Why we need unions and what it means for the US to not have them.

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  1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/149762_421735494515823_255812618_n.jpg

    1. profile image0
      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Haha.

    2. John Holden profile image62
      John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That has to be the best and clearest definition of the trickle down effect!

      1. lovemychris profile image77
        lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        I agree. Only I would add, "and be sufficiently grateful for it....or you don't Luv your country."

  2. profile image0
    JaxsonRaineposted 11 years ago

    Yeah, only one thing would make it better...

    If it were correct.

    1. John Holden profile image62
      John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      But it is! How else do you explain the feeble idea that the best way to make the poor better off is to give more to the rich?

      Don't forget that I come from a country whose leader at one time publicly espoused trickle down!

      1. profile image0
        JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Lowering the tax rate on someone is not 'giving them more'. It's 'taking away less'.

        When you earn money, it is yours. If the government taxes you, they are taking it away. They don't give you money by allowing you to keep it.


        Now that we have that out of the way, the whole idea of 'trickle down doesn't work' is flawed on different levels.

        Fundamentally, if the government takes away all of everybody's earnings, nobody will have anything, and there would be no private sector. So, by increasing taxes toward 100%, you will inevitably approach 0 private-sector hiring. You can't dispute that.

        Additionally, the whole argument that trickle-down doesn't work is stupid because we haven't really changed corporate tax rates in about 25 years, but everyone acts like they were dropped drastically and it made no difference.

        1. John Holden profile image62
          John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Dream on.

          Like I said, we tried trickle down and we're still paying the price. It isn't about taxing people more, it's about taxing them the same, everybody, not giving huge tax breaks to the rich whilst putting the tax screws on the middle classes and the poor.

          1. profile image0
            JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            We never lowered taxes on CORPORATIONS. You know, the entities that hire people.



            As far as taxing everybody the same, that's ridiculous.

            Bottom 50% pay 1.85%. Top 1% pay 24%.


            The top 1% make 17% of the money and pay 37% of the taxes. By definition, they pay over double their fair share.

            How is paying 24% not paying as much as paying 1.85?

            1. Ralph Deeds profile image66
              Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              "We never lowered taxes on CORPORATIONS. You know, the entities that hire people."

              Maybe, but we sure created a lot of loopholes and subsidies which lowered the actual effective rate if not the nominal rate.

              1. profile image0
                JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Even looking at the effective rate, we're not competitive compared to most of the developed world. We're 7% higher on new investments than the average of the OECD. Basically telling investors we don't want their money.

          2. Ralph Deeds profile image66
            Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            True. The U.S. doesn't collect enough taxes to pay for the public services that everybody wants and needs--education, roads, SS, Medicare, Medicaide, defense (war, actually)and so forth. The GOP likes to cut taxes, especially on the rich, but they aren't very good at following through on cutting expenses, especially the billions wasted by the Department of Defense.

            1. profile image0
              JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              Do you think that the bottom 50% of Americans should pay more than 1.85% income taxes?

              1. lovemychris profile image77
                lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Did you know that for every tank of gas you buy...$14.00 of it is because of wall street speculators? Do you consider that a tax?

                Gas in 1995 was $1.19 a gal. I paid $3.69 yesterday...what is that?

                How about when we pay our phone bill, electric bill, real estate, heat, buy clothes, car payments, toilet paper, lawn-mowers, etc etc etc etc. It's all taxed.

                And don't forget FICA--that's 7.65% right off the top.....on small incomes 1.85% in Fed is all we can afford!

                And yet: Mitt pays tax at 14%, and he made 45 mil in 2 years....you OK with that?

                1. profile image0
                  JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  The reason gas is so expensive is because of OPEC, they engage in price fixing. It's not because of Wall Street(Are you saying that Wall Street is responsible for worldwide gas prices?) Even with that though, we could get our gas prices back down if we just took advantage of our natural resources here at home, and create a lot of jobs while we're at it too.

                  Yes, we have sales tax. Funny thing, everyone pays the same sales tax.

                  Yes, people pay FICA and all that too. But, want to hear something REALLY funny about the 1.85% figure? It doesn't include any refundable credits. A family of 3 or more that makes under ~40,000 will actually get money back, aka a negative tax rate. But those numbers aren't included in that figure I gave.

                  Also, Mitt pays more taxes than just his 14%. He also has to pay taxes on the corporate side. Just like how a self-employed person pays taxes on their business income, then they pay taxes on 'paying themselves' from their business income.

                  But keep imagining that the rich somehow aren't paying their fair share, even though the top 1% covers almost 40% of the burden.

                  1. John Holden profile image62
                    John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    And how much of the countries wealth do the top 1% have?

                2. American View profile image60
                  American Viewposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  2009 when Obama took office gas was $1.89, guess you did not want to admit that LMC

                  Just to accurate here, SS is 7.5 % but now is only 5.5%

                  Yes I am OK Mitt paid 15% on the $200 million risk he took. LMC, would you let him take a tax credit if he lost all $200 Million and became broke? What do you  risk LMC? Why should you get something when you risk nothing.

                  1. lovemychris profile image77
                    lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    I don't risk....I work!

                    And my kids teacher works. And the nurses at the hospital work.

                    And they should not be paying more out of their lives than ole money-bags Romney.

                    I'm positive they pay at a higher rate....and they're not gambling with other people's money.

  3. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    When you live somewhere--you owe it.

    YOU didn't make the roads, provide the schools, the beautiful parks, the military, etc etc.

    Those with wealth get the best this country has to offer, and no one stops them--they live like kings and queens.

    Buffet is right....They have been coddled way too long.

    For, as Leona Helmsley said: "Only the little people pay taxes."

    And the rich skim off the top.

    1. profile image0
      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Only the little people pay taxes?

      The average American in the bottom 50% pays 1.85% taxes. The average 1%-er pays 24%. Is 1.85 more than 24?

      1. lovemychris profile image77
        lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Max Keiserā€

        Tax payers built the net. They give away their content freely. They blow billions on an IPO. But only Zuck and a few VC's get paid.

        1. profile image0
          JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Answer the question.

          You say only the little people pay taxes.

          So, you are saying that paying 1.85% of your income in taxes is paying taxes, but paying 24% of your income in taxes isn't?

          How can paying taxes not be paying taxes?

      2. Ralph Deeds profile image66
        Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Those figures don't sound rught. They obviously don't include SS tax, sales tax, property taxes. Our tax system is one of the most regressive in the world.

