This is in response to the letter from Thomas Shields (Dec. 30) with the headline "Give thanks to Republicans."
Why should I be thankful for Republicans? Republicans got the nation into the mess it is in. They demanded the same tax breaks for the rich that the middle class has. Those tax breaks, given to the rich, will put this country into further debt that it already is. The middle class will suffer in the end because of that. Just because the Republicans need their coffers filled.
Shields was way off base when he talked about class warfare. Republicans declared war on middle-class America when they held unemployment benefits hostage, and only agreed to pass that if tax breaks were extended to the rich. Where is the fairness in that?
The Americans who are unemployed because of the economy are in that position because of Republican policies.
When you come down to it, the rich make more money than the rest of us, therefore they can afford to pay higher taxes. If you make more, you should pay more.
End of story.
Nicholas St. Hilaire, Auburn
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Government
We get the govt we deserve and vote for. Spending is on our heads. We encourage our reps to get the most they can for us. Until we internalize the idea that we should only get what we can pay for we the people are going to sustain the mess we are in. The BUCK stops with us. The TEA Party has the right idea. If only the majority of us could do the same. Credit is good only if you pay it off every month or at the very least don't increase it beyond your ability to make the monthly payments.
This is not a Democrat or Republican issue this is a "WE THE PEOPLE ISSUE".
Best regards to all,
Jack Tetreault
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Fair taxes for all, to me, means EQUAL taxes for all. I have long supported a FLAT TAX RATE for EVERYONE, with NO DEDUCTIONS for ANYONE.
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Classy act, using a derogation term about the mentally handicapped to make your point. That truly makes you look like an informed human being. I'm sure you'll be winning plenty of arguments if you can manage to add other insulting terms to your posts.
And more to the point: If the "lower 47%" don't pay enough, which tax refund program would you like to cut first? I guess as someone whose friendly to rich causes you've never considered the marginal value of income, and how money is less useful to those who have a lot of it than those who don't. But that's just reality, and I'll probably be labeled a socialist by someone who doesn't know what that word means either...
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The rules did change, actually i don't think there are any "rules" because they always change depending on the political views of the member involved, which tells me that the banishment of Ben was another mindless, baseless removal.
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Ben is gone. Good for the public discoarse I believe. He would rather spew personal attackes that have a gealthy debate on issues. Sorry. Won't miss him :o)
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I wish it weren't so, but I have to agree with you on this. There are others (names withheld - but everyone who follows these blogs knows who I'm referring to) who violate the so-called "rules" on a daily - sometimes hourly - basis and are not removed. The lack of professionalism by the SJ editors really makes me wonder how much longer the SJ will be in print.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."In today's economy, fiscal
"In today's economy, fiscal prudence and responsibility call for tax reduction even if it temporarily enlarges the federal deficit – why reducing taxes is the best way open to us to increase revenues."
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 21, 1963, annual message to the Congress: "The Economic Report Of The President"
"It is no contradiction – the most important single thing we can do to stimulate investment in today's economy is to raise consumption by major reduction of individual income tax rates."
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 21, 1963, annual message to the Congress: "The Economic Report Of The President"
"Our tax system still siphons out of the private economy too large a share of personal and business purchasing power and reduces the incentive for risk, investment and effort – thereby aborting our recoveries and stifling our national growth rate."
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 24, 1963, message to Congress on tax reduction and reform, House Doc. 43, 88th Congress, 1st Session.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."It is a paradoxical truth
"It is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now ... Cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit, but to achieve the more prosperous, expanding economy which can bring a budget surplus."
– John F. Kennedy, Nov. 20, 1962, president's news conference
"Lower rates of taxation will stimulate economic activity and so raise the levels of personal and corporate income as to yield within a few years an increased – not a reduced – flow of revenues to the federal government."
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 17, 1963, annual budget message to the Congress, fiscal year 1964
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Yes, JFK called for lower rates of taxation, but compared to what?
1963: 26 brackets, 20% – 91%
1964: 36 brackets, 16% – 77%
2010: 6 brackets, 10% – 35%
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Well, sandra, why is it you totally endorse the tax cutting mantra spoken by President Kennedy, over FORTY years ago, but you completely and totally ignore this part "not to incur a budget deficit?" The entire ten years of the bush tax cuts, deficits have ruled. NOW if bush had been smart, he would have modified his tax cuts to eliminate the deficits, but instead he enhanced them by bringing us to TWO of the longest wars in our history. You cannot pick and choose what quotes to accept, you should embrace all of them.
