I fail to see how a tax plan which would reduce taxes for middle and low income families can be called the largest increase for American families. Last time I check, the top 10% was exactly that; one in ten.

I am willing to bet that the American people (at least 90%) will be happy with a tax plan that saves them money. It is laughable that you try to pass of households that earn over half a million dollars a year as the typical American family.

have no doubt that as long as we have a Republican in the White House that we are safe from any tax hikes

yet you zionist lovers continue to increase welfare payments to israel not to mention the unecessary funds allocated to the occupying forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

soon, you repukes will initiate a homeland security tax hike.

god bless Iran!!!!

The rabid, spittle-flying, hatred-infused, irrational, hyper-emotional Left is the gift that keeps on giving.

The vile likes of BuyingRubles is exactly what the conservtatives of this country need---living proof of the insanity and viciousness of the far Left, and a peek into what their lives would become if these people are ever allowed into power.

We have our history----we have Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, Mao, and so on---but for those who aren't too good at looking back and learning from the lessons left to us by those who have already suffered under Leftist regimes, we have the likes of BR to show us what the future would look like.

(And yes, I DID put Hitler into the "leftist' category as his regime was a totalitarian, government-controlled, regime, with far more in common with the Left than with any right-wing, small government, low tax, free market, non-confiscatory, personal-responsibility oriented, freedom-based, philosophy. Modern categorization of left vs right tend to put fascism into the left-of-center category, in spite of the cliche of right=fascist. Lefties oppose this vigorously, as they NEED to have a brutal tyrant they can claim represents the far Right, but they can't point to anything in Hitler's philosophy or regime that supports a conservative philosophy.)

Anillo, you are making the assumption that all who fall into that 90% you claim are 'gimmes'. But you are wrong. The majority of Americans do not buy into the socialist concept that producers must be penalized for their success, and that their property should be, or could be, confiscated by the State for redistribution according to what the State determines.

Too many Americans are not only fair, they are smart---smart enough to realize that no one ever gets a paycheck from someone who isn't making more than he is, and fair enough to see successful people as inspirations, to want to rise to that level, rather than being surly and resentful and lazy and just wanting to drag those successful people down to their level. ("Leveling the playing field").

Fortunately, the American public in general is less spiteful, less lazy, less resentful, and more economically savvy than your average surly Lefty. While there are plenty of "gimmes" out there, there are also plenty who know enough to know that an economy cannot be strengthened by weakening the engines that drive it.

Anillo is proof that there are some 'gimmes' who feel that somehow, for some reason, the Other Guy "owes" him something. Sadly, there are too many Anillos, and too many politicians ready and eager to pander to his surliness and greed by offering to take property away from those who have earned it to hand it out to the Anillos of the country, but so far he speaks only for his kind.

Not everyone will weaken the country just to get a handout.

And yes, I DID put Hitler into the "leftist' category

Come to think of it, the full name of the Nazi party, as translated into English, was "National Socialist German Workers Party". Not "Capitalist", but "Socialist". Not "Entrepreneurs" or "Businessmen", but "Workers".

(And yes, I DID put Hitler into the "leftist' category as his regime was a totalitarian, government-controlled, regime, with far more in common with the Left than with any right-wing

Posted by: Almiranta at October 25, 2007 01:41 PM

Holy Moley, Almiranta, what have you been smoking? Hitler was a liberal lefty - now that's one for the books! Yeah, that Hitler, he was a real peace lover and wow! talk about compassion for his fellow men.

You know, Almiranta, I'm starting to think you're not the smart cookie I thought you were. I must admit though, trying to pass Hitler off as a liberal; now that's a real knee slapper.

"It is laughable that you try to pass of households that earn over half a million dollars a year as the typical American family." Anillo

The tax hike is for single families earning over $150,000 and couples over $200,000, many of these folks own their own businesses and hire employees. How do you suppose they will make up the differance? The quickest way to slash costs is to reduce employment, moron. So watch the unemployment rolls increase substantially. In addition, watch tax revenues decrease dramatically, as businesses and entreprenuers reallocate their resources to reduce taxable income. Talk about killing the Golden Goose. Your morons just don't get it do you?

BTW: Anillo, does that refer to the ring through your nose (by which are led), or some other part of your anatomy?

