Socialism

[Rightguide]

I read your humble opinion in its entirety.

I'm not willing to conflate single-payer with opening the doors to droves of undocumented immigrants all seeking medical care.

At this point, I'd be happy with making Medicare available to those with pre-existing conditions.

Governor Newsome in California is ready to provide medical care to all illegal aliens in the state because he views them as Residents with equal rights.

 

[Kantarii]

Governor Newsome in California is ready to provide medical care to all illegal aliens in the state because he views them as Residents with equal rights.

Did you see where California is gonna she because Trump wants the money back for their high speed rail?

 

[Kantarii]

I think if (D)'s would take immigration control more seriously (R)'s would be more open to social/public services and programs.

THAT is asking too much for a party who only wants to investigate and not legislate.

 

[OldJourno]

I haven't gone back to check. Are people still foolishly thinking that capitalist countries with high taxes are socialist? There is a huge difference.

 

[FeelgoodSF]

Which way will America go?

I have read the succeeding posts since mine on this thread by Botany Boy, icanhelp1, and Cowslinger64 and all have worthwhile points of view.

I fully agree that the electorate needs to be educated to make an educated vote and that everyone should be responsible for their own shit - points well taken.

Health care and immigration are complex issues and I don't have all the answers, but the politicians don't seem to, either. Like the Beatles aptly sang, "We can work it out."

Doctors, who have spent years in schools and worked hard to get where they are, will always make proportionally more than most, due to their skills. Anesthesiologists and RN's make a pretty good buck, too. Hospitals aren't suffering any lack of profitability - ever look at the bill after a hospital stay? Insurance companies are prospering. Pharmaceutical companies are extremely profitable and have been known to gouge. Why can the same U.S. made pharmaceutical drugs be purchased in Canada for considerably LESS than we pay in the U.S.? Hmmm - Could it be their lobbyists have "greased the palms" of our elected lawmakers, dependent on campaign contributions to get re-elected? I contend that a single-payer health care program can reduce health care costs, because the pharmaceutical companies will take a lower profit to get the lion's share of the business and the insurance companies will have a diminished role in the overall equation.

The tax cut benefited corporations and the top .1% the most while putting our country deeper in debt. Our corporations need to be competitive in a global market, so I am not opposed to their windfall. Okay, the corporations benefit and WHO, among individuals, benefit the most? The stockholders, from rising stock prices due to increased profitability and stock buybacks and also the corporate executives whose salaries and bonuses increase, while the rank and file receive crumbs. The bottom line IS profitability and part of profitability is keeping wages lower. The already wealthy are the beneficiaries and this perpetuates and expands the disparity between society's haves and have-nots.

I, for one, am very disheartened that our nation has become so bitterly divided - to me, this division has started "from the top".

A big point of national contention is immigration. I guess the "give me your hungry and give me your poor" needs to be amended as the new American attitude. Maybe immigration should only be allowed for Norwegians with a few hundred thou in the bank and/or a PHD degree in nuclear physics. There are fewer Norwegians wanting to be Americans, because more of them are happier where they already live. Unfortunately, the immigrants we fear are the majority, who come through our southern border. Most of them are just looking for a better life from living in an environment where there, literally, may be a life or death situation for them. Few are smuggling drugs and few are MS13 gang members. Let's dissuade them from coming by separating the parents from their children. For a country which advocates freedom of religion, we have a travel ban from countries that are predominately Muslim. These are just modern day contradictions from values that we used to have.

There needs to be immigration reform and that ought to include quotas. I am not suggesting that America should accept everyone. and all should be properly vetted.

