i think im becoming a republican..

[nehalem256]

There isn't a shortage of oil in the world right now, so point 2 and 4 will not help. The US is exporting gasoline right now so 'keeping money in America' isn't our problem when it comes to oil/gas.

Points 1 and 3 sound like Democrat positions. Are you sure you aren't a Democrat?

2 and 4 help long term in stablizing supply and decreasing the trade deficit.

I feel no need to toe any party's line. But considering I dont believe men should be slaves to support women's reproductive choice I am pretty sure I am not a Democrat 😛

 

[dank69]

once I factor in sales tax, property tax, liscenses, business taxes, yes, it is over 50% of my dollars gone.... And really that isn't what makes me mad. If for my tax dollars I got a near 1:1 return I would be happy....

for example, I live in a somewhat rural area, maybe 2 miles from city water/sewer. I live in a nice little area, just off the Mississippi river. They pushed a road assessment on our neighborhood, that the people in the area opposed. It cost me about 6 grand for these road improvements. the city council heard many people oppose it at the meetings and basically said, thanks for your input -> approved! Now, the road work is done, the work is questionable at best, they didn't correctly handle a walking path situation with a local land owner prior to starting the project, leaving a half @ssed solution to a problem that actually was needed.

the people in the area, kind of felt like, if they feel they needed to do the road work, fine, but at least get the walking path done right... and they completely f^cked it up. This is just one example that cost me 6 grand and probably got about 1k bucks worth of value out of

You mentioned shipping. Do you have trucks?

 

[fskimospy]

once I factor in sales tax, property tax, liscenses, business taxes, yes, it is over 50% of my dollars gone.... And really that isn't what makes me mad. If for my tax dollars I got a near 1:1 return I would be happy....

for example, I live in a somewhat rural area, maybe 2 miles from city water/sewer. I live in a nice little area, just off the Mississippi river. They pushed a road assessment on our neighborhood, that the people in the area opposed. It cost me about 6 grand for these road improvements. the city council heard many people oppose it at the meetings and basically said, thanks for your input -> approved! Now, the road work is done, the work is questionable at best, they didn't correctly handle a walking path situation with a local land owner prior to starting the project, leaving a half @ssed solution to a problem that actually was needed.

the people in the area, kind of felt like, if they feel they needed to do the road work, fine, but at least get the walking path done right... and they completely f^cked it up. This is just one example that cost me 6 grand and probably got about 1k bucks worth of value out of

If you are paying nearly 60% of your income in taxes you are doing something wrong. The average federal taxes for a small business are somewhere around 20% of income. If local issues are adding up to an additional 40% of your income you seriously should hire an accountant to look at that, reexamine your business model, or move.

 

[Zivic]

What would you like for the government to do to decrease oil prices? If your answer is more drilling in the US you should know that it will not lead to a significant decrease in oil prices.

What was your tax burden as a percentage of profits in 2002 vs. today?

not necessarily more drilling, but to make the drilling an easier option. I think the subsidies for ethanol, increased gas taxes, all have hurt me as well - I am in the ag business

In 2002 I was actually working for another company, so I couldn't accurately tell you those numbers specifically....

What I can tell you is from my position, from 2003-2009, my income was 3 times what has been the last two years.... to make matters worse, our gross income as a company was very strong last year. I am not saying it is all tax burden, I am saying it is mainly the environment the government has shaped that is hurting me the most. I have a business that is kind of its own unique type. It doesn't follow suit to other types of farms/ag business so it is hard to compare to others that may seem similar. We are hurt a lot by oil prices, and subsidies to other farms and ag industries like ethanol subsidies

 

[yllus]

And was it liberals or conservatives that normalized divorce and having children out of wedlock?

Reality normalized that. Society changed and isn't going to change back. The laws were simply altered to reflect the new normal. So my answer is it's a dumb, pointless question.

 

[dank69]

2 and 4 help long term in stablizing supply and decreasing the trade deficit.

I feel no need to toe any party's line. But considering I dont believe men should be slaves to support women's reproductive choice I am pretty sure I am not a Democrat 😛

Slaves to support women's reproductive choice? I know this is a hot talking point right now, but can you illustrate why you think Ds want you to be a slave to support women's reproductive choice?

 

[fskimospy]

Slaves to support women's reproductive choice? I know this is a hot talking point right now, but can you illustrate why you think Ds want you to be a slave to support women's reproductive choice?

He's discussed it in many other threads, I would suggest searching for them. He's pretty gross.

 

[boomerang]

You relate an old joke here and look at who overreacts. It's not a joke, it's symbolic of those mean, ignorant members of the Republican Party dammit!

I've said it before, I hang here for the laughs. People that take everything so fucking serious really make me chuckle. I just can't imagine what it's like to spend that much time being angry. Can't be good for you...

 

[dank69]

not necessarily more drilling, but to make the drilling an easier option. I think the subsidies for ethanol, increased gas taxes, all have hurt me as well - I am in the ag business

In 2002 I was actually working for another company, so I couldn't accurately tell you those numbers specifically....