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How about a flat tax, with zero personal tax deductions? Follow that up with a tax credit for the company that adds new full time jobs that has health and dental insurance as well as a retirement program with employer match? That addresses the argument about taxing individuals vs stifling job creation.
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YAWN!!!! This is so boring!! Now that I know who you all are, There is no mystery, no fun!!! All this time I thought I was debating with educated articulate people of the community, But alas the curtain gets pulled and it's a bunch of ignorant little simpletons who want to bicker about yesterday, last week, last year, last President, While giving no thought about tomorrow, next week, next year!!! Next President!! SO enjoy your never ending blame game.
All Republicans/Democrats are exactly the same and responsible for everything anyone in their party ever did!!! You get the government you deserve, So why are you all surprised that it's broken, inefficient , unresponsive and illogical. Sounds to me like a good reflection!! Why do you have to be on one team or the other, could you have voted for Obama and LePage for different reasons, Could you be for gay marriage and Pro-life, could you be against Obamacare and against tax breaks for billionaires. I think the "politicians" realized as WE limp out of this recession, it was not a good idea to raise anyone's taxes!!! SO SJ's Experimenting with you lab rats good luck to all of this community!!! SO we now a "VERIFIED" Community composed of let me see here!!
We gotta antique opinionated jackwagon, a "Disabled" layabout who thinks anyone that disagrees with Democrats talking points is a racist, and my personal favorite, a (no joke Ben Harrison can't make this stuff up) Registered Sex Offender!!! Nice!!!! Enjoy your utopia of blogs!! Now you Mindless monkey's can throw you poop at each other all day. Congratulation!! Idiots!!! You are all as helpless as children at the bus stop, wearing name tags!!! Don't talk to, accept rides or candy from strangers!! Stay safe !!
Most Sincerely
Ben Harrison
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Ben --
You give me no choice but to ban you for violating our commenting policy one to many times -- which forbids personal attacks and name calling.
http://www.sunjournal.com/policy
If you are willing to verify your account, you can come back in one week.
Pattie
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Why does he need to verify in order to come back in a week? I thought we had until February 1st to verify? Did the rules change?
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We will enjoy it as soon as you leave. Twenty four days cannot come fast enough. You will not be missed.
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Your words seem to have some much power as you hide in the corner of your world. Don't be afraid. I wonder how powerful your words and opinions would be if you actually manned up and got verufied. I wonder what kind of words you would have then? :O)
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We are not "Friends" for sure!! But I do finally agree with something you say!! My words have power!!! I don't HIDE!! I stand tall behind the walls of my castle!! And I can go about town doing business and living my life without fear of someone like you confronting me, harassing me or my family in anyway for the crap I post online!!! I'm no journalist I call it like I see it!!! Have I lied about you in anyway or did I point out something unpleasant to say the least!! And I made Damn sure I was right before I posted it!!! For the record I wish you were just crocket04240 and I knew nothing more about you and judged you only for the content of your opinion!!!
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A castle that has been built so you may feel safe to spew hatred, baseless opinons and ignorance. One built on fear. Good luck with that approach. In the mean time . It is not your place to judge me. Only my opinions. If you feel you need to protect you and your family from confrontation then, sadly, you have no clue. I welcome confrontation of my opinion. That is what sharing opinions is all about. To state the truth as I know it and to either learn I am wrong or defended my beliefs cause I know I am right. Your personal attacks are cowardess at best. I welcome the chance to debate people with integrity. But, again, apparently you are not one of them. As you said, all you post online is crap ;o)
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Ben, I nailed the first two, but I'm stuck on the third. For a moment, I thought maybe #2 and #3 might be the same person. Damn, this is more fun than sudoku.
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Oh I know #1,2 and 3!!!!!
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Mr. St. Hilaire,
you say, "Republicans got the nation into the mess it is in. They demanded the same tax breaks for the rich that the middle class has. Those tax breaks, given to the rich, will put this country into further debt that it already is." The only way the EXTENSION of the tax rate reductions for ALL Americans can "put this country into further debt that (sic) it already is" would be for the congress and president to continue their spendthrift ways. But if they reduce spending and eliminate the deficit (including the interest on the debt), the public debt will not grow.