Our unemployment rate is lower than I can remember it in my lifetime. We actually NEED some immigrants to boost the tax-paying popultion. There are jobs (stoop labor as an example) that we can't get our labor force to do, but an immigrant will. I'm sure there are numerous businesses that hire undocumented aliens.......and that's not right, because it aids and abets the illegals. Because our population is aging, many retired, not working, and collecting Social Security, we need more workers to pay taxes - immigrants can improve this situation. Native born Americans are having fewer children nowadays - good responsibility dictates not having more children than can be afforded - but Central Americans or Mexicans, who probably adhere to a "good Catholic doctrine" tend to have larger numbers of children; sadly the "browning of America" is something opposed by many of those advocating making America great (like it was in the 50's) when the majority of us were of Caucasian European ancestry, but SOMEBODY in our family tree was an immigrant. We are a nation of immigrants, more are now coming from south of the border, they tend to breed in greater numbers, and we are becoming more multi-cultural all the time - it's happening and we would be better off accepting it rather than fighting it. Prior to her death, my elderly mom had a lady from El Salvador, a complete sweetheart, as an in-home health care worker. For the last year of her life, mom was in a board and care home, run by fine and caring Filipinos. Once in my working career, I worked for an Iranian, who was the salt of the earth - a wonderful man whom I hold in the highest of esteem. Many of my former customers in my last job were Middle Eastern men and women - all great people whom I considered to be friends as well as customers.

I have lived in San Francisco, among the highest cost-of-living cities in the U.S., for many years and homelessness here has always been a big problem. It's easier to live in a tent in January in San Francisco than it would be in Minneapolis. For a pretty and picturesque city that achieves a large part of its economy through tourism, panhandlers, homelessness, tents on the city streets, the smell of urine in an apartment front door alcove, is an unsightly and unsanitary blight........and like immigration, there are no easy solutions to the situation. There are homeless people who have mental illness, those with substance abuse problems, some who are out of work, and unfortunately there are a portion who choose to be homeless as a lifestyle, living on the public dole. For those who financially shoulder their burden through our taxes, it's easy to be resentful.

Capitalism, which provides the incentive to achieve the American dream is something for all, yet our fear is that immigrants are only coming here to take freebies, to take OUR benefits, and not to contribute to the good of our society.

Every American who is of working age needs to contribute his fair share of tax money. Most wealthy people know how to legally shelter their tax burden so that they may pay zero tax dollars - the game IS rigged for the wealthy. The tax laws need to be amended and the rates people will pay need to be more progressively increased. It's not a matter of punishing the rich, but for everyone to pay a fair share.

 

[BotanyBoy]

Our unemployment rate is lower than I can remember it in my lifetime. We actually NEED some immigrants to boost the tax-paying popultion. There are jobs (stoop labor as an example) that we can't get our labor force to do, but an immigrant will.

And lower the value of labor exchange?

Don't allow uncontrolled immigration and someone will pay our labor force to do it.

Allow our labor force to get undercut? The value of labor goes down...it's simple supply and demand, if you want labor to be more valuable (wages going up) then you have to choke it's supply back. That's what unions do....that's what a strike is...cutting off labor to negotiate a better price. Controlling our immigration/borders is like keeping the scabs out.

A big point of national contention is immigration. I guess the "give me your hungry and give me your poor" needs to be amended as the new American attitude.

That was during a time of EXTREME libertarianism where there was ZERO social policy burden for people to bare. People came here to be FREE and they knew the price of that freedom meant they were also free to fail.

Every American who is of working age needs to contribute his fair share of tax money. Most wealthy people know how to legally shelter their tax burden so that they may pay zero tax dollars - the game IS rigged for the wealthy.

Define fair share. Well they already paid tax on it when they earned it, they should be able to shelter whatever is left over.

How is it rigged for the wealthy?? They pay a disproportionate amount of the taxes.

The tax laws need to be amended and the rates people will pay need to be more progressively increased.

They are already some of the most progressive in the world....the lower 47% don't pay taxes.

When will they start paying their fair share?

It's not a matter of punishing the rich, but for everyone to pay a fair share.

Again, define fair share....is it fair the lower 47% don't pay shit?

If things are to be fair IMO they (the lower 47%) need to start paying in instead of freeloading, otherwise it IS a matter of punishing the rich. That creates division....you want to see some of that division go away? Start taxing the lower 47%.

 

[oggbashan]

I read your humble opinion in its entirety.

I'm not willing to conflate single-payer with opening the doors to droves of undocumented immigrants all seeking medical care.

At this point, I'd be happy with making Medicare available to those with pre-existing conditions.

And when that comes to pass, wouldn't it make sense to offer a chance to "buy in" to anyone who wishes to be covered by Medicare? What's the drawback there, are we denying insurance companies their God-given right to profits if some guy can find cheaper insurance through the government?

