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296076 tn?1371334474

shut 'er down!

great! :)
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377493 tn?1356502149
I think you have similar issues with your taxation system that we do here.  

I too am all for people that worked their butts off and got rich reaping the rewards.  Truly I am.  However, they seem to have millions of little tax loopholes to get them out of it. That is where I personally have an issue.  As a middle class person who doesn't have those loopholes, I work just as hard but seem to pay a whole lot more in taxes.  Fair should be fair for all.  We are taxed based on a percentage (and I think you are too).  So here are we the middle class supporting not only social programs, but the military (and yes, I am pro military), gov't workers salaries, etc.  All super important and necessary, I just don't want to be the only one contributing.  Can you imagine if we all got those loopholes?  Then what?  Bet the tax people would be looking a little harder at the whole situation if that were the case.
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Avatar universal
Yea, I got that already, now how and why? Why has this not been addressed by these brilliant self serving sob's? Does it not make anyone else ticked off to the tee that they dare treat us like we are stupid! Or what? When do we get with the program, get educated and start holding these idiots accountable! It doesnt matter who is in office or what color they are, red, blue black, until something changes in their thinking processes! I literally know this person with three kids and she paid in maybe 500 total and got back I kid you not 7500.00! Then GE pays nothing, but guess who has to pay? Yup! this sap! Yeah dang right im ticked! Bigtime!
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296076 tn?1371334474
simple answer...  you get way more back than you ever paid in.. it is a ponzi scheme that doesn't work with only 45% of americans working
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Avatar universal
And I think you need to do your research as well. I too am independent and gee how wide a gap even between independents and while I would love to take the time to defend obama, frankly he doesnt need me to and I still would like someone to tell me how someone single with kids gets back all that money from irs and still be elligable  for welfare and medicaid. I would really love someone to answer that question for me. Anyone know? And another one that baffles me is the misconception that medicare and social security are entitlements. If you call it an entitlement because we paid in for the last 50 years and now expect the government to fulfil their part of the agreement, then yeah! I guess its an entitlement. I want my money back!
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296076 tn?1371334474
No johnies, and janies in my class, only Marias, Osmans, Akeves and Pedros, I choose to work in a school with kids in poverty we even have a homeless shelter in our boundaries.  I choose to help the problem starting with our youngest generation.

As for the surplus left by Clinton I think you need to look into why he was able to do that and how the decisions he made left us where we are now.  He started the mass exodus of our jobs overseas which gave us a short term benefit but long term screwed us.  Oh also no wars in that time which Obama has chosen to expand upon sending more troops and getting us into a third war.  

I am an independent so I don't want to go into any box.  I am all for stopping career politicians and just having regular folks with common sense run things
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Avatar universal
I could go on and on and on. But, with the way we are in a rush to kill our planet and everyone in it, does it really matter at all anyways? I hear all this anger over politics, yet nothing on what is happening to our planet or us? No one carrying signs and screaming in the streets! No Bush, No Obama, No Palin, nobody..... Yep, those priorities again I guess just like the young fellow that aint paid to risk his life for this country. But yep them rich people shouldnt have to pay a darn thing, and them welfare people deserve it all and people like him can just shut up and eat it. Yeah, right.....
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Avatar universal
That is so true  , but let us not forget that Clinton left a surplus and by the time Obama came into power, we were already in a recession. Not to mention the fact that the bailouts were good ole georges idea and obama continued to carry it out. Lets also not mention the fact that the bush tax cuts went a far piece in getting us where we are today along with starting two unfunded wars. Let us remember when the gop came on board they were hell bent on giving that tax cut (extension of the bush tax cuts that were due to end), to the upper two percent and we still had the same deficit problems then, when they insisted on doing that and making the whole thing worse! Somethin about all those jobs that were gonna be created, yet after years (8) of em, no jobs were created as a result, simply investing overseas and getting richer is all.

Now let me tell ya somethin else. I am all about everyone paying their fair share beit dems, republicans or what ever little box ya all want to put yerself in. But get heads out of the sand and quit acting like cheerleaders for your favorite BShtr. . It is what it is. No one is blameless in this, not bush, obama, or any of them, and not you or me either. I work for rich people and have the utmost respect for them and they will be the first ones to tell you that the way things are done right now is not right. You can place blame and harp till your hearts content, but the bottom line is we aint gettin out of this without taxes, and yes the rich needs to pay right along side of me! You betcha! They also been giving ya a line of crap about SS. Totally self sustainable till 2038 last I checked. They can also leave Medicare alone imo. Those two programs have had funds taken out of our checks for years and years and if anyone thinks they can just end it, they best think again because before they get to do that they better pay me and others like me every red cent I paid in to those two programs over the years! With Interest!

