"What's misleading is using the word tax to describe Social Security and Medicare payroll contributions."

Why? You have no contractual rights to any of those funds. They belong to the State and they have already spent the funds.

AMEN I could not have said it better myself!

I think Obama is just trying to even out the playing field. Right now, Romney pays taxes on about 13% of his income and I pay 35%, how exactly is that fair? And don't throw the argument in that people earning under $20,000 don't pay any, we are talking about the ability to pay, Romney has more disposable income than the person earning less than $20,000. That is why we have a progressive income tax. But obviously people can find ways to pay less taxes, like donating to charities such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Brigham Young University, the George W. Bush Library and Harvard Business School for example. Those are donations that the Tyler Charitable Foundation, the Romney family foundation made in 2000.

"Right now, Romney pays taxes on about 13% of his income and I pay 35%"

If you pay 35% of your income to the Central State then you need to hire a tax accountant. Or a better one.

@CJ
I'm tired of people saying that Romney didn't pay enough taxes. His income is from capital gains. Businesses are already taxed on this money and then the investor is taxed again. This is double taxation. Also, How much charitable donations did you give? If you add that to what Romney paid in taxes, it's over 35%. When you donate over 20% of your income, than you can make a comment, but until then you should actually make an informed opinion instead of regurgitating the crap and misleading statements that the Democratic party says.

From what I have read, the cost of extracting all those resources you mentioned is going to be very expensive and even then, we don't truly know how much there is.

And, as far as feeding the world, do you really think that is possible? Maybe if you mean with just corn, soybeans and wheat. We would also have to be able to control the weather or provide a limitless source. Those crops need water, as we have seen this year with the drought affecting many areas of the great plains and destroying many acres of crops. We are also using those crops to provide fuel, further reducing their capacity to "feed the world". We may be able to keep people alive with just corn, soybeans and wheat but to nourish them properly, we would need fresh fruit and vegetables and a good protein source, all of which require lots of water as well. The world's resources are finite. Sustainability is the key to our future and for the entire world. And only thinking in terms of 100 years is rather short sighted if you ask me.

I do agree with your idea of going back to an agricultural based economy. However, right now it takes an enormous amount of oil to produce our food. The statistics are staggering on how much oil it takes to produce a bushel of corn. But maybe you are talking about organic farming and using horses to plow the fields. That will work as well if not better than the current practices being used on all the factory farms.

DOHERTY... you are buying "anything" the LAME STREAM MEDIA tells you, They will never criticize our DO NOTHING PREZ. Last night he was on TV again filibustering when questions were asked. He can NEVER give a straight answer. You know.... like it wasn't TERRORISTS who attacked the embassay in Libya.

Not sure what to call you since you didn't leave a last name but I'll try Gretchen for expediency. Facts are from IRS and GAO published stats but you go ahead and just stick with your screaming talking points from your "lame-stream media." Do you even know what Filibuster means? Apparently not.

@Craig - the 47% "fact" comes from the IRS - are you saying the IRS is lying - people ARE paying _NET_ federal income taxes. Many times people confuse "withholdings" with actual taxes paid - the are the same people that are excited when they get a huge refund at tax time.

Well RationalTht, (don't need the @ sign as we're not on freakin' Twitter) I'd comment, but you obviously have absolutely no clue about how payroll taxes work so you should research that for 5 minutes before you get to a keyboard. I could explain it to you but I'd just be dismissed as "lying." But as for the "47%"; the IRS never said 47% pay no taxes, don't work and suck free money out of the system. That was information compiled by others and rounded up to support their positions. About 23% pay no federal taxes due to their net income being too low including those who are working and receiving low wages and those who are working and receiving large salaries but pay no taxes due to deductions and allowances . Most of the rest are because they are getting benefits back for things they paid into all their life such as for seniors.

Love your comments! To me corporations are playing the system as is Mitt Romney.

"Craig" - I don't think you understand how the payroll taxes work - you have money "withheld" for federal and state taxes by your employer which is sent to the government. This is an "estimate" based upon how much you are earning and you can adjust based upon expected deductions, etc. Now, if throughout the year you have $2,000 withheld, but you end up getting $5,000 back at tax time, you have not really paid anything into the system. It must be a difficult concept for you. About 20% of the total "taxpayers" are in this situation.

Fail. The 2 minutes that MJ didn't publicize were actually WORSE for Rmoney because he was making fun of minorities and the poor. I'm sure Mitt Robsme is secretly happy the full tape didn't get released. It's disgusting.

Some winner the Tea Party nominated there.

McCain tried to be a moderate. How did that work out? Mitt would have a better chance if he took his mitts off and hit Obummer hard about his disastrous, failed presidency. Hope to see it in the debate.

McCain had Caribou Barbie to help him lose.
Romney will lose fine all by himself, thank-you.

Yes - veterans, grannies, the working poor and the super-wealthy (who can hire platinum-level accounting firms) are leading to our fiscal demise. That's who makes up that 47%.