Britain's NHS does not provide free health care to undocumented immigrants or tourists. They will provide emergency cover and bill for it. Many do not pay their bills leaving the NHS with unpaid debts. It is not a large amount compared with the NHS's total budget but is an irritation seized on by some politicians.

What the NHS does have is reciprocal arrangements to provide basic health care for people from countries that have universal health care. Brits travelling in Europe and other named countries are covered but travel insurance is recommended because some reciprocal health care is very basic indeed.

 

[icanhelp1]

I have read the succeeding posts since mine on this thread by Botany Boy, icanhelp1, and Cowslinger64 and all have worthwhile points of view.

I fully agree that the electorate needs to be educated to make an educated vote and that everyone should be responsible for their own shit - points well taken.

Health care and immigration are complex issues and I don't have all the answers, but the politicians don't seem to, either. Like the Beatles aptly sang, "We can work it out."

Doctors, who have spent years in schools and worked hard to get where they are, will always make proportionally more than most, due to their skills. Anesthesiologists and RN's make a pretty good buck, too. Hospitals aren't suffering any lack of profitability - ever look at the bill after a hospital stay? Insurance companies are prospering. Pharmaceutical companies are extremely profitable and have been known to gouge. Why can the same U.S. made pharmaceutical drugs be purchased in Canada for considerably LESS than we pay in the U.S.? Hmmm - Could it be their lobbyists have "greased the palms" of our elected lawmakers, dependent on campaign contributions to get re-elected? I contend that a single-payer health care program can reduce health care costs, because the pharmaceutical companies will take a lower profit to get the lion's share of the business and the insurance companies will have a diminished role in the overall equation.

The tax cut benefited corporations and the top .1% the most while putting our country deeper in debt. Our corporations need to be competitive in a global market, so I am not opposed to their windfall. Okay, the corporations benefit and WHO, among individuals, benefit the most? The stockholders, from rising stock prices due to increased profitability and stock buybacks and also the corporate executives whose salaries and bonuses increase, while the rank and file receive crumbs. The bottom line IS profitability and part of profitability is keeping wages lower. The already wealthy are the beneficiaries and this perpetuates and expands the disparity between society's haves and have-nots.

I, for one, am very disheartened that our nation has become so bitterly divided - to me, this division has started "from the top".

A big point of national contention is immigration. I guess the "give me your hungry and give me your poor" needs to be amended as the new American attitude. Maybe immigration should only be allowed for Norwegians with a few hundred thou in the bank and/or a PHD degree in nuclear physics. There are fewer Norwegians wanting to be Americans, because more of them are happier where they already live. Unfortunately, the immigrants we fear are the majority, who come through our southern border. Most of them are just looking for a better life from living in an environment where there, literally, may be a life or death situation for them. Few are smuggling drugs and few are MS13 gang members. Let's dissuade them from coming by separating the parents from their children. For a country which advocates freedom of religion, we have a travel ban from countries that are predominately Muslim. These are just modern day contradictions from values that we used to have.

There needs to be immigration reform and that ought to include quotas. I am not suggesting that America should accept everyone. and all should be properly vetted.

Our unemployment rate is lower than I can remember it in my lifetime. We actually NEED some immigrants to boost the tax-paying popultion. There are jobs (stoop labor as an example) that we can't get our labor force to do, but an immigrant will. I'm sure there are numerous businesses that hire undocumented aliens.......and that's not right, because it aids and abets the illegals. Because our population is aging, many retired, not working, and collecting Social Security, we need more workers to pay taxes - immigrants can improve this situation. Native born Americans are having fewer children nowadays - good responsibility dictates not having more children than can be afforded - but Central Americans or Mexicans, who probably adhere to a "good Catholic doctrine" tend to have larger numbers of children; sadly the "browning of America" is something opposed by many of those advocating making America great (like it was in the 50's) when the majority of us were of Caucasian European ancestry, but SOMEBODY in our family tree was an immigrant. We are a nation of immigrants, more are now coming from south of the border, they tend to breed in greater numbers, and we are becoming more multi-cultural all the time - it's happening and we would be better off accepting it rather than fighting it. Prior to her death, my elderly mom had a lady from El Salvador, a complete sweetheart, as an in-home health care worker. For the last year of her life, mom was in a board and care home, run by fine and caring Filipinos. Once in my working career, I worked for an Iranian, who was the salt of the earth - a wonderful man whom I hold in the highest of esteem. Many of my former customers in my last job were Middle Eastern men and women - all great people whom I considered to be friends as well as customers.

