Anti Tax Day; April 15, 2009

[amicus]

Rumor has it over 2,000 rallies will take place nationwide. Will they? What will it mean?

The White House is aware and whispers, "don't worry, we've got it handled..."

Yeah, sure, bozo.

Any predictions, ya'll?

amicus...

 

[S-Des]

I'm not big on predictions, but I think there will be some sizable turnouts. I am a very big fan of people protesting if they have a problem with something (rather than just bitching to friends), so I think it's a good thing, but I don't see what it will change. If anyone thinks Congress is overly concerned with the people who disagree with them, then they haven't been paying attention. After tomorrow it'll go back to business as usual, even if the numbers are huge.

On the flip side, if the numbers are smaller than some are predicting, it will hurt the people against this insane spending. If they show themselves to have no political will, you better believe Congress (Democrats and Republicans alike) will keep ramming through their pork without any concern for the downside of what will happen.

 

[amicus]

Ageed...if things remain as they are...but...there are some other things going on, the 10th amendment, States rights thing here and there and, 'bailout blues', as several large corporations are attempting to give the money back but they are not permitted to do so.

It has to do with the 'plan' requiring a majority of major banks going along with the directions given by government...

It may well just be my personal desire that things change in my direction for a change...and nothing more, but it is curious and mildly entertaining to watch the spin at work.



ami

 

[S-Des]

It may well just be my personal desire that things change in my direction for a change...and nothing more, but it is curious and mildly entertaining to watch the spin at work.
ami

Libertarianism really seems to be a growing movement, but unfortunately most of the support comes from the Republican ranks. Instead of a viable third party, this just makes two weaker parties along with the Democrats (although I'm sure they wouldn't complain). Personally I don't know what the answer is, unless they split into four parties (including a Conservative Democrat party, which would be what I'm closest to). Libertarians are a little too hardcore fiscally Conservative for my tastes (and the no government inspector thing creeps me out), and Republicans can't seem to get their Social wing under control, which makes voting for them really difficult. I'd be OK if I could have a good Democrat to vote for like Heath Schuler, but most of the ones around here are WAY Left of the mainstream (which leaves Illinois a hodgepodge of districts that gets nothing done). There's a ton of corruption here, which makes it even harder to take the Dems seriously (although the Republicans would probably be just as bad if they could get away with it).

 

[amicus]

I always forget to commend your Sig line and the August Rush reference, that is one of the many films I emailed my brood to take a gander at.

I suppose I would hope for a massive turn-out tomorrow that forced the world of politics to acknowledge the people.

ami

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

AMICUS

We're in the bullshit phase of the process. People arent mad enough, and the pols are joining in the fun....around here they are.

The worm will turn when Obama sends ass-clowns with guns to the rallys, and someone gets hurt.

 

[S-Des]

Well, it looks like the protests are going to be wildly successful. Interestingly, there seems to be a fair amount of bi-partisan protesting with Democrat, Republican and Independent/Libertarian speakers and attendees. They showed a poll and Democrats who said they'd attend was not that much less than Republicans.

I'm still not sure if Congress cares (or if any of this touches Obama yet), but it's good to see people do something instead of just complaining (and that so far it's been very restrained and not too political).

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The government wont care until protestors get in the way of business as usual.

The protestors need to be marching in front of local Congressional offices. You always want to do these protests in someones face.

As an interesting aside, Adolph Hitler always marched at the front of the mob when violence was likely. His shoulder was dislocated on one occasion, in a confrontation with police.

 

[jomar]

What we got around here is a bunch of protesters talking about direct, indirect and consumption taxes, then declining to comment when the reporter asks if they filed taxes this year.

 

[amicus]

I noticed several 'Atlas is Shrugging' signs in the various rally sites, quite impressive for a 50 year old novel whose author has been dead for 20 years.

Atlas Shrugged Tops Amazon’s Bestseller List
Washington, D.C., March 18, 2009--Earlier this year Ayn Rand’s prophetic novel Atlas Shrugged was selling at triple the rate it sold at in the beginning of 2008. Now the novel is soaring to even greater heights, and its trade paperback edition is currently in first place in the Classics category on Amazon.com’s best-seller list for sales in the United States. The 50th anniversary mass-market paperback edition of Atlas Shrugged ranks as #2 and the trade paperback Centennial edition ranks as #3. For several weeks Atlas Shrugged has been holding steady in the top 10 best-sellers in the broader United States Literature and Fiction category, and as of the writing of this release, different editions of the novel stand at #3, #5 and #6 in Amazon’s ranking.

In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, explained the parallels between Atlas Shrugged and today’s events.

“In Atlas Shrugged, Rand tells the story of the U.S. economy crumbling under the weight of crushing government interventions and regulations. Meanwhile, blaming greed and the free market, Washington responds with more controls that only deepen the crisis. Sound familiar?”

