Taxing the rich - what is the cutoff?

[steveo395]

Originally Posted by dmek25

saden, have you started drinking the kool aid? staying in Iraq for 100 years shouldn't even be an option. and im interested to hear what people think would happen, if we do pull out? and the comment about wiping terrorists off the face of the earth is down right brutal. i don't care if we fight the gazillion years in Iraq, there will always be terrorists. i think you have done a 180 degree turn in your thinking

Iran will probably take over Iraq, and then nuke Israel. Ahmadinejad is totally insane and said he wanted to wipe Israel off the map, which would bring us right back into the war, but it will be much, much worse.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by steveo395

Iran will probably take over Iraq, and then nuke Israel. Ahmadinejad is totally insane and said he wanted to wipe Israel off the map, which would bring us right back into the war, but it will be much, much worse.

I wish we could just drop a nuke on the Iranians and just be done with it.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Daseal

On a completely unrelated note. Did anyone get a piece of mail saying that your stimulus check would be sent out within 3-5 business days? What a waste of money that was.

not as big a waste as the stimulus check that followed :/.

and when you offer 140 degree weather, sandstorms, and guys with guns firing on you and planting bombs randomly in roads... i don't think anyone sees that as the ideal place to spend their summer vacation.

the good news is hiring 100k insurgents to fight for us has really worked out well (not as well as say, if we decided not to be retarded and disband the iraqi military overnight, but still), and we're a lot closer to being able to leave with friendly ties and more influence in the middle east than we were a year ago... societal collapse upon reduction of troop levels is no longer an immanent threat, increased UAV orbits are making ground patrols safer, and the new iraqi army is able to diffuse anti-americanism in certain situations now (ie sadr city).

I mean, we probably will keep permanent bases there, just because it's a good location and they'll probably want to keep the military trainers and american toys (fighters/bombers/helos/UAV) around in case iran tries something, but i imagine the manning in country will be vastly (VASTLY) reduced, and it won't take that long to get there...

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Schneed -- if my views are so short sighted, I am very interested to hear how the Iraq war will make money for the United States.

Who in the H-E-double-hockey-sticks ever said the war would make money for us??? That would be utterly despicable to go to war for the purposes of financial gain. I responded to your statement about the disconnect between wanting to lower taxes and be for the war (and war spending) at the same time.

This shouldn't be hard to understand. Take your own personal budget. You could be for spending money on a plasma TV, say $1000. You could also be for taking a job for less money (say you want more vacation time). Say this new job represents a $3000 decrease in your pay.

You can still get the plasma TV, as long as you're for cutting $4000 out of your monthly budget. $3000 of cuts to account for the decrease in pay, and $1000 in cuts to pay for the Plasma TV. Maybe you figure I don't need a car, I'll trade it in for a motorbike and save on gas. Maybe you figure I don't need a cell phone. Maybe you figure you don't need to eat out as much. Maybe you figure you don't need a vacation this year. Whatever.

Same thing with the Iraq war. Just because people want to see lower taxes doesn't mean they have to give up spending on the war. Perhaps they want to cut wasteful spending in other government agencies before they consider halting the war spending.

[JoeRedskin]

I think he is using the rhetorical art of hyperbolic sarcasm.

[That Guy]

you're adding so much value to the thread saden :/

[saden1]

Originally Posted by That Guy

you're adding so much value to the thread saden :/

Thanks.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I generally oppose starting wars because they are costly and often counterproductive and the American public has demonstrated that it lacks the intestinal fortitude to finish what it start (see Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq). I also believe our defense budget is, at least during peacetime, far too large. But, I also believe that you don't cause a mess, spend billions of dollars, lose thousands of troops, and lay American credibility (vis-a-vis our enemies, not Europe or college professor) on the line and simply walk away from the conflict and those who have stuck their necks out because it's tough or we are losing lives.

I am also pissed that I work 5 months out of the year for the government. I believe our taxes are WAY to high. I'd like to see cuts in taxes AND many government programs (including the defense budget). I don't think any of those ideas are contradictory.

[RIGGO/NYC]

You know I was going to join this thread on the discussion of taxes, but when I hear idiots actually defending staying in Iraq because we owe the poor Iraqi people, I just lose all respect for them. We should worry about Americans! Our leaders lied to us and there is absolutely no excuse to keep risking the lives of our troops to make up for the "mistakes" (yeah right) of Bush and Cheaney. The money we are spending on this war could be going to education and healthcare. Instead of feeling bad for Iraqi people, maybe you should think about the 50 million Americans that do not have healthcare. We are the only modern industrialized country that does not have universal healthcare. France is ranked No.1 by the W.H.O. (world healthcare org) and the U.S. is ranked 37th. In France if you are sick a doc will come to your house, here you are thrown in the street if do not have insurance. Anyone who supports Iraq, should not be allowed to speak!!! PERIOD!!!! You are an idiot who really needs to pick up a book and do some research about the ramifications this war has had on our country and for nothing. There is nothing to be gained. We have created more Anti-American sentiment by being there, than there was previously. Iraq was never a threat to us, it was Osama Bin Laden, whom we still have not caught. Thank god the days of the Republicans in Washington are coming to an end!!!!!!!!!! OBAMA says knock you out!!!

