Romney's Taxes

[shiny!]

Re: Romney's Taxes

I am no apologist for Obama (I will not vote for him and, if it were possible, I would cast an "unvote" for him that subtracts one from the number of votes he gets)

We really, truly need an option at the ballot box for "None of the Above"; a way to cast a vote of "No Confidence" in the current Republocrat system. If "NotA" wins, then new candidates must be selected and a new election held. Lather, rinse and repeat until they stop playing their games and give us someone worth voting for. "NotA" would give people the confidence to stop voting for whomever they perceive to be the lesser of two evils, since evil vs evil is all we ever get anymore.

[DSpencer]

Re: Romney's Taxes

if it were possible, I would cast an "unvote" for him that subtracts one from the number of votes he gets

This is a fantastic idea. Give people people the choice of casting a vote or an anti-vote. If nothing else it would be quite satisfying.

[charliebrown]

Re: Romney's Taxes

The Dems will grab the bull horn and shout "see ... we have to tax the rich. He pays less taxes than Buffet's secretary yadda, yadda, yadaa ..."

If the Dems get their marginal tax rate increases, Mittens won't pay any more taxes. Unless the cap gains go from 15 - 20%.
Whatever the rates, I think it only fair that wages and capital gains get taxed about the same. long term cap gains should be much longer than 1 year.
Cost basis should be increased to account for inflation.

[vt]

Re: Romney's Taxes

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012...#ixzz27ZSphHft

Romney's tax rate is higher than 97% of taxpayers. The facts do not stand up for the detractors.

[Slimprofits]

Re: Romney's Taxes

Romney does pay at a lower rate than the typical wealthy person. IRS data for 2010 showed those making between $1 million and $10 million typically paid at an effective tax rate of more than 25 percent.

Romney has more effective accountants than the "typical wealthy person?"

[Thailandnotes]

Re: Romney's Taxes

David Cay Johnston flags a fourth element of the PwC letter that makes it meaningless. The tax preparers specifically and repeatedly use the term "owed" rather than "paid," leaving open the possibility that Romney owed taxes for certain years but did not pay them until later years, perhaps after an audit. The letter adds that it is "unaware" of any unpaid balances at this point.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...#slide=1324090

[hayfield]

Re: Romney's Taxes

After NotA wins the election, who would run the government?

[Ghent12]

Re: Romney's Taxes

After NotA wins the election, who would run the government?

Why do we need anyone to run the government?

[hayfield]

Re: Romney's Taxes

Why do we need anyone to run the government?

I thought that was self-evident, to maintain some semblance of the rule of law. But I'll bite -- what exactly would happen after NotA was elected?

[Ghent12]

Re: Romney's Taxes

Rule of law requires the judicial branch, which is often not up for election and never at the federal level. More and more and more laws until we have almost every citizen be a criminal to one degree or another (i.e. the present reality) requires the legislature. The executive branch provides direction, especially on foreign policy, and frankly I think "no direction" would be a welcome reprieve from the one-party, two-flavor system right now.

[shiny!]

Re: Romney's Taxes

I thought that was self-evident, to maintain some semblance of the rule of law. But I'll bite -- what exactly would happen after NotA was elected?

New elections held within a set period of time, perhaps two months. The current government stays in charge (but without authority to make new laws or change policies) until new people are elected.

[Raz]

Re: Romney's Taxes

Romney and a strong moral compass? That is as rich as 'Change we can believe in.'

Yes indeed. I much prefer a man who voted to leave the "unwanted fetus" to slowly die on a table without assistance after the attempt to abort "it" failed.

Now there's a real moral compass.

[BadJuju]

Re: Romney's Taxes

Yes indeed. I much prefer a man who voted to leave the "unwanted fetus" to slowly die on a table without assistance after the attempt to abort "it" failed.

Now there's a real moral compass.

I am really not sure if you are attacking Romney or Obama here, so I edited this. Both have a history of being for abortion, although Romney has recently changed his tune.

In either case, fetuses are neither sentient nor sapient. I am much more concerned with the health and well-being of the mother and her right to exercise choice with regards to her body and all its constituent parts. I hope this does not seem harsh or cruel, but I do not consider human fetuses as possessing the consciousness that defines personhood. And without at any point in their existence having had a claim to personhood, they have no rights in my mind except that which we impose. The issue of their abortion and disposal is of no consequence to me morally except that like all living things they should be given a proper release.

[Raz]

Re: Romney's Taxes

I am really not sure if you are attacking Romney or Obama here, so I edited this. Both have a history of being for abortion, although Romney has recently changed his tune.

In either case, fetuses are neither sentient nor sapient. I am much more concerned with the health and well-being of the mother and her right to exercise choice with regards to her body and all its constituent parts. I hope this does not seem harsh or cruel, but I do not consider human fetuses as possessing the consciousness that defines personhood. And without at any point in their existence having had a claim to personhood, they have no rights in my mind except that which we impose. The issue of their abortion and disposal is of no consequence to me morally except that like all living things they should be given a proper release.

Wow. You are one heavy-duty utilitarian.

First off, the preborn child within a woman's womb is NOT "a constituent part" of her. The little one has a unique genetic code, unique fingerprints and often a different blood type. These are facts, and so the facts of human reproduction pose a problem for the concept of unlimited "reproductive rights" of women.

But for the "enlightened" of the world that poses no real problem because everything just "happened" randomly without any design thereby rendering our lives and everything else meaningless. As Doestoyevsky said, "If there is no god then anything is permissible".

I'm not going to waste any more time or words on this subject but if you wish to read a rather detailed exchange of opinions between myself and another member, a physician no less, it begins here: http://www.itulip.com/forums/showthr...40551#poststop

[BadJuju]

Re: Romney's Taxes

Wow. You are one heavy-duty utilitarian.

First off, the preborn child within a woman's womb is NOT "a constituent part" of her. The little one has a unique genetic code, unique fingerprints and often a different blood type. These are facts, and so the facts of human reproduction pose a problem for the concept of unlimited "reproductive rights" of women.

But for the "enlightened" of the world that poses no real problem because everything just "happened" randomly without any design thereby rendering our lives and everything else meaningless. As Doestoyevsky said, "If there is no god then anything is permissible".

I'm not going to waste any more time or words on this subject but if you wish to read a rather detailed exchange of opinions between myself and another member, a physician no less, it begins here: http://www.itulip.com/forums/showthr...40551#poststop

It certainly is, but it is part of her. It is absolutely dependent upon her. And it is part of her body. And insomuch as that, she should exercise complete control over her body. And even though it may be unique, that does not mean it is a person at that point. With enough time and the right conditions, it could become one, though.

If Doestoyevsky were right, why am I not out robbing people and murdering them as an atheist? As far as the universe is concerned, I believe there is no meaning beyond what we create ourselves. No underlying moral code. No supreme being to dictate what is right or wrong. Nevertheless, I consider myself to be a decent, if not very flawed, person. I do not try to hurt people. I wish everyone well and hope we can all enjoy prosperity. From what I can recall, people that identify themselves as religious are actually more likely to be in jail for various offense on a proportional basis.