CO,

There are true Communists like Stalin and Mao, and Socialists like Hitler, as you lefties put it...not nice people. And then there are the majority of leftists which Lenin refered to as "Useful idiots". These are the pacifists who sacrifice principle for peace, environmentalist wackos who want to return us to an ox cart civilization, and the existentialist moral relativists for whom there is no good or evil.

In which category do you fit?

The fact remains that those small business families, which this tax hike will have the greatest impact on, will simply move their operations over sees to avoid the tax or will eliminate employees, which will hurt working class families and the economy.

You simply can not trust liberals with the economy or security. They truly don't understand the fundamentals of either one. Below is some interesting reading for the lefties:

But before that, I can't resist: God Bless Israel!!! Right Rubes?

On October 11, 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released new jobs figures – 110,000 jobs created in September. September 2007 is the 49th consecutive month of job growth, setting a new record for the longest uninterrupted expansion of the U.S. labor market. Significant upward revisions to employment in July and August mean employment growth has averaged 97,000 per month over the last three months. Since August 2003, our economy has created more than 8.1 million jobs, and the unemployment rate remains low at 4.7 percent.

The U.S. Economy Is Growing And Dynamic

Real after-tax per capita personal income has increased by over 12.5 percent – an average of over $3,750 per person – since President Bush took office. More than 30 percent of the Nation's net worth has been added since the President's 2003 tax cuts.

Real wages have grown 2.2 percent over the 12 months that ended in August. This is much higher than the average growth rate during the 1990s, and it means an extra $1,266 in the past year for a family with two average wage earners.

Exports have increased by over 14.8 percent in the 12 months that ended in July. This has resulted in an $8.3 billion reduction in the trade deficit.

Real GDP grew at a strong 3.8 percent annual rate in the second quarter of 2007. The economy has now experienced nearly six years of uninterrupted growth, averaging 2.7 percent a year since the turnaround in 2001.

Liberals.....always thinking that they can tax us into prosperity.

Kennedy, Reagan, Bush have proved that tax revenues have increased with tax cuts. While, Bush I, Carter and Clinton have proved that tax revenues decrease with tax hikes.

You'd think the libs would learn by now.......

But class warfare has always been their MO.

Buyrubles wrote:

god bless Iran!!!!

OK this is beyond the pale can we please get this type of thing taken down they're is normal idiotic behavior then there is flat out treasonous acts like this.

Oh, you ain’t seen nothin’, Michael. there are a few other sub-human types that haven't showed their ugly selfs in a while, just wait ...
Btw, thanks for your service.

Iran is a wonderful country populated with people of talent, ambition, industry, and hope. Iranians are a resilient people and the country is a hodge-podge of Persian, Azerbaijani, Kurd, Gilaki, and even a few Arab and Turkmen. Rumor has it there are Jews living in Iran as well.

But, there are also dark, sinister, evil people in Iran (like rubles), these are the ones that are enemy to all humanity, including Western civilization, they lack decency, and human compassion.

I say, may God bless the people of Iran and give them the strength to deliver themselves from such evil men and their evil intentions. And may Mark and Matt deliver us from such evil posters as rubles.

Iran is a wonderful country populated with people of talent, ambition, industry, and hope. Iranians are a resilient people and the country is a hodge-podge of Persian, Azerbaijani, Kurd, Gilaki, and even a few Arab and Turkmen. Rumor has it there are Jews living in Iran as well.
Posted by: Dasein Libsbane
---------------------------------------------------
Fantastic point DL.
I always cringe when I see other so-called conservatives mentioning nuking Iran or turning it into one sheet of glass.

Its a shame most Americans dont have the same viewpoint as you. They see the president of Iran and automatically assume he is a reflection of the country.

Oh I know the people of Iran are good people believe me but I dare say that is who ruble is talking about. More along the lines of My Mood I'm in a Jihad I am sure is who ruble is talking about but as an American and a former soldier it turns my stomach when someone like this who I am sure has never even traveled to the dregs of the world yet has the audacity to come to a site like this and praise a man who wants to blow Israel off the map and keeps defying the oh so effective UN sanctions on making enriched uranium for the reason any common mule could see.

God help us all if these loons ever get in power cause God will be taken out to start and I cant imagine from there what my country would become.

God Bless you all for fighting the good fight just sorry I didnt get here sooner to help.

Yep, good people, fine country.

