It just keeps getting worse. I hope people out there are really taking a good look at what's happening to our country. Obama yesterday has cut off WFTV in Orlando for asking Joe Biden tough questions. Biden actually asked her who was writing her questions.
The questions were pretty basic in reality. The first one was asking if "spreading the wealth" was a form of marxism. The answer is yes of course but Biden managed to stumble out a typical talking points response. The other question was taking Biden's quotes from the other day saying Obama will be tested and asked him to explain what he meant. He again did the political BS that we have seen all our lives.
Now the TV station has been a target. When it first happened both the station management and the reporter, Barbara West, defended their position. The interview was on their website. This morning, the station isn't talking and the video has been taken down from their site. In fact, there isn't even a mention of it on the homepage. Can we be looking at pressure from the left letting them know that WHEN Obama gets in their license is in jeopardy? I believe so.
Doesn't this scare you? It scares the heck out of me. What happens when the Obama administration gets challenged Are they going to shut themselves into the White House and not let the American people know what's going on. They have already said they intend to destroy conservative talk radio. What else is next in our new socialist country!
In the end, even if you like or dislike either candidate, our country is leaning toward a new era. We are going to get change. Look at history. We have seen this change before....Chavez, Hitler, and Castro were all heralded as the great change needed for their countries. It's the first time in my adult life, since the nuclear war scares of the 60's and 70's that I fear the end of our freedom.
My question...doesn't anyone see this? I can't believe that anyone would want an administration that promotes censorship and socialism. I have my ears open. Enlighten me.
Um.. They arent promoting censorship he just doesnt want to be a part of a hostile interview where no matter how he answers the questions the answers will simply be wrong. Who would?
We have always had forms of socialism in this country. The whole point of taxation in one sense is to redistribute the wealth. The only reason this is suddenly brought up is because some for lack of education dont realize this or it is just another component of McCain's lame attacks. McCarthyism is dead and thank god. No one in their right minds would try to relive that and yet here we are in 2008 and we are trying to root out the reds?
Whats fairer a tax policy that unfairly benefits the richest 1% in this country or one that helps out the people who need help the most? What sounds more socially responsible? Why do you think more people agree with being socially responsible. Because its what is right not what is "right"
We're doomed.
No, it doesn't scare me at all. But I strive to keep my Active Rain participation neutral in politics and religion so I can't comment further.
I totally agree with the last comment; I try to have an open mind; at least we are all given a chance to have a choice. Remember we all need to get out there and vote.
Censorship? Look at the Bush administration for the last 8 years. Big Brother was behind the scenes. Torture, the Patriot Act, and the list goes on and on.
I think you need to look at this in the context of what is happening in politics right now. Focus on real issues and not twist what people say. That seems to be a major challenge with McCain's campaign, and as a consequence, he is alienating many people in his party as well as the independents.
Mitch, I did see the interview and thought the questions were fair to be asking to someone who aspires to become Vice President of the United States. The Obama teams response is a bit overdramatic.
I am fearful of Obama.
Eau - I wouldnt want to be attacked either...probably why I don't run for public office. However, I never see anyone stick up for the attacks, much harsher than what Barbara West said, to McCain and Palin. I think the questions were fair questions and she was very professional. I'm not a big McCain fan by the way, I'm a fan of picking the correct person. If Obama was the correct person, he would have my vote. I do believe that the main stream media has annointed Obama the winner since day one and this was the first time I have seen anyone, besides Joe the Plumber, ask anything tough to Obama or Biden. I'm sure you can see that can't you.
As far as taxing more of the 1%. I believe that you should be able to keep what you earn. I give more money than most people I know to charities and others to help. I choose to do that because I"m a good human being and Americans have proven over and over again that we not only help each other in tough situations, we help others around the world. Look at the Trade Center and Katrina or the Earthquakes and Tsunami overseas. We gave billions to these events as we always have and always will. Is it fair that that 1% pay more than 40% of all our taxes in this country? I'm a believer in the Fair Tax system which has be pay on consumption. There is nothing wrong with being fair. I think the most giving people in this country are our richest citizens. Look at Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, they have given billions away themselves.
Again, this isn't about right or left, it's about picking the person who takes our country in the correct direction. We all have our own opinions which is what our country is all about. I'm a big believer in capitalisim and innovation. I believe the new socialist way is going to limit both. Yes, since after World War II, we have had a portion of socialism in our country. I don't want to be completely socialist...it's failed every time in history, why does anyone think it will work now?
Michael - I totally agree we should be looking at the issues. Unfortunately, in our political world these days we have no morals and ethics. Personally it disgusts me. I have written a manual about two points to change America. It has nothing to do with Republican or Democrats, it has everything to doing what we need to do to take our country back from our corrupt politicians who do not represent the people. All I hear from the Obama side is about not getting 4 more years of Bush. McCain isn't Bush and in reality he is a Democrat dressed in Republican clothing.
I'm not saying that I liked the Bush Administration either. We were put in a situation that has not happened since 1941. There were mistakes made, and there were victories (no attacks on our soil the past 8 years). For as much as I'm not a Bush fan, I think he has been unfairly blamed for everything going wrong in our country. Most of this is just a political thing...they are all just terrible.
In the end, I have talked to all my friends who support Obama, I have read his website and views, I have watched the debates and I have done as much research as I can to make an educated decision on who I vote for. I think this election is about Socialism and Capitalism. It's about bigger government and less government. Our government, in our lifetime, has yet to show they are capable of handling anything without screwing it up. All you have to do is look at Social Security, Fannie Mae, HUD and so on. Ultimately we replace everyone in government with new people who are there for the people and add term limits to insure that this never happens again. When you have career politicians, you can't succeed as a country. I thin we are seeing that now.