Actually, you may be on to something about the super-wealthy leading to America's decline.

If you support any form of taxation, you support redistribution.

PLease so watch the entire speech of Obama > You will see that he describe sreforms much in line with Republicans. Using one hyper word out of the statements "income reditrubution" does not mean, the socialism you all love
to state.

Hey Utah,

Obama was talking about redistribution through the free market with in a capitalist society. He was making a pro-capitalist statement. Clever editing by the Tea Party tho (not).

yes, we remember what he did while in office. He lowered the deficit and had the economy up and moving.

Positive economic movements under Clinton had little to do with Clinton. The same is true for any president, unless you believe that taking capital out of the economy through taxation and crushing regulation has a positive effect. If that's the belief, I have some book suggestions for you.

Economic movements that occurred while Clinton was in DC were caused by these three main factors:

-Oil at $10 per barrel
-Genuine productivity gains in the private sector
-The internet explosion

Hey Guido,

Obama rammed through the biggest middle class tax CUT in history. It was called the Stimulus.

If you are saying tax cuts don't work to revive the economy it blows the whole conservative philosophy out of the water. Oops.

I'm saying that there are tons of other factors that influence an economy. You cannot look at tax policy in isolation, then point to a useless figure like GDP to ascertain the effect of tax policy.

Right now, any effects of Barry's tax cuts must be weighed against (among many other things):

-Astronomical private, public and corporate debt levels
-State and local taxes
-Crushing regulation

An argument that taking more capital out of private hands to fund the Total State as being positive for the economy is not an argument you want to make.

If you had kept up with the story, it was Jimmy Carter's grandson who took the video. The President of the US is far more than CEO of the country. It would be naive to believe that mere business experience is sufficient for the role, as our past presidents with 'business' backgrounds have proven to be dismal failures. Look it up. As far as what is wrong with telling the truth? Absolutely nothing. It is the spin and the twisting of the facts, implying that 'not paying taxes' = shiftless, lazy, wanting a free ride. Try telling that to a senior, an injured vet who has served our country, middle income American depending on deductions to survive, etc. What was left out of those numbers were the very wealthy who also do not pay taxes. Are they too expecting a 'handout'? Most significant in Mitt's statement is not the numbers alone, but his statement that he is 'not concerned' about half of America. A President needs to be concerned about ALL Americans, not just the ones who pay taxes. It was a very revealing statement of character, integrity & motives that most of us have known all along. Mitt is for himself, his backers and wealthy Americans. Period.

Okay, If I take a video no matter who, it is still a real video of the occurance. No matter what is missing in the 2 minutes would change the rest of the video.

Turn off Fox Snooz Jen.

The video about "redistribution" was Obama talking about redistributing through the free market. It was a pro-capitalism comment. Duh.

PS - W skimmed over the National Security Briefing that was headlined "Bin Laden Determined to Strike Within the US". He went and read "My Pet Goat" on 9/11 instead.

I see you have been getting your news from Fox, and the likes of Limbaugh, Beck and Hannity, those beacons of truth and virtue.

Youre on target Jen. This guy Slupski can never put things in perspective with his marvellous experience as editor of a college newspaper for two terms. It looks like the poll has been disconnected since not me or my neighbor can get the voting use the options . So we cant vote. Sort of like Chicago in the good old days of the Daleys and Laurinos. Maybe there were too many supporters of Romneys view and so maybe the poll was disconnected. I have been looking at Patch for only a few months and it really lacks balance in the articles and pictures.

The Fox people aresuperior to Howard Stern, Mr. Ed Show, Blitzer, Mr. Rosie ODonnell, Rachel Maddow, Chris Rock, Chris Matthews and their likes.

You could go on, but don't. Rhetoric of hate - continue the OBama hate machine. It only gets him more votes.

CK...the poll has not been discontinued. I voted 2 minutes ago. If you think the FOX people to be superior...perhaps you can not figure out how to vote. dim-wit

Wow Jen. I think you've been watching too much Fox News. Open up your eyes and turn the channel once in a while, and see the truth. Don't be so afraid of change, and don't hate so much.

Obama / Biden 2012. "Continuing to clean up the mess of the Republican Great Recession."

How do you feel about being wrong about ALL of your points? Really, you need to stop believing everything you hear from Fox News.

JEN the PATCH would never ask any questions that might elicit an answer which puts OBAMA in a poor light. The are another LAME STREAM MEDIA outlet, hell bent on re-electing OBAMA. I just wonder how so many people can be so dumb and believe this LIAR we have in the White House.

How do you feel about lying, and repeating lies? It must be too hard to do ANY (impartial) research.

Gretchen, LAME STREAM MEDIA!!! Me thinks your Palin rogueniss is showing!!

@Mary Beth - FOX is the ONLY media that will say anything negative about this president - the rest are too busy trying to prop him up. Do you DENY that they WH tried to paint the embassy attack as a "random" uprising - especially since it is now coming out that they actually did know better. Are you saying those direct lies were "fine and OK" with you?