Interesting how the 'media' in general, is covering the anti tax rallies.

ami

 

[Pure]

only in the us,

NO ONE at the 'tax rallies' is having taxes on his income, rise!

the fellows on unemployment, and the people with jobs whose taxes are NOT being raised are moved by the threats of SOCIALISM: namely, the wealthist 5% face a couple percent rise in income tax rate for the last dollars earned.

as far as the bailouts, thse are the people likely to be hurt by the collapse of the auto industry, but again SOCIALISM, fear of, will lead them to say "DON"T dictate terms to the execs of the companies bailed out." IOW leave them in charge of the mess they created.

the fearful american will get focused gay marriage, while his health coverage disappears, and he defends "choose your doctor" whom he can't afford, over .. guess what? ... SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!

 

[JamesSD]

People don't much like paying taxes. But they sure do like the benefits taxes pay for.

The trouble with these rallies is they seem like a weird conglomaration of complete no-tax loonies (i.e. those who don't think the government has any right to charge taxes at all), flat-taxers (shudder), and people who are just generally unhappy about the size and scope of the federal government and recent bailouts.

On top of that, as Pure noted, the people who actually bother showing up to these rallies are almost certainly going to benefit under the Obama plan. Those with the economic freedom to do so almost certainly have better things to do with their time.

Of course, I imagine the actual headcounts will be far lower than the number of people who voted for Ron Paul in the '08 election as a write-in.

 

[S-Des]

NO ONE at the 'tax rallies' is having taxes on his income, rise!

Yeah, that's pretty much completely untrue. I saw one woman interviewed who had a small business that was going to be hit by the new tax rates (and I watched a grand total of 10 minutes of coverage, so I'm guessing she's not the only one who made time to show up). Additionally, State Income taxes are going up for a lot of people, not just in California. Other taxes that hurt the poor (such as gasoline and cigarette) are going up as well.

Thanks for explaining our tax policy from Canada. I'd appreciate it if you'd start paying them yourself if you're going to make dumb-ass generalizations.

 

[S-Des]

Of course, I imagine the actual headcounts will be far lower than the number of people who voted for Ron Paul in the '08 election as a write-in.

Considering "Other" (which includes more than just Paul) got 226,908 votes and there is going to be several million people when you count all the rallies, I'm guessing you're a little bit off.

 

[amicus]

Not only were there signs heralding Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged, but one of my favorite authors of the 'rugged individualist' genre, Robert Heinlein. I couldn't make out the remarks on the placard, only his name, but I have an idea which book and which statement might have been appropo.

Anyone?

Amicus...

 

[S-Des]

Not only were there signs heralding Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged, but one of my favorite authors of the 'rugged individualist' genre, Robert Heinlein. I couldn't make out the remarks on the placard, only his name, but I have an idea which book and which statement might have been appropo.

Anyone?

Amicus...

You are definitely not the only one saying that Rand had this called. I've never read her, so I'll leave the debating to you and the people who don't like her. What I noticed was the complete lack of political leaders at these events. The people were a mixture of political ideologies as well as tax philosophies, and the emphasis was on both parties letting down the public, instead of it being some sort of Conservative or Republican cheerleading session. That does my heart good. I'm so sick of people who do nothing but whine about the other side.

 

[DesertPirate]

If anyone thought half their taxes were EVER spent wisely, most folks would quit bitching.

Of course with the new guidlines from Homeland Security anyone attending a rally or mailing a teabag is now labled a Right Wing Subversive

 

[amicus]

The ladies were not left out; "Read my Lipstick!", was in evidence at several rallies. I like that almost as much as, "Read my Asterisks!", ********! but I am claiming that as mine.

And, before I could suggest it, July 4th, INDEPENDENCE DAY!, is already being planned as a nationwide anti tax, anti Bobama, (Command in Thief), demonstration, heh, saw a sign with that on it also.

Less that 100 days in and the new administration has fostered a tax revolt, Anyone recall Prop 13, in Caleeeeefornia?

Here we go again! Ain't it just *******' wunnerful?

Amicus

 

[Dragonlipz]

Not only were there signs heralding Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged, but one of my favorite authors of the 'rugged individualist' genre, Robert Heinlein. I couldn't make out the remarks on the placard, only his name, but I have an idea which book and which statement might have been appropo.

Anyone?

Amicus...

Probably Farnham's Freehold - as racist and sexist a tract as was ever published by any author

 

[Dragonlipz]

Rumor has it over 2,000 rallies will take place nationwide. Will they? What will it mean?

The White House is aware and whispers, "don't worry, we've got it handled..."

Yeah, sure, bozo.

Any predictions, ya'll?

amicus...

More FIXED NEWS bullshit is all. A few thousand unemployed wingnuts worried that some rich folks might have to take on a tad more of the tax burden that the middle class pays......

