This is a philosophy that ...See MoreWell, when it comes to the conservative/Republican plan for America, Dan Rather has summed things up about as well as anything I have seen.
(Quote)
"Cruel and unusual," the phrase rings in my head as I read the press reports of President Donald Trump's proposed budget.
(Snip)
This is a philosophy that doesn't believe in helping the poor, rural or urban, or the power of diplomacy or the importance of science. It is a philosophy that doesn't want to protect the environment. It doesn't believe in the arts. This is about putting a noose around much of the United States federal government and hanging it until it shakes with life no more. In the name of reining in waste, it rains pain and suffering amongst the Americans who already are the most vulnerable. It must be remarked that many of these programs are really small budget items in the greater scheme of things, rounding errors in the federal budget. The purpose is to send a message, not to save money.
Rather than investing in what truly will make America great, this philosophy pounds its chest with false bravado. People will die because of this budget. People will suffer.
(End quote)
For the complete quote, Google "Dan Rather Cruel and Unusual."
Mr. Rather ended the quote with the idea that we must return to "a governing philosophy that is hopeful, compassionate, and wise about the role of government in making our world a safer, fairer, and more just place to live."
The word "fairer" made me think of the number of times conservatives on this board have asked for a definition of "fair" regarding taxes. The real answer that Mr. Trump's budget has made clear is; either they do not care about "fair", because it might interfere with their self-interests. Or alternately, their definition of "fair" is so devoid of empathy that their idea of fair could be vicious and sadistic, and they would not know it!
No, but what Trump wants to do is abolish the Alternative Minimum Tax so that he and other 1&37;ers can get away with paying 3 1/2&37; instead of 25&37;. Hell, let's just change the laws so that anyone making a million or more a year doesn't have to pay any taxes. Then multi-millionaires could pay nothing and still be following the law, right? > >> Are you okay with billionaires paying a fractional rate of >> what you pay? > > He paid a higher rate than I did. He also paid a higher rate > than the national average of 22 percent. The only people who > seemed to pay less are big-time democrats ans Hillary > supporters LOLOLOL!
Of course he paid a higher rate than the average. He's a billionaire and we have a graduated tax system. He's supposed to pay a higher percentage of his income in taxes than the average person. As I've said, Trump wants to abolish the AMT, which would result in Trump and other wealthy people having to pay extremely little in taxes.
> IOW, he's trying to do the exact opposite of what you seem to be > suggesting.
All you libs think the Alternative Minimum Tax is set up to hit rich people. You're <b>WRONG</b>. The AMT only his about only 18.2 percent of households with incomes greater than $1 million. What it DOES hit is taxpayers with large families, those who are married, and those who live in high-tax states.
Rachel Maddow claims to have Trumps tax returns! Finally! We will see them tonight. I for one cannot wait for her to show them and tell us who the brave soul is who gave them to her. This man or woman should be hailed for hacking the IRS to get this most important of documents.
On 3/15/17, Tim Finnegan wrote: > And Harry Reid said Romney paid no taxes. And Barack Obama > said if you like your insurance, you can keep it. Period. > > It could have also been Hillary, Obama, Lois Lerner, > Russian hackers. But no one knows for sure, do they? > Except for one person who isn't speaking.