Politics

[Irish Houstonian]

Can we stop the political meme pictures that mildly try to insult one part or another? I don't think its particularly relevant to a political discussion. Maybe it could be posted in a "Meme" thread somewhere.
.

+1

This isn't the twitter dumpster.

 

[GoIrish41]

There is no true centrist media. The Sunday shows on the main networks are somewhat centrist but they are soft and don't ask either side the tough questions. So basically both sides can spew whatever they want.

I miss Tim Russert. He asked hard questions of both sides. He was the man.

 

[DSully1995]

There is no true centrist media. The Sunday shows on the main networks are somewhat centrist but they are soft and don't ask either side the tough questions. So basically both sides can spew whatever they want.

Exactly thats my point so by collecting info from multiple counter acting media organizations you should be able to make an informed decision

 

[chicago51]

Can we stop the political meme pictures that mildly try to insult one part or another? I don't think its particularly relevant to a political discussion. Maybe it could be posted in a "Meme" thread somewhere.



In my opinion, the reason we have the trust fund ( and the corresponding tax) is for smoke an mirrors to take more money out of the hands of people.

I'll stop didn't mean to offend. I was just poking fun at certain things. If you want to poke fun a liberals thats fine with me. I see being liberal as a badge of honor.

 

[Ndaccountant]

The US treasury treats them like any one else with a savings bond. They pay them. The Fed makes money appear out of thin air all the time. The created a trillions of dollars out of thin air, just to give to banksters.

The Fed "created" loans to backstop credit that, if were defaulted, would have devistated the economy more than you could ever imagine. You may have severe disdain for why/how the credit was created. But if you do, then you should have severe disdain for how the government has robbed Americans of SS, just like the banksters you bemoan. Your comment above basically concedes the point that the money doesn't exist, since, why else would the Fed have to "money appear out of thin air"?

BTW, the Fed balance sheet is completely different that the Treasury issuing debt.

 

[chicago51]

The Fed "created" loans to backstop credit that, if were defaulted, would have devistated the economy more than you could ever imagine. You may have severe disdain for why/how the credit was created. But if you do, then you should have severe disdain for how the government has robbed Americans of SS, just like the banksters you bemoan. Your comment above basically concedes the point that the money doesn't exist, since, why else would the Fed have to "money appear out of thin air"?

Look don't name call alright. You got OutinBend complaining about my pictures poking fun at conservatives so I am going to stop that but I don't want a person then taking personal shots at me in return. This is the internet we have nothing gain acting like punks. I appreciate the intelligent dialog on this sight.

I'll be real the truth is you caught me off guard with the question. Perphaps at some point I can give you a different answer. I'm not going to change my opinion because some blogger you posted said so.; you wouldn't either. I can just throw up what Ezra Klein says about Social Security but that doesn't make it right either.

So I am taking this opportunity to further research the topic. You are going to have accept this as my response for now. Believe or not I am not some arrogant bone headed guy that pretends to know everything. There are certainly things I don't know. So I am going to have to research before I respond again on this topic.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Look don't name call alright. You got OutinBend complaining about my pictures poking fun at conservatives so I am going to stop that but I don't want a person then taking personal shots at me in return. This is the internet we have nothing gain acting like punks. I appreciate the intelligent dialog on this sight.

I'll be real the truth is you caught me off guard with the question. Perphaps at some point I can give you a different answer. I'm not going to change my opinion because some blogger you posted said so.; you wouldn't either. I can just throw up what Ezra Klein says about Social Security but that doesn't make it right either.

So I am taking this opportunity to further research the topic. You are going to have accept this as my response for now. Believe or not I am not some arrogant bone headed guy that pretends to know everything. There are certainly things I don't know. So I am going to have to research before I respond again on this topic.

That is fair. I wasn't name calling, you talk about banksters all the time. So, I was just making the point that the reason you don't like bankers is essentially the same reason why SS trust is basically non-existant.

When you are researching, do me a favor and ask yourself this. "If the trust was wiped off the books, would the function of how people pay in and receive benefits be any different than it is today?".

The answer after research should be very very clear to you and it will point out why everyone calls it a Ponzi Scheme.

 

[chicago51]

That is fair. I wasn't name calling, you talk about banksters all the time. So, I was just making the point that the reason you don't like bankers is essentially the same reason why SS trust is basically non-existant.

When you are researching, do me a favor and ask yourself this. "If the trust was wiped off the books, would the function of how people pay in and receive benefits be any different than it is today?".

The answer after research should be very very clear to you and it will point out why everyone calls it a Ponzi Scheme.

Okay no hard feelings I hope.

I will do you that favor.

I'll say this if we never went off the Gold Standard this whole debt hysteria and debate over the Social Security trust fund would probably be a moot point.

Its funny because now that we are not on the gold standard we (being the United States) are not sure what to do in terms of printing. I find it kind of amazing that the Fed can pretty much can whatever the heck it wants in terms printing currency.

