I Read It in a News Article

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   JaxsonRaineposted 13 years ago

   ... so it must be true, right?
   
   
   Did you know that:
   
   GE actually did pay taxes, and the stories about them getting a $3 billion refund were completely false?
   
   The effective US corporate tax rate is one of the highest in the world, and the marginal rates are the highest?
   
   GM made large profits, but didn't have to pay any taxes?
   
   The top 1% of Americans pay, on average, 24% federal income tax while the bottom 50% pay 1.85%?
   
   
   Remember, news reporters are people who can make mistakes, so be careful about what they say if there isn't anything to substantiate their claims.
   
   *I'm not providing any sources for these points because I just don't care to right now. Maybe someone will complain and I'll do it, but they are available in other threads I've posted in.

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   lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

   Middle class pays fed, state and FICA.
   Rich pay fed and state, no FICA
   Low pay FICA only.
   
   Pretty sad that 50% of Americans make $45,000 or less.
   
   Even more outrageous that 400 people have more wealth than half the rest combined.
   
   How DID that happen?

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      JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Rich pay just as much FICA as the middle.
      
      Again, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it. Just raising the limit wouldn't fix the deficit in SS.
      
      $45,000 is a lot of money. I managed to float with myself, a spouse, and a toddler for under $20,000. America is the land of opportunity, people have the chance to work hard and make a living, or create their own opportunities.
      
      What do you want to do, just take money from rich people and give it to the poor?
      
      One reason is because of irresponsible use of credit. The bottom 50% has almost NO net wealth, because of debts. If people lived within their means, they would have a lot more wealth.
      
      If someone has a $150,000 mortgage and $20,000 in credit card debt, they are counted as having -$170,000 dollars (+ any money/assets). That's why the bottom 50% have very little net wealth. Most of it is tied up in credit cards and mortgages.

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   lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

   Nothing to do with Bush tax cuts, eh?

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      JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      See, I make all of these points, and you just carpet bomb one little statement thinking you are making a good point.

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         lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Because I say it's ALL to do with Bush tax cuts! That's why.

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            JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            You should really look at our tax rates from a global perspective. Then you can see what the real problem is.
            
            You say the problem is that the rich only pay 24%, while half of America is FORCED to pay 1.85%?

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               lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I prefer to look at an income chart from America...and weep.
               
               From Reagan on.....it's been a steady increase for the top brackets, a steady decline for the middle, and a stagnant slump for the poor.
               
               Gvt did it. They can reverse it too.

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                  JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes, gvt can help reduce it. If we become competitive, corporations will look at America and say 'Gee, I like America, and now I don't have to pay an extra 20% in taxes to be there'. More corporations = more jobs. More jobs = more people making money. More people making money = more wealth.
                  
                  Of course, lower and middle class Americans need to learn to stop living on credit. That will do wonders as well.
                  
                  As for income, income per bracket has basically increased at the same rate from the 70s until now.

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                     lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     Credt is fine if the interest rates are reasonbale, and the little tricks are snipped.
                     
                     Not everyone has the cash on hand to do things....that is whay credit card reform was necessary.....and now the bank user fees and overdraft charges have gone up. What crooks!
                     
                     And I disagree. Middle class and poor incomes are stagnating. Huge leap for the top.
                     
                     And it is due to those tax cuts. They can give it back now.

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                        JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        Credit can be fine, but usually isn't. Over the course of your life, you will be better off if you don't use it. All the interest you would have paid stays in your pockets.
                        
                        People shouldn't blame the credit card companies. They need to take responsibility. If you can't afford something now, buy it later. Learn to save money instead of just spend.
                        
                        That's why the bottom 50% have almost no wealth. Everyone has debt, not wealth.
                        
                        Listen. The banks and credit card companies and insurance companies are businesses. If they don't make money, they will go bankrupt and not be able to provide their services anymore. These companies don't actually rip you off like you are told. They make just a few percentage points of profit each year.
                        
                        Take the debit card fees. People complained that the banks were charging a tiny amount every time you swipe your debit card(the banks have expenses to pay). Legislation forced them to stop doing that, so they tried the $5/month fees to make up for it. People griped about that, so they basically stopped doing that.
                        
                        You can't just force businesses to give you something for cheaper and cheaper and cheaper. Eventually they won't exist anymore.
                        
                        http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/d … household/
                        
                        There's the data. Actually, the lowest bracket started doing better after Reagan.
                        
                        Should I post some charts so you can see?