  4. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    http://s4.hubimg.com/u/6375831_f520.jpg

    http://s1.hubimg.com/u/6375832_f520.jpg

    http://s2.hubimg.com/u/6375833_f520.jpg

    http://s3.hubimg.com/u/6375830_f520.jpg

    http://s4.hubimg.com/u/6375835_f520.jpg

    1. Ralph Deeds profile image66
      Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good stuff, Wiz. Nothing like the facts.

      1. profile image0
        JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Lol. So if Wiz posts a picture that says the top 1% pay 19% taxes, you call it facts.



        If I provide a direct source where you can check out the data, showing that two years later the top 1% pay 24% taxes, you say it's wrong?

        I have an idea Ralph. Since I have provided source after source after source, time and time again, how about you provide a source showing that I'm wrong?

        I mean a real source too. Not a news story, not a blog post. Some kind of actual study into tax rates, preferably from a government agency.

        1. Ralph Deeds profile image66
          Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Tell me if I'm wrong if your figures included ALL taxes. All taxes should be included in making conclusions about the fairness or regressivity of taxes. Seems to me you specialize in citing obscure figures and drawing misleading, unwarranted conclusions.

          1. profile image0
            JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            No, my figures don't include all taxes. My figures are from federal taxes based on IRS reports. My figures show the federal tax rate(with some notes).

            The bottom 50% paying 1.85 is a generous figure, as it doesn't count any refundable credits. Almost any head of household of married couple with at least 1 dependent will actually have a negative tax rate in the bottom 50%, but in these reports they get reported as having a positive tax rate.

            Citing the federal income tax rate isn't obscure, nor is it misleading. I told you, you are welcome to look for something showing the total impact of state/local/FICA taxes across all income levels, but you seem more concerned with insisting(with no evidence) that I'm wrong and you're right and rich people are evil.

    2. profile image0
      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      1st image - Ok, corporations pay 20% taxes on their pre-tax profits, after having paid taxes on the money they pay to their employees. Unless you are in the top 1%, you aren't paying anywhere near that much, so why complain? Do you want to punish corporations more for doing well and hiring people?

      2nd image - I already know that the part about GE is wrong, and I've proven that(although you never did reply to that thread I made even though you said you would look at the facts). Do you have anything to say about that?

      Bank of America I agree with. Companies bailed out by the government get stupid benefits. GM is getting a total of $45 billion off of their taxes over the next decade. The bailouts rewarded corporations for going bankrupt.

      Exxon paid 15 billion in income taxes in 2009, that's 47% of their pre-tax earnings.
      http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/ … toc94192_9

      3rd image actually proves my point, that the rich pay high taxes and the poor don't. The chart admits that the yellow line is marginal rates and effective rates are much lower. It puts the top 1% at 20% and the middle 20% at 3.3%. So, are the rich not paying enough for only paying 20%?

      4th image - What's the point? Corporations are paying much more out in payroll taxes than in income taxes? That's good, it means they are employing people. Looking at corporate taxes as a % of tax revenue doesn't say anything about the % they are paying as a tax rate. It's a stupid % to look at.

      5th image - Yes, the internet and other modern advances has brought fame and fortune within the reach of everyone. Many people have made a lot of money by starting their own companies. Before the 80's, how much harder do you think it was to start a business that could reach out across the entire world for customers? This is a tribute to the opportunity we all have access to. I'd have to check the Census data to see if they are right about the figures in the first portion of the chart, but really, it just shows that EVERYONE is getting more and more, on average, no matter what group they are in.

      1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
        Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Thanks for taking the time to analyze the images, Jaxson, though your cherry-picked interpretation is not the way I view that informationā€”nevertheless, I appreciate your acknowledgement and agreements with some of the data. 

        I'm curious about how you might view and interpret the following video on the difference between people and corporations . . . if you would be so kind?

        http://youtu.be/bQ9Pr4iT-QM

        1. profile image0
          JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I don't have sound.

          Why won't you actually discuss anything? You can't say anything about my analysis except that you don't agree?

          You don't agree that Exxon paid 17 billion in taxes, even though I linked to the SEC filing that said they do?

          What about GE? Have you looked at that?

          1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
            Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I don't agree because I don't trust the company to be honest and transparent about their real profits, moreover, it also conflicts with other assessments of their profit/paid tax ratio:

            ExxonMobil Makes $41 Billion, But Pays Estimated 17.6% Tax Rate, Lower Than Most Taxpayers

            http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/0 … ot-romney/

            Wrt GE, I missed your post on "your proof" but I'm still influenced by the Citizen's For Tax Justice conclusion on GE, but I'd be happy to peruse your "proof" if you don't mind providing it yet again.

            Meanwhile, here is the CTJ article that uses a decade of data:  http://www.ctj.org/taxjusticedigest/arc … ectric.php

            1. Ralph Deeds profile image66
              Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              One of the biggest loopholes for international companies like Exxon and GE is that un-repatriated profits in other countries are not subject to U.S. taxes. This means that with a few accounting tricks a manufacturing company like GE can use phony transfer pricing to book the profits in another country and avoid a U.S. tax liability. And of course Exxon and other oil companies have enjoyed a 15%? depletion allowance for many years even though their reserves have grown rather than being depleted and regardless of how much profit they make.

              1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
                Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                It's so discouraging, Ralph.  Petty resentments over food stamps and total denial of economic injustice. They want a feudal system back where serfs have to do their bidding and like it . . . or die.

                1. Lions Den Media profile image59
                  Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  What is "economic justice", how do you define it? As for the feudal system that is what you are living under with your insistence on defending Obama's indefensible Marxist socialist policies. I prefer freedom to serfdom, capitalism to Marxism and prosperity to the stench of failure under which we are currently subjected to under Obama.

            2. profile image0
              JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              Wait. You don't agree with Exxon's SEC filing, but you agree with somebody's analysis that they paid no taxes, which would have to be made either by making it up, or by analyzing Exxon's SEC filing.

              Think progress links to thinkprogress which links to thinkprogress as their source. Where do you think they are getting their information? The only place to see financial information on a company is in their... wait for it... financial filings.

              TP claims they paid no income taxes, but I linked to you showing where they did. You show me some real data proving that they paid nothing.

              Seriously, anybody can write an article on the internet. TP uses themselves as a source. I provided the SEC filings for you, but you believe an unsourced claim on the internet over official figures...

              http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/98395

              But I'm sure you'll just say that the SEC filings are wrong, and CTJ's analysis based on the SEC filings is right.


