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  • Nov 12, 2010, 08:39 PM
    excon
    Bush tax cuts for the wealthy
    Hello:

    They SAY that if the Bush tax cuts are extended to the richest people amongst us, they'll create jobs. They certainly might. I don't know. But, we don't have to guess. Instead of just giving them a tax break and HOPE they'll do the right thing, why don't we give them a tax break WHEN they create the jobs?

    I'd go for that. You? Remember when we gave the banks money and HOPED they start lending? We got snookered on that one.. Let's not do it again.

    excon
  • Nov 12, 2010, 09:01 PM
    tomder55

    Yes we foolishly "gave them money" . But in this case it's not giving the rich money.. . it's not picking their pockets for more .

    Not only am I in favor of extending the current tax rates for all taxpayers ;I also am in favor of a massive reduction in the Cap Gains Taxes. Do that and you would really see the economy heat up and unemployment drop.

    As JFK once said ,there comes a time when these Keynesian incentives that have been tried prove ineffective . That time came and went early in this downturn. It is debatable if TARP effectively prevented collapse. It is not debatable that the bucket list spending was a complete waste of taxpayer's money.

    Yes JFK clearly told the country that
    Quote:

    In the past, this could be done in part by the increased use of credit and monetary tools, but our balance of payments situation today places limits on our use of those tools for expansion. It could also be done by increasing federal expenditures more rapidly than necessary, but such a course would soon demoralize both the government and our economy. If government is to retain the confidence of the people, it must not spend more than can be justified on grounds of national need or spent with maximum efficiency.
    American Rhetoric: John F. Kennedy - Address to the Economic Club of New York

    Read the rest... he makes a compelling case for across the board 'supply side ' cuts in taxes.
  • Nov 12, 2010, 09:22 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    Not only am I in favor of extending the current tax rates for all taxpayers ;I also am in favor of a massive reduction in the Cap Gains Taxes. Do that and you would really see the economy heat up and unemployment drop.

    These people (companies?) who make $250K+ a year possess 86% of the American wealth and are not middle class. What have they done during the past five years to create jobs? Corporate profits and productivity have climbed, as has the unemployment rate.
  • Nov 13, 2010, 03:02 AM
    tomder55

    These people making $250,000 are your restaurant owners ,grocery store ,hardware store... Main Street businesses . Great idea penalize them right at the time the economy could be crawling into recovery .
    Please show me one credible economists who says you can "tax your way out of recession" . The President himself says that tax increases in a recession are counterintuitive. That is why he is changing his language on this issue . He now talks in terms of not allowing the "tax cuts on the rich " to become permanent . He KNOWS it's a bad idea to increase taxes now.

    Business owners around the country are looking a huge hits at the bottom line as it is because of their obligations under the foolishness called Obamacare...

    Do you know that these places of business with a handful of employees will have to complete and submit to the IRS a 1099 form for every petty cash purchase over $600 (Section 9006 of the health care bill )? Businesses will now have to issue millions of new tax documents every year.
    Brilliant!! Your laundrymat owner will have to retain an office clerk for the purpose of purchasing soap for the business!

    It was the rich that paid by far the largest share of the tax bill in the last decade . I know that is an inconvenient truth but it is the truth . Under the "Bush Tax Cuts " .The richest 1.3 million tax-filers -- those Americans with adjusted gross incomes of more than $365,000 in 2005 -- paid more income tax than all of the 66 million American tax filers below the median in income. Ten times more.
    Taxes and Income - WSJ.com

    In 1980, when the top income tax rate was 70%, the richest 1% paid only 19% of all income taxes; now, with a top rate of 35%, they pay more than double that share.

    You want a recovery ? Then don't penalize the businesses that will make it happen.
  • Nov 13, 2010, 07:22 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    You want a recovery ? Then don't penalize the businesses that will make it happen.

    Hello again, tom:

    Cool. Let them make it happen FIRST, then they don't get penalized.

    excon
  • Nov 13, 2010, 09:06 AM
    tomder55

    Hmm... lets not extend the tax cuts to the middle class or poor unless they spend the money first.
    Yeah that's the ticket .

    We know tax increases (which is what letting the current tax code expire amt's to) is bad for an economy in a recession. I am in favor of negotiating a new tax structure and I think it could be done in a bipartisan fashion .

