gdp's Comments

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 5/5/09: PRESIDENT OBAMA STARTS CLOSING INTERNATIONAL TAX LOOPHOLES

Thu, 7 May 2009 16:11:22 +0000

It does seem wrong that any taxable entity should not have a taxable event enter the system. If the transaction occurs overseas, then the event didn't occur here and shouldn't be a concern for US tax policy. If a taxable event never occurs due to IRC allowances, then that is money that is kept form the US market. If a company accounts for a taxable event which occurs in the US, then that money reenters the market and is available for exchange, whether through reinvesting or through a reduction in the tax burden on non-corporate entities. I know this is an attempt to bolster the Keynesian argument, but I just don't see how this specific example of aggregation and market exchange is bad for either the individual or corporate taxpayer.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 5/5/09: PRESIDENT OBAMA STARTS CLOSING INTERNATIONAL TAX LOOPHOLES

Tue, 5 May 2009 19:30:51 +0000

While I am concerned that there may be the possibility of price increases due to the shutting down of loopholes, it also seems like there would be a shift in the balance of the tax burden on individual taxpayers. In other words, because corporate taxes are now being paid, the GDP can be supported by individual wealth rather than corporate wealth and holdings. I'm pretty sure this is a Keynesian principle, and I know that there are a lot that disagree with the aggregate theories, but in this case it certainly seems that it would work. My understanding is that this is most effective if there are enough taxpayers who make a taxable, not gross, income below the "high income" threshold so that they benefit from tax breaks as well as make a contribution to the aggregate change in GDP. Additionally, the research and development breaks for companies under the loophole would be a significant offset. Thus, it *seems* that a combination of the aggregates plus offsets would have a positive net effect on GDP. I'd love to hear the comments of an actual economist, rather than my armchair wranglings.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:05:38 +0000

Could someone please link to posts on this site that talk about any of the following: * Reverence * Hope * Humility * Charity * Sincerity * Moderation * Gratitude I haven't seen much of this written, I don't believe it exists, and I would like to actually see where these topics have been spoken about. This is 1/3 of the total 9/12 principles, yet I don't know that these are themes that are mentioned. If you've written about them, please post.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:40:15 +0000

The reason it seems convoluted is because YOU ARE NOT READING LEGISLATION! You are only reading what is essentially an editing of the first draft of the bill that was presented to the full House for a vote. This bill may or may not have actually been ever presented in committee, so this may be the first time anyone has ever seen the bill other than its original drafters.You are actually witnessing the democratic process in action. The value of any legislation is in first, its plain meaning, second, its legislative history, and finally, its purpose and intent. Each of these elements must be present for a bill to stand up to the exhaustive process which it must endure, i.e., Congressional approval, Executive approval, and survival in the courts. You are blessed to live in a day where you can hop on the internet and look at the legislative process in action, and you are making an assumption about about a bill based on the first test in a line of tests, the plain meaning standard? I suggest that you take the time to read a basic book on civics, then go to a session of your local government. I'll even recommend a good book for a basic lesson on legislative process, "The Dance of Legislation" by Eric Redman. It is a simple read and explains how a bill becomes a law.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:35:34 +0000

You are aware that there are no sections 150-160 of HR1388ER, which is the actual bill. What you are quoting is drafting history. You might want to look up "Schoolhouse Rock" for a better understanding than you now have of how the legislative process works, or at least how to read legislation.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:38:00 +0000

For helping the country have one of the times of greatest prosperity it has seen in decades? For helping lower the number of people dependent on social programs? For actually catching and prosecuting the individuals responsible for terrorist attacks that happened during that administration? Why are you bitter about those things?

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:53:58 +0000

You posted the link, but did you even bother to read it? I don't think that you did. The story that you linked to says that: "When told of the flight, President Barack Obama was furious, a White House official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations." Someone made a mistake. I think the bigger question right now is what do we do with an ex-President, an ex-Vice President, and their other war criminal confederates who are still out on the loose? That's a bit bigger than this mistake, wouldn't you say?

