how privileged you were, if you were at all, but for the majority of my life, me and my family were dead broke. There was no such thing as "you can", it was "do what you have to" which, yes, included shoving things you didn't need to the side. For someone that's so set against taxes and big government and all that paranoid redscare-era bullcrap, you sure seem to be out of touch with the real principals and ideals of classical economic liberalism. Also, I think screaming "Commie" at things that aren't really communist is another really great facet of your generation, if we're thinking about the same one.
>> JoeJoe Monday, July 12, 2010 2:37 PM Report Comment

@JoeJoe...Not criticizing, but I mean this honestly. Perhaps starting with "do what you have to" is what sets the stage before you even really start? I came from Lower MidClass(emphasis on Lower). But with state paid education and University I worked hard and finally achieved my own Business. I continued to " shove things I didn't need aside"..prospered a bit more and was able to expand and...hire my first person. THAT was a highlight for me. To be able make a difference for someone else. Don't sell yourself short. In EVERY adversity there is SOME opportunity. Many times it is only a different way of viewing what's out there.
>> David Monday, July 12, 2010 3:02 PM Report Comment

When are you guys going to quit blaming the "other" side of the Corporation of the United States and wake up to what is really going on.... all presidents are on the same side... THEIR side.... the World Government Side. NOT ours and they're all the same. they don't really care about us. They care about making the World Government and World Banking System a reality. It matters not who we elect anymore, it's all just a big show to make us think we have a say.
>> Ashley Monday, July 12, 2010 3:28 PM Report Comment

Yes Ashley..you are somewhat correct. But are you trying to discourage people ??....We ALL have to make a choice to fight or give up. The same Powers That Br would LOVE to have us give up. We have to fight in NOVEMBER, fight now and fight for our country AFTER the Elections. It would be better to suggest actions to take rather than hopeless scenario. I think MANY people are waking up to the false Right/Left, Repub/Dem paradigm. That doesn't mean we do nothing. What ACTION do you suggest?
>> David Monday, July 12, 2010 3:41 PM Report Comment

I've been told that the Adoption Tax Credit has increased for next year, it will not be cut.
>> Stephanie Monday, July 12, 2010 4:13 PM Report Comment

@JoeJoe Oh I was privileged. Black family in a Phila. Ghetto. But we were proud. Dad a WWII vet. I went to Nam cause I couldn’t afford college. I earned an education after that. MBA Then I earned a position in DOD, later the Dept of Interior and later still the State Dept. Retired as a Division director with no Equal Opportunity promotions. I would not have accepted one if I thought that was the deal. Not your fault for being naïve. You probably didn’t experience the Cuban Missile crisis, Kennedy assassination, LBJ Great society, Viet Nam, Watergate, Iran hostage situation, Lebanon Barracks bombing, Somalia, the Congo, etc. You wouldn’t know a commie if you tripped over one. That is why he got elected president.
>> G-Man Monday, July 12, 2010 5:03 PM Report Comment

@JoeJoe What exactly is the formal education you received in Macro or Micro Economics? Worked a grocery store? How many Multi Million dollar budgets have you put together? I worked inside the Gov to make it better. Saved the tax payers money when ever I could and despised any unwarranted interference by the Government into the lives of private individuals. That is what caused me to leave the Dept of Int. I could not stomach land seizures under Eminent Domain but was required by my job to do so. I think I have a better understanding of economics and how the world works than you ever will.
>> G-Man Monday, July 12, 2010 5:12 PM Report Comment

What ACTION do you suggest? >> David Monday, July 12, 2010 3:41 PM.........( just a short stop by, read more tonight but).... I agree with Ashley. Until we realize that there is more to it then just the face on the television, and that there truely IS a shadow government, we're fighting a losing battle. Until we can actually take the Federal reserve out of power, then we will get no where. But I also agree with pulling ourselves up and fighting, David.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 5:14 PM Report Comment

Erich (Erich Thursday, July 1, 2010 7:08 PM) confirms what many have suspected - Left has no idea how government runs, who has the power to tax and spend (Congress alone) and yes they have been in control since 1/07. It is also ironic that 4/07 brought in the largest income to the government in HISTORY - that is what tax cuts do for people - release it to the ones who have better spending habits than government. Problem is that they need to have less, not more. Reagan ( unfortunately for him and us) almost tripled gov. income with tax cuts in early 80's. Then they simply spend to purchase votes. Who has the right to take away someones earnings to give to someone else?
>> Kevin Monday, July 12, 2010 5:38 PM Report Comment

I don't know yet... any suggestions?? I think some if this information being let out is part of their plan anyway... soooooooo, I'm still a little stuck on that one.
>> Ashley Monday, July 12, 2010 5:38 PM Report Comment

Kevin and Ashley. You need to vote intelligently. Study the issues. Study the candidates. Require them to take a stand and pledge to reduce taxes, rollback Government, cut the debt, no new programs. Incumbents have been corrupted over time. We need term limits. Elected officials should have done something else with their lives than just be elected officials. Pondering? Does a community organizer get paid? There is a shadow government that the George Soros’s of the world run. We can beat them by taking away their bought and paid for elected officials.
>> G-MAN Monday, July 12, 2010 6:02 PM Report Comment

G-Man, I know you are on'our side' but term limits? Just another way to discourage the electorate to get out and vote. We limit terms by involvement in our process. So far only incumbents to be re-elected this year ( primaries) were those who voted against healthcare and stimulus. Press and left spent 10 years trying to get McCain to run - he was easy to beat. He never saw them coming. Another fence-sitter - vote for his opponent ( forget his name but he is the real deal in AZ)Last thought - human nature is to let it get really really bad before we decide to change it up. Time is now.
>> Kevin Monday, July 12, 2010 6:34 PM Report Comment

Good job to all you fools who voted for Obama!!!!!!!
>> Tom Monday, July 12, 2010 7:24 PM Report Comment

I don't know yet... any suggestions?? I think some if this information being let out is part of their plan anyway... soooooooo, I'm still a little stuck on that one.
>> Ashley Monday, July 12, 2010 8:32 PM Report Comment

G-man, you're so right. We can also beat them by demanding the Federal Reserve become transparent. Once that happens, it's game over for the bilderbergs, Trilateral Commission, Club of Rome,CFR etc... When the Feds fund both sides of a war...that's just demonic. When the very people that are funding the war, are the ones that started it...that's even more evil.
>> notaliberal Monday, July 12, 2010 8:43 PM Report Comment

@notaliberal .. you are exactly right... until we can get the Fed outta there NOTHING will change All of you guys ranting and raving these lunatic things should research the Fed.. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913... something every single president has always fought against is the banks. Even Woodrow Wilson himself who allowed this to pass regreted it and realized he had made a slave out of every single person in the U.S. Research it, and don't talk about politics until you do please.
>> Ashley Monday, July 12, 2010 8:48 PM Report Comment

Isn't that PayGo a wonderful thing ...seems the CBO states, if we stay with that, and nothing changes...we will be back on tract Too bad, not one Republican voted yes for it, and too bad, the origional PayGo invented by Clinton was allowed to expire by Bush...
>> jorae Monday, July 12, 2010 10:25 PM Report Comment

I must say that all of the comments I am reading scare me. Resorting to name calling is so mature. Telling half truths is lying. I could go on, but the bottom line is...if you want change, go to the polls and make your voice heard in November. If you are happy with things the way they are, stay home and let us vote. Change is coming, and I will be one of the legal American voters actively working to see that it does. Don't bother to respond to me, as I am leaving this site, and continuing to work for change...not O's kind, but real change. Ciao!
>> truthadvocate Monday, July 12, 2010 10:31 PM Report Comment

Who cares what either group stands for, why do we allow our elected government to get away with the crap that it does? They're supposed to do what's in our best interests and do they? If they can keep the sheet over our eyes they'll get away with anything. You do realize that they don't pay into Social Security, they don't buy Health Care that was just put into place, they make the same annual salary for one term in office... for their entire life? They even give themselves raises whenever they "deserve" one. Wake up! Our government robs us blind and we allow it. I love my country but I'm fed up with how things work. I work hard, I'm honest, I use my manners like my family instilled on me. Our good staples are disappearing.
>> rob Monday, July 12, 2010 10:43 PM Report Comment

Getting back to you Ashley...I couldn't say it better than G-Man. He is spot-on. "truthadvocate"..no arguments about name calling and no action...hoever a closer read would see Some commentors from all sides actually agreeing and wanting the same kina change. I say Ashley, listen to nonliberal and G-man and me...join us in Voting, Vote for fiscal Conservatives, please vote Repub. because we need at this point to balance the current insanity. Vote for fiscally responsible independents....and get your friends and family involved in the Issues and make them commit to vote also. Start talking to others...freindly but share some of the Big issues like our Liberty being Stolen Cont...
>> David Monday, July 12, 2010 10:51 PM Report Comment

Remember there is a Common ground to a lot of people when it comes to wanting Freedom versus Socialistic Slavery. One issue you could talk about is how the Process of the whole Health Care fiasco was implemented. No REAL imput from MDs Nurses OR Consumers of both Health Care and Insurance. This was NOT done as a democratic process at all....and we as a nation need to reverse course. G-Man may be right...term limits might be what we have to do to battle not only Big Monied interests but also low voter turn out. Mainly GET ACTIVE in finding out who the Candidates are, what they stand for and getting that info to your immediate social group.
>> David Monday, July 12, 2010 10:57 PM Report Comment

Hey Steve, (Ju;y 9) Those millions of dollars in debt came from a Democratic contolled Congress!!! Get it staight!! DT
>> DRT Tuesday, July 13, 2010 12:59 AM Report Comment

Freedom versus Socialistic Slavery...You sound like a Lobbies for the Republican party...and you probably are. Considering this site shot off like a bullet, from other idiot republicans c & P it into their own webs. originally I found 2 with this exact title...now there page pages... Why wouldn't a lobbies for the Republican log on each day to promote what the author has confesses is ... "a projection" of what could happen if all the Bush Charity for the Rich Expire...they do expire on Jan 2011... New elected government...what we have now is two teams and one is here to play, the other is sitting on the bench ... they did, they know they did it and they want to kill a dream called the Constitution..WE THE PEOPLE...
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 1:05 AM Report Comment

@Jorae what do you think those rich people did with those tax breaks? just stash it somewhere? Granted, there are probably a few who did, but the rest of them, if they were smart, invested that money somewhere. If they own a business, they reinvest in the business. That means equipment, raw materials, and more importantly, jobs. You know what's going to happen when those tax breaks expire and obama's take hold? Those people that are reinvesting are going cut staff, salaries, anything at all to minimize the effect of the tax hikes on them. You call it a "charity for the rich" but the fact is, it's a charity for all. I don't understand why liberals do not grasp the basics of business management.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 1:24 AM Report Comment

http://www.ctj.org/corpfed04pr.pdf They did not reinvest in America...82 of the largest Corporation that received tax breaks in 2001 - 2003 save $87million dollars due to tax breaks from Bush...How much did they reinvest...minus 22% than what they had done before the tax brake...There is no doubt, the tax breaks in tghe 21st century meant reinvest in China...don't spread lines...How's the lobbing business nonliberal...seems you name is used my many of your staff. You didn't think anyone noticed...of course not..your a stupid republican. Now you can either post facts and we can debate or go back to game plan you and your brothern are cooking up
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 1:45 AM Report Comment

Oh...I'm sorry...that's 87 BILLION....
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 1:51 AM Report Comment

@Jorae "seems you name is used my many of your staff" please clarify. I'm not sure if I am deciphering correctly, and I will not make an assumption. Yes, we all know many of our products come from China. There are literally THOUSANDS of businesses that are not corporate giants, not listed on your document, make more profit than $200k/yr, AND reinvest that profit locally (and if you want to say their equipment and raw materials are imported, so be it, but unless their employees are travelling from here to China on a daily basis, they're reinvesting that much back locally in the form of employment). Simply put, the data in this document is incomplete. Try again, please.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 1:56 AM Report Comment

You can either post facts or go back to you dark back rooms and try other propaganda methods.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 1:58 AM Report Comment

Eighty-two of America’s largest and most profitable corporations paid no federal income tax in at least one year during the first three years of the George W. Bush administration — a period when federal corporate tax collections fell to their lowest sustained level in six decades. This is one of the many troubling findings of a major new report on corporate tax avoidance by Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). The report covered 275 profitable Fortune 500 corporations, with total U.S. profits of $1.1 trillion over the three-year period.....FACTS..WHERE ARE YOURS? JUST BIG MOUTH
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:02 AM Report Comment

“The sharp increase in the number of tax-avoiding companies reflects the results of aggressive corporate lobbying and a White House and a Congress eager to do the lobbyists’ bidding,” during the Bush Administration Go back to your lobbyist and think of new plans that can't have individual posts to blow you out of the water. Lobbyist go home...money makes you mouth...not the health of the Country!
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:08 AM Report Comment

Here you go Jorae http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/Tobacco-tax-hike-local-business-to-close-for-good/VFn3RjlybEChhNyy2xGReA.cspx http://www.wrex.com/global/story.asp?s=10033923 http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2009/05/Who-Will-Pay-for-President-Obamas-Tax-Increases Is that enough or do you want more? And if we're to debate, let's dispose of the insulting and namecalling. Either or both used in conjunction does not make any point more or less valid.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:16 AM Report Comment

I am not a lobbyist. I am not even rich. I have never made more than $20k/yr in my life. Seriously, who is Obama to decide when anyone is too wealthy? You know what America's problem is? It isn't so much democrat or republican, but the people who have represented the leadership in both parties. For whatever reason, the middle class, which is what our country prospered on since WW2, is shrinking. Until it gets re-established, debates like this will continue in some form or other. Obama is not doing anything to help matters, nor is the democrat leadership in Congress. Restore the middle class, snd the recession will go away.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:21 AM Report Comment

BTW the congress changed to democratic in 2006..the statistics about were written for the first years of Bush...2001 - 2003 - written in 2004 http://www.ctj.org/corpfed04pr.pdf...when money own a country...the links 1929 with 2008: when earnings accumulate at the top, people at the top invest their wealth in whatever assets seem most likely to attract other big investors. This causes the prices of certain assets—commodities, stocks, dot-coms or real estate—to become wildly inflated. Such speculative bubbles eventually burst, leaving behind mountains of near-worthless collateral. If you want to keep Capitalism, allow others to participate.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:24 AM Report Comment

@Jorae additionally, also for the record, I had a lot to say about Bush too. The Patriot act, for instance (NOTE: I am not changing subject, just giving an example). I believe this law to be unconstitutional and against the intentions of our founding fathers. That was another one of Obama's promises during to campaign. "Yes, I would vote to repeal the U.S. Patriot Act" http://mydd.com/users/andrewalker08/posts/obama-flip-flops-on-patriot-act-amp-other-issues And yet, he supported to extend it: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/15/obama-supports-extending-_n_288054.html and, he signed it back into law: http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/32373
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:30 AM Report Comment

He was voted, but no one person, not even our head of state according to our constitution, has the right to decide who is too wealthy (see amendment 10 of the constitution). The oonstitution was designed for individual and personal freedom with limited interference from govt. Back to Obama, He got voted in because 1) Palin sounded like a complete idiot on each and every soundbite. I'm sure she's smarter than she sounds, but that's what it is. 2) His promise for change. I and others here have demonstrated he broke his primary promise on 2 fronts. Now I have demonstrated he has broken another promise. Next, please.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:37 AM Report Comment

I should make another clarification on my stance. I've worked in retail sales most of my life, 2 positions in which my employers were corporate giants. I'll give a brief education. When you work for a place like this (let's say Wal-Mart.. I never worked for them, never will, but they set the standard).. corporate, regional offices around the world. store managers and at least their immediate superiors are offered bonuses to their salary if they show increase in sales, decrease in cost. If that means cutting hours of employees, so be it. These are the ones that need to be targeted for tax hikes IMO. Unfortunately, no one has worded a tax law in a manner that can target people like this
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 3:45 AM Report Comment

So lame....the Government works on fairy wishes.....You talk like any common con artist - enough propaganda and if they are really lucky will rob you blind. You don't live here for free...and you don't decide what is the right amount. The tax table from 1950 to 1963 was at least 80% for the top earners...but again propaganda thinks I play my con game.... If this country has been good to you, you ARE REQUIRED TO DO YOUR PART....So, you have one car, not two...No one feels sorry for you and you should be grateful you live in a country that allowed you to be a high income earner...where is pride these days...this is a dead horse...beat your "my rights" till their dead!
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 3:55 AM Report Comment

The 2010 tax tables are the projected Ind.federal income tax brackets Tax Bracket Single Married Filing Jointly 10% Bracket $0 – $8,375 $0 – $16,750 15% Bracket $8,375 – $34,000 $16,750 – $68,000 25% Bracket $34,000 – $82,400 $68,000 – $137,300 28% Bracket $82,400 – $171,850 $137,300 – $209,250 33% Bracket $171,850 – $373,650 $209,250 – $373,650 35% Bracket $373,650+ $373,650+ This doesn't bother me...and from here you take deductions...I'm an adult
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:16 AM Report Comment

That's the thing.. I don't care how many cars I have other than 1. I don't care how many any one else has, either. This "my rights" has been beating since the end of the French and Indian war (1767 I think?). Why? because no matter what is done, no matter who is in power, someone always finds a way to step on someone else. I don't care about my income. I care about my freedom. Both political parties are guilty of gnawing away at it, the most recent of which I've read goes to the democrats. (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=168373). There is no propaganda in what I state. I DESPISE propaganda. I have posted my facts. Counter them, if you can.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:20 AM Report Comment

Sorry, just doesn't move over well.... http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/federal-income-irs-tax-brackets.html And if your sick about how Corporations don't pay their share...you should be and the Republican Party, the Party to Corporations, made sure for the last 40 years...http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html ..............Crisis of Capitalism.... animated story of what went wrong and why a certain percent of the country wants to keep it that way. http://comment.rsablogs.org.uk/2010/06/28/rsa-animate-crisis-capitalism/
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:27 AM Report Comment

http://comment.rsablogs.org.uk/2010/06/28/rsa-animate-crisis-capitalism/
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:31 AM Report Comment

@Jorae it doesn't bother I'm betting because you're comparing that tax bracket with your own personal income. Look at the bigger picture. Ex" There is a music retailer here that sells professional instruments, and not just pianos or guitars. they sell instruments to equip an entire orchestra. This retailer only operates where I live. My parents bought my flute from them ($1600 in 1991), and that's just the high end. they sell much cheaper instruments too, and they sell to schools and students at all ages. Guaranteed making more than $200k/yr. with this tax hike, what do you think that business is going to do? just suck it up? I guarantee they won't.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:33 AM Report Comment

I find it interesting that since quite a while the next president have made the previous president look a lot better. Bush did help Clinton look more or less fantastic and now Obama makes a lot of people think that Bush was not all that bad after all. So, no matter what strange things Obama gets done, if the trend continues, the next president will help fix his PR... The real problem is the trend.
>> Marty Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:06 AM Report Comment

Hun...Your example is for a small business. I don't know one small business owner that has ever paid one cent in taxes...honest...they have more deductions. Have a room in your home that you do your "end of the day" receipt calculations? Tax deduction for part of the cost of the home. car, Gas, electric, furniture, business lunches, dinners...parties (all you have are receipts, so no one knows you took out your wife)I had been married to a cabinet maker = we owned two homes, 4 cars including a corvette in Los Angeles and Bull Head City (so we could gamble and use the speed boat) and never, never, never paid one penny of taxes.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:07 AM Report Comment

Jorae wrote: The 2010 tax tables are the projected Ind.federal income tax brackets Tax Bracket Single Married Filing Jointly 10% Bracket $0 – $8,375 ... $373,650+ This doesn't bother me...and from here you take deductions...I'm an adult -------- An uninformed one at that (LOL). Tax deductions come off before the tax is computed. Tax credits come off after the tax is computed. According to the link you provided (http://www.ctj.org/corpfed04pr.pdf): 82 / 275 = 29.8% of the big companies paid zero taxes. Which means that 70.2% paid some tax.
>> middleman Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:10 AM Report Comment

As for that last chart in your link (http://www.ctj.org/corpfed04pr.pdf). I know you didn't create it, all I can say is that it's very deceiving. Simple increases in GDP will result in large swings. As an example, I'll use my percentage from my last post. 82 / 275 = 29.8% 82 / 280 = 29.3% That's only a difference of 5, but it causes 1/2% decrease. Therefore, if you raise the Federal tax received by just a little, but increase the GDP a lot, it will look like very little taxes are paid.
>> middleman Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:23 AM Report Comment

All that this information shows (especially the charts): http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html Is that a statistician mad a "pretty graph" geared toward what they wanted you to see. If you read the numbers alone in the tables provided, the top 20% increased their wealth. Well, how about the next 20% (20%-40%) of the population? Did theirs go up, or go down? I know that the statists love to break us all down into quintiles (*chuckle*).
>> middleman Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:39 AM Report Comment

Amazing! This president has done far more for big corporations than President Bush ever has, and yet, I still read liberals say they're the party against big corporations. That's purely unreal to me. Bush took 350 Billion of the 700 Billion and left the other 350 for Obama. Nobody say's anything about that. Obama has bailed more out on wall street then President Bush ever did. Who do you think owns wall street? The federal Reserve. Who does Obama really work for? Wall Street and the federal reserve. He can stand and damn wall street from his teleprompter all he wants, the fact still remains, he pay's them off at every turn, yet some people still defend him. Classic.
>> notaliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:40 AM Report Comment

Doesn't anyone ever ask themselves WHY did Obama continue Pres.Bush's Patriot act although he said he would do away with it. He hasn't closed Gitmo, even though he said that he would. He hasn't brought ANY corporations to their knees, yet his supposedly against them. He was going to balance a budget and has only served to increase it. He was going to end the war in Iraq in his first 6 months, then 16 months.. and now?! Cont.....
>> notaliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:52 AM Report Comment

He wants other sources of enegry but he gave 2 billion dollars of our money to petrobras in Brazil for deep water drilling ( side note: George Soro's gave 900 million) Actions speak louder than words. Obama's dirty! The reason it looks like a continuation of the Bush admin, because it is.... The faces on camera changed, but the ones behind the curtain are still the same and still in control. The agenda has not changed. You can't have socialism till you break the backs of the people.
>> notaliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:57 AM Report Comment

Jorae, Your comment on small businesses not paying is just plain false. I own a small business that grosses about 1.5 million per year after all expenses (salaries, equipment, supplies etc.) any thing left over is taxed. I also pay personal income taxes on what I pay myself. I pay tens of thousands of dollars in taxes every year. And, the government , in its infinite wisdom, wastes most of it. Get your head out of your ass and open your eyes.
>> Rocket Man Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:51 AM Report Comment

If everyone would stop being so worried about what others financial status is and be happy about their own, or, if not, work to improve their status, you would be a lot happier. The most unhappy people that I have come across are those who buy into the liberal class envy rhetoric and are so caught up in comparing themselves to the 'rich' (i.e. people who have more than they). Cut the envy and covetous and start working for yourself!! Nobody deserves the fruits of anyone else, whether legitimate or ill gained!
>> JVS Tuesday, July 13, 2010 2:59 PM Report Comment

Rocketman....the word would be Net about 1.4 million....that is the term after all deductions are taken...so another stupid Lobbyist trying to spread lies that doesn't know crap. Go back to your headquarters and find new ways to spread propaganda. and if you made that much, you would probably be an LLC and you don't pay personal business and business tax...If you are the owner, Boy how dumb. Look at the tax table, it is the exact same table for small business owners and individuals....Post again when you can spread FACTS AND IF ONE WORD WAS TRUE, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GEAT A TAXMAN. I did the taxes for our business!!!
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 3:29 PM Report Comment

To answer your rants jorae....I/We used the money are small company got to keep from the Clinton TAX INCREASE rollbacks to hire 4 more people. In otherwards we expanded the business. So it WAS INVESTED in the business and by proxy in the economy. NO we are not lobbiests for the Republicans. That is a charge used throughout the NET to criticise and marinalize a poter. I guess I could ask the same about you....Are you a Democratic Lobbiest? Do you work for Cass Sunstein and the White House trying to discredit Conservative opinion??? But I didn't until you try this tactic. This should be reason enough to question Liberal intensions. TAX DECREASES along with SPENDING CUTS are the answer.
>> David Tuesday, July 13, 2010 3:30 PM Report Comment

What happened to Scott Brown???? I thought he was going to be different!
>> Dave OB Tuesday, July 13, 2010 3:36 PM Report Comment

The tax table can be read before deductions or after...Most people say, I make such and such and look at the table....but when they sit down, take off the deductions, that is where it falls....and if you have deductions...some people don't. It is a basic idea...70%???? I won't even bother to ask how you came up with that. The tax bracket they are now in is lower than it was under Bush. If you make %263,000 a year, the tax bracket is higher under Obama...33% under Bush, 35% under Obama...how hard is that to figure out? You would think we had a balanced budget and this had not purpose...what idiots. Steel as much as you can for as long as you can and to hell with the country..
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 3:41 PM Report Comment

Three types of business entities for federal income tax purposes – sole proprietorship,“flow-through” and corporations. Owners of corporations may be subject to federal income tax on business profits that they receive from the corporations. (filling out corporate tax returns and Individual tax returns due to drawing a salary) Sole Proprietorship are the most common type of small business. They report income and deductions on their individual federal income tax return (1040). http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs343tot.pdf
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:13 PM Report Comment

Here are the top tax deductions that every small business owner should know about.1. Business operating expenses,like rent, supplies, and salaries.2. Business entertainment, restaurants, golf courses, or sporting events.4. Long distance travel,airfare, hotel bills, and other expenses..make sure you talk to someone in your own field while in Europe.5. Long-term assets, office furniture, computer equipment, buildings, automobiles, and books.6. Outside office, your home office - take off a percent of your monthly mortgage.7.Health insurance - your family and your employees!!!including nonprescription medications, acupuncture, and eyeglasses.8.Retirement plans
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:39 PM Report Comment

