[jlisenbe]

A Russian double agent. That's funny. I've read that no other place than in your post. But, as I've said, you have a right to your ideas.

I must admit it was pretty bad when Trump told the Russian president that he would have more "flexibility" once the election was over. Boy was that ever a statement laden with the possibilities of collusion. No.. Wait. That was Obama, wasn't it? Was it just an oversight that you have not mentioned it?

Good luck with that objective. You won't get it done on a website like this.

Actually, Paraclete, I hope I just did. I see no hope outside the message of Christ.

I'd still love to know how you got Paraclete as a name for this site. I imagine you know the Greek origin of the word.

[jlisenbe]

You know, Tal, that we have to continue this. There is so little traffic on the plumbing area. Have you noticed how it's died down the past couple of years?

What ever happened to Speedball? I really liked him. A little gruff, but a wise old cat.

[jlisenbe]

Just listened to a public service commercial by a bunch of rich Hollywoodites. They want us to sign a petition asking the feds to increase foreign aid. They close by saying, "We're not asking for your money. We're asking for your voice." What?? Do they really think we are that stupid? Where does the money for the federal foreign aid come from?? A money tree?

[talaniman]

What ever happened to Speedball? I really liked him. A little gruff, but a wise old cat.

Sadly he succumbed to his illness. We've lost a few good people over the years.

[talaniman]

A Russian double agent. That's funny. I've read that no other place than in your post. But, as I've said, you have a right to your ideas.

What would you call an American who works for the Russian government.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/...ripaska-680630

That's what his NEXT trial is about. Thought you knew.

[paraclete]

I'd still love to know how you got Paraclete as a name for this site. I imagine you know the Greek origin of the word.

Yes I do know the meaning of the word, one who comes along side and helps or a counselor. I also am aware of the biblical use of the term. You might note I don't capitalise the name

Where does the money for the federal foreign aid come from?? A money tree?

Yes that is where the libs think it comes from, it grows in Washington.. But don't worry even if the feds increase foreign aid there is not much chance that any of the money would actually get out of the country

[tomder55]

I know Oleg Deripaska ! Christopher Steele was working on the dossier at the same time he was lobbying Bruce Ohr on behalf of Deripaska over his visa status !! It's amazing how the same cast of characters keep on popping up in this charade .Steele repeatedly advocated for Deripaska at the time (early 2016) .Steele completed the dossier the end of June 2016 .Ohr's wife Nellie was the point person at Fusion GPS working with Steele on the dossier . Bruce Ohr's involvement in the investigation of Trump and Manafort was a conflict of interest .


As far as this Manafort trial is concerned ;the jury needs to come to a decision if Manafort directed the bank fraud committed by Rick Gates or was that Gates own doing ? Interesting to note that although an IRS agent testified that Manafort hid $16 million from the IRS, not once did the IRS target him in the decade involved . I don't believe there was any audit brought up in testimony .

[jlisenbe]

Yes that is where the libs think it comes from, it grows in Washington.. But don't worry even if the feds increase foreign aid there is not much chance that any of the money would actually get out of the country

And much of that which does get out ends up in the pockets of corrupt government officials. We'd probably be shocked to see how little of the money actually gets to the poor souls it is intended to help. Sad deal.

[talaniman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distribution_of_wealth

These Gini values (40.8 in 2007) show the United States to be the third most dis-equitable economy of all the developed nations (behind Denmark and Switzerland).

There is little left after the rich guys take their cut, leaving the rest of us to fight each other for the crumbs.

[jlisenbe]

And how do the rich guys go about "taking their cut"? How do they "take" it?

[talaniman]

Find a duly elected politician, donate big bucks, or donate big bucks to his campaign, and get favorable legislation passed, a regulation changed that's favorable, or a multimillion dollar tax cut on top of favored loopholes, and before you know it he has a huge write-off he turns to CASH. Like a discount at the checkout line. Remember he pays no payroll tax that he redeems later so his money is already in his pocket. Let me ask what was the first thing a rich guy or corporation do with his tax cut? Easy, buy back stocks, split his money with his board, sure sending bonus sounds good to 3 million workers, contingent on his own accounting, but in actual money to a select few, doesn't compare to a raise in wages. Simply do the math.

As an example, Walmart's ONE TIME bonus of $1000 dollars went to workers with 20 years experience, the rest get less or laid off or both.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/12/walm...l-receive.html

• In total, Walmart will spend $400 million in fiscal 2018 to fund one-time bonuses.
• Some workers will receive $1,000, but only if they've served at the company for at least 20 years.
• The announcement came on the heels of new tax legislation.
• Walmart also revealed it would be shuttering dozens of its warehouse club stores across the country.

You can read the rest which includes a break down of how much each worker will get according to service, This is but one example, a newer one. You can look up many others yourself, and go back as far as Romneys Bain capital business model, That factory in Indiana that The Dufus saved by giving them a tax BREAK to stay, but the moved anyway (Yeah Pence was the Governor), or those shuttered plants in the rust belt that went overseas, yep they reaped a tax break from that too.