You go on to say, "Republicans declared war on middle-class America when they held unemployment benefits hostage, and only agreed to pass that if tax breaks were extended to the rich. Where is the fairness in that?" I would submit to you: Where is the fairness in allowing tax breaks for some, but not all Americans? Is that fair? The top 5% of wage earners pay nearly 60% of the income taxes. And you want them to pay more? Is that fair? Maybe it's time to institute a flat tax - everyone in all income brackets paying the same rate with no deductions, exemptions or exclusions. Of course that means that those in the lower 40% who traditionally get back more than they pay in will now realize not only a loss of that "free" money, they will also have to pay a percentage of their income in federal taxes.
You want a "fair" tax system? Be careful what you wish for.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Your are wrong, Nick
Your letter gives aid and comfort to the treasonous thugs currently ruling the roust in the US house and formerly ruled the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court. They have for more than 30 years carried out a systematic plan to reduce the living standards of working Americans, increase the relative wealth of the super rich; and neuter the US Constitution (if its not "in" the Constitution you can't do it. Apparently they never told anyone that they can't or don't want to read).
If taxes in America was based on "use", then the super rich are paying a tiny fraction of their fair taxes. They own 90% of the wealth. Police, Military, Homeland Security - all services that benefit the rich to the exclusion of the poor. The poor die to protect wealthy people's property. You can go on virtually forever. Bottom line we are cannon fouder for their extravagance
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I thought the libs capstone was diversity and appreciation for all people. It appears that you have a great deal of hatred towards the republicans and the rich. It appears that diversity applies for only those which meet your needs
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Republican's didn't cause this.
Democrats didn't cause this.
A-holes who exploited the system to make a bunch of money did this. It happens, and will continue to happen.
Do I think you can tax your way out of this? Nope.
I think Taxes are part of the bandaid to get us to fiscal stability, but the real answer is jobs. The more productive we are as a society, and the more we produce, the more stable the economy will be.
Do I think trickle down is a way to inspire job growth?
Nope.
I think we let the tax cuts expire in 2 years for everyone. Maybe even raise them for all. Then, we cut business taxes in the form of a deduction for each job created. I think that might be a good start.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."Then we cut business taxes
"Then we cut business taxes in the form of a deduction for each job created".
That wouldn't be favoring the rich?
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for doing what they should be doing with stimulus money instead of stealing the it. The current stimulus money has been nothing more than free cheese for the rich. Most of them seem to be choking on it because there has been very little job creation in the last 10 years and there will not be job creation until people stop thinking their political parties can fix this with free cheese. Buy American and you will create American jobs like there used to be when Americans bought American products. There was once a middle class in America and people could work they're way up through hard work and entrepreneurs become wealthy and for good reason. Now we care for the wealthy, they get their free cheese and pay people like Limbaugh to make the populous believe the great politicians will fix it. Not the case 10 years of tax cuts and ten years of job loss. Need a reference take a look at the former businesses around your town, do not read a subjective poll, this is obvious. Please buy American as much as you can. The job you create or save may be your own..
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I have no problem giving anyone a break as long as it creates jobs. I just want to make sure that if you give business a break they don't store it away or give a dividen to make stockholders happy. I want that break to translate into jobs.
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Nicholas, those so called "rich" you hate so much are already paying 80% of the taxes in this country. How much taxes are you paying? AARRGHH!!! I thought so.
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The rich do not pay 80% of the taxes in this country. That statement does not come from the "horses head". And nobody hates "the rich". We grow to aspire to be "the rich". When the Nations wealthiest people say they do not need or want a tax cut and they still get one... That is the problem here. What is best for the nation is not what republicans are notorious for doing. For many years, they appear to be self serving. Perhaps I am wrong. But if I am, you got a lot of history to recover from to prove it. Every Republican administration in my lifetime has added more to the deficit than any Democratic administration. That is an archived fact. So it seems the problem is the Republicans track record breads discontent. Can you blame us?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Speaking of archived facts
Please show us your reference for the 'fact" that the "Nations wealthiest people say they do not need or want a tax cut". Throwing out two or three names won't cut it. You need a clear reference citing a majority of "the rich" stating this "fact". You are 'verified' so I'm sure you have the facts right at hand or you wouldn't have posted that.