              CTJ can't even copy figures from an SEC filing correctly. Give me a break.

              1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
                Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Well Jaxson, I don't want to say I mistrust you, so I will defer to a more creditable source that you may or may not find acceptable wrt Exxon-Mobil . . . and certainly more palatable than the SEC document you posted that Exxon may or may not have lied inā€”and that you believe (as a true believer ) as you tout the Company Line . . .

                The source is the Washington Post using Exxon-Mobil's data,  but in a Reader's Digest version . . .

                http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/05/12/Business/Images/oiltax12-g.jpg

                Here's the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ … story.html

                GE to follow as time permits.

                1. profile image0
                  JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Thanks for the article. The oil industry is one I don't know too much about as far as tax deductions and breaks go, but the 17% figure is pretty close to what I saw in their 2009 filings.

                  I can't really say whether or not I agree with the tax breaks they get, because I don't know the requirements or impacts of them.

  5. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    http://www.bartcop.com/bd120522.jpg

    1. Lions Den Media profile image59
      Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      http://www.bluegrasspundit.com/2011/06/ … ostly.html

      Perhaps instead of being the Food Stamp President --- Obama should be hired as the Micky Ds President. Besides they need another clown.

      1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
        Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Food Stamp Resentmentā€”how predictable and petty!

        You still got nuttin'!

        1. Lions Den Media profile image59
          Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          What is "Food Stamp Resentment" a new medical condition covered by Obamacare? WOW -- the problem with your reply is that it fails to refute anything. Hence, you obviously agree that Obama's economic policies have resulted in increasing the use of food stamps by over 80 percent. Quite an impressive achievement. 46 million Americans on food stamps...what a legacy!

  6. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    By Allison Linn

    "More than 35,000 people who had income of more than $200,000 in 2009 paid no federal income taxes that year, according to a new report from the Internal Revenue Service.

    The non-taxpayers were among the top 3 percent of all earners with more than $200,000 in "expanded income," which includes adjusted gross income plus other less common sources of income such as tax-exempt interest or foreign income.

    The number of wealthy people who paid no federal income taxes rose between 2007 and 2009, thanks in part to new tax credits, according to the report."

    http://lifeinc.today.msnbc.msn.com/_new … bills?lite

    Tax credits are NOT just for low incomes!

    1. John Holden profile image62
      John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Ah LMC, can't wait to read why that IRS report is wrong!

      1. Lions Den Media profile image59
        Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Hello John -- IRS are just cops or perhaps they are more like the Gestapo. Regardless, I think it is great that 35,000 of the so-called wealthy didn't pay income taxes. They certainly paid all other taxes due such as capital gains taxes. As for the report being "wrong" I can't imagine the IRS screwing that up too. But I thought the definition of rich according to Obama was $250,000. And that is for an individual. However, what is wrong (I didn't want to disappoint you) is the taxation of individual labor. I find it curious that liberals/progressives/marxist socialists always complain about workers rights and the need for UNIONS (which is what the original intent of the question was founded), but yet leftists have no problem with a government taxing LABOR. The very thing Jefferson and all the Founding Fathers were against -- taxing the fruits of our labor! It was a founding principle.

        Freedom to enjoy the fruits of our labor is a fundamental inalienable right and yet most Americans are seeking ways to tax everyone "fairly". I would say that it is "fairly" wrong and ignorant.
        So let me get this straight -- people want Unions for the purpose of getting better paying jobs so that they can pay more in taxes to a government many claims represent the rich. That my friend is a brilliant strategy. One in which I'm certain similar thoughts were a cause of the failure of the Roman Empire and British Empire.

        1. John Holden profile image62
          John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          So you're pleased that the rich can take all the benefits of living in a prosperous society without actually paying for it! The tax system is all ready regressive enough with the weight of taxation being most heavy on those that can least afford it.

          Of course if everybody paid their fair share of taxes, it would mean smaller tax bills for the ones who aren't evading their tax liabilities.

          1. profile image0
            JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            8/10ths of 1% of those making 200,000 or more paid no taxes. That's not a fair sample of the rich.

            Also, go look at WHY they didn't pay taxes. The same 'loopholes' are available to you.

            The bottom 50% pay almost no taxes at all, while the top 1% pay more than double their fair share.

            1. John Holden profile image62
              John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              8/10ths or 80% isn't a fair sample!

              1. profile image0
                JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                John... seriously.

                8/10ths of 1%

                0.8%

                8 out of 1,000.

                1. John Holden profile image62
                  John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I didn't spot the 1%, oops.

          2. Lions Den Media profile image59
            Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Who said they didn't pay for the benefits? And who exactly is responsible for their "prosperous" living -- government? No, the individual is responsible. The INDIVIDUAL made American society prosperous NOT government. What do you think the atom of society is? There is NO "society" without the individual. And in the US Constitution I see not any discussion or mention of societal rights, social justice or any of your Marxist socialist propaganda propensities that disembowel individual rights.

            But I noticed that you failed to address the FACT that 48 percent of Americans pay NO INCOME TAX. Apparently that is perfectly legitimate for average Americans avoiding income taxes according to you?

            As to your point regarding taxation being unfair because it impacts the poor more is precisely my point. Before 1912 there was no income tax or other taxes for that matter. And even after that until the IRS poor and middle class didn't pay voluntary income taxes.

            And to your tax evasion claim -- since the tax returns were from the IRS, it is obvious those 35,000 people did not EVADE taxes. That is illegal. However, what is legal is tax AVOIDANCE which if you cannot understand the difference then you should have your life controlled by government bureaucrats. But please leave me out of your pathetic desires to receive your sustenance from government. Thanks John.

            1. John Holden profile image62
              John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              Why do you harp on about the unfairness of income tax? It's probably the most fair tax we pay, unlike sales taxes, fuel taxes and all the other taxes we have to pay and which incidentally hit the less well off much harder than the wealthy.

              1. profile image0
                JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Sales tax, fuel tax, etc...  are equal taxes. Everyone pays the same rate. The rich pay more and travel more though, so they pay much more in those taxes.

                Are you mad at the government for charging you between $0.50 and $1/gallon of gas in taxes?

                1. John Holden profile image62
                  John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Erm, my government charges me a lot more tax on gas than that, or they would do if I owned a car!

                  The point is that if you've got $10 in your pocket the tax on that gas will hit you a lot harder than the guy with $1000 in his pocket.