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:08:42 +0000

If Glenn Beck is against government taxation and global warming, why does he accept money from companies that advertise use of taxpayer money for their services which curb the effects of global warming? In Central Pennsylvania, Beck is supported by construction companies and general home improvement service providers who state in their advertisements that they are using taxpayer dollars for "energy auditing" and "ECO plumbing". Shouldn't Beck be the first to stand up to these people and not support their business by not having them advertise on his show?

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:56:53 +0000

Isn't it possible that the artist is being ironic by making a pictorial commentary on the allegations that people like Beck make, i.e. that there is a Messianic element to the President? People on this board SAY the exact same thing that this artist has now depicted in a picture. Why is there such a leap to the conclusion that any liberal would support this. I think it is especially shameful that people who are supposed to be art educators have not pointed this possible connection out.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 4/22/09: President Signs The Bill That Tripled The Size of Americorps

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:41:09 +0000

Because, sadly, I have been forced to choose to pick a side in the political dickering that goes on in this country. I was a registered independent for over 12 years, but no longer. I would like to have intelligent discourse with people whose opinions differ from mine. Unfortunately, there is very little interest in that here. I've been appreciative of those who have been willing to be engaging, but I've also been called scum and lazy as a response to a post, which I don't appreciate. If you as ultra conservatives want to win an election again, you need to be more willing to open up and discuss real issues. I have attended some of the most conservative undergraduate and independent graduate schools in the country and I am not tied to down to any one party or view. I want this country to be the best it can, but I also want the people in it to be the best they can. Unfortunately, people like yourself only want to complain and to exclude. Good luck.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:22:05 +0000

Please read my response above as it addresses your comment.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:20:50 +0000

I listen to Beck on a regular basis. Beck claims he is LDS and regularly discusses his faith on his program, that is not an arguable point. The only issue is whether Beck incites people to behave in a certain way. On his syndicated radio show this week Beck got into a lengthy discussion with a man who represented himself as a fellow member of the LDS faith. This caller discussed the way that he was following Beck's advice and preparing for what came next by essentially preparing for war. Beck then said that while he believed people should arm themselves and prepare to take the streets, etc. he felt that there could be a level of taking things too far; however, he never indicated where the line of too far was. If you want to find where that line is, just look at the boards: 1 Get your passports and have them ready. Not that you want to run from a fight, but if things turn ugly you will want to get your family to safety . 2 This one goes with the first. Do you research of where you will send you family if this government begins to move in a suppressive manner. 3 Have a plan for your weapons and firearms. If the great disarming of America comes you will want to be prepared. Make sure to have a secure hiding area . During the original American Revolution, Large stashes of weapons and fire arms were planned ahead for the day that they had to fight the British. (http://intensedebate.com/people/KWilliams) If this is not an arrangement for a group of people who are planning to fight, then what is? Beck does not refute these people, but rather says things that encourages or incites them, thus the rationale for my original post. Beck is held to a high standard by his own actions and he should be responsible for those actions.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent - through May 3rd

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:46:29 +0000

Glenn Beck should be excommunicated from the Mormon church. He regularly incites the populous to dangerous action, often doing so in the name of God. Because he publicly portrays himself as an average Mormon, Mr. Beck represents what a Mormon is for a large number of his listeners. This public portrayal of the "average Mormon" as someone who incites the public to violence regularly drags down the image of the LDS Church in the public. Because of this, Mr. Beck should be excommunicated form the LDS Church.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 4/22/09: President Signs The Bill That Tripled The Size of Americorps

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:38:12 +0000

Well, thank you for proving my point. All I can say is that we share much of the same background. I did not have the opportunity to make money off of moving up in homes because I have worked my way through school as well. The only propagandist schools that I went to are two of the most conservative schools in the country, so that's where my indoctrination comes from. The remainder of what you said is nothing but insults, and deserves no response. God bless.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 4/22/09: President Signs The Bill That Tripled The Size of Americorps

