JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

I am getting a little ahead of myself hear because I haven't been thanked yet, but I am sure it's coming. All the whiners (especially liberals) who never saw a government program they didn't like are getting ready (budget time) to thank all of us Federal Income Tax Payers for keeping the country afloat. Still waiting...................

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125997180

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

Not one thank you! Why am I not surprised?

S. Maturin

Well, let me be the first- THANK YOU!

I believe in parental control over curricula and their children's education. I also firmly believe caring families with two parents give the kids solid footing and stability besides role models.

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

You are welcome. I believe as you. Does this make us Conservatives, Fundamentalists, or just plain old fashioned commonsense Americans?

S. Maturin

Well, I think we're kinda like dinosaurs - members of the minority which has not lost one of the most valuable of civilization's 'tools'... common sense.

working class stiff Loc: N. Carolina

Well yes, many folks should thank the tax payers of the US.

The earned income tax credit does help the folks who don't have a lot of money to spare. Thanks to President Ford (for instituting it) and Reagan for expanding it, many working folks will not fall into poverty for paying taxes. Especially the folks in red states should thank the US tax payers, as they receive the greatest benefit from the program.

http://www.quora.com/What-percentage-of-US-voters-that-do-not-pay-income-tax-vote-for-mostly-Democratic-candidates

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

If we truly want everyone to benefit by being American then everyone should be a participant. No more Federal income tax. We need a consumption or flat tax. People with means would pay a lot more because they buy a lot more. It's not perfect but having 47% or less support the government won't work forever. No more corporate subsidies. No more subsidies for having kids. Just a flat tax.

working class stiff Loc: N. Carolina

I tend to agree that everyone should have skin in the game, as far as supporting the US gov't, even if it's just a dollar.

And while I do think we 'over consume' as a society (as opposed to production), I'm not sure how a flat tax would help those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder. Those lower rungs would have to consume a larger portion of their income, and so pay a larger portion of their income in taxes, which almost by definition would hurt them more.

Since I'm neither an economist or tax specialist, wiser heads than mine will have to figure this out....

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

People may be forced to make wiser choices. I am sure there would be carve outs for food and necessities. Not sure how they'd do it but no politician can be seen as hurting the poor. I've worked with a lot of low income people., In the great scheme of things many seem too lack education, individual responsibility, and have an "I am a victim" mentality. Not all of course, but many and it's getting worse. Remember growing up how your parents or people they knew would rather be caught dead than using food stamps? Parents used to pass that on. Never take a handout, work. Not getting what you want work harder. Being poorer didn't use to be something to be ashamed of as long as you worked hard and were a good person. Now people (especially this millennial bunch) judge people solely on what they own. I was volunteering at the jail a few years back. I'll never forget, the news was on in the common room and the newscaster announced that Mitt Romney was leading in the latest polls. The inmates all started bitching they would lose their Obama phones and other goodies if Obama lost.

S. Maturin

Thank us? For giving them something? Few will feel anything but revulsion at our identifying them as inadequate. Gifting is worse, even, than borrowing/lending. And that is even worse as the folks being FORCED to give resent that, while the recipients grow to hate those making enough money to be charged. 'Social Justice' is income redistribution. No one should be forced by government to give, or to buy any product like Obamacare, for example.

Dinty

As a man of few words ( I may say a few more). We need to get rid of the Country Club environment in the prisons Get rid of the weight lifting and other amenities and put them to work. Cleaning up the trash along side the roadways etc. No need for chain gangs, just say "run and your dead".Just a thought.