Either way we are running out of money. Be glad there are conservatives in the south. Spend only what you have and save for a rainy day. We are in a great place to see what the great society has brought our cities and the type of cultures that are developed.
Your views have a lot to do with where you live. Wisc. and Louisiana are 2000 miles apart but worlds apart when it comes to politics and how the states are structured.
I almost felt like cut and copy a couple of the comments above, I do believe that here on AR, we should stay within our area of expertice. Having writen that however, I must also understand that this presidential election has a lot more at stake than any in recent memory. I like Obama and his proposals and suggestions. I believe Mccain had 20+ years to do what he said he will do... why did he? we need change, will it be all good?, all bad? politics as usual are not working, let's change it.
Antonio
"What's fairer - a tax policy that unfairly benefits the richest 1% in this country or one that helps out the people that need it the most?" (stated by Eau in his comment above)
The first income tax on wages was imposed by Congress in 1861 and 1862 to help pay for the Civil War. It was repealed in 1872. In 1913, which, coincidently, is also the year the Federal Reserve was created, the 16th Amendment was "ratified" (allegedly, according to some, but that's another story). In 1918, the top tax rate was increased to 77% to finance World War 1. The top rate was reduced to 58% in 1922, 25% in 1925, 63% in 1932, and 94%. let me repeat that, NINETY-FOUR PERCENT, in 1945 and stayed in the 90% range until 1964 when it was lowered to 70%. It was lowered again in 1982 to 50% and to 28% in 1988. Currently, it is 35% for the top rate; however, as per the list below, there are many other taxes that are paid that increase this number. Also, any business that is incorporated (which represents a large portion of small businesses) is taxed on the income they make, as well as the owner(s) being taxed on their income from that corporation.
The MAIN FUNCTION OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX IS TO PROVIDE REVENUE TO RUN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES IT WAS GIVEN IN THE CONSTITUTION. Period, the end. However, it (income tax) is frequently used for public policy reasons - to achieve social, economic, and political goals.
As of 2007, 138 million taxpayers lived in the US and yet the top 1% of workers pay 36.9% of the income tax, EVEN THOUGH THEIR TOTAL EARNINGS ARE 19% OF THE TOTAL INCOME REPORTED TO THE IRS!
Following is an incomplete list of taxes that are assessed and while some of these are assessed on all of us, there are many that are assessed to the higher-income earners that actually skews the REAL percentage paid by higher-income earners:
Alternative Minimum Tax US Capital Gains Tax US Corporate Income Tax US Estate Tax US Excise Tax US Fed. Income tax Driver's license (a tax, whether they present it that way or not!) Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA - paid by businesses, no matter if they are small or large) FICA (Social Security Tax - again, 50% of this is paid by businesses, no matter their size) Gas Tax Generation Skipping Tax Gift Tax Local (city and municipality) Income Tax Luxury Tax Marriage License (again, not called a tax, but that's what it is!) Property Tax Real Estate Tax Recreational Vehicle Tax Road Usage Tax Sales and Use Tax School Tax State Income Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA - again, paid solely by a business) Tariffs Telephone Fed. Excise Tax Vehicle Registration (a tax, for sure) Vehicle Sales Tax Worker's Comp Tax (another tax paid by businesses)
This is not a complete list and there are TWENTY EIGHT taxes listed here. How much more wealth can we redistribute? I am a firm believer in giving back, and I certainly do my share of it, but the key word is GIVING......If you TAKE it with threat of penalties, judgements and liens, and possible jail time, you're hurting our system and not helping it!
Can you honestly say that when you go to a restaurant and there are 8 or more of you and the waiter automatically adds the gratuity to the check that you give more? The forced paying of this gratuity in most cases causes people to limit their giving to the amount they are FORCED to pay. (I know this as both of my children have been in the restaurant business and they don't add gratuities because they get more when people get to choose how much they want to give). Is it really any different in real life??
I don't normally try to get involved in political commentary but when a statement such as was given by Shane above is left with no rebuttal, I feel a need to show the opposite opinion.
I am not scared of an Obama administration - I am scared of radical liberal control of the entire government. The Executive Branch is one of three and must make concessions in order to get an agenda through. If all three branches are left leaning there is no checks and balances and that scares the crap out of me.
Sue - That was the best, most thought out answer I have seen in this whole election process. Great job! For some reason people think it's up to the top 1% to take care of everyone now. Nobody has ever given me anything and I have worked my tail off for my successes. I give to who I want, when I want. It should be my choice, not the governemnts! If they spent more time doing the right thing, then we could all spend more time building our businesses and helping people in our communities like we always do. Does anyone ever say, hey that rich guy over there just donated $100k to the community center? Now they say, if he has enough to donate $100k, then he must have enought to give me money to live.
Tim and Pam - Yes, that's probably what scares me the most too.
I'm not shocked. Throughout the Clinton Administration there was a strict and specific policy regarding news conferences. There was a requirement that ALL questions had to be pre-submitted. And, if a non-submitted question was asked, that reporter was not to be allowed back in news conferences. Bill Clinton always referred to people by name because he knew which questions he would take before the news conference.
Obama has also had supporters flood media outlets with complaints, write letters to the FCC and write letters to various Attorneys General. What will happen when he controls the people that control the licenses... and the US Attorney General? I think we will see a lot of restrictions on the broadcast media (radio and TV, since they don't have the same protections as the printed press).
I just checked the following online websites: CNN, ABC News, MSNBC, CBS News, and Fox. Guess which one was the only one that made mention of this story? Media blackout? Biased? You be the judge.
Here is a link to the actual interview:
http://election.newsmax.com/biden_angered.html?s=al&promo_code=6E34-1