No, buy water and ammunition. 
Well, while this might bear on the election itself, it does not have anything to do with your argument on fraud causing the financial crisis and that corporations and the wealthy should be taxed “fairly”. USMC asked you what you defined as “fair”.
Now, as politically relevant as it might be to talk about the disappearing middle class, it does not have any direct bearing on these two items. It really is a separate topic.
That said this is certainly the most civil and polite discussion of the topic I have seen in a looooong time. I appreciate this.
Thanks. I can be nice when I want.
I think it is relevant though. One of the reasons the middle class is shrinking is because corporations and the ultra rich are screwing us over royally with regards to taxes. I cannot believe, for example, that GE has actually paid negative taxes in the past. How can one not point to a lack of accountability when the revenue generated by taxing them alone would probably more than equal a few hundred thousand middle-class workers. There is no reason for us to squeeze the middle class further when we have GE, the NFL, and others paying negative taxes. Doesnt that make you livid?
And on another note, it also doesnt help that as a terrible multi-tasker I have trouble keeping up with all the different points and lost. I probably have adult ADHD, whatever.
Agreed
This is where the disagreement lies because you appear to have a fundamental misunderstanding of capital investment and corporate, payroll, income, and capital gains tax, and the relationship these variables have with each other. That’s not a knock on you, but there’s a reason there is an entire profession that is, in part, dedicated to these issues.
There are numerous issues that I’d be happy to highlight if you’re interested.
This is a prime example of what I am referencing above. As I told Zep, you’re missing several critical things here:
-
For starters what you’ve read in regards to GE’s “negative” tax returns is based on their SEC 10-K filing, which uses GAAP to determine their tax liability. That number is not the same number that GE will report and ultimately pay (or not pay) to the IRS on their 1120 Corporate Tax return. The rules are different. The calculations are different. For example, under the IRS code corporations are required to depreciate their assets using MACRs. GE is free to use a number of depreciation methods under GAAP for external financial statement purposes. The two will result in different depreciation figures, different operating income, and different tax liabilities.
-
This ignores all of the other taxes GE pays. Sales tax, payroll tax, property tax, state income tax, etc… When you factor these in the story changes.
-
Loss carryforward. Most people have not heard of this, but it’s crucial to this discussion.
We have the IRS auditing C Corp filings, we have the SEC & PCAOB auditing 10K’s, and publicly traded companies are required by law to have an external audit completed annually. What more do you want?
No because I understand that GE pays a boat load of taxes, the NFL is currently a 501(c)(6), but that is changing from what I understand, and, more importantly, the 32 NFL teams pay taxes on the income generated by the NFL.
Are you aware that many American’s file “negative” returns because of the earned income tax credit? That aught to make you livid too, no?
As it is the US has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. This Socialist Bernie Sanders would raise prices through the roof and wreck the economy. The “free” college tuition and the other free things he proposes would indeed end up being very costly. Fortunately Debbie Wasserman Schultz would never allow such a person to reach the nomination. The fix is not only in for Hillary it’s also in against Sanders. And that’s a good thing.
I agree. I think that Bern and his whole philosophy is toxic. The thing that has me a bit rattled is that he has so much traction. Its like the people that support him aren’t voting for a president, they’re voting for a lifestyle of their own imagining.
Granted, I wouldn’t consider Hillary the lesser of two evils either. She hammered away at nationalized healthcare for 20 years to bring it to fruition, and I have no doubt that she would bare down on nationalized higher ed as soon as she gets into office. I don’t doubt that she would succeed with that too.
1 Like
She is indeed a danger to this country. If elected she would have the chance to appoint one, possibly three Supreme Court Justices. Forget everything else…if that happens she changes the course of this country for several decades. We really cannot afford that possibility. Sure Trump is a lot of things but I highly doubt that he would appoint left wingers to the Supreme Court. He knows he’d be challenged on the republican side (and probably lose) in four years. What ever Trump is, and I don’t think any of us has figured that out yet, he wants to promote Trump so he may ( I say may) do the right thing once elected. Anyway we know Hillary won’t so it’s a no brainer for me.
Sanders isn’t a Marxist. Nor is he a Maoist, or a Leninist for that matter.
You need to get your facts straight.
That’s like saying, I dunno, Sweden is like Cuba.
OH NOES…SOCIALISM!!! MARX!!!
That doesn’t make any sense, not even by neocon standards.
So because he believes in Universal education and health care , fighting wealth inequality, but also in the 2nd amendment, he has no core beliefs?
