Stephen King: Tax Me, for F@%&’s Sake!

[cybrsage]

Stephen King supposedly donates money for local fire departments so that they could buy better equipment since he feels that that he's not being taxed enough.

He also makes donations to local libraries.

As for his views about the tax system. He pays taxes and has earned as much a right to express his views about the tax structure in the U.S. as anyone else quite frankly.

Good for him and I agree with you. That doesn't mean I agree with him though.

What bfdd said. I also have the same right to express the view that he wants others to be forced to do what he is not already doing himself. Donating to causes is not the same as paying extra taxes.

 

[Matt1970]

That's called austerity, it's been a disaster in Europe.

Then we should all be lining up for Government Cheese then because the States have already cut a lot of programs 10, 20 and even 30%.

 

[First]

It has also been proven you cannot solve the problem by even imposing a 100% tax on the rich, therefor it is foolish. Try to keep up.

You're confused and off-point since no one here is arguing whatever phantom problem you think can't be solved by a 100% tax on the rich (which is also something else no one here is arguing). But that was an entertaining, if ornately lame, attempt at addressing the reality that collective action is paramount in a tax debate.

My point is the hypocrisy of those who demand OTHERS be forced to do what they refuse to do on their own. Try to keep up.

This has already been addressed. Try to keep up, oh and be more creative with the replies. I know creativity isn't a conservative's strong suit, but do try harder.

 

[cybrsage]

You're confused and off-point since no one here is arguing whatever phantom problem you think can't be solved by a 100% tax on the rich (which is also something else no one here is arguing). But that was an entertaining, if ornately lame, attempt at addressing the reality that collective action is paramount in a tax debate.

Don't blame me for you bringing up an off point item and then showing you how silly it was. Your silly, and not even entertaining but still quite lame, attempt to shift the point away someone demanding others do what they will not do themselves failed.

At least you recognize how silly your own argument is, that is a good first step for you.

This has already been addressed. Try to keep up, oh and be more creative with the replies. I know creativity isn't a conservative's strong suit, but do try harder.

Nope, the only way it goes away is if you can show he is actually already purposefully paying more in taxes than he has to pay. Support your statement that it has been addressed, show he is not a hypocrit.

Wait, you are not one of those people who thinks that taxes and donations to needy groups are the same thing, are you?

 

[First]

Don't blame me for you bringing up an off point item

What off-point item? Please delineate (FYI, you won't be able to). I see an off-point item from you WRT "the problem", so perhaps you're confusing yourself with me, which is odd but would make sense based on your clownish posting history. Please delineate on "the problem".

Your silly, and not even entertaining but still quite lame, attempt to shift the point away someone demanding others do what they will not do themselves failed.

You're still confused madam; paying more as a lone individual has no impact and is foolish. Which btw is probably why King has so extensively contributed to and started charities, which are more effective than non-collective tax receipts to the gov't.

At least you recognize how silly your own argument is, that is a good first step for you.

This is an odd comment based, I presume, on strange thoughts bumbling around that skull of yours. Certainly not based on any admission of mine. Perhaps this is the conservative version of subtle humor.

Nope, the only way it goes away is if you can show he is actually already purposefully paying more in taxes than he has to pay. Support your statement that it has been addressed, show he is not a hypocrit.

Your premise is false since one wouldn't need to contribute more in taxes by himself when the well-known result would have zero impact. This is why taxes are shared by all in a sovereign nation; a well known fact among well-educated persons.

Wait, you are not one of those people who thinks that taxes and donations to needy groups are the same thing, are you?

You're still confused, I'm afraid.

 

[Moonbeam]

I think almost nothing that is said here is real scientifically derived thought, but the opinions of folk with axes to grind that have propagandized the American psyche. It's like a topic is thrown out and a thousand people vomit their propagandized player piano roles. Everybody knows everything and all the absolute truths are completely different. Give me an economist that has no hands.

 

[LunarRay]

IF the rich are taxed a bit more and the Government takes that exact same amount and targets the folks who will spend it... say the poor... what might the affect of that be on the economy? I suggest it stimulates the economy to the extent several factors allow.
But, more importantly, it should or at least could tickle the psychology of the masses to drop the notion of doom and gloom. By doing that folks would alter their behavior and spend instead of paying down debt and actually incur more debt to acquire what their 'wants' demand.

It is all about using the rich as the scape goat and make all the folks not rich happy and confident in the direction government is going as regards the economy...

And, if the 1% are charged 5% more tax do you really think they'll suffer? Heck, they ought to cherish the idea... With an uptick in the Economy their investments will yield more and the gap ought to widen even more...

