President Obama and people with money

1. 61

   Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years ago

   Our President keeps putting down people that make a lot of money and have corporate jets.Please excuse me sir.
   1- Didn't you make millions of dollars in the last few years?
   2- Isn't Air Force One strictly for you, not to mention yout heliocopters.
   3- When CEO's go on vacation, they pay for it.
   4- How much is charged to the taxpayer for your stays at Martha's Island or your dates to New York?
   5- When was the last time you carried a wallet? The Secret Service pays for everything with our money.
   6- This seems to be a very bad topic for you to espouse to the American public. H

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      Danny R Handposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      1. The President has included himself many times and says people like him can afford to pay more taxes.
      2. He's the leader of the free world. SECURITY!!! Enough said.
      3. Most CEOs get their vacation paid for through expense acct..
      4. Again, security REQUIRES a more private and secure lodging.
      5. The Secret Service does'nt pay for anything. Tax payers do.
      6. I would say it's a bad topic for misinformed individuals such as yourself.
      
      P.S. Although the wealthier individuals and corporations do pay a large % of the taxes, they pay a MUCH LOWER rate on overall income tax than the rest of us. Most of what they pay is on interest for annual profit. Their Income tax, and capital gains tax, is practically nothing.

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      1. 61

         Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Danny, You speak of the top tier CEO's, most CEO's are not treated in the same respect.
         
         Obama is like Gates aand Buffet. They say they should pay more taxes, is anyone stopping them from sending in a check of a higher amount. They would get a refund, but they can tell the IRS to keep it.
         
         I want Obama to have security, it's the rental price he chooses after a rousing speach, that bothers me.
         
         What about Michelle taking Air Force One to Spain for a shopping spree, and taking dozens of people with her. There are many fine shops in the DC area.
         
         The Secret Service pays for anything purchased, of course they are reimbursed. Gov't. on uses our money.
         
         I would say you are incorrect, and do not understand certain sarcastic points. H

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      2. 60

         Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         "leader of the free world"
         
         HA!

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      3. 59

         uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         1. There is absolutely nothing what so ever preventing the President from filing a simple return that lists his income and refuses the deductions and credits.  He can voluntarily refuse his salary and voluntarily pay more taxes if he feels that people like him do not pay enough.  Since he is the leader perhaps he should lead by example rather than lead with his behind.

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   2. 60

      Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Let's go down the list..
      
      1-Didn't you make millions of dollars in the last few years?
      
      "President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama reported a 2010 adjusted gross income of $1,728,096, .... Of that, $453,770 (26 percent) went to federal taxes, $245,075 (14 percent) went to a total of 36 different charities and $51,568 (3.25 percent) went to state income taxes, meaning the couple kept roughly 56 percent of their income..."
      
      So what's your point, Harvey? That rich people can't criticize millionaires for greed which isn't a fault of the Obamas  (but if poor people do its pure envy)
      
      2-Isn't Air Force One strictly for you, not to mention yout heliocopters.
      
      So what's your point, Harvey? That as a black man he should ride in the back of the bus? The thing about corporate jets is the special tax breaks written into law for that company perk. It's simple. Companies must pay fair taxes, even on the CEO private jet. - company paid for - which doesn't come out of the wallet of the CEO.
      
      3-When CEO's go on vacation, they pay for it.
      
      NEW YORK, Oct. 28 —
      
      Jurors saw a videotape Tuesday of dancing women, half-naked male models and “Margaritaville” singer Jimmy Buffett at a $2 million party that L. Dennis Kozlowski, former CEO of Tyco International, threw for his wife’s birthday on a Mediterranean island.
      
      Prosecutors maintained the party, more than half of which was paid for with company money, was a “stark example” of how Kozlowski and former chief financial officer Mark Swartz looted hundreds of millions from Tyco for their personal benefit."
      
      How often do CEOs coordinate a single 'business meeting' into a vacation so the max legal percent of the travel can be charged as a business expense?
      
      4-How much is charged to the taxpayer for your stays at Martha's Island or your dates to New York?
      
      Since when is the president and his family the prisoner of Washington for 8 years? Is this a standard you would apply to all presidents or just black democrats?
      
      5-When was the last time you carried a wallet? The Secret Service pays for everything with our money.
      
