Obama and O'Reilly

[Coonass]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

You wish you could pay zero taxes?

There's a war going on and you wish you could pay zero taxes.

QED.

True socialist at heart MW?

[ERCougar]

Originally Posted by Coonass

Just Curious ER about how much you gave last year in addition to your taxes to the government for social programs. I mean, did you give an extra couple thousand......maybe 5000 extra above your taxes as an earmark for poverty or your favorite social program. Far be it from me to tell you how to spend your money. If you didn't, then I guess you're voting with your feet. On the other hand, some of us just vote at the polls. Are you really going to trust your local bureaucrat to do the best thing for society. If so you really have some misplaced trust.

I guess if your answer is no to the above, you're proposal is no better than the argument of keeping it out of government.

1) I actually did give quite a bit more this last year, as I made more money. I'd wager I give a larger percentage of my income than you do, based on averages. Not that it's any of your business (or relevant to the discussion).

2) I'm not asking for tax cuts or rebate checks or anything, with the claim that I will direct my money more efficiently to help the poor. Those who make this claim better at least give a portion of that recent tax break they got to charitable organizations. I'm still waiting to hear from the first one who did this...

3) I stand to be hurt more than most by Obama's tax plan (marginal tax increase of around 10%, while watching most everyone else get tax cuts), yet I'm still considering voting for him. So spare me the "you just want more of my money to waste" rhetoric.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Boy, these debates are so predictable.

I never said that pure socialism is the ultimate solution to all of our problems. But I categorically reject the notion that it is evil to use tax dollars to further the public good and to help the poor. It's a question of balance.

[Venkman]

Originally Posted by ERCougar

Despite his absolute ineptitude in utilizing simple equations of motion, I have to agree with Lebowski on this one. Sometimes, the government is the most efficient way of providing charitable services in an equitable fashion.

Don't confuse the sheer size of government "charity" with efficiency.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Boy, these debates are so predictable.

I never said that pure socialism is the ultimate solution to all of our problems. But I categorically reject the notion that it is evil to use tax dollars to further the public good and to help the poor. It's a question of balance.

I think there are spaces where it's appropriate for the gov't to be. I'm not categorically opposed to all programs.

What I am opposed to (if we can get back to the thread topic) is the attitude expressed by Obama that federally mandating the redistribution of wealth is being "neighborly."

[Venkman]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Perhaps. But I dare bet you may get docked a few points for being such a stingy a-hole that you were bitter when any of your tax dollars went to help your fellow man.

I seriously doubt it. Sorry to be so predictable, but opposition to the welfare state has little to do with a desire to screw over your fellow man.

[Coonass]

Originally Posted by ERCougar

1) I actually did give quite a bit more this last year, as I made more money. I'd wager I give a larger percentage of my income than you do, based on averages.

Well I guess if you made more money than me then maybe you're right. Whoopee.

2) I'm not asking for tax cuts or rebate checks or anything, with the claim that I will direct my money more efficiently to help the poor. Those who make this claim better at least give a portion of that recent tax break they got to charitable organizations. I'm still waiting to hear from the first one who did this...

YOu evidently like social programs from government. I'm just asking if you donated any to government over and above what was required? I did what was required. But I feel like I'm a big enough boy to understand what needs to go where not some bureaucrat. You honestly believe government is the most efficient way to go?

3) I stand to be hurt more than most by Obama's tax plan (marginal tax increase of around 10%, while watching most everyone else get tax cuts), yet I'm still considering voting for him. So spare me the "you just want more of my money to waste" rhetoric.

Don't expect everyone else to like it just cause you do.

[ERCougar]

Originally Posted by Coonass

Don't expect everyone else to like it just cause you do.

Where did your money from your tax rebate check go?

[Coonass]

Originally Posted by ERCougar

Where did your money from your tax rebate check go?

Whats the matter ER, don't you think I'm a big enough boy to decide where its best spent? Or are you not confident that your money is going where it should? You give more so your a bigger man? Is this really a relavant question? Or are you the absolute arbiter of all things charitable.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by ERCougar

Where did your money from your tax rebate check go?

I didn't get a tax rebate. Why do you assume everyone got a rebate? Why is it even called a tax rebate when a lot of people who paid a lot of taxes didn't get one.

It was a handout to stimulate the economy. I have no problem with it and that I didn't get one, but I am tired of hearing it was a "tax rebate".