But, just like Germany, Japan, Italy, Albania, and many many others, I have no problem with rolling over them like a heard of angry steamrollers rather than allow their leaders to threaten our way of life or Israel's right to exist.

NUKE the place, says I, sheets of glass with burning oil wells and hungry Iranians … that’s the ticket.

We're gong to miss those wonderful people I mentioned in my previous post, but ... what're ya' gonna do?

We're gong to miss those wonderful people I mentioned in my previous post, but ... what're ya' gonna do? - Bane

Made my day. I love the compassion of conservatives. Great one Bane.

Incidentally, did you see Mahr the other night confront the audience protestors? Dennis Miller stated that he felt Mahr was acting pre-emptively, and should have consulted the UN.

Conservatives definitely have the best sense of humor.

You know, Almiranta, I'm starting to think you're not the smart cookie I thought you were. I must admit though, trying to pass Hitler off as a liberal; now that's a real knee slapper.

Yeah, it's a funny joke the wingnuts have been telling for some time now. What make sit even funnier is that they're not joking when they say it. Nor are they joking when, as proof of Hitler's radical leftism, they point to the word "Socialist" in the full name of the Nazi party. They may be a joke to us, but among themselves, they're quite serious.

As for Almiranta...I don't think her problem is lack of intelligence, it's more the lack of application thereof. She'd much rather be partisan than thoughtful, and she engages in even more projection than Mark Noonan (and that's really saying something).

Conservatives definitely have the best sense of humor.

Seeing as how Liberals have NO sense of humor, that's not really a tough call.

neocon,
I missed that, you mean Mahr didn't put it to a "Global Test"?

I'm shocked ~shocked~ that liberals are hypocrits! Shocked I tells ya'!

btw, and OT did you see the tape of Billary responding to the 9-11 conspiracy whack-jobs?

"How DARE you?"

DL, did you do a flip-flop on Iran? lol

stevoretard, what do you think of DL's immediate flip-flop? ;)

I am willing to bet that the American people (at least 90%) will be happy with a tax plan that saves them money.

I am willing to bet that the American people will be happy with jobs, Assillo, which is what they won't have once their jobs are lost due to outsourcing.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does a family of four, in California or New York, making 200 grand a year, rich? My wife and I live in MD, and we make about 140 grand. I don't consider us rich, and we have no children at home to support. We live in a modest home, last appraised at 425 grand, and, with our other financial obligations, live virtually from check to check. So I don't see how a trillion-dollar tax hike is gonna benefit anyone. Especially when it's gonna stifle this economy...

This is nothing more than a test--Rangel is putting out the Hillary Clinton tax plan...

"btw, and OT did you see the tape of Billary responding to the 9-11 conspiracy whack-jobs?

"How DARE you?""

If only Bill was as tough on terrorists as he was with hecklers.

Can anyone say "STAGED!"

Reminicent of the '92 campaign.

Can anyone say "STAGED!"

Never thought of that, but very interesting to consider.

This tax hike proposal is a trial balloon for Hillary's -

"I got a million ideas, but America can't afford them."

"I got a million ideas, but America can't afford them."

Up until this week I was not a big Giuliani fan, but it was after that line in the debate that I began to look at Rudy in a new light. I think he may be the only GOP candidate who can take the fight to Hillary, but do so in a way that will turn people on instead of turning people off. And after what was revealed today about a potential Mafia hit on him back when he was a Federal Prosecutor, I doubt that he'll be intimidated by the Clinton Mafia.

Neocon4life!!!,

"So I don't see how a trillion-dollar tax hike is gonna benefit anyone."

However, it's a trillion-dollar tax hike in theory only. The liberals in Congress assume that the economy will continue to expand at the current rate; it won't, it will contract as businesses reduce costs (employees) to maintain their traditional profit margins. Unemployment will increase, further depressing the economy. They assume that those affected by the tax rate increases will continue to earn the same amounts, or will earn more; they won't. They will take advantage of various tax shelters to avoid paying a higher tax rate. As a result, the tax rate will be assessed against a shrinking aggregate personal income.

As a result of these two factors, we will see a decrease in tax revenues, rather than a "trillion-dollar" increase. We will we a recession, or even a depression. Which, of course, the liberals will blame on the Bush Administration.

They are ignorant of the facts that we have had 49 straight months of employment gains, four + years of GDP growth, historically low interest rates, historically low unemployment, and record home ownership. And the liberals in Congress want to halt this healthy economic growth. Why?