My husband is on social security and we pay taxes on it. That is just fine with me as we are at the income level where we should pay taxes on it. And no, we do not make over 100,00. For those disabled and elderly who live on social security should not pay taxes. You try living on that income.

You are so right, Patricia! In your opinion, what are those hard questions? One, of course, is how to pay off our debt. I can only think of two ways: reduce spending and raise taxes. The only people we can tax are the rich because they are the only ones with discretionary money.

"Mitt Romney comments are grossly misleading, most of the people in these groups have earned or they’re struggling to get out of assistant."

If SS or Medicare benefits were fully earned, the programs wouldn't be going broke in the next 10-18 years.

http://reason.com/blog/2012/09/21/obama-tells-seniors-theyve-earned-medica

I fully agree with Mr. Reiss about integrity and the presidency. After all, what else does a president have? Or anyone for that mater? For 2 election cycles prior to his election, President Obama lambasted Bush for his 4T increase in the debt. The debt was 9T when Bush left office. Obama was correct. Bush should have NEVER allowed the debt to grow to that size. That was shameful. Imagine saddling a country with 4T in additional debt....that doubled the amount of debt we had.

Prior to his election Obama was vociferous in calling attention to the debt the high spending Republicans ran up. Obama was very accurate in his accusations. Obama clearly laid out his position, his values, his beliefs.

Fast forward, the debt is now 16T and growing rapidly. Obama says the debt is not a concern right now, but it might be in the future. That is like saying "the kitchen is on fire, but, not really a concern right now, we have 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a family room, a dining room, 4 car garage....a burning kitchen? no need to address that right now....it can wait. I can call the fire department right after I finish painting the kids room!

Where is Obama's integrity? What changed to make debt suddenly a non-issue?
The country is in deep trouble and neither party seems to want to take a stand, address the issues, and fix the problem.

Oh sure. Let's see the Obama truths- I will televise budget meetings on CSPAN. I will rebuild America's foreign standing. I will reduce the deficit by half in four years. I will lower unemployment. I will bring people together. I will balance the budget. I will- and it goes on in just about everything. Romney Allowed voter supression? Go to the US Attorney and tell him so he can indict Romney. Be a man and prove your stuff in public. You must have been sleeping for a few months when the Black panthers intimidated voters, maybe like the Democrat machine used to do in Chicago. What about Obamas integrity with the property transfer with Tony Rezko? Oh, the Holy Obama said, I must have been a bonehead. Really. When a Democrat makes a mistake, Oh I didn't know. When A Republican makes one theyre to be lied about by reporters with their agenda and holier than thou readers. Get real.

Mitt Romney's father was on government assistance. He needed a hand up, not a hand out. I guess Mitt forgot that.

We don't have an accurate number of those abusing the system because the democrats and government workers DON'T WANT US to know how much waste there is.

@Kathy - it is different when it becomes a way of life. Government assistance provides so much that peopled don't have to work anymore. We are so concerned so as not to stigmatize those living on assistance, it has become too comfortable / easy. I guess you must be wealthy enough that it doesn't bother you see people in Garden Fresh buying lots of prepared foods with LINK cards while talking on fancy smart phones. For those of us that really work for a living, it is a slap in the face.

Frank, I agree with you, Mr. Romney seems to be a nice person, but his actions tell a different story all together. Maybe just too many people in this country are just like him or want to be. Maybe being a person of character, maybe having integrity is no longer important. I pray that is not true. I pray we can recover our integrity and do the right thing. And caring about the poor is something we cannot ignore.

Amen!

There is a difference in those who truly need help and those who simply "work the system." I hear people talking about how they "work the system" and it angers me. It takes away from those who truly need help. I don't think many people are against helping those truly in need. But I think it can't all be one way. I take a drug test at work and if I can't pass it, they can't pass my paycheck to me. I have no problem with that. Want to the dole? You have to meet certain standards or you don't get it.
Is that too much too ask? If you think yes, then I suggest taking in some of the drug addicts and see what your house and wallet looks like in 45 minutes.

Good question. One that Slupski couldnt even imagine.

Answer: No

No

mij: the problem is that the number of people who do not pay taxes has significantly increased under the current administration. yes everyone pays sales tax unless you buy on the internet and don't have to.

It doesn't matter how much money you make, if you do not pay income taxes, you are not contributing to the health of America. You can't always be a drain, you have to contribute too.

My problem is that the Wealthy are also exempt for paying taxes. Sooo... where does that leave us? The Middle class schmucks who get nailed.

We discuss but do nothing about it. Why not change the tax laws? Why not elect government officials who actually want to do something other than feed at the trough?

Four wasted years with Carter, four wasted years with Obama. Guess what else is the size of a Georgia peanut?

He released the video, he did not record it.

Carter was a terrible president but he has practiced his views well since leaving office. I have to give him credit for being an honorable man. I can only hope that honor runs through the family DNA.