    So ;extend the current tax code until a new one can be agreed upon.

    Businesses are already planning next years activities without knowing what their tax liabilites will be . I submit that is bad for business and bad for the American economy. A lame duck session is too late to make fundamental changes.
  • Nov 13, 2010, 09:19 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    Hmm ...lets not extend the tax cuts to the middle class or poor unless they spend the money first. yeah that's the ticket .

    Hello again, tom:

    Nobody - that would be absolutely NOBODY thinks the middle class are the job creators. That, so they say, is the job of the wealthy. Plus, nobody thinks the tax breaks for the wealthy will pay for themselves either.. You DO know that the HOLE Bush blew into the Clinton surplus happened BECAUSE of the Bush tax cuts... And, the jobs STILL traveled overseas... How do you reconcile that?

    Out of one side of your mouth you talk about spending money we DON'T have and burdening our grandchildren with the debt, and out of the other you want to add $700 BILLION to it, in the HOPES it creates jobs... How do you reconcile that?

    Me? I'm not so sure... My solution... Create jobs FIRST, and then get rewarded... Wassa matter with that? You DO notice that I'm not AGAINST these tax cuts... I'm just for earning 'em.

    excon
  • Nov 13, 2010, 09:39 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    Businesses are already planning next years activities without knowing what their tax liabilites will be . I submit that is bad for business and bad for the American economy.

    Hello again, tom:

    While we're at it, it's time to debunk that crap too... The new key word the right has glommed onto is "uncertainty" - and then they hammer us to death with it.. Kind of like death panel... It ain't true, but it works..

    If you think businessmen wait till they have CERTAINTY in the marketplace BEFORE they invest, you're dreaming... As you should know, there hasn't been certainty in the marketplace for 75 or more years - yet business found a way to invest... As I've said before to you, businessmen don't look to see what politicians are doing before they invest. They look at the market. They look at DEMAND for their product.. Nobody hires people because they think the tax rate is better. They hire people because DEMAND for their product is up. It's the ONLY reason they hire.

    Clearly, if businessmen WAITED till politicians ACT, we'd have been in the toilet a long time ago. As a right wing type person, I'da figured you'd know that.

    excon
  • Nov 13, 2010, 09:47 AM
    cdad
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again, tom:

    Nobody - that would be absolutely NOBODY thinks the middle class are the job creators. That, so they say, is the job of the wealthy. Plus, nobody thinks the tax breaks for the wealthy will pay for themselves either.. You DO know that the HOLE Bush blew into the Clinton surplus happened BECAUSE of the Bush tax cuts... And, the jobs STILL traveled overseas... How do you reconcile that?

    Out of one side of your mouth you talk about spending money we DON'T have and burdening our grandchildren with the debt, and out of the other you want to add $700 BILLION to it, in the HOPES it creates jobs... How do you reconcile that?

    Me? I'm not so sure... My solution... Create jobs FIRST, and then get rewarded... Wassa matter with that? You DO notice that I'm not AGAINST these tax cuts... I'm just for earning 'em.

    excon

    The middle class are the consumers. They are the driving force in the economy. Right now they are afraid of what's to come. They are holding dollars and spending more wisely. Also paying off high interest credit cards and consumer loans. They aren't really buying anything until they know what's ahead.

    As far as tax credits for jobs created. I would be against it. Once you create that scheme then the government will tell you who you should hire and we are back at square one. If you want a tax credit for hiring then Id meet you half way. Give a tax break dollar for dollar on education for the purpose of job training. Nobody seems to be doing that any more and skilled labor is waning fast. We need skilled labor force and its those jobs that can affect the economy. Before when unions were strong they built the skilled labor force. Now since unions had gotten greedy their influence have gone to the wayside. And no one has picked up the ball and ran with the education platform. Many jobs out there today expect experience. The problem comes when there are no experienced labor out there. Jobs are changing constantly and an educated labor force is needed with the skills of the latest technology. Its up to business to provide that.
  • Nov 13, 2010, 09:49 AM
    tomder55

    The Obots wasted more than that in a year spreading asphalt on paved roads .

    But I am not Adding $700 Billion to the debt by seeking status quo. To let the tax bill expires amts to a massive increase in taxes at exactly the wrong time.

