Happy No Kings Day!

[RobDownSouth]

You sound very angry!

That's his secret, Cap. He's always angry.
<Hulk mode enabled>

 

[RobDownSouth]

We just authorized trillions for ICE. It seems that with all that money, we could have fed the poor and provided shelter for homeless veterans. My $0.02.

ICE's military budget now exceeds that of five foreign countries. Combined.

 

[Rebel5soul]

Another RepubliKKKan.


Democrats told to "get shot" for the anti-Trump resistance

https://twitter.com/x/status/1942148734474649803

Yet another call for democrat violence.

I reloaded a couple hundred rounds this past weekend.................just in case they're serious.

 

[RoryN]

Yet another call for democrat violence.

I reloaded a couple hundred rounds this past weekend.................just in case they're serious.

Reported.

 

[DeluxAuto]

Yet another call for democrat violence.

I reloaded a couple hundred rounds this past weekend.................just in case they're serious.

Learn to read, shit for brains.

Load up! We'll shut off your power and access to medical care.

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

Learn to read, shit for brains.

Load up! We'll shut off your power and access to medical care.

Someone else shut off his access to medical care.

 

[HisArpy]

Ah, the exquisite irony of someone who uses "GO FUCK YOURSELF" as his typical final debate reply lecturing others on debate protocol.

Let me be perfectly clear; go fuck yourself sideways, you asshole.

 

[pinkparkhorse]

Here in Washington State, we are NOT celebrating lower gas prices. Ours just went up another 6 cents a gallon, to an average of $4.41 a gallon. So many electric cars have cut into our department of transportation and their over inflated salaries.

I live in Washington too. This state is a friggin mess.

 

[Actually_]

I live in Washington too. This state is a friggin mess.

Actually, you know about the tax making the gas $4.40?

 

[pinkparkhorse]

Actually, you know about the tax making the gas $4.40?

Yup. They raised the gas tax 6 cents a gallon and also put in a 2% annual increase.

 

[Actually_]

Yup. They raised the gas tax 6 cents a gallon and also put in a 2% annual increase.

It is the new state transportation budget.

 

[pinkparkhorse]

It is the new state transportation budget.

They’re taxing us to death and still can’t balance the damn budget.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Learn to read, shit for brains.

Load up! We'll shut off your power and access to medical care.

He'd be dead within two weeks, both him and his elk (sic).

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

They’re taxing us to death and still can’t balance the damn budget.

You could easily avoid the tax by not driving.

 

[HisArpy]

They’re taxing us to death and still can’t balance the damn budget.

It's all the pork social programs they have to have or they lose their voter base.

 

[Philthy_Phil]

Let me be perfectly clear; go fuck yourself sideways, you asshole.

Such an angry crippled fag you are.

 

[JohnEngelman]

So many things to celebrate this weekend! The anniversary of Greatest Country in World History, passage of major tax cut and spending reform legislation today, the spectacular performance of US military might in Iran, a strong economy and rising stock market, low gas prices, a string of excellent Supreme Court decisions, and now this!

God Bless the USA and the PB Board

https://twitter.com/x/status/1940948613510975494

Why are tax cuts a good idea when the national debt is higher than the gross domestic product?

 

[ll74]

One of those most dictator things I've noticed of this administration is the express desire to declare their historical relevance in the present.

I know maga fucks think it's trolling, but others HAVE done this historically...and they're always dictators and autocrats.

And the fucking banners of dear leader on public buildings? This aren't normal democracy things

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

Why are tax cuts a good idea when the national debt is higher than the gross domestic product?View attachment 2568405

The OBBB prevented a massive tax hike that was scheduled to kick in next year.

If higher income taxes are a good thing, is the tax revenue being collected from the tariff taxes a good thing?

Is adding a trillion dollars of additional Medicaid spending to the clean CR is a good thing?

 

[MajorRewrite]

The OBBB prevented a massive tax hike that was scheduled to kick in next year.

The tax cuts were supposed to expire. That’s what Congress voted for and Trump signed off on. The BBB Tax & Spend Bill reneged on that.

If higher income taxes are a good thing, is the tax revenue being collected from the tariff taxes a good thing?

TrumpTariffs are regressive. Income taxes aren’t.

TrumpTariffs are also protectionist measures that pick winners and losers. They will shrink the overall economy, as protectionist policies always do.

And it turns out the TrumpTariff revenue is just going to be used to pay bribes to farmers hurt by TrumpTariff impacts.

Is adding a trillion dollars of additional Medicaid spending to the clean CR is a good thing?

The goal is to preserve the Affordable Care Act, which has support of the majority of Americans. Setting that as a priority rather than increasing defense spending or giving tax cuts to billionaires is a good thing.

The BBB Tax & Spend Bill adds $4 trillion to deficit spending and the national debt. Is that a good thing?

 

[JohnEngelman]

The OBBB prevented a massive tax hike that was scheduled to kick in next year.

If higher income taxes are a good thing, is the tax revenue being collected from the tariff taxes a good thing?

Is adding a trillion dollars of additional Medicaid spending to the clean CR is a good thing?

Tariffs are regressive taxes on American consumers. For decades most Americans have wanted a more progressive tax system.