Just where do you get these "facts"? For Disability claims alone, the system is designed to reject the majority of claims on initial application. On appeal, 85% continue to be rejected, despite legitimate disability. Only those who persist, often requiring the services of a lawyer, may eventually 'win' the benefits they are entitled to. Just how do you support these "soaring claims"?

directly from the new york times articles in past 2 weeks.that where the figures come from

The disability portion of Social Security will be broke before the 2016 presidential election. Shouldn't this be a top issue in this election?

http://brucekrasting.com/on-the-social-security-2012-report-to-congress/

"The Drop Dead Date for the Disability Fund has been changed from 2017 to 2016. This is important as the TF has confirmed that the next President will HAVE to bailout one component of SS. It is crucial to ask the candidates what they will do if elected. They better have an answer."

"I am fed up and not going to take it anymore !!!!!"

If you're voting democrat or republican, this statement is clearly false. You'll take it like the rest of the sheep.

Romney simply stated the truth. People vote their pocket books and personal interests. That is how it has always been. As the underclass grows they become more powerful if they can mobilize. They can ruin the country because they want to take and don't want to give. That is what redistribution of wealth is all about. What if we redistribute what the underclass has? How much would they like that? If you can take it away from anyone, you can take it away from EVERYONE.

Obama was credited with fighting for housing on the streets of Chicago. The only one who benefitted was Obama and his mansion with Rezkos extra land transaction. At least when Romney travels its on his own dime. When the Almighty One travels its on AF1 with hundreds of slaving Americas protecting and servicing him.

CK, are you serious? Ever since there was an AF-1 the presidents of this great nation have traveled on the American dime. Not just Obama. All challengers fly on their campaign dime not thier own dime. Also, since there have been more years of Republican Presidents in the last 32 years. you lose that argument.

To Mr. Softwhatever- There was NOTHING in my comment that is false. I didn't even bring up all the extra trips to Marthas Vineyard when the Messiah was telling us to go and help rebuild the Gulf coast or Michele's improtant trips to Spain to be with the royal family. Nothing I said was false. NEither did I mention how Clinton was serviced in the White House nor W's expenses. I hope this link works like it did for my 4th grader http://www.whitehousedossier.com/2012/07/16/obama-flew-air-force-90mile-campaign-trip/

There has been criticism of the president's vacation at this time. But how does the number of vacation days the president has spent compare to his predecessors? CBS Radio's Mark Knoller has kept track of presidential vacations for years and supplied the data.

So far, President Obama has taken 61 vacation days after 31 months in office. At this point in their presidencies, George W. Bush had spent 180 days at his ranch where his staff often joined him for meetings. And Ronald Reagan had taken 112 vacation days at his ranch.

Among recent presidents, Bill Clinton took the least time off -- 28 days.

To be fair, a presidential vacation away from the White House is not the same as a vacation for the average person. The president is still in contact with his advisers and on call for any emergency.
Here is the source. As your fourth grader may want to hear something other than the b.s. you spout.
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563_162-20093801.html

Yeah, he really shuttered that "Staples" company - why is it you democrats just keep lying - is it that you cannot support Obama on his record?

You cannot compare GWB going to his ranch in TX with Obama lounging on the beach in Hawaii or somewhere else around the world. GWB was WORKING when he was there vs. Obama and his various rounds of golf.

Rational, so only those going to the beach are going on vacation? G.W. liked to go to his ranch, that is were he felt he could relax and enjoy his wife's company. Obama, likes to go to the beach. Who are you to say where he goes on vacation. Some people like the mountains, some the beach, some like to go to their ranch, some go hunting, some go snowmobiling, and some go boating. I am sure I do not like where you go, but it is your vacation so to each his own. your comment is invalid at best. Ignorant is more like it.
Why is it that your Republicans keep lying? is it because, you know that G.W.B. put us into this situation, by going to war in two different countries and lowering the taxes? Hey I like my taxes lower just like you. However, I know that they are going to have to raise the taxes in order for us to get out of this mess. They are going to have to reduce spending at the same time. Taxes are at 1940-1950's low's, that is not going to work in 2012 and beyond. Everyone wants the debt to go down. How are you going to accomplish that by reducing revenue? Reducing revenue alone will not accomplish your goal. A stimulis package? Well we tried that, and the corporations held onto that money and did not create jobs, infact they continued to cut jobs. The Dow Jones went from a high of 14000 in Oct 2007 to a low of 6600 in March 2009. 1.5 years of decline. Since March of 2009 the market has gone to 13400. So the corporations have made money, while the poor and middle class

are getting screwed. That is why you have no money, as the tax cuts Bush has put into place have remained. They have not been raised. The corporations have cut thier own expences (read as employees), have raised prices (revenue) and continue to put the rest of in the poor house. Oh, but you still want to believe this is all the Presidents fault.

Your comment and tone speak for themselves. Community idiot? That's just crazy hate mongering. Go knock on doors for Joe Walsh or something other than calling our President an Idiot.