And the small business owner can deduct....ta da... Hiring workers. You may deduct most or all of what you pay someone you hire as a business expense. Thus, for example, if you pay an employee $50,000 per year in salary and benefits, you'll ordinarily get a $50,000 tax deduction. If you hire an independent contractor to perform services for your practice, you can deduct the amount you pay as a business operating expense. I have a bleeding heart for the small business owner. If they pay anything, they aren't going to Europe enough.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:42 PM Report Comment

I said it at the beginning and I'll say it now. You can't increase spending and not raise taxes. The war, Obamacare, extended unemployment..... If you want it you have to pay for it.
>> KRuss Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:00 PM Report Comment

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/11/AR2010071101956.html?hpid=topnews
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:01 PM Report Comment

Liberals like to call people morons. I was reading the comments and they all say "you moron", "that moron". Pretty funny. Anyway, talk about spin, the libs have convinced everyone that Bush turned a surplus into a defecit. The $5.6 trillion dollar surplus never existed. That figure was projected by the CBO Jan 2001, you know, before 9/11, before Katrina, before the war. Brian Reidl has a good article about this on wsj.com. If you voted for Obama you have to face the facts. He lied.
>> Jessica Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:04 PM Report Comment

I am truly shocked by people that believe Obama's claim that if you make under $250K, you are exempt from any form of tax increase. How can anyone be that gullible or ignorant? It must be the fault of our education system.
>> Gary V Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:08 PM Report Comment

OMG Gary V which post is that?!BTW Clinton came close and definitely reduced the budget by implementing what was known as PayGo...which Bush let expire. President Obama congress has implemented another PayGo which passed, but not with one Republican "yes" vote...Why, it was sure needed, proved to lower the deficit...it was the game of who wanted it, not the real life considerations of a Country.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:36 PM Report Comment

The deficit began shrinking in 1992, mostly thanks to economic growth following the recession of 1990-1991 – and a corresponding increase in federal tax revenue. President Clinton's narrowly passed 1993 tax-and-spending plan also contributed. Note: Numbers for 1998 and 1999 are the actual figures for those fiscal years. Source: Congressional Budget Office (January 2000)http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/budget/budget.htm
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:42 PM Report Comment

I know this is a little off topic, I'm all for somewhat higher taxes if they can fix the roads and get the bums off our streets.
>> David Larsen Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:51 PM Report Comment

President Obama congress has implemented another PayGo which passed, but not with one Republican "yes" vote...Why, it was sure needed, proved to lower the deficit...it was the game of who wanted it, not the real life considerations of a Country. >> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:36 PM ______________What else was in the bill?
>> notaliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 6:05 PM Report Comment

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR02920: Bill summary...SUMMARY AS OF: 7/22/2009--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary)Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009 - (Sec. 4) Requires a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act to include by reference an estimate of its budgetary effects as determined by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA), if timely submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the chairs of the congressional budget committees (chairs) before the vote on it.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 6:29 PM Report Comment

Hey notaliberal and David: here's something I just happened to come across pertaining to the question about what ACTION we can take to stand up to a corupt government: http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/20/missouri-gop-billboard/
>> Ashley Tuesday, July 13, 2010 7:14 PM Report Comment

Where does it say that teachers will no longer be able to deduct their classroom expenses? I've read through the X-3-10 list three times now and I can't find any provision that would apply to that.
>> Morgan Getham Tuesday, July 13, 2010 7:19 PM Report Comment

Ahhh...ok? and the problem would be?What is the big fuss over exactly? As I have mentioned before, you can't trust everything you read on the internet, especially an opinionated blog such as this one. Where are the facts and sources? There are only half truths and and exaggerations. He actually took the time to point out a tanning tax, Seriously?
>> tejah79 Tuesday, July 13, 2010 7:19 PM Report Comment

tejah79...exactly...A friend who was raised Republican actually sent me and 40 other people this link....I did the "reply to all" and stated it was all baloney. Some hysterical Republican read this and believe it, but the problem is the author who has no conscience that thinks it's okay to spread.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 7:39 PM Report Comment

"I said it at the beginning and I'll say it now. You can't increase spending and not raise taxes." @kruss We're trying to advocate CUTTING spending. We don't want or need big government. I can't wait to see what happens to unemployment rate when these tax hikes do go into effect. Any time government gets in the way of entities, it just causes trouble. This obamacare is just the latest example
>> nonliberall Tuesday, July 13, 2010 7:44 PM Report Comment

Here's a neat trick that's been used under current administration. http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2010/05/census-used-to.html___wonder if it's been used in previous censuses....
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 7:48 PM Report Comment

Mr.Ellis link shows tax deductions that have or are going expire on Jan 1, 2011...that is all...He needed to compare it to Tax deductions that are new, or replace the old tax deduction that have replace his list. "2010 Taxes – Tax Credits and Deductions Changes New IRS Federal Income Tax Rules for 2010 & Expiring Tax Breaks. http://personal-tax-planning.suite101.com/article.cfm/2010-taxes--tax-credits-and-deductions-changes Considering the deficit, we should be getting a tax hike.And the only ones who are scheduled for a hike are people making over $200,000..Who wants to argue with that?
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:01 PM Report Comment

nonliberal...say that out loud ten times..."we do not want or need big government"....think about it. 21st century. What kind of idiot would want smaller government with streams that catch on fire, terrorists trying to take down plains, Drugs coming over from every dirt poor country, Peanutbutter being contaminated because the owner didn't fix the whole in the roof. FBI, CIA...what do you want to cut. The loss on control is mayhem. Pretty words but no thought about the age we live in. I think that containing these things is why government was invented. And if you think by saving money, the people who have the most are going to do anything but build a bigger fence around their property, your wrong.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:07 PM Report Comment

Well, Okay, I said it ten times for nonliberal. I still do not want large government! You can think that containing these things is why government was invented, but that doesn't make it true. If the government is so good at it's job, the please tell everyone here how is contaminated food reaching the masses? Why is Monsanto allowed to alter soybeans to withstand round up.. and still make it to your table. Why are they allowed to use cloned cattle, but don't have to label it cloned cattle. Why is the government about to allow them to patent the genetics of a pig? This is government control at it's finest... boy, aren't we all proud?! NOT!!!
>> notaliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:24 PM Report Comment

government wasn't created to deal with the problems we have today. and seriously? peanut butter? how about just cut their pay and cut needless spending like their airfare for their expensive jets and expensive meals
>> rob Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:33 PM Report Comment

"what do you want to cut." For starters, ATF, DEA. We have enough law enforcement departments. We don't need them. Let's see, what else. How about this? http://fairspin.org/read/42105 I'm not saying eliminate government. I'm saying shrink it. consolidate it. Growing government, especially when we are in recession, is never a good idea.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:14 PM Report Comment

I agree completely with that... but as long as we increase government jobs, which doesn't actually help our economy, we can claim to be "creating jobs". Isn't that what he meant by creating jobs... just making more jobs for government positions?
>> rob Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:27 PM Report Comment

We can cut this too http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090219/ARTICLES/902190306?Title=Stay-at-home
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:46 PM Report Comment

The deal with the peanut butter is people died. And now the government can fine him and or send him to prision. One would hope, with these threats, he would have fixed the hole in the roof so pigon poop didn't end up in the product. Want to fix the illegal problem....face it, more people working for the government. ATF...you've got to be kidding...somethings do need regulations and having a Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)department makes sense. You may want barnyard alcohol, but taking care of more blind people should not be our job due to idiots drinking the stuff...it all trickles down to a reality
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:48 PM Report Comment

Here's a novel idea..If a member of Congress really needs a staff, why not make them pay for that staff out their salary instead of the taxpayer coffer? There's nothing in the constitution alloting for a staff for members of Congress.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:54 PM Report Comment

And the reality of it is, people should definitely be responsible for their actions... our government is not an exception to the rule. Face it, both parties have screwed up but all they can do is point fingers and blame the opponent. It's just easier that way.
>> rob Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:55 PM Report Comment

I honestly think that we should be the ones responsible for giving our elected officials the raises they think they deserve. We'll simply base it on whether or not they did what they promised when they ran for their seat and whether or not they do what's in our best interest.
>> rob Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:01 PM Report Comment

ATF is a law enforcement agency, not a regulator. Dismantle DEA, ATF, put their agents in the other federal law enforcement agencies (like INS, FBI, since they have the same job descriptions anyway.)
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:03 PM Report Comment

Hell, it might just give them incintive to do exactly what they're supposed to. And why is it that our government is actually better than the people they work for? They should not be exempt from anything that they can impose on us and they shouldn't be able to get away with anything that we can't.
>> rob Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:07 PM Report Comment

@Jorae "seems you name is used my many of your staff" Ok I was a little slow on this one, but I think I got your meaning. The truth of that is that when I was reading through the comments, I wasn't paying attention to the names at the time, so when I felt the need to post a comment, I used the first thing that came to mind, and I didn't see the similarity until later when I thought I saw my name posted to something I didn't write, so, notaliberal, I apologize for using a modified version of your name :)
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:23 PM Report Comment

@Jorae "And the only ones who are scheduled for a hike are people making over $200,000..Who wants to argue with that?" Do you want to repeat that argument? Remember Obama's campaign promise of no tax increases of ANY type for families making $250k.. he didn't say "we're not raising taxes except on tobacco, tanning beds, various services I deem to be a luxury, oh, btw, I'm letting other tax credits expire as well.." it wasn't until his first SOTU address that he changed his tone to mean income tax.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:48 PM Report Comment

I better clarify.. his first SOTU is the first that I know of that he changed his tone
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:52 PM Report Comment

The previous president was a big contributor to our debt problem. I voted for him thinking he was a conservative but he ended up being very liberal. New taxes will be needed to pay for government overspending AND to pay for the goliath Obamacare plan that is doomed to failure, mismanagement and corruption. Real health care reform should have started with capping the payouts on malpractice lawsuits because they were a major factor in causing the high health care rates to begin with. Another large burden on the existing health care system is caused by an immigration system that has been neglected. There are other alternatives to closing the borders and other things our immigration system could be doing to relieve this burden.
>> Macadoo Tuesday, July 13, 2010 11:01 PM Report Comment

nonliberal....I think you typed this wrong ...you wrote="Remember Obama's campaign promise of no tax increases of ANY type for families making $250k.." I think you meant to say..."campaign promise of no tax increases for families making LESS than $250,000".....You can't manipulate the smoking into this. How about people who go to tanning booths....it's too general and in fact, makes you look like your grabbing at straws. I would assume most of the people using the tanning booths make under $250,000....It's just a no point, point...and if they just can't pay that extra tax, then they just don't continute the practice...simple
>> jorae Tuesday, July 13, 2010 11:12 PM Report Comment

@Jorae a tax is a tax is a tax.. it doesn't matter what the tax is on. He could have put those taxes on bubble gum. When a candidate campaigns on a promise and we vote for him, we expect that he will abide by his promise. call it grasping at straws if you will, but when someone running for office gets elected to that office and intentionally goes back on his promise that got him elected, he deserves the harsh criticism that he is now receiving, and to be voted out of office if he doesn't change his stance. That applies to presidents, congress, governors, any elected official. and you're right about the LESS part, that is indeed what I intended.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 11:49 PM Report Comment

So, if there are people making less than $250k who smoke, and/or use tanning beds, then the tax increases on those products should not apply to those making less than $250k unless Obama thinks those products are used by people making $250k or more, or he went back on his promise. take your pick.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 13, 2010 11:56 PM Report Comment

also, it doesn't matter WHY he raised the taxes on these particular items... they are health risks.. we all know this.. so is bubble gum.. so are insecticides, herbicides..the list goes on.. the fact remains that he raised them. Any way you look at it, he did not fulfill his campaign promise. This is the primary gripe here.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:14 AM Report Comment

IMPEACH OBAMA
>> Don Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:19 AM Report Comment

My undergrad degree is in biology. I know what the health risks are. ready? smoking causes a mutation in gene p53, the one which is responsible for regulating cell growth in the human body. With the mutation, this gene can no longer regulate cell growth, hence cancer (most commonly occurring in lungs, throat, and mouth). Insecticides are nerve agents.. they shut down the nervous system of insects so that other body functions cannot be maintained.. herbicides typically contain an acid containing arsenic. probably enough said there..
>> nonliberal Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:33 AM Report Comment

oops i forgot the bubble gum... which can cause tooth decay and if not treated properly can lead to bacterial infections and heart problems.. I trust this will be enough to satisfy everyone that I know what I am talking about. Oh... just for good measure.. alcohol.. in excess causes liver failure (a healthy liver can process on avg 1 fl oz of alcohol per hour.. fl oz is a measurement of volume, not weight).. the stronger the alcohol, the greater the chances are of getting a hole dissolved in your stomach (commonly known as an ulcer), or that you will have liver problems in the future. (which btw to my knowledge, federal tax on alcohol products was not raised and poses a health risk equal to or greater than cigarettes...)
>> nonliberal Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:40 AM Report Comment

The majority of the posters here fall into this category....You are peddling your junk to the lowest brain dead, sheep in our midst. You twist reality by cleverly hiding, altering, manipulating facts…that sort of slight of hand is all it takes to make all sorts of nonsense seem perfectly rational to those who don’t have mental acuity to see through the fog Listening to Limbo and fighting the world...without a clue of what the world is about...Your sad and immature, you mouth what someone told you, be it Beck or you mom....Grow up! good nite
>> jorae Wednesday, July 14, 2010 1:41 AM Report Comment

@Jorae "You twist reality by cleverly hiding, altering, manipulating facts" How am I hiding, altering or manipulating facts? You have not challenged anyone's assertion of his campaign promise, you have not disputed that there was a tobacco/tanning bed tax hike at the federal level, and you have not disputed that those tax hikes are in line with Obama's promise. Can you really prove otherwise? it's simple logic. Either Obama thinks that smokers and/or tanners make $200k/yr or more, or he reneged. It's simple logic. Which is it? BTW: 3rd campaign promise: It will not be politics as usual in Washington. We now know otherwise.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, July 14, 2010 1:54 AM Report Comment

@jorae my apologies are extended to you. I did not read the first statement in your last post carefully enough
>> nonliberal Wednesday, July 14, 2010 2:06 AM Report Comment

It appears that some on this blog are in need of a nanny state. They cannot make good decisions for themselves and need someone to do their thinking for them. The US is in the last throws of freedom because more than half of the citizens, legal and illegal, are receiving some government assistance, and are realizing that they can receive more by voting the people into office who are willing to give more to them to buy their votes. The only way to stop this landslide is to replace current elected members of the government with conservatives - not republicans or democrats!
>> JVS Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8:40 AM Report Comment

What else can u expect from the Spread the Wealth-In-Chief who is giving more and more entitlements and freebies to all freeloaders? huh?
>> taitoirlwk Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8:46 AM Report Comment

I have read through this posting. And it seems "jorae" has a lot to say about how "Wrong" everyone is who doesn't agree With Obama and this current Administration. Question "jorae".....The Bush tax cuts are set to expire.......Has the Messiah Obama OR his Administation OR any one of the Democratic leadership made any statements to the effect that....They will vote to KEEP those tax cuts in effect AFTER Jan 1 2011 ..????.... NO..? Then they will be let to expire...and all the posters here are correct in assuming that taxes will go up dramatically after Jan 1st. And you are full of double-speak,hyperbole and Liberal Hate-speech about Beck and so on.
>> John Wednesday, July 14, 2010 11:38 AM Report Comment

Our nation is losing it's soul! What the hell is wrong with Obama? He's penalizing married couples who play by the rules, by cutting their standard deduction in half, while doing the same thing with the child tax credit. Meanwhile, people on welfare are getting larger and larger checks for each and every child they produce out of wedlock! Way to go America! Where is the incentive to get a job and take care of yourself going to come from in the next decade or two?
>> Steve L. Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8:26 PM Report Comment

Empirical evidence, my friends. Check out the states and cities that have been led and represented by liberal Democrats and compare to the ones that have been led and represented by conservative Republicans. It's the liberal ones that are begging for bail-out's from Obama's trillion dollar slush funs. Yet, somehow, they think it will work if only it can be tried on a bigger scale. So look at the European countries that have begun to figure out that liberalism has put them behind the eight ball. So liberals run from facts and make personal attacks, running from the issues like Forrest Gump. Run Forrest, run.
>> ToeKavil Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:33 PM Report Comment

Cheer UP! This is the CHANGE you asked for !!
>> IndyRon Friday, July 16, 2010 8:25 AM Report Comment

Some of you people are idiots and don't know the facts. Big deal about a 3% increase...it should be a 50% increase. Do any of you know that taxes on the richest was 90% in the 50's and 60's?! It was 70% until Reagan stepped in and chopped it in half. Stop complaining and being so selfish. Give back a little. Freedom ain't free. http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html
>> greggotron Friday, July 16, 2010 10:14 AM Report Comment

HGreenspan “They should follow the law and let them lapse,” Greenspan told Bloomberg Television.Greenspan said that allowing the cuts to lapse "probably will" slow growth, but that the risk posed by doing nothing about the deficit is greater....I agree...Think Country...Think "how'd we get into this mess...oh Yea...the Bush Tax Cuts and War....Now think clean up
>> jorae Friday, July 16, 2010 12:32 PM Report Comment

If you think the Bush Tax Cuts and the War were big. Just wait until you see the effect of ObamaCare! (*cry*) You're also forgetting Clinton's Glass-Stegall Act item. Which effectively made it easy for banks and brokerages to freely exchange mortgage liens so that they could be sold off to the highest (or later lowest) bidder.
>> myself Friday, July 16, 2010 12:41 PM Report Comment

and don't forget if you are self-employed as a sole proprietor or a partner, you can add another 15.3% self-employment tax to that 39.6% max tax rate. Want to throw in sales taxes, property taxes, gasoline and other hidden excise taxes. What percent are we really at? Write your congress person and say "Hell No!" The earned income tax credit (reverse welfare system) has been expanded and now approx 50% of Americans pay no income tax whatsoever. I think the income tax should be replaced with a VAT tax. Everyone would pay at least a little somethin' somethin' depending on their financial status. Whoever wants to be in the club should pay their dues.
>> Taxpertise Friday, July 16, 2010 3:49 PM Report Comment

Taxpertise (my response, part 1 of 3): I think that you can only count 7.65% + 39.6% in the worst case scenario. The sole proprieter only pays the additional 1/2 of SS/Medicare that normal working people don't pay. And in reality, SS tax is limited up to a maximum of $106,800. Which means that the 6.2% of the SS tax doesn't count towards the 39.6% (since the highest rate starts at $372,950 http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040tt.pdf). And also the current tax rate is only 35% I believe, since a sole proprieter shifts the tax burden of the company into their own hands.
>> myself Friday, July 16, 2010 5:57 PM Report Comment

Taxpertise (my response, part 2 of 3): And the individual or business who purchases items pays the sales tax. So, if a business buys something that's taxed, it's effectively the same as me going out to buy the same thing (although I have no use for a crane right now ... LOL). And I also pay gasoline tax on the gas that I purchase, although businesses often use more gas than most single individuals do. As for excise taxes, those have a tendency to be passed onto the purchaser of the product. Or else, I don't think that the company would manage to stay afloat too long (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excise).
>> myself Friday, July 16, 2010 6:02 PM Report Comment

Taxpertise (my response, part 3 of 3): In case anyone wants it, here's a link to corporate tax rates: http://www.smbiz.com/sbrl001.html NOTE: I'm not saying that they don't pay their fair share. In fact I believe that they pay the bulk of the taxes in the country, since I know that about 50% of people pay $0 in Federal taxes. I only paid 2.3% in Federal Taxes last year myself (thanks mostly to itemizing and child tax credits).
>> myself Friday, July 16, 2010 6:05 PM Report Comment

myself... I was not differentiating between W2 workers and the self-employed. If you're self-employed you complete schedule SE and pay 15.3%. The limit of $106, 800 applies to the FICA portion (12.4%), the medicare portion (2.9%) goes on forever. I understand that wage earners pay 7.65% and their employers (many of whom are self-employed Sch C filers) match and pay an additional 7.65% - so add that (along with FUTA and SUTA) to the self-employed's tax burden.
>> Taxpertise Friday, July 16, 2010 6:22 PM Report Comment

(part 2) to myself... When I speak of sales tax, property taxes, gas tax, etc., I intend to include the entire nation in that equation. How much do all folks pay? It doesn't matter if they're in the 15% tax bracket or in the highest bracket, if you add all the extra taxes that each person pays, what would his true tax bracket be?
>> Taxpertise Friday, July 16, 2010 6:31 PM Report Comment

Let us remember folks, we are not just people of red, or people of blue, but we are people of red, white, and blue. We can only come to a consensus when the people agree.
>> nonliberal Saturday, July 17, 2010 3:43 AM Report Comment

for the record, did anyone watch the bush/gore debates in 2000. I think bush said it best... "its not my money... it's not the govermnent's money.. it's the people's money. And, at least this point on Bush, he was absolutely right during the debate..This means, according to this precent that the people have a right to say in what manner their taxpayer dollar is spent. just my 3 cents on the mattter (used to be 2 cents, bur, inflation and all)
>> nonliberal Saturday, July 17, 2010 4:40 AM Report Comment

@Sigh. See Sigh's comment about insulin & bodybuilders. Insulin is used to treat diabetes and lowers the glucose (i.e. sugar) levels in the body becuase your pancreas has stopped producing it naturally. If a bodybuilder used it to produce mass, he/she would be dead in a matter of days. Bodybuilders use testostrone to build body mass not insulin. However, neither are available without a precription unless you are purchasing it in the black market. I know......I take both! Get your facts right .... you morons that spout nonsense!
>> Terry Saturday, July 17, 2010 10:55 AM Report Comment

Hey greggotron, Get a clue! What do you have against the rich? Don't you realize that it's the rich in this country who create all of the jobs for the poor smucks like you and me who need the opportunies. If you over-tax the rich, you give them no incentive to take on new risks and start new businesses. Hence, everyone suffers. Wealth and opportunity trickles down, you can't legislate economic equality, which is apparently what our new President wants to do.
>> Steve L. Saturday, July 17, 2010 12:35 PM Report Comment

You know...it occurred to me... those tax hikes outlined in stage one of this plan, even though those expiration dates were set by the previous admistration... and they aren't really tax breaks per se... they are really tax suspensions for a defined amount of time by a previous administrator.. so it occurs to me that ,the next administration, if he truly wanted to abide by his promise during his candidacy, that he would either alert the general public that these policies were due to expire and that he had no intention of renewing them. Also to my knowledge, he was educated at Harvard in law, so I don't believe him to be stupid. He lied. pst #2 to follow for explanation
>> nonliberal Sunday, July 18, 2010 4:52 AM Report Comment

pt 2 he could have set events in motion that would have kept the tax breaks outlined in stage 1, Obama is trained as a lawyer.. when the time comes, and those tax breaks expire. Obama's going to do 1 or 2 things. he's going to claim that he knew nothing of the suspension of tax rates, or. a lie of omission is still a lie, doesn't matter what political side of the fence. So, Obama could have brought to the attention of the general public. In the other case, obama believes his policies are secure. so, take your pick... he either lied to the people, or really believes his tax hikes effect only those that make $250k or more per year. I'd like him to spend a year in my neighborhood and say the same thing.
>> nomliberal Sunday, July 18, 2010 5:16 AM Report Comment

The more we are taxed the less we spend therefore less revenues are generated. Increased taxes always produce less revenue in the long run. Just look at history. Even tax increases to the rich hurt the poor. Why? Because the rich will give less to charity, spend less going out to fancy restaurants, spend less on boats, jewelery, trips, etc. And how do you think the rich get those services? They don't fall out of the sky. It takes employees to deliver goods and services - - less demand - - less employees needed - - more lay-offs - - more people dependent on government help. Tax increases DO NOT work in the long run.
>> Jeansolean Sunday, July 18, 2010 11:45 AM Report Comment

80% of you are ignorant, dumbed down fools must own & watch tv regularly. You believe everything on "lame-street media" & read at least 1 book every 10-15 yrs. Odumbo, Bushie, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" Bubba Clinton along with every puppet in office since JFK (ignoramuses John F. Kennedy) is just that a puppet. Barry "Hussein" Soetoro is going to be used up & destroyed by the elitist soon as he has outlived his usefulness. Corporations run this government. Look at the Gulf with BP. I suggest that you destroy your tv & instead of knowing what is going on with Lindsey Lohan or Lebron James, you will start the process of regenerating your brain. TJ
>> Tj777 Sunday, July 18, 2010 4:16 PM Report Comment

I second that suggestion.
>> Jeansolean Sunday, July 18, 2010 8:37 PM Report Comment

It seems that the liberals in this thread who once questioned my facts have become silent.. either they cannot refute my facts or have chosen to remain silent for whatever reason. Hillary Clinton once said at a democrat fund raising campaign "we're going to take away from you for the common good." Who is she, or anyone else for that matter, to determine what the common good is, or that she or anyone else has the right take anything away from anyone? This type of thinking is a socialism form of thinking, and I will participate in any and every legal action to remove these people from power.
>> nonliberal Monday, July 19, 2010 1:15 AM Report Comment

BHO is incapable of telling the truth. He pretends he's the king of the world . . . with NO experience except as a 'community organizer' with ACORN & campaigning while Senator of corrupt Chicago. He doesn't give a rip what WE THE PEOPLE want. There's NO transparency. LOOK AT HIS ACTIONS NOT WHAT HE SAYS! He's a LIAR and is hell-bent on destroying our country. I, for one will not forget in November.
>> Kathleen Monday, July 19, 2010 9:16 AM Report Comment

The destruction from Reagan on left a country who cared about nothing but money. Tax breaks for the wealthy and let the country go to hell. War mongers without even the equality playing field of other industrial nations. How the mind has been bend to think that I can have medical insurance and I don't care about you, when other countries consider this part of being a country. We have lost our way due to putting ourself first and calling that freedom! Say that out loud... I see the doctor because I can afford to...You, just can't.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 20, 2010 12:43 AM Report Comment

