quote:

ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

How long has it been since we actually had a balanced budget? ...... 1957

Now, do you really want to look into the history of stopgag measures for the federal budget?

quote:

ORIGINAL: fmfclwu

http://blogs.ajc.com/mike-luckovich/files/2011/02/mike02162011.jpg  I guess there's no images here?

Anyways, the real ways to be serious about reducing the deficit are health care and taxes.  Health care now eats 1/6 of our GDP without giving us better results than most countries who spend well less than half of what we do.  The employer-based model of health insurance in the U.S. is the worst possible setup - we cannot rely on the market to control costs when the consumers are isolated from the costs.

We also need to fix all the tax loopholes that have been added over the years.  The top 400 wealthiest Americans, who control more wealth than the bottom 60% of Americans COMBINED, payed an effective tax rate of 16.6% (as of 2007) because of all the loopholes set up for the rich.  When Bill Gates has a lower tax rate than his secretary, something needs to change.

quote:

ORIGINAL: willbeurdaddy

quote:

ORIGINAL: fmfclwu

http://blogs.ajc.com/mike-luckovich/files/2011/02/mike02162011.jpg  I guess there's no images here?

Anyways, the real ways to be serious about reducing the deficit are health care and taxes.  Health care now eats 1/6 of our GDP without giving us better results than most countries who spend well less than half of what we do.  The employer-based model of health insurance in the U.S. is the worst possible setup - we cannot rely on the market to control costs when the consumers are isolated from the costs.

We also need to fix all the tax loopholes that have been added over the years.  The top 400 wealthiest Americans, who control more wealth than the bottom 60% of Americans COMBINED, payed an effective tax rate of 16.6% (as of 2007) because of all the loopholes set up for the rich.  When Bill Gates has a lower tax rate than his secretary, something needs to change.

Paragraph 1 A+
Paragrapy 2 D-

The capital gains tax rate is not a "loophole", and is the reason for low effective tax rates among the wealthiest individuals. It is critical to keep them investing. It is the primary reason that Clinton came close to balancing the budget. There are virtually no other "loopholes" for individuals.
And dont buy the bullshit you read about them having a lower effective tax rates than their "secretaries". The top 400 have an effective tax rate of around 17.5%. A $50k earner taking only standard deductions has an effective tax rate around 5%. At 75k its around 8%. At 200k with fairly typical itemized deductions its around 15%.

quote:

ORIGINAL: rulemylife

Document your "effective tax rates" or stfu.

quote:

ORIGINAL: willbeurdaddy

quote:

ORIGINAL: rulemylife

Document your "effective tax rates" or stfu.

ORLY. Before I do, why dont you tell us which ones you dispute.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

How long has it been since we actually had a balanced budget? ...... 1957

Now, do you really want to look into the history of stopgag measures for the federal budget?

quote:

ORIGINAL: truckinslave

I want them to write a balanced budget.
I them to pass it.
I want them to sign an oath on their lives, fortunes, and honor that they will not vote on anything save an honestly-scored balanced budget until such is signed into law.
I want them to adjourn.

Let Barry and Harry see if they can do more than dither and defend spending my tax dollars on fucking cowboy poetry.

It only takes 218.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrRodgers

quote:

ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

How long has it been since we actually had a balanced budget? ...... 1957

Now, do you really want to look into the history of stopgag measures for the federal budget?

Fiscal 2000 and in fact the last of 3 consecutive years...a surplus.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bull5o

The interesting thing is if you look at the last time the united states had a truly balanced budget it was during the esienhower years. Actually a positive year. Just google to verify. The problem is we spend more then we take in. And with all the tax breaks it doesn't help the situtation. To break it down. A 17 percent flat tax on persons would work if they had a different rate for corporations. ( especially ones that do business in america and keep their headquarters. In more tax friendly countries.) I live and work in DC. Based on what I see with the lobbists their really isn't a different between the two parties. Republicans get alot of their money from pro business and the dens from labor. They pass bills that hose the middle incom since we are the biggest taxable group out there to support the people and groups that keep them in power.