[quote]effective tax rate (inclusive of local, state and federal taxes) is sky-high already[/quote] Maybe you mean statutory? The effective rate differs widely amongst individuals and industries depending on many variables including credits, exemptions,shelters and subsidies.
[quote]They know now, under Obama's plan that if their business makes money over that 250K benchmark they are going to have to fork it over and give it to those who aren't working [/quote] Most people who make money do not lose any incentive to make more simply because some of that money will be taxed at a higher rate.
[quote]Guess you should really watch what you throw out there, guys. Now you have to undercut your own smear campaign because it's gotten out of hand.[/quote] The funny thing is even Carl Rove warned that it was getting out of hand as well as about the consequences...LOL LOL LOL
[quote]Perhaps we could start with the bottom 30% of American adults who don't pay a cent in federal taxes. [/quote] Personally I think we should start with all classes in mind. Unfortunately neither party has given us a choice that reflects this.
[quote]The solution to all this is federal voter ID laws. But unfortunately, democrats have blocked most attempts at this....wonder why?[/quote] Both parties are trying not only to steer it towards their benefit but also leaving loopholes in it that can be manipulated for their own benefit.
[quote]I think it's the capitol gains tax increase from 15% to 20% on people making 250,000 or more that has them most upset. These guys stand to make a lot of money riding the stock market back up, that 5% is going to be a sizeable chunk that can't just be passed on to the customer.[/quote] Capital gains tax is definately more of a factor and should be more of an issue. Personally I think the rate should be left untouched until both parties get their act together and deal with the de
[quote]Smoothseas: This is why you're a liberal. [/quote] I am liberal on certain certain issues and conservative on others.But once again you assume that someone whose view on a particular issue puts them one side or another side. This is exactly the reason this country is so polarized. [quote]My standard of living won't be affected by a tax increase. I will simply have to lay off workers or increase my prices. That's what CEOs are trying to point out.[/quote] My opi
[quote]Well that tears it... we'll be toiling our lives away under a giant O insignia for sure[/quote] I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you want to figure out what he may or may not do in a REALISTIC manner than look at his economic advisors as well as some who were in Bill Clintons Administration. He doesn't seem to me atleast as the kinda guy who thinks he has it right and doesn't want to hear from others so you can expect those people to shape his actual (as opposed to campai
[quote]It does for the companies that pay the extra taxes.[/quote] It depends on the business. Some will do better because specific tax breaks or incentives (for them or their customers) target their businees or industry. I hate to pay taxes just as much as the next guy but I do realize that if the only thing people are promised by politicians is lower taxes than most of the problems we face will only get worse. The greatest asset to any business is its labor force and if we don't sta
[quote]With such a drastic reduction in capital, job creation/expansion will take a hit[/quote] Capital doesn't simply disappear because it becomes tax revenues. The government often uses it to create jobs or funnels it to companies in one way or another. There are so many ways to keep your tax liability low if rates go up. Look at the last eight years. The extra capital from the tax cuts didn't do much to improve the U.S. Financial institutions stole it from much of the middl
[quote]In fact, nearly 90% of American citizens have health insurance.[/quote] The number who are or not insured is only part of the story. In two years as the boomers start to retire medicare costs will skyrocket because it covers the largest segement of the population in which the insurers REFUSE to cover. Then we have the vets who are covered under the Veterans Admin plans which once again many have high medical costs and once again insurance companies <str
[quote]So why are so many of these business leaders giving to his campaign? [/quote] Just look at what busineeses they are involved with. Buffett is one who I believe is fairly honest however he does hold large positions in UnitedHealthGroup and Wellpoint for example. George Soros...much the same. I don't have that kind of influence so I will generally build up to a large cash/bond position prior to an election and put it back into stocks as it becomes clearer who will win and how the
[quote]Now what's all this voter registration ruckus about down south???[/quote] Its amazing how a country like this can so vehemently advocate to others the importance of fair elections and then turn around and both parties, or to be fair,maybe in some cases just individual zealots from such parties engage in just the opposite. My local township had dropped me from the roles a few months back because of a new law, however I was not a new registrant(which is what the law refers to) an
[quote]Of course what they're really saying is for some people by some other people.[/quote] Which won't change until a lot of people in congress get flushed out of the system. [quote]30% of Americans don't pay a cent of federal income tax. Needless to say, polls show that most of them support free health care. [/quote] You might change that statement since many/most don't think anyone is proposing "free" health care. [quote]The remaining 70% of Americans who
JoeUser Forums
[quote]1 Too little too late. The 700 billion $ will not stach the finacial drain.[/quote] The 700 billion is just to keep things going until we can get the foreign banks to start servicing our debt again. This is where the majority of our credit comes from. They will most likely end up just recapitalizing some banks. [quote]The Taxpayer will be held holding not useleess junk bonds but will also pay interest on them.[/quote] The bonds i think they will buy might be the
[quote]feel bad for you if you take any thing on face value and don't do at least a little cross referencing. Thats one of the reasons wiki has source article links[/quote] Its diffuicult to find corporate info from the 80's except in a library or from a paid archive service on the web which others don't have access to. Especially when both entities involved have had several M&A activities over the years. In nay case The AIG story is very complex however if you do some research yo
JoeUser Forums
[quote]Still have to get rid of the GSE'a they are killing the economy.[/quote] Don't hold your breath.......They are nationalized now and a few banks may soon follow.
[quote]OK, Smoothseas - appreciate the details, even if I did have to squeeze them out of you.[/quote] Its called GOOGLE. Try using it...You might actually find out how extensive AIG's involvement in the health insurance industry is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthem_(insurance)
[quote]OK, Smoothseas - appreciate the details, even if I did have to squeeze them out of you.[/quote] Its called GOOGLE. Try using it...You might actually find out how extensive AIG's involvement in the health insurance industry is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthem_(insurance)
[quote]And I believe, if AIG had any involvement with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, it was by way of acquisition, not creation.[/quote] AIG created anthem which then aquired Blue Cross/Blue Shield and turned them into for profit businesses. It then merged with Wellpoint taking on the wellpoint name.
[quote]Which HMO's did AIG 'spin off'? I don't know of any.[/quote] Most of what I've looked at as far as HMO's is what was done within Anthem since it was created by AIG.
[quote]Too bad - they are saying the same things. As I am an economist by education.[/quote] Im talking real economists who are capable of separating reality from politics.
[quote]Please provide the names.[/quote] They do some through the AIG namebrand, subsidiaries,reinsurance, and they underwrite other insurance companies as well as have controlling shares in hmo's they spun off in prior years. The ties this company has not only to the healthcare industry but also the government and politicians are phenomenal.
[quote]That's it. He's talked about these things a little bit but these are the 3 things he should just beat home over and over[/quote] He should concentrate on the fact that if Obama wins the Democrats will have total control. Instead he's made a total hypocrite and ass out of himself. Half the republicans in congress hate him so maybe democrat control is a moot point in any case. We'd have 3 groups of partisans: Reps, Dems, and Hypocrites.
[quote]Let's put aside the fundamental difference right now about "Rights" versus "benefits". [/quote] Certainly...Get right to the core of the issue....If the cost of health care per capaita is not lowered than the US fails. [quote]So lets say - for good intentions - it comes about and the government nationalizes 17% of the economy (sounds like Venezuela [/quote] And that is why I listen to economists as opposed to you. [quote]It doesn't really. They just sto