Quote from Tsing Tao:
please tell me you're being satirical here and that you haven't lost it as well.
Quote from Hello:
Actually what Tsing Tao said is 100% true. The reason why Captain Obvious seems like he went off the deepend is because he will walk into any discussion and turn it into "Republicans support welfare for rich bankers" he says it every single time like a broken record.
The truth of the matter is that there isnt a single self respecting conservative out there who wanted the bank bailout, even though it got paid back. He seems to be stuck in the past, and since there is absiolutely nothing anyone can do to change the bank bailouts now it seems quite looney to sit and obsess over them, and try to change every single topic that comes up on ET into a vendetta against the banks/bankers. Especially given all the other problems going on in this country. Pay attention to Captain Obvious' posts, and see for yourself, he comes into every single thread no matter how far off topic and turns it into a vendetta against banks.
Quote from Tsing Tao:
your analogy of the doctor and the budget is a faulty one. we can do one now, and the other after we do the first.
Quote from OPTIONAL777:
We can do both, now.
Trickle down is a fallacy.
Programs are being cut for the poor, so taxes can be increased for the wealthy.
Don't worry, it won't impact you.
Quote from RCG Trader:
777
Ive been rethinking this trickle down thing. I live in a very hard hit state, and they just raised taxes on us again. Now, if they tax the rich( which is pretty much any professional), then what is to stop the rich from simply moving?
Eventually, there comes a threshold for pain. We have lost programs for the poor, the mentally ill, and the addicted because we have to support this giant elephant north of I-80. At some point, we have to tell the elephant to fend for itself.
Glad I could help.Quote from Trader666:
I got nothing.
I can't explain away the fact that the historically low taxes for the rich exactly coincides with the historically high income gap between the rich and everyone else, including the middle class. Therefore, I'd rather sidestep the issue, which includes a revenue problem and a need for regulatory overhaul, than try to float a moronic argument that even an idiot such as myself can't swallow. And I won't even touch the matter about the dangerously dwindling middle class, which is the backbone of any robust First World economy, since any Right Wing ideological bullshit I present may well set my pants on fire.
Quote from OPTIONAL777:
What is going to stop the rich (not the working class rich) from moving their money offshore and free from taxation?
Are they going to move for a 2% increase?
I'm just saying that we need to attack the problem on every level, don't you think?
Taxes have been too low for a long time. The Bush tax cuts didn't trickle down into the economy. Bush tax cuts didn't strengthen the middle class. Tax cuts on dividends didn't do squat for the average American who doesn't own dividend producing stocks or other investment vehicles. That money just contributed to the debt.
I'm not saying the debt problem is a sole function of tax cuts, but it is a contributing factor, and those whose lifestyles won't change by an increase in their taxes by 2 to 5% won't even feel it.
I remain steadfast that the #1 and most important thing America can do, is to put development of energy (including a push to develop alternatives---push solar panels on the roofs of all office buildings, etc.) in the same way we approached the space race in the 60's, or WWII. It is a fight for survival going forward, as imported energy is just going to get more and more costly. We also need to focus on developing methods to ensure that the cost of water is not going out of sight. We need to stop immediately the ridiculous ethanol program, that was only put in place to placate corn farmers. Just a joke when bio-diesel and other materials can be used, which do not raise the cost of corn and other related food items.
Debt is debt, and if the dollar does slide the way some think, our debt will be paid off in inflated dollars.
Our problem is that we need an emerging industry...something actually necessary that everyone needs to purchase. IPads are not necessary...but cheaper electricity and energy is necessary.
Quote from RCG Trader:
In Illinois, there are wind farms going up left and right, it has not abated out debt burden. Let me give u an example, If the the state taxed CAT anymore than it already does, CAT will move. This will not only decimate Peoria, but it will hurt the surrounding counties. Most manufacturers here support CAT in one form or another. I am too lazy to look it up, but I wonder if revenues have gone up in states that increases taxes, I would tend to doubt it.
The solution is to slash taxes, and entice business here. They will create jobs immediately. When we speak of taxing the rich, we seem to think of the idle rich, and I can assure you, they will move over 2%.
Quote from RCG Trader:
They consume. It is what drives our economy. Consumption. They are also likely to invest. Which helps as well. But primarily, they consume.