That was a rather flippant comment which I should not have added in there. I apologize to you and the others included in that post.

 

It just gets to me how strongly those who are firmly entrenched in the middle class will vociferously argue for the upper class to keep as much as they can, when the very system that enabled them to reach that success is crumbling below them. I am all for the successful person (and everyone else for that matter) keeping as much of their hard earned dollars as possible. But I also believe that those highly successful people owe more back to the system that led to their success than anyone else.

You didn't offend me. I really wish I was in that category. :lol:

If that is the issue, then I suggest moving to a desert island where you don't have to rely on anyone else for any services. In other words, you MUST trust government with some of your money if you want to live in their borders.

 

I cannot say I fully agree with you. Our government was never meant to provide us all services. It was meant to be as small as possible. It was designed for a people who were self governed and self sufficient. Charity for those in need was voluntary and through the local church and community, and never meant to be the governments responsibility.

I cannot say I fully agree with you. Our government was never meant to provide us all services. It was meant to be as small as possible. It was designed for a people who were self governed and self sufficient. Charity for those in need was voluntary and through the local church and community, and never meant to be the governments responsibility.

Amen...

I cannot say I fully agree with you. Our government was never meant to provide us all services. It was meant to be as small as possible. It was designed for a people who were self governed and self sufficient. Charity for those in need was voluntary and through the local church and community, and never meant to be the governments responsibility.

 

Explain how we fund our military without taxes.

No one has even come close to saying that there should be no taxes and at least for me I feel that a military is one of the FEW things that should be funded by the government.

 

And like most people who support raising taxes you won't (or can't) answer how much is "fair" for the "wealthy" to pay?

 

Can I assume that since you support raising taxes you decline to accept any deductions so that you pay your "fair" share? If you do accept deductions isn't that "unfair" to other tax payers who don't qualify for those deductions?

No one has even come close to saying that there should be no taxes and at least for me I feel that a military is one of the FEW things that should be funded by the government.

 

And like most people who support raising taxes you won't (or can't) answer how much is "fair" for the "wealthy" to pay?

 

Can I assume that since you support raising taxes you decline to accept any deductions so that you pay your "fair" share? If you do accept deductions isn't that "unfair" to other tax payers who don't qualify for those deductions?

 

I don't support raising taxes. I do support letting the Bush tax cuts expire. That is not supporting taxes. That is choosing not to take action to cut taxes. Those tax cuts are set to expire. For them to continue, Congress has to pass a law that will cut taxes. Cutting taxes at this time is not reasonable.

 

The argument about what an individual does on their own tax return is a straw man argument. It has nothing to do with deciding what public policy should be.

401Ks getting looked at:

 

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11257753/1/401k-tax-changes-may-be-on-fast-track.html?puc=outbrain&cm_ven=outbrain&obref=obnetwork

 

401Ks and IRAs are a great source for untapped revenue for the government. And they seem to know it.

 

I know a number of former co-workers who have burned through good chunks of their 401K to stay afloat after being laid off. They got no relief from the 10% penalty for early withdraw. Taxing 401Ks and IRAs can be a cash cow for Washington.

How do you feel about a tax cut?

For individuals I am not for it, at least not right now. I do think the corp tax rates need to be simplified and reduced. 35% is simply too high.

401Ks getting looked at:

 

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11257753/1/401k-tax-changes-may-be-on-fast-track.html?puc=outbrain&cm_ven=outbrain&obref=obnetwork

 

401Ks and IRAs are a great source for untapped revenue for the government. And they seem to know it.

 

I know a number of former co-workers who have burned through good chunks of their 401K to stay afloat after being laid off. They got no relief from the 10% penalty for early withdraw. Taxing 401Ks and IRAs can be a cash cow for Washington.

 

I could see reducing the cap on how much you put in. That would in effect be added tax revenue from higher income people. Beyond that change, I think major changes in the rules are a negative on the economy, a negative on both business and workers and borderline political suicide. You think the uproar over Obamacare was huge. Imagine what would happen if they make major changes in retirement plans.

Explain how we fund our military without taxes.

 

I never said no taxes whatsoever. The current tax system collects far more than enough to fund the military branches. We could cut taxes and still fund the military if there wasn't all the lobbyist, good buddy deals and reckless, selfish unnecessary spending of our congress. Its not a trust issue, it's a responsibility issue. The government doesn't need me to trust them, they just need to have integrity, a servant spirit and be responsible with the people's money. Remember, congress and governmtent work for me and you, the people. We do not work for them. This means that we have a responsibility to hold them accountable. That is the beauty of our country. The check and balance is the people. We have the power to keep things in check and to hold government accountable which is the way it is meant to be. Again, I am not anti tax. We need roads, bridges, and other infrastructure that cost money. I do, however oppose freely giving even more money to those who work for me, that are not good stewarts of what they already have. I choose to hold them accountable, not give them more.

And one more thought...since Thomas Jefferson is not able to become a BGP member and join the fun, I thought I would post his comment for him.

 

“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.”

– Thomas Jefferson