Libtards on Parade: Alcoholism, Corruption, Murder

[LUCKY]

We have made a government that made multibillionaires of a few that could spare only scraps for the many.

We are ruled by a narrow elite that have organized society for their own benefit at the expense of the vast mass of people."

 

10 states that Gallup ranks as “most conservative” received 21.2 percent of their income in government transfers, while the number for the 10 most liberal states was only 17.1 percent.

Now, there’s no mystery about red-state reliance on government programs. These states are relatively poor, which means both that people have fewer sources of income other than safety-net programs and that more of them qualify for “means-tested” programs such as Medicaid.

But why do regions that rely on the safety net elect politicians who want to tear it down?

44 percent of Social Security recipients, 43 percent of those receiving unemployment benefits, and 40 percent of those on Medicare say that they “have not used a government program.”

Presumably, then, voters imagine that pledges to slash government spending mean cutting programs for the idle poor, not things they themselves count on. And this is a confusion politicians deliberately encourage. For example, when Romney responded to the new Obama budget, he condemned Obama for not taking on entitlement spending - and, in the very next breath, attacked him for cutting Medicare.

The truth, of course, is that the vast bulk of entitlement spending goes to the elderly, the disabled, and working families, so any significant cuts would have to fall largely on people who believe that they don’t use any government program.

 

Edited May 1, 2015 by LUCKY

[Jim]

[quote=Fairweather

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125997180

"It turns out that nearly half of all Americans don't have to pay any federal income tax. In 2009, 47 percent of all filers paid nothing. It's a number that's gone up significantly in just a couple of years."

 

 

The vast majority of folks not paying net federal taxes are poor, disabled, or retired on limited income. My earlier reference to paying for items such as infrastructure has more to do with the money we are collecting now, though the current tax structure which is the lowest in 100 years for corporations seems tilted.

 

Why, for instance do we need to spend 55% of the Federal budget on the military (and this is with out the black box intelligence budget) - which is more than the next 18 countries combined and several times more than Russia and China.

 

A budget is a moral choice - yea, you could argue that all those defense jobs are keeping the economy churning - but I'd say it would be more useful -- and have rippling economic effects -- it we spent it across the county on rebuilding and repairing our infrastructure.

[JasonG]

Bridges aren't nearly as cool as cruise missiles.

[Fairweather]

[quote=Fairweather

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125997180

"It turns out that nearly half of all Americans don't have to pay any federal income tax. In 2009, 47 percent of all filers paid nothing. It's a number that's gone up significantly in just a couple of years."

 

 

The vast majority of folks not paying net federal taxes are poor, disabled, or retired on limited income. My earlier reference to paying for items such as infrastructure has more to do with the money we are collecting now, though the current tax structure which is the lowest in 100 years for corporations seems tilted.

 

Why, for instance do we need to spend 55% of the Federal budget on the military (and this is with out the black box intelligence budget) - which is more than the next 18 countries combined and several times more than Russia and China.

 

A budget is a moral choice - yea, you could argue that all those defense jobs are keeping the economy churning - but I'd say it would be more useful -- and have rippling economic effects -- it we spent it across the county on rebuilding and repairing our infrastructure.

 

Jim, where did you get that "55% of federal spending" figure? Are you sure you're not conveniently leaving out entitlement/fixed spending?

[Jim]

[quote=Fairweather

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125997180

"It turns out that nearly half of all Americans don't have to pay any federal income tax. In 2009, 47 percent of all filers paid nothing. It's a number that's gone up significantly in just a couple of years."

 

 

The vast majority of folks not paying net federal taxes are poor, disabled, or retired on limited income. My earlier reference to paying for items such as infrastructure has more to do with the money we are collecting now, though the current tax structure which is the lowest in 100 years for corporations seems tilted.

 

Why, for instance do we need to spend 55% of the Federal budget on the military (and this is with out the black box intelligence budget) - which is more than the next 18 countries combined and several times more than Russia and China.

 

A budget is a moral choice - yea, you could argue that all those defense jobs are keeping the economy churning - but I'd say it would be more useful -- and have rippling economic effects -- it we spent it across the county on rebuilding and repairing our infrastructure.

 

Jim, where did you get that "55% of federal spending" figure? Are you sure you're not conveniently leaving out entitlement/fixed spending?

 

Oppps - good catch - your are correct -- I meant to say "Discretionary Spending"

 

But the amount we spend on the military is still pretty crazy

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

 

https://www.nationalpriorities.org/budget-basics/federal-budget-101/spending/

 

 

[Fairweather]

Is there a reason bicyclists shouldn't help pay for the tailored infrastructure they now demand and enjoy?

[num1mc]

Is there a reason bicyclists shouldn't help pay for the tailored infrastructure they now demand and enjoy?