If you can't afford a doctor you can apply for Medicaid. Please do not re-write history - - Reagan turned around the mess that Carter left. If you recall when Carter was President we had high unemployment, interest rates to buy a car was nearly 20% and interest rate to purchase a home was running around 14%. Businesses closed everywhere. I remember seeing all the empty buildings Reagan cut taxes for everyone (not just the rich) and the economy started booming.
>> Jeansolean Tuesday, July 20, 2010 1:42 AM Report Comment

"jorae" says "think people, think. It was Bush tax cuts and war that got us into the mess". It was SPENDING ON SOCIAL ENTITLEMENTS that got us into this mess. Both Soc Sec and Medicare have exceeded their estimates by Trillions !! The Community Redevelopement Act from Carter, Clintons Fair Housing Act and the Repeal of Glass-Steagall Act under Clinton led to the current crises. They tried to GIVE houses to people who couldn't afford them!! Bush added Medicare Part D. All these are SPENDING INCREASES. And the Final Budget Deficit under Bush was $161 Billion. in a year and a half Obama has ALREADY increased the Deficit to $1.5 TRILLION.Don't listen to Jorea's or others lies. We need to CUT SPENDIND while also CUTTING TAXES.
>> John Tuesday, July 20, 2010 2:13 AM Report Comment

You asked: Well, folks, this isn't the largest tax increase in history and it isn't going to bankrupt us. Would you prefer to pay fewer taxes and build the deficit even faster? My answer: I am not against paying my fair share as long as everyone else does also. I shouldn't be forced to pay for someone elses benefits. If you want money from me for that, ask and if I can afford it I will donate. Sometimes I work 80 hour weeks to support my family only to have it stripped away at tax time. And then I see someone in line at the grocery store that doesn't pay tax, drives a Lexus and is using food stamps to fill his basket with anything he wants while I buy only what I can afford to get by. I'm really tired of this.
>> Gman Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:07 AM Report Comment

Jean...due to budget cut, my state Medicaid is closed...For two years they took no new clients, then started to do drawing from a list...Oregon Department of Human Services will randomly select 20,000 names from the Medicaid Oregon Health Plan reservation list in July. And the ER will treat you, but there is no law that they cannot bill you. If you can are alert, they require one hundred dollars up front and sign a piece of paper that you acknowledge you will owe for this visit....if you are passed out, when you wake, they will ask for the money and signature. What makes a country is how it treats it country men.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:33 AM Report Comment

As a COUNTRY, We actually pool our money for DEMOCRACY, getting to chose what is good for the common good falls into Democracy not just for a privileged few...that's was the grip about having a King.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:40 AM Report Comment

This is why all the Private lending has disapeared from the banking and financial sectors ; http://www.overpopulation.org/ http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6A1FD147A45EF50D - watch this it will expalin everything in finite terms , supply-side economics is fundamentally attached to the finite element of understanding and then forward pricing a market value , so ask yourself at what point does inflation fly off the charts ???? http://www.marketskeptics.com/2010/04/time-water-running-out-for-americas.html http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100505-fossil-water-radioactive-science-environment/
>> Tony N Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:45 AM Report Comment

March 6, 2008 - The total delinquency rate is the highest in the Mortgage Bankers Association survey since 1985. The rate of foreclosure starts and the percent of loans in the process of foreclosure are at the highest levels ever.///Web site shows at this time, 85% of all loans, are PRIME loans, but 39% of these loans were in the first stage of foreclosure. The SUBPRIME loans are only 13% of all loans- with a foreclosure of 54% - i.e. half of 13 would be 6.5 home where 39% of 85 homes would be 11 homes....More Prime loans were going down...http://www.mbaa.org/NewsandMedia/PressCenter/60619.htm
>> jorae Tuesday, July 20, 2010 10:06 AM Report Comment

jorae - - Medicaid is a federally funded program - - what you said about your State closing Medicaid can't be true. There are federal audits of the Medicaid Program in every state to ensure that the States administer the program correctly to those that are eligible.
>> Jeansolean Tuesday, July 20, 2010 10:47 AM Report Comment

Jorae....It is hard to determine if you are really ignorant of facts...or purposely lie and distort the Facts and Truth. We are a Constitutional REPUBLIC and NOT a Democracy. A true democracy is actually Socialist. America employs "democratic Principles" in the execution and writing of its laws. As such we are a REPRESENTATIVE Republic...we do not rule by plebiscite. PRIVATE PROPERTY (not pooled capital for redistribution), is a BASIC tenet and principle right of our founding. Free market Capitalism was seen as the BEST method to ENSURE that Private Property right and "the pursuit of happiness". John is right Subprime led us down, and the fallout was middle class homeowners failing as well.
>> Simone Tuesday, July 20, 2010 12:55 PM Report Comment

Jorae; You really need to learn how to spell and use proper grammar... your autrocious spelling shows your true education. If you are a college graduate, what a waste of money.
>> Richard Tuesday, July 20, 2010 4:09 PM Report Comment

The problem is that the federal government, since FDR, has developed a massive bureaucracy, funds approved by congress and the presidents, that is slowly, but surely bankrupting this country. No matter what Congress or the President does, armegeddon seems assured. As most will agree, it's entitlements that are breaking the country - witness the extension of the unemployment that just passed the Senate. These entitlements - Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, even the Veteran Adminstration - waste trillions. Then, to fund these excesses, we borrow trillions from China (that manipulates their currency). Maybe when we simply cannot make payments on our debt, the message will be clear. We need FISCAL CONSERVATISM or it's all over.
>> jmarshall Tuesday, July 20, 2010 4:32 PM Report Comment

We're a massive bureaucracy because it comes with the job. We are not Spain. We live in a complex world and you need more than simple math to play the game. Get real. Who ever is trying to convince you of smaller government only wants to keep his kingdom stronger than the rest of the country. We all pool our money together..that is Democracy - Get use to the fact that a lot of people have been underpaid for decades which causes the need for social programs. Some one who determines your salary got us to where we are today.
>> jorae Tuesday, July 20, 2010 7:44 PM Report Comment

As other posters have said Jorae, we are NOT a Democracy. You do not own my property "in a pool", and I do not own yours. YOU need to get real. What you descibe is actually Communism not even democracy. You need to get even "realer". Because all this largesse needs to be paid back. If you think the rest of the world thinks IT is pooling their money with us in some happy Democracy thing.....you are cough-cough "thinking" with half a brain. Private Property is one of the cornerstones of our Republic.
>> John Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:21 PM Report Comment

Jorae - re:your comment"Get use to the fact that a lot of people have been underpaid for decades which causes the need for social programs. Some one who determines your salary got us to where we are today." You just showed your true self. Blaming others for your shortcomings. I don't think I will waste my time replying to you anymore. It seems obvious you do not have your eyes open and are the type that will always blame others for the situation you're in.May God help you to wise up and take responsibility for yourself.
>> Jeansolean Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:40 PM Report Comment

This is like arguing with a 5 year old. We are talking laws, and some laws concern ownership. Some laws address the benefits of the population. A democracy is the method that elects a representative...who does the rep represent...ah the people who live in his area....how did that happen....thorough a voting system called a democracy....You guys are so dumb Why is this an argument? I'm ashamed to live with people who think that this country is just a big swiss bank. Hid money, and make your claim. No loyality to the constitution and what We the People stood for. The brainwashing to believe that it is every man for them self will kill America constitution. But that process started with Reagan
>> jorae Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:45 PM Report Comment

When the framers of the country created three separate branches of government, they failed to build in the accountability of the whole. In a successful business, there is an overall accountability. Where is the part of government that can generate, execute, and account to the people for a strategic plan? We can unelect only a few at a time. How does anyone in or out of government, get a look at the whole picture and command the authority and respect necessary to get the whole ship under control? It is about time for a dictator, which is what will happen unless ALL 3 branches of government get on the same page.
>> lonnie Tuesday, July 20, 2010 9:42 PM Report Comment

I can't believe the these tax increases/changes are not receiving more coverage in the news. Why isn't MSNBC and CBS out there bragging about how great the President's agenda is working? Why have they talked about this? Even Fox has made an issue of this. Wait until the little guy who counts on all the government credits from his tax return starts feeling this. Then it will be on the news.
>> Belle Tuesday, July 20, 2010 11:08 PM Report Comment

"what you said about your State closing Medicaid can't be true." Medicaid is state run...not federal...the only federal run medical is either the Vet's or Medicare. Because it is state run, some states change the name. In California the Medicaid is called MediCal...in Oregon the Medicaid is call Oregon Heath Plan...or OHP...It did not close for children, but it did close for adults and women who were not pregnant. "The Oregon Department of Human Services will randomly select 20000 names from the OHP Standard reservation list in July. Will your name be one?" www.oregon.gov/DHS/health plan/
>> jorae Tuesday, July 20, 2010 11:49 PM Report Comment

Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) Next drawing will be July 21. The Oregon Department of Human Services will randomly select 20,000 names from the OHP Standard reservation list in July. Will your name be one? To be evaluated for OHP Standard, the program must be open to new applicants.http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/healthplan/...Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health coverage..mainly families, meaning you must have children and women who are pregnant. So, if a woman is pregnant and miscarries, Medicaid will pay for that expense but the coverage will then end because she does not have children.
>> jorae Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:07 AM Report Comment

So at this point, the woman could be added to a list for OHP standard and wait to be picked./// DHS news release January 7, 2008 For the first time since mid-2004, the Oregon Health Plan is preparing to accept new enrollees for its Standard benefit package.The Standard benefit OHP package serves low-income Oregon adults ages 19 to 65 who are not pregnant. OHP received over 90,000 applications.http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/news/2008news/2008-0707.pdf
>> jorae Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:50 AM Report Comment

05 February 2010 - Obama’s 2011 Budget – Business Tax Cuts, Making Work Pay Extension, Social Security Payment, Pell Grant Increase and More Stimulus Spending...The President’s budget now goes to Congress to get reviewed and approved before October 1st 2010.... http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/01/pf/taxes/obama_budget_tax_changes/ http://www.savingtoinvest.com/2010/02/obamas-2011-budget-business-tax-cuts.html
>> jorae Wednesday, July 21, 2010 1:21 AM Report Comment

The job focused budget would boost the deficit to a record-breaking $1.56 trillion, an increase of 5.7 percent for the current budget. But this time it is spent on the Country not on a War. The surge in the deficits reflects not only the increased spending but also a big drop in tax revenues, reflecting the 7.2 million people who have lost jobs since the recession began and weaker corporate tax receipts....So programs to put people back to work, increases revenue.j....Wall Street Journal=Bush On Jobs: The Worst Track Record On Record...http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/01/09/bush-on-jobs-the-worst-track-record-on-record/
>> jorae Wednesday, July 21, 2010 1:32 AM Report Comment

Taxes will rise DRAMATICALLY on Jan 1st if something isn't done. It's as simple as that. And taxes are a confiscation of our Private Property AND our labor.The Education in this country is a Joke!! We started as A Constitutional Representative Republic for the explicit reason of AVOIDING a Democracy. The Founders KNEW Democracy was a failure..they said it explicitly! Jeeze! What the hell are they teaching today?? Or is this some kind of Soros propoganda perhaps. To insinuate that being against High Taxes is somehow AGAINST the Constitution is socialist Lunacy.
>> HerbShoen Wednesday, July 21, 2010 1:35 AM Report Comment

Jorae....Darling...You simply don't know what you're talking about. The United States of America is a Representative Consitutional Republic, which under the Constitution is a Union of States each with their own laws united under a set of Federal Laws as dictated by the constitution. You cannot claim other peoples property as yours under some twisting of the term "We the People". What you are describing is basically Anarchy and theft. You cannot legislate away my or my family's rights or property...they DON"T belong to you or anyone else but us!
>> Sharon Wednesday, July 21, 2010 3:05 AM Report Comment

Sharon sweetheart....your full of beans...Twished term...We the people" who says the Communists don't know how to blog?
>> jorae Wednesday, July 21, 2010 4:19 AM Report Comment

Jorae, you said" So programs to put people back to work, increases revenue.j....Wall Street Journal=Bush On Jobs: The Worst Track Record On Record...http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/01/09/bush-on-jobs-the-worst-track-record-on-record/" And yet, you believe that extending unemployment benefits would be the better choice, since that'll give the U.S. 6 months to restore the economy enough to get back almost all of the 7.2M jobs that were lost? Truly unreal thinking.
>> myself Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:03 AM Report Comment

Program= Unemployment extention....Now people who had zero coming in get $126.00 a week. Now can pay rent vs moving back to moms...really. Now that land lord still has a tenant and not an empty unit. It's a better choice since to keep capitalism working you need consumers. The person is a consumer when they pay the rent...not when they move back to moms. It is going to take decades to get back the jobs. The only hope we really have is that the baby boomers are almost at the end of the job cycle. In 5 years they will be out of the job market completely. And that is a ton of jobs...but it is a burden back on the government...but next comes death...and all will be up and going again in 10 to 15 years
>> jorae Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:20 AM Report Comment

TO M = How did you put unemployment extensions and Bush's record of job loss was anywhere remotely the cure of what is going on? It more of a reality check about where jobs have been for the last 9 years. As long as unemployment is up this high, it is the only answer, unless they want to open another CCC program. What do you think the people will do without money or a job? The rich have had of tax cuts since 2001, and still that has not prompted them to return jobs...not the talke is they want more tax cuts to bring back the jobs...no ...they just want the cuts.
>> jorae Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:32 AM Report Comment

Jorae, so you're under the impression that extending unemployment benefits for the next 10-15 years (your predicted timeframe until the boomers start to die off), is the right answer? People who pay rent aren't really consumers. The only thing they're consuming is money to the banks (for the landlord's mortgage), and property taxes (which the tenant will be getting back because they're on unemployment). The people that don't have money or a job should either use savings until they get a new job, or move back in with their parents. PS: EVERYONE in the US has had a tax cut since 2001, not just the rich!
>> myself Wednesday, July 21, 2010 11:47 AM Report Comment

The poor got a 5% tax cut (15% tax rate lowered to 10%), while the rich got a 4.6% tax cut (39.6% tax rate lowered to 35%). So, fundamentally, the poor received a larger tax cut than the rich. And if memory serves me correct, the rich didn't receive the tax cut until a year after everyone else.
>> myself Wednesday, July 21, 2010 11:55 AM Report Comment

To "myself", You are absolutely correct. Not only that but the reduction in Capital Gains Taxes on Stocks and the reduction in Dividend/Interest payments on Utility stocks Helped EVERYONE who had a retirement account. Private or Public. These taxes are set to expire as well. And Obamacare has tax increases within it ON INVESTMENT INCOME. And there is strong talk about a "wealth" tax. which would just wittle away money in investment...this would be a tax on CAPITAL not just interest. It is truely SICK and twisted what is happening to our country and our futures!!
>> John Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:08 PM Report Comment

I'm tired of all you loud mouthed Republicans AND Liberals. America's not black and white. Big corporations can suck and so can big government. What a greedy, know-it-all nation we've become. Stop forcing your zealous ideals onto others, keep your hands away from my wallet, and let folks live life how they choose (unless it's going to hurt another). Politics has become a sport for meat-heads. Why don't you all go argue on the moon and leave us reasonable American's alone?
>> Same Old Game Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:23 PM Report Comment

What we need is a consumer tax and that is all. This way everyone legal and illegal have to pay taxes: You buy it you pay a tax on it.
>> looking at BS in D.C. Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:49 PM Report Comment

I see two choices here, One is to vote out every lousy Democrat in sight then impeach our so called imposter of a President, or secondly find another country that is decent and move there ASAP!
>> Craig Wednesday, July 21, 2010 1:21 PM Report Comment

@belle ATR's report on the January 1st tax increases is being covered by the mainstream media, including CNN. Here is a link to the video of Jack Cafferty talking about the largest tax increases in U.S. history on The Situation Room w/ Wolf Blitzer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVQei_b5sFw. The more awareness the better.
>> Glenn Russo Wednesday, July 21, 2010 2:02 PM Report Comment

There was an article in the news tha said the rich are holding back on their spending and therefore the 'economy' is not recovering as quickly as had been hoped. DUHH! Maybe the gubmint should take notice and follow in their footsteps! It seens that the governments answer to everything is spend spend spend! And where has that got us?
>> Big K Wednesday, July 21, 2010 3:51 PM Report Comment

Really? Is this for sure. I can't beleive this?
>> Sheila Wednesday, July 21, 2010 5:27 PM Report Comment

@ BigK and Sheila......You have to remember thst the Administration considers rich anything over $100,000. Also if the Highest Taxed class $75,000 and up are feeling the economic heat AND are anticipating a HUGE increase in TAXES across the board they aren't going to want to spend what little they have left. Especially when they know next year and many years after that it will be worse.
>> John Wednesday, July 21, 2010 7:26 PM Report Comment

My how question is How long after this joker and his cronies are booted out of office in 2012 can we repeal these tax hikes?
>> Kris Malena Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:23 PM Report Comment

Most of the tax credits that are being allowed to expire target the lower class, the poor. With out all of these tax breaks we the poor will not be able to continue college as well as keep our children clothed. My wife and I are extremely dependent on our tax return each year to buy our girls clothes, shoes make auto repairs. This only happens once a year, any break downs between and the autos are parked, no longer able to get to work.
>> Stewart Wednesday, July 21, 2010 9:42 PM Report Comment

Stewart, Instead of getting back a large amount, you should adjust your W-4 withholding, so that you don't get such a large check at the end of the year. It makes it a lot easier to purchase clothing, shoes, and other things you need throughout the year. I did that. I claim 13, although we only have 6 in my family. And we still get about $2,000+/yr unfortunately, but I don't want to short-change myself at the end of tax season, so I'm leaving it alone for now.
>> myself Wednesday, July 21, 2010 10:28 PM Report Comment

Jorae, boy have you fallen onto the class envy trap that the liberals have set. Someday, with your self declared education and you get a real job, you may get an epiphany and realize the truth on what stimulates and economy and how jobs, permanent jobs, (not census jobs that supposedly lowered the unemployment numbers) are created. The only permanent jobs that the government has created are government jobs that drain the economy and welfare! GET A LIFE AN OPEN YOUR SOCIALIST EYES. If you don't like what you see, go to China, N. Korea, because that is where your utopia is realized.
>> JVS Wednesday, July 21, 2010 10:33 PM Report Comment

yawn.... I find hysterical Conservatives to be like watching Donald Duck on caffeine.
>> jorae Thursday, July 22, 2010 2:53 AM Report Comment

@Jorae You need to get a job and see what is like to have you pockets raped by the government to understand the plight we taxpayers are going through. I guess you haven't graduated or left your parents house yet to understand that this is not the MATRIX. The cozy lifestyle of handouts and being raised Liberal will only shock the system when reality sets in.
>> Cyrus Thursday, July 22, 2010 5:22 AM Report Comment

Hey Steve Clemens (7/9 post) what are you talking about, Republicans spend more then Democrats?? Or should I say what are you drinking? Let's just do simple math: While GW was president (and believe me I'm NOT defending him)the national debt went up $4.2T in 8 years ($5.8T to $10T). That's $0.53T/year. While BO has been president, the national debt has gone up $3.2T in 2 years. That's $1.6T/year. Wake up, it's Democrats spending at a rate 3 times more than Republicans. And on top of that, the dems held congress the last 2 years of GW. The national debt went up $2.7T the first 6 years or $0.45/year. When the dems took over it went up $1.5T in the last 2 years or $0.75T/year. A 67% increase!
>> Stop Spending Thursday, July 22, 2010 12:47 PM Report Comment

Dear stop - - you are right - -but the liberals don't care about facts. All they seem to do is point their finger at anyone else to blame for whatever their people are really responsible for. It's a sad case. It seems that the liberals do not know American history, do not appreciate what this country stands for and are always so generous with other peoples' hard-earned money. Funny that they ignore the fact that Republicans are the most generous givers to charity!!! The Dems give only a fraction of what the Republicans give. I used to be a democrat but that was before when the democratic party was different and before I stated really paying attention to what the truth is.
>> Jeansolean Thursday, July 22, 2010 12:58 PM Report Comment

You've got that right Jean. The Democratic party is NOT the Democratic party of our parents or grandparents. JFK would be considered too conservative today to get his party's nomination for president. The radical liberal/progressive agenda is front and center. Spin, blame then demonize. November can't come soon enough to hopefully put the brakes on this lunacy.
>> Stop Spending Thursday, July 22, 2010 1:25 PM Report Comment

Too bad George W. Bush and the Republicans couldn't have done at least one thing right and made these tax cuts permanent when they had the chance in 2003 or 2004! It is like Bush, Cheney and the Congressional leadership were just thinking, "I won't be around to worry about this when the rates go back up!" I'll be back on my ranch, yacht, etc. and someone else will have to worry about it!
>> tony Thursday, July 22, 2010 3:26 PM Report Comment

Leave a country desperate for money and then have Republican complain about paying taxes....what is the reasoning? Fools rush in.
>> jorae Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:43 PM Report Comment

These comments were surpassed in their hatefulness only by their lack of grammatical accuracy.
>> Sunbeam Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:52 PM Report Comment

Jorae, Just so you know, I'm a registered Republican (although I'm more of an Independent than anything else). I don't complain about paying taxes. However I worked within the tax code regulations to minimize how much I pay in taxes. It's actually quite easy to do once you know the basic tax code. And I didn't think it was in the countries best interest for Congress or Bush to pass the legislation providing everyone with a tax break. Although he did what he said he was going to do. Give EVERYONE a tax break.
>> myself Thursday, July 22, 2010 10:06 PM Report Comment

Now we are back to basics - just like before the mistake was made. We are all in this together. If you end up paying a little more, it's for the greater good. This hysterial types have to come back down to earth. Reality is, the budget went straight to hell with two factors...the decline in revenue and the spending on the war.
>> jorae Friday, July 23, 2010 1:38 AM Report Comment

Bush was correcting a mistake made by both his father and Clinton by raising taxes. The reality is that with the Bush TAX CUTS (which benefitted EVERYONE in multiple ways as has been highlighted here by many),we were back to Basics. And not even, because Bush didn't lower them to Reagon's levels. So NOW we are where we should be after the MISTAKE was made by Bush I and Clinton. Obama is just acting regressively and punatively like he does with everything. The Elephant in the room is people like this "jorae" "it's for the greater good"...meaning our $$ will go to him/her, stolen from us. We are getting tired of this theft. At some point jorae you will have to fight us for our property. And that time is closer than you may think.
>> Sharon Friday, July 23, 2010 2:09 AM Report Comment

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas Jefferson I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson
>> Jeansolean Friday, July 23, 2010 2:38 AM Report Comment

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. -Thomas Jefferson. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Thomas Jefferson. To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. -Thomas Jefferson.
>> Jeansolean Friday, July 23, 2010 2:42 AM Report Comment

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: 'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.'
>> Jeansolean Friday, July 23, 2010 2:49 AM Report Comment

2010 How should the Jefferson quote about "work" be rewritten..."When there are no jobs for the people willing to work, the experiement started in 1776 should be disolved"...To peg everyone out of work as choosing that situation is foolish. Pretty much self serving when you have never been taught how "Economic Change" works...good times/bad times...bad times due to new inventions that remove jobs...bottle cap machine? Now our latest invention is trade agreements making it possible to have the dirt poor due the work of the American...That is the Corporations right...and he owns his living to the stock market. Now we struggle till something that is worth having American make.
>> jorae Friday, July 23, 2010 3:41 AM Report Comment

"The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations." — Thomas Jefferson .... And you go with the self serving ideas that promote the Bush ideas? Y
>> jorae Friday, July 23, 2010 3:49 AM Report Comment

"Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights." --Thomas Jefferson to Ezra Stiles, 1786. ME 6:25..........."The system of banking [I] have... ever reprobated. I contemplate it as a blot left in all our Constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their destruction, which is already hit by the gamblers in corruption, and is sweeping away in its progress the fortunes and morals of our citizens." --Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 1816. ME 15:18
>> jorae Friday, July 23, 2010 4:02 AM Report Comment

"I approved from the first moment of... the power of taxation [in the new Constitution]. I thought at first that [it] might have been limited. A little reflection soon convinced me it ought not to be." --Thomas Jefferson...NOT BE LIMITED...JEFFERSON...."Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometrical progression as they rise." --Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1785
>> jorae Friday, July 23, 2010 4:43 AM Report Comment

"Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual." --Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1784....$375,000 Is approx. $30,000 A MONTH (BTW the average salary in America is $32,140 a year) It would go from 33% to 36%...individually, I think the person making that amount prob wouldn't even feel another 3%...but you do that to a lot of people, it adds up to take down the deficit...Do you honestly think that individual can't "spare it?"...A Christmas Carol - Preface= I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea... faithful Friend and Servant, C.D. (Charles Dickens) December, 1843.
>> jorae Friday, July 23, 2010 5:20 AM Report Comment

FYI From the OCR website. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., probably the best-known gay politician in the U.S. and among Congress’s smartest and funniest, will be the keynote speaker at Orange County Democrats annual Harry S Truman Awards Dinner on Aug. 28...The event is the county party’s biggest annual fundraiser. There will be a 5 p.m. reception and a 6:30 p.m. dinner, to be held at U.F.C.W. Local 324 Banquet Hall, 8530 Stanton Avenue, Buena Park..." Maybe a few taxpayers ought to show up at this event to let Barney and friends know we are not amused by his wit or public performance!
>> Peter Friday, July 23, 2010 10:18 AM Report Comment

Jorae, just because certain people make alot more than others doesn't entitle the "others" to their money. I worked my but off (12 years of schooling after highschool)to be at the income bracket I'm in (500,000 + annually). I employ 12 people and I am in over 1 million in debt because of opening my business, house, sudent loans, etc. etc. If you want that much money, you need to work for it, but you or anyone else is by no means entitled to mine.
>> jason Friday, July 23, 2010 12:37 PM Report Comment