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by RIGGO/NYC

You know I was going to join this thread on the discussion of taxes, but when I hear idiots actually defending staying in Iraq because we owe the poor Iraqi people, I just lose all respect for them. We should worry about Americans! Our leaders lied to us and there is absolutely no excuse to keep risking the lives of our troops to make up for the "mistakes" (yeah right) of Bush and Cheaney. The money we are spending on this war could be going to education and healthcare. Instead of feeling bad for Iraqi people, maybe you should think about the 50 million Americans that do not have healthcare. We are the only modern industrialized country that does not have universal healthcare. France is ranked No.1 by the W.H.O. (world healthcare org) and the U.S. is ranked 37th. In France if you are sick a doc will come to your house, here you are thrown in the street if do not have insurance. Anyone who supports Iraq, should not be allowed to speak!!! PERIOD!!!! You are an idiot who really needs to pick up a book and do some research about the ramifications this war has had on our country and for nothing. There is nothing to be gained. We have created more Anti-American sentiment by being there, than there was previously. Iraq was never a threat to us, it was Osama Bin Laden, whom we still have not caught. Thank god the days of the Republicans in Washington are coming to an end!!!!!!!!!! OBAMA says knock you out!!!

"if you don't agree with me you're stupid and not allowed to speak or have an opinion."

wow, that's productive and not at all close minded.

maybe you should do some of that aforementioned research.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by RIGGO/NYC

Anyone who supports Iraq, should not be allowed to speak!!! PERIOD!!!! You are an idiot who really needs to pick up a book and do some research about the ramifications this war has had on our country and for nothing.

Be glad that I don't think like you and ban you. "If you don't agree with me, I don't want to hear you talk." You and the Bushies are two sides of the same coin. It's that kind of close-mindedness that has gotten us into the trouble that you are complaining about.

If you can't engage others with different viewpoints in a civil manner, you will not last long here. We had to shut down the political threads a while back because of troubled individuals. I hope we don't have to do the same thing again.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by RIGGO/NYC

You know I was going to join this thread on the discussion of taxes, but when I hear idiots actually defending staying in Iraq because we owe the poor Iraqi people, I just lose all respect for them. We should worry about Americans! Our leaders lied to us and there is absolutely no excuse to keep risking the lives of our troops to make up for the "mistakes" (yeah right) of Bush and Cheaney. The money we are spending on this war could be going to education and healthcare. Instead of feeling bad for Iraqi people, maybe you should think about the 50 million Americans that do not have healthcare. We are the only modern industrialized country that does not have universal healthcare. France is ranked No.1 by the W.H.O. (world healthcare org) and the U.S. is ranked 37th. In France if you are sick a doc will come to your house, here you are thrown in the street if do not have insurance. Anyone who supports Iraq, should not be allowed to speak!!! PERIOD!!!! You are an idiot who really needs to pick up a book and do some research about the ramifications this war has had on our country and for nothing. There is nothing to be gained. We have created more Anti-American sentiment by being there, than there was previously. Iraq was never a threat to us, it was Osama Bin Laden, whom we still have not caught. Thank god the days of the Republicans in Washington are coming to an end!!!!!!!!!! OBAMA says knock you out!!!

When I see posts like this which are mainly rhetoric and name-calling I lose all respect for the poster.

Here are some places where people are not allowed to speak; Cuba, Venezula, North Korea, Iraq (pre-2003), Afghanistan (pre-2001), Soviet Union (pre-fall of the Berlin Wall)

Before you call people idiots and suggest they don't read, I would suggest you read the attached links rather than get all your info from the headlines of the NY Times, Washington Post and ABC:

Saddam's Dangerous Friends

The Mother of All Connections

Andrew C. McCarthy on Iraq on National Review Online

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

When I see posts like this which are mainly rhetoric and name-calling I lose all respect for the poster.

Here are some places where people are not allowed to speak; Cuba, Venezula, North Korea, Iraq (pre-2003), Afghanistan (pre-2001), Soviet Union (pre-fall of the Berlin Wall)

Before you call people idiots and suggest they don't read, I would suggest you read the attached links rather than get all your info from the headlines of the NY Times, Washington Post and ABC:

Saddam's Dangerous Friends

The Mother of All Connections

Andrew C. McCarthy on Iraq on National Review Online

Ok, those links are all from the Weekly Standard and National Review -- both pro-Bush, neocon stink tanks if there ever was one. That's exactly the same as leftists getting all their news from the NY Times, Washington Post and ABC.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Ok, those links are all from the Weekly Standard and National Review -- both pro-Bush, neocon stink tanks if there ever was one. That's exactly the same as leftists getting all their news from the NY Times, Washington Post and ABC.

Well you can find examples from places like ABC News, from as far back as a decade ago (if not longer)

However, that's not what this thread is about

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by RIGGO/NYC

You know I was going to join this thread on the discussion of taxes, but when I hear idiots actually defending staying in Iraq because we owe the poor Iraqi people, I just lose all respect for them. We should worry about Americans! Our leaders lied to us and there is absolutely no excuse to keep risking the lives of our troops to make up for the "mistakes" (yeah right) of Bush and Cheaney. The money we are spending on this war could be going to education and healthcare. Instead of feeling bad for Iraqi people, maybe you should think about the 50 million Americans that do not have healthcare. We are the only modern industrialized country that does not have universal healthcare. France is ranked No.1 by the W.H.O. (world healthcare org) and the U.S. is ranked 37th. In France if you are sick a doc will come to your house, here you are thrown in the street if do not have insurance. Anyone who supports Iraq, should not be allowed to speak!!! PERIOD!!!! You are an idiot who really needs to pick up a book and do some research about the ramifications this war has had on our country and for nothing. There is nothing to be gained. We have created more Anti-American sentiment by being there, than there was previously. Iraq was never a threat to us, it was Osama Bin Laden, whom we still have not caught. Thank god the days of the Republicans in Washington are coming to an end!!!!!!!!!! OBAMA says knock you out!!!

Wow. I mean, I've had my share of run-ins with the forum guidelines, but this is a doozy.