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So you’re a Red Meat Conservative who thinks taxes are the very embodiment of Evil Liberal Oppression and wants the heavy hand of the Nanny State expunged from our lives. Well, comrade, here in the fact-and evidence-based real world, taxes are what help make America what it is today, and it enables government to do the thing we expect it to. Barney Frank once said that government is just another name for what we decide to do together. In our case, government is what makes America a country that works for its people in a million and one different and generally unnoticed ways. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot, but if you still insist that taxes are evil and oppressive, then I’ve got 102 things that you need to stop doing immediately. Unless you enjoy being a hypocrite.
If you’re a conservative who hates taxes, please do the following.
1. Do not use Medicare.
2. Do not use Social Security
3. Do not become a member of the US military, who are paid with tax dollars.
4. Do not ask the National Guard to help you after a disaster.
5. Do not call 911 when you get hurt.
...101. Do not ride trains. The railroad was built with government financial assistance.
Time for Conservatives to wake up and smell the cat litter....
Article Source: What Would Jack Do?
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- Public Discussion (16)
The fact is, we pay for the lifestyle we expect. Without taxes, our lifestyles would be totally different and much harder. America would be a third world country. The less we pay, the less we get in return. Americans pay less taxes today since 1958 and is ranked 32nd out of 34 of the top tax paying countries. Chile and Mexico are 33rd and 34th. The Republicans are lying when they say that we pay the highest taxes in the world and are only attacking taxes to reward corporations and the wealthy and to weaken our infrastructure and way of life. So next time you object to paying taxes or fight to abolish taxes for corporations and the wealthy, keep this quote in mind…
“I like to pay taxes. With them, I buy civilization.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
- 7 votes
#1 - Sun Jan 1, 2012 11:52 AM ESTWell-said, keep saying it, again and again, sadly neocons want all these things but they don't want to pay for them personally with their taxes, it the other guy or gal whose taxes will pay for it.
- 5 votes
#2 - Sun Jan 1, 2012 12:18 PM ESTNo actually, I don't think thats the case at all. I have no problem paying taxes for public services... even the ones I don't use. I do have a problem with how all the tax money is spent. When tax revenue drops, it means its time for the government to cinch the belt and spend less... not increase spending by 35%. My wife is a scientist and I am fully knowledgable of how the work some studies and research can benefit the population on a whole.. but we go overboard.
I know when my pay or hours is cut at my place of employment that I don't go out and buy a new car or a new boat. I cut back where I can. The government spending is out of control and BOTH the republicans and democrats are responsible for it. There is so much waste and abuse in the government . Not to long ago the GAO found a motherload of services that are duplicated in government, and if they were combined there could be significant savings and IMPROVEMENT of services.
The bottom line is, I don't mind paying taxes, I don't mind helping the unfortunante, I do mind policiticians wasting money in order for them to get reelected, I do mind wasting money on red tape and duplicity.
The government brought in 5 TRILLION dollars in revenue for 2011. Thats $16k Plus PER PERSON in the United States of America. Are you telling me that we can't provide services for people when we collected over $16k per person? Our government has become one huge massive waste bucket. Yet some think throwing more money in that bucket will some how fill the holes.
- 2 votes
HonestIndy - You make a very good point with...
The bottom line is, I don't mind paying taxes, I don't mind helping the unfortunante, I do mind policiticians wasting money in order for them to get reelected, I do mind wasting money on red tape and duplicity.
...but you're also missing some of the point here. A large number of people really believe we don't need taxes or government period. What we really need is a broad recognition that government is beneficial and taxes are necessary combined with government that is effective and efficient.
- 1 vote
HonestIndy: I do not disagree with you that the American government of the people, by the people, and for the people needs to be monitored and where changes are needed that those changes be made.
But our elected officials and I include all of them including lower echelon officials seem to be playing a different game altogether. They seem to be making laws and spending our money on their friends like defense contractors, for-profit school corporations, for-profit health insurance companies, for-profit fossil-fuel based energy companies and more. They are not making decisions as if we taxpayers existed but they sure don't mind spending our tax revenues like there is no tomorrow.
I am just incredibly depressed that humankind has not grown emotionally and intellectually enough to govern fairly, reasonably, and with the protection and safety of our physical environment. Take air pollution for example, we ALL need air to breathe just in order to live but the existence of air pollution, it's increase or decrease, seems not to register in the minds of neocons. Now, how idiotic is that, to destroy the future for the next generations?
Before we can control wasteful spending, we need a functioning government.