I have lived in San Francisco, among the highest cost-of-living cities in the U.S., for many years and homelessness here has always been a big problem. It's easier to live in a tent in January in San Francisco than it would be in Minneapolis. For a pretty and picturesque city that achieves a large part of its economy through tourism, panhandlers, homelessness, tents on the city streets, the smell of urine in an apartment front door alcove, is an unsightly and unsanitary blight........and like immigration, there are no easy solutions to the situation. There are homeless people who have mental illness, those with substance abuse problems, some who are out of work, and unfortunately there are a portion who choose to be homeless as a lifestyle, living on the public dole. For those who financially shoulder their burden through our taxes, it's easy to be resentful.

Capitalism, which provides the incentive to achieve the American dream is something for all, yet our fear is that immigrants are only coming here to take freebies, to take OUR benefits, and not to contribute to the good of our society.

Every American who is of working age needs to contribute his fair share of tax money. Most wealthy people know how to legally shelter their tax burden so that they may pay zero tax dollars - the game IS rigged for the wealthy. The tax laws need to be amended and the rates people will pay need to be more progressively increased. It's not a matter of punishing the rich, but for everyone to pay a fair share.

1. Lobbying is a problem. Retired politicians should not be allowed to lobby at all, it perpetuates cronyism.

2. We have no idea of the 'who' 'what' 'where', or how many illegal immigrants reside in our country. Some would have you believe they all pay taxes, that's not true. It's impossible to quantify what they pay in taxes or how much they reinvest into the economy. Our laws benefit the people who stay under the radar. No one I know finds them evil, they want a better life but they have to be vetted, they have to pay their way just like american citizens do. I'm not going into sanctuary state hood but citizens are paying for illegal migrants. Mayors and governors are putting tax money aside to provide services and educate illegals. NYC is 119 billion dollars in debt and yet they spend money they don't have on educating illegal migrants. My kids, your kids loose out and I'm really pissed off about that. We need immigrants but not the way it's happening now. Remember Ellis Island, we punish those people who did it right because we have a gutless congress who fails us at every turn. It makes my stomach turn just watching these arrogant clowns destroy our country. There are solutions to these problems it's just that we have a bunch of morons in office. Please spare me the TDS.

3. Large corporations are not responsible for our debt. Could they pay more, agreed, but would not solve our debt crisis. 40% of Americans pay no taxes at all. Irresponsible spending habits cause our debt. Failure to cut or consolidate redundant programs is a big part of it. Our heart is bigger than our brain. We are 22 trillion dollars in debt with an interest payment of about 450 billion dollars. Just think of what we could do with 450 billion. Our politicians have mortgaged our kids future, and for what? SO THEY CAN STAY IN OFFICE. I believe in term limits which would put a stop to this perpetual campaigning, maybe they can get something done then move on and get a real job. Everyone likes who they voted for but are they legislating for the greater good. Providing services for people who don't belong here is just plain fucking stupid!!! People say cut the military. That's the one constitutional responsibility of the government, defends its citizens. Could it be run more efficiently, of course, but so could every other big bureaucracy. But once politicians get fat on pork you can't wean them off of it, that's both parties. If you think socialism fixes that, you're on crack.

I have yet to find a politician who can define " FAIR SHARE " What is a fair share. When revenues increase they fucken spend even more, they never pay down the debt, they fine a way to sanctimoniously spend your money on shit you don't need or don't want or unfair. They put their interest ahead of ours. A good example is educational spending, which I mentioned previously. We have more than enough money to fund our educational system, the problem is, we have dumb asses running it. From 1st to 38 in the world in less than 30 years. They, the elitess, play on your emotions to lobby for more money and no one has the courage to hold them accountable. I talk to teachers all the time and they are frustrated. Parents have delegated the responsibility of bringing up their children to the school department. What a shit shute. But if teachers administer discipline parents go into a rage. School lunches? I never had school lunches and I turned out OK. Feed your kids breakfast at home. Whose knows better what's best for your kid than mom. Don't give me the shit parents don't have time, BULLSHIT!!!, both my parents worked but they made time, they arranged for babysitters to fill in dead spots. It's one excuse after another to shirk our responsibilities as parents. Democratic socialism isn't going to teach people to be self reliant and accept responsibility for themselves, JUST THE OPPOSITE, it will make us more dependant on government. FUCK THAT, I don't want any part of that. However I do believe that a smartly and equitably managed child care system would benefit the working parent. I understand the abundance of single parents and how they could use assistance. I'm kind of proud that single parents work through it all and we need to help them. They refuse to game the system and contribute to society not burdan it. We need child care services, the sooner the better, for all working parents. That's not socialism but public a public service so spare me the comparison banter.