Now if you want to pick on Welfare, go for it! End it! Cut the fraud out of the programs! In other words people need to do the jobs they are paid to do!!!! Explain to me why a young single mom of three draws welfare, and gets, and gets to keep 7-10,000 in a irs refund! Anyone? And her ex so called husband that hooked with someone else that is single with three kids does the same thing but no child support is being paid and nothin done about that one either! I think those are the places to start and if WE ALL have to pay more taxes, so beit! AND Change the damn tax code that is no longer fit for our needs in this country!  

And to the one who is the teacher. I am so happy you like your job! I sure do hope the little johnnies and janies make you look good cause if they fail, your out! But thats okay, that is fair even if their moms and dads dont care, do drugs, keep the kids up all night, or the kids are selling drugs on the street and just plain not interested in what you got to say. Yep Im good with that! Especially if you are!

I also want someone to explain to me why
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Avatar universal
I too believe that the rich have worked for their money.  The only profit I have with levels of success is when you take somebody like Warren Buffet.  Successful beyond most peoples belief..... he pays less taxes than his secretary.  Something is wrong with that, and Mr. Buffet will be the first person to tell you that.

Take a corporation like GE.  Literally paid no taxes..... It is shameful that with me making around $42-$45k a year and I paid more taxes than GE did.  The loopholes in taxation need to be addressed along with so many other things on the national level.  It's been said that the top 3-10% pay the majority of taxes in this country.... if you take that rationality, with GE paying no taxes..... how can there be more money making corporations larger than GE filling those gaps?

And for the sake of mentioning the obvious, the democrats always say that the republicans are protecting the rich.  The truth in the matter is, at least 6 of the top 10 richest legislators/lawmakers in this country are democrats, and you never hear a peep out of those legislators/lawmakers when it comes to the rich.  How come?  Wealth goes beyond the party line affiliations.

Make no mistakes, I am not for wealth redistribution.... but I guess that's what paying taxes is all about.  I have a problem with my tax money going to programs that I can never take advantage of.  Along side that, I have a problem with "unnecessary" government jobs.  Simple misappropriation of funds and needless spending is killing this country and the spending is coming from both sides.  And when these people get together for a back patting session after cutting less than $40 billion from a budget or the national debt, which only equates to a percentage of around .5 %..... it's a joke!  If anyone of us on this board spent money like our congress does, we'd be broke and incarcerated for embezzlement.
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296076 tn?1371334474
They are also the people who use the state services the least (police, social services)  but no fair to americans is taxing anyone but themselves!  That is "fair"  They should pay more because they have more!  ummm ya that's the ticket!  It is easy to say raise the tax on the other guy!  Make him take responsibility for our poor choices and our lack of success!  They already pay 30 cents on the dollar but no lets take half of every dollar no 70% of every dollar.  Lets make him just as poor as me!  I chose to be a teacher and not make a whole lot of money, but I am happy, I do not need to work 70 hours a week nor die young of a heart attack from the stress.  I do not begrudge those who chose a path to riches and poured their 20's and 30's into working their ***** off and made it rich!  they lost 10, 20 years of their lives doing it, they now deserve to enjoy the money they earned anyway they like to!  They paid their tax in the lack of free time, family time, personal time while building their business.  
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535822 tn?1443976780
I always thought the rich' had worked for their money ....and they are also the folks who bring jobs into the country they are also taxed a lot already ... so they should be punished for being successful?
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1648674 tn?1308696316
yes i completely agree
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Avatar universal
The budget thing is no excuse! There is no excuse! I think we need to get our priorities on straight in this country! When we can give the upper rich money they dont need while working people are trying to hang on for their lives and cannot pay the very people that keep this country free, I say we need an attitude adjustment. When celebrities make more money than our soldiers!!!!! Grrr! And sadly, I can understand that things are just kept quiet in the name of politics and that is even worse somehow! Maybe its time to get the secret out in the open and let the American people handle it eh! And I aint talkin teaparty, or any party at all! Im talkin the American people and yes we will handle it for sure!!!
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1648674 tn?1308696316
with the military the whole budget cut stopped our pay we were not getting paid and now for 15 days i get about $600 but with this budget thing they only paid us from the 1-8 and i only got not even $300 no its not just me it is everyone that i have talked to including my nco's witch is the people higher rank than me and the officers so its not just and admin things its everyone. the ones responsible was who ever was doing the budget thing. as far as i know everyone thats working for the government on post was not getting paid so it could be a fort lewis thing idk but i dont think it is i think its all military and if you cant find it thats because the government doesn't want people to know hey with this budget thing we going to stop paying soldiers for a while. sorry i may be in the military and be government property but i dont like the government at all.
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Avatar universal
Why are you not getting paid on time? I have looked everywhere and have found nothing that mentions military pay being stripped. Is this a admin problem? What is going on as far as you know? Who is responsible and why?
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535822 tn?1443976780
Hi kelkel2020  please know We The People  and the Tea Party do appreciate you even if the powers that think they be ,in Washington do not, this is typical of the kind of rubbish we Americans have been taking and we will not take it any more. We have all been outraged by this latest attrocity.I would like to know why on earth we are supporting Libya and sending money and boots on the ground CIA to help them ...Time to shake all these politicians up and vote em out when we can ...Thank you kelke and your fellow soldiers for all you do ,it wont be forgotten not by the People anyway ...
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Avatar universal
A friend sent me a great analogy of the proposed spending cuts that really shows how inept our politicians on both sides really are.  Most of them are now saying we have to do something about the spending, so here is the analogy.....

