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twitterLetter to the editor:
Republicans still operating as partisan unit
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
The fact that not one Republican member of the House voted for the stimulus bill is a sign that those Republicans are still living by the politics of the mid-1990s, when Tom DeLay would threaten to retaliate against any representative who did not vote the party line. At least a few Democrats had the guts to vote their conscience and oppose the president’s stimulus bill.
As important as it is to get the economy back on track, to end the Iraq mistake honorably, and to provide health care for all Americans, President Barack Obama’s biggest challenge might be to end the partisan political climate that handcuffs our elected officials from doing the will of the people.
If Republicans in both houses of Congress don’t get the message of putting the country before the party, the Democratic majority may soar to troubling levels that could threaten the basis of the two-party system.
The results of the 2006 and 2008 elections should have been a clear message to the Republican Party. The party’s inability to see the writing on the wall is remarkable.
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The Republicans and Dems who voted against this 1100 page pig bill that nobody but staff aids read did so knowing that their constituents back home were opposed to a welfare bill that would give up to $4 billion to the likes of left wing orgs like ACORN. This letter is full of liberal barbs.As for the Republicans, they will simply allow the Dems to impload. By the way, if the democrats are in support of helping the masses with healthcare why didn't they eliminate the 71/2 of adjusted gross income hit against unreimbused health care expenses in everyone's itemized tax return? That would have been a good start toward providing some relief.
If you find something in the bill regarding ACORN, please share it with the rest of us.
Our health care system, ranked 37th and falling among industrialized countries, needs more than IRS adjustment.
Hi PhilVentura,
Houstonjac will not point to the actual bill to support its assertion, even though ACORN has supported worthy efforts in the poor communities, because such evidence does not exist and its cognitive dissonance is too great. But, that being said, I appreciate your efforts to hold ignorant posters feet to fire when it comes to their idiocy.
Anybody want to take a bet that ACORN will not one dime out of the "stimulus" bill?
I am betting that they will get money because they always get a good chunk of the $5 billion in grants that are in the "stimulus" bill.
Any takers? Any libs still want to be cute with their words?
"If you find something in the bill regarding ACORN, please share it with the rest of us.
Our health care system, ranked 37th and falling among industrialized countries, needs more than IRS adjustment."
You know that ACORN is eligible and that the health care tax change would significantly benefit millions. Why are you liberals so reluctant to admit these things. Maybe you would prefer a healthcare system like Canada's that drives the good physicians out. Are you familiar with Gresham's law in economics as it relates to the bi metallic monetary system wherein the "bad" currency drives out the "good" currency. Something like this works in socialized health systems where an alternative system is available to which the "good" medical care can flee.It will.For Canada, the "good" goes south.
Phil Ventura failed to identify one item that the Republicans wanted Obama to put in the Stimulus II that made it into the final bill.
Democrat Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania do not speak for Republicans economic principles.
Another Democrat change you can believe in -- Brought to you only by Democrats who won.
None of the tax reductions, that Republicans ask Obama to include, were in the final bill.
Here are the sham tax breaks that Democrats put in the Pelosi-Reid Stimulus II
Having a happy meal on Obama's dime is just the stimulus we have been looking for.
Obama wants to spend $115 billion on the happy meals. Remember that for every happy meal you eat today - you have to pay it back plus interest in future taxes.
Then Obama wants to spend $70 billion for the AMT which is a bailout for high income taxpayers in high property and income tax states. This is the same tax break that has been extended every year for many years and will not provide any "new stimulus".
The remain tax relief in Stimulus II is
Expanded College Credit $13 billion
Bonus Depreciation $ 5 billion
Home Buyer Credit $ 3.7 billion
Auto Sales $ 2.5 billion
No capital gains tax rate reduction, no income tax rate reduction at the two lowest rates, no business rate reduction from 35% to the average elsewhere in the world of 22%.
No wonder people need to continue to personally deleverage and stop all discretionary spending.
