Lifelong Republican for Obama/Biden (Cleveland, Washington: hardwood floors, mortgage, loan)

[AndyF667]

Originally Posted by Hey_Hey

The fact of the matter remains that the wealthy still pay the lion's share of income taxes. To argue that sending 35% of your income to the federal government (not even counting local or state taxes) doesn't constitute as "paying their fair share" is ludicrous.

And what constitutes "paying their fair share?" Does 40%? How about 50%? Maybe 75%? "Paying their fair share" is code for saying, "we'll tax at whatever rate we need in order to implement our new wealth redistribution policies that we dream up on a constant basis."

By that logic we should have a flat tax period. Right?

[kaimik]

How about a consumption tax?

Here's what Alexander Hamilton said about it in the Federalist Papers:

It is a signal advantage of taxes on articles of consumption that they contain in their own nature a security against excess. They prescribe their own limit, which cannot be exceeded without defeating the end proposed—that is, an extension of the revenue. When applied to this object, the saying is as just as it is witty that, "in political arithmetic, two and two do not always make four." If duties are too high, they lessen the consumption; the collection is eluded; and the product to the treasury is not so great as when they are confined within proper and moderate bounds. This forms a complete barrier against any material oppression of the citizens by taxes of this class, and is itself a natural limitation of the power of imposing them.

It would never happen, but it sounds like a great idea to me.

[AndyF667]

Originally Posted by kaimik

How about a consumption tax?

Here's what Alexander Hamilton said about it in the Federalist Papers:

It is a signal advantage of taxes on articles of consumption that they contain in their own nature a security against excess. They prescribe their own limit, which cannot be exceeded without defeating the end proposed—that is, an extension of the revenue. When applied to this object, the saying is as just as it is witty that, "in political arithmetic, two and two do not always make four." If duties are too high, they lessen the consumption; the collection is eluded; and the product to the treasury is not so great as when they are confined within proper and moderate bounds. This forms a complete barrier against any material oppression of the citizens by taxes of this class, and is itself a natural limitation of the power of imposing them.

It would never happen, but it sounds like a great idea to me.

So I cant dress up my VP at Niemen Marcus and Sax?

[firefightermom]

Since neither of them will be in office for Christmas, neither of them will help me! Christmas won't be nonexistent, just less grand. I plan to only spend $100 total on my 2 kids and another $50 or so on other family gifts. It's my choice, along with my husband, so we don't go into credit card debt, and I don't care about keeping up with the Joneses...and my kids are too young to care.
My mistake about the tax calculator, I should have said it saved me less then $50 compared to McCain's--he will give me back $968 and Obama $1000--not a big difference at all! I don't think either candidate will really help me either way. Democrats are well know for raising taxes...look at Clinton, as soon as he was elected he raised taxes, just opposite of his campaign promise--and fyi, I used to be a Democrat and did vote for him twice!
I haven't kept up with the Joe the Plumber stuff so can't argue with you there...
I'm unsure about the war, and don't agree with how it's been played, but two of my cousins are there, both on 3rd tours, and I will admit I am one of those Americans that say "Freedom isn't free". I don't think America should be the police of the world, but we need to stand up to countries that endanger our rights and future. Things are different now than during the Cold War..we didn't have troops over there, but terrorists weren't the way to go then as they are now. It's time to start to withdraw and perhaps go after wherever Bin Ladin really is....
I didn't drink the Kool-Aid, I like that one But Obama keeps saying he wants to redistribute the wealth, and wants federally funded healthcare...both major socialist ideas.

Hopefully whoever wins will do the best for the country and not for themselves...we can only hope.

[CortlandGirl79]

Well, if you're a firefigher, then you are getting paid by a socalist system. Our taxes pay for firefighters and their healthcare and retirement.

[firefightermom]

Taxes also pay for Medicare, Medicaid, HeadStart, college grants, national parks, etc etc etc. A real socialist system is when the government takes everything and divides it equally amongst everyone....our system is not socialist but Obama wants it to be. I pay for my healthcare out of my paycheck, and my retirement is funded by part of my salary being withheld and placed into a retirement fund...so your taxes don't pay for either.

[kaimik]

To Form a More Perfect Union
To Establish Justice
To Provide for the Common Defense
To Secure the Blessings of Liberty
To Promote the General Welfare
To Insure Domestic Tranquility

This is what our Constitution states are the purposes of government. I'd say providing firefighting service falls under the "Promote the General Welfare" section. And let's remember, the point is to establish services and regulations that are for the good of all the people, to promote the "General Welfare", not Welfare!

[CortlandGirl79]

I never heard him say he want's to equally spread the same amount to everyone. He just wants rich people to pay what they were paying before the Bush tax cuts. I don't see what's wrong w/that.

[jas3443]

He wants to tax the rich to pay for the poor. Sorry but it shouldnt work that way. Especially for those who sit on their a$$ at home instead of getting a job.

[CortlandGirl79]

i never heard him say that either, he says people need to take responsibility for themselves. I assume you're talking about welfare. Please tell me where you've heard Obama say that he wants to give people on welfare rich people's money.