Our college educational system is so fucked up I don't know where to start. The patients are running the asylum. These entitled children are dictating to our educators how things are going to go or they'll have a hissy fit and burn their buildings down. When I was in college if I so much as showed any kind of disrespect to an instructor or professor I would have found myself outside looking in and then in deep deep shit with my dad. Not today! The slogan today is " we want our education, we want it our way or you take the highway and we want the taxpayer to pay for it. I paid my own way and I managed along with millions of other americans and we were better for it. It taught us how to be responsible for ourselves and how to budget our money. We have elitess educators who are poisoning the minds of our kids with this pie in the sky bullshit. It's getting to the point a college degree doesn't mean shit anymore. The more the government funds the more tuition goes up and we as a community are too fucking stupid to stop the insanity. It's time for administrators to start losing their jobs. Since when did it become a priority for colleges and higher learning institutions to become billion dollar profitable organizations. It's more about money than our students. Our students are not being taught the best standards nor are they being prepared for life in the real world. And since when did it become unpopular to become a plumber, electrician, heavy equipment operator. I have friends that are millionaires doing just that. Not everyone belongs in college.

Taxing large companies and corporations is a delicate balance. Being a free market society is just that, the freedom to make as much money as you can. Companies can't finance big government through excessive taxation and democratic socialism is just that. Emerging countries offer a plethora of opportunities for large corporations and give those companies an opportunity to benefit in many ways, cheap labor, subsidies and trade opportunities just to name a few. To tax our companies to the point that they are no longer competitive in the world market, they will move and protect their shareholders interest and wealth. We have to make america an appealing and an advantageous place to conduct business. Companies don't exist to lose money. I've never seen a poor man give another man a job. We complain about companies not paying their fair share, well there we go again. We have idiots at the helm of this country who fail to reform our tax system. We sit here and bitch that corporations don't pay their fair share. Who's fucking fault is that. Just like we as a people will pay only what we need to pay to be legal, so it goes with corporations. Democratic socialism won't fix that either. You know what fixes things? Good management and smart leadership because without good leadership democratic socialism doesn't work either.

Why is it some of the wealthiest income cities in america are in the worst condition. Poor leadership, drifting away from our ideals and values and putting their interest ahead of their own citizens and yet we as an electorate continue to vote them in. We as an electorate do not do our homework. Why did New Yorkers vote in the #1 baffone in the history of politics. Beats me, but how's that going for you poor New Yorkers, and now he's running for president,it's laughable. Nancy Pelosi says walls are immoral but yet she lives in a million dollar mansion surrounded by walls, blatant hypocrisy. Do as I say not as I do, and we're blind to it.

Anyone can point to an individual's unfair experience but we can't lead or govern with a scatter brain '[ please everyone ] mentality. Establish rules and laws that guide this huge ship and give everyone an opportunity to flourish based on incentive and intestinal fortitude and on the way, help the less fortunate to achieve a decent life. A level playing field looks like this, a level floor, drop a hand full of marbles and watch where they roll without obstructions or pathways. Not everyone has the same potential but everyone has the freedom to reach their potential. Wealth distribution will ruin that freedom and eliminate incentives to grow. When you minimize competition, try equalize achievement so there are no winners or losers we do a great disservice to our children. We teach them to become average at best and we lose the competitive edge.

