Where Are the Jobs?
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In the last federal budget cycle, Republicans demanded, and got, the extension of the Bush tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 a year. The theory was that there would be more jobs as a result, the old trickle- down approach. Well, where are the jobs?
Job growth has declined, but Republicans still want no increase in taxes on the wealthy and big corporations while forcing cuts in teacher, firefighter, police and other civil servants’ positions.
Taxes on the wealthy haven’t been this low since the Eisenhower administration. Meanwhile, we move closer to default.
In our own families, when we want to reduce debt, we reduce our spending and get other income by getting second jobs, etc. That’s what our country must do. It can’t be all one-sided. We must add revenue. Tax hikes on the wealthiest Americans and spending cuts are both needed.
How many castles and jets do the rich need?
David Adinolfi
Southern Pines
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Comments
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
What is needed most are budget cuts, then a small tax increase across the board (with the exception of low income earners). What gives you the right to tell other people how they should spend their $$, it's not for you to decide how many castles or jets a person needs. You manage what money you have & let the others manage their own.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
The filthy rich and everyone else. Do you think Hedge-fund investors using other peoples money could care less about whose right it is to tell someone what to do with their money. Perhaps those state employees who last their retirement plans due to Hedgefunds would beg to differ....
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Buyer beware - might as well play the lottery, go to Vegas or Atlantic City..
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Here's your link: Hedge Funds use other peoples hard earned money. Perhaps you should participate and give generously to an unregulated Hedge Fund.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8092700_effects-fund-losses-pension-plans.html
MarkinMiami 1 year, 10 months ago
You are a genius. I agree 100%. I live in Miami now and you wouldn't believe the crap that goes on here on a large scale basis. You drive through one of our several "projects" and you'll see $40,000 Cadillacs parked in front of run down apartment buildings. Everyone with their hand out is too busy complaining to get busy trying. It's hard to find a job when you're sitting on the porch all day, Monday through Friday.
MikeNC 1 year, 10 months ago
You nailed it in your first two sentences in the 4th paragraph.. Take a look at much of the foolishness and waste that our leaders spend our tax dollars on...This abuse must be eliminated. The same leaders then must work together to remove the fiscal uncertainties from our job creators by removing the extra tax and paperwork burdens they are constantly threatened with; which results in them not hiring new employees and shedding some current positions. That would bring not second jobs for us as you state...but career paying jobs back to those who lost them; as the emloyers resume filling positions to help them grow. That tax income will immediately put cash back into our nations coffers. And then to insure the politicians do not once again spend it foolishly. We have an expenditure problem. If we start getting back the jobs that have been lost, we will not have a revenue problem....Mike
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
You’re right about a tax increase! I sat down last night and was paying my bills and realized I don’t make enough money so I scheduled a meeting with my boss so I can ask about a pay raise. What do you think he’ll say? Lastly, for every castle and jet built there is an industry full of employees that depend on those nasty “Rich” people to purchase those items.
ProudYankee 1 year, 10 months ago
Ending the Bush tax cuts for higher income people, (over $250,000), would cost them an extra 3 or 4%. Really now, if you're making 250k a year, and can't manage this, maybe you're living a little too large. The insatiable greed in this country will be the end of us someday.
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
Finally, a right wing conservative willing to admit that greed is the problem. A step toward solving our problems. Now if we could get the MikeNC twins to get on board, no telling what progress we might make.
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
Would that be the spending that took place in the first 6 years of the GWB administration? You know, the spending that eliminated the budget surplus that was given to that administration at the beginning of their term. Oh, that's right, you don't like to hear stuff about things being W's fault. Sorry!! Maybe you could go on Wikipedia and alter some of the facts to fit your beliefs.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
The liberal buzz line of the week is “shared sacrifice.” 24% of the US wage earners pay 78% of the federal tax. I am quite interested in hearing from the left on the sharing plan for the 76% of the wage earners who pay 22% of the tax.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Or the 50% that pay nothing?
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Like the folks at Exxon Mobil? Maybe you could outline for us who these 50 per centers are and how they manage to avoid paying income tax. Are they folks who simply refuse to file income tax returns? Are they folks who have sufficient deductions taken from their paychecks so when they file their returns, they owe no "additional" tax or qualify for a refund? Are they folks who don't make enough money annually to even have to file returns? Tell us, mauiman, who are you talking about?
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Individuals not corporations JER. 50% of federal income tax filers pay zero. That means that when the federal income tax liability is computed, the number is either zero or a negative, meaning a refund.