 

[chicago51]

By the way people should also research Pete Peterson and how he has spent boatloads of cash in lobbying in social security cuts. He is a businessman and he would love for Wall Street to get their hands on Social Security.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I miss Tim Russert. He asked hard questions of both sides. He was the man.

Me too.

 

[Downinthebend]

I'll stop didn't mean to offend. I was just poking fun at certain things. If you want to poke fun a liberals thats fine with me. I see being liberal as a badge of honor.

Thanks, I'm not a republican, so I was amused at some of them, I just don't think it belongs in a political discussion.

 

[chicago51]

In 2009 Exon Mobile made $19 billion in profits, paid $0 in taxes instead they got $156 million dollar rebate yet we need to cut the safety net!

 

[potownhero]

Just the facts.

Just the facts.

In 2009 Exon Mobile made $19 billion in profits, paid $0 in taxes instead they got $156 million dollar rebate yet we need to cut the safety net!

"Last year, ExxonMobil made $19 billion in profit. Guess what. They paid zero in taxes. They got a $156 million refund from the IRS." - Bernie Sanders on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 in a Senate floor speech - Bernie Sanders says ExxonMobil paid no taxes in 2009, but that's inaccurate

PolitiFact | Bernie Sanders says ExxonMobil paid no taxes in 2009, but that's inaccurate

Taxation Hero: ExxonMobil Pays $3 In Taxes For Every $1 In Profit - Forbes

Your left wing websites are making you look bad.

 

[Black Irish]

In 2009 Exon Mobile made $19 billion in profits, paid $0 in taxes instead they got $156 million dollar rebate yet we need to cut the safety net!

Are you getting a tax rebate this year? If so, do you feel bad about it?

 

[Black Irish]

By the way people should also research Pete Peterson and how he has spent boatloads of cash in lobbying in social security cuts. He is a businessman and he would love for Wall Street to get their hands on Social Security.

The type of creative bookkeeping that the federal government employs with regard to Social Security would land a private business in prison. I don't see how Wall Street could make it any more morally and literally bankrupt.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I wouldn't expect a guy who types "Exon Mobile" to have a ****ing clue about their tax history...

 

[Buster Bluth]

The type of creative bookkeeping that the federal government employs with regard to Social Security would land a private business in prison. I don't see how Wall Street could make it any more morally and literally bankrupt.

I could.

Social Security would be absolutely fine if the politicians put it into an actual lockbox. That is the amendment that is stopping it from perpetual success.

In general with Social Security, I don't really get the broad "entitlement" criticisms for a program that has lifted tens of millions of elderly out of poverty and improved the lives of every citizen in the process (e.g. sons and daughters aren't using their wealth to pay for their parents' living expenses).

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I could.

Social Security would be absolutely fine if the politicians put it into an actual lockbox. That is the amendment that is stopping it from perpetual success.

In general with Social Security, I don't really get the broad "entitlement" criticisms for a program that has lifted tens of millions of elderly out of poverty and improved the lives of every citizen in the process (e.g. sons and daughters aren't using their wealth to pay for their parents' living expenses).

This. Good post

 

[chicago51]

"Last year, ExxonMobil made $19 billion in profit. Guess what. They paid zero in taxes. They got a $156 million refund from the IRS." - Bernie Sanders on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 in a Senate floor speech - Bernie Sanders says ExxonMobil paid no taxes in 2009, but that's inaccurate

PolitiFact | Bernie Sanders says ExxonMobil paid no taxes in 2009, but that's inaccurate

Taxation Hero: ExxonMobil Pays $3 In Taxes For Every $1 In Profit - Forbes

Your left wing websites are making you look bad.

Forbes is as equally of a BS source as Bernie Sanders. The stuff stuff Forbes puts out is hardly unbiased either.

 

[chicago51]

What do people think about North Korea? Obviously with the geophrapical terrain of North Korea I don't think it is a place that we want to send 100k troops in. Their behavior though has been very aggressive as of late. I just don't see though what North Korea thinks they can actually gain from messing with the United States, not mention the fact that South Korea is serious about defending itself. I curious to what people think because not very knowledgable when it come to millitary matterns. Some would argue I am not knowledgable when it comes to a variety of matters but we can leave that debate for another day.

Rodman made things worse apparently.

As rhetoric heats up, North Koreans ready to 'rain bullets on the enemy' - CNN.com

 

[Fbolt]

Disclaimer: 1st time on thread in a long time (so I don't really know cr@p about what you are discussing) and I only read the last page. I had to say that this statement, to me, is not accurate:

"...not mention the fact that South Korea is serious about defending itself. "

SK is typically very timid towards NK. This recent statement is something that I had to read twice at before I believed it.

 

[GoIrish41]

I could.

Social Security would be absolutely fine if the politicians put it into an actual lockbox. That is the amendment that is stopping it from perpetual success.