Haven't heard a word about that pipeline The Dufus promised would be made with American steel either have you? Better check THAT out, while you are holding your nose. The FACTS are out there and it comes down to whether you believe THEM, or a lying, cheating, DUFUS.

Your choice!

[jlisenbe]

In the meantime, the top 5% of taxpayers continue to pay about 60% of all federal income tax. Wow. They don't seem to be getting much for all this influence you say they are buying.

And again, when you talk about a lying, cheating dufus, I don't know if you mean HC or Obama. You need to be more specific. For, you see, therein lies the problem. You had no problem being lied to by liberal democrats, who are also funded by the big money people.

[jlisenbe]

Sadly he succumbed to his illness. We've lost a few good people over the years.

I was afraid of that. Sad. He was entertaining. I enjoyed reading his responses more than anyone else's. Make a mistake, and he'd let you know about it!

[paraclete]

In the meantime, the top 5% of taxpayers continue to pay about 60% of all federal income tax. Wow. They don't seem to be getting much for all this influence you say they are buying.

And again, when you talk about a lying, cheating dufus, I don't know if you mean HC or Obama. You need to be more specific. For, you see, therein lies the problem. You had no problem being lied to by liberal democrats, who are also funded by the big money people.

What you are really saying is the wealthy own the country, pay for the services and consider they are entitled to something for their money. Reviewing the facts I would say they are getting a poor deal, and it was worse under BO and the Demorats. There were screams when these taxpayers were given some sort of break and the unfair impost of health insurance was removed. So what I can't work out is the Demorats are funded by the people with the money and their policies are "generous" to the less wealthy, how come they lost the election? Oh, I remember the HC scream, it was stolen because the system worked against the anointed candidate

[talaniman]

In the meantime, the top 5% of taxpayers continue to pay about 60% of all federal income tax. Wow. They don't seem to be getting much for all this influence you say they are buying.

And again, when you talk about a lying, cheating dufus, I don't know if you mean HC or Obama. You need to be more specific. For, you see, therein lies the problem. You had no problem being lied to by liberal democrats, who are also funded by the big money people.

Sure the top 5% pay 60% of the taxes but they OWN 90% of the wealth. That's what you consider while you defend them after you have done the math.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.fba18f195292

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth..._United_States

[talaniman]

What you are really saying is the wealthy own the country, pay for the services and consider they are entitled to something for their money. Reviewing the facts I would say they are getting a poor deal, and it was worse under BO and the Demorats. There were screams when these taxpayers were given some sort of break and the unfair impost of health insurance was removed. So what I can't work out is the Demorats are funded by the people with the money and their policies are "generous" to the less wealthy, how come they lost the election? Oh, I remember the HC scream, it was stolen because the system worked against the anointed candidate

Naw the Dufus won by winning the electoral college because he won the rust belt states by 80,000 votes. Hey he won, duly and legally, and I'll admit nobody thought a lying, cheating wacko dufus would win, but its water under the bridge now, but you must forgive the left for not bowing down to The Dufus, just as the loony right wingers and repubs didn't bow down to Obama.

Yes the wealthy own the country, but they don't pay for services, taxpayers do, so consider that when you review the facts and I hope I gave you some clarity. Less than 4 months until the next election.

[paraclete]

Naw the Dufus won by winning the electoral college because he won the rust belt states by 80,000 votes. Hey he won, duly and legally, and I'll admit nobody thought a lying, cheating wacko dufus would win, but its water under the bridge now, but you must forgive the left for not bowing down to The Dufus, just as the loony right wingers and repubs didn't bow down to Obama.

Yes the wealthy own the country, but they don't pay for services, taxpayers do, so consider that when you review the facts and I hope I gave you some clarity. Less than 4 months until the next election.

I thought we just established the wealthy pay the taxes, that makes them taxpayers, confusion there. I'm not interested in who bows to who, tug the forelock and get on with it. There is no reason to forgive, I wouldn't want him either, but then I would want a system that works, and selects competent people

[jlisenbe]

Sure the top 5% pay 60% of the taxes but they OWN 90% of the wealth.

I must be missing something. This is the chart from the wikipedia article. As you can see, the top 5% own about 60% of the wealth, not 90%.

I'll admit nobody thought a lying, cheating wacko dufus would win

They were right. She didn't win!

[talaniman]

Everybody is a taxpayer, but is it equitable if the 5% who own 90% of the wealth should only pay 60% of the taxes? Why would they balk at paying 90%?

Why are 95% of the people fighting for a share of the 10% that the wealthy don't own? Just asking.

I must be missing something. This is the chart from the wikipedia article. As you can see, the top 5% own about 60% of the wealth, not 90%.

Attachment 49028



They were right. She didn't win!

They attachment didn't work so a link and copy and paste will do, and humor aside any reference about The Dufus that I make is about the current president... just so you will know who I'm talking about.

[paraclete]

Why are 95% of the people fighting for a share of the 10% that the wealthy don't own? Just asking.

Because they are deluded into thinking it is a free country and they can get their share. The point really is; if the wealthy don't own it, the government does, and therefore they can never get their share. It is bread and circuses all over again. Welfare is the bread and the Circus runs permanently in Washington. You should be aware that the government is run by one of the 1% who own the wealth and no way do you get a share