      Is this a criticism you had for Bush or Reagan or any other president? Presidents have an expense account, ($50,000) just like a CEO. What do you propose instead? (And will you change the rules back for a white teabagger president?)
      
      6-This seems to be a very bad topic for you to espouse to the American public. H

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      1. 61

         Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Doug, Only a far left LIBERAL woould not recognize when sarcasm is used.
         
         Tyco is an excellent example of how things can get out of hand, I hope they rot in jail. Do you think politician's have never done something like this? Try fact findng tours. Left wing Huffington Post.
         http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/08/06 … criticism/
         Another take on it, I want to get in both sides.
         http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/08 … p_the.html
         
         They are welcome to pay higher taxes if they wish, just like Gates & Buffet say they should pay more,  but don't.
         
         Why do you bring race into this, it was never mentioned. I grew up in the South Bronx, and you? I have a real life African looking over my shoulder (Zambia). He thinks you are ignorant for saying that.
         
         I played baskeball in Harlem, because I was invited to.  I was the only white kid in the class in  second grade. Sure I'm a racist.
         
         After crap like that I have no more time for you. H

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         1. 60

            Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I don't know if you are a racist or motivated by some other bias. Slamming President Obama for using the same privileges (Air Force One and an expense account) as white presidents have used without criticism for decades is irrational. There's plenty of real issues to discuss.

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            1. 61

               Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Doug, Again, why do you bring RACE into it. All you are doing is attacking in a back handed way. Besides, you can only call me half a racist. Does that comment make me a racist in your book? If so truth must hurt you. H

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   3. 70

      Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He doesn't put them down. He just thinks they should pay their fair share of taxes.

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   4. 70

      Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "3- When CEO's go on vacation, they pay for it."
      
      You don't really believe that? I have a friend who was a company plane pilot for a major utility. He spent 90% of his time flying company bigwigs, senators and congressmen all over the world. Don't you remember several years ago when the spotlight was shone on all the corporate aircraft gathered for the Rose Bowl. The result? After that most of them removed their corporate logos from their planes.
      
      Are you suggesting that Obama's use of Air Force one for personal travel has been greater than his predecessors? Besides there really isn't such a thing as a real vacation for a President. They are just working from a different location.

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      1. 61

         Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Ralph, Most CEO's do not work for the major companies. There seems to be a real vacation for this President. He leads nothing, why not let Joe Biden handle business, they both did a great job. Obama doesn't lead on anything, he doesn't want the blame.
         
         I'm sure the man can buy a pair with his money. H

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         1. 61

            Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Ralph, I thought you would pick-out which statement was sarcasm. H

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            1. 70

               Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               "I'm sure the man can buy a pair with his money. H" ???

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               1. 59

                  Jim Hunterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Planes.

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   5. 57

      BillWest165posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's classic Socialist Class Warfare. Get the populace mad at a few and they'll vote for you. Meanwhile those few pay most of the taxes. 50% of the people in U.S don't pay any taxes.

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      1. 72

         Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Really? Let's see now....
         
         Approximately 15% of Americans are homeless, no job, therefore pay no taxes.
         Approximately 15% of Americans are living within poverty level range and pay taxes.
         Approximately 20% of Americans are living over above $1M a year, and pay taxes.
         
         Everyone is either part of the middle class, upper middle class or make less than $1M a year. Yet, they pay taxes.
         
         So, where are you getting 50% don't pay taxes?

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         1. 59

            uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Nearly-ha … 3.html?x=0
            
            http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter … eholds-pa/
            
            http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/busin … hardt.html
            
            http://www.theatlantic.com/business/arc … es/238329/
            
            There is this fabulous device called a computer.  It links to an even more amazing thing, or better yet, system called the internet.  There is a recent development and refinement in the internet called a search engine.  The most widely used and, in many ways, the best is called Google.

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            1. 72

               Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               
               
               And you read this junk and believe it? What a joke.
               
               
               Edit: You're a perfect walking example of the many who believe the misinformation and distortion, brought forth by politicians. Good show.

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               1. 59

                  uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  This is something I believe with all my heart.
                  