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I will if you will. When you make a blanket statement like "the rich pay 80% of the taxes" you should do the same. Otherwise your are just spouting off at the mouth. http ://zfacts.com/p/318.html http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/federal_deficit_chart.html http://www.factcheck.org/article148.html I fully expect you to reject all sources out of hand as I have seen you do before. But others will find them useful.
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I guess when you are brainwashed by the MSM that the rich are evil and swallow that mantra hook line and sinker then how can you actually see what is really going on? Shall we get rid of all the corporations and have no jobs at all? Shall we all live off the government? Just covet was others have and sit back expecting to be taken care of? How long will you blame Republicans? Take a look at how much money BHO has spent in the last two years. The democrats have had control for the last 4 years in congress and things have gotten worse. Look at the unemployment numbers. Listen to Nancy Polosi stating the mantra of her party is fiscal responsibility and pay as you go. Is she for real? The far left wing joker leading the democratic party belongs back in San Francisco with all the other fruits and nuts.
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BTW, Barb, the verification process is not that big a deal. Not much different than your current status. Give it additional thought, Barb. Your opinions are valuable, and those of "our persuasion" need your support.
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Don;t listen to him Barb. I'm pretty sure the Pirate is gone and this is a pod person writing in his place. Notice how you haven't heard from the parrot lately? And isn't that what they always say, " Join us, it isn't really that painful"?
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Well stated, Barb, particularly the Pelosi bit.
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Another of the dumb masses heard from. Tell us Nicholas, what would you consider fair? Someone who makes more than you, and pays 36% of the taxes, getting a break on what they pay, or someone like you who probably falls into the 47% who pay no taxes getting a break on what they already do not pay? Your logic is bass ackwards. The Republicans did not hold anyone hostage, they defended the right of a minority to equal protection. The Bush tax cuts were given across the board to all income levels. Seems fair doesn't it? Does it seem fair to single out one group to pay more? What if it had been the other way other way around and whatever tax bracket you fell into was denied the tax cut and everyone else paid a smaller percentage than you? I bet you'd be crying "Foul", and "Unfair". It's just sad that you expect someone else to pay simply because they made the most of themselves and make more than you. You should really get 'verified' on this board, the color green suits you well.
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The reason the top % of American's pay most of the taxes is they have most of the wealth in America. Even with a flat tax, they would be paying a majority of the taxes in the United States.
That said, I really find it hard to feel bad for the top 1%, when the year I was born, 1977, they were paying 70% as opposed to the 35% rate they pay now. Hell, I have many people in my family who are in that 1%, so this isn't a faceless thing to me. I'm not seeking to punish the rich or tax them out of existance. And I don't totally buy the correlation between income disparity and tax rates. But I think America is in trouble, and the rich need to pony up. Not as a long term fix, but as a band aid.
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that leads to the rich moving their jobs and money offshore. You get less of that which you punish. And, you can't tax your way into prosperity. Higher taxes on those who pay the most already is just something that they owe? How retarded is that thinking? You want fair, but not if it applies to you? How do you justify in that lib thought process that income redistribution is in any way fair? With a flat tax, the higher earners may pay more, but not an exorbitantly out of average amount. They would pay the same percentage as everyone else. Your point is moot because then there would be no disparity like there is now. When the lower 47% pay nothing, I believe they have no right to grouse about how much anyone else is paying. As a matter of fact, they should just shut up and sit back and collect their income redistribution gifts.
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A couple of things.
I'm the one grousing here, and I am not in the lower 47%. So if you want to complain about how those who don't pay taxes complain about the rich, fine. But it's not the issue here.
Secondly - The reason you tax the upper echelons of income generation higher than the rest is because taxing the lower is self defeating. The reason some don't pay tax is that taxing them is only going to push them to needing federal aid. Those people have little to no money to spare, so taxing them isn't going to stop them from going to the movies, it's going to stop them from eating. So, you tax where the money is. As Willie Sutton said when asked why he robbed banks "That's where the money is".
Claiming that the upper brackets are paying exorbitant taxes is just silly. 35% is not a crazy percentage. Hell, I pay 25%, so an additional 10% is not the end of the world. Hell, it would hurt me to have to do it, but it wouldn't ruin the universe.
And if the rich want to move jobs overseas...Fine, but make sure they go too. If they are willing to f*** over America for money, well, they should be placed against a wall and shot like the traitors they are.
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