To punish the rich for their success. To pander to their traditional voting blocks. To oppose anything and everything associated with a Republican Administration.

You see, most liberals, especially those in Congress, do not understand the relationship between tax rates and revenues. President Kennedy did and lowered tax rates, which resulted in an increase in tax revenues. Most liberals think that the "Laffer Curve" is a joke, both literally and figuratively. Not only can they not be trusted with our national security, they cannot be trusted with our economic security.

keefer: My wife and I live in MD, and we make about 140 grand. I don't consider us rich, and we have no children at home to support. We live in a modest home, last appraised at 425 grand, and, with our other financial obligations, live virtually from check to check.

If that's the case and you're really living from hand to mouth, either you have a very big mouth or a very inefficient hand. You might want to get them both checked.

Cutting taxes for the top 1% and then making up the difference by taking money from the Social Security surplus is not the way to govern.

In 2000 the SS surplus was estimated to be more than 5 trillion dollars. Bush's first tax cut for the rich in 2001 took two trillion from that surplus, and that was before he started his vanity war so he could call himself a "war president".

We want the top 1% to give us back our money. We paid into SS. Why should the rich get it when they more than enough?

I have read every single one of these posts and I can't help but shake my head. I think it's the generalizations that kill me, as if all of the hardcore neo-cons here can see the true nature of everyone that disagrees with them. And it's not just this site; it's every ultraconservative blog out there. Like it’s an unwritten rule if someone disagrees with you, tear them down as hard as possible without offering an ounce of evidence or fact to justify your thrashing. I am not a politically motivated person whom leans one way of the other and I believe you will find that more and more people are far more centrist than troll or rhino or whatever term you people use to degrade/prop up.

As for the topic: "Without the poor, the rich would be lost" - unknown. This country is built on the backs of the poor and working class Americans. Without them the rich could not exist as they are the ones that provide them with their profits. In no country should 1% of the population hold 90% of the wealth. And if you think for a second that there are still self-made millionaires, think again. Granted there are a few, but the majority of that wealth is either inherited or given to them (i.e. actors, athletes, politicians, etc.). Should they be punished for what they have? No, they shouldn't but they should also not be given protections that most of us do not have. Some of you discussed the tax burden that would be placed on the $200k - $250k range entrepreneur; well if you had read the article, the reason for the change is to raise the burden above to the $500k+ range because the tax code now is burdensome. And why would revising the tax code now be giving a handout... because it could possibly help the growing majority of poor in this country; dear God we can't allow that to happen.

Finally... we are approaching a $10 trillion national debt. We have a military presence in nearly every corner of the Earth, we spend more on our military than the rest of our budget combined, and the internal strife of our country is increasing and our borders are weakening. What does this sound like? The US Government LOVES to take credit for the fall of the Soviet Union but it was these factors that truly lead to its fall. Our Dollar is valued at 4 cents of the 1980 Dollar. The Euro, which is steadily becoming the preferred currency of the foreign market, is worth more than 2x the value of the Dollar. We are over extended, our military resources are exhausted, and our people are becoming more and more divided. Oh yeah, and while I admit the economy had a good surge, our gap between the rich and the poor is once again steadily increasing as well as our unemployment rate. While a little over 4% unemployment doesn't seem to great, that is 4% of 300 million people or 12 million people; that isn't healthy even in the best of economies.

It’s fitting that the color of the GOP is red seeing as the Soviets’ was as well. You can continue to hide behind that red curtain (or better yet iron curtain) and pretend that the world is our military training ground and we can invade, occupy, and even nuke countries at will or you can wake up and realize that things have to change. The Republican Party use to be about Nonintervention, Fiscal Conservatism, Free Markets, Freedom, etc. What happened? And don't start with "Well after 9/11 we had to change all of that for our protection" because we are no safer today than we were in 2001. Anyways, I've said enough; I'm sure I am now going to be swung at like a Blue Donkey piñata at GOP fundraising event. It seems to be what you all do best.

"...tear them down as hard as possible without offering an ounce of evidence or fact to justify your thrashing." Callmeteach

Where, pray tell, is the evidence that increasing taxes as proposed will do anything but reduce revenues and crush the economy Teach? I wait eagerly await your wisdom.

"I am not a politically motivated person whom leans one way of the other"

sez you as you then proceed to espouse a socialist slant to life. Nice try. If it walks like a duck...