"I have a monthly household budget of $2000.  This budget covers power, water, home owners insurance, auto insurance, fuel and groceries.  It is simply too much spending, so I am going to make the same percentage cuts that our national government is going to make.  This is really going to save some money, and yes.... some things are going to take priority.  I'll have to cut here and there, skimp and save but in the end it is going to make my wallet look a lot fatter.  Using the exact same percentage cuts, my monthly budget of $2000 is now going to be $1999.94!  I don't know how I am going to get by, but it has to be done!"

I think it basically breaks down to a 1/35,000 cut.  Ridiculous!!!  Is this the best we can do?  If it is, it's no damn wonder we are in the shape were in.

Why do we still pay so many politicians that aren't still in office?  If I am replaced at my job, is there a chance that my employer is going to still send me a check every 2 weeks?  (The answer to that is.... are you FUC**** crazy?!?!?!)  Politicians aren't risking their lives in office.  We vote them out of office on the national level quite often, but we pay them long after they are gone.  I mean, we have 4 past Presidents on the pay roll still.... 3 of them still have a security detail on them 24/7.... and this is not counting all of the senators and congressmen that are getting paid....  Un be friggin lievable!  
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Avatar universal
A couple of things.  First off, thanks for all you do.  Secondly, about the 13% pay raise..... they gave themselves a raise, then put a freeze on spending.  Convenient, isn't it?  Seems to me that freezing pay raises before giving a pay raise would have been more effective....  Besides that, these turds in politics are getting their checks and the folks out fighting for peoples rights are taking it in the shorts???  BOHICA, and it doesn't stop.

And if our problems regarding the military and everyone involved aren't enough, we have all of this overspending on programs and antique government entities?  Did you know that there are at least 6 entities that do basically the same thing that the FDA does?  6 of them.... you don't think there's room for some cuts there?

I am still laughing at the term "unnecessary government jobs"!  LOL, what does that even mean, and if it is unnecessary, why do we have them?  Start your cuts there!  There is where you start to make government smaller.
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1648674 tn?1308696316
hello im in the military and they are not paying us yet we still have to go to work and support our familys and go over seas but for this month they only paid us through the 1st to the 8th and thats all we going to get im single no kids so i can kinda live off $300 but take someone who is married with 3 kids and in the army same rank as me and every thing thats about $500 and all the bills they pay like rent witch is usually about $650 and water electricity food you name it they got to pay for it and  they want us to continue what we do but live off that. we cant. i was talking with a friend about this and he made a very good point i make about 15000 a year ok my pay raise in a year is about 1.5% and i go and risk my life to fight for our country i spend countless days away from my own family but the people that sit up in those fancy chairs and make all the decisions and never leave this country because they dont want to leave there family (talking about the government officials not anybody else) got 13% pay raise. i dont remember how much they get paid but i do remember that 13% pay raise for them is more than what i make in a year!! now that is messed up!
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Avatar universal
It is all a power struggle and a popularity contest.  That's all politics is these days, and our elected officials aren't in it so much to look out for us as they are themselves.

