Town halls, polls reveal Americans’ deep reticence

[steff]

This message has been deleted.

[magichat]

So 47% of households paid no income federal income tax last year and a "majority" of Americans want to raise taxes on the wealthy, anybody think there may be a correlation?

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Whenever I read stories- and make no mistake, that's what this is: a story- like this in the lame stream media, I automatically assume that the exact opposite is true, and the solutions being proposed are a way to trick Republicans into doing things that are wildly unpopular so Democrats can get what they want, and use Republicans as human shields when it comes to election time. And I'm almost always right.

Just take this one issue- "subsidies" to the oil companies. It's dishonest to start with as most of what the President calls "subsidies" is really just tax incentives that allow oil companies to keep what they've earned. Democrats LOVE to call tax breaks subsidies, and tax cuts "spending"; while at the same time calling wreckless spending on failed government programs "investments".

You're going to have a hard time getting this bullshit by people like me:

He offered few specifics, however, and Senate Democrats, moving quickly to capitalize on public unhappiness with rising gas prices, are laying plans for a vote to end $4 billion in the oil subsidies and apply the money to deficit reductions instead.

The solution to public unhappiness over rising gas prices is even higher gas prices? Gimme a break. How about ending the government gouge at the pump? At the very least why don't we have a summer driving season tax holiday and reduce the government's take by 50%?

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

May 10, 2011 15:20:30 GMT -5 @magichat said:

So 47% of households paid no income federal income tax last year and a "majority" of Americans want to raise taxes on the wealthy, anybody think there may be a correlation?

Paul Ryan and others have been pretty courageous shooting straight on entitlements, especially Medicare. It's going to take even more courage to welcome 47% of Americans back onto the tax rolls.

Of course, we could simply all join them. We could end all taxes on the production of income, savings, and investments and shift to a consumption tax where everyone-- even welfare recipients and drug dealers-- pays.

[burnsattornincan]

A vote on raising the $14.3 billion ceiling on U.S. debt — a move resisted by conservatives but imperative

When they can't even get their mathematical term correct (its trillion, not billion by the way) then what informed person is going to bother reading this crap for.... ZZZZzzzzzz.... OHHH, sorry.. almost, but not quite!

[fairlycrazy23]

We should end subsidies to oil companies, but only as part of a broader initiative to cut subsidies across the board. The vast majority don't know the difference between profit and profit margin, if they did then they might not be so fast to condemn oil companies for having profits. Plus the oil companies are owned by a lot of people that probably like the profits since they can benefit there investments. Plus these big oil companies paid a lot of taxes.

At the same time we eliminate subsidies across the board we should also remove many of the costly impediments imposed by the Government to domestically producing petroleum. Producing more petroleum would bring in more tax revenue, plus create bunches of jobs which would reduce government expenditures for "welfare" plus bring in more tax revenue.

Drastically increasing domestic energy is almost the silver bullet to getting out of our financial mess.

[Deleted]

If they are looking to cut spending here's a great way to do it. IF:
1. Your proposing spending in your district don't do it.
2 Your proposing spending in your state don't do it.
3. Your proposing spending that will enrich the guy that bought you something in the last 30 days don't do it.
4. Your proposing spending that will enrich the guy that will hire you when you get out of congress don't do it.
5. Your proposing spending on something that you've always looked at as your own pet project don't do it.
6. Your voting for a bill for someone who is going to vote on your bill don't do it.

If congress followed those rules I bet they could balance the budget in no time.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

The debt ceiling issue was put off by little Timmy because-- and do not make any mistake about it-- it was a losing issue for Democrats and they're still flailing about trying to figure out what to do about it.

Boehner has apparently grown some testicles and has said very forcefully that tax hikes are OFF the table, and EVERYTHING else is ON the table.

[fairlycrazy23]

May 10, 2011 16:18:27 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Boehner has apparently grown some testicles and has said very forcefully that tax hikes are OFF the table, and EVERYTHING else is ON the table.

A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.