This is based on those who file (you need to have an adjusted gross income). There were a number of articles on the most recent IRS numbers just after 15 April, just do a little research.
When you check the facts, it becomes easy to understand why a majority of the population believes the rich should pay more taxes. The top 1% pays almost 40% of the federal income taxes collected so let's soak them for some more to give us things we did not earn but deserve because we voted Democratic. Makes perfect sense.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
So it's not people who are simply refusing to pay taxes that you are talking about. And it's not people who make too little to have to pay in the first place. It's the people who actually file federal income tax returns that paid their tax burden through withholding from their paychecks during the year or who had too much withheld and got a refund of the excess amount that they paid. These are the folks you say have paid zero income tax?
None 1 year, 10 months ago
JER Mauiman can provide readers with no verifiable data to support his diatribes. He's retired military and a staunch Republican who can see or wants to hear anything about one of the worsts Presidents this country has ever held public office. He just throws stuff out there to what people will believe....
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
Here is a new plan that might work: Your vote will count based on the percentage of the tax you pay, so the 24% that pay 76% of the taxes will have 76% of the vote in all elections. Now that seems fair.
emb6683 1 year, 10 months ago
Good idea! We could go back to the way it was in most of the states when the Constitution was ratified - you had to be a property owner to vote.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
And since only men owned property, only men get to vote.
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
I'm sure most have seen this before......
"Suppose that every day 10 men go to a restaurant for dinner. The bill for all ten comes to $100. If it was paid the way we pay our taxes, the first four men would pay nothing; the fifth would pay $1; the sixth would pay $3; the seventh $7; the eighth $12; the ninth $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59." The 10 men ate dinner in the restaurant every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement until the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily meal by $20." Now dinner for the 10 only costs $80. The first four are unaffected. They still eat for free. Can you figure out how to divvy up the $20 savings among the remaining six so that everyone gets his fair share? The men realize that $20 divided by 6 is $3.33, but if they subtract that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would end up being paid to eat their meal. The restaurant owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same percentage, being sure to give each a break, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so now the fifth man paid nothing, the sixth pitched in $2, the seventh paid $5, the eighth paid $9, the ninth paid $12, leaving the tenth man with a bill of $52 instead of $59. Outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. "I only got a dollar out of the $20," complained the sixth man, pointing to the tenth, "and he got $7!" "Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got seven times more than me!" "That's true," shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $7 back when I got only $2? The wealthy get all the breaks!" "Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor." Then, the nine men surrounded the tenth man (the richest one, paying the most) and beat him up. The next night the richest man didn't show up for dinner, so now the nine men sat down and ate without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They were $52 short! "And that, boys, girls and college instructors, is how America's tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up at the table any more. There are lots of good restaurants in Switzerland and the Caribbean."
Arestorer 1 year, 10 months ago
Poor and unminingful analogy........Go try it on a fifth grader,maybe they will be gullible enough to think this way..
How about the fact that the 59$ was less than 1% of the rich guys weekly income,and the 7$ that the middle class man paid was 5% of his weekly income?
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
If they can't afford the meal, they should stay home.
emb6683 1 year, 10 months ago
And what percentage of their weekly income was the $0 that the 4 or 5 guys paid? Turn the phrase around, look at how much you keep, not how much you pay. Over 40% of citizens today pay no income tax at all - they keep 100% of their weekly income. Where is the middle class outrage over that? I want to keep 100% of what I earn as well.
Let's make it all equal - everybody pays the same percentage, even the 40+% of citizens who today pay nothing in income tax.
Arestorer 1 year, 10 months ago
Ya mean the one guy who is making poverty level income and the other 3 that are unemployed??
I want to keep all my income too..But we all have to pay for our country to continue...
I would love to see a set % tax rate for all, with no deductions.......
MarkinMiami 1 year, 10 months ago
HERE HERE!!!!!!!!
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
Bravo!!!! - Someone finally gets it!
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Obviously the 3% er's are awaiting another Presidential term to see if the havoc they created on Wall Street during the waning hours of the Bush Administration will produce revenue streams for their portfolios. We are now 12 years into the save the wealth for those who have more tax loopholes than a 10 quart sieve. Corporations also need the additional revenue for creation of foreign markets where taxes are minuscule to US Tax Code after sifting out the usable revenue. There are jobs for those who chose to relocate to India, the Philippians, Taiwan, China, Mexico, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Afghanistan where C130's drop pallets of freshly printed US currency from the rear. The American public is taking it in the rear by Jet setting corporations like Bank of America for a start. Not one, not two, but three multi-million dollar personal jets. For BoA customers, have you seen the new and unending charges inflicted on their loyal customers? Still taking it in the rear....