                  It is always better to say right out what you think without trying to prove anything much: for all our proofs are only variations of our opinions, and the contrary-minded listen neither to one nor the other.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
                  
                  Argument by contradiction and dismissal.  Awesome.

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                  1. 72

                     Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     You're argument is to take a politicians word at face value. WOW!
                     
                     Your actions speak volumes about you.
                     
                     I've a statement for you- "Life is Easy, PEOPLE Make It Complicated!" And, all you're doing is muddying up the waters by posting junk spewed by politicians with an agenda.

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                     1. 59

                        uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Thank you for proving that you have no intention of actually reading, thinking about, questioning or exploring anything outside your own personal conclusions. 
                        
                        Every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. His ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other and to a greater or lesser extent.
                        Sigmund Freud

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                        1. 72

                           Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           That's okay. So far all you've done is talk yourself into a circle type argument. And, yes I did follow one of the links you provided and it told me enough to know that the rest of your links were meaningless as well.
                           
                           The articles you provided, DID NOT prove what I said wrong. It only distorted the truth I laid at your feet. Good job again.

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               2. 59

                  uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  "You're a perfect walking example of the many who believe the misinformation and distortion, brought forth by politicians. Good show."
                  
                  I wonder how much your back hurts from carrying around that much ego.

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2. 72

   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   You comparing the Presidency to that of a CEO isn't a good comparison.
   
   It's actually called distortion and misinformation(trying to lead others into believing something untrue).
   
   The upper 1% or even the upper 20% are mostly to blame for a lot of the problem in America, and you attempting to say it isn't so, is laughable.

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   1. 61

      Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Cag, What's laughable is your reply. When you are a CEO and the company is losing money, the stockholders have a say, what about the President.
      
      You wish to blame just about everything on those that pay almost all the taxes. They don't make money, others get nothing. H

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      1. 72

         Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I figured this would be your response. You're predictable.
         Government doesn't make money, so what's your point? Oh yeah...you don't have one.
         Pay all the taxes? More BS. Keep going...you're showing how little you understand what is happening in America. Good job. Willful ignorance will bring America to it's knee. You must be proud of yourself.
         They do make money and the fact that prices continue to rise and nothing is done about it, show again you lack any understanding of what exactly the "status quo" in America actually is.
         
         Go learn something would you?

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         1. 61

            Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            As a former CEO, I do have a small amount of knowledge. May I ask what the highest position you have held is?
            
            Why did you attack me immediately, is it because I do not share you belief?  To do as you have would never have alloed this country to be what it is.
            
            The big tax payers, make it possible for others to have like jobs, housing, streets, education etc. All you are doing is hating the ones that help the masses.
            
            I expect you to answer with an attack. H

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            1. 72

               Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               My qualifications are irrelevant to your supposedly argument and comparison of the Presidency to CEOs.
               My belief? Did I say that I gave you a belief or said I "believe" something you didn't? Not I did not. So, don't jump to conclusions or foolishly based assumptions.
               Willful ignorance is what this country is presently and it comes from the distortion and misinformation tactics of some of the most powerful. So please...
               Maybe about 50-60 years ago. Not today.
               Actually, I am doing what is in the best interests of America and it's people. I dispel the distortion and misinformation, so as to bring clarity to others.
               Another assumption. Expected.

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               1. 61

                  Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Cag, Simply put, you blog. H

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                  1. 72

                     Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Your statement is meaningless, because your OP is still nothing but distortion.

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         2. 59

            Jim Hunterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            "Government doesn't make money, so what's your point? Oh yeah...you don't have one."
            
            Technically you're right, Government doesn't produce anything that brings money in but they do confiscate tax payer money and they do it under threat.
            
            "Pay all the taxes? More BS. Keep going...you're showing how little you understand what is happening in America. Good job. Willful ignorance will bring America to it's knee. You must be proud of yourself."
            
            The top 5% of earners in this Country pay 60% of the taxes. So he is right, did you pay any income tax last year?
            
            "They do make money and the fact that prices continue to rise and nothing is done about it, show again you lack any understanding of what exactly the "status quo" in America actually is."
            
            Yes, the rich make money, they also take all the risks. Prices rise for many reasons. One reason is it costs more to ship those goods because of high gas prices, they pass that price along to the consumer.