Add the words liar and scam artist to idiot also.

CK, tell me what Romney's plan is? Oh, wait, you don't know because he won't tell anyone till after the election.

Petra, you hit the nail on the head! These folks don't realize what they are asking for when they want Government out of our life (except of course for when it comes to Women's rights, immigration or Gay rights). They want Big Government when its time to help themselves, their family, or cause and no Government when it's time to help someone else.

RB...right on !

Actually I like your idea. I have proven that I can manage money more effectively than the government. I grow a lot of my own food so I don't need much from the FDA.
The only legitimate purpose of any government is to ensure the freedom of the people. That is it.
I am OK with no social security because there won't be much left when I retire. If I have to depend on the government to take care of me, something is wrong with me.

You're probably not aware that more Government subsidy goes to the elderly, disabled and white population than to minorities. Mr. Mitt should have looked at what States receive most of that aid....the South and Texas. Red States are takers and they vote Republican. Never ever will make sense except its the social ideology. They just don't realize they vote for people that won't help them other than spew the hate they want to hear. Fortunately, the some of the other Red States will wake up to reality, and sensibilty handing the Republicans a defeat this Fall.

you are so right! Love ya!

That's an interesting excuse for what he said. Is that now the excuse over on Fox? Is Rush ignoring the facts and going after the liberal media again?

Democrat operatives dont have to obey the law. They can do what they want becuase their fighting the Republican enemy so they can do what they want when they want and you better shut up. Chicago politics 101.

It is not criminal as it was not a private dinner, it was a fund raiser. If it is illegal, then let Mitt sue. good luck with that.

YES YES YES! You are so right!

Mary,
Wow, with your rhetoric you would fit right in as a keynote speaker in Charlotte! Dems would embrace you to spread their propaganda. Talk about one angry (white/black?) woman!

She made a good point and you totally missed it. Lincoln is the one who would be angry! Reagan too. The Republicans are simply Ideology Enforcers and are bringing nothing else. When this Country needs Democracy to work, they spew Ideology. Any Republican who tries to be helpful and get things done, gets thrown out or quits before they get Karl Rove in their District with his $$$$. It gets annoying.

Are you related to Petra?

You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not.
And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.

"For the grade school level name callers, it really says more about you than your target. As for Mitt, with his party of hate, bigotry, racism & lies"

Comedy gold.

One sentence decrying name callers; the next tossing out slurs like they're going out of style.

Mary - the "uber rich" that you mention do pay something, just not what you and your ilk consider "fair". Fair seems to be defined as everything they have I guess.

Mary Beth you can take your statement and insert any politicians name in there and you would be correct. State, local, federal, doesn't matter. As I go back and re-read your post you can very easily put our current president's name in there and be even more accurate than you are with Romney's name.

Mary Beth I was reading your post with great interest. When you were talking about most of it I thought you were referring to Obama....especially where you stated "I shudder at the consequences for our nation and the world if Americans don't open their eyes to this power hungry, ego-maniacal charlatan." That is one of the many apt descriptions of Obama. Obama is far more corrupt than is Romney. The people don't see it. They don't want to see it. They don't want to believe it. But it is true.

Do you really want another 4 years of what we have just endured? Bush was bad enough. Obama is Bush on steroids. All Obama has done is taken a bad situation left by Bush and made it much worse. None of his nonsense helps rebuild the country. It just keeps tearing it down.

Insults are for those who can not think of anything productive to say.

"Insults are for those who can not think of anything productive to say."

I'll need a judge's ruling. Is this quote from Kathy an insult?:

"Rhetoric of hate - continue the OBama hate machine"

If Obama doesn't flip flop, then what explains his change of heart on the following:

-Warmongering
-The Drug War
-Raiding medical marijuana suppliers
-His 180 on the FISA Amendments Act of 2008
-Guantanamo
-Unilateral War
-Signing statements
-Secrecy

I could go on.

"Stop being racist! AT least Obama has A H E A R T!!!"

Stop being one of Lenin's UIs.

No government in the history of civilization has helped the poor on a net basis. One of the main reasons that the State exists is to take advantage of the poor. You've been duped.

Good God! Didn't Sharpton and Jackson over play the race card to death? So now if someone is judged on their content of character that is racism too? I am a Republican. I think there should be more abortions than we have now.

As for Obama caring about education for our future. He has given me enough of an education to realize the country is absolutely doomed if he continues as president. What has the guy done? Is that a racist question? Oh, look! Here comes Al Sharpton now!

True. A hand up , not a hand out. Mitt's father knew about this.

You forgot to throw in the Social Contract dog whistle. Nevermind that no one signed on to such a deal.

The problem is, the social support will not be there for the emergencies because it has become a way of life for too many people. We are accepting of standing in line and receiving the share that the government has deemed appropriate vs. going out and EARNING our own way.