                  1. profile image0
                    JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    Yeah, it can hurt more, but it's not unfair for everyone to pay the same percentage.

                    The rich end up paying a lot more sales tax and gas tax than everyone else. Heck, even flying a small aircraft you can burn between 5-10 gallons per hour.

                    So as a percentage, everyone pays the same. As a total amount, the wealthy pay much much more.

                    Where is the imbalance?

                  2. Lions Den Media profile image59
                    Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    Exactly. But why would do people insist on higher taxes, when the rich often pay more in taxes in one year than most people will make in a life time.

                    But to the point, is it fair that people that do not pay income taxes (48% of Americans), but receive the exact same amount of national defense as someone that paid $100 million in taxes?

                    The point is simply that government ensures that you have the same opportunity to develop an idea or business and are protected by the same laws and property rights as someone who is rich. But the government does not and cannot ensure the outcome.

                    And where do you live if your government is charging more in gas taxes -- socialist Europe? It couldn't possibly be the United States.

        2. Ralph Deeds profile image66
          Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          "I think it is great that 35,000 of the so-called wealthy didn't pay income taxes. They certainly paid all other taxes due such as capital gains taxes."

          FYI capital gains taxes are income taxes. They are included as income and paid when taxes are due every April 15. Taxes are used to pay for the government services that Americans expect and enjoy--public schools, roads, police, courts, national defense and so forth.

          1. Lions Den Media profile image59
            Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Hello Ralph -- FYI capital gains taxes are NOT income taxes, hence the term "capital gain" which is intended to distinguish them from other taxes.

            Also, not to strain your intellectual capacity for the day -- but, "income taxes" do NOT fund anything other than the interest on debt. Those things called "school taxes" fund schools. Gasoline taxes fund road use, allegedly.

            And your statement "government services that Americans expect and enjoy" sets me apart from you -- I don't EXPECT a damn thing from government other than national defense and protecting our constitutional rights -- which they are constitutionally obligated to do. All the other "services" are not mentioned in the Constitution. All those things you mentioned are essentially state issues.

            1. Ralph Deeds profile image66
              Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              Maybe you should quit using the public roads and highways which were built by taxpayer's money. Capital gains are a form of income and the taxes on them are paid to the IRS on the same forms at the same time. They are combined with wages and dividends and other income to determine the amount of taxes owed.

    2. Lions Den Media profile image59
      Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      LMC -- That is great news! 35,000 Americans freed from bondage that can be added to the other 48 percent of Americans not paying income taxes. And at least all the poor are not getting all the benefits.

      1. lovemychris profile image77
        lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Only a righty would call feeding their family and paying bills a "benefit".

        That's a necessity....and low incomes have no money for anything else.

        And, as Ronnie Reagan said: The prices are high because of ever increasing profits!

        These rich people have to have more, so we can have less.

        1. Lions Den Media profile image59
          Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Are you smoking crack? What does paying bills have to do with taxation. Corporations do not tax you -- governments do. Reagan never said such a thing that I'm aware of. Profits do not increase costs. Competition, cost of raw materials and taxes determine costs. And just because a "rich" guy has 10 pies does not mean that you don't get any pies. Simply learn how to bake pies. Money is the same way. Merely because someone makes $5 million doesn't mean that there is $5 million less for  you.

          Please use your critical thinking skills instead of emotionally driven political ideological propaganda.

          1. John Holden profile image62
            John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Corporations do not tax you! And you accuse LMC of smoking crack!
            Did you know that you pay Microsoft for every new computer you buy even if it has no Microsoft product on it?
            Did you not realise that employers tax every employee? Or do you really believe that they pay you every penny that you earn?

            1. Lions Den Media profile image59
              Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              John: are you intentionally trying to irritate me?  Companies DO NOT TAX EMPLOYEES and they don't tax their own products as that would be stupid. Now generally when I come across a tragically dumb ignorant bastard, I express my opinion unequivocally!!  However in your case I will refrain.
              To begin with   Businesses collect taxes imposed by the government. ONLY GOVERNMENTS have the legal right to lay and collect taxes. You'll find that in the Constitution. You may have heard of that little document, unless of course you attended a public school. Companies are forced by the government to collect income and social security taxes as part of being given the wonderful opportunity to engage in business in such a free wonderful country. You see John, companies would much prefer NOT collecting taxes for the government because it costs MONEY that the government does not reimburse. 

              And yes I do think you are in a crack induced haze of incredible ignorance. But I think you fit in well into the Obama administration -- as they too have NO clue what the hell in going on in business or the economy. Have great night! Best regards Grant Houston

              1. John Holden profile image62
                John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                So you're telling me that after materials and machinery costs and other overheads employers pay their employees every penny that they've earned!
                That they don't keep a bit back to finance their own lifestyle!

                1. Lions Den Media profile image59
                  Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes. It is called a "competitive market place" in which corporations compete for talent/human capital. The more specialized or critically important the skill set the higher the value placed on that job. For instance -- anyone can dig a ditch with a shovel, but not everyone can effectively, safely and efficiently operate heavy equipment to the ditch. Hence, the more valuable the machine operator.

                  The only cost not incurred by the employer is the FICA whereupon it is claimed the employer pays half and you pay half of the total 14+%. But that is a cost to business forced upon business by government tax policy.  You do actually pay that tax by the fact that your wages are minus that 7+%. However, that's an issue to bring to your congressional reps.

                  Obviously you have never started or operated your own business, which is fine, however you lack a rudimentary understanding of business and economics. The principle on hiring is typically an individual running a business has experience in the various aspects of that business and knows what they have been paid in the past and understand the value associated with driving revenue. An employee takes a job knowing before hand what their pay and benefits are. They freely and without duress, agree to the pay and conditions of the job description.

                  Legitimate Employers don't troll the streets kidnapping workers and forcing them at gun point to work -- you have that confused with drug and prostitution rings and the Chinese government.

                  If you had your own company would you pay your secretary and the janitor the same amount of money you make?

                  1. John Holden profile image62
                    John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    That of course totally misses the point that I was making, which was "do corporations tax their workers" not do they pay them all the same.

                    In other words, after deducting the expenses of employing somebody, do they then pay the remainder to the worker, or do they keep some of it for themselves.

                2. profile image0
                  JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Why would an employer pay its employees every penny of its profits?

                  1. John Holden profile image62
                    John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    Again, that wasn't the question, but I'm not repeating it again as you obviously have no intention of addressing it.