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            1. 72

               Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               
               Whether or not, I paid taxes isn't part of this conversation. As for your statistics, I would have to say that in order to reach that number, you would have to use the top 20% and not just the top 5%
               Risk? BS. They purpose take steps to ensure others cannot be competitive against them. Thus, holding back the rest of society.
               I'm sure there are plenty of reasons the willful ignorant will speak about.
               It's understood already how business works. I don't require you to tell me that gas prices and the cost of shipping is passed on to consumers. There are plenty of things passed on the consumer, so more profit can be made at the expense of the consumer.

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               1. 59

                  Jim Hunterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  "It's understood already how business works. I don't require you to tell me that gas prices and the cost of shipping is passed on to consumers. There are plenty of things passed on the consumer, so more profit can be made at the expense of the consumer."
                  
                  Understood by whom? You?
                  
                  As for the rest, not important enough to respond to.

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                  1. 72

                     Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Not important enough to respond. My other statement shouldn't have been important enough for you to respond either, but you did.
                     
                     Yes, I understand how business works and YOU would be the last person on the planet who needs to tell me.

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                     1. 59

                        Jim Hunterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        I responded to it because I found it humorous.
                        
                        But upon quiet reflection you are totally correct in this statement.
                        
                        "My other statement shouldn't have been important enough for you to respond either, but you did."

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3. 60

   Stump Parrishposted 12 years ago

   In the manufacturing sector  today, companies that make money dont hire people. They buy machines to do the work. jobs increased 4% last year in the manufacturing sector. Technology purchases such as robots increased 24%. Profits don't translate into jobs anymore, they translate into robots that increase profits. I suppose you also support extending the so called job creating tax cuts for the wealthy. We have had these cuts in place for 11 years. Where are the jobs they are supposed to create.
   
   Now to your ridiculous comparison of  a CEO and the president on vacation, I suppose you feel the president should simply book a flight on TWA and fly off to a room booked in a small hotel. He should leave his staff at home as well as his security force, correct? I suppose you feel he should simply drive his car out to the local burger king to get his own meals right? Hey why not also have the president make their personal home the White House while they're in office. No need for an office as he can conduct top secret international  negotiations over his home phone.  We might as well get rid of congressional buildings as well, they can rent a conference room in the local Red Roof Inn if they need to meet. There are hundreds of dilapidated buildings in slums around this country that could be rented cheaply for the House of Representatives to meet in. Why not have the Department of Defense move into tee pees on an Indian reservation. We can start storing our missiles in the local storage centers that are always looking for business. Shucks this would increase the profits of these companies and that is surely something you could support.
   
   Last but not least why don't we have the Air Force start renting space in the small airports around this country. Look at the money tax payers could save with this approach. Do I need to go on presenting ideas that make as much sense as yours?

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   1. 61

      Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Stump, At least your comment is more mature than Cag's. Can't you people understand when certain words are written as sarcasm.  Some of my points are for real, such as Martha's Vinyard. Of course his enterauge must accompany him, but the price he paid to rent it would feed many. He could go to camp David or his home. The timing was and is very poor.
      
      Last month 50% ofthe jobs created were by McDonald's, do you think they use robots. Look aat Boeing and their desire to build planes in SC. Obama has head head so far up the unions... Boeing was told they can't open it unless they were union. SC is a right to work state. No jobs were going to be lost in Washington.
      
      I'm sure this means nothing to you. H

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      1. 72

         Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I was pointing out the absurdness of your OP. How it that not mature? WOW! You're full of yourself.
         Sarcasm? It only shows itself as a facial expression and/or tone of voice. To think it can be shown in written text is not the smartest thing you could say.

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         1. 61

            Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Cag, You're much better in the gender forum. Sarcasm and writing don't mix, that's very interesting. Goodnight, H

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4. 60

   Stump Parrishposted 12 years ago

   I'm glad to see those tax cuts hard at work. Have you ever tried to live off of what they pay at McDonald s. You would have done yourself more good not mentioning that fact. The top CEO's had a 23% increase in income last year. How well did the rest of the country make out. These CEO's are upset over losing the Tax Gross up that allowed the companies they work for to pay the taxes on their perks. So they are willing to allow the taxes as long as they don't have to pay them.
   
