'Patriotic Millionaires' Beg Supercommittee for Higher Taxes

mikepegg44

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

i am of the opinion that it is not about deficits at all. it is about making obama fail at all costs, and the gop has done a nice job of that...

do you think it is specific to Obama, or they want democratic/liberal policies to fail?

VINNY GOOMBA

There's just too much uncertainty out there for businesses to want to higher anyone right now. At the very least, there should be big cuts in spending and a moratorium on changes to the tax code as well as any new programs and spending for at least five years. Once there is some stability, money will flow again, and revenue will be collected in higher sums as a result of increased business-- not necessarily by increasing taxes, because taxes are all based on percentages. If business is down, increasing the amount of profit to be taxed isn't going to bring in any more money if there's no profit to be had.

EdsonNascimento

Jeanwah wrote:

What I wonder is if people really forget that the rich have always paid more in taxes, right up to Reagan era. I don't know the percentage, but it was double digits from what I remember. So why is it such a big freaking idea NOW? Re-instituting these taxes gets us back to where we were when there was a healthier middle class and healthier country. It's a NO BRAINER.

Personally, I might not mind paying more taxes...IF..... Spending was first cut to a point where the extra taxes would make a difference. I am of the belief that at this moment in our history, all extra taxes is going to do is give the gov't more money to spend without reducing the deficit a penny. That is, is there any relation to taxes collected and monies spent today? So, why would we believe taking more money out of the economy will solve this problem?

So, to me - cut (significanlty) now, and then we can talk taxes. Otherwise, it's spitting in the wind.

Show responsibility, and then I'll trust you again. Is that so hard to understand/expect?

_

EdsonNascimento wrote:

_ wrote:

I think people who say they should just pay more are missing the point. The point is that the system needs to change.

We get the point. But, why not lead by example? Yes, many of them give to charities. So, why not give all that to the gov't to reduce the deficit?

I'll answer my own question - because they know the gov't will mis-use it. Thus, the reason to not raise taxes in the first place. They (think they) know places that will better use the money. Good for them.

So, their solution is make it compulsory. Well, why not keep your mouth shut (or keep talking, whatever) and just put the money into the til? Why do they have to wait until other Millionaires do it? Like gimme said - less of a deficit (in theory) is better than what's going on now (though we all know this money will just be spent and never really go to the deficit).

I don't think it's necessarily because they think the government will misuse it. I think it's because changing the system is a long-term solution but individuals making donations is just a temporary band-aid that doesn't actually solve the problem.

EdsonNascimento

_ wrote:

EdsonNascimento wrote:

_ wrote:

I think people who say they should just pay more are missing the point. The point is that the system needs to change.

We get the point. But, why not lead by example? Yes, many of them give to charities. So, why not give all that to the gov't to reduce the deficit?

I'll answer my own question - because they know the gov't will mis-use it. Thus, the reason to not raise taxes in the first place. They (think they) know places that will better use the money. Good for them.

So, their solution is make it compulsory. Well, why not keep your mouth shut (or keep talking, whatever) and just put the money into the til? Why do they have to wait until other Millionaires do it? Like gimme said - less of a deficit (in theory) is better than what's going on now (though we all know this money will just be spent and never really go to the deficit).

I don't think it's necessarily because they think the government will misuse it. I think it's because changing the system is a long-term solution but individuals making donations is just a temporary band-aid that doesn't actually solve the problem.

Either that, or they like the hear themselves speak. :roll:

blueandwhite

EdsonNascimento wrote:

So, to me - cut (significanlty) now, and then we can talk taxes. Otherwise, it's spitting in the wind.

Show responsibility, and then I'll trust you again. Is that so hard to understand/expect?

Why can't there be both? Drastic cuts in wasteful spending along with increased tax revenue to pay down a ballooning deficit? It seems apparent that both a reduction in spending and an increase in tax revenue are needed to restore America to prosperity.

EdsonNascimento

blueandwhite wrote:

EdsonNascimento wrote:

So, to me - cut (significanlty) now, and then we can talk taxes. Otherwise, it's spitting in the wind.

Show responsibility, and then I'll trust you again. Is that so hard to understand/expect?

Why can't there be both? Drastic cuts in wasteful spending along with increased tax revenue to pay down a ballooning deficit? It seems apparent that both a reduction in spending and an increase in tax revenue are needed to restore America to prosperity.

Because the gap is so huge and they always go back on agreements of cuts that until I see it, I won't believe it. But in the land of unicorns, you are absolutely right. I hope to see a unicorn some day.