What I can tell you is from my position, from 2003-2009, my income was 3 times what has been the last two years.... to make matters worse, our gross income as a company was very strong last year. I am not saying it is all tax burden, I am saying it is mainly the environment the government has shaped that is hurting me the most. I have a business that is kind of its unique type. It doesn't follow suite to other types of farms/ag business so it is hard to compare to others that may seem similar. We are hurt a lot by oil prices, and subsidies to other farms and ag industries like ethanol subsidies

Sounds like subsidies are a major problem for you. Which party supports those subsidies?

 

[dank69]

You relate an old joke here and look at who overreacts. It's not a joke, it's symbolic of those mean, ignorant members of the Republican Party dammit!

I've said it before, I hang here for the laughs. People that take everything so fucking serious really make me chuckle. I just can't imagine what it's like to spend that much time being angry. Can't be good for you...

I know man. Propaganda is fucking hilarious. :thumbsdown:

 

[Zivic]

If you are paying nearly 60% of your income in taxes you are doing something wrong. The average federal taxes for a small business are somewhere around 20% of income. If local issues are adding up to an additional 40% of your income you seriously should hire an accountant to look at that, reexamine your business model, or move.

My situation is very complicated. the bad economy has thrown a big wrench into certain aspects of my life/business. much too complicated to explain here. I am not bitching and moaning, just feel that I don't get value for my tax $ and feel the government has let me down, as well as many others working hard to make it.

I don't need to be bailing out banks, paying my lazy neighbor's welfare check, doubling the number of people on food stamps, paying an increase in my gas taxes and property taxes for crappy roads, etc etc.

The government should protect me from danger and provide a healthy environment for me to make a living. Not be just another hurdle for me to have to overcome

 

[nehalem256]

Slaves to support women's reproductive choice? I know this is a hot talking point right now, but can you illustrate why you think Ds want you to be a slave to support women's reproductive choice?

1.) Democrats support women choosing to avoid parenthood by abortion and forcing men to pay child support to support a woman choice. This is inconsistent with supporting casual sex. You cannot have so one party can force responsibility on the other.

2.) All of the government programs that go to largely support single mothers.

Reality normalized that. Society changed and isn't going to change back. The laws were simply altered to reflect the new normal. So my answer is it's a dumb, pointless question.

Reality did not lead to single motherhood. In fact for millenia reality said single motherhood was wrong. And in fact looking at the relative poverty rates it still does, we just bail it out.

 

[Zivic]

Sounds like subsidies are a major problem for you. Which party supports those subsidies?

DFL

the ethanol thing really hurt us. It drove the price of corn up artificially, thus increasing demand for fertilizer, chemical, fuel, you name it... then add the increased base cost of oil, and it drove up our input costs DRAMATICALLY.

 

[nehalem256]

He's discussed it in many other threads, I would suggest searching for them. He's pretty gross.

I am sorry that you feel treating men and women as equals is "gross" 🙄

 

[JimKiler]

no joke... im starting to feel like... man.. i've worked hard to have the (few) things i do... maybe people are just pussies... i've always liked the democrats because, the democratic way is to help others... help people who maybe weren't born as smart as i am.. who didnt have the things i did to get where i have.. but maybe.. just maybe.. i did that. maybe others who haven't gotten here dont deserve to live nicely, and to have cars, and money, and, even though i dont have alot of things i would like to.. i will. one day.. maybe i shouldn't want to give to welfare..

fuck i dont know.

A politician once said never trust a republican who did not grow up a democrat. I believe there is a truth to that statement in that we all want to help others but then get Jaded. For me it was working as a server overnights at Perkins and seeing too many rejects and people coming off the streets asking to borrow money even though their broken down car story was sketchy.

 

[slayernine]

Reminds me of the old joke...

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself a very liberal Democrat and was very much in favor of redistribution of wealth. She was ashamed that her father was a staunch Republican.

Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes and the addition of more government welfare programs. He responded by asking her how she was doing in school. She answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, with no time to go out and party like other students. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend. Her father listened and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?"

She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA She is so popular on campus, college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over.

"Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your 4.0 GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA."

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree! She played while I worked my tail off!"

The father slowly smiled and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican Party"

If you are republican on primarily tax issues you and smaller government you are really more of a libertarian than a republican. Republicans are all about giving businesses huge tax breaks and crushing the lower class. Libertarians are about less tax all around and more freedom to the individual.

 

[ichy]

Can a thinking person also be disgusted by hardliners in the middle? People who insist both parties are the same despite evidence pointing to the contrary?

Yes.

You'll never hear me say that both parties are the same, but on a lot of big issues they both lack the courage to tell people what they don't want to hear. Our budget is the perfect example. Every sane economist has said that the US is heading toward fiscal armageddon, and that fixing the government's financial affairs will require higher taxes AND cuts to entitlement programs. No leader of either party has the courage to say that.