How many in that 1% inherited that money? Never earned that money? How many in that 1% send thier money to off shore accounts to avoid paying taxes? Skirting the system and being dishonest witht he government? How many of those 1% and the buisnesses they own get federal subsidies to keep thier buisness going? Federals subsidies are government handouts. Why is it Romney will not release more tax returns? Could he be hiding something? Maybe he only paid 5 % taxes?

@Softball - you know about Romney's money BECAUSE he pays taxes on it. There is nothing wrong with having an offshore bank. Then again, how many billionaires have renounced their US citizenship because of our ever increasing deficit and spending problems...

Rational, Are you telling me billionaires have renouced thier US citizenship? I am tossing the B.S. flag on that one. Prove it. There is something wrong with having an off shore account. You are expected to pay taxes on the money you earn, either through working or through investments. That is the law, and that is what is supposed to happen, however they chose to skirt the law and not pay what they are supposed to.

CK...actually...she would have a career interviewing you alone.

petra probably a good source for knowing about govt control and socailism as certainly from mother Russia....in my medical work i deal with countless russians brought to usa in their 60s/70's/ 80s all on medicare and usa welfare programs....never paid a dime into those programs. entire apt bldgs in chicago are russian....

Racist deterioration of a party? You must be talking about the Democrats and the Jesse Jackson, Al Sharptons, Danny Davis, Gutierrez, Dorothy Tillman and the likes. Right? Single issues? Like the law school student Sandra Fluke who wants the government to pay for her birth control protection? I will willingly pay for it! WILLINGLY! In fact, maybe pay for birth control meds for any Obama supporter who cant chisel it out of our tax dollars.

Hey CK, Your constant use of the term "anointed" one tells me a lot about your blind loyalty to the hate monger Hannity----WAIT---maybe you are Hannity!!!

"Thank you Petra for your articulate response"

If using capital letters, leftist dog whistles and the race card is articulate, then our public schools are a lot worse than I thought.

Many of the things you outline here are outrageous, should never have happened and speak volumes about the people who perpetrated them. No one should be praying for the death of our president.

I don't like Obama not because of his skin color, but his content of character. He has not done a good job as president. He has placed the country in deeper jeopardy. He has placed us in an unsustainable position. I don't like his beliefs, his values and his performance. I couldn't care less about the rest.

If he was white it would be the same analysis.

"What is sad is that people are talking about this silly video when we lost an ambassador and navy seals and NO ONE IS ASKING QUESTIONS!"

What on earth are you talking about. That has been on the front page news for the last 10 days.

"Focus on the middle east, that is more important than this video or taxes"

I'm much more interested in the amount of money that the Total State is thieving from people than I am in an eternal war.

Good points! As far as the jobs from Apple going over seas, why is that? Because it is cheaper to create the goods there, transport them here and sell them. When you go shopping do you see a sale sign at one store and say "Oh, there is a sale there and I can save some money. Let me find a place where I can pay for more the same thing."
Do you do that??? Does anyone??? Of course some types of jobs go over seas. Some of the manufacturing jobs are trying to come back but the problem is finding qualified workers to do the work. Can't find CNC operators. People don't have the math and the programming skills. They do in other countries...so the work goes there.

The complete video was posted earlier this week: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/watch-full-secret-video-private-romney-fundraiser

Doug - We are talking about 47% of the US taxpaying population. They "do not make enough" due to "loopholes" and schemes to defraud the US government (I can use the same language the Democrats use, right).

Anyway, when that large of a percentage of the population has NO skin in the game on paying for the federal largess, we are in trouble as a nation. EVERYONE should pay SOMETHING and no one should be getting more money back than they are sending in - stop the refunds at ZERO.

Chris, before voting for Romney please look for some specifics from him. Particularly, which tax loopholes they plan to eliminate to help make up for the tax cut for the wealthy and corporations. What regulations do they want to do away with. Additionally, I would hope that if you voted for Clinton, Obama and a 'compassionate' conservative that you look very hard at Mr. Romney's stance on the right of Women to choose, immigration, education gay rights. Don't let an unproven (12 years of not working) desire to cut taxes overwhelm a fair society. That's the real danger in voting for Mr. Romney: turning over our society to a right wing ideology agenda that will impact much of the progress that it has taken 80 years to get done. Take a look at his convention and his campaign too. If he can't run those, how do you expect him to run the country? The US is not a steelmill that he can acquire and sell off piece by piece or leverage to the hilt like Bain would do. Think again, it's that important. Thanks for hearing me out.

Chris, I applaud your votes. You are making an earlier point I had. We need to stop voting along party lines and vote for who you believe in. For me, 1st Bush, Clinton x 2. G.W.B, Kerry, and Obama. However, as of today I am going again with Obama. I believe he can still turn this around. Now there are still 40 some days left for Romney to change my mind. I am watching everything I can to make a decision that I can live with.

A serious question: what has Romney done in the last 7 years besides run for office? Even his taxes (well, those he'll tell us about) prove that all he has done is earn income through investments, not by actually working. And he says he'll create jobs? How? Can someone please explain what his policies are?