None 1 year, 10 months ago
LOL. Yep, GWB's fault for about everything. The wealth is theirs not yours --- and with 50% of the tax payers who file paying zero income tax, what do they contribute to the national wealth?
None 1 year, 10 months ago
That 50% are probably the ones that have jobs that actually contribute to running of our country...Doctors,nurses,teachers,military men and women,tradesmen,police,,,,,,,Not lawyers,not traders,not politicians,not consultants........ Our pay structure in the US is laughable..
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Excuse me! As retired military I can assure you I paid, and still pay, federal income taxes.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Same/Same here as well.......
None 1 year, 10 months ago
So mauiman you earn more than $250 K a year and own a personal Lear Jet for travel? Didn't GWB get his tax breaks for the most wealthy in this country like his buddy Dick Cheney? Where did you come up with your statement about 50% of taxpayers not paying taxes. The tax burden is on the middle class and not the Gates, Murdocks, Buffett, Zuckerberg, etc. http://www.forbes.com/wealth/forbes-400
Glad to know we have retired military living in this county other than $15K a month Generals. Please show me and others where Bush didn't enact the tax breaks for the most wealthy in America....The Republicans are still at it as of today's news. No more tax increases for those who can contribute to their political campaigns....
None 1 year, 10 months ago
You might look at the entire GWB tax break package. There is more in them than just tax breaks for the rich. Of curse, you have to pay taxes to get bigger breaks. So it makes it very difficult to give the 50% who pay nothing in federal income tax breaks. And for those top 1% of filers who make less than 20% of the income and pay almost 40% of the federal income taxes, let them keep what they earn. After all, it is theirs not yours.
I used IRS data for my numbers. Try Goggle.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Just throw anything out there to support your claims and see what sticks. I provide links. If you are on a site why not copy and paste like most bloggers.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Three multi-million dollar personal jets? Let's fix that - close down Learjet; all they do is sell jets to rich people and corporations.
And they also provide well-paying union jobs to 2500 citizens in Witchita, KS.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
The GA industry is a source of over 1.2 million jobs and contributes more than $150 billion to the U.S. economy each year. The total value of the 1,334 airplanes delivered in 2010 was $7.9 billion, with 62 percent of that value tied to exports. The GA industry is one of the few remaining domestic manufacturing industries that provide a trade surplus for the United States. In the past, this type of rhetoric has harmed the GA industry
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
Bush's tax breaks allowed the RICH to become RICHER while the WORKING POOR and MIDDLE CLASS became DESTITUTE. Even though the RICH made extra income and the extra income was taxed at those lower rates, they became RICHER. How can anyone explain away the facts that while everyone pays social security and medicare taxes, and those with smaller incomes end up paying at times ZERO payroll taxes the RICH still became RICHER? Something is very wrong. I call it GREED.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
and where do the working poor and middle class spend most of their little disposible income? The LOTTERY (the biggest voluntary tax system in the US), Tobacco & Alcohol (The heaviest taxed products)..
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
Ya and when the democraps figure out enough people stopped smoking they will move on to the next health problem..... Soda...... Oh wait some states have done that...... You just have to love big Gov in you're everyday life......
emb6683 1 year, 10 months ago
2011 Tax Rates & Tax Brackets
The IRS recently released the federal income tax rates for 2011. Here is what the 2011 tax brackets look like:
Tax Rate Single Married Filing Joint Married Filing Separate Head of Household 10% Up to $8,500 Up to $17,000 Up to $8,500 Up to $12,150 15% $8,501 – $34,500 $17,001 – $69,000 $8,501 – $34,500 $12,151 – $46,250 25% $34,501 – $83,600 $69,001 – $139,350 $34,501 – $69,675 $46,251 – $119,400 28% $83,601 – $174,400 $139,351 – $212,300 $69,676 – $106,150 $119,401 – $193,350 33% $174,401 – $379,150 $212,301 – $379,150 $106,151 – $189,575 $193,351 – $379,150 35% Over $379,150 Over $379,150 Over $189,575 Over $379,150
Yes, the rich get richer, and this year for every dollar over $379,000 richer they get, they contribute $0.35 to help run the country and provide the social programs for those poor or unemployed or destitute or otherwise disadvantaged people who don't make enough money for the privilege of paying income taxes.
emb6683 1 year, 10 months ago
Contrary to most understanding, the Bush tax breaks benefited almost all taxpayers, with specific cuts targeted at the lower income ones.