Blaming the republicans for the Bush tax cut is a moot point.  6 of the nations top ten richest legislators are Democrats, so blame placing is redundant.  Just the same, if those tax cuts were so horrible, how come the democrats didn't get them changed?  (I don't like them either.  I know I pay my share of taxes and would love to see the rich pay a bit more.  If  made twice the money I am making now, I'd pay twice the taxes...gladly!)

One important thing relating to politics being a popularity contest is this.  The President is going back on a lot of his own personal policies.... the same things that got him elected.  What's more is, he is accepting a few conservative beliefs now.  What would cause one of the more liberal Presidents of our times to do that????  Anyone on the conservative side that was looking for the change that was promised, and did what they thought was the right thing by voting for that change.  Those people now feel betrayed, and the President is trying to get them back in the friendship circle.

All things politics need a change.  The people involved and just about every policy needs an overhaul.  Something like tax payer money being given to unions and other special interest groups to cover legal costs is just 1 example of unnecessary spending that needs to go away.  I mean, tax payers don't pay for my legal costs incurred.... why should tax payers reimburse say... the Sierra Club?  That organization has enough money, and if they want to fight something in court, they should have to pay their fees just like the rest of us in this country.

In the last 25-30 years, there have been a couple of government shut downs.  I can't remember if GWB had a shut down, but Clinton did and I believe George Sr. did as well.  Now we sit here, being tugged along by the people we've voted into office.  They are at the whims of special interest groups, and many refuse to stray from party line affiliation just to save face.  If one political party has a good idea, the hard core from the other side will fight it tooth and nail.

When it comes down to it folks, it is about money.  If it isn't about money, why would the democratic committee plan on spending a billion dollars to keep their man in office?  Good news for the middle class though.  We are the biggest demographic in the nation, so we will continue to be paying our taxes.....
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Avatar universal
Someone asked what the debt ceiling being raised means. The simplist way to put it is this. Say you got a credit card with 20 thous dollars worth of credit and your maxed out. You ask them to raise the limit a few thou to cover your debt. Our politicians are a great role model for our school kids eh? Show em how to use that credit card! Cause how does it go? Did you ever notice those looks you get now days when you spend cash!
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Avatar universal
Yes, the repubs shut the government down once before and got the dems re elected as a result too. Like I said, SHUT ER DOWN!
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Avatar universal
No one was worrying about the raising of the ceiling on the debt when they continued the bush tax cuts now were they? That alone would have gone a looong way in reversing that problem, but no the repubs had to pay bak the favors to that upper percent who dont even need it. I agree with adgal too in that it does not matter who is in office one whit! When it took Bush 8 years to tear it all apart the middle class cannot pay for it overnite!

I think the solution is clear but no one will do it. Our tax code needs updated to fit the times in which we live. You got all this money going out but who is paying in? The corporations and the rich have their tax loops and the poor are on medicaid and welfare, and a huge pop of seniors getting ready to go on medicare and social security, all of us baby boomers out here and this is what is stirring the panic to cut it all cause they have already spent our funds!

Oh goodness, could it really be that simple? YES it can. And speaking of money, WHY would someone spend how much money? I hear its gonna be up on a billion next time just to run for pres, just to earn what is it now? 400 thou a year? Somethin just aint passin the smell test now is it? As far as health care, I am still saying public option, but that just makes too much sense now doesnt it?
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585414 tn?1288941302
  There should be a way to appropriately fund healthcare necessary for people's well being but not in a manner that would contribute to the debt. The same would be true with providing assistance to people who are elderly and/or have a disability or temporary assistance to people who are in poverty. There should be continuing incentives to encourage and transition people back to work. I was aware that some aspects of the American government didn't function from a long while back because when C-Span first went on air I was watching that at a family member's house and half the congresspeople or senators were not present at a given time. Given that everyone else is expected to show up to work on a given day they should as well and when that doesn't happen its not surprising that the American government doesn't function. I don't believe shutting down things would benefit people but people should hold their elected officials accountable by not voting for the ones that don't do the basics of their job and I can see a lot of change needed in that direction on all levels of government.
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585414 tn?1288941302
    Yes I would add on many levels there is spending that is completely unnecessary. There are continuing dedicated sources of funding to special interest groups and pork barrel politics. There has not been any legislation to stop this and it is in the interest of groups that are able to fund the election of various politicians not the American public themselves. There are many factors that contribute to the national debt and that is one of them. Also the United States should not participate in interventionism in other countries. Not only is it a needless expense it also in the long run can destabilize countries politically. I think we should use caution with what is happening in the middle east because some of the political changes in the countries may not lead to a democracy but only worsen things.
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