Very GOOD Post Jason. I also worked hard to open a business and now employ 18 people including my spouse and myself. It's a great feeling huh!? Since Jorae wanted to RE-write Jeffersons comment about what WORK meant....we should perhaps also consider how we want to RE-write what Jefferson said about TAXES. TWO can play that game TOO. This is the Socialist/Communist playbook. They want to change the veru Constitution AND the VERY WORDS spoken by the Founders at their choosing. This is why we need Conseravative Representation to get back to Sound Fiscal policy in Gov't. Starting with a return to The Constitution as written.
>> John Friday, July 23, 2010 1:20 PM Report Comment

Remember: the poor are poor because the rich have all the money. Tax your way to prosperity. Share the wealth, then everyone can be poor.
>> AZFlyBoy Friday, July 23, 2010 5:44 PM Report Comment

The government is never able to collect more than about 15-17% of the GDP. As it raises taxes, the GDP contracts as people change their economic activity to account for the higher taxes and the government receives lower revenues. Rich people do not become rich by being dumb. Obama admitted as much in his campaign when he agreed higher capital gains taxes would mean less revenue, but it was the "fair" thing to do. When taxes are lowered the GDP expands and government takes in more revenue. This is not about tax revenue, it is about remaking America into something it was never intended. BTW the only "fair" in this life is where pigs and cows go to win blue ribbons. It is about hard work and making your own breaks.
>> Skydriver Friday, July 23, 2010 6:42 PM Report Comment

Some people just can't live on what they're worth. That's why we have unions. Why do we have to be fair at the expense of the people who earned their money. As Margaret AThatched said: "eventually you run out of other peoples money"
>> AZFlyBoy Friday, July 23, 2010 8:57 PM Report Comment

There is no virtue in compulsory government charity, and there is no virtue in advocating it, A politician who portrays himself as "caring" and "sensitive" because he wants to expand the Government's charitable programs is merely saying that he's willing to try to do good with other people's money. Well, who isn't? And a voter who takes pride in supporting such programs is telling us that he'll do good with his own money - if a gun is held to his head. P. J. O'Rourke
>> AZFlyBoy Friday, July 23, 2010 9:03 PM Report Comment

25 Companies with the Largest Total Tax Braks vs. Changes in Capital Investment, 2001 to 2003 2001-03 INVESTMENT TAX BRAKS CHANGE Generel Elect $9,481,000.00 -40% SBC Commun. $9,032,000.00 -53% Citigroup 4,626,000.00 38 IBM ......... $4,617,000.00 -19% http://www.ctj.org/corpfed04pr.pdf They don't reinvest in America....Tax cuts from 2001 - 2003...if they did, we wouldn/t have 8 million out of work.
>> jorae Friday, July 23, 2010 10:31 PM Report Comment

Wow jorae, reading thru all this and seeing some of the usual liberal drivel, you are by far the biggest frigging idiot of the Liberal Bunch. You are rabidly anti-American. You can be summed up in one phrase:...Class Warfare, Class Envy...end of story. You HATE any one who makes or has more than u do. If those Companies didn't invest in America, their stock would be Zero you moron. You know what....I think you are an Obamabot UNION plant...getting your marching orders from the Obama/Soros regime. Get a job. Get a life. A lot of us have to work real HARD, but we still love America. You're a loser.
>> Brace Friday, July 23, 2010 11:30 PM Report Comment

Self Serving observation, if you want to play all by yourself in this world, leave America...unfortunately, American has one of the lowest tax levels in the Industrial countries so to avoid being patriotic to any nation, you might have to go to Somalia...their you will find true freedom and Liberty..http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/taxes/p148855.asp.
>> jorae Saturday, July 24, 2010 12:13 AM Report Comment

In 2003, total federal state and local taxes in the United States were 24.2% of our gross domestic product, ranking among the lowest in the world, with only Mexico at 19.5% with a lower tax rate. Along with the higher taxes, the difference between the U.S. and some of the other industrialized countries are increased social services, such as pensions and health-care funding.......http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/taxes/p148855.asp.
>> jorae Saturday, July 24, 2010 12:24 AM Report Comment

Countries with “Codified Constitutions” (where all elements are written into law, such as Constitutional Conventions) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, German, Holland, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Italy, Norway, Spain, Swertizland, Sweden, United States….Uncodified Constitutions – United Kingdome…”Nowhere in Europe is there a constituency for abolishing public health services, ending free or subsidized education, or reducing public provision of transport and other essential services.” All our peers with Constitutions. Are you the ”Lost generation” who taught you "self serving" is a right?…certainly not Jefferson.
>> jorae Saturday, July 24, 2010 1:14 AM Report Comment

Well jorae, I think most others here have you pegged. You are an anti American Socialist/Communist promotor and a Redistribution propogandist, who has come out of the woodwork since Obama was selected for office. "Self-serving a right". The actual words are God given inalienable rights : Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The ONLY way you're changing them is by you stealing what's ours to make it yours. Your marxist philosophy trying to say it's all community property doesn't fly. You're advocating theft and are a fraud, representing European Socialism as part of the US system. We separated PURPOSELY. We don't want or Like Europe.
>> Sharon Saturday, July 24, 2010 2:37 AM Report Comment

Sharon, I have you pegged....this site caters to Conservatives...yet about 6 of us don't really care about the name calling we will have to endure here when we post. This group of Conservatives feeds on the notion of self which promotes unhealthy greed - You tell me how this nation is going to make it with attitudes like yours? You'll never have enough and it will always be what every words suit your rights to keep more. If I got through to one person, then I won. I hope the self serving mentality that is destroying this nation can come to. WE THE PEOPLE...MORE PERFECT UNION....are principles given to our country to survive.
>> jorae Saturday, July 24, 2010 3:31 AM Report Comment

Conservatives far out-give to charitable organizations than liberals do. Conservatives are more responsible and are more generous with their OWN money. Look it up. Democrats give only a fraction of what Republicans give to charity. Liberals love to reach into other peoples pockets but don't want to reach into their own pockets.
>> Jeansolean Saturday, July 24, 2010 3:35 AM Report Comment

"A democracy is the method that elects a representative...who does the rep represent...ah the people who live in his area....how did that happen....thorough a voting system called a democracy.." and to some level, I agree with this, however, at the state and national level, we are NOT a democracy, or at least not a true one. If we were, then all bills being presented for passage of law would be left in the hands of citizens. In some cases, this is true. In others, it is not. We're in fact, a representative democracy and have been since 1913 when the govt passed the law allowing free open elections for senators rather than the state legislatures choosing the senators.
>> nonliberal Saturday, July 24, 2010 4:26 AM Report Comment

Jorae asks Sharon: "How are we goona make it with attitudes like yous?" Her attitudes were expressing the very founding of the nation. And we started out as aConstitutional Representative Republic with Strong commttment thru Law, to Protect the rights of the Individual and the minority political group(opinion). This Democracy talk is warmed over socialism and communism. The founders knew Democracy had NEVER worked in history because of something called the Tyranny of the majority. This EXACTLY what people like jorae propose. 51% vote away the rights and property of the other 49%. They call you "SELFISH" if you want to keep the fruits of your labors and protect your rights. It's as simple as that.
>> John Saturday, July 24, 2010 12:57 PM Report Comment

"WE THE PEOPLE...MORE PERFECT UNION....are principles given to our country to survive." The other end of the preamble says "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." somehow, that part is getting overlooked more and more...
>> nonliberal Saturday, July 24, 2010 6:02 PM Report Comment

Any one who says the expiration of a tax credit is not a tax increase is an idiot. That's like arguing if it's not light out then it can't be dark out.
>> ProudConservative Saturday, July 24, 2010 7:03 PM Report Comment

Communistic ideals will not cure all our ills. Never has a communist country had prosperity for it's subjects. Their constitutions always sound great on paper. Soviet Russia had provisions in their Constitution allowing the worker adequate housing and a job with adequate pay and health care- problem is the government decided what "adequate" was. Want to ask a Russian how adequate it was? And gee whiz,the quality of products they turned out when there was no reward or incentive to do better- wanna drive a Trabant? I hear they were AWESOME. While we bicker with Jorae, progressives are busy dismantling our constitution. I suggest he may move to Cuba, I hear the health care is wonderful according to some Hollywood sources.
>> wvfarmer Saturday, July 24, 2010 9:55 PM Report Comment

What's really scary is that there are many other "joraes" out there that don't know history or distort our constitution. We need to pray for wisdom for everyone - especially for wisdom.
>> Jeansolean Sunday, July 25, 2010 1:41 PM Report Comment

The PURSUIT of happiness. Nobody is guaranteed happiness, which Jorae seems to think is in the Constitution. However, everyone has the ability to pursue happiness, which Jorae is in the process of pursuing by taking from the haves and giving to the have-nots (i.e. him/herself). Fairness was never guaranteed to anyone. The only thing fair in life is death, which everyone will experience.
>> JVS Sunday, July 25, 2010 3:41 PM Report Comment

Great Posts comming in !! We should take heart that more and more are getting the message, and re-visiting what the country was actually founded on and the REASONS why. Tell your friends to vote this NOVEMBER and stay engaged til 2012. While we're watching the games together an such, engage in a little conversation about the need to re-take back the country as founded. Get commitment from friends and family to VOTE out the SPENDERS of both parties in November. With commitment we CAN turn this around. Remember TAX INCREASES are a theft of property AND Freedom. Because through the power of the purse we also express our desires as well as through voting. They are both an expression of Liberty.
>> John Sunday, July 25, 2010 3:54 PM Report Comment

The PURSUIT of happiness is stated in the declaration of independence, but not in the Constitution. The constitution, on this subject, only guarantees that no citizen will be deprived of life, property, or liberty without due process of law (Amendment 5). Happiness is indeed not guaranteed by any documentation in our governing bodies.
>> nonliberal Sunday, July 25, 2010 5:15 PM Report Comment

I am amazed that a lot you people read something on the internet and assume that it is the truth. Check out the facts and you'll see that this "article" is lies...C'mon people, smarten up!
>> Amazed Monday, July 26, 2010 12:10 AM Report Comment

If you really want to be disturbed google "you don't need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows" It is the manifesto that gave rise to the Weather Underground and was written by Bill Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn, Jeff Jones and Jorae.. just kidding Jorae, I know you didn't write that- but I suspect you wish you did. They believed it then and they believe it now. They don't want to fix healthcare, or the financial system, they want to overburden it to bring it down so they can replace it with a socialist/communist system that will eventually require a global governance. So forget DEM/GOP- the real concern is the progressive radicals who see both parties as part of the imperialist oppressor government -to use their own words.
>> wvfarmer Monday, July 26, 2010 12:24 AM Report Comment

Amazed- You should be just that. Wanna know the facts? Bill Ayers was a terrorist bomber- he founded the CAC in Chicago, Obama was the chairman of that organization from 1995 to 1999 he was on the board until 2001. The CAC poured over 100 MIL into "community organizers" in education. But he didn't know him well? He launched his run for senate in 1995 at a gathering in Bill Ayers HOME. Bill Ayers wife was Bernardine Dohrn- she was on the FBI 10 most wanted. Terrorist Mark Rudd Howard Machtinger Steve Tappis (weather underground) All endorsed Obama-The new financial reform is 3,000 some pages of a bureaucratic nightmare that will only cause more class division squeezing the haves and have nots to convince us the system is irreparable.
>> wvfarmer Monday, July 26, 2010 12:50 AM Report Comment

Proud Conservative says the elimination of a tax credit is a tax increase. If that is so, why did the GOP Congress and the GOP President, in 2001 and 2003, write the tax cut bills so that they would expire in 2010. Don't blame this Democratic Congress and President for extending tax cuts that the Republicans obviously wanted to terminate in ten years. Now, if the GOP wants to vote against new tax cuts for the middle-class, let them. Maybe the tea party will wake up and realize who is really against them. Most Americans need a tax cut but people making hundreds of thousands of dollars and many making millions and even billions of dollars can afford to pay another five percent of their income to help cut the deficit.
>> Raymond Monday, July 26, 2010 1:08 AM Report Comment

Raymond, the Republicans agreed to sunset the tax REGULATIONS in order to get Dem support, without which the bill would not have passed in the first instance. Repubs wanted permanent, Dems did not want any, so the baby was cut in half....
>> Pat Monday, July 26, 2010 10:11 AM Report Comment

...and how do you know what I or others can afford to pay. Nobody handed me the money I make, and I work hard for it. With Social Security 'iffy' for many of us, I need to save all I can for a retirement without having to resort to cat food for dinner, or cutting medicine dosages in half. And now that 44% or better of 'tax payers' don't pay tax, or even get the so-called 'earned income tax credit,' how long do you think it will be before we reach the tipping point where those with no skin in the game - non-tax payors - form a majority and support every tax increase on those that pay taxes, firming up the Democratic Party base. When you steal from Peter to pay Paul, you have Paul's vote............
>> Pat Monday, July 26, 2010 10:23 AM Report Comment

What screw is lose in your head to think they should ever have gone through in the first place...The Economists' statement opposing the Bush tax cuts was a statement signed by roughly 450 economists, including ten of the twenty four American Nobel Prize Laureates alive at the time, in February 2003 who urged the U.S. President George W. Bush not to enact the 2003 tax cuts; seeking and sought to gather public support for the position. The statement was printed as a full-page ad in The New York Times and released to the public through the Economic Policy Institute.
>> jorae Monday, July 26, 2010 10:48 AM Report Comment

Now all you pea brains...gives us yuor personal story why you need every cent...hell with the nation...such a buch of spoiled "ME" GENERATION KIDS. It will never be enough...you will always be "wanton"...you will always be looked at for what you are...ignorant, spoiled and self serving!
>> jorae Monday, July 26, 2010 10:51 AM Report Comment

17.3% of GDP is one of the weaker arguments for keeping the federal government at bay on Heath Care reform ... In much the same way, lawyers and accountants surely make up a substantial percentage of our economy too, but as facilitators of economic growth, as opposed to producers, reform that reduces their role in the economy could hardly be seen as a bad thing. ....Wow....look at our GDP grow because more people are using lawyers...ugh....same thing with Health Care - it is a product sold at what the market will bear...and that is why it was consdered a luxery.
>> jorae Monday, July 26, 2010 11:28 AM Report Comment

Tea Baggs...Quick to judge. Quick to anger. Slow to understand... Of course, it has been established that the organizers are Lobbyists - How many marching makes $5.000 a month? But if you say it with anger, you can get the fools to follow...they gather believing catch words with understand that America, of all countries, cannot function in the 21st century with a smaller government. If anything, we need more border patrol and take back the Home Land Security contracts to have Americans that we investigate working on sensative information. If you think the complete system failure of Bush was honkie dorie...then you are slow to understand!
>> jorae Monday, July 26, 2010 1:07 PM Report Comment

Take a fairly civil discourse and throw in 'pea brain' etc. and Bush invective to personalize your 'points' and 'attack' doesn't reflect well on you or your argument. You are therefore now rendered irrelevant to the discussion from my vantage point, as well as I trust more intelligent and serious readers of this thread as well.
>> Pat Monday, July 26, 2010 2:10 PM Report Comment

OK people, either way, how can anyone spend more than what they have, duh, we live in a world of debt instead of saving for something we may not even need. As far as a flat tax rate, perfect idea, we should all be equal . . . oh, and let's not mention that the whole gov't needs an enema and why did we stray from the 10 commandments to begin with? Oh that's right, the lawyers got invovled. New habbits need to be formed so that our children have something to look forward to!
>> Not a rocket scientist Monday, July 26, 2010 2:46 PM Report Comment

@ PAT...Yep "jorae" is seen for what he is...a socialist internet plant, sent to argue Cass Sunstein, Bill Ayers positions to De-stabilize and Destroy America. His (and his clones) argument is actually very simple...If you want to keep your property...You are SELFISH. Notice how they group those who make Hundreds of thousands with those making Millions with those making Billions...all in one sentence. It's ALL about control, and Socialism?Communist takeover. After they defeat one class they will go after another. Good posts Nonliberal and wvfarmer !! The Socialist/Liberals have spent 50 yrs taking over the Educ Sys. it's no wonder you can get some to take out a NYT add. Of course they IGNORE Laffer now.
>> John Monday, July 26, 2010 5:10 PM Report Comment

...Cont. Then the argument that taxpayors KEEPING their payckecks is what got us into the mess. The Gov't and Crooked Banksters are the ones who SPEND $$ THEY DON'T HAVE ! It is NOT the fault of people who SAVE and INVEST!! This is nothing but class warfare or Salary warfare more accurately. If it's "patriotic" to pay taxes...then why don't the Liberal Politicians PAY?? Instead of treying to hide from taxes. Like John Kerry, or Rangel or Geithner or the Kennedys etc...It's all about control and hypocracy. We need MORE Americans saving, LESS Taxes, Cuts in Social Spending, a return to Constitutionally run gov't NOT more gov't as those like "jorae" claim in post 1:07 PM 7/26/10. REJECT SOCIALISM. Vote them out in NOVEMBER
>> John Monday, July 26, 2010 5:17 PM Report Comment

Our taxes will have to increase to pay for all the entitlement programs we are increasing. To say these programs haven't helped many good hardworking people would be naive, but if the only people who applied for benefits were honest hardworking people we wouldn't have a problem. The flaw is the system assumes no one is lazy or dishonest. Surprise- people are. That is why churches, charities and community are better at dispensing help than government will ever be. I also agree a flat tax is the fairest way to go about it, no exceptions, rich OR poor. But we may need a new government program for all the tax consultants it would put out of business if we made the tax law that friggin simple !
>> wvfarmer Monday, July 26, 2010 5:43 PM Report Comment

Seriously did you really ask why tanning solons were being taxed? And I know that I spelled Salons wrong because of the previous Post. Tanning as in Tanning Hides! Leather workers Etc. If your going to comment at least make an intellectual statement!
>> lagirl Monday, July 26, 2010 6:22 PM Report Comment

wvfarmer, I thought we were talking about the tax hikes here... Typical to change the subject matter when the have been found to be falsified by people who do not read the bill or investigate whether it is true or not...
>> Amazed Monday, July 26, 2010 7:20 PM Report Comment

I got the message, if you want to pay less in taxes merge with a larger company and/or grow your business. If you do you have incentives and possibly a voice, if not you will be gobbled up or run out of business by competitors who act faster than you. It is in line with allowing commercial and investment banks to merge with your local retail banks. They (investment/commercial) banks traditionally make money by investing in private enterprises so now they will not only compete with you directly at multiple levels, but they also OWN your local bank and can use your inside information- your business banking transactions against you. They now can target the fastest-growing, niche small businesses for takeover and acquisition.
>> Dave Mowers Monday, July 26, 2010 8:24 PM Report Comment

Andrew Carnegie was once visited by an ardant socialist who spoke at great length about the evils of capitalism and the inequality it generates. Finally, Carnegie called his secretary and asked for 2 numbers.. his estimated net worth, and the world population at the time. After making a few calculations, he says "give this gentleman 16 cents. That's his share of my wealth."
>> nonliberal Monday, July 26, 2010 8:36 PM Report Comment

Regardless of race, creed, religion, or pig headed partisanship. We, as the american people ( poor rich and everyone in the middle ) must stop BIG Government. Every last welfare recipient must be drug tested, Governmental spending must remain in the states, the war against drugs must be fought at the demand, not the supply. Taxes should be flat, 28% on everything. Studies showed that rate would pull us out of our deficit and actually be easier to pay than the current system. There should be no such thing as a handout to anyone unless they work for it ( again, drug tested as well ). Health care should be a choice, not forced and punished. AS all of you argue on this thread with one another about who's right, who's wrong,
>> Jason D Monday, July 26, 2010 8:45 PM Report Comment

left, right, you have failed to provide a solution for everyone, just a damn excuse or a blame. We all live together, we all need to work together and forget bureaucracy. Let them sleep with one another, I want my own bed.
>> Jason D Monday, July 26, 2010 8:48 PM Report Comment

I don't care about the problems of anyone who makes 250k plus yearly. Move to Nigeria if you don't like it here. You're a group of parasites that want to party for free.
>> eattherich Monday, July 26, 2010 9:36 PM Report Comment

Amazed, I was explaining why we will have to have higher taxes. The people who wrote the health care bill know it will bankrupt the system, it was designed to. It is a means to an end. Read what they wrote and you will be horrified to think they have any association with our leaders or policy. You can say the Bush tax cuts that are expiring are not Obama's fault, but it is like saying the house is on fire but the the guy before me set it, so I cant help it if it burns down. When those provisions expire the rates will be higher than the previous year which means your taxes went up, window dress it how ever you like.
>> wvfarmer Monday, July 26, 2010 9:39 PM Report Comment

Here is a simple solution to the ever confusing TAX System so simple that the people in Congress fail to figure it out. It is called the P A Y E.This stands for Pay as you earn. So weather you rich or poor the same percentage is applied.So what's the fuss is all about,is it not greed?
>> Fenley W Monday, July 26, 2010 9:49 PM Report Comment

I don't care about the problems of anyone who makes 250k plus yearly. Move to Nigeria if you don't like it here. You're a group of parasites that want to party for free. There are too many humans and too few resources. Neuter everyone, especially you.
>> eat the rich Monday, July 26, 2010 9:58 PM Report Comment

There are allot of good ideas being thrown around. A flat tax, and yes, amen, drug testing of welfare or entitlement program seekers. And how bout some term limits for those politicians? If we can find someone who will fight for this he/she will get my vote regardless of party. I think Ron Paul is about the only one who really gives a damn to ask hard questions and want real reform, I don't agree with everything, but I do feel he is honest. I know, put 10 politicians in a house and make it a reality show. give them tasks like running a business, test them by offering bribes, c'mon, it will be fun...ABC, FOX, you hearing me ?:)
>> wvfarmer Monday, July 26, 2010 10:13 PM Report Comment

Why are you idiots blaming Obama? Bush put in tax breaks that expire on the second to third year of the term he cannot possibly hold? This was all scheduled well in advance, stop thinking everything bad happened from 2009 until now. Anyone who is President is chosen well in advance and our votes meant nothing. Stop being TOOLS! From the above article: In 2001 and 2003, the GOP Congress enacted several tax cuts for investors, small business owners, and families. These will all expire on January 1, 2011: Read more: http://www.atr.org/six-months-untilbr-largest-tax-hikes-a5171##ixzz0uqpOUyrW
>> TheOnlyPersonWithABrain Monday, July 26, 2010 11:51 PM Report Comment

To..."..TheOnlyPersonWithaBrain..", Apparantly you yourself do not meet your own handle. Everybody here knows the circumstances of the Bush Tax cuts...They were in Response to the Clinton Tax INCREASES. The point (well understood by those WITH a brain) is that OBAMA has done nothing to stop their expiration...except play Class warfare with the 'possible' 'Partial' extension of 'some'of the provisions. Those insuring his and other Democratic reelection.
>> John Tuesday, July 27, 2010 12:05 AM Report Comment

I have been reading all the comments here and it's sad that this great country is so divided because of politics and greed. Work going out of the country so companies can make their "profit" which has caused some small businesses to close or lay off workers, more people being laid off because of the stupidity of auto CEO's and senators stupid remarks (business jet aircraft industry has suffered terribly; check out kansas.com, then business, then aviation), politicians spending millions to campaign and run ads that lie about each other so they can get in office while people are struggling to find jobs that don't exist so they can support their families, and the list goes on and on. (see next)
>> justplainworried Tuesday, July 27, 2010 12:24 AM Report Comment

(next) As far as taxes go, I am willing to pay my fair share. But I hate to see my hard earned money being spent on stupidity. What ever happened to "FOR the people, BY the people"? What exactly is being done FOR the people?
>> justplainworried Tuesday, July 27, 2010 12:28 AM Report Comment

In 1993 President Clinton inherited a deficit spending problem from W.H. Bush and raised taxes...that's what you do to balance budgets in the 21st century. We have grown as a government for reasons. If we had a "horse and buggy" department back in 1776, it is gone by now, but new departments like Homeland Security and Fiscal Oversight have taken their place. It is rubbish to just say the words "smaller government" when they evolved for a purpose that still exists. This is your home...you want it to run smoothly...Note: 23 million jobs were created under President Bill Clinton’s administration. Now conservatives, go twist your mind to make these into bad things....
>> jorae Tuesday, July 27, 2010 6:34 AM Report Comment

Jorae, Yes, 23 million jobs were created under Clinton's administration. The bulk of those were unfortunately "fleeting" jobs, due to the Y2K scare and the DotCom Bubble. He basically got lucky. How's that for twisting your facts with complete reality? And so according to your accurate thoughts about Clinton cleaning up for Bush I, Bush II inherited Clinton's artificial buildup.
>> myself Tuesday, July 27, 2010 9:47 AM Report Comment

I laugh at the people who just say elect officials that don't support big government or these tax rates. All of them are puppets and corrupt. Hopefully something big happens in 2012!
>> WILKENATOR Tuesday, July 27, 2010 10:26 AM Report Comment

Ryan Ellis is Tax Policy Director at Americans for Tax Reform. Ellis also serves as Executive Director of americanshareholders.org. Prior to working at ATR, Ellis worked for Jack Kemp at Empower America. Ellis runs his own tax preparation firm in the Washington, DC area. Ellis is an IRS "Enrolled Agent," making him one of the nation's foremost experts on tax law. Ellis has written and spoken on tax policy issues in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Washington Times, Investors Business Daily, Tax Notes, ABC News, MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business News, and Fox News.
>> sts Tuesday, July 27, 2010 10:45 AM Report Comment

MILK THE SYSTEM BEFORE IT MILKS YOU : )
>> Nead Digger Tuesday, July 27, 2010 12:14 PM Report Comment

are you people serious? obama is not raising your taxes. the Bush tax cuts are expiring. thats it! he is working to get the tax cuts to be permanent for people making less than 250,000 dollars. alan greenspan (r) thought it would be a good idea 10 years ago to cut taxes so we can get out of the surplus we were in, he now admits that was the wrong thing to do and is encouraging obama to let the tax cuts expire for those making over 250,000 dollars. dont be siderailed into believing this was all obamas doing. read up and research the facts not the delusional fox news.
>> jaz zee Tuesday, July 27, 2010 6:56 PM Report Comment