OK, the top tax rate went from 39.6% down to 35% for higher earners.
But the Child Tax Credit (tax credit, not deduction) doubled from $500 per child to $1000 per child. This is phased out for married couples earning over $110,000, so is of no benefit at all to the RICH.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (again a credit, not deduction) was expanded. This credit is available only to lower income taxpayers, so is of no benefit to the RICH.
The Bush tax cuts also allowed the deduction of Mortgage Insurance Premiums. This benefits mostly lower and middle income homeowners, since the RICH probably don't have to pay Poor Man's Insurance.
There were other provisions which benefitted small businesses and estates as well. The much maligned Bush tax cuts were not just a boondoggle for the rich, but a benefit to almost all taxpayers.
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
I always find it sadly ironic that almost every anti government post on these threads comes from a current or former government employee.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Not I...I support a Fair Tax then everyone pays based on what they spend. But then what happens to all those billions for the IRS? Tax breaks for the wealthy. Geez they would have to pay at the pump like everyone else, or the grocery line....
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
So JER who made an anti government post? I see a debate about the size and scope......
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
That's what happens when you keep your eyes and your mind open. And yes, when a post states that we have got to get government out of our daily lives, I consider that to be anti-government. You want government out of your daily lives, let's start with eliminating inspections of our food and just trust big business to keep it safe. Next we can close down the air traffic control towers and leave it to the big company airline pilots to get you from here to there. Oh, no need for stop signs at intersections. Can't have local government taking away our rights and freedoms by demanding we follow some socialist plot to control traffic. It's a slippery slope to having them only permit driving if you have passed some sort of test.
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
I was refering to this comercial JER.....
"Give Me a Break" Americans Against Food Taxes TV Ad by NoBevandFoodTax
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
So the deposit you pay on the beverages you purchase don't bother you. You realize, of course, that one of the reasons for beverage container deposits is your governments attempt to keep you from littering. Could you dredge up all your protest information you prepared for bottle and can deposits back when that was being done and re-post them here. It will give you so much more credibility on your current outrages if you could do that for us.
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
JER this not about deposits!!!!! It's about a new tax on beverages on top of the deposit!!! I mean come on, deposits have been around for years and when you return your can or bottle you get a refund! I have no problem paying a deposit, in this case the cigarette tax is shrinking and now they have to find a new tax. Whats next, chicken, candy, french fries........ How about you submit to big gov what you ate for lunch and they'll tell you what to pay in taxes..... You ask about my credibility? Really? You thought that comercial was about deposits?? Really?
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
What do the "Little People" contribute to our national wealth, mauiman? I guess to you, NOTHING, so why not just create jobs by producing EXTERMINATION CAMPS for said dregs of society? Sounds like many of you would enjoy WORKING there. Every human being contributes SOMETHING and while it might not always be good it is still something and from something we can learn. A huge portion of those "Little People" are out working their "little jobs" at McDonald's, the car wash, Dollar General, THE PILOT, the Town of Aberdeen, and on and on. We pay taxes on just about everything these days and any purchases we make contributes to the State, the Federal Gov't, the towns and the counties. If a person can't find a job, then they need to move to where the jobs are or they need to be creative and start their own businesses and hire themselves. To support a Nation as large as ours there must be a FEDERAL GOVERNMENT who implements TAXES and some must just pay more! If you don't like it, then go buy yourself an ISLAND.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
I'll bet that the rich & wealthy wouldn't mind paying more if the more they paid was actually used efficiently and not wasted. "Little People" contribute a "Little Bit". I'm sad that you lump The PILOT employees in with the "Little People".
teufelhunden 1 year, 10 months ago
that was a sick comparison. shame shame
None 1 year, 10 months ago
The Republicans continue to mandate cutting entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. I can't wait until the TEA Nuts have a reduction in their SS benefit check and Medicare. I agree government waste should be cut. Here is a link to where BILLIONS is being spent in Pork Waste: and yes it does smell bad: http://www.cagw.org/reports/pig-book/2010/
Congress can't balance a budget with stinking pork waste.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Mandate cutting entitlements! Find a trillion dollars in cuts that do not touch entitlements. Take the Defense budget to zero and you get about $600B.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Diatribe no less....any factual information you can share or just fabricate?
None 1 year, 10 months ago
Ok, show me the mandate where they cut SS and Medicare? Show me Obama's plan to save things. GHive me a break. Do a little research before you head off on a tangent.
