Tea Parties

[cinder]

^ What she said.

[Mortimer]

Is Spongebob bad for our children?

[club33az]

Just their brains.

[Spokker]

Oh my God!! Would you two stop playing "gotcha" and stop this pissing contest???

The fact of the matter is that taxes are outrageous and they're going to get worse under Obama. He has said so. Spending is beyond out of control, but that's Congress responsibility.

A 3% tax increase is outrageous? Government spending is suddenly outrageous?

Of course, how high taxes are and how high spending is subjective. I we should raise taxes and spend more money on public works projects that would put blue collar people back to work. This is a recession where net job loss is comprised of 80% men and and mostly blue collar workers. Putting these guys back to work, my hope is on railroads, would do a lot to inject some vigor back into this economy and we'll end up with some useful infrastructure after the fact.

Cutting taxes for these guys when they don't have jobs won't do any good.

[club33az]

I'm not talking about 3% (wherever that came from). I'm talking about tax freedom day is taking longer and longer to get to. I'm talking about between federal, state, county and city taxes and fees, we're being nickle and dimed to death. And it needs to stop.

And you're correct, spending has always been outrageous. Doesn't mean it's right and that people should just accept it.

[Tiggerlives]

And you're correct, spending has always been outrageous. Doesn't mean it's right and that people should just accept it.

Agreed. But do you think that secession is the answer? Or even the path we're currently aligned with?

That's the problem with alarmists, their message is shut out because of the method.

Comparing today's current bureaucratic and economic climate to those within two years of the American Revolution works only to create a situation wherein valid arguments are discounted as fringe.

I'm not a fan of hyperbole or rhetoric, not when the honest truth about our current situation would suffice in illuminating a just cause.

[Lacrosse Boy]

Thank you, club.

I don't know where the 3% figure is coming from; however, how many 3% tax hikes are we going to accept? As I pointed out earlier, it's like the pennies slipping through your fingers. We truly are being nickled-and-dimed to death. 3% here, 3% there, it really adds up. Extrapolate this over decades, and that's quite a bit of money.

It is what we are being asked to believe that makes this all so ridiculous. I am perfectly willing to accept the fact that Obama and his people do not intend to nationalize GM. I am perfectly willing to believe that Obama is sincere in his wish to save the American economy.

What I cannot believe -- there being no evidence to the contrary -- is that the government can be successful. The government is notoriously inefficient at practically everything. The same government that annually gives us the story of the $447 hammer or the $2,356 toilet seat cover now wants us to believe that they -- without reading the bills even they pass -- can come up with restructuring plans better than anyone else.

The worst part is, once the government arrives to help you, there is no measure of success. They will just keep needing more money.

[Tiggerlives]

is that the government can be successful

Seems like we're on a pretty good 200-plus year run, myself. One I doubt would have happened sans government.

[Lacrosse Boy]

I highly doubt our latest government-expanding venture will be a smashing success. Rasmussen polls indicate most people feel our nation is heading in the wrong direction with this. Every time a nation or society gets too big for its britches, it falls. I hope we don't get too big for our britches -- we certainly seem to be toeing the line!

Unfortunately, people wanted something -- anything -- to believe in, despite how illogical it is. It's like when you give the neighbor kid twenty bucks to mow your lawn using his lawn mower and gas, and you act like you're doing him a favor. All the while knowing, for years, you could have paid $50 for the same services from a lawn service company. Everyone in the neighborhood talks about what a generous guy you are, and the elderly lady next door brings over pies and sweets because of your kind heart.

People need to keep in mind that the Federal Reserve, Treasury, and all major financial institutions have one thing in common. People. The people who run and work at these places were not genetically manipulated in a petri dish to attain these high posts and power. They are the same people who can't accurately determine their own personal taxes and cheat the system while telling everyone else what they should be doing. We give them too much credit (pun intended), and too long of a leash.

This administration is like the star quarterback from a small town who gets accused of a felony. Initially everyone is quick to berate the accuser, but as time and evidence pile up, they have to admit that their untouchable star is also human.

People want to believe that Obama and his crew are going to get the job done right the first time. Otherwise what else do they have?

[club33az]

............and so it goes.