 

[Matt1970]

IF the rich are taxed a bit more and the Government takes that exact same amount and targets the folks who will spend it... say the poor... what might the affect of that be on the economy?

That's just more welfare. Why work if we can just get it from the Government?

 

[blankslate]

I also have the same right to express the view that he wants others to be forced to do what he is not already doing himself. Donating to causes is not the same as paying extra taxes.

State and Federal government enforce property rights and attempt to provide a safe place for individuals to work or go into business for themselves. The more successful you are generally the more you depend on the infrastructure and property rights to achieve that success. Some people say that you should contribute a bit more if you enjoy exceptional success. If you want to disagree that's fine but in my opinion it's a bit short sighted to be honest.

In Stephen Kings case copyright laws enabled him to profit from his ability to tell at times truly scary stories that entertain millions of people.

In Bill Gates case copyright laws ensured that he was able to profit quite nicely from Windows.

In the case of the people who own large chain of stores the goods that they move to those stores most likely travel the last leg in a truck which of course uses the highway system. If you've taken a cross country trip you've probably noticed that *a lot* of the traffic is made up of large trucks carrying goods or making their way to pick up goods. Those trucks also put way more wear and tear on the highway system than passenger vehicles.

 

[jackstar7]

That's just more welfare. Why work if we can just get it from the Government?

Dignity?

Or does psychology not enter into it...?

 

[Steeplerot]

And the fanboi cultists of the wanna be rich crew in here heads explode.

Heres a hint about being a American, you will never be in the rich "club" they dont want you, you all are useful idiots selling out your own well being and families/country. But rigid idealists could care less.

The rich MUST be smarter and more capable, this is why they can tell us what to do and bribe our democracy. This is the message of modern conservatism (or what masquerades as it)

A message of downtrodden Americans who have given up on the dream and hope to literally win the lottery. A bunch of silly reactionary wanna-be aristocrats hopped up on the riches own propaganda networks of US corporate media.

Like all right-wingers they listen to their own little echo chamber while the whole stinking pile of crap they set up in their little world falls apart around them, the whole time playing victim, as their ideas MUST be right. Because hey, some rich white talking heads in suits and empty phrases like "common sense values" told them so, DAY AFTER DAY on their favorite tabloid political soap opera for men show -and they know best. They are on tv and radio, and make more money then you do.

 

[DesiPower]

If he wants to pay more, he simply can decide not to take any deductions. Easy and simple, but that is not what he wants. He wants OTHER people to be forced to pay more because HE thinks they do not pay enough.

Money and mouth - he should put them together.

This, you can donate to IRS too. Hypocrite douche bag...

 

[Matt1970]

Heres a hint about being a American, you will never be in the rich "club" they dont want you, you all are useful idiots selling out your own well being and families/country. But rigid idealists could care less.

Oh ya right, that's exactly how it works. Only the Rich can decide who gets to be Rich.

 

[Jaskalas]

Oh ya right, that's exactly how it works. Only the Rich can decide who gets to be Rich.

It's true when the government gets involved. Then the little guy is regulated out of business.

 

[Steeplerot]

Oh ya right, that's exactly how it works. Only the Rich can decide who gets to be Rich.

The system was gamed long ago for a few. Welcome to 2012, a handful of companies own this country now. (it was always like this on some level though throughout US history)

And here you guys are defending the corrupt gangsterism of neo-liberalism. But hey, if you kiss their ass maybe one day they will return the favor and toss you a lil bone. LOL..morons. Hows that trickle down warm piss of conservatism on your head feeling?

The more you all carry on with the talk radio nonsense and go off into la la land the less you can realize how foolish it is to stick to the same failed ideas over and over. Evolve conservatives..and be fast about it.

 

[Matt1970]

The system was gamed long ago for a few. Welcome to 2012, a handful of companies own this country now. (it was always like this on some level though throughout US history)

And here you guys are defending the corrupt gangsterism of neo-liberalism. But hey, if you kiss their ass maybe one day they will return the favor and toss you a lil bone. LOL..morons. Hows that trickle down warm piss on your head feeling? Ready to rethink the stupidity of conservatism or do you want some more slave?

We are trying to get people out of the rut of needing that bone thrown to them. Your communist ideals bring nations to thier knees left and right. You will have a much higher success rate trying to get your own piece of the pie than waiting for your share from the Government.

 

[Bowfinger]

We are trying to get people out of the rut of needing that bone thrown to them. Your communist ideals bring nations to thier knees left and right. You will have a much higher success rate trying to get your own piece of the pie than waiting for your share from the Government.