Change the channel dude, better yet, turn all of it off and think for yourself for a change.....that will be difficult at first.......

 

[S-Des]

More FIXED NEWS bullshit is all. A few thousand unemployed wingnuts worried that some rich folks might have to take on a tad more of the tax burden that the middle class pays......

Change the channel dude, better yet, turn all of it off and think for yourself for a change.....that will be difficult at first.......

Wow, a few thousand wingnuts....really? Would you care to take a bet on that? Considering the fact that we had 5000-10,000 in Chicago today (and that isn't even close to the largest one), I'm thinking your figures will be just a little off.

Also, your statement (like Pure's) is incredibly inane, since the middle class is getting POUNDED by sales tax, property tax, and State income tax increases. You act like no one pays anything but Federal (and that the rich who have to pay more aren't just going to pass off those costs to the poor). You might want to take your own advice (and please, for the love of God, learn how to write in complete sentences).

 

[Dragonlipz]

Wow, a few thousand wingnuts....really? Would you care to take a bet on that? Considering the fact that we had 5000-10,000 in Chicago today (and that isn't even close to the largest one), I'm thinking your figures will be just a little off.

Also, your statement (like Pure's) is incredibly inane, since the middle class is getting POUNDED by sales tax, property tax, and State income tax increases. You act like no one pays anything but Federal (and that the rich who have to pay more aren't just going to pass off those costs to the poor). You might want to take your own advice (and please, for the love of God, learn how to write in complete sentences).

Neil Cavuto was taped while in the process of BULLSHITTING the number of people present by a factor of three.....Inane?.....if you wish but not fooled
You can chew that shit and smile but where were you during the previous RECORD deficits? Pucker up and kiss FIXED NEWS behind if ya bought that stuff.....I got some to sell ya.....
BTW, they don't pay taxes in Somalia.....you might take some of the wingnuts there and see how it works......
Seriously, I don't relish the chunk 'o' change that I have to shell out to live in this country - sales tax, personal property tax, real estate taxes, etc, etc, but this is still the most compelling social experiment of all time, bar none. And if I make more money than a lot of folks then I should pay more - not proportionately more.......but more.....
I've worked in other countries, visited quite a few more and even stopped in a coupla war zones courtesy of uncle sam.....this is the greatest nation on earth and all I saw was a few thousand wingnuts with all manner of placards: White Nazi's for Christ, I'm gonna keep my guns, I've been taxed enough, and the like. - unemployed wingnuts for the most part.....The people making money and paying taxes, like myself were occupied doing just that......
And if I want to communicate via incomplete or with poetic license: Fuck You.......
In case you didn't understand the last part: Fuck You.....

 

[S-Des]

And if I want to communicate via incomplete or with poetic license: Fuck You.......
In case you didn't understand the last part: Fuck You.....

OK. I just figured that since you're so fond of telling us all how rich you are (and what a good writer), you might want to strive for something better than a 4th grade writing level.....considering this is a writer's forum and all.

Since you still only think there were "a few thousand wingnuts," I guess I'll take the rest of your comments with a level of seriousness that matches that level of intellectual thought.

And you still didn't address the point that you were wrong about the middle class not seeing their taxes raised. You just keep ranting about Fox (I think?) news, which I don't recall ever saying I watched. I suppose that's some strawman argument you're fond of using to dismiss people who disagree with you (since I'm still waiting for any facts from you to defend a single argument you've made in the last month).

 

[amicus]

Another aspect of this whole tax mess is to acknowledge that a full half, 50 percent of all Americans, pay no income tax at all!

That means that those of you gainfully employed are already supporting the other half in taxation that should go to defend the nation, establish and enforce the law.

Think on that for a while?

Amicus

 

[Dragonlipz]

OK. I just figured that since you're so fond of telling us all how rich you are (and what a good writer), you might want to strive for something better than a 4th grade writing level.....considering this is a writer's forum and all.

Since you still only think there were "a few thousand wingnuts," I guess I'll take the rest of your comments with a level of seriousness that matches that level of intellectual thought.

And you still didn't address the point that you were wrong about the middle class not seeing their taxes raised. You just keep ranting about Fox (I think?) news, which I don't recall ever saying I watched. I suppose that's some strawman argument you're fond of using to dismiss people who disagree with you (since I'm still waiting for any facts from you to defend a single argument you've made in the last month).

I've never said that I was a good writer - a fourth grade level is still too high for you....but I'm sure that you're getting your talking points from somewhere.....
I never said that I was rich....not bad off, I pay a lot of taxes, sure, but I also pay a lotta bills....price of admission as a rich texan used to say.....

Give me a list of some 'facts' that I need to defend my arguments....I'll be glad to parse my arguments so that even you can understand them....