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Are you willing to pay higher taxes, and if so, for what?

Are you willing to pay higher taxes, and if so, for what?

  • Yes, across the board.

    Votes: 10 15.4%

  • Yes, for infrastructure.

    Votes: 27 41.5%

  • Yes, for education. (K-12)

    Votes: 18 27.7%

  • Yes, for job creation.

    Votes: 16 24.6%

  • Yes, for social programs.

    Votes: 15 23.1%

  • Yes, for medical care.

    Votes: 21 32.3%

  • Yes, for the environment.

    Votes: 16 24.6%

  • Yes, but... not for some particular programs (please elaborate).

    Votes: 8 12.3%

  • No. None. Not for anything at all.

    Votes: 23 35.4%

  • Undecided. Convince me either way.

    Votes: 1 1.5%
  • Total voters
    65
TurtleDude said:
the indolent middle class that has demanded more and more government and demanded the "rich" pay for it has caused most of the problems you now whine about
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I'm sure your campaign plank there will see you in good stead next November.

You are the poster child for voting against the GOP!!!! Please keep it up, and try to be just a little more vitriolic in your disdain for the middle class.
 
MaggieD said:
Why would we stop using this statistic? Don't just flap gums, post your alternate universe.
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I said MISusing, Maggie. Because when it gets posted, it's done to suggest that those who make less money than society considers sufficient to live are pulling some kind of scheme to get away with something. As if they're cheating somehow. Also, there are plenty of taxes that people pay besides federal income tax. The implication that people are freeloaders is false. If you want to use that stat to make a point about how absurdly low incomes are for a large portion of Americans, go ahead. But if you use it to say that the bottom half of this country are cheating the system and mooching off of everyone else... that's a lie.
 
Paschendale said:
I said MISusing, Maggie. Because when it gets posted, it's done to suggest that those who make less money than society considers sufficient to live are pulling some kind of scheme to get away with something. As if they're cheating somehow. Also, there are plenty of taxes that people pay besides federal income tax. The implication that people are freeloaders is false. If you want to use that stat to make a point about how absurdly low incomes are for a large portion of Americans, go ahead. But if you use it to say that the bottom half of this country are cheating the system and mooching off of everyone else... that's a lie.
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I never said these people were cheating the system and mooching. The system's broken. Everyone who lives in the United States of America and earns money should pay income tax on their earnings just like I do. I don't care if it's 1%, a half percent -- something. If people don't have a dog in the fight, what the hell do they care how much Congress spends?? As for people paying plenty of other taxes, of course, that's true. But we're talking about income tax here.
 
Yes. Please raise the taxes I pay on capital gains to the same rates I pay on other income. Raise my (capital gains) tax rates!
 
vvx said:
Yes. Please raise the taxes I pay on capital gains to the same rates I pay on other income. Raise my (capital gains) tax rates!
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That is exactly what two dozen patriotic billionaires demanded of the Congressional deficit committee today.
 
MaggieD said:
I never said these people were cheating the system and mooching. The system's broken. Everyone who lives in the United States of America and earns money should pay income tax on their earnings just like I do. I don't care if it's 1%, a half percent -- something. If people don't have a dog in the fight, what the hell do they care how much Congress spends?? As for people paying plenty of other taxes, of course, that's true. But we're talking about income tax here.
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And I am explaining, for the umpteenth time, that limiting the discussion to federal income tax is useless and misleading. And the idea that somehow it's moral to make sure you take a little from everyone, even if it's just a penny... That's silly. Taxes aren't about feeling fair. They're about paying for stuff. And, of course, a progressive tax system IS fair. Especially when you consider all of the other taxes that everyone, irrespective of income, pays.

This argument sounds, to me, like the kid with 20 cookies who has to give 4 to his younger sister complaining about the butler's kid who gets to keep 1.

Raising the federal income tax on the poorest among us would net no real amount of revenue, and push those who are already living paycheck to paycheck that must closer to starvation. But it's okay so long as you feel like things are a little more fair, right?
 
I see the promoters of social justice are on the prowl again, trying to justify their being thieves. Liberals and socialists are of one mind. It's proven right here.
 
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Paschendale said:
Yes. 71% of Americans make 50000 a year or less. 35% make 25000 or less. A generation ago, this income level was sufficient for middle class living. The cost of living keeps going up and up, and wages do not.
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a complete failure of proof
 
Catawba said:
I'm sure your campaign plank there will see you in good stead next November.