So what is income inequality? A ceo is compensated based on what the market bares and what stockholders will pay for his skill set and leadership. He is responsible for anticipating the future of a company ( growth ), forward thinking and creating a culture of winners. He's responsible for long range planning and the
successful longevity and profitability of his company and most of all; CUSTOMER SERVICE. Immense responsibility. IF ONLY OUR GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE THE QUE! When the government starts to dictate your value we are fucked. We need to be careful with minimum wage statutes, It's a dual edge sword, it helps some and hurts others. It may elevate the pay for one but reduce employment opportunities for others. The only role government should play in income equality is giving its citizens an opportunity to flourish. Provide the resources to better yourself based on your initiative, not wipe your ass for you or provide you a hand out because you're too lazy to do something about it. Employment competition is a healthy thing. A shrinking labor force due to full employment and a good economy increases value thus increasing compensation. If an economy stalls due to government intervention and wealth distribution, stagnation is not far behind. Use the USSR as a model of socialism gone awry. Study Finland, Canada, and others, but research from the beginning of their delving into democratic socialism. They're great countries but not the utopia you think they are. The larger the population the less efficient socialism becomes. Bernie Sanders is a capitalist disguised as a democratic socialist. He made his millions using the same system he denigrates. Do your homework and don't let someone or some government determine your self worth.

 

[FeelgoodSF]

Immigration/politics/capitalism/socialism/$ fairness/Responsibility

This will be my last post on these issues. I don't want to devote the time nor do I have the inclination to debate/argue a point(s) - it's not going to change the situations that exist - we're just expressing opinions. One of my favorite lines is from the movie "Home for the Holidays: "Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one and everybody thinks that everybody else's stink, except his own." I agree with some of the points others have made and disagree with others; it's my right and it's your right, and part and parcel of freedom of speech to express them..

One thing that I think we all agree with is that each person must take responsibility for himself and his family affairs, contributing to the GNP by working, and contributing to society by paying fair taxes. In the 50's, the top tax bracket was 90%. It is now 35% (which was reduced by the tax cut - why?). The top .001% especially, and the top .01%, as well and the top 1%, too command an extraordinarily bigger slice of the overall pie than ever before. The disparity of wealth is perhaps the biggest problem that we have nationally.....not immigration. I am not an accountant nor a statistician, so I'll generalize. Your wages, less the money you spend for necessities equals your disposable income. People who live hand-to-mouth have little disposable income and the wealthy have LOTS and LOTS of disposable income. I believe in a living wage so that everyone can afford rent, food, and clothing. The income tax needs to be zero, up and until a certain level. From there, progressive tax brackets and accompanying tax percentages need to be established. Lots of exemptions need to be eliminated, simplifying matters. I think the top bracket should be at least 50%. I would not be opposed to a one-time"wealth tax" (1-2%+/-) on the richest Americans (think Buffet, Ellison, Gates, Soros, Koch brothers, Walton family, Bezos, Wynn, etc.) We "working stiffs", at least most of us, get taxes and FICA withheld by our employer, so when we do our taxes on 4/15, we either have more to pay or we get a refund. Rich people have accountants to help legally minimize their taxes, through tax shelters, lowering them and, in some cases, eliminating them altogether - a typical way of doing this is through owning income properties which are depreciated each year and the depreciation will be MORE than the taxes owed, so the owner pays no income taxes.

There needs to be an immigration policy in effect. Immigrants need to be thoroughly vetted. The vast majority of immigrants are only looking for a better life for themselves and are willing to work, often doing the unskilled labor jobs that even the very few unemployed Americans don't want to do (eg. stoop labor) - a farmer can't afford to pay $20/hr. to pick lettuce or the price of lettuce would be more than the buying traffic would bear. In general, immigrants are not just looking to cash in on all the freebies. Companies and individuals who hire undocumented aliens should be severely fined. If there are no jobs for illegal aliens, they won't want to be here. Without immigrants, our U.S. population would be shrinking, due to lower birth rates - we need more, not less, immigrants to keep the wheels of commerce turning and to fund Social Security.

I believe in capitalism which fosters initiative, innovation, hard work, and the chance for the American Dream. I believe in some form of a single payer health care system - it should be a right. We, as a country, have to make spending for education a priority and something needs to be done to make a college education more affordable, not putting the student in a six-figure debt when he graduates. A good child care system would be welcome, especially for the single parent families.