@Chris - I would say the same thing about Obama - what has he done besides run for Office for the last 7 years or so. Even AFTER GETTING ELECTED SENATOR and PROMISING to do that job, he finked out.

No, I don't. Most economist dont either. Explain how a reduction in revenue helps the economy and how it lowers the deficit?. It never has, by the way. I'm sure you know more, so let's hear it. Trickle down? Don't repeat it, we've seen and heard about it for the past 12 years. Just what loopholes do you guys plan to cut? Have a mortgage? The mortgage interest tax deduction may be one tha Romney wants to cut. What other cuts? Social Security and Medicare? Those are entitlement programs. How about Meals for school children? That's an entitlement program. By the way, much of that 47% pays taxes, just not income taxes...like Romney for instance.

"Explain how a reduction in revenue helps the economy and how it lowers the deficit?"

The former is easy. Taking less money from productive people absolutely helps the economy.

That certainly won't help the deficit in the short-term but the problem is not with revenue. The Central State is spending $32k per household, compared to $20k in 1990 even after adjusting for price inflation.

Well RB, the Democrats "trickle up" poverty seems to be doing wonders for the US, you want to continue that policy?

"I have yet to take social security, but have paid into it my whole working life and expect and demand that it be there for me and for my children and grandchildren."

I demand a date with a supermodel.

My demand is much more likely to be met than yours. By 2030, there will be two workers for every SS beneficiary. Show me the math that sustains such a scheme.

Anyone under 50 will be lucky to see a dime from SS. Do not plan on receiving this money, count any receipts as an unexpected bonus.

Hey Guido,
Will you settle for a supermodel who is on Social Security?

Actually we do know the 47% is off. Everybody but Romney's campaign seems to know that (oh, and my cousin Stu). I've voted Republican in this state much more often than Democrat, because I vote for the most qualified candidate and Democrats haven't been able to come up with a credible candidate for Governor since I moved here in '84. Similarly, our GOP hasn't come up with a real candidate for Mayor of Chicago in a lot longer than that. So, your whole point is just a guess based upon nothing and the truth might hurt but you're going to have send some this way before we find out.

@Craig - the 47% percent is right, or at least very close. It is only the democrats trying to muddy the waters by including items like sales taxes, SSI, and state taxes when Romney CLEARLY STATED FEDERAL INCOME TAXES. The 47% comes FROM THE IRS - you are the LIAR, or the misinformed FOOL.

Oh, I get it. RationalTht is SCREAMING Gretchen again under a new name? See my other post for a correction to another of your completely wrong assumptions.

Regarding point #2: The President signs his name Barrack with each appeal for money.

Watch out, Justin. You have misspelled the name of our beloved leader Barack Hussein Obama II. This may be punishable by a fine or imprisonment. But I will not report you this time.

Justin, You forgot people who use the terms "the anointed one" & "the almighty" a la Shawn the Hannity when trying to mock the president. I WAS a life long republican till now but I'm embarrased by what the party has become. Lies & deceit is now the road to power. And I hate to say it but much is racial in nature.

Yeah I would like to know who he thinks is ANOTHER ONE ! ! ! Maybe if he would attend his "INTELLIGENCE BRIEFINGS" now and then ... he would KNOW !

Gretchen
http://abcnews.go.com/m/blogEntry?id=17241838

Yet another media matters disciple...spewing anti business, wealth/success hating propaganda. People who work, pay taxes and who may even been well off have no right to the fruits of their labors according to you, POTUS and the Occupy nuts. MB...ask yourself...if all the "makers" aka business/ working people stopped producing and paying taxes, then what? Whose gonna pick up their slack? Whose gonna foot the bill? You?! The guy/gal/family on every form of assistance for 4 generations?! Nope...so I'll kindly ask you to STFU, or put your money where you mouth is AND kick in an extra 10/15% taxes aka "your fair share". Some of "us" are already paying upwards of 50% when you combine all taxes: local,state,federal etc. Whatever happened to the American Way....whatever happened to no taxation w/out representation?

Winnetka...how tragically sad, and unfortunately becoming more common among right wing extremists, that anyone who does not conform to your narrow little mind set and instantly agree, is told to "STFU"...a real class act. What happened to the American Way indeed...

McCloud
#8 http://youtu.be/ZoWCrxYk-yQ
And despite your ASSumption, I am employed and have been since I was 14. I have never collected unemployment, or asked for assistance.
#5 please do some research, and provide evidence.

McCloud
#8 http://youtu.be/ZoWCrxYk-yQ
And despite your ASSumption, I am employed and have been since I was 14. I have never collected unemployment, or asked for assistance.
#5 please do some research, you must have missed the 00's

The reality is: we are China's b-it-ch. Russia is standing by watching our colonialist hating president ruin our foreign relations ally by ally. Israel is saying WTF is wrong w/ this bro...really they shouldn't be surprised by POTUS's treatment. Deep down he believes that colonizers are evil...when in fact they have enabled many impoverished countries to thrive: Singapore, Malaysia, Phillipines etc. Look at the difference btwn Dominincan Republic and Haiti? What separates them-certainly not land. It's a philosophical and cultural difference. Look what happened to Kenya, when British rule left...oh and how is POTUS's half brother doing living in that hut while his brother resides large in the WH.