Probably the same evidence that says we can print as much money as we want without consequence. Seriously though, if you would read the article it rolls back the tax cuts for the RICH and increases them for the new middle class and poor. You people keep saying raising taxes when it IS NOT raising taxes, it is giving more generous tax cuts to the people who deserve them... who need them to survive. I would say that my paltry salary that feeds a family of five could use a little less burden. So you people think that if people aren't making enough they need to work harder to raise themselves up... that's a nice notion but unfortunately, teachers rarely make more than $45k a year which puts me about $10k short of the poverty line for my dependent level. So I should abandon my profession for something less honorable so I can what...

Where is the socialist slant? The government chose to fund itself this way. The proposed revision of the tax code is a mirror image of the one Reagan enacted. All this is doing is raising the bar on the definition of the middle class to give them more breathing room. It also gives more tax money back to the poor, the real people who allow us to have the society that we have (and by the way this includes THE F'ing military because we (I did) get paid very little for our sacrifice).

And I'm pretty sure you didn't read the whole post... stop being lazy.

phnx: Where, pray tell, is the evidence that increasing taxes as proposed will do anything but reduce revenues and crush the economy Teach? I wait eagerly await your wisdom.

Present to me the evidence that it won't. In fact, present to me the evidence that what Rangel proposes is an overall tax increase as opposed to a tax reapportionment. Go ahead, give it a try. That ought to be entertaining. I'm not arguing the opposite, mind you. I'm just saying I don't know. And I'm guessing that neither do you. In fact, I don't think anyone could with any certainty. I haven't looked at the bill. I haven't considered the possible loopholes. Perhaps it might be an honest attempt to diminish the level of income inequality, which I am in favor of in general, I'm not convinced this idea will achieve it.

I don't know, maybe go read the darn bill and see for yourself what it entails. There is this dumfounded idea that all those evil dems just want to raise taxes so they can spend it needlessly and destroy the economy. As if this sort of action would some how benefit them. I'm not sure if you realize this or not but a seat on the HoR pays a nice $250k and right now the tax code is cutting into our congressmen’s pay. You ever think they might be raising it to give themselves some breathing room and helping out the poor and the middle class they have found themselves apart of? And as far as ideas that do or do not achieve: Many of our problems (education in general) suffer from apathy and complacency. There are a lot of great ideas but you have people that say well... I don't think this will work so we're just going to do nothing. Or better yet they will come up with something that has already been done, call it something different, and decide that this time it will work. That's where we are. Instead of trying new things and new ideas we would rather do what doesn't work because deep down we know what the results are. You can apply that to any current government action and policy. We could do so much better but we're so damn afraid to try new things... because what, we could fail... again and be in the same place we are now. I give up.

Tax and Spend
Tax and Spend
Tax and Spend
Tax and Spend
Tax and Spend
Tax and Spend
Tax annnnnnnnnd Spend

SSDD

Oh and Anillo, 50% of the population pays no taxes now. Its not the top 50%. Dip.

Rico, I tend to have more trust in John Boehner than I do in Charlie Rangel, Susan Estrich's male alter-ego...

Last estimate 2 Trillion dollars for the Republican support of the Iraqi civil war; billions unaccounted for and all paid for with no Republican sacrifice; amazing! Yet when Democrats ask for $50 billion to include more children in the SCHIP program or more money to make college more affordable paid for with increases in cigarette taxes they are labeled as irresponsible budget busters. Sorry if I laugh at Republican economics.

When Bush asks for his next $100 billion, do you even think he asks his Treasury Secretary where the money will come from?

Christian Wright,

"Cutting taxes for the top 1% and then making up the difference by taking money from the Social Security surplus is not the way to govern.

In 2000 the SS surplus was estimated to be more than 5 trillion dollars. Bush's first tax cut for the rich in 2001 took two trillion from that surplus, and that was before he started his vanity war so he could call himself a "war president".

We want the top 1% to give us back our money. We paid into SS. Why should the rich get it when they more than enough?"

Try to keep up. I know it is hard, considering you probably received an education at the hands of a system controlled by liberals, but you really need to stop drinking the kood-aid at DU/Kos/MM and learn some facts.