I agree that the Bush II taxes are expiring. If Obama doesn't sign legislation to keep the rates at what they were for those making less than $250k/yr, then he is effectively raising the taxes. Nobody is saying it's Obama's doing completely (well at least I'm not). However, he stated that "I will not raise taxes on those making $250k/yr or less" (which later changed to $200k/yr or less ... I think Biden said that ..., and I think another change possibly after that). That information doesn't come from Fox News, it comes from ALL other national and regional news agencies.
>> myself Tuesday, July 27, 2010 7:21 PM Report Comment

@myself the other change to which you refer is during one of is state of the union addresses in which he changed the tone to mean income tax.. and this is an interesting point.. Bush's tax cuts were essentially across the board.. Obama if memory serves me correctly was a senator at the time, so he knew what was there.. the fact that he is doing nothing to change the provisions in the income tax law to extend the expiration for those making less than $200k or whatever his promise is now, is, as I and many others will see, as a tax increase.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, July 27, 2010 8:24 PM Report Comment

ahh... here we go..__http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=184089 I realize this is a commentary, and a conservative one at that, but it echos what I and many others have said. There is a joke floating around that if you take THE and IRS and put them together, it spells THEIRS. My oldest neice, who is vehemently liberal, did not understand the concept. As I and others have tried to explain here, when taxes are raised, even for those in and beyond a specified bracket, the tax just gets passed on to the end user in the form of higher cost.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:57 AM Report Comment

Our Federal, State and Local government keep 2 sets of books. One is the (Budget) which is the record of spending and debt ... the other is the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) which the record of revenue. All you ever hear about is the Budget never the CAFR, that is why the government at all levels keeps raising taxes to cover the Budget when in reality there is no need for any taxes in the first place due to the billions and trillions of public investment revenue ... money which belongs to every citizen! www.cafr1.com
>> John Wednesday, July 28, 2010 4:04 AM Report Comment

Incidentally, did you know that there is a movement to neutralize the electoral college? It works by the states voting for whichever candidate is winning the popular vote.. which in turn circumvents the electoral process and undermines our election system... for those that need proof of it, I must apologize for the time being. my source that was once present isn't there and I will post the evidence asap. What it amounts to is that a state that signs this legislation gives its electoral votes to whoever is winning the popular vote.... which absolutely reeks..
>> nonliberal Wednesday, July 28, 2010 4:56 AM Report Comment

@nonliberal, "Incidentally, did you know that there is a movement to neutralize the electoral college?". You do realize that this is right up the alley that the Democrats are wanting, right? (*chuckle*) Which piece of legislation is that BTW?
>> myself Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:07 AM Report Comment

You mean glorious leader lied to us? Why didn't someone warn us? I am shocked, SHOCKED, glorious leader is raising taxes on us and not just the stinkin' rich making more than $250,000 a year; less if your employer provides health care for you or you’re a small business owner or if you’re married with/without children or you give to charities or if you simply have a pulse and can fog a mirror. Oops! I forgot. If you die you get stuck with the 55% inheritance tax. For all you who wanted to “teach republicans a lesson” last election, I ask, “Happy now?” For all those who wanted change STOP WHINNING! You got exactly what you wanted! But hey, there is a way out! Blame Bush! It’s all Bush’s fault; every bit of it!
>> A Nonny Moose Wednesday, July 28, 2010 12:25 PM Report Comment

Seventy percent, of the tea party are in the two hundred fifty thousand or more income bracket. It's no dought they wan't taxes cut because when taxes come back to where they were, they will start paying more. They have had a free ride sence Bush cut taxes. That's one reason we have been in a recession for so long. It's just to bad these tea party people arn't happy, they would just as soon they didn't pay anything, real good Americans you know!
>> Bob Gifford Wednesday, July 28, 2010 6:45 PM Report Comment

so how do you like N0bama now???? your going to really going to be hit hard in the pocket book. that means you....
>> wisconisn Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:13 PM Report Comment

bob gifford your really dumb. I am a tea party person and 70% of the people I know don't make 250,000 plus
>> south wis. Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:17 PM Report Comment

@Bob Gifford, @Jorae, and everyone else who is saying the "rich" (those making over $250k/yr ... evidently) should have their taxes increased. What is the amount of tax that you paid in Federal/State/SS taxes? To start it off, mine was like this. Federal: 2.39% (of gross income) State: 4% (of gross income) SS: 6.1% (of gross income)
>> myself Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:20 PM Report Comment

@myself this is the legislation to which I refer http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/07/mass_legislatur.html?p1=News_links
>> nonliberal Wednesday, July 28, 2010 9:35 PM Report Comment

@nonliberal, thanks for the link. I plan on voting out any senator in my state (NJ) that voted to pass this thing. That is the dumbest idea that has ever come across the Senate floor. "The current Electoral College system is confusing and causes presidential candidates to focus unduly on a handful of battleground states, supporters say. They also say that the popular vote winner has lost in four of the nation's 56 elections.". Which means that a piddly 7.1% of the time, the nation really wanted a different president. That's just flat out dumb.
>> myself Wednesday, July 28, 2010 10:06 PM Report Comment

I really can't believe those m*r*ns that voted for this thing. Although I can believe that our previous "esteemed" governor Corzine (using that term extreeeeeemly loosly) passed it. Not that I don't eventually want the entire nation to be under gov't control and everyone working for the gov't or anything like that. :)
>> myself Wednesday, July 28, 2010 11:03 PM Report Comment

so.. let's think this out..let's assume, for the moment, that Obama is actually trying to keep his promise.. If that is true, then anyone making $200k/250k or whatever his current promise is, assuming no one between Dec 2010 and Jan 2011 does not receive a pay raise, that those people will not see any increase in their payroll tax deductions (federal, FICA, SS.. I leave state out intentionally)... If any of those things increase without a pay increase, then Obama will have broken his promise even on that front. It will not matter that it's refunded the following year. From my own experience, people live paycheck to paycheck and this tax law will be devastating. It will not matter to them that it can be refunded the following year.
>> nonliberal Thursday, July 29, 2010 12:54 AM Report Comment

@Bob Gifford-Perhaps on your home planet 70% of TEA Party members are part of the so-called filthy rich, but they are not. As an active TEA Party member, *I've been to numerous rallies around the country. MOST are lower middle income folks. As for taxation, you can NOT tax yourself into prosperity. Ask the 2d worst president the US ever had: jimmy carter (lcit). Keynesian economics fail everytime it's tried.
>> A Nonny Moose Thursday, July 29, 2010 11:40 AM Report Comment

@Bob Gifford, one other thing regarding your post, you said: "It's just to bad these tea party people arn't happy, they would just as soon they didn't pay anything, real good Americans you know!". You do realize that ANY married couple doesn't pay taxes on the firs $11,400 of their income right? Oh, and and every child that is theirs (and under 17 years old), they can subtract off another $10,000 currently. Thanks to the Bush child tax credit because he signed the $1,000/child tax credit in 2001. Here is some additional reading for you: http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/26320.html
>> myself Thursday, July 29, 2010 1:32 PM Report Comment

@Bob Gifford, I have a correction to make to my previous statement. The married couple's first child, they get a $10,000 write-off (due to the child tax credit). The married couple's 2nd-6th child they get an $8,500 tax write-off (because they'd be in the 15% tax bracket before taking the child tax credit). In my case (I am married and we have 4 kiddos that meet the qualifications), I can effectively write-off $46,900 before having to pay 1 penny of Federal tax. Heck, maybe we'll go for that 5th or 6th child, that'll be another $8,500 tax write-off for each one.
>> myself Thursday, July 29, 2010 1:44 PM Report Comment

OBAMA SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS ALOT ALL YOU VOTERS WHO VOTED HIM IN.
>> obamahater Thursday, July 29, 2010 3:10 PM Report Comment

I think ERICH made the most intelligent and fair comment of them all. Right wingers seem to forget about all the crap THEIR presidents bestowed on the citizens of the USA
>> H.D.Frotscher Thursday, July 29, 2010 6:19 PM Report Comment

@Frotscher: I'm currently listed as a right-winger, but I'm more middle ground. Yeah, I know Clinton repealed Glass-Stegall Act. From this link: "The repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 effectively removed the separation that previously existed between Wall Street investment banks and depository banks and has been blamed for exacerbating the damage caused by the collapse of the subprime mortgage market that led to the Financial crisis of 2007–2010." Apparently you forgot that they are BOTH to blame for the mismanagement of this country.
>> myself Thursday, July 29, 2010 8:42 PM Report Comment

This is what Obama said: Tax cut for seniors and those making $75,000 a year or less. (Feb 2008) Tax cut for 95% of all working families. (Aug 2008) Which group of taxpayers is going to pay less taxes in 2011? None. He lied. No spin, just facts. I AM the TEA PARTY!
>> M Smith Thursday, July 29, 2010 9:39 PM Report Comment

To the posters that defend obama's/democrat mistakes by saying Bush/Republicans also made mistakes - - ever hear that "two wrongs don't make a right?" Obama is certainly taking this country down a dark and slippery slope.
>> Jeansolean Friday, July 30, 2010 1:00 AM Report Comment

Say what you want...but the biggest lie was told on Sept. 12, 2008.
>> Tim McLarty Friday, July 30, 2010 1:14 PM Report Comment

@ Frotscher, As "myself" has said; BOTH repubs and Dems are responsible for the mess are country is in. Conservatives are also well aware that under BUSH, medicare part D , no child left with a brain and The Patriot Act were enacted. All are Socialist big spending agendas. So you are flat out wrong that Conservatives don't criticise the Repubs. We are for fiscal resposibility and Constitutional Government and are tired of the 'Business as usual' BS from BOTH sides. The Tax Cuts need to be extended permanently to help this country revive and go forward.
>> Sharon Friday, July 30, 2010 4:10 PM Report Comment

Tim McLarty.....what lie was said on Sept. 12, 2008 ??
>> Question Friday, July 30, 2010 4:17 PM Report Comment

This says it all http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=^DJI%2C^GSPC%2CSPY%2CMCD%2CWMT%2CXRT%2CDIA
>> nonliberal Saturday, July 31, 2010 4:04 AM Report Comment

We have a bunch of elitists running our country and another bunch of ignorant people voting them in. Read the facts and help bring our country back to where it should be. Educate yourself and stop supporting those who want to destroy America. This democratic group are disgraceful and hopefully it's not too late to undo much of what's been done since this idoit was elected.
>> JRabbit Saturday, July 31, 2010 10:04 AM Report Comment

I can't but notice that all the left wingers have nothing intelligent to say. Comments keep referring the the last president. Didn't you vote for Obama? Keep to the subject.... he knew when he gave his campaign lies what what coming and promised a lot... he is still lying. His ignorance and lack of experience is leading up down the wrong path. God help this country. We have the worst bunch of idiots trying to fix one of the biggest messes that really started with Fannie and Freddie. Yes the demoncrats and Barney Franks wanting everyone to own a home whether they could afford it or not. Educate yourself. Look at his background and what he wants to do with our country!
>> Judy Bjurstrom Saturday, July 31, 2010 10:14 AM Report Comment

All this reminds me of an old Buffalo Springfield song "For What it's Worth". In the sixes and seventies all the young people wanted the government to leave them alone. They wanted to run their own lives, take their chances and hopefully make something of their lives. Whether they were successful or not did not matter as much as the freedom to try. Now many want to be 'taken care of' or feel 'those people' owe me/us even at the cost of the government taking more and more control/freedom away and running us into bankruptcy. Others want to spend 'whatever it takes' to help/form/direct the destiny of others and other countries. Both sides seem to still be missing it after all these years... so sad
>> Karl Saturday, July 31, 2010 12:15 PM Report Comment

What about the retired folk? My life savings is earning 1% instead of 4-5% ... I was counting on that for retirement. Social Security has no COLA for 2010 & 2011. My tax rate is going from 10% to 15%. Medicare, Deductibles, Meds, and Supplements are increasing in costs. My $200k savings is shrinking becasue of all this. Soon the government will have to provide me with food stamps, etc. and I WILL BECOME A BURDON ON SOCIETY. They will take my home (trailer) and the Nursing Home will bill the government for my care. IS NOT AMERICA GREAT!!! THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE CARE OF ME - No body will employee me. slowly wasting away.
>> Don Sommer Sunday, August 1, 2010 12:15 PM Report Comment

Don-it is sad that the government (obama) thinks it's better to take more of your money that you worked for hard all your life so that the government can run programs like "cash for clunkers" buy up private businesses (GM,student loans, etc),and spend YOUR money suing one of its states (Arizona) for trying to enforce laws that the federal government won't enforce. But if you read the posts, you'll see people like jorae who think the government has the right to take your money and carelessly spend it. It is a sad time for America. Hope you go out and vote this November.
>> jeansolean Sunday, August 1, 2010 12:45 PM Report Comment

Cash for clunkers started with bush.... buying up government loans saved billions GM was a loan not a bail out...like BUSHTARP Going to start telling the truth commie jean? Or being one of the higher up in the realm causes you panic? You preach stupidity...but you have a hungrey audience that live off road rage.... you are one... unthinking pick of @$^!
>> jorae Sunday, August 1, 2010 7:44 PM Report Comment

fight back this taxation! fill out all of your tax forms in Roman numerals.
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 1, 2010 11:07 PM Report Comment

Jorae, so Glass-Steagall had no bearing on the housing market crash? Wow, short term memory, eh? BTW, what's a "pick of @$^!"? was that "piece of @$^!"? :)
>> myself Sunday, August 1, 2010 11:13 PM Report Comment

Well were to start. Every president inherits problems from their predecessor. Nothing ever happens as planned. Life is all about change we need to adapt and over come. I feel that we as the people have not been heard in far too long, we end up voting for people who run, picking what we feel is the less of both evils. Our government was not constructed to be as big and controlling as it is today, it's our fault... We allowed the people who were suppose to represent us to overstep their role. Continue...
>> lisa Monday, August 2, 2010 12:46 AM Report Comment

...Now we have judges that are redefining constitutional law and trying to change the facts of history by eliminating critical facts, because they felt that it may offend someone. The fact is that every can not be happy there has to be some compromise to agree to. The last election was decided before it even started. If you didn't vote don't bitch. Get off you butt do some research and vote. I support the constitutional party, and Chuck Baldwin. Although, I would be greatly in favor of turning our elected officials into a responsibility of every citizen... Continue...
>> Lisa Monday, August 2, 2010 12:50 AM Report Comment

...Turing it into a drawing like jury duty. Were every citizen would have to do their part. This would in my opinion eliminate many problems politicians have today. Laws would be kept simple so everyone would understand them and there would be less miss communication. The days of the "boys clubs" and the “corporate lobbyist" needs to end. Government was meant to be simple, an organization for the people by the people.
>> Lisa Monday, August 2, 2010 12:53 AM Report Comment

Why don't we just put a huge take on cigarettes, alcohol, soda, and junk food? We could put the tax money into health care and perhaps take over the ill health of the majority of Americans, espically the OBESE CHILD. Talk about child abuse, the parents that allow their children to get to the size they are today
>> SFC Monday, August 2, 2010 11:07 AM Report Comment

SFC, taxing soda and junk food wouldn't be fair on those that can and do injest those items at a nominal level. And to tax someone for enjoying a soda (which I do about 2-3 times a month at the most), is ridiculous. They already have a large tax on cigarettes, and alchohol (I'm not sure about the latter though).
>> myself Monday, August 2, 2010 12:06 PM Report Comment

Its not a republican or Democratic issue, it's really the reality of our current mathmatic situation. The truth is math NEVER lies. U.S. debt 13.27 trillion, U.S. unfunded liabilities 109 trillion, which include Medicare, Social Securtiy and Medicare part "D". My question is, are we at the point of no return? Looks like we would need to shut off Medicare, Social Security and Medicare part"D" for a number of years just to get even. I don't believe this will happen. I see all this bickering between left and right.... but NOT ONE ANSWER on how help to fix the problem. We must JOIN together as AMERICANS ans come up with some solid ideas on the FIX for America.
>> JTC Monday, August 2, 2010 3:36 PM Report Comment

JTC - - I think "the fix" would be to STOP creating new government programs when we can not pay for the current programs. STOP the stimulus programs. Over all it has not helped and a lot of people have abused it. Simple way to stimulate the economy without added bureaucratic expense is simply to stop payroll income tax for 6 months. Then everyone would have more money to spend to buy - appliances, go out for dinner, buy cars, furniture, etc. Business would need to hire more people to handle the increase in demand and there you go! The economy is fixed! and without a bunch of rules and regulations and additional government employees!!
>> jeansolean Tuesday, August 3, 2010 12:01 AM Report Comment

JTC, most people do not want to fix America. They simply want a handout (free healthcare, etc.). Most people are stupid! So how do we come together with a bunch of morons that fall for the Obama & Bush tricks? Really, affirmative action, allowing illegals, etc. Its over... Just a matter of time for the suckers to suck it all dry!
>> johnnyreal Tuesday, August 3, 2010 2:09 AM Report Comment

Simplicity is the answer! And letting losers fail (corporate & individual). Simple reasonable taxes (for national security, etc.), very limited welfare, and real free market. Thats it. Its not complicated! STOP THE WELFARE! Let the losers fail (large and small).
>> johnnyreal Tuesday, August 3, 2010 2:14 AM Report Comment

EVERYONE needs to stop thinking about today! And stop thinking about yourself! And stop thinking about each and every item! THIS IS THE PROBLEM! THERE IS NO MASTER-SOLUTION! We were supposed to be a free people and a free market economy. Let it work, like mother nature! We need to get government out of the way. I would rather starve to death then have the government take 50% of what I earn and give it to someone else (mostly more government programs (ie expansion of government)). This is crazy. People need to wake up! LESS IS MORE. Live and survive on your own. Take the good and bad!
>> johnnyreal Tuesday, August 3, 2010 2:29 AM Report Comment

ITS TOO LATE. More than 50% of Americans are stupid and/or have their hands out! We have become The Nation-Of-The-Stupid-And-The-Losers! Everyone wants to work 9 to 5 and have everything that their heart desires! STUPID DREAMERS! So they fall for the lies over & over!
>> johnnyreal Tuesday, August 3, 2010 2:33 AM Report Comment

Simplicity?...in the age of greed and fraud...why not go back to using an out house. I want a strong government that has oversight when Goldman Sachs bets that homes will fail. They knew something the government didn't and we should have. We need more government to watch what the mind of the wealthy can cook up to prevent further "total system failure." NO TAX CUTS, or accept the Deficit as just a number.
>> jorae Tuesday, August 3, 2010 2:34 PM Report Comment

YOU WANTED CHANGE, AMERICA. YOU GOT IT. This man does not act alone but he is out to weaken this country past ill repair long after he is out of the Office. Our dollar is no longer the strongest money in the world and will continue to decline until his terrorist plan works itself out.
>> BARBARA PRESS Tuesday, August 3, 2010 3:55 PM Report Comment

Jorae said: "I want a strong government that has oversight when Goldman Sachs bets that homes will fail. They knew something the government didn't and we should have. We need more government to watch what the mind of the wealthy can cook up to prevent further "total system failure." " Actually, we don't need "more government". We just need our elected leaders (such as Bill Clinton in the case you mentioned) to leave existing legislation alone. And the existing gov't to follow through and support that legislation.
>> myself Tuesday, August 3, 2010 4:08 PM Report Comment

Jorae those in Power in the Senate and the Congress put us here If it weren't for a law that was passed during Bill Clinton's administration that allowed Insurance Companies to hedge their investments with mortgages and of course a mjority of those were from Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac.Now with this new Financial Reform Bill that just got passed the 2 major institutions which are Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac are still running free to do as they may. Not only that te Congress and Senate made law that allows both Fanny Mae and freddy mac to go to the treasury and take money woth out Congressional Aproval.Insane isn't it.And you want a larger GOVERNMENT.I think business and wallstreet was doing fine until the fed got into their business too much.
>> David Stone Tuesday, August 3, 2010 4:15 PM Report Comment

The tax code is so complicated and layered, the common citizen doesn't even begin to know what he is facing. A number of credits, deductions, and exemptions are reduced or phased out for people with very attainable middle-class incomes at or below $250,000.... before one even gets to the applicable graduated tax rates. The limits for prior years were even lower. It is tyranny what is happening to our republic, and more, I fear, is on the way. I would love to pay my fair share of taxes by merely having to apply the graduated tax rates without all these other reductions and the AMT.
>> Seasonal Tuesday, August 3, 2010 5:47 PM Report Comment

hey curt, I just wanted to say that I am a Conservative also and agree with this article and the others that you have posted. We can only hope to God that Obama does not get elected again and i will be supporting Ron Paul if he chooses to run again. Also, I just wanted to thank you for everything you did for Redsox Nation over the years. As a lifelong fan, I never got the chance to thank you until I heard about this site of yours. You were my favorite player throughout the 4 years that you played for Boston and to this day I still wear your 38 jersey to Fenway. I also believe you should be in the HOF because of how you performed in the clutch and I will never forget that. My best of luck to you and your family
>> Kevin Tuesday, August 3, 2010 5:49 PM Report Comment

Obviously, Erich can't read. It doesn't say the FSA's, HSA's, or HRA's will be eliminated, it says "Thanks to Obamacare, Americans will no longer be able to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin)". If Erich will go back and check the facts, things didn't go to sh*t until after 2007, when the Democrats took control over both houses of Congress. Remember, it's Congress that writes the checks, not the President. If things are screwed up, it's because Congress let it get that way. It's too bad liberals can't be informed instead of just being opinionated.
>> Bob Dobbs Tuesday, August 3, 2010 8:15 PM Report Comment

Here is a new twist-in the bills we are passing without reading is a provision to make the SEC exempt from the freedom of information act- so much for transparency..in a article not from fox news... http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100730/bs_yblog_upshot/did-the-sec-just-exempt-itself-from-the-freedom-of-information-act an excerpt from the article below- "The trouble with the new language is that it doesn't just say, "the SEC doesn't have to turn over documents collected during risk assessments or surveillance" — it adds the rather broad phrase, "or other regulatory and oversight activities." The SEC is a regulatory body — which means that everything it does is a regulatory or oversight activity."
>> wvfarmer Tuesday, August 3, 2010 11:09 PM Report Comment

"Face it, you hate seeing a black President" we do not CARE what color his skin is. What we care about is that when we elect someone to office, any office, we expect that he live up to the promises that got him elected. So far, Obama has failed in that task (with the exception of his behemoth obamacare and a few other misc. items). EVERYONE is going to see tax increases simply because the tax cuts under Bush jr are expiring. Just because Obama didn't renew them doesn't mean they will not be seen as a tax hike. He also promised to repeal the Patriot Act (I have a previous post that covers those details).
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 1:30 AM Report Comment

IF Obama were going to be true to his word, then he would have continued at least some of the Bush tax cuts that fall under his $200/$250k or whatever his current promise is now. I'll bet what he's going to do when people realize this fact is claim that it was a provision that expired and he's not responsible for it. Maybe not, but he didn't do anything to keep them from expiring either. A lie of omission is still a lie.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 1:34 AM Report Comment

As for his healthcare bill, I suspect that at least portions of it are either going to be repealed or declared unconstitutional http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2008087,00.html. Simply put, the Supreme Court will most likely be deciding if the federal government has the right to force citizens to buy health insurance or risk fines. He might have some good ideas, but his methods of implementation are poor, not very well thought out, and it has LOTS and LOTS of people really angry.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:11 AM Report Comment

How does my not agreeing with Obama policy make me a hater? I had problems with several of Bush policies as well as I have documented here. I have nothing personal against either men. Do your research before you throw out accusations. almost EVERY president since Reagan has had to tackle those same 3 issues, and the only one who was really successful was Clinton, and it was only 1 of those issues in which he was successful, but it wasn't because of his policies, it was because he just got really lucky with the boom of the dotcom business, all of which is documented in this thread somewhere as well.
>> nonliberall Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:17 AM Report Comment

Fine, if you don't like news.gather.com, how about this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO2oZ0JV8Kg __ or this: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66K09520100721 __ how about this: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/06/department-of-justice-will-sue-arizona-an-unpopular-move/58378/ __ I can keep going, you know.. 1 source you want to call propaganda.. but when you have multiple sources independent of each other saying the same thing, I would say that's well beyond propaganda
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:22 AM Report Comment

It's apparently obvious you have not read my previous threads. I HAVE posted solutions. Liberals don't like my ideas. How typical. Your namecalling only makes your case weaker and makes you seem less intelligent. What exactly do you mean when you say I wouldn't survive face to face? and Let's take a look at that crime list you mentioned, shall we? http://www.white-history.com/usacrime.htm __ The data gathered for the statistics in this web site is available at www.fbi.gov
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:29 AM Report Comment

I get my info from multiple sources, and I do so intentionally so that I get as complete of a picture as I can on the situations. You are generalizing me by my opinions. I have NEVER called myself a follower of Palin. Liberal media made her seem like a complete idiot. I am sure she is smarter than she was portrayed, but that's just speculation on my part.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:34 AM Report Comment

If you think we are not coming up with solutions, then read through the entire thread again. There have been SEVERAL excellent suggestions here. I for one would love to see our president, whoever it may be at a given time, agree not to sign any bill into law unless it has the majority support of BOTH political parties. This way, the will of the people is truly heard and we can put an end to partisan politicking. Addendum: I would like to see a president do this of his/her own initiative rather than passing a law requiring it. It would speak VOLUMES to the entire country. Sadly, it is unlikely any such thing will happen.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:37 AM Report Comment

Good nite "nonliberal". And do me a favor please, when you go to work tomorrow at the department store, please apologize to the first minority you see, and tell them you are so sorry for being such a hater. And ask them to forgive you, okay? Will you do that for me? You know Obama hasn't done anything to hurt this country. And he has made some great impovements.
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:50 AM Report Comment