I am just incredibly depressed that humankind has not grown emotionally and intellectually enough to
Welcome to the human condition. We are greedy.. each and every one of us.
Before we can control wasteful spending, we need a functioning government.
Exactly, and until we (because it's us) stop electing idiots from both sides of the isle and start holding politicians accountable then nothing will change.
but you're also missing some of the point here. A large number of people really believe we don't need taxes
I fully understand there is a segment of people that believe we don't need taxes, but they are not the majority. The vast majority are fine with taxes and want government to work more efficently. As I said, the government basically collected $16,000 from each person (man, woman and child) in the United States this year - Show me real information, that proves that $16k ISNT enough and I will join those who call for increased taxes.
- 1 vote
When tax revenue drops, it means its time for the government to cinch the belt and spend less... not increase spending by 35%.
Or, you increase your revenue.
You'll want to take a special look at the second graph.
Yes, both parties have contributed to the debt, but not nearly in equal amounts. There are two primary factors for the increased debt, two wars and W's tax cuts. Get rid of those two issues and the majority of the debt problem goes away.
- 3 votes
HonestIndy
Show me real information, that proves that $16k ISNT enough and I will join those who call for increased taxes
I can't prove that and I'm not trying to. The more/less tax argument is just a diversion. The real issues are what are we getting for our taxes and how much say we have in how they're spent. My answers: Not as much as we could and not much period.
But this is wandering off topic. The article is pointing out, even as imperfect as our government is, that we benefit from it. A significant number of loud, unthinking citizens honestly think they shouldn't pay taxes and don't need to. They're nuts!
- 1 vote
Or, you increase your revenue.
Or you cinch your belt. I agree sometimes you might need to raise taxes, but consider this... taxes come from production. The more we make and provide the more money we take in and therefore the more revenue you get from taxes. If the revenue has dropped, that means overall there is LESS money coming in, and when everyone has less than what they had before, taking more from them isn't always easy or the right thing to do.
If the revenue has dropped, that means overall there is LESS money coming in,
You're right, W cut taxes in hopes that trickle down economics really does work. It doesn't. He cut taxes and revenues went down.
Not everyone has less than they had before. The top 10% have done quite well over the last decade, it's just the 90% who've been screwed by Republican policies.
The best way to increase revenue is to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire and to get the economy going by spending. Not by cutting spending. The Republicans are clearly clueless when it comes to economic policy, unless all you care about is improving the lot of the 1%.
- 3 votes
You're right, W cut taxes in hopes that trickle down economics
At that time taxes didn't need to be cut.. nor raised. I have no problem with the Bush Tax Cuts expiring.. in fact I would love to revert to the tax code BEFORE Bush W... which also means eliminating the refundable tax credit.
And you have yet to respond to the jist of my posts which is... CUT WASTE FIRST. As for your graph from an editorial... I wouldn't trust a PROJECTION of any government spending... I have NEVER EVER EVER seen such a projection even come close to actual. Our government has as much capability of determining its spending in the future as a fat kid does at determining how much food he will eat in the next week... for both situations saying A LOT is about as good as you are gonna get.
I have no problem cutting waste. But, I don't believe there's nearly enough 'waste' to make a major dent in the deficit.
- 4 votes
Absolutely correct and there are probably many more items that could be added to the list.
Conservatives are no longer "compassionate conservatives" like many of their so called role models from the past, all compassion has been thrown out the window for support of the wealthy & Corporations who are no longer the job creators.
- 4 votes
#3 - Sun Jan 1, 2012 1:18 PM ESTI may print this list out and carry it around with me for those times I'm talking to any ignoramus that thinks they don't benefit from government. And this is just a partial list! The government establishes and protects individual rights. And what we call rights are really granted privileges. For example freedom of speech - try exercising that in China or Saudi Arabia or most of the other countries in the world.
It amazes me when some so-called conservatives start with the America love-it-or-leave crap and then without missing a beat slide right into the government is a burden and we don't need it. Progressives aren't the ones who should leave, the neo-cons are. And to them may I suggest Somalia, no excessive taxes or regulations there. All you need is a 4X4 will a machine gun mounted in the back and you're free to be all you can be - if you don't get shot first.
Neo-cons are trying to revive the dark ages. We need to keep the light shining and say no to ignorance. Posts like yours help. Thanks!
- 3 votes
#5 - Mon Jan 2, 2012 10:57 AM ESTI'm a fan of using the "kitty litter" analogy for those that crap, try to cover it up and it still stinks so they blame it on others. Great article.
- 4 votes
#6 - Mon Jan 2, 2012 2:48 PM ESTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