I agree with term limitations for politicians - no more career politicians - and they should have a health care program and a 401(k) retirement program, no different from any other American citizen. I believe in publicly funded elections which would eliminate the need for campaign contribution donations from lobbyists and big wealthy donors. This could curtail a lot of the graft and corruption that exist in politics today. I believe in the end to gerrymandering, a voter ID card for all voting citizens, and an end to the electoral college, replaced by a popular vote to elect our officials.

That's all folks!

 

[Que]

I met a woman last night who left the Soviet Ukraine (obviouslly as a child.) She mentioned something about having a conversation the night before with someone who told her that he does not discuss politics or religion.

Although I noticed a trace of an accent I had no idea where she was from or where her politics were. I bit. She is staunchly libertarian.

 

[SpeareChucker]

Capitalist countries with high taxes are not tending towards Socialism?



Why would they just simply pay high taxes if the government was luring them with "programs?"

 

[icanhelp1]

This will be my last post on these issues. I don't want to devote the time nor do I have the inclination to debate/argue a point(s) - it's not going to change the situations that exist - we're just expressing opinions. One of my favorite lines is from the movie "Home for the Holidays: "Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one and everybody thinks that everybody else's stink, except his own." I agree with some of the points others have made and disagree with others; it's my right and it's your right, and part and parcel of freedom of speech to express them..

One thing that I think we all agree with is that each person must take responsibility for himself and his family affairs, contributing to the GNP by working, and contributing to society by paying fair taxes. In the 50's, the top tax bracket was 90%. It is now 35% (which was reduced by the tax cut - why?). The top .001% especially, and the top .01%, as well and the top 1%, too command an extraordinarily bigger slice of the overall pie than ever before. The disparity of wealth is perhaps the biggest problem that we have nationally.....not immigration. I am not an accountant nor a statistician, so I'll generalize. Your wages, less the money you spend for necessities equals your disposable income. People who live hand-to-mouth have little disposable income and the wealthy have LOTS and LOTS of disposable income. I believe in a living wage so that everyone can afford rent, food, and clothing. The income tax needs to be zero, up and until a certain level. From there, progressive tax brackets and accompanying tax percentages need to be established. Lots of exemptions need to be eliminated, simplifying matters. I think the top bracket should be at least 50%. I would not be opposed to a one-time"wealth tax" (1-2%+/-) on the richest Americans (think Buffet, Ellison, Gates, Soros, Koch brothers, Walton family, Bezos, Wynn, etc.) We "working stiffs", at least most of us, get taxes and FICA withheld by our employer, so when we do our taxes on 4/15, we either have more to pay or we get a refund. Rich people have accountants to help legally minimize their taxes, through tax shelters, lowering them and, in some cases, eliminating them altogether - a typical way of doing this is through owning income properties which are depreciated each year and the depreciation will be MORE than the taxes owed, so the owner pays no income taxes.

There needs to be an immigration policy in effect. Immigrants need to be thoroughly vetted. The vast majority of immigrants are only looking for a better life for themselves and are willing to work, often doing the unskilled labor jobs that even the very few unemployed Americans don't want to do (eg. stoop labor) - a farmer can't afford to pay $20/hr. to pick lettuce or the price of lettuce would be more than the buying traffic would bear. In general, immigrants are not just looking to cash in on all the freebies. Companies and individuals who hire undocumented aliens should be severely fined. If there are no jobs for illegal aliens, they won't want to be here. Without immigrants, our U.S. population would be shrinking, due to lower birth rates - we need more, not less, immigrants to keep the wheels of commerce turning and to fund Social Security.

I believe in capitalism which fosters initiative, innovation, hard work, and the chance for the American Dream. I believe in some form of a single payer health care system - it should be a right. We, as a country, have to make spending for education a priority and something needs to be done to make a college education more affordable, not putting the student in a six-figure debt when he graduates. A good child care system would be welcome, especially for the single parent families.

I agree with term limitations for politicians - no more career politicians - and they should have a health care program and a 401(k) retirement program, no different from any other American citizen. I believe in publicly funded elections which would eliminate the need for campaign contribution donations from lobbyists and big wealthy donors. This could curtail a lot of the graft and corruption that exist in politics today. I believe in the end to gerrymandering, a voter ID card for all voting citizens, and an end to the electoral college, replaced by a popular vote to elect our officials.

That's all folks!

Out here.