None 1 year, 10 months ago
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/07/debt-deal-three-is-the-magic-number-the-note.html
Right at the end of your finger tips my good man. Just Click!
None 1 year, 10 months ago
North Carolina pork projects ~ just a link away: http://www.cagw.org/reports/pig-book/2010/pork-database.html
Yes indeed Washington needs to cut spending but not entitlements.
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
Sorry, that I just ASSUMED that most of THE PILOT"S employees are NOT in the TOP 1% of income earners whose incomes are over $380,000. Many of them might not even be in the top 5% of income earners which is over $160,000. Luckily though, being a "little income earner" does not mean having "little brains". Yes, teufelhunden there are a lot of sick people out there.....and I am NOT one of them.
MikeNC 1 year, 10 months ago
Moonchild says..."A huge portion of those "Little People" are out working their "little jobs" at McDonald's, the car wash, Dollar General, THE PILOT, the Town of Aberdeen, and on and on."
All of them 'Little people'; as you refer them to are contributing to our society and are fellow patriots. The ones who are able to work and refuse to do so, have always refused to work and will continue to refuse to work are a major part of the problem. They drag us all down. They have mastered the social handout programs and just how to take advantage of America and our politicians allow it. Those parasites among others; coupled with politicians who refuse to adopt programs to solve problems or appoint cabinet members who might have a clue in solving our Country's dilemma are a major part of our problem. A serious correction is in order and will happen in November of 2012...Mike
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
Well Mike, I was in complete agreement with you until I got to your last sentence. That is where you infered that there was NO problem until 2008. Proof that you know or care nothing about your country except what the right wingnut talking points tell you to believe. And for a minute, I thought we had a breakthrough!!
MikeNC 1 year, 10 months ago
Until the last sentance is a start JER.....maybe in 2012 a serious correction will also occur in your mind along with election results; and you will see the light. I made no such inference that you speak of, but times were in fact much better back then. As anyone who does care for this country cannot possibly be happy with what's been happening since.....Mike
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
Ah Mike, but you DID infer that none of the current problems facing our country were around prior to the election of Obama. Your comments further infer that defeating Obama in 2012 is the only way these problems will stop. If you honestly believe that, I feel very sorry for you. When you were in the military, were you ever captured by the North Koreans? If someone shows you the queen of diamonds, do you start feeling kind of strange? (can't wait to see how many have no idea about this comment)
LB67 1 year, 10 months ago
Noshedidnt - WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR PROBLEM WITH THE MILITARY????? it seems to me that you bash every chance you get even if its off topic, perhaps if you were not spending so much money on private school for your kids you would be able to afford the therapy that you so desperately need to deal with your anger issues you have towards Military
TreadLightly 1 year, 10 months ago
Now you see why the founding fathers worked so hard to find a system that would be free frome the scheming of weak and/or wicked men. They KNEW that the lowest income people would vote themselves benefits, if they got a chance. They KNEW that powerful government men would steal the people's money every chance they got.
We took their system apart, starting around 1900, or maybe 1905 with the formation of the Intercollegiate Socialist Society on multiple college campuses. NOW WE WONDER HOW WE ARE GOING TO SURVIVE!!!!!
We may not survive, if we don't get back to protection from freeloaders and thieves. Obama is imatating thousands of governments which DID NOT SURVIVE.
We need to get back to the one that proved it could survive, our Constitution, even if a few have to GET OUT OF THE WAGON AND HELP PUSH.
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
Time to get out the history books and start reading up on the Roman Empire. Don't wait until the last minute, better do it now. Spoiler Alert: Even though the Roman Empire self destructed, the good news is that the invention of pizza eventually came out of the whole debacle and many Italians became rich. They say history repeats itself but I think this Herman Cain thing is just coincidence!! (Smile, it beats crying)
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
MikeNC, just what kind of "serious" correction will happen in 2012? I don't like what's been happening in this country for sometime now and it preceeds Barack Obama becoming President by a lot of years. Everyone in AMERICA has the opportunity to become successful in their lives, whether it be with a job, an education, a family, or even in amassing wealth. It is of course what a person does with their success that tells the most about that person and their inner self. It is also quite telling what a person does with their problems and how they either solve them or let themselves fall into despair. Over the past 30 years AMERICANS took to that road enmass and became extremely GREEDY, EGOTISTICAL, SHALLOW, and SELF-RIGHTEOUS. I see the TEAPOTS as wanting this destructive road that AMERICA is on to continue without any sane plans to repave that road with promise.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
The road to hell is paved with good intentions and made very treacherous with promises.