Again with the hater stuff? Let me tell you something. I obtained my associates degree from a school in which I was (with 1 exception) the ONLY white person in any of my classes. So when people read this thread and see this debate, who do you think they are going to see as the one slinging mud? I am not the one who's calling names. I am presenting my case with actual FACTS. Sounds to me like you are the one who's the hater. What facts have you presented?
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:55 AM Report Comment

As for your comment about the department store, I don't work at one anymore, and I never will again. On this issue I have seen the liberal side of the "rich getting richer" argument first-hand, and believe it or not I actually understand it. Be that as it may, I will not subject myself to be such a target again. Read through my previous posts on this thread, and you will see that I am not so one-sided as you would like to believe.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 4:04 AM Report Comment

And I have not said otherwise, but the mindset you presented suggested that all conservatives are against Obama just because he's black. I don't recall any post here making his race an issue. Government derives from a mandate of the masses, and this is why I made the suggestion of a president passing law only with the support of both political parties. I'm not suggesting we ask him to do what I suggest.. I'm suggesting that he do it on his own initiative. If he did, then those other politicians in the house and senate would be forced to do their jobs and actually listen to us.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 4:22 AM Report Comment

Indeed.. there are several posts in which blast Obama, that appear to be random and have no sustenance to their blast.. that happens, I am not one of them. If Bush had been the President and proposed the same changes, I would be blasting him as much as I am blasting Obama. Ironically, it was Bush jr as I recall that kept his campaign promises, at least until 9/11 happened.. It wasn't until his Patriot act and his policies during his second term that I began to question him.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 4, 2010 4:55 AM Report Comment

RaiseMyTaxesPlease said: "With all the good Obama has done and trying to do, you cra***rs still can't say anything nice. He has accomplished more than Bush and Clinton combine." Well that is an accurate statement. He has increased the National Debt much more, and much faster than either one of them. And in case you did't realize it, Clinton did increase the National Debt. He had a budget surplus, but that doesn't mean that those monies went toward paying down the national debt. FWIW, calling someone cra***rs doesn't bode well with your everyone else is a hater theory. :) Glad to see you managed to calm yourself down. :-)
>> myself Wednesday, August 4, 2010 8:58 AM Report Comment

Raisemytaxesplease, I am confused why you would continue to use profane, degrading language including racist coments and threaten someone personally. I read your comments, you mention the healthcare specifically and then continue to say the current administration has improved the US Can you explain what has been accomplished exactly? Please dont use profanity or racist comments, this is of poor character. FYI I am white and own a few small companies and have voted BOTH Republican and Democratic in my life.
>> JTC Wednesday, August 4, 2010 10:30 AM Report Comment

JTC: Obama has made and is still making neccessay changes in the healthcare system. For 8 years, Bush never mentioned it, nor did the Republican controlled Congress. Obama continued the stimulus and now there is no threat of depression. It only took a year to cleanup. Again the crash of the stock market and economy happened on Bush's watch.
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 10:54 AM Report Comment

JTC:You are a business owner, and I am sure you have heard "it takes money to make money". Well sometimes you have to re-invest in your company (country) to make it better and profitable. That's what Obama did and most economist agreed. Look at us now. Yes the deficit is high, but it went up with Bush, on nothing but war and lives. We can go on and on. But the point is, Obama has not hurt this country in anyway. And his administration is in repair mode only.
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 11:21 AM Report Comment

JTC: As far as healthcare, Obama has made neccessary changes to the system to ward of the insurance companies. It's called regulations. We don't have and will never have socialize medicine. Especially not what you Republicans have put a spin on. Taxes, well stupid, you can't have all these things without new taxes. And the new taxes will be impeded on the wealthy as it should. The man said no new taxes on families making less than 250,000. Forget about what this website says. It's hype and spin as usual. And you people treat it like it's the gospel.
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 11:27 AM Report Comment

MYSELF: I can name lots of things Clinton did in setting the stage for our country to fail. His agreement with China for one. But Bush took us into worthless wars and carried us done the road to disaster. All of these things are changing for the better, thanks to Obama. The main reason for the job situation is that most companies are still afraid because of the hype and spin from the Republicans. Think about it, the economy recoveed but no jobs...if we had a white President, there wouldn't be as much of a spin. Companies are afraid, especially of a black President, whom I must say is doing better than his counterparts.
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 11:37 AM Report Comment

RaiseMyTaxes: I know personally many blacks who disagree with Obama and his policies so what does that make them. I have heard blacks call those blacks who disagree with Obama a sell out.
>> ConcernedCitizen Wednesday, August 4, 2010 11:40 AM Report Comment

ConcernedCitizen: I can find fault in any and everybody, including myself. I just don't think it necessay. Maybe I am a racist...if so, you people taught me well. Obama has disagreed with both sides of the isle and has asked both sides to work together. But, your people refuse to do anything at all. And YALL continue to praise and follow them. Get real ConcernCitizen.
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 11:42 AM Report Comment

ConcernedCitizen: I disagreed with the way all of the politicians are handling immigration. I disagree with some of things Obama took out of the healthcare bill to please the right. But I also disagree with this webiste and it's bloggers putting a spin on taxes and speaking untruths. Believe it or not, I didn't vote for Obama. And I supported Bush during his first term.
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 11:46 AM Report Comment

ConcernedCitizen: There was a man by the name Win Rockefeller whom, at the age of 55 or so, contracted a rare blood desease. He's a billioniare and he travelled this earth in search of a cure. His final attempt was in Seattle, a blood transfusion. It didn't work and he died. All the money in the world couldn't save his life. But what if he had found a cure. Would that medicine have been for him only because he could afford it?
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 11:52 AM Report Comment

ConcernedCitizen: I just wish you people would stop looking for fault only, and work together to fix the country. Stop complaining all the time. Tell your brethrens to do their job that they are paid to do. I never hear you guys say anything negative about the right wing. Never. It's always about the bad stuff Obama is doing. Never the good. Yet, you reap from his programs. Gov Rick Perry of Texas complained about the stimulus, but took the money and spent it. Come on you hypocrites. Yall suck.
>> RaiseMyTaxesPlease Wednesday, August 4, 2010 12:01 PM Report Comment

Dear RaiseMyTaxesPlease The post whre you comment " You are not athletic, you are not smart...some of dumbest people I have meet are white, and they worked in banks, and I had to train them. I know what the problem is...inferiority. You are afraid." is ignorant and telling of your character. How can you spew such venom about white people? Your post are littered with self censored profanity and insults. Unless you have something constructive to say I suggest you move on. Not everyone who is concerned about the direction our country is going in is republican, a dumb redneck, or angry white man. Idiots come in all colors and hate knows no racial boundries. If you can't keep it civil, keep it to yourself.
>> wvfarmer Wednesday, August 4, 2010 12:14 PM Report Comment

RMTP, "Well sometimes you have to re-invest in your company (country) to make it better and profitable. That's what Obama did and most economist agreed.". What Obama did is print up more money to be placed into circulation, therefore devaluing the dollar. He didn't reinvest the earned money, since gov't doesn't earn money, they merely print more up.
>> myself Wednesday, August 4, 2010 12:52 PM Report Comment

"IF there were such a thing as Chapter 11 for politicians, the Republican push to extend the unaffordable Bush tax cuts would amount to a bankruptcy filing. It is therefore unseemly for the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, to insist that the nation’s wealthiest taxpayers be spared even a three-percentage-point rate increase." David Stockman, a director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan, is working on a book about the financial crisis.
>> jorae Wednesday, August 4, 2010 1:21 PM Report Comment

The one thing that people are forgetting is that congress and the house had to vote these in. Who is your congressman? Do you know? Have you ever sent him/her a letter telling him/her your thought? I think it is time for all of us to flood their inbox with messages. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm There is the link. Use it or do not complain.
>> Bren Wednesday, August 4, 2010 1:34 PM Report Comment

The one thing that people are forgetting is that congress and the house had to vote these in. Who is your congressman? Do you know? Have you ever sent him/her a letter telling him/her your thought? I think it is time for all of us to flood their inbox with messages. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm There is the link. Use it or do not complain.
>> Bren Wednesday, August 4, 2010 1:52 PM Report Comment

RaiseMyTaxesPlease Your qoute: As far as healthcare, Obama has made neccessary changes to the system to ward of the insurance companies. It's called regulations. We don't have and will never have socialize medicine. Especially not what you Republicans have put a spin on. AGAIN I ask EXACTLY what are the necessary changes "regulations" and how will they effect the US as a benefit to them... EXACTLY. Please dont make broad statements without the facts to back them up. FYI I have spent 21 years in the health insurance field.
>> JTC Wednesday, August 4, 2010 2:55 PM Report Comment

RaiseMyTaxesPlease FACTS: Medicare, Medicare part "D" and Social Security all GOVERNMENT run programs.... Right?? Guess what they are Backrupt 109,000,000,000,000 in UNFUNDED liabilities. If any company was ever run like this it would have been out of business long ago. BTW thats 109 trillion yes more than 10% of a quadrillion. The SOURCE is the Federal Reserve, check it out at usdebtclock.org. It's NOT a Obama, Democratic or Republican issue, it's simple math. We need solutions not finger pointing. ALL administrations are to blame present and past BOTH sides !!!
>> JTC Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:12 PM Report Comment

The only way to fix this mess is to vote out anyone thats been there 3 terms or longer no matter what party. In the government senority matters
>> Concerned Wednesday, August 4, 2010 3:25 PM Report Comment

3 terms??? 1 term at political office in a lifetime. This eliminates all notions of re-election. And please, don't say you need more than 1 term to accomplish anything. If you can't, you shouldn't run for office... just run away and get a real job.
>> Mike Wednesday, August 4, 2010 5:47 PM Report Comment

I cant wait to quit working and get the free OBama Money !!! Right now my wife and I work and by the time the Feds, State, Property tax, car tax, slaes tax at 8.5% of non food items gets done with me I pay a combined 51% tax on total income... Now I need to pay more where does this end? Soon we will be europe with 50% working to support the 50% non working. Why kill myself working when I can get the free money...and free healthcare.... I can wait all day for my doctor visit because I don't have to go to work I am on the "dole" and part of the new USSR. Wait in line for your Dr. and you food; good old Russia coming to a neighborhood near you.
>> FRED Miltz Wednesday, August 4, 2010 6:52 PM Report Comment

Oh yeah , I forgot the SS tax, Medicare Tax, and all the other local and utility taxes....please tax me more... we need more illegal alliens to do our jobs that get paid under the table and pay no tax and shipp it back to ther home countries.
>> Fred Miltz Wednesday, August 4, 2010 6:55 PM Report Comment

In a modern democracy, there are things that voters will demand be done one way or another. They will demand that the state provide an education to all young people for example. They will demand that it provide a safety net for the poor. They will demand that it support the retired. They will demand that it protect the environment...And in every country on earth except the United States, they have demanded that sickness not expose people to economic ruin.
>> jorae Wednesday, August 4, 2010 8:27 PM Report Comment

Free market cannot work due to the criminal mind. If all items were equally exchanged, their would be zero gain - one value conacels out the equal value. The only way Free Market works is when the item is build, one component has to be under paid, It is always the employee. If the Owner wants to under cut his value, let him do the work....Unions Now...the only way to get what your worth...like it or not....Don't be afraid of the word..It's going to save you and your children...
>> jorae Wednesday, August 4, 2010 9:11 PM Report Comment

"Free market cannot work due to the criminal mind" and yet free market was what got us out of the great depression and has been driving our economy since. And, as always, someone finds a way to circumvent the system at the expense of others. Some of those who tried to exploit the system are now in jail.Here we go. I just recently read an article suggesting that our navy, with a few exceptions, is outdated. Rebuild our navy (and coast guard while we're at it) This will open up thousands of jobs in both public and private sector
>> nonliberal Thursday, August 5, 2010 4:18 AM Report Comment

What you suggest is currently underway. I work in the industry. The naval fleet is being revamped, and I believe President Obama has stated that there will be an additional 10-15 new ships to replace some of our older vessels in the fleet (slated to be sometime between 2015-2020. I also know some folks working on things for the coast guard. That is also underway, but is a time consuming process. I don't know that it's opened up thousands of jobs. The people with the knowledge that are in the industry are usually redirected to help take care of the newer items for a period of 1-3 years, until they move on to the next series of ships. On a side note. Having been in a ship that was on dry-dock (out of the water), was utterly impressive.
>> myself Thursday, August 5, 2010 8:12 AM Report Comment

Jorae: First and formost we are not a Democracy we are a Republic but those on the left and the right continue to refer to the United States as a democracy. It is the free market which is the envy of the world. It is just that system that draws people of all nations to our country. Jorae you really need to go back in history and see what FDR did to this country by spending us into oblivian for 10 years following the great depression. You probably have little knowledge of the Depression of 1920 which ended 8 months later and the reason being that Warren G Harding cut taxes and government spending which ushered in the roaring twenties with creativitiy and inovation by entrepreneurship which brought us out of that depression.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:10 AM Report Comment

Jorae: Unions were developed to cause racial division and they still are. When Unions were started here in the US they told the white workers that coloreds were trying to steal their jobs so thye needed to unionize to secure their jobs. The unions are for the most part the most violent of workers world wide due to their belief that they are entitled. And when times get tough like right now and municipalities and private businesses alike have to cut wages do to lack of money the Unions will riot. Look at Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain. WILL CONTINUE
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:25 AM Report Comment

Glenn: You really have to do your homework. I can tell you are just repeating what you hear.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:36 AM Report Comment

Mike I agree with you but remember a lot of folks won there election toutting a 3 year term limit. It would make a big difference and I think the majority will climb aboard Ben your right thanks for publishing the link
>> Concerned Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:58 AM Report Comment

There is no need for Unions or Government entitlement when the employee is paid a living wage. But as long as CEO and the Stock Holder are rewarded, you will have both. Think it through....You either pay up front or have tax increases to supplement what the owner refused to pay, then you have them screaming. Give up the royalist attitude and start playing what America was set up to be or shut up.
>> jorae Thursday, August 5, 2010 6:09 PM Report Comment

Jorae go see how it is working out in Europe, not so good. You mean that whether or not a person strives for success that a person who doesn't try can make the same wage. Where is the incentive to do better. You want to see the laziest people on Earth go for a trip to Europe. Most in Europe have the living wage. But there is no rewarrd for success financially. All that would do is cause the prices of everything to skyrocket. I guess you have never run a business or owned one. You need to take a course in economics and don't go to Harvard, or Columbia University. they willl just feed you more of the dribble that you spew now.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 6:20 PM Report Comment

Jorae: So if you were to start a company and it took off and did well and say you higher 80 employees and sya your company say takes in Profit of say 2-2.5 Million per year after expenses. And you figure that as owner and CEO of your company you should pay say the maintainance workers you know those guys who keep up the facility 60K per year and the Janitors should get the same. Now how do you figure how much you should pay your sales staff I mean if there not humping getting those people to buy your product your manufacturing will drop off. How about the secretaries for those salesman and woman. Should they earn 60K too. And How Much do you think you should make the same thing as everyone else.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 6:30 PM Report Comment

Jorae: Another question who should be rewarded for taking a huge finacial risk like mortgaging a home to get the business started. Well how about the massive about of time that CEO's put n every day and the pressure that comes from when maybe a new idea that he has funded oh by the way not with the emloyees money his or borrowed capital. Anything like that run through your mind. Jorae I bet you are the type that has gone through your entire life with your hand out. When was the last time a poor person offered you a job. So lets say your business survives its first 5 years and now when you started your business there have been weeks or maybe months where you barely took home a pay check to asure your eemployees got paid.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 6:37 PM Report Comment

Jorae: Now after 5 years or so your business is really turning a profit. But now you have entered the successful realm and Uncle Sam starts hitting you with a 50+% Personal Income tax just because you succeeded in life.Oh thats not it,you know that health care reform we have well its going to hit your business like a freight train. Well you have given your employees a very good health care plan which you pay an anual premiun of 1,440,000, yes as a business owner you paty 1.4 Million Per year for your employees for their health care. Now the new law comes into effect and you have been told that at the renewal of your policy the Insureance company will not renew your policy.That the new law says your policy is inefficiant.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 6:53 PM Report Comment

Jorae: Now up until now your employees have said they like the coverage they have very low deductable,they only pay in per month 60 dollars towards their coverage. Now to keep your employees covered to the new government standards its going to cost you 20% on a policy that almost mirrors yours. Your yearly premiun is now going to go to 1,728,000 an increase of 228,000 per year. That number just hit your profit margine. Thats 228,000 that you can't put towards raises or reinvestment of your company. Now Jorae until you run a company or own one you need to educate yourself on how the real world works and get off the SHARE THE WEALTH BAND WAGON
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 7:01 PM Report Comment

Jorae: THAT IS JUST ONE ASPECT OF WHAT A COMPANY HAS TO GO THROUGH TO WHICH YOU SEEM TO NO LITTLE OR NOTHING ABOUT BUSINESS. You support those Unions you belong to and all they do is steal your money and give it to who they like in the political world in the mean time your pensions are being roobbed and when your Union Pensions are broke you will go to the tax payers for a bailout for your pension. Just like GM and Chrystler did. And at the taxpayers expense we pay your pension fund because your Unions are crooks. They are a very violent crown when they don't geet their own way and why is that because they think they are entitled.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 7:27 PM Report Comment

Concerned...You watch to many republican taling heads...take one topic from a show and look it up....then get off the floor and be thankful you came to your senses...You buy BIG LIES LIKE...In a March 2007 article published in The New York Times titled "No U-Turns",David Brooks explains that the Republican Party must distance itself from the minimal-government conservative principles that had arisen during the Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan eras. He claims that these outdated concepts had served their purposes and should no longer be embraced by Republicans in order to win elections. ... IT IS SO EASY TO SELL SIMPLE IDEAS TO THE SIMPLE.
>> jorae Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:57 PM Report Comment

"A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage" – 1928 Herbert Hoover Claims that the everyone will be prosperous under a Hoover presidency...Promises that had no basis in reality...the Depression 1929...When R. Paul was asked about dissolving the USDA...he.."did I say that?" You can toss out words to get voted in, and so far the Republican haven't come up with one solution...I AND THE MAJORITY OF THE NATION SAYS DON'T Kept the tax breaks...I don't care how many taxes they paid now, they still take home more than their employee...IT IS SELF SERVING TO SELL YOU A SOB STORY THAT IS NON EXISTING = MORST CORPORATIONS PAID ZERO TAXES!
>> jorae Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:21 PM Report Comment

The public has NO SYMPATHY FOR PEOPLE MAKING $200,000 a YEAR...DON'T EVEN TRY THE VIOLIN PLAYING NONSENSE....these are the people we have come to understand usually paid nothing in taxes at all. These are the people who decide you need to take 4% less so he can keep afloat, but never thinks he should make once cent less a year. These are the people who stroll into work twice a week at 10am then go to lunch at noon...BTW that is approx $16,000 a month....
>> jorae Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:26 PM Report Comment

Jorae: The story I told was actually mine and you never answered my question have you ever run your own business or run someone elses and I bet the answer is probably no you are a Union worker with your hand out or a welfare case. You have no practical experiance on busines you sit there quoting a very progressive magazine. You are some great Kool-Aid drinker you think you are entitled and you don't think people in general should get the preverbial hand out instead of earning it. All Jobs have entry level and if a person has no insentive to better themselves than why does that become my problem. Nothing was handed to me I had to earn it and work for it. When I started my business I worked 80 hours a week. And barely made ends meet.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:30 PM Report Comment

Jorae: Like I said you are a personn with your hand out and think you are entitled. That sound like you are lazy. When does the government get its power to attack those who succeed. Thats right you believe that a person who is successful You know your right Corporation Don't pay taxes but I pay a personal income tax on the income of the corporation I own. There is only so much you think yoou understand regarding how business runs. You are a bleeding heart progressive who thinks that the more successful a man or woman becomes the higher that tax rate should be. I pay 53% of my income.The government wants it to go to 70%. How can a business owner re-invest in his own company and give rasies to tose who work for him.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:38 PM Report Comment

jorae, "I don't care how many taxes they paid now, they still take home more than their employee...IT IS SELF SERVING TO SELL YOU A SOB STORY THAT IS NON EXISTING = MORST CORPORATIONS PAID ZERO TAXES!". News flash, most corporation's taxes flow through their owners, so yes the corporation doesn't pay taxes in that case ... the owner(s) do. So what is wrong with someone getting paid more than the other person? Apparently you believe that a janitor should be paid the same as an electronics engineer?
>> myself Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:40 PM Report Comment

jorae I would usually never make a comment to offend someone, so don't take this the wrong way..... we are in 2010 not 1970. PLEASE FAST FORWARD and listen to reality. Why don't you start a business and see how the government (Feds and state) bleed you dry with tax after tax and fee on top of fee.You really have no idea what it takes to own your own company. I suggest until you risk your like savings, mortgage everything you have assuming 100% of the risk for something you believe in knowing that if you fail you LOSE EVERYTHING; that you wake up tomorrow morning and thank your employer for your job.
>> JTC Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:42 PM Report Comment

jorae Knowing that someone long before you had your job had the BALLS to take that risk. Then you have the audacity to condemn those who provide you with your job and believe you should make the same amount of money they do. hmmmmm........ think you'll give it a shot??? I doubt it !!!!
>> JTC Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:45 PM Report Comment

Jorae: Hey oone more question for you. What would you say to that small mom and pop shop whose concidered a big business because the company makes after expenses 250K. Like I said you have no idea how business works. Try it on for size for a while. Like I haqve said and will repeat you and people like you just stand there with a outstretched hand is sickening. remember this the more taxes I pay the less raises go out and the less chance I will higher moer next year. Another thong you fail to understand when you raise taxes on big business that cost will funnnel down to the consumer and everyone will pay those taxes in the long run but a simple thing like that is beyond your comprehetion. But your to uneducated to understand.
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:47 PM Report Comment

JTC: As far as Jorae goes this person has no practical experiance. That is obvious due to his or her answer, there was no answer other than saying my comments was from something I saw somewhere. She or he made no comment on how a person who owns a business that as she oor he puts it " The public has NO SYMPATHY FOR PEOPLE MAKING $200,000 a YEAR...DON'T EVEN TRY THE VIOLIN PLAYING NONSENSE" he or She mentions this like the whole world is in lock step with him or her. Well if she or he doesn't think that taxing businesses like this won't trickle down to her she or he is outside he or his mind. This method has never worked in any nation at any time in history. Remember "When you don't know history you will repeat it."
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 11:01 PM Report Comment

JTC: As far as Jorae goes this person has no practical experiance. That is obvious due to his or her answer, there was no answer other than saying my comments was from something I saw somewhere. She or he made no comment on how a person who owns a business that as she oor he puts it " The public has NO SYMPATHY FOR PEOPLE MAKING $200,000 a YEAR...DON'T EVEN TRY THE VIOLIN PLAYING NONSENSE" he or She mentions this like the whole world is in lock step with him or her. Well if she or he doesn't think that taxing businesses like this won't trickle down to her she or he is outside he or his mind. This method has never worked in any nation at any time in history. Remember "When you don't know history you will repeat it."
>> ConcernedCitizen Thursday, August 5, 2010 11:16 PM Report Comment

Concerned... what people ( like Jorae) fail to understand is when someone makes 3 or 400k per year the takes they pay 50 plus percent in tax to fund all the poor decisions others make... GM, people that couldn't afford their house, insurers AIG that have no idea what the cost of reinsurance should really be. Taxes are an important part of society and they have their place but people need to work and pay their own way. If you live in China and you don't work you STARVE
>> JTC Thursday, August 5, 2010 11:35 PM Report Comment

".I AND THE MAJORITY OF THE NATION SAYS DON'T Kept the tax breaks...I don't care how many taxes they paid now, they still take home more than their employee.." I have a funny feeling that if change in the majority opinion isn't reflected in November, it will be screamed about by this time next year
>> nonliberal Friday, August 6, 2010 1:33 AM Report Comment

"The public has NO SYMPATHY FOR PEOPLE MAKING $200,000 a YEAR...DON'T EVEN TRY THE VIOLIN PLAYING NONSENSE..." am I to assume that people making $200k or more are not part of the public?
>> nonliberal Friday, August 6, 2010 2:38 AM Report Comment

I can assure you ALL of us who have paid our way through college, worked hard to get where we are and make a good living; don't need or wan't sympathy from you or anyone else. It is sad that Jealously gets the best of those wish they put the time in to do the right thing early in life. Now they want others to pay their way.
>> JTC Friday, August 6, 2010 9:02 AM Report Comment

JTC: Bravo for your understanding of why these progressive bleeding hearts want to fleece America from all those that have put time and effort into succeeding in there lives. People like Jorae want nothing to do than leach off of those who work there ass off. He or she made a statement that we would need Unions if we had a good living wage. If Unions didn't control this nations economy You could buy a real nice car for a very affordable price.
>> ConcernedCitizen Friday, August 6, 2010 9:47 AM Report Comment

JTC: The Unions are selling this country right down the toilet. And that statement doesn't come from me that comes from my Grandfather who was a life long devout Democrat and Mashinist Union member and he made that statement back in 1975. He in a conversation with me as a 17 year old didn't totally understand that statement at the time. but I am now seeing what he meant by that. He in that conversation told me and again this is in 1975 that the Unions are gettiing greedy beyong belief and that are demanding extremely high wages and that it would cost the price of most consumer goods would do nothing but go up.
>> ConcernedCitizen Friday, August 6, 2010 9:55 AM Report Comment

JTC: It seems funny when the cost of living would go up say 3.5% each year well that Unions would get an increase of 4.5-5% now how can any economy keep up with the costs that trickle down from the wages that the Unions demand that get addd to the cost of every union produced product. Look what it has done to Europe, I am talking about those models that Obama kept using as a reason to go to Socialized Health Care. These lefties think and they get their unnderstanding of a Eropian style government as the way to go for The Unites States. Right now the unfunded liability for this country is so overwhelming that it's scarely and these progressives seem to be very generous with other people money.
>> ConcernedCitizens Friday, August 6, 2010 10:04 AM Report Comment