          2. lovemychris profile image77
            lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Here's Reagan saying it:

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJDhS4oUm0M

            Please respond without personal attacks. Thank you. No--I don't do drugs.

            1. Lions Den Media profile image59
              Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              LMC -- Reagan was a liberal democrat when he made the statement, just as you are today. He changed his viewpoint 180 degrees because he learned that increased taxation, decreases incentive to produce. Furthermore, I lack the ability to see what value this has relative to the topic. Unions have destroyed themselves, by destroying corporations via bankruptcy. There is a correlation between fair compensation and pricing oneself out of the market. Unions have destroyed private corporations as well as the state and the federal government. Unions are parasites that have proven a propensity to kill the host that supports them.

          3. John Holden profile image62
            John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Where then does that $5 million come from?
            The money fairy?

            Strange how much effect on the economy trade unions have asking for a few bob more but the man at the top with his millions has no effect at all!

            1. lovemychris profile image77
              lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              That's right. There is a DIRECT effect from tax cuts for the rich, and the decline of a country.

              Money out = less services, OR, the $$ has to come from somewhere else...lower incomes. Decline of quality of life, or decline of middle class.

              Lose/Lose.

              1. Lions Den Media profile image59
                Lions Den Mediaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Regrettably You have a painfully obvious deficiency in your education. This is not a zero sum game. Show me the "DIRECT" correlation with tax cuts for the rich and the decline of the country. You cannot -- because there is no such data supporting your claim.

                However, there is a correlation with "higher" taxation relative to economic performance, whereupon in the 1930s taxes were raised incomes and profits fell -- hence that little nagging problem called the Great Depression.

                There is also something in econ called the Laffer Curve that shows optimum tax rate levels generate the most revenue, whereupon as tax rates rise government revenue declines. Hence, LOWER taxes lead to HIGHER tax revenues.

                And son, if you are defining "quality of life" on the basis of what you get from the government you are a pathetic failure who represents the quintessential reason for Americas decline. And it too, represents the primary reason as to how a Marxist socialist, like Obama, could be elected President of the US.

                You lack the most elementary understanding of government, the US Constitution, the function and role of the federal government relative to the States. And finally you haven't the slightest idea of what drives business and economic growth. And it is precisely your lack of education that has created your "Lose/Lose" proposition.

                1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
                  Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  LDM, you just have to be rude, insulting and aggressive in your posts, don't you? 

                  Your arrogant convictions and behaviors (implying that only you know how economics really work and that others are all wrong in their viewpoints) is a telling sign that you're actually insecure and compelled to bully others to prove (to yourself) that you are right.

                  Stop the aggressive attacks on people and just argue the points . . . then see a therapist!

                  https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538202_419985481366571_249185768446544_1306668_589549175_n.jpg

                  https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/522503_3272516812092_856021673_n.jpg

    3. profile image0
      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Ok, 8/10ths of 1% of those 200,000+ returns paid no taxes. Did you look at the reasons? Taxes already paid, Interest paid, and Charitable deductions account for most of it, as well as medical expenses and casualty/theft losses.

      Now that you know the main reasons, are you against any of these particular deductions?

      Personally, I think we need a major overhaul of the tax code, but I'm not against deductions for some kinds of losses.

  7. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    12 charts that will make your blood boil:

    http://www.motherjones.com/politics/201 … der-charts

    and a comment:

    "When I was young, this country built things, there were unions to protect workers and make sure they had decent wages.  After Reagan became President, things started to change.  Alan Greenspan, the Ayn Rand, disciple, became powerful, and the American worker started to be viewed as a parasite.  Now, many years later, people cannot get jobs, Teachers are viewed as the haves (that is just crazy) and this country is unrecognizable.

    The people who aren't viewed as parasites, are the ones that brought this country down.  They took sub prime mortgages, wrapped them all together, and sold them as AAA. They shipped jobs to countries where they could enslave the workers.  These are the true parasites.  They have their master (money) and they don't care how they hurt this country to get it.

    At one time, when a person invested in a company, they had a general idea what that company was about.  They made something.  A person could decide if the product was of sufficient quality, and desirability, to back.  That is no longer so."

  8. profile image0
    JaxsonRaineposted 11 years ago

    Those who can't discuss facts of their own accord, post other peoples' charts.

    1. lovemychris profile image77
      lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      When I say something of my own accord, you ask for facts!

      Make up your mind.

      You mean like this?:

      [1]http://www.ctj.org/taxjusticedigest/archive/2012/02/press_release_general_electric.php
      [2]http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/40545/000119312511047479/d10k.htm
      [3]http://www.ge.com/ar2007/pdf/ge_ar2007_full_book.pdf
      [4]http://www.ge.com/files/usa/en/ar2004/pdfs/ge_2004_form10ka.pdf
      [5]http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/40545/000004054502000012/f10k.txt

      *******************
      t'weren't me....

      1. profile image0
        JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Actually, yes, that's exactly what I mean. Being able to back up what you are saying with sources is key to having a meaningful discussion.

        1. lovemychris profile image77
          lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          You just didn't like the charts I linked?

          Or what? You implied that I can't discuss on my own, so I need other peoples charts to do so....now you say use charts to back up what you say!

          Make up your mind.

          How are these charts not relevant to the discussion?

          http://www.motherjones.com/politics/201 … der-charts

          1. profile image0
            JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Charts aren't primary data. Charts are somebody else saying what the primary data is. I'm saying you should look at the data and leave the charts.

            There have been a lot of charts posted, and I've shown many of them to be either wrong, or misrepresenting information.

            If you want to discuss them, we can discuss them, but you haven't put forth much effort to actually discuss things. I can provide primary data, and you dismiss it or change the subject.

            Do you want to discuss those charts?

            1. lovemychris profile image77
              lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              No--this is not a classroom, it's a discussion forum. When did you become forum leader?
              Can't I discuss as is natural for me?

              And changing the subject is allowed...as is dismissing things. 

              You should not bother with me if I am not to your liking.  In fact, join the club.

              You may not see it, but you dismiss me by forcing me to play your way. Im not you.

              1. profile image0
                JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                I know, my way is unreasonable. I ask people to have an open mind and look at primary data instead of secondary/tertiary/worse sources. I'm just telling you that if you want to actually discuss any particular point, I'll discuss it with you.

                But you have a tendency, when I present primary data, to dismiss it and take the side of a secondary source, even if that source claims to be using the primary data.