In general with Social Security, I don't really get the broad "entitlement" criticisms for a program that has lifted tens of millions of elderly out of poverty and improved the lives of every citizen in the process (e.g. sons and daughters aren't using their wealth to pay for their parents' living expenses).

good post Buster.

 

[chicago51]

Disclaimer: 1st time on thread in a long time (so I don't really know cr@p about what you are discussing) and I only read the last page. I had to say that this statement, to me, is not accurate:

"...not mention the fact that South Korea is serious about defending itself. "

SK is typically very timid towards NK. This recent statement is something that I had to read twice at before I believed it.

South Korea to my understanding has really increased its military build up in recent years. To my understanding they have a pretty large modern military not mention US support.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Forbes is as equally of a BS source as Bernie Sanders. The stuff stuff Forbes puts out is hardly unbiased either.

If you're looking for "unbiased" data on taxes, don't go to MotherJones or DailyKos, just read their 10-K:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34088/000003408813000011/xom10k2012.htm

Page 94 is their tax summary.

I'm not going to add it all up, but it's a lot more than "zero".

 

[RDU Irish]

"Last year, ExxonMobil made $19 billion in profit. Guess what. They paid zero in taxes. They got a $156 million refund from the IRS." - Bernie Sanders on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 in a Senate floor speech - Bernie Sanders says ExxonMobil paid no taxes in 2009, but that's inaccurate

PolitiFact | Bernie Sanders says ExxonMobil paid no taxes in 2009, but that's inaccurate

Taxation Hero: ExxonMobil Pays $3 In Taxes For Every $1 In Profit - Forbes

Your left wing websites are making you look bad.

Key to the Forbes report, that is paid to governments around the world, in total. It says nothing to what they paid the US. It also wisely identifies "excise" taxes and the like. Exxon pays enormous royalties and the like to gain access to profitable oil and gas opportunities. Most countries are smart enough to want a world class operator maximizing their resources and providing a huge government revenue boost.

Houstonian's link to the SEC filings have the breakdown that shows net income in 2012 of $45 billion, 2011 of $41B, and 2010 of $30B versus total taxes of $102B, $108B and $89B respectively, of which $12B, $12B and $10B are allocated to US taxes. So yes, a 2:1 to 3:1 margin of net profit to taxes is a factual range internationally.

It would be intellectually dishonest to compare only US taxes paid with the total net income since a majority of profit is earned overseas.

 

[RDU Irish]

Are you saying we can't trust treasury bonds?

There is no issue with the full faith and credit of the United States. So some Republicans would love for you to question the full and faith and credit of the United States and thus question the treasury bonds.

What would happen to interest rates if the government issued $5 trillion of Treasury bonds in the open market? Right now we owe ourselves (Dumb and Dumber style) $5 trillion of wonderful Social Security and Medicare IOUs. Starting essentially now, these programs are no longer net lenders and are "cashing in" their IOUs for current benefits. That means the government needs to turn around and issue more Treasuries to cover the spread.

Markets are not linear, so 50% more debt in the market does not mean 10 year Treasuries go from 2% to 3%. The answer is a big question mark.

 

[RDU Irish]

On the positive side, the balance of SS and Medicare payments turning to the red is actually stimulative to the economy, all else equal.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

"There is no issue with the full faith and credit of the United States"

Uh...Tell that to Moody's and S&P.

"Downgrade" = Issue

US sues S&P after triple-A downgrade — RT USA

 

[Fbolt]

South Korea to my understanding has really increased its military build up in recent years. To my understanding they have a pretty large modern military not mention US support.

Correct-very modern and very technical. It's their rhetoric over the years which has not matched this recent release. I mean NK bombed a SK island last year/a few years ago with limited response:

US, S. Korea Reply to Pyongyang Attack with New Military Exercises

I am not an expert-their response this time was more appropriate IMO. Wonder if they are changing their response stances...? Probably not-I though that this new Supreme Ruler of Pyongyang -may- make some changes. He may, but he's moving at 1/2 snail's pace.

after more research: I have no idea what I'm talking about-my point. I like SK's verbal response to NK's BS.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

What do people think about North Korea? Obviously with the geophrapical terrain of North Korea I don't think it is a place that we want to send 100k troops in. Their behavior though has been very aggressive as of late. I just don't see though what North Korea thinks they can actually gain from messing with the United States, not mention the fact that South Korea is serious about defending itself. I curious to what people think because not very knowledgable when it come to millitary matterns. Some would argue I am not knowledgable when it comes to a variety of matters but we can leave that debate for another day.

Rodman made things worse apparently.

As rhetoric heats up, North Koreans ready to 'rain bullets on the enemy' - CNN.com

Military speaking, I would bet a paycheck we could hand North Korea their *** in two days with the US Air Force. I'm no Wesley Clark, but I'd be surprised if we would even need boots on the ground.

Politically speaking, I'd be just as surprised if our Nobel Peace Prize winning president authorized what it would take to quiet those little communist nutjobs and set em straight. In the meantime, we can start building the prosecution case against Dennis Rodman for treason.