The reality is the people who run our "government"( supposedly "we the people") continue to monitize our currency. Most people don't understand what that word even means. Simply put they print dollars backing it with NOTHING! Guess what, that reduces the value of the dollar and make our country less competitive in the world market place. Since 1971 the US went from the LARGEST creditor nation to the largest debitor in only 39 years. 109 trillion now in UNFUNDED liabilities. The gov. MUST cut spending
>> JTC Friday, August 6, 2010 10:19 AM Report Comment

Attention Bloggers! Friendly advice - - don't waste your time responding to Jorae - - if you read the thread you will see that he has no clue and never will. It is apparent that he does not know what it is like to work 50-60 hrs a week and then see hard earned money go to crooked politicians and people who think they are entitled to other peoples' money. He has no desire to see the truth because the truth will show how wrong he is.
>> jeansolean Friday, August 6, 2010 1:44 PM Report Comment

FSA will no longer be available for people to use to buy over the counter medicines and there will be a cap of $2500 placed on the account for other medical issues.I own a sm business and tax increases has stopped us from expanding or hiring anyone. Business are going to take taxes increases, who exactly do you think they are going to pass the high costs on to? You the consumer,so therefore you are being taxed. Business owners are going to be penalized for not offering health care to their employees and the employees are going to be taxed for not purchasing any health care they are making double the money. This isn't a party problem, it is an American problem and we the people need to fix it! Time to take back OUR government.
>> PDS Friday, August 6, 2010 2:51 PM Report Comment

PDS - - you are ABSOLUTELY right! Time to take back our country!! I now understand and believe in a more conservative government. We need less government not more. The more government - the more taxes. I don't know how some people can not understand that concept. How do they think government employees get paid? With OUR money. More taxes - less freedom... this is getting scary - -to think that our government is putting its nose in our health care!
>> jeansolean Friday, August 6, 2010 2:57 PM Report Comment

Haven taken the time to read this entire blog, I have to say that Gman, ConcernedCitizen, JTC, and a few others seem to actually be speaking from personal experience with an educated perspective. Thank you! I have relatives who operated a highly successful mom-pop trucking line. I have some knowledge of what they experienced raising a family and putting in the hours necessary to grow that operation and create hundreds of jobs for OTR drivers, providing them good, living wages, health insurance coverage, pension plans, paid vacations and holidays. They mortgaged themselves "to the hilt" to create that company! They were courageous and worked virtually around the clock 24/7/365 to accomplish all this. (cont.)
>> yankeedoodledandy Friday, August 6, 2010 10:26 PM Report Comment

They treated their employees like family. Yes, they did earn more than their drivers, but their drivers and their families were grateful to have such good working conditions and such great employers and benefits. They didn't resent their employer's earnings; they respected them and their right to an above-average lifestyle. Then the union came along. They used terror tactics, cutting brake lines, etc., to try to force unionization. The origin of unions was for the protection of employees; somewhere along the way, they lost their purpose to the seduction of greed, power, and control. (cont.)
>> yankeedoodledandy Friday, August 6, 2010 10:29 PM Report Comment

The same may be said of our Government. We don't need czars, we don't need professional politicians, and we don't need individuals who want to break the entreprenurial spine of this great country. Certainly, we don't need arrogant individuals using profanity and name calling to mask their own insecurities shouting us down using the racist card or previous administration mistakes--whether Republican or Democratic, or Whig or Torry--to try to stifle freedom of speech and legitimate debate. Our Forefathers pledged their lives and their fortunes to bring about our independence and our freedoms and to begin this (still) fledgling republic. (Cont.)
>> yankeedoodledandy Friday, August 6, 2010 10:36 PM Report Comment

these are the people you people want to put in charge? http://www.dscc.org/meetthegop there goes the country.
>> jay zee Friday, August 6, 2010 10:38 PM Report Comment

I, for one, do not want their horrendous personal sacrifices to go for naught. Are we so intent on proving the veracity of the cynical statement (and I paraphrase): Once a people discover a government will do for them what they should be doing for themselves, that government is doomed. We should ask ourselves "Who profits from our in-fighting and our ever-increasing dependence on welfare -- on a big government?" We are playing into their hands! Gman, I applaud you for standing on principle, walking away, but we need people like you in leadership roles! I know you're not a young'un--but hopefully you are a positive influence for the young'uns in your life, that they have sense enough to listen and absorb your wisdom.
>> yankeedoodledandy Friday, August 6, 2010 10:44 PM Report Comment

"We should ask ourselves "Who profits from our in-fighting and our ever-increasing dependence on welfare -- on a big government?" We have parks, beaches, air plans that move, peanut butter without pigon crap, drugs that work, roads, bridges, old age pensions, medical, a fine military, CIA/FBI looking after US, Homeland Security looking after us..When the circle is weakened, we GOT BUSH...A MM that was lax and parties with oil companies, a SEC that was lax and almost collapsed the country...You can't fight the truth...You can't ignore what we have seen happen when the government is weak....Get over the propaganda that the government is the enemy...they aren't...the happiest people in America are retired with medicare/ss
>> jorae Friday, August 6, 2010 11:32 PM Report Comment

"the happiest people in America are retired with medicare/ss" For every person that is retired and on medicare/ss that agrees with this, I bet I could find 10 that say otherwise, my own parents included. Just because a government grows doesn't necessarily make it strong. IMO we were stronger as a nation when Reagan was in office than any other time in my living memory. I could speculate endlessly on why that seems to be the case. After all, the man was against growing government, but it ultimately becomes a case of compromise. It simply isn't happening at the federal level.
>> nonliberal Friday, August 6, 2010 11:49 PM Report Comment

"We have parks, beaches, air plans that move, peanut butter without pigon crap, drugs that work, roads, bridges, old age pensions, medical, a fine military, CIA/FBI looking after US" Much of this we have had since the turn of the 20th, and some of these things even longer, and WITHOUT the need for exponential government growth (not the same thing as government growing at all). What Obama is doing is too much and too fast and for the most part without little no support from the conservatives of the nation. That amounts to just being a bully. That was another of his campaign promises... to work with the GOP... so far, he's only shown that he will work with him only if they concede to his point of view.
>> nonliberal Friday, August 6, 2010 11:58 PM Report Comment

err.. that should be with little to no support, not without
>> nonliberal Saturday, August 7, 2010 12:03 AM Report Comment

nonlib...you said you were 38...Reagan...That was the 80's...That makes you 8...we all were happy then...I remember lots of engineers had been laid off...unions from air traffic control were being busted. These were workers that did the work...This was the beginning of the end of the USA... when you break your work force for the benefit of greed you break the principles of Jefferson. When it became alright to take from the poor and give to the rich we lost our moral high ground...I want to live in a country where my salary is high enough not to need government assistance...but al long as you break unions, and corporations are not going to do it, you will have a democracy that will vote equality in.
>> jorae Saturday, August 7, 2010 1:46 AM Report Comment

actually I was 6 when Reagan took office. And, believe it or not, I am not in total objection to labor unions. I've been a member of UFCW, and I am in complete agreement with their function in the workplace.. it's their political lobbying I question. And why exactly were air traffic controllers being busted? Oh, that's right, they were demanding higher wages, and going on strike even though they were LEGALLY obliged not to strike, thus impacting the ENTIRE American economy, not to mention the safety and security of Americans and international travelers alike. http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id296.htm ___ Bet you thought I wouldn;t do my research right?
>> nonliberal Saturday, August 7, 2010 2:47 AM Report Comment

In any case, I think you missed the point. I am not trying to turn this into a debate about Reagan and his strengths and/or weaknesses.. I was simply referring to a period of time of which I have memory. The bottom line is, at that time, our country seemed more united to me. I suppose you could argue that we were more united in either, or even both of the world wars, but I have no living memory of either events. If an elected executive, whoever it may be under whatever jurisdiction, pushes an agenda, gets it submitted, gets feedback from the opposition, then submits that same agenda without any support from the same opposition, that's just being a bully.
>> nonliberal Saturday, August 7, 2010 3:05 AM Report Comment

and what's with this whole democracy thing? Our constitution, though set up to provide elections open to the public, was NOT set up to be a true democracy and never has been. True democracy doesn't work on a large scale, and our founding fathers knew this. They only needed to look to ancient Greece to know that, and we are what.. roughly 10x the size of Greece as it exists today (I don't know the size of the ancient Greeks as an empire).It wasn't until 1913 when a constitutional amendment was passed to allow the open election of senators. Thus, we are a representative democracy, not a true democracy (there are several forms of democracy... 5 forms if I remember correctly)
>> nonliberal Saturday, August 7, 2010 3:14 AM Report Comment

..and, if the PEOPLE decided all these tax hikes were really necessary, the entire bill should have been made known to the public to the same level that we know who our candidates are, what was in the bill regarding the tax hikes, the entire bill put into print AND BE MADE FULLY AWARE OF by the public, advertised at the same level as political candidates, AND the bill should have been put on electoral ballot in each state for EACH person to vote on, not just Congress.
>> nonliberal Saturday, August 7, 2010 3:17 AM Report Comment

nonliberal: You will never get that Union loving Jorae to understand because he only believes that the only important work force is the Unions. Reagn fired them because under federal law Air Traffic Controls were not allowed to strike due to the super importance of their position. He could not allow the air traffic controlers shut down all air traffic in the US. But talking to Jorae is the type that wants his hand out for putting a company at loss for their gain. He just believes that he is entitled without really having put much effort nto his trade if he has one. Don't waist your breath on this progressive loser. he is just a leach on society.
>> ConcernedCitizen Saturday, August 7, 2010 3:25 AM Report Comment

Oh yeah, one more thing about those control tower strikers... " The public sided with the government and exhibited little sympathy for individuals whose earnings were already well above the national average." This quote is taken directly from the link about them posted above. Call me crazy, but if you're advocating complete and total fairness, how is someone working a government job making more than the avg person at the time considered fair?
>> nonliberal Saturday, August 7, 2010 3:27 AM Report Comment

nonliberal: We are a Republic not a Democracy, but over time we the people have stopped keeping our elected officials from doing their proper job. As in the case of reading Bills before voting on them. And they stay in office so long that they think they are GODS to us and we are their subjects. They no longer have fear of losing their jobs. They talk down to their constituants with arrogants that is beyond anyones imagination.
>> ConcernedCitizens Saturday, August 7, 2010 3:32 AM Report Comment

@CP Oh, I get it. Like I said, I don't have problems with unions themselves per se, as I have been a member of one, and I understand their primary function which is to get their members the best deals they can for their clients at the expense of their clients' employers, whoever that might be. The union I was in did its very best to make sure that if I were to get into trouble with management for whatever reason that my rights were protected, so I have a bit of respect for them. In the end though, they wind up being just another political lobbyist
>> nonliberal Saturday, August 7, 2010 3:35 AM Report Comment

@CC we used to be a republic, but with the passing of amendment 17, we ceased to be a true Republic because of this statement:"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures." In essence, prior to this amendment, we were a true Republic. Until this time, senators to Congress were elected by state legislatures.
>> nonliberal Saturday, August 7, 2010 3:40 AM Report Comment

Taxes are increasing for everyone, not the "rich" (however you define it) but everyone. The next time you vote for someone without ANY experience and is only a "campaign junkie" versus an experienced executive, remember 2008. This President is making Jimmy Carter look like a genius and has removed Mr. Carter's moniker as the "worst president in the last 50 years." Congratulations to all the supporters of Mr. Obama - you got exactly what you asked for and created a serious problem for this country to overcome. Well done! And for the conservative, business owner and other concerned citizens who became part of the community largess, WAKE UP!
>> Libertarian Saturday, August 7, 2010 8:56 AM Report Comment

stick together people and lets save this republic. Support you local tea party and show up to vote. Look at your paycheck look at your property taxes and tell me why they need to take half. I worked 10 hours today and only got paid for five. Remember remenber the second of November.
>> fatheroftwo Saturday, August 7, 2010 5:53 PM Report Comment

father - - I agree - we have been Taxed Enough Already!! Support the TEA Party Movement. Why is it that we are taxed more today yet, the schools have less money than before? Parks are not kept up, etc. etc. The problem is the politicians are spending the tax money for special projects rather than the common good. We don't need more taxes, we need less spending on hand outs! If we were able to keep more of our hard earned dollars, we could contribute to charity organizations of our choice rather than the government wasting on bureaucracy.
>> jeansolean Saturday, August 7, 2010 6:50 PM Report Comment

I wonder what the liberals would have to say about this...http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=187557
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 1:06 AM Report Comment

"True democracy doesn't work on a large scale, and our founding fathers knew this.".. per nonlib.....So, what do you want to do...I hear this all the time which is typical of a Republican argument....So what? Do you want to draw straw per 100 people> How about everyone that's ssn ends with the same year as the election...2012 = 2....That works....Or do you want just Union people, or just Execs or just CEO's?....The statement has to have relevance to what you think should be done about it, otherwise it is just nonsense...a SO What...
>> jorae Sunday, August 8, 2010 1:07 AM Report Comment

The SO what as you say is that if you remove the electoral college from our voting system, you essentially have the most densely populated areas deciding who gets elected. That in turn essentially leaves the less populated areas who may disagree with the densely populated areas without a say-so in our presidential elections unless the two areas agree on a candidate. No thanks.
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 1:29 AM Report Comment

So my suggestion is, leave our voting system intact and plug the loopholes in our current system, and instead of growing government to make new regulations and laws and all that other junk, just enforce the laws we have, and if a loophole appears, plug it. There isn't a perfect system. There can't be because 100% of the population do not all agree with each other as is well-demonstrated here.
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 2:36 AM Report Comment

for all those who think they are not already paying enough taxes, there is a simple solution - pay more voluntarily. If you believe that the government is not doing enough with your money then simply give more. Don't take deductions or credits. Why is it fair for a guy who has worked harder or smarter or riskier to earn a living be required to give 1/3, 1/2 or even more to a government that had little or no part in providing that income, while someone who did not take that risk pays little or no taxes simply because they earned less? I don't see the fairness in that position.
>> twpeck Sunday, August 8, 2010 7:37 AM Report Comment

nonlib....It you remove the electoral college, you essentially DO NOT HAVE THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED area deciding who get elected....Did you type that wrong, or is that what you meant....Electoral college does take under consideration densely populations...so at this time, smaller towns voters can be dismissed, but if every vote is taken for a vote, your vote in a small town is as good as in a large town...that is what would happen if the electoral college is removed.
>> jorae Sunday, August 8, 2010 10:35 AM Report Comment

So if a President candidate said he wanted to let farmers use government land for free and the other Presidential Candidate was saying he wanted to make sure big cities would get the internet free...farmers would vote for one person and city people the other...The City, due to density would get the electoral vote, even though all the farmers added together make up more people, would not. By eliminating the electoral, you make sure more people get what they want...
>> jorae Sunday, August 8, 2010 10:47 AM Report Comment

"Electoral college does take under consideration densely populations...so at this time, smaller towns voters can be dismissed, but if every vote is taken for a vote, your vote in a small town is as good as in a large town...that is what would happen if the electoral college is removed" Not true as was clearly demonstrated back in 2000. But, to an extent, our current system chooses president-elect within each individual state. "DO NOT HAVE THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED area deciding who get elected" and how exactly do you figure that? Our most densely populated areas are to my knowledge, NY, CA, DC, and a few other locations I can't think of right now.
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 12:03 PM Report Comment

But the point is, these locations would be deciding the fate of the rest of the nation in a true democracy, each and every election. With the electoral system, the vote is decided by popularity within each state, thus giving those not included in these dense areas a fighting chance to win an election or two.
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 12:09 PM Report Comment

Thw biggest problem this country has is Washington DC. There is not one elected person there who knows what it is to work for a living. The one thing they have never voted no on is their yearly raise. If a president can only serve 2 terms why is the congress better than the predident. Maybe we should require all members of Congress to pass an IQ test before taking office. A polygraph would also be a good idea.
>> justanamerican Sunday, August 8, 2010 2:01 PM Report Comment

I think I can settle this whole true democracy bit once and for all..here's the presidential election results..http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/ __ here is a list of population according to state as of 2006 http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004986.html __ wow.. looks like a lot of red states... take a look at the electoral result.. now, here's the result from 2004 election http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/president/ __ took a lot more red states to win that one.. and still didn't get as many electorals as obama did..
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 3:34 PM Report Comment

Now, let's take a look at the 2000 election. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/election/map.htm .. wow, looks almost identical to the 2004 election. I wish this one had posted the actual number of votes, but I think it's generally known that Gore won the popular vote, but if we DIDN'T use the electoral college, you essentially hand power of the president over to the smaller collection of blue states who, election after election, almost always vote for the liberal candidates. This is PRECISELY the reason we do not have a true democracy.
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 3:41 PM Report Comment

What I find funny about this whole debate is that if in 2000 the situation had been reversed and Bush won the popular and Gore won the electoral, the liberals would be singing high praises for the electoral system... something to think about..
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 3:50 PM Report Comment

Congress controls all money. demonRats have been in control for YEARS! There is a coming storm of bankruptcies caused by unions. Feel free to blame bush in the bread line. Bell CA City Council members $100,000 a year for part-time positions - typical salary is $400. City manager $800,000. Police chief, 46-person department, $457,000 a year. LA police chief oversees 12,899 people and earns $307,000. Oakland, Calif., laid off 80 OFFICERS after failing to negotiate a settlement with the police union whose members earn compensation of $162,000 a year. Police chief says cops will no longer respond to 44 categories of crimes, including grand theft. Starting salary $90,459, before overtime, plus $15,859 health plan.
>> pervleft Sunday, August 8, 2010 6:35 PM Report Comment

No, it was not barney frank and dodd and fannie mae and freddie mac giving mortagage loans to people with no job, it was bush. well, we have a commercial mortgage crisis still to hit so you will have plenty of time to contemplate how bush did all this while the congress WHO CONTROLS ALL MONEY, is blameless? It must be nice to have no ability to think logically or rationally and to do it without any knowledge of how things work. Well, the good news is that we will need these geniuses to empty our bed pans. See, there are 2 sides to every situation.
>> pervleft Sunday, August 8, 2010 6:43 PM Report Comment

Poor in America can be obese: Forty-six % of all poor households actually own their own homes. The average home per the Census Bureau is a three bedroom house with one-and-a-half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio. Seventy-six % have air conditioning - 30 years ago, only 36 % of the U.S. population had AC. 6 % of poor households are overcrowded. More than two thirds have more than two rooms per person. The average poor American has more living space than the average individual living in cities in Europe. (These comparisons are to the average citizens in foreign countries, not to those classified as poor.) Nearly three quarters of poor households own a car; 30 % own two or more cars.
>> pervleft Sunday, August 8, 2010 6:52 PM Report Comment

Poor in America. • Ninety-seven percent of poor households have a color television; over half own two or more color televisions. • Seventy-eight percent have a VCR or DVD player; 62 percent have cable or satellite TV reception. • Seventy-three percent own microwave ovens, more than half have a stereo, and a third have an automatic dishwasher. • So, what I want everyone to do is pay a lot more taxes so the demonRats can take the money and give it to these po so they can have 3 color TVs.
>> pervleft Sunday, August 8, 2010 6:57 PM Report Comment

I'm not saying that only one side is to blame for our situation. There are politicians on both sides who have made bad policy, and just like Obama, I have taken issue with some of the Bush policies as is documented here. The problem is that each side wants to blame the other. I have documented here a case where democrats were able to place the blame on a bill failing to pass squarely on the GOP... I am sure the GOP has been equally guilty of doing the same thing. That would explain why the GOP lost power in Congress what... 3 times now since 1998? Our system does not exist for it to be exploited, and I wish people of all political parties would stop trying to exploit it.
>> nonliberal Sunday, August 8, 2010 7:02 PM Report Comment

James Mahan said "we don't have a long time to put with that 1/2 breed That is what I think and I will stand by it!". That is very sad to think that you are under the impression that just because he is of mixed racial origin that he is any less capable than anyone else. People used to (and probably still) think that people that were of mixed nationality are inferior or in some what incapable. I'm 1/2 Polish, and I'd imagine that even you would be old enough to realize how badly people used to refer to someone with my heritage. I am sincerely glad that an twit like you is not in office. Please have a great day!
>> myself Sunday, August 8, 2010 10:04 PM Report Comment

@Jorae "I want to live in a country where my salary is high enough not to need government assistance" If this is really true, then you should be opposing Obama policy, not supporting it, because so far Obama is only making us more dependent on government assistance. Do you really think that by growing government makes the individual more independent? I've seen and read through your posts, and despite the harsh criticisms you've received, I believe you to be much smarter than that. We all want this, but Obama's policies combined with the liberal policies of local municipals makes this difficult.
>> nonliberal Monday, August 9, 2010 3:16 AM Report Comment

@Jorae keep in mind that opposing Obama policy does not necessarily mean supporting GOP policy... This means the GOP is not always opposed to ideas suggested by the Democrats.. it's politicking, backdooring... call it what you will..I have no doubt the GOP is as guilty of exploiting procedure as the democrats have done (which is illustrated in a previous post) I'm not going to post supporting evidence of GOP doing this since everyone here seems to agree that there are crooks on both sides of the aisle (Nixon comes to mind)..
>> nonliberal Monday, August 9, 2010 3:25 AM Report Comment

nonliberal wrote: "I'm not going to post supporting evidence of GOP doing this since everyone here seems to agree that there are crooks on both sides of the aisle (Nixon comes to mind)..". No, no, no. Don't you remember that he made it clear that "I am not a crook". ROFLMAO Truth be told that neither of my parents have voted since they had helped vote him into office.
>> myself Monday, August 9, 2010 8:23 AM Report Comment

Just curious, who was in control of Congress last two years of Bush's term? Did Bush alone drive up debt and deficit spending? Just curious.
>> rich Monday, August 9, 2010 1:01 PM Report Comment

I just found this site, and have read many of the comments, but not all. What I haven't seen is any comment about the Fairtax proposal and its advantages. What one congressman has said about it is "if we do away with the IRS and income tax, how would we reward and punish----". What does that say about the rationality of some in our government?
>> dbuck Monday, August 9, 2010 3:31 PM Report Comment

I do not understand the need for name calling. We can all disagree, but no need to name call.
>> rich Monday, August 9, 2010 3:45 PM Report Comment

@dbuck now there's an idea... the IRS is one of the most feared government agencies. why? Why should people live in fear of its government? It really should be the other way around. Let's do away with the IRS, cut another agency, save millions in taxpayer dollars, implement a fair tax system. Why should people be rewarded or punished through a tax system? http://useconomy.about.com/od/fiscalpolicy/p/Fair_Tax.htm
>> nonliberal Monday, August 9, 2010 5:23 PM Report Comment

Looks like the majority is switching opinions on Obama policy http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_obama_job_approval-1044.html
>> nonliberal Monday, August 9, 2010 7:42 PM Report Comment

Why would the numbers surprise anyone? If you read Lord of the Flies, you can easily see how the mob can manipulate society. The mob is the Republican party that has no idea how to get out of the mess they made so their only tactics has to be discredit the current administration. If you think the stimulus did't work, look up how many red states didn't take it...It can work if politics come first...Skyrocketing Corporate Tax Avoidance 2001 -2003 In part due to a major expansion in corporate tax breaks along with continued failure by Congress and the White House to curb abusive corporate offshore tax sheltering, corporate tax avoidance has skyrocketed...But facts like this aren't mentioned on Faux News
>> jorae Monday, August 9, 2010 10:14 PM Report Comment

And you don't find it odd that support that Obama is dwindling? And do you think its republicans generating these numbers? Even still, isn't it equally odd that there are NO CEO's sitting on his cabinet? http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9HG67781&show_article=1 __ and if you think the liberal policies being implemented are going to work, take a look at the crisis engulfing all of Europe. They are in even worse shape than we are http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/Time-to-admit-Obamanomics-has-failed-1008050-100154469.html __ http://www.cnbc.com/id/38600623
>> nonliberal Monday, August 9, 2010 10:32 PM Report Comment

As for mob rule, last I checked, the democrats held the majority in both houses of Congress and the Executive. When legislation suggested by one party gets passed and signed with little or no support from the opposition, that should be sending BIG red flags up for everyone, no matter the political affiliation, and as far as I am concerned, for the time being at least it seems that the democrats are the mob, dictating what is to be law and what isn't.
>> nonliberal Monday, August 9, 2010 10:38 PM Report Comment

From name calling to mob rule. Have not seen any violence during any Conservative, Republican, or Tea Party get togethers. Perhaps I missed something.
>> rich Tuesday, August 10, 2010 12:29 AM Report Comment

@rich I think by mob rule Jorae was really referring to principle rather than actual events. To my knowledge there has been no violence in either legislative house since the 1800's. She is under the impression that republicans are spin masters and are trying to mislead, but she fails to realize that democrats are equally capable of spinning and misleading as is demonstrated by climategate, or clinton's scandal with his intern..
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 1:04 AM Report Comment

lets look at those red states of the 2000 and 2004 election again.. is anyone, liberal or conservative, going to tell me that those few states in the far west and/or northeast has the right to decide what's in the best interest of the states that fall in between, even though there are more states collectively voting against the opposition? That would mean, according to the 2000 election that 18 states would decide what's in the best interest of the other 32, even though those 18 states are not in proximity of the vast majority of those other 32 states.. how interesting. This is what I meant by the most densely populated areas controlling the rest of the country..
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 1:08 AM Report Comment

The mob is the lies that are spread...FoxNews, Rush...etc...And the topic of the thread...are YOU THAT DUMB???? Taxes are going to have to go up in order to fix what was left....now get over the politics blank stare and come to your senses....Do you want a country or not...they taxes are part of having a country....simple...Obamam was born in Hawaii, He did not cause the Oil spill, The tax are expiring but at a good time since we need the money... 3 percent increase is the least someone can do that has extra, The Stimulus was not used by the Red states to there fullest...Why should any one with a brain try to talk to people who believe this stuff?
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 1:31 AM Report Comment