First, there is a significant difference in a "tax cut" and a "tax rate cut". A "tax cut" implies that an individual is paying less taxes. A "tax rate cut" is an actual reduction in the tax rate. The "Bush Tax Cuts" were not "tax cuts" per se, but a reduction in the tax rate.

As a result of the tax rate cuts, the "richest 1%" are paying even more taxes than they did before. In 2003, those earning over $500,000 per year (actually the top .6%) paid $192.7B in taxes. In 2005, they paid $479.8B in taxes, an increase of over $285B or 150%. (2006 tax revenues are not yet available. But since we experienced a record amount of tax revenue, I would assume that the "richest 1%" paid an even greater amount.) If you don't believe me, you can check the figures here.

The facts are that those in the highest tax brackets are the ones who are completely responsible for the record tax revenues. Their "tax rate cut" did not reduce tax revenues, they significantly increased them.

So your DNC talking point that we "cut the taxes for the richest 1%" is a lie. We cut their "tax rate" and a result, they are paying 150% more in taxes. Their "tax cut" was actually a net TAX INCREASE. But that's a "dirty little secret" the Democrats don't want anyone to know about.

The "tax cuts for the richest 1%" did not take anything from the SS surplus. Another DNC/DU/Kos/MM talking point. Acutally, it is those on the low end of the income scale that are to blame. Those earning less than $50,000 per year actually paid $6B LESS in income taxes in 2005, than in 2003. That's right LESS.

So while the "rich" were paying 150% more in taxes, the "poor" were paying less. And you think this is unfair? And you want the "rich" to give you back "your" money? They paid much more than you did. On average, in 2005, the "richest .6%" paid over $386,000 in federal income tax. Based on your comments, they probably paid 10 times in taxes what you earned in income. And you think this is unfair, and they need to give some more of their money to you? What alternate universe do you live in?

So much hyperbole; so little time; Philistines!

Okay, here it is; the Rangel bill (which will never pass, btw) has some good points in the Corporate tax structure and in the rate reduction for the middle class, there is a raise in the standard deduction and a change in the allowable inventory valuation category, for those that don’t know, calculating the delta in inventory is the preferred method of establishing actual turnover and therefore taxable receipts.

The intent is to rid us of AMT which is not only noble but necessary. Within the details are many different calculation methods that would cause an accountant apoplexy, so instead of simplifying the tax code, this merely augments it; kind of like what Windows 98 did with Windows 95; and we all remember how well that worked.

Rico, I frankly don’t understand your challenge to phnx regarding the tax increase contained herein; what part about 4% Income surtax is unclear? If you think inserting the qualifier “overall” somehow mitigates the increase you’re wrong. Because this “surtax” has no upper end and in fact the “surtax” raises from 4% to 4.6% for adjusted gross income of $500.000 or more for couples filing jointly. The result is clearly an increase in taxes.

Additionally, the Rangel Bill assumes (by clear calculation) that the Bush Tax Rate cuts will sunset in 2011; this means that the rates for those disgusting “RICH” people is already going to go up even before the “surtax” hits.

Now, just who are these obscene rich that the socialist sycophants around here want to soak? Well, it’s the small business owner, of course. Societal parasites like public school teachers (Sorry Casper, I understand your desire to teach, and you already know my problem with educational bureaucrats.) and minimum wage prisoners, and those with lack of real ambition or foresight simply want some one else; some one they’ll never be, to pay the taxes into their socialist paradise. Nice!

Oh yeah, in case you have an investment portfolio, or a 401(k) or a retirement account of any kind, the Rangel Bill also has a tax on “carried interest.” This is a tax on evil fund managers income derived from the profits of the funds the manager manages. In other words, the Fund Managers will become hourly employees with no vested interest in the success or failure of the funds they manage; we’ll teach them bastard profiteers for doing better jobs! Everyone should make the same 1.8% RoR, no more of that damned “investing in America’s Future crap!

No need to get your knickers in a twist; this boondoggle will never pass; it’s just more of the same from the party of no-progress progressives; pander to your base, promise to punish achievement and guarantee a free ride to the lazy, unimaginative, and those unwilling to take risks, you know … democrats.

Call me teach,
I don’t know what subject you teach, but stick to it and leave economics to those that actually understand it. Your diatribes are so chock full ‘o socialist talking points one hardly knows where to start. I’ll just pick a few at random; “we can print as much money as we want without consequence.” since you obviously don’t understand M1; M2 etc. I’ll just give you one simple fact; the money supply had decreased or held steady (since there are actually several types of money we “print”.) in the last five years.

