Funny how anything the Republicans do wrong/stupid some how isn't really the "Republicans", but an off-shoot, but everything the Democrats do IS the fault of the "liberals"
THIS is the weak replacement for the strong past, when leaders in the Reagan administration would "point fingers" at subordinates whom the media wasn't allowed to question? Ah, the good old days, when Democrats took criticism and Republicans pointed fingers. Now we have the "splinter" excuse, which is a new tributary from the rich tradition of pointing fingers.
Well, I'm not a republican or a democrat sheep, but to me government waste, fraud & abuse is equally intolerable regardless of whatever political party may be involved. Unfortunately, each side has their pork projects'
Of course. Bush spent way too much money and put us all (including Obama) in a bad spot. Which party is more likely, NOW, to cut spending? The GOP. It doesn't mean that its hands are clean, of course, but those past mistakes don't render the party incapable of cutting spending. Ed O.
Close, but not quite...I think the issue is how are we going to cut the deficit? I think it needs to be a combination of cuts in spending AND increased tax revenue (whether it's closing tax loopholes or some type of tax increase.) If it's a tax increase, I don't think it should just be the blanket removal of the Bush tax cuts, but instead some moderate increase from current tax rates. It's not clear to me either party is capable of accomplishing that on it's own. I'd just wish people would focus on solutions...the blaming/fingerpointing stuff is way old and accomplishes nothing. Cut the petty crap and get 'er done.
It's fair that you think that that's the issue. Not everyone agrees with you that that's the issue. Ed O.
I think you might have it backwards. I do believe many here in off topic swing towards Libertarian / Tea Party & try to distance themselves from the Vanilla GOP/Republicans, but secretly have a crush on them because the Republicans actually have power & also the phrase "my enemy's enemy is my friend" comes to mind.
Fair enough regarding tax increases (of course anyone that thinks the status quo is the way to go is CRAZY lol), but I don't see how anyone can disagree with closing some of the loopholes. Allowing people/companies to skirt paying taxes for stupid reasons is basically the same as foolish spending. Either way you're out money and get nothing in return.
I don't think this is as clear-cut as you make it seem. There is a reason so many companies have established headquarters and poured money into Ireland.
Interesting point. How's that working out for Ireland? Also, I'm not talking only about corporate loopholes.
Their national corporate tax revenue as a percentage of GDP is actually quite high compared to other countries, despite their low corporate tax rate. So, it seems like it might be working out relatively well. The same logic applies whether it is corporate or private. In many cases, what some consider "loopholes" others consider "incentives".
"Loophole" is in the eye of the beholder, of course I agree with you that things that I think are loopholes should be closed... although you and I might have different standards of definition. Even if I agree with you that it's a loophole, I prefer loopholes to foolish spending... the former is allowing some entity to keep money they earned productively (even as they're paying less than they should) while the latter is taking money from those that have been productive. It might not make a difference to some, but it does to me. Ed O.
So, the government taking a high percentage of GDP is a good thing in Ireland, but when it happens here it is a bad, bad thing. Interesting. barfo
I think you missed my point then. Yes, you showed they get revenue despite giving corporate tax breaks. Yet you are holding their economic system up as an example of "working well" by showing that they take a high fraction of GDP as taxes. Which is a very curious position for you to take. I'll bet if I searched I could find an example you saying that the US taking the (lower) fraction of GDP that they do is a sign of economic disaster. So why is taking a high percentage of GDP in Ireland a sign that the tax system works, and taking a somewhat lower percentage of GDP in the US is a sign that taxes are too high and out of control? barfo
1) Mobes asked how it was working "for them" 2) It was an example to show the falseness of the idea that tax incentives / loopholes don't produce anything in return. 3) You're the one stating I'm taking a position that I didn't take. Sometimes we call those strawmen. Now you're asking for an entirely different discussion.
You did take that position, however. He asked how well it was working out for them and you said it was "working out relatively well". Yes! You are right! I took what you said and made a different but related point. A message board first, I am sure. I've applied for the patent. I note you didn't answer the question. Not exactly a message board first. No patent for you. barfo
One would hope we'd rely more on what the country offers as a whole - solid infrastructure, skilled workforce - instead of the name of the game being who can lower corporate tax rates the lowest. Business is for societies sake, society isn't for businesses sake.