One’s core beliefs are what one believes, not what the “socialist agenda” (lol) or any agenda says.
Not that I expect a partisan hack to have any understanding about core beliefs.
There is no such thing.
And Protugal? LOL
Capitalism has lifted billions from poverty. Sander’s economic plan is simply untenable.
2 Likes
The man that coined the term “Democratic Socialism” was Lenin. He also said “The goal of socialism, is communism.”
2 Likes
I am wholeheartedly against pumping tax money into private business.
How though would raising taxes on corporations and the ultra rich help the middle class?
Of course wealth inequality exists, are you simple, that’s what spawned communism and socialism (are they the same thing)?. Fair or not, that’s another discussion. But it does exist.
(I can’t believe I have to tell you these things).
Wether you agree with Sander’s views or not, what you said still makes no sense. He has been very clear about what his beliefs are, and they do fall in line with the “socialist agenda”, as you put it, but also with the 2nd amendment.
Those are his “core beliefs”.
Donald Trump, on the other hand…
Of course it is, I agree, and he would never be allowed to put them in motion anyhow. But he still isn’t a Marxist, as I’m sure you know it.
[quote=“knee_gro, post:95, topic:217849, full:true”]
Of course wealth inequality exists, are you simple, that’s what spawned communism and socialism (are they the same thing)?. Fair or not, that’s another discussion. But it does exist.(I can’t believe I have to tell you these things).[/quote]
What does exist is laziness, envy and plenty of class warfare on the part of the left. Those two words, “income inequality” did not even exist prior to eight years of Obama, at least not in the US.
When someone makes up such language and talks it to death as has been done then they expect the government to do something about it. The government will never be able to make a stupid lazy man wealthy, nor will they be able to steal enough from either the rich or the middle class to satisfy all. But by trying to do so we give more power to the government which takes power away from the people.
And…I CAN believe that I have to tell you these things because you obviously do not understand capitalism or how the United States of America became great.
That’s funny that you claim he has “core” beliefs. How many socialists are pro second amendment? Name them please. Do you know why he so pro second amendment?
He happens to be a transplanted New Yorker who moved to the state of Vermont and suddenly became pro gun because that’s the only way he’d get elected in such a pro gun state. One can simply walk into a gun shop and walk out with a hand gun in Vermont. You really think Bernie likes that? Check out his past. And while you are at it you can also check out all of the important jobs that Bernie had before deciding to run for office. I have and I had a good laugh. Like all lefties he has no idea what has made this country great. But I know what will kill it and Bernie has the prescription for just such a thing…Socialism.
Your hero Bernie has no core beliefs other than stealing money from those who earned it and giving it to those who did not earn it and don’t deserve it. And as we have found out from the past that only works as long as those who drive the economy decide that they want to continue to be raped by the government. Which by the way, doesn’t last very long.
It’s good that you are posting here and I encourage you to do more. But, before you do please read up on your history and come back to me with a long list of country’s where Socialism in it’s purist form has worked for a long time and the people are happy with it.
This is interesting…and also why it makes predicting this election (assuming Clinton and Trump) SO difficult.
My numbers are not exact, but close enough for illustration.
The “Electoral College Wonks” were looking at the Electoral map, and feel as though AS IT STANDS TODAY…Clinton and Trump at split about 45/45. (Give or take each side).
These are pretty solid numbers.
The feeling is that with this election; it will be decided by 10% (or less) of the Votes; and will all depend on:
Hispanic/African American Turnout.
“Bernie Millennials” and what direction they will go (or even if they will Vote), and
Overall GOP turnout.
About women. The thought is that this is mostly a wash, because Clinton hammers Trump among (most) white women and Trump hammers Clinton among (most) white males.
What are you guys thoughts?
I thought it was interesting…and makes it a “it depends on…” type of election.
They won’t. If Bernie were to get the nomination, they would. Political hipsters aren’t going to vote in the same numbers for Hilary vs. Trump as they would Bernie vs. Trump.
2 Likes
I think you are spot on with that prediction.
I also agree with Mufasa’s breakdown but would like to add one thing. Trump will do far better among democrats than Hillary will do with republicans and that is why I think he will pull out a win. While there is disgust among many republicans that Trump is the nominee, one need look no further than these threads, most will not pull the lever for Hillary. They will either stay home or vote for Joey Third Party.
Edit
Link? From the analysis I’ve read, Trump is at a significant disadvantage because of the demography of the electoral college (not to mention his vast unfavorable ratings).
1 Like