Your Obermann talking points aside, the Rangel Bill bears a resemblance to Reagan’ proposals in that they both had the word “tax” attached.

Your “paltry salary” is not my concern; if you want to be a teacher you know the risks and rewards; problem is, like most parasitic teachers, you want the rewards (short work day, no accountability, short work year, generous benefits, full retirement with little personal contribution, and the ability to play “victim” for doing what you want to do, did I mention generous benefits?) without the risks (your standard of living will never improve, sucks to be you). I suggest you talk to Casper, he has enthusiastically embraced the life of a teacher with everything that that decision involves.

Tractatus,
Educate yourself, and stop trying to look so foolish.

CallMeTeach,

I don't mean to pile on here, but the $45K for a faimly of 5 means that you have a taxable income of only $27K and this is without considering any other deductions such as mortgage interest. In addition you qualify for the EIC, earned income tax credit. So while I am paying the AMT you qualify for a check from the government. Its called redistribution of wealth...a socialist concept.

I'm glad yor a teacher, some one has to do it and in many repects is a thankless job. However as Bane points out, you have excellent benefits, not to mention an additional 2 to 3 months off when you can augment or kick back and relax. It the profession you have chosen. Don't blame me if your not making enough money. There are more rewards in life than $$$.

My sister works for a county government out in Washington State. She is a proud member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and a wacked out leftist to boot. Just to spite he parents, she married an avowed Communist when she graduated from Univ. of Iowa, after her private school upbringing. (they are now divorced...but that's another story). She also complains about her income, like you. In the emeantime her benfits plan is amazingly lucrative. She like you chose her profession, even though with her degrees she had other options. C'est la vie.

As an aside to this tax thread, I am trying to help my nephew (my sister's son) also a lefty (thanks to his father and mother) solve his TAX problems.

He lives in NYC making 6 figures per year, and hasn't paid taxes in over three years. He's pissed & stressed that he has to pay all this money in back taxes, penalites and interest, because he has failed to pay his tax obligation. He's got a serious case of BDS and wants to stick it to the man. The irony in all of this is that he has yet to realized that has become "the man" who he wants to stick it to.

The only time my leftist sister has ever complained about taxes was shortly before the .COM bubble burst. I recommended that she sell all of the stock that I had gotten her into. She made a tidy sum, and her tax liability that year exceeded her salary from her county job. I really enjoyed hearing her complain about her huge tax liability. The funny part was that she blamed ME for her high taxes. Maybe I should never have given her the stock tips.

Dasein Libsbane,

I try to stay away from saying things like this but learn to F’ing read. I did not say we could just print money! The reason our dollar is only 4 cents to the dollar of 1980 is because we continue to print our money and increase inflation. Obviously since we have no money, hence the $10 trillion debt, we have to print it or continue to borrow it; we do both. Secondly, the end state of a true capitalist system is socialism and I can recommend some reading materials that explain this to you if you need it. Thirdly, how DARE YOU generalize teachers the way you did you yellow belly coward. What I do and what millions of other teachers do IS FAR MORE HONORABLE THAN ANYTHING YOU WILL EVER DO!! And on top of that I am a disabled veteran you ignoramus. You know absolutely nothing about education or educators.

Those generous benefits you speak of are union benefits of which I am not and will not be apart of. I don't need tenure to protect my job which is their purpose. MY WORKDAY which you also know nothing about starts at about 6 in the morning and generally lasts until 11pm IF I am lucky. Not only do I have three children of my own but I am responsible for another 85 children not my own. You can't even begin to understand the level of commitment and dedication that takes to personally know and care for that many people. And in your seemingly self-centered self-serving life I highly doubt you ever could. I also have to point out that you are like almost every other Republican on this board, you BELIEVE EVERYTHING you are spoon fed by your majority whip. This B.S that is being spread about teachers is coming from those who have no interest in education and want to blame someone for its supposed short comings; the problems that exist in education are by and large the fault of to much government involvement. Anything the government gets into always results in degradation and this is especially true in education.