McCloud, Do you consider G.W.B a success then? and why?

Why does Obama ask for Romney's tax returns? He is hoping he can find a clue about how to successfully manage money. The only successful money management plan Obama has worked well is when he and Tony Rezko bought a house and an empty lot together with Obama getting the house and Rezko getting the empty lot. But the deal was Rezko would pay more and Obama would get a discount. Obama fundamentally redistributed Rezko's wealth. Since then he seems to like that idea.

After 3 plus years I now have HOPE that I will get some CHANGE when I goto McDonalds

"I would hope that whoever ends up running the country has at least the basic concept of cabin pressurization down"

Right on. It is imperative that we find someone who can apply airflow mechanics to debt mechanics. I'm sure those concepts are connected somehow.

Yeah, but Obama and his 57 states were OK by you....hypocrite.

"that "cost" was under one half cent per tax dollar over the 30 years"

That's how an apologist would frame it. A better frame would be that each flight cost $1,500,000,000.

I didn't know Mitt wanted to reinstate the shuttle. That is reason # 32,559 not to vote for him. What a colossal waste.

Although, if he vowed to fly the shuttle with the windows open, I would discard the 33,000 reasons to avoid voting and go register right now.

Businesses are not holding back to hurt Obama. What kind of nonsense is that? Obviously created by someone who does not understand business. Businesses are slow to hire for a couple of reasons. First, productivity is higher and so when we cut back as the great recession hit, we found we could do more with less. Plus, demand is not back yet...so there is on reason to hire. We are risk averse. We will risk our capital and ideas, but not if there are too many things out of our control or that put the risk factor out of balance. One of those things would be Obamacare. Ask the doctors, ask employers...this is a disaster that will end up hurting the workers, because with the new regulations we really can't afford to fund the insurance which means, who gets to pay for it??? Did anyone think of that?

We aren't holding back because we want to hurt Obama. We are holding back because we don't want to hurt ourselves and our shareholders. I wanted Obama to succeed. I want ALL presidents to succeed. Bush was an abject failure. Obama has been a bigger failure. We need someone who understands how business works and how to get rid of the insane restrictions without turning it into a free-for-all.

People get so caught up in rhetoric and talking points that can fail to see what is really going on. Obama promised us Hope and Change. I guess I thought he had something a little different in mind.

So if they take thier balll and go home, who are they hurting? The working poor and the middle class. Do you think that if Romney gets elected they will just open the flood gates and poof the economy gets better and unemployments get better? Unless the Republican party stop being obstructionsist, and pass the needed legislation to get people back to work, they are the problem. They have cost the United States over 1 Million jobs. That is 1 million people off the entitlement programs they hate.
From Fact Check.org regarding Clinton DNC speech:
"Two independent economists — Mark Zandi of Moody’s Analytics and Joel Prakken of Macroeconomics Advisers — had estimated that Obama’s proposed American Jobs Act would add more than 1 million jobs. Zandi claimed it would add 1.9 million jobs; Prakken 1.3 million. Senate Republicans blocked the $447 billion measure, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell denounced it as “a charade that’s meant to give Democrats a political edge” in 2012."

Here is another couple of lines from the DNC speech, which has not been found to be incorrect:
"Don’t you ever forget when you hear them talking about this that Republican economic policies quadrupled the national debt before I took office, in the 12 years before I took office — (applause) — and doubled the debt in the eight years after I left, because it defied arithmetic." - Bill Clinton.

"Two independent economists — Mark Zandi"

Stop right there. There is no statist scheme that Mark Zandi will not endorse. I hate to go ad hominem but Zandi has earned it; he can be dismissed as a state stooge.

The State cannot create jobs, as the State cannot create wealth. They can only redistribute wealth and jobs.

Shrub was a big government disaster. He was the biggest regulator since Nixon.

http://reason.com/archives/2009/01/26/bush-was-a-big-government-disa

http://reason.com/archives/2008/12/10/bushs-regulatory-kiss-off

The only way you can find success in his warmongering is from the perspective of the crony sector. Several companies made a mint.

You are ONE SMART COOKIE Gregg ..... problem is the DEMS are just too dumb to comprehend.

I'm on board with repealing the 16th amendment. Income taxes are immoral regardless of income level. The Total State has no legitimate claim on the fruits of your labor.

"You want marijuana? Tax it! Don't have the tax stamp or user permit? Tax evasion penalties like they used to get Capone."

How about no. You can make an argument for a flat percentage of sales tax that equals sales tax on all other goods. Push it higher and you'll still have a black market and the resulting violence.