MikeNC 1 year, 10 months ago
Moonchild....If you actually believe these words you just said about Americans...." Over the past 30 years AMERICANS took to that road enmass and became extremely GREEDY, EGOTISTICAL, SHALLOW, and SELF-RIGHTEOUS. I see the TEAPOTS as wanting this destructive road that AMERICA is on to continue without any sane plans to repave that road with promise." (MC7)
if you honestly beleive that; I have no words that could convince you otherwise and for me to state all the examples concerning what Americans, rich and otherwise, have done for the world would be wasting my time. You seldom respond directly to a question or comment one has on these boards; unless you can spin it into something very negative, spiteful and vile against America. But you are not alone as there are several others who just go silent on issues that put America in a positive light. I percieve you and some others to be living a very gloom & doomed life because of many of things stated. I do not understand why you guys just don't go ahead and make the choice to pack your diddy bags and live a better and happier life in Europe, Cuba, Mexico, Iran, Pakistan or some other place with wonderful , less shallow, less greedy and happier folks...Mike
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
Mike, if I were to pack up and leave (which I am not), I would have to pack up my suitcase, which I purchased at a department store using money I earned. I was not issued a "ditty bag" by my government.
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
Last night on "Piers Morgan" Grover Norquist couldn't/wouldn't answer Piers question of "How much of our current economic situation was due to Obama or Bush." He tried to say it was 100% of Obama's fault to which Morgan said, "HOGWASH." I loved it. And guess what? Today the American people, or at least 57% polled, said it was Bush's fault. Relief, MikeNC. I've never said that American's haven't done an extremely huge amount of good things for the world. You haven't read all that I've said and'or haven't understood my points. MikeNC, you do realize that the major reason our country is in near dire straights is due to what I stated? Ronald Reagan started America on this ROAD to RUIN especially with his "TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMICS". They only trickled up. Rupert Murdock had his American Citizenship application expidited with the help of Newt Gingrich in 1985 so he could BUY UP American newspapers and tv stations. I dislike all of this underhandedness based on GREED and SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS that is helping to spin AMERICA out of control. I'm staying put but as GEORGE CARLIN said, "I'm not concerned about all hell breaking loose, but that a part of hell will break loose. It'll be much more harder to detect."
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
When was the last time a poor person gave you a job? It's a simple question.....
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
Ronald Reagan started America on this ROAD to RUIN especially with his "TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMICS".
Really... were you living here under Jimmy Carter? At the time Reagan left office wasn't it the longest sustained peace time economic growth period our country had ever seen.
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
Yes, I SURVIVED Jimmy Carter. He became president after the END of the Vietnam War when our many gravely physically and mentally wounded soldiers came home. Didn't our WAR-TIME Defense budget shrink then? It was because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 that President Carter then began to increase Defense spending that President Reagan conveniently inherited. There were NO WARS during the Carter Administration. Inflation was high, interest rates were high and unemployment was high. I survived, bought a home, continued my college education that had been disrupted and voted for Carter in 1980. Mauiman, "HOGWASH" was just so appropriate for that Norquist nut. And really guys, get off of it about the debt ceiling...the debt ceiling was RAISED 7 times under the Bush Adminstration. The Teapots only want to NOT RAISE the debt ceiling because of our black President. Now, that's sick.
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
"The Teapots only want to NOT RAISE the debt ceiling because of our black President. Now, that's sick."
Wow, that was pretty pathetic, insulting, and classless. Most everyone I talk to who disagree with Obamas economic policies dislike his white side as much as his black side. I think its very telling on people who automaticly kneejerk that if you dislike liberal policies, you're a racist, Just because we have a president that is black. For your information if you look at several of the posts I've written in the past I want Condi Rice to run. If you have inner demons that need to be exorsized keep it to yourself and don't transfer that crap on others. SHAMEFULL!
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
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irkim13 1 year, 10 months ago
So since Obama opposed raising the debt ceiling with Bush calling it a lack of leadership, I suppose Obama was only doing it because he was racist.
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
I am NOT pathetic, insulting, or classless. I have EARS! I have relatives who are RACISTS!!!! And they HATE Barack Obama. I even know other people out there in LALA Moore County who HATE our President and say horrible things! They also absolutely believe them! And what I said is MILD compared to what I hear. Do I need to spell it out? They Hate him because he's BLACK or HALF Black...WHATEVER! They want him to FAIL and will do whatever it takes. Michelle Bachmann and Mitch McConnell have declared him a ONE TERM President. Close your eyes to it if you want but the TRUTH hurts. President Obama's vote to NOT raise the debt ceiling as a Senator was a vote he felt strongly about since President Bush was recklessly spending our money on an illegal war and NOT taxing the RICH enough to help pay for it. We are still suffering under the slow moving effects of all of Bushes terrible leadership, if you can even call it that.