    Every time supply side taxe cuts have been tried they increase the revenues into the Federal coffers and stimulate growth . So I have a proven solution that works as opposed to tax increases that historically slow down the economy .

    How would your system work ? Would a boss have to get an employee , set that employee ,start paying all the various obligations that a part and partial with the payroll system first... then perhaps take the time and expense to train the employee... would there be a minimum time of employment before the employer is entitled to the tax break ? Then what ? Will the employer now have to petition the government for reimbursement from taxes already paid or will this employer be subject to the increased taxes until the next quarter ? Year ? Lets say this employer hires in good faith and then because of demand or other business realities has to let a percent of their employees go ? Will the employer then have to return the tax break to the government ?
    How many new IRS employees would be needed to handle these constant adjustments ? As it is the IRS is going to be underemployed because they will need to process all those additional 1099's their offices will be flooded with.

    My own view is the tax system is already way to incenticed with exceptions and breaks ,and conditions . The best tax system for both business and individual would be a system that elimated the complexity in the current code that is nothing more than a create work for accountants charade.
    Corporate tax rates are too high bottom line... Business in this country pay higher rates than any of our world competitors save Japan.
    And taxing a business person making $250,000 ,and calling that person rich is one of the biggest jokes that has come out of this administration. At least a millionaires tax should not kick in until that person actually is a millionaire.
  • Nov 13, 2010, 10:11 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    My own view is the the tax system is already way to incenticed with exceptions and breaks ,and conditions

    Hello again, tom:

    I don't know HOW the details would work out. I just know it COULD work, and I see in your answer, a basis to make it work.

    I agree with the above... But, without hiring people directly, that's the ONLY way government has to "create jobs".

    excon
  • Nov 13, 2010, 10:23 AM
    tomder55
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again, tom:

    While we're at it, it's time to debunk that crap too... The new key word the right has glommed onto is "uncertainty" - and then they hammer us to death with it.. Kinda like death panel... It ain't true, but it works..

    If you think businessmen wait till they have CERTAINTY in the marketplace BEFORE they invest, you're dreaming... As you should know, there hasn't been certainty in the marketplace for 75 or more years - yet business found a way to invest... As I've said before to you, businessmen don't look to see what politicians are doing before they invest. They look at the market. They look at DEMAND for their product.. Nobody hires people because they think the tax rate is better. They hire people because DEMAND for their product is up. It's the ONLY reason they hire.

    Clearly, if businessmen WAITED till politicians ACT, we'd have been in the toilet a long time ago. As a right wing type person, I'da figured you'd know that.

    excon

    I've addressed that before too. My comments stand . Leading business people in the country have all said the same thing ;that regime uncertainty is one of the biggest reasons they aren't moving on the investment front. It is also a major reason why consumers will be sitting on the sidelines and curtailing their spending this season.
    Are you saying business aren't concerned at all with potentially huge increases in costs? (taxes ,new spending related to Obamacare and FinReg) .Even Obama buttboy Jeffery Immelt has said he just wished he knew what the rules were.

    I listen to what business owners are saying... you not so much
  • Nov 13, 2010, 10:44 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    I listen to what business owners are saying ...you not so much

    Hello again, tom:

    I AM a business owner. Nuff said.

    excon
  • Nov 13, 2010, 03:06 PM
    paraclete
    I have watched your debate with interest and you have the psychology of the tax cuts all wrong. If you reduce tax on the lower income earners you create demand because these people don't keep the money, they spend it. So how come your politicians don't know this and do what they need to do, reduce tax on lower incomes. It has already been said here that these people pay less tax anyway than the high income earners, so you are not giving away much but the psychological effect is to boost both spending and expectation.

    I am cynical enough to think that in your system reducing tax on low income earners isn't popular because there are no votes in it.
  • Nov 13, 2010, 05:43 PM
    tomder55

    Wrong most low earners already pay no Federal taxes.
    Nearly half of US households escape fed income tax - Yahoo! Finance

    The truth is that apx.only half the population contribute to the Federal coffers.
  • Nov 13, 2010, 06:32 PM
    paraclete
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    wrong most low earners already pay no Federal taxes.
    Nearly half of US households escape fed income tax - Yahoo! Finance

    The truth is that apx.only half the population contribute to the Federal coffers.