You are the poster child for voting against the GOP!!!! Please keep it up, and try to be just a little more vitriolic in your disdain for the middle class.
Click to expand...

I understand your need to subject anything that does not pander to the lowest common denominator to the review of the rabble. Not being a politician I can tell the truth rather than kiss up to the mindless minions of the left
 
Catawba said:
That is exactly what two dozen patriotic billionaires demanded of the Congressional deficit committee today.
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LOL-yeah patriotism is what motivates them? as RO would say


deluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuusional
 
On Tuesday night, I attended the council meeting of my local township government. The burning issue is what to do with Fire Department. Some want to privatize while others want to place on the ballot a proposal to raise taxes to pay for the continuation of the current fire department.

During the public comments section, I spoke and said point blank PLEASE RAISE MY TAXES. Out of the crowd of over 300 people there, many more came to the mic and said the same thing. The council was a bit taken aback and one even said that in all their years on that board this was something rather new.
 
Paschendale said:
And I am explaining, for the umpteenth time, that limiting the discussion to federal income tax is useless and misleading. And the idea that somehow it's moral to make sure you take a little from everyone, even if it's just a penny... That's silly. Taxes aren't about feeling fair. They're about paying for stuff. And, of course, a progressive tax system IS fair. Especially when you consider all of the other taxes that everyone, irrespective of income, pays.

This argument sounds, to me, like the kid with 20 cookies who has to give 4 to his younger sister complaining about the butler's kid who gets to keep 1.

Raising the federal income tax on the poorest among us would net no real amount of revenue, and push those who are already living paycheck to paycheck that must closer to starvation. But it's okay so long as you feel like things are a little more fair, right?
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first of all your tripe reeks of internal contradictions. secondly your concept of fair is based on the marxist from each according to their ability. thirdly-like every other socialist on this forum-you patently ignore the fact that those who don't pay income taxes tend to be less concerned about jacking up the rates on others than those who actually have to pay it
 
TurtleDude said:
first of all your tripe reeks of internal contradictions. secondly your concept of fair is based on the marxist from each according to their ability. thirdly-like every other socialist on this forum-you patently ignore the fact that those who don't pay income taxes tend to be less concerned about jacking up the rates on others than those who actually have to pay it
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Specifically, what internal contradictions are in the post of Paschendale when he says

And I am explaining, for the umpteenth time, that limiting the discussion to federal income tax is useless and misleading. And the idea that somehow it's moral to make sure you take a little from everyone, even if it's just a penny... That's silly. Taxes aren't about feeling fair. They're about paying for stuff. And, of course, a progressive tax system IS fair. Especially when you consider all of the other taxes that everyone, irrespective of income, pays.

This argument sounds, to me, like the kid with 20 cookies who has to give 4 to his younger sister complaining about the butler's kid who gets to keep 1.

Raising the federal income tax on the poorest among us would net no real amount of revenue, and push those who are already living paycheck to paycheck that must closer to starvation. But it's okay so long as you feel like things are a little more fair, right?
Click to expand...
 
haymarket said:
Specifically, what internal contradictions are in the post of Paschendale when he says
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first he whines that taxes are not supposed to be fair but for paying for stuff and then he claims a progressive tax rate is fair
 
TurtleDude said:
first he whines that taxes are not supposed to be fair but for paying for stuff and then he claims a progressive tax rate is fair
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Rather he says that taxes are "not about feeling fair". There is a difference and a distinction. Why is that an internal contradiction?
 
Paschendale said:
And I am explaining, for the umpteenth time, that limiting the discussion to federal income tax is useless and misleading. And the idea that somehow it's moral to make sure you take a little from everyone, even if it's just a penny... That's silly. Taxes aren't about feeling fair. They're about paying for stuff. And, of course, a progressive tax system IS fair. Especially when you consider all of the other taxes that everyone, irrespective of income, pays.

This argument sounds, to me, like the kid with 20 cookies who has to give 4 to his younger sister complaining about the butler's kid who gets to keep 1.

Raising the federal income tax on the poorest among us would net no real amount of revenue, and push those who are already living paycheck to paycheck that must closer to starvation. But it's okay so long as you feel like things are a little more fair, right?
Click to expand...