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:31:16 +0000

Thank you for responding in such a cordial manner. I am not going to make a judgment on the numbers that you have shown. I am not willing to make the leap that any institution, government or otherwise, plans to fail. Because the assumption that you make when you say that an organization will go over their proposed budget, that the organization plans to fail. I would like to point out that taxation is not confiscation. This nation was founded upon the right to be taxed with representation. You have had the opportunity to vote for every level of representative who has had an effect on your taxation. One of the biggest issues that arise on this particular board is that people are undermining the current administration for unresolvable problems or because they are angry at the current administration for being Democrats. I agree that there are issues with the current tax regime; however, it's what we have. A progressive tax inherently has fairness built in. By only taxing the higher portions of an income earner's income at the higher rate, the tax rate ensures a flat tax across equal income brackets. So, while I agree that Bill Gates would pay a high rate, it would only be on the portion of his income above 250k. Also, remember, that it is Gates' company that creates jobs, not Gates directly. Taxation of corporations is separate from that of individuals, and often corporations benefit where individuals may not. If you want to see a change in the IRC, it should be that corporations are held to a higher tax and income standard.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 4/22/09: President Signs The Bill That Tripled The Size of Americorps

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:41:08 +0000

Poor and victim are not synonymous terms; however, it is unfortunate that people who do not have wealth have to become victims of conservatives like yourself. As I said, if you feel that strongly against the poor, then you need to commit to remove your parents, grandparents, etc. from any public services. For those that argue that they have paid into that system for your whole lives, please realize that you are still the poor your fellow conservatives take issue with.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 4/22/09: President Signs The Bill That Tripled The Size of Americorps

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:55:00 +0000

If Bush and Cheney, as individuals who broke the law while in office, were fit to be in their respective offices, why would President Obama be unfit?

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 4/22/09: President Signs The Bill That Tripled The Size of Americorps

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:30:16 +0000

Oklahoma, the only response that I can give to you is that if you are going to make a comment about the need to educate, I will give you the same advice. You complain about the poor in this country and the drain on the rich. I would suggest that you spend a few minutes looking at the facts surrounding where entitlement spending for the poor goes. You will find that the majority of the poor people in this country are the elderly. The group that you are criticizing as a drain are senior citizens. The number of non-senior, non-disabled, welfare beneficiaries is low. Of those, most are working poor, that is they are on welfare programs (TANF, Medicaid, Food Stamps) for a short time and then leave those programs. Each of those programs has a state component, so individual states control the information. If you have a problem with the drain of the poor, then look at how you and your family are taking care of your aging relatives. Take your parents and grandparents off of Medicare and SSI, pay their medical bills, make sure that none of your relatives is in a nursing home, and you've done your part and helped a rich person out.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 4/22/09: President Signs The Bill That Tripled The Size of Americorps

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:18:13 +0000

Where do get the "mandatory service" requirement? Don't follow Beck down the road of disinformation.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : 4/22/09: President Signs The Bill That Tripled The Size of Americorps

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:15:14 +0000

My point is that this program directly benefits communities as well as individuals. If you have an opportunity to better yourself and your community, why aren't you either taking it or encouraging other to do so? And when I talk about community, I mean a much broader sense than your city or county. Education debt has risen at a much faster rate than average salaries, so people are indebted far more than they are able to earn or pay off. Hence, the American dream is no longer get an education, then a job, then a house, then pay them all off, then retire. Rather, it is try to improve your debt to income ratio. The Americorps program allows those who want to work in low-income , community based endeavors to do so without worrying about the fear of being crippled by debt from an education. It is only one of several programs that exist to achieve this goal, but it is a program. This ties into your statement about rich people. Rich is not evil. Rich has privilege. I have gone to school and have worked with rich people. I am not rich and I am not even an average household income. (please see line 1 of the form you questioned, next to the word "Total" to obtain the information for a median household income.) I know that 3-5% of my income is the difference in my absolute quality of life. For the rich people that I know, a 3-5% change in their income, while it may represent a lot of money to me, does not substantially change what they are able to do in their lives. Ultimately, the change in tax rate for those of high income is 3-5%. I obviously feel that it is more fair to tax someone when the tax will not directly impact their quality of life. It sounds like you would rather give a portion of your money away so that those with a higher income will be able to save an equal portion of theirs.