That has been my biggest takeaway. Not sure if it is because everyone knows Hillary will be the nominee and Trump moving the GOP needle, but yes, that has to a concern for the Democrats.

The Dems have been quite effective in recent years in getting out the vote in presidential elections. Primaries are a different story. I hear what you're saying, but let's also remember that if Trump is or isn't the nominee, GOP turnout is likely to be less robust either way in November.

The Dems have been quite effective in recent years in getting out the vote in presidential elections. Primaries are a different story. I hear what you're saying, but let's also remember that if Trump is or isn't the nominee, GOP turnout is likely to be less robust either way in November.

I am comparing primary numbers in which the Democrats are voting in far less numbers than in 2012. And it is a 50/50 proposition if Hillary will get out the vote with younger people or minorities like Obama did. Not that she has to have those demographics to win, but it certainly helps. There are many variables with the primaries, so I do not fully know what to make of the numbers.

I am comparing primary numbers in which the Democrats are voting in far less numbers than in 2012. And it is a 50/50 proposition if Hillary will get out the vote with younger people or minorities like Obama did. Not that she has to have those demographics to win, but it certainly helps. There are many variables with the primaries, so I do not fully know what to make of the numbers.

Your analysis is solid. The big unknown at this point is: What is the GOP going to look like come summer? Will it be unified or badly splintered? How many centrist Republicans will vote Democratic? For instance, former Republican N.J. Gov. Christine Todd Whitman has indicated she would vote for Hillary over Trump. If the GOP is in turmoil in four months, Dem turnout might be less important than it was in '08 and '12.

Washington state certainly is more "progressive" than our beloved Kentucky, but, unfortunately, the top four states with the highest combined state-local sales tax rates are all SEC states: Tennessee (9.45 percent), Arkansas (9.26 percent), Alabama (8.91 percent), Louisiana (8.91 percent). Washington state is fifth at (8.89 percent).

 

Not sure about the others without looking it up, but I know TN doesn't have a state income tax...sales taxes tend to be higher in states like this.

People in Minn must be so poorly educated.

If you're a retiree, Kentucky is actually fairly attractive -- only a 6 percent sales tax and no income tax to worry about for most since Social Security isn't taxed and the first $41,000 of retirement pensions (per person) is tax-exempt. For some groups of people, a flat tax or national sales tax would be quite expensive. So when Cruz calls for eliminating the IRS, etc., he's mainly just blowing smoke. My money would be on the AARP in that fight.

 

That's fine and dandy but the fact remains that Washington's sales tax in place of an income tax is a very effective program for working families when compared with most other states. After 40 years of preparing taxes I believe the elimination of the IRS would be an outstanding achievement and a flat rate or national sales tax would be outstanding overall. The AARP, of which I am a long time member, is a special interest group and policy should be made for the greatest benefit, not special interests. Cruz is right on the money on this one. I agree it will not happen but there is not a policy proposed by a single candidate that is going to get through, just isn't going to happen. They're all blowing smoke.

Your analysis is solid. The big unknown at this point is: What is the GOP going to look like come summer? Will it be unified or badly splintered? How many centrist Republicans will vote Democratic? For instance, former Republican N.J. Gov. Christine Todd Whitman has indicated she would vote for Hillary over Trump. If the GOP is in turmoil in four months, Dem turnout might be less important than it was in '08 and '12.

 

Good points but that theory goes both ways. Any Democrat that thinks Hillary is exciting the party is delusional. There will be some crossover, but the prevailing opinion is that a Trump or even Cruz could bring back out the "Reagan Democrats" in large numbers.

Not sure about the others without looking it up, but I know TN doesn't have a state income tax...sales taxes tend to be higher in states like this.

Correct. States are going to get their dollars either way. My point is that one can be better off financially living in a low-sales-tax state like Kentucky with an income tax as opposed to living in a high-sales-tax state with no income tax. (With local add-ons, Washington state's sales tax rate can run as high as 11 percent!) A flat tax or national sales tax could be a real whammy for senior citizens on fixed incomes or low-income families.

That's fine and dandy but the fact remains that Washington's sales tax in place of an income tax is a very effective program for working families when compared with most other states. After 40 years of preparing taxes I believe the elimination of the IRS would be an outstanding achievement and a flat rate or national sales tax would be outstanding overall. The AARP, of which I am a long time member, is a special interest group and policy should be made for the greatest benefit, not special interests. Cruz is right on the money on this one. I agree it will not happen but there is not a policy proposed by a single candidate that is going to get through, just isn't going to happen. They're all blowing smoke.

 

Hoping you're wrong on this one, as it sounds like you do as well? Lots of smoke from the GOP side could mean fire on some sort of tax reform, be it flat tax, national sales tax, etc.

 

Obama may have helped this cause along by co-opting the IRS as a political enforcement tool for his opponents, although it certainly was effective in getting him re-elected in 2012?

Good points but that theory goes both ways. Any Democrat that thinks Hillary is exciting the party is delusional. There will be some crossover, but the prevailing opinion is that a Trump or even Cruz could bring back out the "Reagan Democrats" in large numbers.

Ain't many Reagan Democrats left. The two key factors in this election are going to be: (a) Dem turnout; (b) whether the GOP can crack the Dems' 90-10 black vote advantage and the Dems' 70-30 Hispanic vote advantage. Hillary already has done well with the black vote, as we saw in S.C. Good luck with the Hispanic vote given Trump's call to wall off the southern border.

Agree I'd like to hear more details from Trump, but anything he would do would surpass the last eight years. Obama hasn't had a meaningful conversation with anyone who doesn't totally agree with him in 8 years? He couldn't get a consensus alone in an empty room.

Totally agree.

 

Also, I don't remember much of the country asking for the details of "Hope & Change; Change We Can Believe In". Why the sudden curiosity for details now?

Correct. States are going to get their dollars either way. My point is that one can be better off financially living in a low-sales-tax state like Kentucky with an income tax as opposed to living in a high-sales-tax state with no income tax. (With local add-ons, Washington state's sales tax rate can run as high as 11 percent!) A flat tax or national sales tax could be a real whammy for senior citizens on fixed incomes or low-income families.

 

Not educated enough to really know about this, I haven't researched it to know if or how much it would affect people in this category. I do know I have listened to a few on the radio more in the know than myself that talk about a fix for this if within a certain percentage of the poverty level.

So does Trump have things locked up at this point or what is the outlook?

So does Trump have things locked up at this point or what is the outlook?

 

He's close but still doesn't have it locked up. We will know in 2 weeks.

I think it is going to be a shame when Kentucky's turnout isn't on par with so many other states. I feel like I've talked to a lot of people, some who even follow the GOP debates, that have no idea they aren't voting in May. And others that know they are voting on Saturday, but have no idea it's not that their typical location.

 

I hope I'm wrong.

I know there's not a location in Owsley County to vote. We have to travel to Happy Top outside of Beattyville in Lee County to vote. I'm sure that may confuse some Owsley voters.