Consumer confidence is dropping with Obama's snarky fear mongering campaign of ranting against the economy and businesses and saying that our economy will not recover without an immediate borrow and spend package and pay cuts for business owners.
Lack of confidence is reflected by the stock market
Low confidence by everybody who needs to deleverage will continue to slow or stop spending with this Obama fear mongering of the economy.
But Obama continues to lack a plan for housing foreclosures which until it is fixed - nothing will work.
Obama also continues to lack a plan for fix the financial process rules which until they are fixed - nothing will work.
Republicans didn't get a say in the forming of Pelosi's bill. Republicans and democrats didn't get to read the bill. Democrats passed the bill.
There is not a two party system in America. It is a one party system. If you believe the dog and pony show they put on, you must have been educated by the Clark CountySchool System. Obama lacks a plan, Bush lacked a plan, everyone lacks a plan. Politicians are just there to amass fortunes for themselves.
Then Obama wants to spend $70 billion for the AMT which is a bailout for high income taxpayers in high property and income tax states. This is the same tax break that has been extended every year for many years and will not provide any "new stimulus". -- Future2012
Would you please define "high income taxpayers"? I certainly don't consider myself to be high income, but I fell prey to that AMT and it has ruined my life ever since as my with-holdings were nowhere close to what it said I owed and I haven't been able to pay it. I have a solid 5-figure income (for now) with NO itemized deductions as I am a renter. Even though I filled out a correct W-4 I got hit with the ATM. That little piece of crap MUST be overhauled.
And what is captainamerica's plan? Other than complaining that no one has a plan and everyone is out for number one and education in Clark County is a failure. Man up and put forth a constructive plan instead of whining in a paranoid fashion.
boftx asked "Would you please define "high income taxpayers""
Affected taxpayers are those who have too much in deductions in what are known as "tax preference items".
Hence with so large a deduction they pay very little in taxes.
These deductions include state and local income, sales and property taxes, accelerated depreciation, a portion of otherwise deductible medical expenses, miscellaneous itemized deductions, the bargain element in exercised incentive stock options, percentage depletion, certain tax-exempt income, certain credits, personal exemptions and the standard deduction. In addition, due to a different system of exemption phaseouts, items such as long-term capital gains may result in AMT
In addition to the normal tax code calculations, the AMT system uses a different set of rules for determining taxable income and allowable deductions.
The "tax preference items" are added back, then an AMT Exemption is subtracted to compute AMT Taxable Income (AMTI).
The AMT Exemption is phased out at 25 cents per dollar of AMTI above $150,000 on joint returns.
Criticism often focuses on the fact that the $150,000 phase-out threshold has never been adjusted for inflation since its enactment in 1986.
AMT Exemption has been changed by a series of short-term legislative "patches" over the years, as shown in the table below.
With the adjustment for 2007, the AMT Exemption is not fully phased out until AMTI surpasses $415,000 for joint returns.
This was adjusted up last fall for the 2008 return
The Stimulus II adjusted it up again for the 2009 return.
AMT can kick in with joint income under $100k, I assure you.
Our political system operates much the same way the business cycle does. The Repubs and the Demos take turns at running things, and the American public sways with the political winds currently blowing.
After 8 years of Bush politics and six years of GOP congressional control, the public put the Demos and their presidential candidate in power, and both of them immediately passed a multi-billion dollar spending bill.
The last time this happened, a depression was reduced to a recession. (1930's).
Maybe this recession will be reduced to a zero gain/zero loss economy. We'll have to wait and see.
One thing I know for sure, Pelosi's husband's government contracting companies will get plenty of the money in the bill.
You guys are HILARIOUS!!!!!
You just prove the point of the writer.
ALL your petty, whiny, bickering dissent.
THANK YOU for the big smile on my face. Funny stuff!
It's like a parody in here.
Phil Ventura is the same person that has been constantly demanding that Bush be impeached.
Now he has the nerve to complain about partisanship!!!!!!