   I owned my own landscaping company for 10 years before selling it. If that answers your question about my work history. I did quite well while Clinton was in office, Not so well since then. Kind of like the rest of the country excluding the top 1%.
   
   The Republicans also tried to run Amazon out of this state and it was because the company wanted a tax break, go figure. I don't agree with the decision that was made about Boeing and yet it would take a lot more than that for me to vote for a Republican. Like perhaps, hell freezing over, lol. I don't have all the facts about what goes on in DC and yet I have more than 75% of the republican faithful does. I base this on Faux News viewership and the crap I read in and onsources like the News Max website.
   
   I try and read what is being said by both sides of the information variety shows our countries news services have become and I also read what other countries are saying. I try to get as much information as I can before making a decision. I consistently run into crap when I try to verify stories and claims made by the right. The Heritage Foundation and the Cato institute pop up regularly as the only references provided. They have the habit of actually making up links that look like legitimate references until you try to google them. I was researching the history of Reagan's tax cuts and when I entered a link that was listed as a reference, I actually ended up with 10 links to the history of a second class baseball player.
   
   I'm sure that you have the habit of jumping to conclusions a lot.

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5. 58

   TMMasonposted 12 years ago

   The top 1% may no longer pay more than the bottom, but the top 5% do and the top 1% is not that far from it, about 3% away from that goal.
   
   ----"As the data below show, incomes reported by tax returns at the high end of the income spectrum plummeted from 2007 to 2008, as did their share of the nation's income and income taxes paid. In 2008, the top 1 percent of tax returns paid 38.0 percent of all federal individual income taxes and earned 20.0 percent of adjusted gross income, compared to 2007 when those figures were 40.4 percent and 22.8 percent, respectively. Both of those figures—share of income and share of taxes paid—were their lowest since 2004 when the top 1 percent earned 19 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) and paid 36.9 percent of federal individual income taxes.
   
   Each year from 2005 to 2007, the top 1 percent's constantly growing share of income earned and taxes paid set a record. That trend reversed in 2008. In fact, the income share for the top 1 percent of tax returns was lower in 2008 than in 2000, largely due to differences in capital gains.
   
   Another indicator of this reversal in the income and tax shares of the top 1 percent is that during 2007, the top 1 percent had actually paid more in federal income tax than the bottom 95 percent, a comparison that was much remarked on a year ago. But the diminished income of the top 1 percent in 2008 means that the comparison no longer holds. During 2008, the bottom 95 percent (AGI under $159,619) paid 41.3 percent of the total collected, a larger share than the 38.0 percent paid by the top 1 percent (AGI over $380,354).
   
   The top-earning 5 percent of taxpayers (AGI over $159,619), however, still paid far more than the bottom 95 percent. The top 5 percent earned 34.7 percent of the nation's adjusted gross income, but paid approximately 58.7 percent of federal individual income taxes."---
   
   http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/250.html
   
   I have not been able to find any more recent stats... if anyone knows where some are.

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      Moderndayslaveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "The top 5 percent earned 34.7 percent of the nation's adjusted gross income, but paid approximately 58.7 percent of federal individual income taxes."---"
      I love this one, Taxes have been around for centuries it currently works by percentage. The top 5% earned 34.7% of AGI that leaves 95% earning the rest, so does that mean we should take all of the money the guy making 22k  makes? The average American income is around 35-40 k. The wealthy are paying on the Amount of money they make  and so is the little guy. Some can't put food on the table,sent their kids to the doctor or stay in a dwelling. Let's take it from them.
      It's not like the movies,pay 10 bucks and your good

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6. 79

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   I never hear him put people down.
   He wants them to pay their fair share, that's it!
   
   In fact...he has said repeatedly that he is not anti-business.
   
   Left-wingers call him a corporate sell-out...so which is it?
   
   You say he puts rich people down, the lefties say he caters to them...what kind of dis-connect is that?

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   1. 61

      Harvey Stelmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's not what one says, it is what they do. H

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   2. 70

      Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He's a moderate conservative, if the truth be known.