                It's fine, if you don't want to discuss, just keep posting what you're posting, but you're not going to learn and grow if you don't open yourself up to consider other viewpoints.

                1. lovemychris profile image77
                  lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I don't consider you to have an open mind. Not in the least, actually.
                  You shouldn't demand it of others.

                  1. profile image0
                    JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    You don't think I'm open minded because when I see the Census say wages are going up, and you post a graph saying they are going down, I don't believe your graph.

                    I call it logic. The primary source should always be trusted over a secondary source.

  9. Wayne Brown profile image81
    Wayne Brownposted 11 years ago

    The oil and gas industry evolved its tax breaks from the risks involved with exploration and drilling.  Too often the potential to drill a dry hole was the outcome draining money out of the companies and causing them to shy away from risks.  The same thing happens with contractor companies capable of making military weapons but having no real market for them otherwise.  The government must subsidize their efforts to keep them in the game.  Too often, I think we look too literally at the numbers and not the contrasts.  Obviously the oil and gas industry of today works with big financial numbers so the impact of those references....billions of dollars creates visions of enormous profits.  That may or may not be true.  If a company employing sound accounting principles targets a bottom line net of 5% after all is said and done, then 5% is 5%....it matters little if the measure is in hundreds, millions, or billions because the relative nature of the 5% is that it is representative proportionally to what was invested upfront to get to that bottomline.  It also is indicative of the amount of capitalization the corportion will need to target such a profit again in the coming year.  Amazingly, far too many Americans believe that if the government can get by with borrowing 42 cents out of every dollar that it spends, then surely a big corporation can adopt the same principles.  Those who have tried are long since bankrupt.  Certainly our elected officials can take away the tax breaks but they run the risk of stagnating the exploration process in the aftermath.  These factors must be weighed. WB

    1. profile image0
      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good post Wayne. It's just like people who blame insurance companies for health care costs, when they operate on the same kind of ~5% profit margin.

      Big corporations are big because they provide products or services(and jobs) for the rest of us. We should help them succeed, not demonize them for their success.

      1. lovemychris profile image77
        lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        They've gotten their best profits under Obama...why don't you praise him?

      2. John Holden profile image62
        John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Despite those self same insurance companies employing accountants and every trick under the sun to keep their profits down!

        You make corporations sound so altruistic, they aren't bothered about providing jobs, do you really think that if they could make their money employing two men and a boy they would employ twenty men?

        1. profile image0
          JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          What are they doing to keep their profits down? Can you provide proof?

          We have the IRS to keep them in check. The IRS is very serious about getting all the money they are entitled, do you think it's so easy to cheat the IRS, especially if you are a large corporation?

          Besides, all it takes is 1 good person to bring the hammer down on a cheating company. My brother reported money laundering activities in a large multinational corporation.

          Lastly, innovation in efficiency is a good thing. If we hadn't been constantly innovating since the dark ages, we would still have a vast majority of the population working on providing food, clothes, and other basic goods and services.

          1. John Holden profile image62
            John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Instead we have hoards of people who are either unemployed or under employed!

            Good move!

            1. profile image0
              JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              Yeah, we have high unemployment right now.

              Are you really going to say that things were better in the dark ages than now?

              1. John Holden profile image62
                John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                No,just pointing out that all the innovation is not so wonderful for some people.
                That as all ways with progress there are some winners and some losers

                1. profile image0
                  JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Innovation has nothing to do with our current situation.

                  Yes, with progress there are always jobs being phased out, but like I said, that's a good thing. Otherwise you'd probably be an apprentice for a blacksmith or farmer and struggle to survive the winter half the time.

                  1. John Holden profile image62
                    John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    As a blacksmiths apprentice I hardly think I'd struggle to survive the winter, probably be grateful for the reduced heat!

                    Most blacksmiths and farmers lived to a ripe old age, often for as long, or longer than modern man.

        2. profile image0
          JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Guilty until proven innocent, right? Evil until proven good?

          1. John Holden profile image62
            John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            No, just realistic. If you want to believe that corporations are dedicated to the common wealth, dream on, don't let me stop you.

            1. profile image0
              JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              No, corporations are mostly driven by greed. Greed is the most common, universal motivational factor. It drives people to invent new products and services. People want those products and services, so both parties benefit.

              In a free market, anytime there is trade going on, both parties benefit.

  10. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    BTW...Romney is Bush on steroids, and Obama has been great for America.

    1. profile image0
      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How is Romney Bush on steroids? Because he's an R?

      Have you looked at Romney's plans in detail?

      1. lovemychris profile image77
        lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Less taxes for rich people. More spending on military. Destroy the ACA...War with Iran.

        and NO--I don't want detail. I want No More Republican Horror. 8 years was ENOUGH.

        1. profile image0
          JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          You don't want detail. Because Romney is an R you don't want to know what he has to say. Because he's an R he is wrong. Gotcha.

          1. lovemychris profile image77
            lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Did you not hear the last part? Told you you only hear what you want to hear...


            8 years was enough.

            1. profile image0
              JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              Yes, I heard that. 8 years was enough. You think that Romney is Bush because they both have an R.

              Are all D's the same too?

              1. lovemychris profile image77
                lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Romney is Bush because his policies are the same...only heightened. MORE tax cuts for the rich....MORE spending on military....More gutting of social programs....more privitizing America...more bennies for corporations....more oil and gas subsidies...bye bye alternatives...

                And who was Romney admiring the other day? Dick Cheney.
                And I wish all D's were the same...then they would be unified and stand with Obama.

                So--why don't you tell me how Romney is different than Bush.

                1. profile image0
                  JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  You know Romney is Bush without ever looking at his ideas on the big issues?

                  You don't want to know his plans, but you want me to tell them to you?

                  1. lovemychris profile image77
                    lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    How is Romney different than Bush?

        2. profile image0
          JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Still say you didn't even though you did?

          1. lovemychris profile image77
            lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks for DODGING my question 3 times....even though you are quick to criticize me!

      2. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
        Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        LOL! Romneye doesn't have any plansā€”other than lowering taxes on the rich and I  hate to even think about what he might do with foreign policy.

        https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/532737_10150851846071275_177486166274_10106682_1959568136_n.jpg

        1. profile image0
          JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          He's going to cut taxes on everyone equally, except corporations. We need to be competitive on the international market for corporate rates, and we aren't right now.

          Romney does have plans, you should read them sometime.