Sorry, you're simply in denial. The extreme concentration of wealth in the hands of an elite few increases the number of people "needing that bone thrown to them." It is a better balance of wealth distribution that fosters a strong middle class of working people who are nominally self-sufficient. When a greedy few hoard as much as they can get away with, it leaves more and more people unable to support themselves.

 

[Matt1970]

Sorry, you're simply in denial. The extreme concentration of wealth in the hands of an elite few increases the number of people "needing that bone thrown to them." It is a better balance of wealth distribution that fosters a strong middle class of working people who are nominally self-sufficient. When a greedy few hoard as much as they can get away with, it leaves more and more people unable to support themselves.

Not in denial. You have been mislead to believe the economy id a 0 sum game, that for someone to get rich they have to have taken it from someone else. It doesn't work that way. Also, there are no laws that force the money out of the hands of the poor and give it to the rich.

 

[Bowfinger]

Not in denial. You have been mislead to believe the economy id a 0 sum game, that for someone to get rich they have to have taken it from someone else. It doesn't work that way. Also, there are no laws that force the money out of the hands of the poor and give it to the rich.

As I said, denial. Those are great talking points and your presentation was well polished. And yes, it is certainly true that the economy is not necessarily a zero-sum game. It can be, however, and even when it is not that doesn't imply that growth is shared with everyone. The simple fact is that wealth has been dramatically shifted from the middle class to the elite few over the last few decades. Fact. So however much the right parrots the theoretical "it's not a zero-sum game," the data shows that's how it's been working in practice.

 

[LunarRay]

That's just more welfare. Why work if we can just get it from the Government?

Welfare?

The poor are not defined as being on welfare if they work, I don't think... And if the money is used as a reduction of taxation to the working poor that is not an increase to the welfare recipient...

 

[Matt1970]

Welfare?

The poor are not defined as being on welfare if they work, I don't think... And if the money is used as a reduction of taxation to the working poor that is not an increase to the welfare recipient...

How else do you plan to give to the poor without it being some form of welfare?

 

[Matt1970]

As I said, denial. Those are great talking points and your presentation was well polished. And yes, it is certainly true that the economy is not necessarily a zero-sum game. It can be, however, and even when it is not that doesn't imply that growth is shared with everyone. The simple fact is that wealth has been dramatically shifted from the middle class to the elite few over the last few decades. Fact. So however much the right parrots the theoretical "it's not a zero-sum game," the data shows that's how it's been working in practice.

They are not talking points. The poor pay no income tax, so you need to show me how someone who doesn't pay income tax is effected by someone else's tax rate? Just because my neighbor got a bigger chunk on thier own money back from the Government does not make me poor.

 

[LunarRay]

How else do you plan to give to the poor without it being some form of welfare?

The fiscal policy of the Federal Government is usually not considered welfare... It seems you choose to apply a pejorative meaning to some aspects of fiscal policy and especially when the focus of a policy is a class of people you don't like.
Why not assume that what ever policy the Government embarks on it is intended to be positive for the economy and thereby all Americans.

 

[Matt1970]

The fiscal policy of the Federal Government is usually not considered welfare... It seems you choose to apply a pejorative meaning to some aspects of fiscal policy and especially when the focus of a policy is a class of people you don't like.
Why not assume that what ever policy the Government embarks on it is intended to be positive for the economy and thereby all Americans.

Oh, I see. Giving money to the poor is no longer called Welfare, it's now called fiscal policy. BTW, you assuming I don't like the poor is asinine, I just know that throwing a little money at them is a trap.

 

[Steeplerot]

Oh, I see. Giving money to the poor is no longer called Welfare, it's now called fiscal policy. BTW, you assuming I don't like the poor is asinine, I just know that throwing a little money at them is a trap.

It all depends on who is framing the debate, for that matter why pay workers period? How far you conservatives want to take this? Throughout history this mindset leads right back to the old meme of paychecks being just a handout from the boss who will just fire their asses anyhow, the workers should be so lucky to get paid.

Lets just let the corporations have their way! They always have the best interest of the people in mind. (with such a great historical record in the USA to back this up too!) /sarcasm

Cuz we know corporations would not buy out democracies with lobbyists, use their money to enact their own legislation bypassing democracy in the first place, pollute, stifle innovation to keep shareholders happy, layoff workers to give bigger bonuses to CEOs, use their own "news networks" to spread their own self serving messages and lie, need I go on?

You guys are very naive to buy this "poor downtrodden rich" apologist shit, because that's what it is, propaganda from the elites. And you all eat it up daily.

Dittoheads are a good term for the contemporary conservative cultist, but corporate lackey shit-for-brains is a better description of the inhabitants of cold war era language/mindset mass media TV/radio fed wasteland of tabloid politics that is conservatism nowadays.