I don't care if you've said it for the umpteenth zillion times. This thread is about Federal income tax. Everyone pays the other taxes. That's supposed to be news?? You are comfortable with 47% of earners not paying Federal income tax. I'm not. Everyone should bear some financial responsibility for paying income tax. It's that simple. And know what? It used to be that way until politicians started buying our votes.
 
MaggieD said:
I don't care if you've said it for the umpteenth zillion times. This thread is about Federal income tax. Everyone pays the other taxes. That's supposed to be news?? You are comfortable with 47% of earners not paying Federal income tax. I'm not. Everyone should bear some financial responsibility for paying income tax. It's that simple. And know what? It used to be that way until politicians started buying our votes.
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Minor point: The thread is about any taxes that might qualify. Could mean gasoline taxes if the related subject is infrastructure, as one example. Could also mean local, state, or federal, as applicable. But yeah, federal income taxes would be the most applicable.
 
Paschendale said:
And I am explaining, for the umpteenth time, that limiting the discussion to federal income tax is useless and misleading. And the idea that somehow it's moral to make sure you take a little from everyone, even if it's just a penny... That's silly. Taxes aren't about feeling fair. They're about paying for stuff. And, of course, a progressive tax system IS fair. Especially when you consider all of the other taxes that everyone, irrespective of income, pays.

This argument sounds, to me, like the kid with 20 cookies who has to give 4 to his younger sister complaining about the butler's kid who gets to keep 1.

Raising the federal income tax on the poorest among us would net no real amount of revenue, and push those who are already living paycheck to paycheck that must closer to starvation. But it's okay so long as you feel like things are a little more fair, right?
Click to expand...

I am continually astounded by the few on the extreme right that think our forefathers were socialists, as they supported far more progressive tax rates than anything proposed by the Democrats today. The very same forefathers that defeated Nazi Germany and built the strongest middle class in history, the extreme right of today considers socialists.

To me this shows the extreme right perspective has moved closer to fascism than in our past.
 
Actually, what I really said is that the 47% who aren't paying taxes aren't choosing not to. They can't. They would if they could. But they have so little that they need every penny of that to live at a standard we would consider the minimum acceptable. My point is that no one is being sneaky or malicious. People are working hard, and getting paid squat for it. While those who do not work hard are getting paid millions for helping no one but themselves.

Let me repeat this, because it bears repeating. Those who, by virtue of having such a low income that they do not qualify for the federal income tax, are not getting away with anything. They have so little that we don't take from them. You want them to pay taxes? Great. They want to pay taxes, too. Just pay them a decent wage, and allocate that tax money into places where it will improve their lot, so they will have income to tax. That's all there is to it.

The only ones who can pay taxes but don't are the ultra-rich. Everyone else is just broke.
 
Catawba said:
I am continually astounded by the few on the extreme right that think our forefathers were socialists, as they supported far more progressive tax rates than anything proposed by the Democrats today. The very same forefathers that defeated Nazi Germany and built the strongest middle class in history, the extreme right of today considers socialists.

To me this shows the extreme right perspective has moved closer to fascism than in our past.
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most of our REAL forefathers were not socialists. FDR was

and I love how you try to cyberfellate FDR by calling him our "forefather" while ignoring the great men who penned the constitution.

you have no clue what fascism is-FDR was far closer to fascist (ask the Japanese Americans) than the "extreme right" which basically means anyone who opposes Obama care or tax hikes on those who already pay too much of the taxes
 
Paschendale said:
Actually, what I really said is that the 47% who aren't paying taxes aren't choosing not to. They can't. They would if they could. But they have so little that they need every penny of that to live at a standard we would consider the minimum acceptable.

Let me repeat this, because it bears repeating. Those who, by virtue of having such a low income that they do not qualify for the federal income tax, are not getting away with anything. They have so little that we don't take from them. You want them to pay taxes? Great. They want to pay taxes, too. Just pay them a decent wage, and allocate that tax money into places where it will improve their lot, so they will have income to tax. That's all there is to it.
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Not.Quite.

7,000 Millionaires Paid No Income Taxes in 2011
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Among families making more than $100,000, there were also half a million tax units -- enough to replace the population of Tucson, Arizona -- that also paid no income tax.
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Buffett Rule Rorschach: 7,000 Millionaires Paid No Income Taxes in 2011 - Derek Thompson - Business - The Atlantic
 
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