          Confronting China is a big one. They've been cheating on their currency for far too long. We can have a lot more manufacturing if we don't have to compete with their deflated currency.

  11. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    The Absurdity of Mitt Romneyā€™s Education Plan

    http://bigthink.com/praxis/the-absurdit … ation-plan

  12. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/576912_10150852393566275_177486166274_10107812_404489795_n.jpg

    1. profile image0
      screamingposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hey if they can't win by buying the election their second choice of purging the voters lists is pure desperation. lol

  13. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    News Flash to Craptalist Dupes. . .

    http://www.addictinginfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Info-Bank-of-America-R_jpg_630x1200_upscale_q85.jpg


    Bank of America, which last fall announced plans to lay off 30,000 workers, is about to go on a hiring spreeā€”overseas.

    Americaā€™s second-largest bank is relocating its business-support operations to the Philippines, according to a high-ranking Filipino government official recently quoted in the Filipino press. The move, which includes a portion of the bankā€™s customer service unit, comes less than three years after Bank of America received a $45 billion federal bailout.

  14. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    "There is not a single state in the US where a minimum wage worker can afford a 2 bedroom apt working a 40 hour week." http://pic.twitter.com/DNOMhq7v


    Sure was possible when I was coming up!
    My grandfathers were both factory workers, and raised families on that income!

    THIS is proof positive better than any bunch of numbers.

    The reality of life is the teacher.


    Kids today are getting SCR*WED. and it's all because people have to have more and more profits at the top. Period.

    1. profile image0
      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yup, a pic on twitter is proof positive.

      1 - The rental market is inflated due to increased demand from the housing crisis. A lot of people can't afford a house or don't have the credit for it, so they have to rent, so even though housing prices right now are low, rental prices are high. That's why someone can rent out a 2-bedroom home for $900 when their mortgage payment might only be $200.

      2 - Minimum wage in AZ will get a single person $1200/month after taxes. Found 2-bedroom apartments for as low as $400/month in Phoenix. You can pay that with that income and get by. Your chart suggests that one would need to earn $2100/month after tax to afford a $400/month apartment.

      Busted.

  15. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    More Ronald Reagan!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … n28oayX31Y

    did he just say "the torture of imprisonment"?....wow!

    without unions, we're not free!

    R's fell far from the man they claim as hero.

  16. John Holden profile image62
    John Holdenposted 11 years ago

    Tut tut, these people who get impatient when they don't get an instant reply!
    Still I suppose it's one rule for them and another for us smile

    1. profile image0
      JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You were on and replying, when I reminded you of something you seemed to have missed.

      Like I said, you love to make jabs that have nothing to do with content.

      1. lovemychris profile image77
        lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        You have missed something too...twice. Here's try #3:

        How is Romney different than Bush?

        1. profile image0
          JaxsonRaineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Nah, I've replied to that.

          You specifically told me that you don't want to know what Romney's stances are on the issues, because he is an R.

          So did you change your mind, or are you automatically going to disagree with every position, even if you agree with it, because he is an R?

          1. lovemychris profile image77
            lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            No I didn't. I said 8 years was enough, and Romney is Bush on steroids. I'm waiting for you to show me I'm wrong.

            You can't, because he is.

            1. American View profile image60
              American Viewposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              Romney will never be Bush.

              1. lovemychris profile image77
                lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                How is what he is proposing any different?

                1. American View profile image60
                  American Viewposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  LMC,

                  He has not made any real proposals, just generalizations, You made the claim he will be Bush on steriods. Show us how

                  1. profile image0
                    screamingposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    A good poker player never bets the house when all they have are geralizations! If you do, there's no telling what surprises await you. More of Bush? God help us all, it didnt' work then, and it won't work now.

                  2. lovemychris profile image77
                    lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                    He said the 1st day in office he would have a massive tax cut. Bush policies!

                    Repub policies. Over and Over and Over again. And what does it yield? Lower quality of life in America. At least Obama's cuts targeted those under 250 mil.

                    R Money wants more cuts for HIMSELF! You need to read his proposals....

                    He wants more tax cuts for upper incomes. look it up.

  17. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    http://home.comcast.net/~wizardofwhimsy/Reagan.gif


    http://s3.hubimg.com/u/6691438_f520.jpg

  18. profile image0
    JaxsonRaineposted 11 years ago

    It's been fun guys, but Im too busy to post much anymore.

    At least the truth had a minor victory in Wiz finally looking at corporate taxes objectively.

    Seriously, if we all stopped mindlessly cheering for our party, and had some real dialogue, we would be able to learn a lot.

    Please, do yourselves a favor. Stop believing everything you read online. Track down the primary data, as people often lie when they report what it 'says'.

    1. John Holden profile image62
      John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      And yet, Jaxson, when I fed you the primary data you refused to believe it because  I couldn't show it you on-line and you reckoned your on-line references were inarguable!

      I'd say to you "stop believing everything you read on-line" and stop dealing in sound bites.

  19. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    and then tell me it's not Bush on steroids.

  20. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    Whoa! Just got this on my twitter:

    "On Meet the Press today, @neeratanden asked @KevinMaddenDC to name one way Romney differed from George W. Bush. He couldn't do it."

  21. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    DC Debbieā€

    If you thought Bush's tax cuts worked, vote for Romney.

  22. profile image0
    Onusonusposted 11 years ago

    In my state the Boeing corporation has been threatening to leave because the power hungry unions are constantly demanding more money. Most of the workers are happy with their wages but they are intimidated by union bullies into striking.

    1. lovemychris profile image77
      lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What'd the CEO make? You telling me he can't take less, so the workers can have more?

      And if he gets so much: why should the unions not fight for more?

      They always blame the bottom and cut from the bottom....top goes on like cream to a spoon.

      Is the ceo making 500 times the workers? Take it from him!

      1. John Holden profile image62
        John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        No LMC, lay off, the poor chap only makes $10.94 million a year, he must really struggle to get by.

        1. lovemychris profile image77
          lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Why am I not surprised?
          And people actually think this is OK......

          It's totally disgusting and un-American! Tom Jefferson said labor was way more important than wealth...

          People have forgotten our roots and eat at the tree of Money. Their eyes are green and can't see straight anymore.

          1. John Holden profile image62
            John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Here, play with this, it'll get your mad up. A surprise, the lowest CEO to worker ratio is Warren Buffet at 10:1!

            http://www.payscale.com/ceo-income/fortune-50

            1. lovemychris profile image77
              lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              It's laughable. Totally outrageously laughable.

