We need more than trickle-down
[QUOTE=Tiny12;439193]Most dividend, capital gains, and ordinary corporate income is reinvested and will "trickle down" (not the words I would use) to the main street economy. If instead you heavily tax these sources of income, you reduce savings and fixed capital formation. In the long run this means the economy will grow slower and prosperity will be reduced for all. It's the same whether it's an economy, a government, a business or a family. If you don't invest and instead just consume, in the long run you're screwed. Again, if you look at tax systems in almost all first world countries, they tax dividends, capital gains and corporate income at lower rates than the maximum rate on ordinary personal income. These are reasons why.[/QUOTE]Tiny, we've been doing this "trickle down" experiment ever since Reagan started cutting taxes 3 decades ago. The result? Massive gains for the top 10% (especially the top 1%) and meager gains for everyone else. Put down the textbook and look at the data. There is no problem with savings and capital formation. Big companies and wealthy investors have tons of cash to invest. Only a fraction of it is invested in ways that help Main Street, because returns on such investments are limited by limited opportunities. Hence, their cash is invested in financial instruments with guaranteed returns better than savings accounts or Treasuries. Buffett (again) was right when he said tax hikes won't stop the wealthy from investing. Not as long as those taxed investments are still giving good or better returns.
It seems that "hope" plays a big role in trickle down economics (AKA voodoo economics). But the results are in: helping the rich get richer does little to help the middle class.
El AlamoPerlmo and hyperbole
I personally think this political thread contains the lowest level of discourse I have ever seen on the web. I do not agree with most of Jackson's politics nor his style of expressing his point of view.
Your hateful personal attack is not appropriate for any public forum. You owe Jackson an apology. Attack the ideas, not the man.
Gasoline Prices & the EPA
I have to apologize as I don't remember which board member was complaining about gas prices in California but here is an interesting article on the subject.
While I am sure some on the board would point to the evil oil companies lining their pockets at our expense the real culprit is the EPA.
[URL]http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/bureaucratic-gas_634424.html[/URL]
Obama Haters and Fascists Fan Boys
[QUOTE=ElAlamoPalermo;439210]Hi Bob-.
I agree with your assertion that this thread contains an extremely low level of discourse; it's pretty clear to me that most of the participants of this thread are merely amusing themselves with the constant back and forth bickering that goes on. That being said, there is no way that Jackson takes any of what I write on here personally; I am merely offering the extremist counterpoint and counterarguments to what would otherwise be extreme unabated one-sided (what I view to be) irrational Obama hating.
Thanks,
EAP.[/QUOTE]Well I guess there are a lot of Obama Haters out there according to the latest Washington Post / ABC Poll.
[URL]http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/post-abc-news-poll-shows-democrats-at-risk-in-november-as-obamas-approval-rating-falls/2014/04/28/2a448b04-cf07-11e3-b812-0c92213941f4_story.html[/URL]
Since our liberal / progressive friends embraced the poll prior to this one claiming it showed a trend upward for the Democrats / Obamacare / Obama, I wonder if they will embrace this one with the same vigor?
It would appear Jackson's reach is much grater than his detractors have given him credit for. From the numbers in this poll there are a majority of Obama Haters out there.
Here is an interesting definition for Fascism / Fascists:
Fas•cism (noun).
1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) the philosophy, principles, or methods of fascism.
3. (initial capital letter) a political movement that employs the principles and methods of fascism, especially the one established by Mussolini in Italy 1922–43.
So ElAlamoPalermo who are the real Fascists? Sounds a bit like Obama, the Democrats, the IRS, the EPA, the BLM et al to me.
You might recognize yourselves here!
[URL]http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/08/the-five-stages-of-gop-scandal-mongering-a-readers-guide/?hpid=z2[/URL]
Just in case you don't have a mirror or your mirror is cracked, a good look at yourself. I know, I know. It's hard to admit that you are an addict or ideologue of some kind. There are times when Constitution thumping is very similar to Bible thumping. Too much emotional righteousness and too little common sense. And so, nothing gets done.
Getting to the gates of heaven but unable to get in, it must be frustrating. It's time for soul cleansing of some kind. And a dose of humility will perhaps win over Saint Peter at the gate. That is, if you didn't walk over or bump some people off the path on your way there.