Republicans make vague noises about "shrinking government" while advocating endless tax cuts, but you'll never see Mitt Romney stand up and say that Social Security benefits will need to be reduced and there will need to be caps on what Medicare will pay for. In the meantime you have the Democrats pretending that everything can be solved with higher taxes on the rich. Both parties are NOT the same, but on many issues they both fail to offer serious solutions.

 

[dank69]

1.) Democrats support women choosing to avoid parenthood by abortion and forcing men to pay child support to support a woman choice. This is inconsistent with supporting casual sex. You cannot have so one party can force responsibility on the other.

2.) All of the government programs that go to largely support single mothers.




Reality did not lead to single motherhood. In fact for millenia reality said single motherhood was wrong. And in fact looking at the relative poverty rates it still does, we just bail it out.

Why don't you try looking at it this way. YOU are responsible for each and every last one of your sperm. If one of yours fertilizes an egg, you are still responsible for it until the day you die. It is up to you to make sure it doesn't fertilize an egg if you don't want kids or child support. How does that sound?

 

[fskimospy]

My situation is very complicated. the bad economy has thrown a big wrench into certain aspects of my life/business. much too complicated to explain here. I am not bitching and moaning, just feel that I don't get value for my tax $ and feel the government has let me down, as well as many others working hard to make it.

I don't need to be bailing out banks, paying my lazy neighbor's welfare check, doubling the number of people on food stamps, paying an increase in my gas taxes and property taxes for crappy roads, etc etc.

The government should protect me from danger and provide a healthy environment for me to make a living. Not be just another hurdle for me to have to overcome

I'm sure your situation is much to complicated to discuss here, but that is very unusual.

As for what your tax dollars do, sadly we did need to bail out banks. If the bad economy as it is now has thrown a big wrench into things, a catastrophic meltdown of the world's financial system would have thrown in a much bigger one. As for welfare, food stamps, etc, and the like those comprise a small percentage of federal expenditures, generally around 10%.

I can't speak for your state, but federal gas taxes have not increased since 1993 which means in inflation adjusted terms it's gone down quite a bit.

 

[fskimospy]

Yes.

You'll never hear me say that both parties are the same, but on a lot of big issues they both lack the courage to tell people what they don't want to hear. Our budget is the perfect example. Every sane economist has said that the US is heading toward fiscal armageddon, and that fixing the government's financial affairs will require higher taxes AND cuts to entitlement programs. No leader of either party has the courage to say that.

Republicans make vague noises about "shrinking government" while advocating endless tax cuts, but you'll never see Mitt Romney stand up and say that Social Security benefits will need to be reduced and there will need to be caps on what Medicare will pay for. In the meantime you have the Democrats pretending that everything can be solved with higher taxes on the rich. Both parties are NOT the same, but on many issues they both fail to offer serious solutions.

You realize that Obama proposed a plan to do exactly that last year during the debt showdown, right?

 

[CitizenKain]

Why don't you try looking at it this way. YOU are responsible for each and every last one of your sperm. If one of yours fertilizes an egg, you are still responsible for it until the day you die. It is up to you to make sure it doesn't fertilize an egg if you don't want kids or child support. How does that sound?

I'm sure reality has already made sure he never has to worry about that.

 

[nehalem256]

Why don't you try looking at it this way. YOU are responsible for each and every last one of your sperm. If one of yours fertilizes an egg, you are still responsible for it until the day you die. It is up to you to make sure it doesn't fertilize an egg if you don't want kids or child support. How does that sound?

So I will agree to that assuming you agree to:

"Why don't you try looking at it this way. A woman responsible for each and every last one of your eggs. If one of yours eggs is fertilized, you are still responsible for it until the day you die. It is up to you to make sure it doesn't get fertilized if you don't want kids or pregnancy. How does that sound?"

This is exactly the argument Republicans make for women regarding their eggs. But when they say it liberals accuse them of having a "War on Women".

 

[ichy]

You realize that Obama proposed a plan to do exactly that last year during the debt showdown, right?

Obama has never come out with a plan that would make serious cuts to entitlements.

 

[dank69]

So I will agree to that assuming you agree to:

"Why don't you try looking at it this way. A woman responsible for each and every last one of your eggs. If one of yours eggs is fertilized, you are still responsible for it until the day you die. It is up to you to make sure it doesn't get fertilized if you don't want kids or pregnancy. How does that sound?"

This is exactly the argument Republicans make for women regarding their eggs. But when they say it liberals accuse them of having a "War on Women".

Why is your agreement conditional? You either agree or you don't. Does what I said make sense or not? Does it not make sense but you will still agree with it if I concede your point? 😕

As for what seems like you claiming a woman should not be allowed to abort a pregnancy, you can't dismiss the process of bringing a zygote to full term as insignificant.

 

[Atreus21]

I am greedy, but why is that a bad thing?

Greed is bad. However, other people mistaking your self-interest for greed is also bad.

People have a tendency to label everything they do in their own interest as sovereign, and everything other people do in their own self interest as greedy.