    I think you have the idea of low earners wrong, I'm speaking of those below the threshold of the tax cuts who may not actually be on the bread line. If your system doesn't actually tax half of the income earners, and I doubt that is the correct intrepretation of the statistics, then perhaps it needs a serious overhaul.

    What is the point of having a system which doesn't achieve what it sets out to do and that is to have income earners contribute to the maintenance of the nation. You object to the nanny state but you have a worse nanny state than any of us, refunding tax credits.
  • Nov 13, 2010, 08:13 PM
    tomder55

    Yes our system is in serious need of overhaul... I mentioned just one of them related to deductions . It's the correct interpretation all right. The vast majority of the tax revenues collected by the Federal Government is collected from the people everyone claims is screwing them .

    But as you know ,the income tax is not the only form of pocket picking our various authorities have devised. The Federal Government still gets their share from the poor in the separate contributions the lower income earners are forced to contribute to the 'entitlement ' system. I'm not naiive enough to believe that these contributions are going towards retirements since the Feds steal this money and add it to the general revenue.

    They also pay a larger percentage of their incomes to local taxing authorities for sales tax than the higher income earners.
    They are subject to local income and property taxes.

    And of course these corporate taxes everyone loves so much get passed onto them in the transfer to the costs of products.
  • Nov 14, 2010, 01:46 AM
    paraclete
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    Yes our system is in serious need of overhaul ...I mentioned just one of them related to deductions . It's the correct interpretation alright. The vast majority of the tax revenues collected by the Federal Government is collected from the people everyone claims is screwing them .

    But as you know ,the income tax is not the only form of pocket picking our various authorities have devised. The Federal Goverment still gets their share from the poor in the separate contributions the lower income earners are forced to contribute to the 'entitlement ' system. I'm not naiive enough to believe that these contributions are going towards retirements since the Feds steal this money and add it to the general revenue.

    They also pay a larger percentage of their incomes to local taxing authorities for sales tax than the higher income earners.
    They are subject to local income and property taxes.

    And of course these corporate taxes everyone loves so much get passed onto them in the transfer to the costs of products.

    Hi Tom

    It's a shame that you haven't separated the concept of contribution from the concept of entitlements. We all know taxation is theft and no more so that the flat rate tax implicit in such taxes as fuel excise and sales tax. We have long minimised but not totally eliminated local taxing authorities because we so often see their efforts as regressive. It is not difficult to eliminate collection of tax from low income earners so that the burden of lodging returns is eliminated, you just set the threshold higher in recognition of the outcomes. Please don't invent any new taxes as we have idiots here who think such things have to be tried.
  • Nov 14, 2010, 03:27 AM
    tomder55

    Quote:

    It's a shame that you haven't separated the concept of contribution from the concept of entitlements
    It was sold to the country as that ,but when Social Security was challenged in court ,the Roosevelt cabal quickly changed their story and said the collection was a tax. This is the same bait and switch the Obots are using on ObamaCare.

    The politicians here still talk about there being a Social Security "Trust Fund" ,and perhaps on paper there is...
    However ,their borrowing against it to support their spending makes it for all practical purposes non existent .

    Quote:

    Please don't invent any new taxes as we have idiots here who think such things have to be tried.
    Same here... there is serious talk of VAT being implemented . They also have their eyes on peoples personal retirement funds ,as 401K accounts represent one of the few untapped sources for their theft.
  • Nov 14, 2010, 10:22 AM
    cdad

    There is one way to make an instant solution to the economy that no one seems to be talking about. Sure some will have to sacrifice but in the long run it will set the compass of the economy on fire again. Since they moved gasoline to the comodities market it is being held hostage ever since. If they let it go back to private hands as it was before gas would be around .80 cents per gallon. And since this economy runs on fuel it would represent a major windfall for the consumer. If you touch it its more then likely been delivered by a big rig somewhere along the line. For that matter you could even drop it back to where the market would hold it at and set a $1.00 per gallon tax and start paying off the national debt and we would all still be ahead of the game.

    On a personal note I also suppot abolishing the tax codes and the IRS and would like to see the fair tax happen. That too would free up a lot of dollars being wasted on hiding the money and shell games.

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