 

That's not all they enjoy. It's all about the brotherhood of the spandex

 

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Is there a reason bicyclists shouldn't help pay for the tailored infrastructure they now demand and enjoy?

 

yes, the bogey-man rich need to pay for that

[Jim]

Yea - damn pedal pushers - besides keeping extra cars off the road they are just reeking havoc on our budgets.

 

1. State and local subsidies to corporations: An excellent New York Times study by Louise Story calculated that state and local government provide at least $80 billion in subsidies to corporations. Over 48 big corporations received over $100 million each. GM was the biggest, at a total of $1.7 billion extracted from 16 different states, but Shell, Ford and Chrysler all received over $1 billion each. Amazon, Microsoft, Prudential, Boeing and casino companies in Colorado and New Jersey received well over $200 million each.

 

2. Direct federal subsidies to corporations: The Cato Institute estimates that federal subsidies to corporations cost taxpayers almost $100 billion every year.

 

3. Federal tax breaks for corporations: The tax code gives corporations special tax breaks that have reduced what is supposed to be a 35-percent tax rate to an actual tax rate of 13 percent, saving these corporations an additional $200 billion annually, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

 

4. Federal tax breaks for wealthy hedge fund managers: Special tax breaks for hedge fund managers allow them to pay only a 15-percent rate while the people they earned the money for usually pay a 35-percent rate. This is the break where the multimillionaire manager pays less of a percentage in taxes than her secretary. The National Priorities Project estimates this costs taxpayers $83 billion annually, and 68 percent of those who receive this special tax break earn more than $462,500 per year (the top 1 percent of earners).

 

5. Subsidies to the fast food industry: Research by the University of Illinois and UC Berkeley documents that taxpayers pay about $243 billion each year in indirect subsidies to the fast food industry because they pay wages so low that taxpayers must put up $243 billion to pay for public benefits for their workers.

 

6. Mortgage deduction: The home mortgage deduction, which costs taxpayers $70 billion per year, is a huge subsidy to the real estate, banking and construction industries. The Center of Budget and Policy Priorities estimated that 77 percent of the benefit goes to homeowners with incomes over $100,000 per year.

 

7. The billions above do not even count the government bailout of Wall Street, while all parties have done their utmost to tell the public that they did not need it, that they paid it back, or that it was a great investment. The Atlantic Monthly estimates that $7.6 trillion was made available by the Federal Reserve to banks, financial firms and investors. The Cato Institute estimates (using government figures) the final costs at $32 to $68 billion, not including the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which alone cost more than $180 billion.

 

8. Each major piece of legislation contains new welfare for the rich and corporations. The Boston Globe analyzed the emergency tax legislation passed by Congress in early 2013 and found it contained 43 business and energy tax breaks, together worth $67 billion.

 

9. Huge corporations that engage in criminal or other wrongful activities protect their leaders from being prosecuted by paying huge fees or fines to the government. You and I would be prosecuted. These corporations protect their bosses by paying off the government. For example, Reuters reported that JPMorgan Chase, which made a preliminary $13-billion mortgage settlement with the U.S. government, is allowed to write off a majority of the deal as tax deductible, saving the corporation $4 billion.

 

10. There are thousands of smaller special breaks for corporations and businesses out there. There is a special subsidy for corporate jets, which cost taxpayers $3 billion a year. The tax deduction for second homes costs $8 billion a year. Fifty billionaires received taxpayer-funded farm subsidies in the past 20 years.

 

If you want to look at the welfare for the rich and corporations, start with the federal Internal Revenue Code. That is the King James Bible of welfare for the rich and corporations. Special breaks in the tax code are the reason that there are thousands of lobbyists in the halls of Congress, hundreds of lobbyists around each state legislature and tens of thousands of tax lawyers all over the country.

 

[Fairweather]

Dodge alert. I've recently read that 83% of Seattle bicycle miles are recreational. How many cars do these entitled folks really keep off the road? Jim, you seem to be pro tax for the other--why not thee?

[Jim]

Dodge alert. I've recently read that 83% of Seattle bicycle miles are recreational. How many cars do these entitled folks really keep off the road? Jim, you seem to be pro tax for the other--why not thee?

 

Because it's a dodge in itself and an asinine premise - rather than engage on the large topic of how we spend our money - or maybe your conceding that point, we'll try and sidestep that more substantial conversation (which conservatives perennially avoid) and move to more pressing tax issues --- drum roll -- yes, bikes. Good grief.

[glassgowkiss]

Dodge alert. I've recently read that 83% of Seattle bicycle miles are recreational. How many cars do these entitled folks really keep off the road? Jim, you seem to be pro tax for the other--why not thee?