Any person without his head in the sand, no matter what political party knows that Bush should have been impeached.
Republicans in the late 90's spent $65,000,000 to find out that Clinton had low morals. We should spend a few bucks investigating the carnage caused by the Bush administration. There's bad democrats and bad republicans but there's only one G. W. Bush.
LOL.....even your party leaders think that you an extreme partisan and rejected idea of impeachment outright.
Now, you are crying foul about partianship????????
It is like the kettle calling the pot black.
I have no party affiliation. Formerly a Republican until Nixon displayed his arrogance towards the constitution.
I can tell right from wrong without Rush Limbaugh's help.
OMG!!!!! Almost every single letter you write and every single post you make is nearly 100% pure Democratic talking points.
It is so ironic that you are whining about Republicans being partisans.
I am glad the Repubs are finally sticking together.
Good to see Phil is true to his beliefs.
How do I as an American get me some of that stimu-crack? Oh, I have to wait until 2011 until it gets to me.
Change we all can believe in.
Hey bro, can yo spare some change?
Not Democratic talking points, just things that I believe in. Healthcare for everyone, Presidents that can make complete sentences and make a good choice once in a while. Registered Independent and that will never change.
On Limbaugh! On O'Reilly! On dancer, on vixen, on comet and cupid. Run the entire state of Kalifornia into the ground over 12 cents of gas tax. OMG!!!- what a bunch of partisan idiots!
"It's a huge responsibility, and it's people's careers on the line," Schwarzenegger told The Times, alluding to threats by conservative bloggers and talk-radio hosts of political retaliation against Republicans who vote to raise taxes. "But I think in the end they know they have to make a decision what's best for the state."
Their Republican colleagues say what's best for California is no new taxes.
The plan supported by Democrats and Schwarzenegger, a moderate Republican, includes a 1 cent increase in the sales tax, would add 12 cents a gallon to the gas tax and would also boost vehicle license fees and the personal income tax.
In California, the Republican are not saying no to new taxes. This is just the 1000000000th time that the Democrats in Cali has demanded big hikes in taxes to "solve" budget problems. The Republicans are asking more in cuts and a reduction in the tax hikes.
The Democrats only want to raise taxes by a tiny $14 billion. In addition to the 12 cents in gas taxes and 1% added in sales tax, it will add 5% or 2.5% new surchage on income and new fees increases.
What is the big deal? Hundreds of thousands of citizens are getting laidoff in California. They can pay more new taxes.
It only will add between $800 to $1,100 in taxes per household. I guess they will use the Obama "stimulus" tax credit giveaway to help pay that off. Nix the "stimulus" effect in California.
Who needs that cash, especially if one member of the family is laidoff?
I am sure that the tax hikes will have zero effect on the economy of California. In fact, it will create a boom economy.
Sorry Nance, the radio gods must not be dancing or singing the right tune. Someone has to pay for benefits, even if it means raising taxes. Repubs can't have it both ways- huge benefits and low taxes forever.
The biggest economic expansion in the history of the world was created during a time when the top earners paid a 91% tax rate. Everyone prospered, even the rich!. We are spoiled rotten children of prosperity. We don't realize what our parents and grandparents paid to build this county. Now it is just me me me - talk to Rush, he will explain it.
Marginal tax rates in our history for top earners.
1917- 67%
1918- 77%
1929 - 24% Right before the big depression
1930 - 25%
1932 - 63%
1936 - 79%
1942 - 88% The U.S. sacrifice for WWII
1944 - 94% Wow Nance only 6 cents of every dollar left over.
1951-1963 - Every year over 91% tax rate and we now have freeways.
1964-1980 - 70%
1987 - now - nothing above 40%
"In California, the Republican are not saying no to new taxes."
You really know the place Jim, like someone who has never been there.
Suck it up big boy. Your man created a mess for everybody, not just Kalifornia. Why don't you stop worrying about your messiah nonsense and hold your own personal deity, Bush, responsible? Too hard to be honest when the news is so bad?