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7. 60

   W. Joe B.posted 12 years ago

   I've laid out of this til now because of the wonderful slapstick entertainment I've been getting from Cag and his supporters.  Nothing like drinking the Kool Aid and spewing out unsubstantiated garbage.  Let's look at more facts:
        1. Obama and the Democrat controlled congress spent more money (a combination of taxpayers and phantom money that didn't even exist) in the first year of his administration than all other administrations combined.
        2.  He and his family have taken more vacations on our dime than the combined presidents from Reagan til Bush...oh, including his mother-in-law.
        3.  If taxes are raised on the top money earners, then growth will slow proportionately.
        5.  The comment Harvey made (hooked on phonics didn't do much for you, did it?) was "the Secret Service pays...with OUR money."  Read slowly since you apparently think slowly.
        6.  Harvey is engaged in a battle of wits with unarmed adversaries who need to do a bit more research before spouting off.

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      Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Joe,
      
      Drinking the kool aid? Grow up and act your age, not your shoe size.
      
      The "status quo" in America comes from both sides of the aisle and corporate America.
      
      So, anything you have to say with regards to blaming one side over the other, is pathetically meaningless.

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8. 60

   W. Joe B.posted 12 years ago

   I've laid out of this til now because of the wonderful slapstick entertainment I've been getting from Cag and his supporters.  Nothing like drinking the Kool Aid and spewing out unsubstantiated garbage.  Let's look at more facts:
        1. Obama and the Democrat controlled congress spent more money (a combination of taxpayers and phantom money that didn't even exist) in the first year of his administration than all other administrations combined.
        2.  He and his family have taken more vacations on our dime than the combined presidents from Reagan til Bush...oh, including his mother-in-law.
        3.  If taxes are raised on the top money earners, then growth will slow proportionately.
        5.  The comment Harvey made (hooked on phonics didn't do much for you, did it?) was "the Secret Service pays...with OUR money."  Read slowly since you apparently think slowly.
        6.  Harvey is engaged in a battle of wits with unarmed adversaries who need to do a bit more research before spouting off.

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   1. 60

      Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Lets rate this.
      
      1) Flat out lie. Do the online research & arithmetic.
      
      2) Flat out lie. Last time I saw stats, W held the record.
      
      3) Opinion unsupported by history or the Bush tax cuts would have produced growth. Even prior to the economy falling of a cliff, growth was anemic under Bush compared to much stronger growth under Clinton and a higher tax rate.
      
      There is no 4..... but maybe you can't count.
      
      5) How is the practice of the Secret Service paying bills for the POTUS any different now than for any other president?
      
      6) Opinion TOTALLY unsupported by the OP.

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9. 79

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   "If taxes are raised on the top money earners, then growth will slow proportionately."
   
   What fast growth occurred when they had 10 years of tax cuts?
   
   Seems to me your statement is backwards. Tax CUTS slowed growth.
   
   That is what happened. Spin all you want.

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10. 0

    Onusonusposted 12 years ago

    The most recent data from the IRS shows that the richest 1% of Americans paid over 40% of the total income taxes in the year 2007. And Obama ignorantly insinuated that the wealthy aren't paying their fair share.

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    1. 61

       Moderndayslaveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       It's a percentage system ,if you make that much you pay that much. Deal with it or you know where the door is.

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       1. 60

          Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          What a deal. They want to do away with the minimum wage so they can pay us even LESS for those jobs they can't export to third world countries.
          
          And they want the slaves to pay the taxes.

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    2. 70

       Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       It's hard to collect much taxes from the unemployed and those on welfare or working for the minimum wage. When you consider FICA, and various sales and real estate taxes our system is the most regressive among developed countries in the world. Our rich pay less and our poor and middle class pay more than in any other developed country. And corporate loop holes and subsidies are a joke.

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       1. 72

          Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Agreed!

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       2. 60

          Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          When you say "our poor and middle class pay more than in any other developed country", a few questions arise.
          
          For the following questions, do not use a single relativistic term. I want absolutes - definitions and answers that will last millennia.
          
          1) Define "poor", and define "middle class".
          2) Define "developed country".
          3) Which measurements are you using? Percentage of GDP? Percentage of Household income? Percentage of "poor taxation divided by rich taxation" ... or what?
          
          Please, answer these questions.

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11. 60

    mesacleanpoolsposted 12 years ago

    It's a tough job being the president. Regardless of what he does, people will be upset. It's a loose/loose for that guy

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