Politics

[blue cobra]

Are you talking about the federal budget? Because I was talking about the New York State budget...
Parks and preserving history are things I think the government actually should be spending money on.

[zyzzyva980]

Does anyone here do extemp for forensics? For a few of you it seems right up your alley.

[drstrangelove24]

Are you also furious that president Bush would LOWER taxes for the WEALTHIEST Americans in 2001 and 2003? BTW, this is reversed in Obama's proposed budget. Now that's not entirely related, nor do I know exactly how the proposed budget freeze effects New York, but from what I have seen, this freeze sounds like, for the most part, to be a good thing.

For the budget as a whole, I generally think it's good. Unfortunately, the deficit was increased more, which is obviously not a good thing, but, with this economy, there's not that much that can be done. Also, the deficit is on pace to be under 3% by 2015. I wish that health care could have been addressed more directly, but of course, it couldn't.

Just quoting on the first part, But I do agree with you here I actually heard somebody say: "MAKE BILLIONAIRE TAX CUTS PERMANENT!" That statement is absolutely ridiculous. The more you own the more you pay. It is fair and balanced that way. I don't see anyway you could argue that tax cuts for the wealthy is alright.
Sorry I can't really comment on New York's economic or political position right now I don't really know anything about it mostly because I live in Kansas...

[Kroll]

What is wrong with cutting taxes if there is room to do it? If anyone’s taxes are cut it should be the poor, but what is wrong with cutting rich persons taxes also? The rich are already being taxed way more, it goes by percentages. What I mean to say is, is not that we have room to cut taxes but that some people do believe in a stagey for these tax cuts. I do think that we should fix the system, but no system that has come up yet makes total sense.

[Kroll]

I would also like to say that we would not need higher taxes and could give more tax cuts if Obama would stop taking 700 million dollar vacations.

[fmtiger124]

What is wrong with cutting taxes if there is room to do it? If anyone’s taxes are cut it should be the poor, but what is wrong with cutting a rich persons taxes also? The rich are already being taxed way more, it goes by percentages.

Room to do it? You're kidding me right? How on earth do you suggest we cut the deficit then? (please don't say cut spending...that's next to impossible in today's world with new needs etc.. popping up all the time).Why shouldn't we raise taxes of those who can afford it? The poor and the unemployed are suffering while the rich just keep living their lives with as much luxury as they want. It's not fair of republicans in a time of recession to hold the middle class tax cuts hostage just so the rich don't have to pay as much. In many cases they're cutting there own taxes....something like 7 of newly elected republicans earn 7 figures....

I would also like to say that we would not need higher taxes and could give more tax cuts if Obama would stop taking 700 million dollar vacations.

Not even going to bother with a statement this ridiculous.

You're health care complaint:

It is the stupidest thing that has been passed in a very long time indeed. Here is why: where is the money coming from?

Our health care system is broken. Emergency rooms are in many cases inept, prices are sky high and companies are constantly taking advantage of families. Why shouldn't we try and fix that? Calling it stupid isn't helping your case at all. Why is it bad? What's in there that you don't like about it?
Also, perhaps we could get the money from those tax cuts you say we have room for??

One is increasing the demand, for if it is free you would be insane not to take advantage of it, and yet the supply goes nowhere at all.

Not entirely sure what you're trying to say here but...Increase the demand for health care? Health Care isn't free which is why many people don't have it. Increasing demand is impossible if prices stay as high are they are.

[zyzzyva980]

To a more pressing topic in my mind, I'm interested in what everyone thinks should be done with our troops in South Korea. Leave 'em there? Pull 'em out?

[EastStroudsburg13]

In addition, Kroll, people similar to you fail to see that people with lower incomes have to spend almost a third of their income or higher to just adfford a house and basic resources, whereas the rich have lots of money to spend on luxuries. If they could contribute a bit more, then we would have money for fixing our inept healthcare system that Obama is trying to find a way to fix. Republicans are set on their point of view and have no interest in compromising, they just say "Repeal the bill." I'm not saying Democrats are high on bipartisanship either.

[Kroll]

I understand that there is no room to lower taxes, and that is precisely my point, yes. But you are incorrect as well, because I do, in fact see that people are poor and have barley any money to get by. Yes all of these things are true, and there is no reason why the billionaire tax cuts should stay, except for this, the philosophy is, that because the rich people own large businesses, giving them tax cuts will help their business in this recession, so they can hire more people and circulate more money. I am just throwing it out there that I am very well informed of the situation, and you can make your opinions now if you did not know that before, whether they change or stay the same, farewell. It was nice talking to you! I was in the other topic talking about the new bill that was passed, where it is free. Obama’s vacations are ridiculous I agree, but they are true. Don't you know about the one he took to India for 200 million dollars a day? I think that that was a waste of tax dollars. We expect respect, we are paying for that. Couldn’t he have taken a less expensive vacation? The recent presidents seem to not understand that.

[zyzzyva980]

You are allowed to have your own political ideas, but I and many others would take that previous statement as rather condescending. fmtiger knows a lot about what's going on, and while I often disagree with him on political issues, he knows what he's doing.