 

Because it's a dodge in itself and an asinine premise - rather than engage on the large topic of how we spend our money - or maybe your conceding that point, we'll try and sidestep that more substantial conversation (which conservatives perennially avoid) and move to more pressing tax issues --- drum roll -- yes, bikes. Good grief.

 

Well, FW simply lacks intellect to cope with complex issues.

[AlpineK]

The real question is how many new wars, and thus deficits, does FW want his fantasy republican administration to start in 2017.

[glassgowkiss]

Is there a reason bicyclists shouldn't help pay for the tailored infrastructure they now demand and enjoy?

well fuck, let's go and make it fair for everyone. Let's tax all the parks and particularly playgrounds for kids. After all they should help to pay the lavish infrastructure tailored for their enjoyment.

[Jim]

.................or something REALLY unique - make vehicle drivers actually pay for the full cost of infrastructure construction, maintenance, and use. Please - don't tell me that tolls and the gas tax cover this -- far from it.

[Fairweather]

Is there a reason bicyclists shouldn't help pay for the tailored infrastructure they now demand and enjoy?

well fuck, let's go and make it fair for everyone. Let's tax all the parks and particularly playgrounds for kids. After all they should help to pay the lavish infrastructure tailored for their enjoyment.

 

Have you purchased your NPS pass, USFS demo fee pass, Discovery Pass, WSF&G permits,ORV permits,boat tags, SnoPark permits yet? Newsflash: We already pay for these things. Doesn't mean we're happy about it, but it's the way of things. Why not road bikes?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

.................or something REALLY unique - make vehicle drivers actually pay for the full cost of infrastructure construction, maintenance, and use. Please - don't tell me that tolls and the gas tax cover this -- far from it.

 

Clearly your taxes aren't high enough. Nothing stops YOU from cutting a donation check to your federal, state, and local gov't, Jimbo.

 

As for military expenditures. Fuck, sure doesn't seem like Barry has helped much there has he? 55% of discretionary spending you say. So what SHOULD the percentage be? And why don't you run a candidate that will get us there? Oh yeah, because it's easier to complain about the status quo, while keeping it... so it can be used as an argument forever against your political opponents even when they aren't running the show...

 

[KaskadskyjKozak]

The real question is how many new wars, and thus deficits, does FW want his fantasy republican administration to start in 2017.

 

Nice how you ignore Barry's escalated use of drones to kill more than his predecessor. But neither logical thinking nor consistency was ever your strong suit.

[AlpineK]

What kind of fee structure would you like for walkers, bicyclists, cars, and trucks?

 

All modes of transportation use installed and maintained roads. In most cases fees come from registration and fuel taxes. A large truck carrying lots of weigh pays more due to the amount of fuel required to operate the vehicle. Large trucks carrying weight also cause the most damage or shorten life spans of pavement when using roads.

 

Would you say that the weight of a human with a bicycle is a lot less then a person with a loaded down semi??

 

As a follow up question compare the consequences of a bicyclist collides with a pedestrian as opposed to a semi truck driver colliding with a pedestrian.

 

Did a bicyclist cause the I-5 bridge over the Skagit river to collapse or did a truck with a tall load cause the failure??

 

[AlpineK]

The real question is how many new wars, and thus deficits, does FW want his fantasy republican administration to start in 2017.

 

Nice how you ignore Barry's escalated use of drones to kill more than his predecessor. But neither logical thinking nor consistency was ever your strong suit.

 

How many wars did Bush start as opposed to Obama?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

The real question is how many new wars, and thus deficits, does FW want his fantasy republican administration to start in 2017.

 

Nice how you ignore Barry's escalated use of drones to kill more than his predecessor. But neither logical thinking nor consistency was ever your strong suit.

 

How many wars did Bush start as opposed to Obama?

 

did he also vote against the 87 billion before he voted for it?

[ivan]

 

FDR is on currency? Well, I guess the dime is, somehow, appropriate.

 

holy shit, you really can learn something from listening to the other side! never did make that mental connection

[video:youtube]

[AlpineK]

Fairweather will probably love Frank's comments on his hero Ronny

 

[video:youtube]fam5wRXcoQE

[Buckaroo]

Is there a reason bicyclists shouldn't help pay for the tailored infrastructure they now demand and enjoy?

 

after all we should be mad at who faux news tells us to be mad at. The cost of bike lanes per year from the average taxpayer must be in the pennies because it's not even on this chart.

 

 

[glassgowkiss]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2015/05/02/403865824/texas-governor-deploys-national-guard-to-stave-off-obama-takeover

 

"So when rookie Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he was ordering the Texas National Guard to monitor a Navy SEAL/Green Beret joint training exercise, which was taking place in Texas and several other states, everybody here looked up from their iPhones. "

 

I am sure FW should ask national guard to monitor military movements and training in WA state as well. Go and join lunacy!