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
A good test to moonchild's theory would be for each and every person who posts here to answer the following question with a yes or a no: Have you ever received an e-mail from a friend or acquaintance that contained a racist joke, cartoon or photo-shopped picture featuring Obama? I'll go first: Yes. The current count is in the 20 to 25 range. Who wants to go next?
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
And the answer is yes, but, I think I recall seeing President Bush portrayed in cartoon as a chimp as well, both examples are terrible and don't sway most peoples view, everyone for the most part are past that stuff let it go. IDIOTS will always be around forward that crap on the internet.
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
moonchild7, I apoligize for you thinking that I referred to you as classless what I meant to comunicate was that the statement you made... "The Teapots only want to NOT RAISE the debt ceiling because of our black President. Now, that's sick.". ... was below the belt. Its using a very small IDIOTIC minority, who by the way are not real conservatives. I can understand when you say, "I have relatives who are RACISTS!!!! And they HATE Barack Obama. I even know other people out there in LALA Moore County who HATE our President and say horrible things!"
your own experience may cloud your judgement on this issue, I think the vast majority of people are past race as an issue with elected office. I don't think you do justice defending Obamas positions by pulling in his race. I doubt The President would approve of that tactic.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
MC7 - it's possible that you may be related to George Carlin because he also said "The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept."
J
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
How could Obama do a good job when Bush, the Wealthy, the Republicans and the TEAPOTS left him such a mess to clean up. Clinton had to clean up after the other Bush and now Obama has to do janitorial work instead of Presidential stuff.
MikeNC 1 year, 10 months ago
Moonchild...You talk like America has a racist behind every tree or something. If America was a racist country...President Obama would have never been elected President. When nothing else works, be a good democrat and bring out the race baiting. And that racist 'test' of JER's is ridiculous....Mike
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
Which part is "ridiculous", Mike? Having to be honest and answering "yes" or having to be dishonest and saying "no"? I'm not calling you a racist, just looking for an honest way to prove a point. TOYTIME seems to share many of your beliefs. Where he differs from you is in his willingness to be honest.
Arestorer 1 year, 10 months ago
I personally know people who dont like Obama because he is black...That said, I dont believe that is the norm....For the life of me,I dont know why people still think the president has the ability to change or do anything by themselves..Ive had some issue with every one that has served since I could understand what the office was....In my opinion the real problems we've had and have now, comes from the Congress and Senate...Those are the ones that have brought our Country to this point, and no single President will change that...We the people need to wake up to the backdoor and underhanded BS going on in the Legislative branch....Term limits are a must....But guess who gets to deside that for themselves??? Our most important votes are for those offices, not so much the President..AMERICA STILL ROCKS!!!!
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
There might not be a racist behind every tree because most racists today keep quiet and stay "within" their groups, as compared to the early 20th Century to Mid Century Americans. It's in their DNA, their GENES(Geneology), their mindset. The social and cultural changes that have taken place in the past 60 yrs has turned them upside down. President Obama was put into office by the younger more diverse generations. To compare Bush to a monkey only says that he hasn't much sense or intelligence, but to compare Obama to a monkey has a much darker connatation; in that he isn't even HUMAN. BIG DIFFERENCE. We Democrats are somewhat upset with President Obama because he seems to be giving in to the Republicans. I want him to stand ground but I guess he'll have to compromise with them. I understand that our economic problems cannot be solved in only 2 1/2 yrs. I lived thru Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan as a young married person....and I prospered, but it took awhile. Why? I saved my money, I worked any job that I could get, I completed my college education and I didn't listen to or vote for any Republican. There are no quick fixes and there are jobs out there. They might not be great jobs but they do pay something. The old saying of "Something is better than Nothing" works. SOMETHING will take you Somewhere but NOTHING will take you to the grave.