@Jorae then let us return to the original subject of this thread.. I have not seen a SINGLE post from anyone in this thread that is opposed to taxes.. if you want to call what Fox News spreads lies, then check behind them. Have you ever wondered why CNN got the nickname Clinton News Network? If Obama was born in Hawaii, all he has to do is present to the public his long form birth certificate and the matter would be settled. Instead, he's spending more money than I've seen in MY LIFETIME trying to keep that a secret. Back to the original subject.. Obama said that no one making under $250k/yr would see ANY.. I repeat.. ANY form of tax increase...
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 1:46 AM Report Comment

So, we return to the original debate. If Obama wanted to be true to his word, then he would see to it that the Bush tax cuts that were given as child credits, the overall tax percentage, etc etc not apply to those who fall into the category of his promise. Did he? the answer is NO according to your own documentation. He didn't mention those particular tax breaks, which are about to expire, are not included in his own tax legislation. He didn't even take any effort to bring those particular tax cuts within the law to the attention of the public. In essence, he lied by omission.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 1:50 AM Report Comment

"3 percent increase is the least someone can do that has extra" and what about those of us that don't have extra? there is no provision for that. And, there is a viable reason that some of those red states chose not to use the stimulus package.. it is because it is a fiscally irresponsible package. Throw money at the problem and it will simply go away? That's what the stimulus package was, and we are seeing now that it didn't really work. If it did, our job availability would increase and unemployment decrease. That hasn't happened.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:03 AM Report Comment

You make 16,000 a month and you spend every cent...you need an accountant. It's a sorry fact that most people who make that amount have enough loope holes to not pay a cent....and If this time they can't manage to hide that ext 3 percent...then GOOD
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:28 AM Report Comment

I never actually said how much I make a month, but the fact that anyone can presume to think that I can afford to pay an extra 3% in income tax is EXTREMELY arrogant.. if you combine that with state income tax, county property tax both on house and cars, combine with state sales tax and county sales tax, it basically amounts to half the amount of money I make, INCLUDING FICA, SS, Medicare tax. So, yes, any extra tax is a burden. For the record, 16,000 is a bit much to presume for me. I previously have stated I made roughly 20k/YEAR.. so, for every 10 hours I work, regardless of salary, I get paid for 5 hours of it with the other half going to tax of some sort. NOT FAIR!
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:53 AM Report Comment

But let us not forget what the real issue is in this thread, and the real issue is that Obama promised no tax increase for those making $250k/yr, and I have seen Jorae herself say that she believes that Obama intends to keep his promise, and instead of agreeing with those of us who have proven that he in fact does not intend to keep that promise, she defends him.. this baffles me. why? no one here is saying taxes aren't necessary.. we are only saying here that he promised tax increases only in a certain area, and we as conservatives have demonstrated this is truly not the case. So why defend the policy?
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:05 AM Report Comment

You know.. back when the iraq and afhgan war began, michael moore was on mainstream media screaming about how Bush lied about the presence of WMD in iraq.. I find it funny that he's not screaming about how Obama lied about the tax increases.. something else to think about..
>> nonliberall Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:13 AM Report Comment

Bush did lie about the WMD....You spin to make it sound like the cirgarett tax is for the poor...I'm telling you it is non specific since rich and poor both smoke and at the new prices, the poor will give it up a lot sooner than a rich person. It is a very childish argument...really.
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:23 AM Report Comment

"Bush did lie about the WMD" to the same level as Obama lying about no tax increase for anyone making less than $250k/yr. IN order to avoid scrutiny on the matter, Obama should not have raised tax at all on cigarettes, but where is Michael Moore who made so much of an issue on Bush policy? Why is he not doing the same thing on Obama policy? That is the real question I have on the matter.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:30 AM Report Comment

You spin to make it sound like the cirgarett tax is for the poor...I'm telling you it is non specific since rich and poor both smoke and at the new prices, the poor will give it up a lot sooner than a rich person. It is a very childish argument...really... Post after this is FACT: The cigarette tax is for everyone, rich and poor alike. It doesn't matter how much you make per year, at the city, statte, and national level, they expect you to pay higher taxes
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:40 AM Report Comment

I could go out and buy a luxury item that has a luxury tax because I have good credit. I am not rich...This is the same thing in that it is expensive to smoke, but all people can buy them if they want...poor people will have to do without other things when they do. It is not a logical item to get hysterical about...So when I go out and buy a Yacht you can say Obama has tax another poor person and lied....dumb...and there is a big difference between paying $6.00 more a carton and the death of a service man.Luxury taxes may be levied with the intent of taxing the rich or in a deliberate effort to alter consumption patterns, either for moral reasons or in times of national emergency
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:44 AM Report Comment

"a luxury tax because I have good credit. I am not rich...This is the same thing in that it is expensive to smoke" @Jorae please, DO NOT EVEN TRY TO TRIVIALIZE LUXURY with smoking.. I don't know of many luxury items that can cause a mutation in protein p53 which is the protein responsible for maintaining cell growth in the resperatory system. Did I mention my degree was in biology? You simply do not want to equate that the fact Obama raised cigarette tax as a tax hike on the wealthy. I have demonstrated time and again that his intentions on this promise aren't true, and you will be hard-pressed to convince myself or anyone on this matter that Oboama was truthfukl
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 4:01 AM Report Comment

Imposition of Luxury Tax in United States of America: Some Drawbacks "In an attempt to increase Luxury Tax on luxury items like cigarettes, there is every possibility that black marketing may start on substantial or high levels, for supplying the consumers with more cigarettes." That is exactly what the tax is...http://www.economywatch.com/tax/united-states/luxury.html
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 4:05 AM Report Comment

so, @Jorae. I have to ask.. .You have challenged my credibility, which has otherwise supported here. You continue to present arguments here, and each and every time I or another one of us can shoot them down, and even when I have made my case beyond any reasonable doubt, you continue to spin it..Are you trying to understand conservatives, or are you trying to get a better sense of our point of view? I mean, even when I have proven beyond any doubt whatsoever that Obama lied, you held on to your belief that he would keep that promise, though it has been demonstrated here time and time again that has no such intention... so, why defend the guy?
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 4:13 AM Report Comment

Bush sr. said "no new taxes"...but he raised taxes...I don't know if Democrats are just more realistic and republicans or what...I would like to agree with you on this, but I honestly think it is a straw argument. Raising taxes on cigarette effect anyone who buy them.rich and poor. I was not aimed 100% at the poor. So it just isn't a good argument...sorry. Where it is 100% is the tax brackets and that was what he generally was talking about. You know and so do I...but this pre-puberty type arguing is just really a Faux talking point and stupid...really
>> jore Tuesday, August 10, 2010 4:22 AM Report Comment

Raising taxes on cigarette effect anyone who buy them.rich and poor" Then don't you think Obama should have left this tax hike out of the tax increases if he were really genuine on keeping his promise? I'm not sure I follow your last statement. The only way for a resolution such as this to be accepted is that all the facts be known from all perspectives.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 4:36 AM Report Comment

No. It is also called a "Sin" tax and easy to sell. You need money for something and want to be fiscal responsible, you pick something that only effects a few...and not too disappointed if it causes people to quit...it is a win/win type of taxation. On February 4, 2009, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 was signed into law, which raised the federal tax rate for cigarettes on April 1, 2009 from $0.39 per pack to $1.01 per pack. I'm not upset and I smoke and POOR...But I am glad the tax bracket I am in is going down - the $200,000 statement doesn't make any sense unless you apply it to the tax brackets...
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 4:50 AM Report Comment

Look.. I don't have any objection to the tax hikes on cigs.. my objection is on this matter is that Obama misrepresented himself on the issue of tax hikes in general, and I as many others are not happy about it. If a person campaigns on a promise, gets elected, and goes completely against his promise(s), his approval rating are going to go down... it took Bush roughly 6 years to get to below the majority disapproving of him. Its taken Obama only 2...
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:09 AM Report Comment

"It is also called a "Sin" tax and easy to sell" -Well, that may be good and all, but the original issue of his thread when Obama said that no one making $250k or less would see any form of tax increase. What you have described is a very broad tax increase. At this point, you either have to call Obama a nutjob for believing that people who smoke only make $250k/yr or more, or you have to call him a liar. take your pick. In either case, his has misled the public, and as such does not deserve our support.
>> nonliberal Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:23 AM Report Comment

You take your argument from works in the sentence make up of "Families" and the word "$250,000"...and those two words are the subject of the sentence. If they were not in the sentence, you MIGHT have a point. But you are spinning the word "any" to make a lame argument. He is talking about tax brackets... Good nite.
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:29 AM Report Comment

Jorae said: "Bush sr. said "no new taxes"...but he raised taxes...I don't know if Democrats are just more realistic and republicans or what...I would like to agree with you on this, but I honestly think it is a straw argument." So Bush Jr. said EVERYONE will get a tax break, and then he made it so (lowering of ALL tax rates across the board ... the rich were the last ones to receive the tax cut). BTW, that doesn't mean that I'm saying we don't need to undo those decreases, but it should be across the board in all honesty.
>> myself Tuesday, August 10, 2010 8:02 AM Report Comment

@myself - the tax breaks WERE across the board. The bottom tax rate was 15% and was reduced to 10% now it is going back up to 15% so someone making $24,000 a year will have their taxes increased by another $1200.00 per year. Obama did lie and he knew he was lying when he said "Anyone making under $250,000 a year will not see one dime in increased taxes. Do you hear me not one single dime". Yes obama - we all heard you - - you lied. Not only are income taxes going up but there are a ton of other taxes - - one small example - 10% tax on tanning salons - -WHY??? Is that a slap on the face to white people? Obama is hurting small business.
>> jeansolean Tuesday, August 10, 2010 9:52 AM Report Comment

Take a look at 2010 tax brackets - - You can see the bottom rate is 10% and the top is 35% - - it is being increased to 15% bottom and 40% top
>> jeansolean Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:01 AM Report Comment

Year 2010 income brackets and tax rates Marginal Tax Rate[2] Single Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er) Married Filing Separately Head of Household 10% $0 – $8,375 $0 – $16,750 $0 – $8,375 $0 – $11,950 15% $8,376 – $34,000 $16,751 – $68,000 $8,376 – $34,000 $11,951 – $45,550 25% $34,001 – $82,400 $68,001 – $137,300 $34,001 – $68,650 $45,551 – $117,650 28% $82,401 – $171,850 $137,301 – $209,250 $68,651 – $104,625 $117,651 – $190,550 33% $171,851 – $373,650 $209,251 – $373,650 $104,626 – $186,825 $190,551 - $373,650 35% $373,651+ $373,651+ $186,826+ $373,651+
>> jeansolean Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:11 AM Report Comment

What did you "ERROR" that voted for Obama and his liberals think?! Nothing is Free, somebody always has to pay for it. You are only upset because you are going to have to help foot the bill. Hopefully this is YOUR wake up call! The rest of us have been fighting this since he announced his intention to run for office... Be Very Careful How You Vote This Year... this is not about party, it's about FREEDOM!
>> jane Tuesday, August 10, 2010 11:32 AM Report Comment

jeansolean, I won't argue that point. I know that if the 2001 Bush tax cuts all expire that everyone will receive an increase in their taxes (and then Obama will have lied on that point). I don't particularly like the idea about my taxes going up, but that crazy way our gov't is spending money like there's not tomorrow will lead us into higher taxes. I believe that it would be necessary in order to get the National Debt under control, but of course smaller gov't would be a better alternative.
>> myself Tuesday, August 10, 2010 12:12 PM Report Comment

FWIW, here's an article on ABC news where the Fed may be considering another stimulus: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11364570. I wonder if they realize we can be overstimulated because of the borrowing to pay for these various stimulus plans. Nah ... we'll just tax everyone more.
>> myself Tuesday, August 10, 2010 12:19 PM Report Comment

Is it ever gonna end? When will these people like Ryan Ellis stop redefining what is going on and simply print the truth? There aren't any new taxes taking effect in 6 months. Taxes that were already in place then halted by the Bush Administration to further their buddies' wealth are going to be re-initiated. This article is completely missing the basic truth of the matter. These taxes that were stopped by Bush are a major component of where our deficit came from - that and the billions being spent on wars that his administration is also responsible for. They emptied out the cookie jar and left the rest of us to struggle to fill it back up. It's absurd that so many people refuse to acknowledge this.
>> LolaS Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:05 PM Report Comment

LolaS, so you're saying that Obama when he was a Senator didn't sign the TARP bailout, or instigate the ARRA? Or that Clinton repealed the Glass-Stegall act? Oh, I'm sorry ... you mean that everything happened only because of Bush. Oy vey. Have you not realized that it wasn't just Bush that caused this mess? It wasn't just Republicans, it wasn't just Democrats. It was the people who didn't (or in some cases couldn't) get off their behinds and perform work and save for themselves.
>> myself Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:18 PM Report Comment

As an example, I'd bet that 90% of the people that are currently out of work, would be unwilling to start saving for their future when they get back to work. There will be one excuse or another as to why (I can't live without TV/cell phone, or I lived long enough not having ). They currently can be behind on their bills, but will be unwilling to get rid of such luxuries to minimize the negative effect unemployment is having on their situation. And I'm not suggesting it's bad to have a cell phone itself, however if they have a cell phone, text, data plan, and a land line, some things need to be cut.
>> myself Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:25 PM Report Comment

@LolaS, I guess you're just ignoring the second wave, which is all Obamacare tax hikes signed into law by the President. Frankly, I think it's fair game if you're in charge and you let taxes go up like this. Blaming the Senate's budget rules in 2001 and 2003 is just a cop-out. The Dems and Obama could stop this tax hike now. Why haven't they?
>> Rellis Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:04 PM Report Comment

The largest tax hikes in US history were after FDR and WWII. The wealthiest Americans paid 95% on the top portions of their income. Today those of us who are wealthy pay around 25%. If you are reading this and are opposed to taxing amounts earned over 200,000 at a higher rate than 25%, consider this. Mr. Mark Hurd of HP got caught doctoring the company's books to cover up an attempted sexual liaison with a contractor. If you got caught doing something like that by your employer what would happen to you? He gets to walk away with $28,000,000. With his loop holes - tax free.
>> wildoaklane Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:46 PM Report Comment

looks like in 2011...................................................................... 15% Bracket.....single.......................................$8,426-34,200 old 2010..................................................................... 15% Bracket.....single......................................8,375 – 34,000 So if you make $34,200 in 2010 you went to the 20% bracket, but if you made that amount for your 2011 taxes, you pay 15%...it works this way up to the $200,000 bracket that was 33% but now would be 36% in 2011...
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:54 PM Report Comment

The Failure of Corporate Tax Incentives Legislation adopted in 2002 and 2003 vastly increased corporate write-offs for “accelerated depreciation” and made it easier for corporations to use their excess tax subsidies to generate tax-rebate checks from the U.S. Treasury, at a three-year cost of $175 billion. Backers of those so-called “incentives” said they would encourage new corporate investments in plant and equipment. But the study finds that they failed to do so:Citizens for Tax Justice
>> jorae Tuesday, August 10, 2010 6:45 PM Report Comment

Jorae:Oh I see you are for Social Justice. You like Obama believe in share the wealth.I don't know if you know but the bottom 40% of the population of the United States pay absolutely 0% in income tax. as a matter of fact they get paid from the government coffers.Some families get paid as much as 5K aqnd paid zero income tax.And of course you thnk thats fair. This is not how the US was designed to be but Progressives like yourself and Obama want to transform into something that it has never been. Why don't you just move to Germany or England or Spain, maybe even Greece.In those country you would be truly happy. The Mjority of this country wants it to stay just the way it has been or maybe even tturn it back to the way it was desiged.
>> ConcernedCitizens Tuesday, August 10, 2010 8:24 PM Report Comment

jorae:You and people like you are leaches in society because yu take and take from everything without contributing anything back finacially. You know Jorae the sad .The problem is that you see nothing wrong in that.It's not George W. Bushes falt as to our economic situation. It's the damn entitlements this country has put into place.Give you an example I live in RI with a population of 1.2 Million we have a yearly budget of 8.2Billion and out of that 24% goes to welfarre and social services. 1,000,250,000 is entitlements lat yeear we in RI had a 600,000,000 deficit. We spend and spend and spend without cutting government.
>> ConcernedCitizens Tuesday, August 10, 2010 8:32 PM Report Comment

jorae:The state of new hapshire has the same populaton pretty much as RI NH has a state workforce of 7500 state employees and RI has 16,000. Huge government expenses and we are never seeing the light of day. Obama runs this country plus bush was no better. You keep mentioning about the debt that Bush left us without excepting that the democrat controlled House and Senate controlled the money that was spend. Remember the President can't spend money without the Concent of the house and senate but you continue to blame Bush.You like most progressives would never blame the democratic controlled house and senate of G. W. Bush.
>> ConcernedCitizens Tuesday, August 10, 2010 8:39 PM Report Comment

The truth will show in our 2011 pay statements and when we file our 2011 income tax. These politicians are stealing our money...let's agree on that. We need a Congressional Reform (term limits in both House and Senate). Let's abolish the IRS. WE may all differ in our political convictions but we can find a common interest...and that is, we want to keep most of our hard earned dollar. We can't allow these politicians and media to divide us..we are good people and we are being played and treated like slaves by these politicians..both parties.
>> Braveheart Wednesday, August 11, 2010 12:23 AM Report Comment

"You take your argument from works in the sentence make up of "Families" and the word "$250,000" By this are we to assume that the tax hikes (like for cigarettes for example) are intended only for people with no families, regardless of income? This would make me think you believe people who smoke don't have families. So, to assume that people who make less than $200k/$250k per year don't smoke and then raise the taxes on tobacco promise, REGARDLESS of the target, goes against his promise. So again, either his is a nutjob, or he is a liar, and in either case STILL does not warrant support.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 11, 2010 12:54 AM Report Comment

Yawn...try Google for the tax brackets 2011...you just can't cut and paste them here as many of my fellow truth lovers know...
>> jorae Wednesday, August 11, 2010 1:15 AM Report Comment

Jorae, I know you're not that naive to believe that the "2011 tax brackets" are for the "2011 tax year". They are for the "2010 tax year", filed in 2011. The 2012 brackets for tax filing year of 2011 will be when it will (if it does) go back up, which will become effective in or around January 2011.
>> myself Wednesday, August 11, 2010 1:54 AM Report Comment

Again with the tax brackets? Let's put a simple end to this. True or false: Did the tax on cigarettes rise under Obama's admin? True. Did Obama promise that no family will see a tax hike of ANY type? True. There are people who have families and smoke: True. Those people who have families, who smoke, only make $200k/yr or more: FALSE And from what I remember, the lowest tax bracket for income tax was 10% under Bush tax cuts, which if expire go up to 15%, and if the argument continues I will find the documentation. So, I brought families into my argument, and there's that pesky word ANY.. Obama didn't change his tone to mean income tax until AFTER he was elected, which STILL makes him a nutjob or a liar.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 11, 2010 2:05 AM Report Comment

Nonliberal - - I think he is both
>> jeansolean Wednesday, August 11, 2010 2:16 AM Report Comment

Peddling your junk to the lowest brain dead, sheep in our midst. You twist reality by cleverly hiding, altering, manipulating facts…that sort of slight of hand is all it takes to make all sorts of nonsense seem perfectly rational to those who don’t have mental acuity to see through the fog. Altering...changing a sentence about tax brackets into excise taxes. But the owner of this site and it lame followers fall into the sheep.
>> jorae Wednesday, August 11, 2010 3:17 AM Report Comment

Again with the twisting of facts..I find it rather simple. Did Obama promise that families making $200/$250k per year NO TYPE OF ANY TAX INCREASE? Do those same families have members within it that smoke? If any family can answer YES to that question, then that makes Obama a liar... YOu made it a point about Bush Sr raising taxes when he promised not to and what happened? he got voted out of office. Guess what's going to happen to Obama when the public realizes that their tax deductions on their payroll check have suddenly increased?
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 11, 2010 3:41 AM Report Comment

someones got to pay for that big fat federal goverment!
>> pete c Wednesday, August 11, 2010 8:55 AM Report Comment

OBAMA-nation blaims Bush this and blaims Bush that. Well Obama, get your head out of the Bush because your favorite little pet Harry REID was their working with Bush to create the the hell that you are continuing. Harry Reid and his leadership or the lack there of is to blaim for your so called headaches.
>> Gary Germ Wednesday, August 11, 2010 3:38 PM Report Comment

You knocklheads and your comments about the need for tax increases to accomodate education, prisons, road maintenance, etc. Get your heads out of your asses. A mtter of fact, get your ass off the couch and get to work. Enough of the entitlement and enough of the handouts. Harry Reid and his genius math indicates that if you give a poor man a dollar that poor man will spend two in return. well for that poor man to spend that second dollar, he needs to break into my home, steal my belongings, sell them for 50% of value, get caught for his felony, spend money in the court system to put him away and then we take care of him and his welfare family for the next ten years. yeh! Harry, where is the secondf dollar coming from?
>> Gary Germ Wednesday, August 11, 2010 3:48 PM Report Comment

Why doesn't all the top end of the gov. take a pay cut and live a bit like normal people for a change and give the rest of us a frigin break. We are not the ones that made the usa in debt! I voted for the guy.....I had know idea he was OBAMA THE MOVIE STAR.
>> dave Wednesday, August 11, 2010 4:50 PM Report Comment

I have to say, this is all pretty disingenuous. First of all, you talk about certain tax increases that would happen if the tax cuts were allowed to pass without any action from Congress at all, when that's not what's happening. The administration has repeatedly said it intends to keep the tax cuts for people making less than $250,000. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40672.html So, you're not being honest there.
>> Austin Wednesday, August 11, 2010 5:30 PM Report Comment

Pardon the multiple posts...it takes too many words to rebut the numerous falsehoods stated here. You're also not being honest when you complain about consumption taxes, such as the tanning tax, which has been a conservative staple. They are always praised as more fair than a progressive income tax. And you can't act like you were confused about what Obama meant when he said taxes would not increase for people making less than $250,000 a year. He was clearly referring to income tax, as the government can't control what people purchase and what taxes might befall them as a result.
>> Austin Wednesday, August 11, 2010 5:36 PM Report Comment

You also talk about the economic substance doctrine disallowing legal tax breaks. These are tax breaks that have been exploited by people building fake tax shelters, such as putting a PO box in the Bahamas and calling it their "headquarters." It's closing a loophole so businesses doing business in the US will have to pay taxes in the US like they were supposed to, instead of using the most absurdly dishonest tax dodge of all. It’s a perfectly reasonable loophole to close. The people deserve to know the truth, and you’re fogging it with these half-truths that totally misrepresent what's going on. But some of us see through it, and are here to say that you should really be more interested in honesty than pushing a political agenda.
>> Austin Wednesday, August 11, 2010 5:41 PM Report Comment

Last one, I promise. I'm trying to figure out how small government, fiscal conservatives could even be for a child tax credit. Transferring tax dollars from people who don't have kids to people who do? Doesn't sound like fiscal conservativsm to me. And you didn't mention that the "death tax" affects less than 1% of the population. That's always a convenient note left out to make it seem like that tax is incredibly more far-reaching than it really is. I understand being opposed to it, but a little honestly in letting people know that it affects so few people is helpful.
>> Austin Wednesday, August 11, 2010 5:45 PM Report Comment

As for people exploiting breaks. And, they can do that because there are loopholes in the law. What do our politicians do instead of just plugging the loophole? They create more government agencies, regulations, and over-complicate the system. As for Obama clearly talking about income tax, if he were then he should have said that when he was on the campaign trail, and if there was any doubt as to who making what amount of money to by a certain product, he should have just left the tax alone there.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:17 PM Report Comment

"The administration has repeatedly said it intends to keep the tax cuts for people making less than $250,000. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40672.html So, you're not being honest there." Oh really? Take a look at the tax cuts that expire 12/31/2010 http://www.jct.gov/publications.html?func=startdown&id=3646 The current administration has done NOTHING to keep these tax cuts in place for those that fall in under the $250k mark.
>> nonliberal Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:21 PM Report Comment

"Transferring tax dollars from people who don't have kids to people who do?" Tax this...tax that...Don't tax those...tax anything that moves and by the way tax the things that don't move. Tax on income, tax on savings, tax on realestate that you paid off with TAXED income, and then TAXED again when you sell it and gain a profit. We all have so many tax credits and taxing methods nobody, including the government knows where or how the money comes in, or whether it will come in at all. Remove ALL TAXES accross the board...Tax only consumption. Sales tax and Import/Export tax should be the only revenue gained by the government. this will clear up all issues because everyone consumes.
>> Gary Germ Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:24 PM Report Comment

Stockman rushes into the ring swinging like a boxer: "If there were such a thing as Chapter 11 for politicians, the Republican push to extend the unaffordable Bush tax cuts would amount to a bankruptcy filing. The nation's public debt ... will soon reach $18 trillion." It screams "out for austerity and sacrifice." But instead, the GOP insists "that the nation's wealthiest taxpayers be spared even a three-percentage-point rate increase." h) -- "How my G.O.P. destroyed the U.S. economy." Yes, that is exactly what David Stockman, President Ronald Reagan's director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in a recent New York Times op-ed piece,
>> jorae Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:59 AM Report Comment

Jorae, still peddlying your woes and not agreeing to any of the sensible posters on this thread? Clinton repealed the Gl*ss - Stegall act, NOT the G.O.P. The removal of that piece of legislation allowed for the housing bubble to build major momentum, and anyone with a pulse to get a mortgage (with 0% down, etc.). IT WAS NOT JUST THE G.O.P., IT WAS BOTH THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS that got us into this mess. Having blinders on is good if you're a horse or a jack-*ss.
>> myself Thursday, August 12, 2010 1:03 PM Report Comment