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            habeeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Yesterday the CBO said ending the Bush tax cuts along with putting in place the spending cuts for the Pentagon and other domestic agencies would damage the economy, putting the US in a recession.

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               JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               SHHHHHHH.
               
               That goes under the category of 'facts'.
               
               I heard in a newspaper that our tax rate for corporations is the lowest among all nations!

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               lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               "CBO forecasts recession in '13 unless Bush tax cuts and payroll tax cut extended, and spending cuts delayed. Odds of Cong deal in '12? Zero."
               
               
               spending cuts delayed.....THAT is the sticking point. R's want cuts cuts cuts.....NOW.

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                  JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  It's been a long time since I've seen someone so proactively partisan.
                  
                  What about the cuts?

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                     lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     You aren't looking in the mirror!

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                        JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        LMC, I'm not like that. I'm more than willing to criticize R's. I'm not very happy with how our financial situation has been handled by either side. I'm not happy with the educational system, nor how either side has handled it. I'm not happy with the tax rates.

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                     lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     That's all the R's are about. Even had a deal: one tax dollar to 10 cut dollars...they said no way. They need 100% cut dollars, or no deal.
                     
                     Plus, I'm sure they wn't want the payroll tax extended...that's for the "little" people...we don' matter.

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                        American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Of course they would say no, anyone with reasonable accounting practices would. If you make a 1 dollar cut in spending, or a 10% cut, that is a spit in the ocean. You still need to cut 4 more dollars just to break even. You are bringing in 5 dollars and you want to spend 10. That is why we are in this mess. It is time for someone to say no more.

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                           lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           WHAT?
                           
                           Dems offered 10 cuts to 1 tax increase...it wasn't enough??
                           
                           Give me a break.
                           R's want 100% or nothing. Waaaaaaa

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                              American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              Why would you want to raise taxes to balance the budget when cutting the waste gets you there. Now if all the cuts are made and we still do not have a balanced budget, then raise the taxes

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   lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

   I don't need charts...I live it.
   
   The best times in my life are when Dems are in charge. That has been my experience and no amount of charts can alter that in any way shape or form. And particularly this last round of R's was sadistically horrendous.
   
   You want to go back...you go for it.
   
   I do not, and will fight it every step of the way.
   
   Calling Obama an appeaser....don't these R's have any shame? They are working the dark arts.
   
   And they can kiss my butt!

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      JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Right... your perception of a limited experience in a limited area is better than country-wide facts?
      
      Ok, as long as you aren't concerned with facts.

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         lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Listen....facts are different to different people. Some people here say Bush was the best president ever.....and they will show me charts to prove it.
         
         I'm an old broad...we didn't always have the computer you know....we relied on other things....intuition and nature and the like.
         
         I know Repubs are bad for both. Thanks but no thanks to your charts. I'll stick with what I "know".

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            JaxsonRaineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I don't like many things Bush did. I care more about America than Rs or Ds.
            
            You stick with what you know. It's nice to know that you would rather decide what the employment situation in America is like(and possibly who to vote as POTUS because of it) without caring about what the employment rate actually is.

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               lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I live in a tourist area. Last friday I got stuck in such awful traffic, I wanted to scream. Hadn't seen it like that in many years...especially pre-season..
               That is a sign that we will be busy this summer...a sign that the economy is improving. as bad as that is for Republicans to hear.
               
               and I didn't have to look it up in a factual article....I know by experience.  Wait til your baby comes...when it cries you know it needs something. You don't run to a fact to tell you what to do.

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                  American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Accidents cause traffic jams and that has nothing to do with the economy

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                     lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I've lived here since 1985...I know what I'm talking about.

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                        American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Cape Cod will not have a huge tourist season, even if it is preseason. According to AAA, despite gas prices haven't fallen $.17 in the last month, reservations in Cape Cod the Memorial Day weekend are light.

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                           lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           We're full. I know what I'm talking about.
                           
                           My BF has a heck of a time getting back and forth from work now too.....
                           
                           Anyone can read the signs if they live here long enough... Experience matters.

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                              American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              Your full because you say so, despite a major company that is in the know by checking on status. It is what they do for a living. I think I believe AAA when they say hotel advance bookings in Cape Cod is light

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   lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

   WEll, it's been R side for a long time. And I was hoping for a dem turn. If they had just been decent,we would not be here. But they chose to obstruct and nullify our votes...to get back in power again.
   
   I can't stand them any more. They don't deserve any respect, and they sure don't give it!
   
   dark arts...sorcerers.

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   JaxsonRaineposted 13 years ago

   Dark arts?
   Control actually gets split fairly evenly.

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