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
I do agree that there are jobs out there, and with giving people who are jobless almost 100 weeks of unemployment pay, encourages the lazy of them not to work. I agree our culture should have a "safety net" for good folks who have come apon hard times, but I'm afraid we are forming a culture of intitlement and in the end your good intentions hurt people way more. Its must be nice to belong to a party that wants to give, give, give with other peoples money and never say no, the problem is when we're broke, and this country is broke, someone has to be the adult and say no we can't afford this. It must be nice to be the "sugar daddy" party, buying peoples votes and at the same time creating a dependence. That's not how are country became great, its not the values that most of us were raised with.
skylinefirepest 1 year, 10 months ago
MC, when you shout so much it get's hard to read your posts. That said, what "illegal war" did Bush get us into?? And what made it illegal? The fact is that Obama has been a miserable leader and he would rather climb a tree to tell a lie than stand on the ground to tell the truth!! But he didn't do it by himself...the unblockable majority the Dems enjoyed made it possible for him. Now some of them are having second thoughts, but the damage has been done. Yes, there are racists in this country...white, black, and brown...but I think that the country as a whole is beyond using race as a barrier.
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
Tell that to the ULTRA CONSERVATIVES of ANY Political Party. If we were beyond it all in America then why are we still fighting "OLD IDEAOLOGICAL CULTURE WARS?" States are trying to pass "NEW" laws that will bring back the OLD WAYS. That is wrong. As was Bushes IRAQ WAR. It was based on LIES, CORRUPTION and GREED.
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
"OLD IDEAOLOGICAL CULTURE WARS"... moonchild7, what are you talking about? No one worth being around or listening to is a racist. Let it go, the people in this country do have much bigger things to worry about with this economy. Racist are seen as fools and are marginalized out of serious debate these days. That's why alot of people had a problem with Jerimiah Wright, being as close as he was with Obama, and why Obama correctly distanced himself from that church. Race, I promise you is on the minds of more liberals than TRUE conservatives.
geoffcutler 1 year, 10 months ago
True statement. Well said!
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
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walter68 1 year, 10 months ago
well said to the writer of the letter!!! unfortunately people ran to the poles and voted all these new republicans in office! and not an thing is being done. the republican party wants obama to fail miseribly no matter what! and that is what there gonna do. Bush tax cuts have been on going about what 10 yrs?? and congress still says it will hurt jobs! were are the jobs they are crying about all the time. i call bull on that! what about ending all the wars ! trillions everyday going to that, and we can't pay our own bills now? china gonna on us? come on ! so fustrating!!!! damn politics!
MikeNC 1 year, 10 months ago
"what about ending all the wars ! trillions everyday going to that, and we can't pay our own bills now? china gonna on us? come on ! so fustrating!!!! damn politics" (Walter68)
You will have to talk to Obama about all of that...Mike
Cosmo4slice 1 year, 10 months ago
thedude82 1 year, 10 months ago
We need a tax increase on those making more than 250,000 dollars per year. We need to stop giving so many tax breaks to corporations. We need to increase the debt limit. We need to increase social security. Decrease defense spending when possible. Increase spending on infrastructure.
I don't understand why people are debating this issue. We are going to have to increase the debt limit. We are not going to default. The republicans will not be able to continue their tickle down approach to economics nor will they be able to throw grandma under the bus with drastic cuts to social security.
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
Why? as a percentage of income, don't they pay more than anyone else already? If those peoples goal is to put some aside for their retirement, and whats left over leave to their family after they pass on, do you think putting more of societies burden on them will change this goal, it will not, It will just make them more contractionary and they will hire less people. Right now alot of companies are having good earnings reports but capital is not being risked because of uncertanty. Makes sense doesn't it, if you were not optimistic about the future you would put money aside for the future.
Why? What are corporations?...a collection of individual stockholders who invest in hopes of a reasonable(or better) return on their investment. By making the corporations tax burden more, your shareholder will still expect a reasonable return. Instead what happens the ultimate price of the goods or service that particular corporation sells is passed on to the consumer adding to the already rising inflation rate. 3. "We need to increase the debt limit"(thedude82)
We do ... but with very heavy real cuts in entitlements, not cuts in the rate of growth, but rea l cuts. Don't worry about defaulting, we have the money to service or debt.
4."The republicans will not be able to continue their tickle down approach to economics nor will they be able to throw grandma under the bus with drastic cuts to social security." (thedude82)
Don't worry grandma will still get her check, no one is proposing we take it away from her, But people my age (40) WILL NEVER SEE IT. As for Supply Side economics, It's been about a half a decade since a republican crafted a budget. Have you seen things improve much since then?
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
THE SECOND 1. SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2. --- SORRY
irkim13 1 year, 10 months ago
What does Social Security have to do with the debt ceiling? I thought SS was a trust fund set aside through direct paycheck withholdings not funded by income taxes. If that is the case then what is President Obama doing threatening grandma with withholding her check.
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
The "lockbox" Gore told us about was never there.