              Anyone who says the top class needs more tax breaks is a Pirate.


              avast ye, matee.....let's see some walk the plank! harrrrrr

              1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
                Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/536069_156408871150845_433576500_n.jpg

            2. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
              Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

              WOW! That says it all!

              https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303325_156771461114586_1487846918_n.jpg

    2. John Holden profile image62
      John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this
  23. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/536518_155261497932249_126392417485824_106896_1641914040_n.jpg

  24. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    Of the Few
    By the Few
    For the Few

    F
    E
    W......

    World
    Economic
    Forum

  25. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    Gas prices have nothing to do with prez...unless you use them for political demonization....which you R's are good at.

    Romney blamed Obama for high gas prices, then when they went down, the Repub media machine said low gas prices were a bad thing.

    make up your minds on the smears, will ya?

    1. American View profile image60
      American Viewposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh please, nobody said that it was bad when prices go down, and oh yeah notice how much they have plummeted, that 20 cents has really saved us. Middle-class America is no longer in economic turmoil, the budget is balanced, the national debt eliminated, all for that 20 cents drop over the last 45 days. Of course since president has nothing to do with gas prices, I guess when Obama said he was going to allow those thousand gas wells to be drilled and immediately after is one the gas prices start to go down, yeah you're right the president cannot influence anything.

      1. lovemychris profile image77
        lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Oh yes they did...Fox did.
        Just like they are now promoting that Obama himself engineered the Birther story..so he could get affirmative action votes or something. Racist AND dumb!

        And they were for an individual mandate before Obama used it. For the Simpson-Bowles solutions before Obama supported it.
        LOVED war until Obama got elected.

        Your candidate blamed Obama for the high price of gas....he's either ill-informed or a rapscallion.

        I vote he's both.

        1. American View profile image60
          American Viewposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          LMC,

          Fox has never said what you are claiming. I think you are thinking of a recent Madow show where she made those claims but could not prove it

          I knew the race card would be played by you. Typical left response.

          Obama is responsible for the high prices of gas. He over turned the EO from Bush that drove gas prices down, so naturally gas prices rose.  Obama said he wanted $5  per gallon gas, his regulations have driven up costs, it is you that is ill informed

          1. lovemychris profile image77
            lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Russssshhhhhhh said:

            Obama pretended that he was born in Kenya (yes, you have that right), so he could take advantage of affirmative action programs that are allegedly offered to people from Africa.

            Mike Huckabee said almost the same thing, that Obama said he was born in Kenya ā€œto present himself as an internationally themed author.ā€


            http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/05/20 … ama-kenya/

            Huckabee...another talk radio head......very odd how so many of them do it. Very odd.

            Huckabee was on fox....and clearchannell is owned by Bain capital...clearchannell is daddy to all these rabid right radio shows.

            Quell surpreeze.

  26. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/556799_157984907659908_905397053_n.jpg

    1. lovemychris profile image77
      lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No kidding....

  27. SparklingJewel profile image65
    SparklingJewelposted 11 years ago

    unions are just another "middle man" scheme to fleece the pay of hard workers (such as in dues) to line the pockets of those in power and keep the workers enslaved to the power elites' whims

    corruption needs to be the issue, not whether unions are good or bad

  28. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    Noam Chomskiā€

    "The mass media inculcates an unquestioning acceptance of capitalist values and ideas."

    1. John Holden profile image62
      John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Of course it does, as does so much else in life.

  29. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/484290_424777887544917_113544412001601_1319764_376091955_n.jpg

  30. SparklingJewel profile image65
    SparklingJewelposted 11 years ago

    I think it has more to do with how we run our economic system...our money

    as Ron Paul is promoting, stop printing excess money that causes inflation when it has no backing...adhere to the natural laws of supply and demand in the free market...and his biggest point, get the Federal Reserve out of the way that manipulates it all, as well as much of Wall Street speculation

    unions can be just one more manipulator of the people and their hard earned money to line the pocket of "middle men" and global elitests

  31. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198383_425805157442190_1245551222_n.jpg

  32. handymanbill profile image76
    handymanbillposted 11 years ago

    Well I guess Wisconsin has the right Idea. The people did speak there. At least on the subject of Public Sector Unions.

    1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
      Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Money and corporations spoke louder than the people and will continue to do so as long as the sheep do as they are told by lobbyist and media.

  33. SparklingJewel profile image65
    SparklingJewelposted 11 years ago
  34. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    http://s4.hubimg.com/u/6722639_f520.jpg

    1. lovemychris profile image77
      lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Highway Robbery and immorality on a grand scale.

      It's really breath-taking. And the fact that people defend it even more so.

      WOW...have we strayed from the ideals of this country! We are not recognizable any more.

  35. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    The richest 400 families in America paid a tax rate of 11.6% last year.

    http://blogs.reuters.com/david-cay-johnston/files/2012/06/US_INCOMETX0612_SC.jpg

    1. Ralph Deeds profile image66
      Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Nothing like a few facts.

      1. John Holden profile image62
        John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        We need Jaxson to tell us how the IRS and Reuters are not to be trusted lol

  36. lovemychris profile image77
    lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

    "We hear a lot of fulminations about the menace of redistribution and the threat to "wealth creators." It's worth remembering that the wealthiest have been winning the distributional fights. Worth remembering too that the promise implied by the phrase "American dream" was not that a lucky few would gain staggering success, but that the broad many could, with reasonable effort, gain comfort and security: the "best poor man's country in the world" in an 18th century phrase."

    Frum, a former Bush speech writer!

    Another egg-head: (I LOVE them)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … zMpjCSUuWk

  37. SparklingJewel profile image65
    SparklingJewelposted 11 years ago

    violence of union thugs against union workers


    http://www.righttoworkcommittee.org/FUV … px?pid=1bn

    1. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
      Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Just more lies and deceitful misinformation bought and paid for by the real corporate thugs called ALEC, Sparkling Jewel.

      Coke, Pepsi, Kraft, McDonald's, Wendy's, Intuit, Reed-Elsevier, and others have dropped their membership in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

      Is it any wonder why they want to keep us all under minimum wage?

      http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?ti … _Committee


      Do your homework before you believe the propaganda and hype.



      Click here to tell other firms bankrolling ALEC to do the same: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/63 … _KEY=10002

  38. Wizard Of Whimsy profile image60
    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/533915_430191177013760_1105765003_n.jpg

 
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