I was not complaining about my salary or espousing some victim mentality. The point was, if you would have read the post, is that those who actually allow for this country to be what it are the ones that are at or below the poverty line. I do fine because I live modestly and am not overly concerned with things like $60k SUVs, motorboats, and designer clothing that I'm sure many of you $150k + income earners indulge in and amazingly complain that you live pay check to paycheck WITHOUT KIDS!!! Due to the fact that the poor (i.e. teachers, military, social workers, police, firemen, and every other honorable profession) carry the weight that they do it would only seem right that we pay less taxes and receive things like earned income credit so that we can continue to do what we do. Never forget that those who make the most money would not be there without those who make very little.

I have nothing else to say to you sir, except this: before you decide to open your mouth and trash those whom have more integrity and honor in their pinky finger than you have in your entire body, you would do well to know what you are talking about. As a side note: I teach high school math, mainly geometry and AP calculus, and I have a B.S. in Mathematics and a Ma.Ed. in Curriculum Development from the University of Kansas.

Call me teach,
I'm a credentialed public school teacher in California. I teach Accounting now, I used to be full time teaching Accounting/Bookkeeping, Finance, Small Business and merchandising at a Public High school; in addition to being a part time teacher now I'm a fiscal Analyst at a State University and I'm a small business owner.

Don't try that 6 am to 11 pm bull$hit with me, I know better. I also know what state benefits are, and I also know what the union benefits are, go sell your martyrdom somewhere else.

"Printing money" doesn't cause inflation, you just don't understand monetary policy so I won't bother explaining it again.

Oh yes, one more thing; I'm a forensic accountant for law firms, an auditor, and a tax accountant during the season, a certified chef, competition cyclist, mountain climber and search and rescue volunteer, Adult Boy Scout Advisor, Red Cross instructor and Republican.

I don't work from 6 AM to 11 PM; maybe you should learn to budget your time better.

Dasein Libsbane,

Now it all makes sense. I was upset with you for the way that you attacked teachers when in reality you were attacking yourself. You were personally defining teachers as you saw yourself. Teaching is more than going into the classroom at 8am and leaving at 3pm Mr. Libsbane. It is about showing up 2 hours early to run with the track team you help train. It's about being in the classroom before the bell rings so students have a place to go and get help if needed. It's about putting every thought, action, and idea you have into helping those children, often individually; to make sure they learn while in the classroom. It's about staying in the classroom after school until 5:30pm tutoring and providing a place for students to stay so they aren't getting into trouble. It's about taking home 60, 70, 80 homework assignments and spending the rest of the night grading them. Not just marking correct or incorrect but reading through their work and correcting what they did wrong, showing them what formulas to use, what theorems to implement, and ways that will help them remember each of these. Being a teacher is about taking phone calls from students who need help with their homework or have a general question about class. It's about taking calls from concerned parents or calling parents just to let them know what a joy it is to have their child in your class. It's about devising and revising lesson plans, creating worksheets, quizzes, tests, and activities, recording grades, etc, etc, etc. All of this generally in one night, nearly every night of the week Mr. Libsbane. If you were not doing these things then you were doing something wrong. Sure I could use generic lesson plans, scripts, premade worksheets and tests, and follow the book. I could show up to class and stand in front of the room and just talk and expect my students to shut up and listen and then perform as I tell them. But I am there to teach Mr. Libsbane, to motivate, to inspire, and to help my students find their way and to discover the beauty of mathematics. And this is no rich suburban white neighborhood that you most likely live in. This is an all black school with a 20% dropout rate in Kansas City, Kansas. So why don't you tell me what teaching is really about and how it can be done in 5 hours a day. Calling yourself a teacher doesn't make you one. Oh and what the heck is a credentialed teacher; I'm assuming you do not have a degree in education and were probably certified through one of California’s numerous alternative certification programs. By the way California does offer good benefits, Kansas does not.

Dasein Libsbane,

Oh and by the way; here's your cookie for being an all around excellent person because you do so much in one day and are able to get home by dinner. I'm even more impressed that you felt you were important enough to point it out. Here's another reason I now you are not a TEACHER (even if you call yourself one): you aren't dedicated to it. To be truly effective in education you have to devote yourself to it. Education isn't a career or a profession, it is your life and those who don't understand that get fed up with it, burn out, and quit. And you haven't actually taught until you have had the courage to step into a classroom where you were expected to fail because of the difficulty it posed. I hear they don't have that problem is Suburbia where everything is white and pretty and the classroom is only one facet of a child’s education. I could go on and on but I know you will never really understand what I am talking about and you probably don't care to.