AI Overview

While the specific numbers vary across polls, recent surveys from sources like Gallup and the
Pew Research Center indicate that a majority of Americans consistently support raising taxes on the wealthy. This view is most prevalent among Democrats but also receives a significant level of support from independents and a notable minority of Republicans.
Overall public opinion

• A March 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 58% of U.S. adults said tax rates on household income over $400,000 should be raised. This included 23% who said the rates should be raised "a lot".
• In April 2025, Gallup reported that 58% of Americans believe upper-income people pay too little in taxes, though this percentage has trended downward from a high of 77% in the 1990s.
• A February 2024 poll from Navigator Research found even higher support, with 79% of Americans supporting higher taxes on the rich, including 63% of Republicans.
• • The Excessive Wealth Disorder Institute, aggregating polls from late 2024, found that an average of 67% of Americans supported a billionaire income tax, and 63% supported a wealth tax.
  • https://www.google.com/search?q=pol...ji4B4EZwgcJNy4xOS4xNC4zyAeHAQ&sclient=gws-wiz

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

Tariffs are regressive taxes on American consumers. For decades most Americans have wanted a more progressive tax system.

AI Overview

While the specific numbers vary across polls, recent surveys from sources like Gallup and the
Pew Research Center indicate that a majority of Americans consistently support raising taxes on the wealthy. This view is most prevalent among Democrats but also receives a significant level of support from independents and a notable minority of Republicans.
Overall public opinion

• A March 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 58% of U.S. adults said tax rates on household income over $400,000 should be raised. This included 23% who said the rates should be raised "a lot".
• In April 2025, Gallup reported that 58% of Americans believe upper-income people pay too little in taxes, though this percentage has trended downward from a high of 77% in the 1990s.
• A February 2024 poll from Navigator Research found even higher support, with 79% of Americans supporting higher taxes on the rich, including 63% of Republicans.
• • The Excessive Wealth Disorder Institute, aggregating polls from late 2024, found that an average of 67% of Americans supported a billionaire income tax, and 63% supported a wealth tax.
  • 
    
  • https://www.google.com/search?q=poll+++"higher+taxes"+++"rich+people"&sca_esv=79b3e61bd2633932&source=hp&ei=0hjdaL3JBpOYptQP4OqO2Ag&iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaN0m4voqpHkCtWIwzX1PusvPobWE6R_j&ved=0ahUKEwi9-u_f-oKQAxUTjIkEHWC1A4sQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=poll+++"higher+taxes"+++"rich+people"&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IiVwb2xsICsgImhpZ2hlciB0YXhlcyIgKyAicmljaCBwZW9wbGUiMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABSOytAVCRCFifqwFwB3gAkAEAmAGwAaABrReqAQQyOS43uAEDyAEA-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-AjnkGWsDpIHBDM1LjigB6awAbIHBDI4Lji4B4EZwgcJNy4xOS4xNC4zyAeHAQ&sclient=gws-wiz

We’re in agreement that the OBBB headed off massive tax hike that was scheduled to kick in at the end of this year.

And while the top 1% of earners account for 40% of tax revenue, and the top 10% account for 72% of tax revenues, and while the wealthiest Americans account for a far greater share of revenue today than they did a half century ago, I understand that you would like to see our tax code be even more progressive. I disagree with you on that, but I do understand your position.

Your point that tariffs taxes are regressive is true, but there are some important caveats:

• An analysis by Goldman Sachs released in August showed that consumers are picking up 22% of the cost, US businesses are paying 64%, and foreign exporters are paying 14%.
• The 22% of tariff costs being paid by consumers is similar to sales taxes in that both are regressive, with one significant distinction. Sales taxes apply to nearly everything sold within the tax jurisdiction. Tariff taxes only apply to imported goods which comprise about a quarter of what US consumers purchase. So consumers are paying about 22% of the tax on the 25% of things we buy. And that assumes that nothing subjected to tariffs can be substituted for alternatives that are not subjected to tariffs.
• It can be argued that taxes paid by businesses eventually get passed on to consumers. To the extent that’s true, we can be thankful the TCJA passed in 2017 lowered the business tax rate from 35% to 21%.

Americans are being hit hard by rising prices, and most of that pain has nothing to do with tariffs. Housing costs represent the biggest monthly expense for most people. Rising rents, mortgages, home prices and property taxes didn’t start with the tariffs.

Electricity prices are another big monthly expense. Rates jumped 6% nationwide over the last year, about twice as much as overall inflation. Residential electric increased 32% over the last five years nationwide, and even more in states like New Jersey (53%) and California (63%). It didn’t start with tariffs.

Healthcare is a biggie for a lot of people. I don’t know if premiums or drug prices have risen due to tariffs.

Have you estimated how much per month the tariffs are costing you? This isn’t intended as a “gotcha” question. I’m just curious what part of your budget is being hit, and how many dollars it equates to.

 

[JohnEngelman]

We’re in agreement that the OBBB headed off massive tax hike that was scheduled to kick in at the end of this year.

And while the top 1% of earners account for 40% of tax revenue, and the top 10% account for 72% of tax revenues,

That is only true of the income tax. The overall tax system is mildly progressive.

 

[JohnEngelman]

Talk about the high percentage of the income tax the rich pay ignores the high degree of economic inequality in the United States.

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

That is only true of the income tax. The overall tax system is mildly progressive.

View attachment 2568435

Fair point. But individual and business income taxes represent the lions share of federal tax revenues. What other forms of federal taxes could squeeze the ultra rich?

You could raise the amount of income subject to the SS payroll tax from the current $176.1K level, and that’s almost certain to happen soon anyway. But that’s not going to change the big picture with regard to income inequality and the overall distribution of the tax burden.

Medicare has no cap so there is isn’t much to squeeze from that rock.

We could raise sin taxes on alcohol, tobacco, gasoline and guns. But those are regressive and probably wouldn’t yield much additional revenue anyway.

We could raise estate taxes, but that would be a tough sell politically. Especially with farmers.