Who Pays Taxes in America? America’s tax system as a whole is just barely progressive.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It is simply not fair to expect the poorest sections of society to shoulder all of the pain of cutbacks whilst, saying that ya, you guys are stupid and therefore less worthy of government spending, than that of the people who helped drive the US economy into a wall.

It's very arguable that more pain is caused in society by government spending on entitlements. We'd be doing a lot of people a favor by cutting benefits.

No more free housing unless you want to live in a 200 story skyscraper with 100sqft space with a cot and a toilet. No more free good except for bread and water. No more free health care. No more free cars (yes programs do exist), No more opportunity to abuse or overuse the system. A lifetime allowance on "help" for capable people.

We've created the ability to live generation after generation in a cradle to grave government cheese handout situation. There are people out there who will never have to work a day in their life living off the backs of those of us who do. These people aren't hurt, handicapped, stupid, etc.. They just are at "ease" with the life they've been given and don't know any different/better.

The single greatest destruction of this country has been the New Deal, and the Great Society. - A new form of modern slavery (again created by the Democratic party as usual) to keep people in check and people voting a certain way by offering "freebies" and chastising those who dare to try and limit it or take it away.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It's a global world - their workforce can be in China, Russia, or wherever you can find skilled workers for your business.

An American company can make a fortune without hiring any American workers, or even doing any business in the US. So can a German company, or an offshore corporation based in the Caymans.

These workers still have to be educated. Whether that's here or elsewhere. Coincidentally, companies tend to set up shop where they can find the most skilled workers. There wouldn't be any American company doing business overseas if America quit providing public education and infrastructure. Plain and simple. It's probably one of the reasons why you don't have Somalian companies thriving in China using their workers. The libertarian paradise is a wasteland - as any libertarian paradise would be.

[mawilson 2,133]

These workers still have to be educated. Whether that's here or elsewhere. Coincidentally, companies tend to set up shop where they can find the most skilled workers. There wouldn't be any American company doing business overseas if America quit providing public education and infrastructure. Plain and simple. It's probably one of the reasons why you don't have Somalian companies thriving in China using their workers. The libertarian paradise is a wasteland - as any libertarian paradise would be.

All you need to thrive is the rule of law and freedom to go about your daily business without fear. You don't have that in Somalia, which is why there are no thriving Somalian businesses.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

All you need to thrive is the rule of law and freedom to go about your daily business without fear. You don't have that in Somalia, which is why there are no thriving Somalian businesses.

No roads, no airports, no electricity, no communication, water or sewer required? How do you have the rule of law, a stable and functioning government system in a nation of illiterates and know nothings? How does that work? How do you thrive in such a setting? Short answer is, you don't. Look around the globe. All the emerging economies put public education and infrastructure front and center. It's what allows them grow and what allows their people to thrive. Some will thrive more than others - i.e. get a bigger return on that national investment. Not too much to ask of those to shoulder a larger share of that investment.

[DaveE 178]

It's very arguable that more pain is caused in society by government spending on entitlements. We'd be doing a lot of people a favor by cutting benefits.

No more free housing unless you want to live in a 200 story skyscraper with 100sqft space with a cot and a toilet. No more free good except for bread and water. No more free health care. No more free cars (yes programs do exist), No more opportunity to abuse or overuse the system. A lifetime allowance on "help" for capable people.

We've created the ability to live generation after generation in a cradle to grave government cheese handout situation. There are people out there who will never have to work a day in their life living off the backs of those of us who do. These people aren't hurt, handicapped, stupid, etc.. They just are at "ease" with the life they've been given and don't know any different/better.

The single greatest destruction of this country has been the New Deal, and the Great Society. - A new form of modern slavery (again created by the Democratic party as usual) to keep people in check and people voting a certain way by offering "freebies" and chastising those who dare to try and limit it or take it away.

Could someone like this perhaps, be whom you are talking about?

[Leatherneck 693]

We didn't have much of a debt problem when top tax rates were 90% to 70%

Looks like we really got ourselves into debt once rates fell below 50%!

This nation does not have a debt problem because of taxes, there's a debt problem because progressives in both parties (but you lefties are by far the worst) are addicted to spending, growing the big government into ever bigger government and more government social programs. Then you lefties demand the programs be expanded and/or get more funding each year - which requires the government to STEAL, borrow or print more and more money. Spending is the cause of your big government debt.

[slim 1,514]

So, let me get this straight. All you lefties are saying rich people get money from the government by indirectly profiting off infrastructure we collectively own.

Now, don't poor people also use that very same infrastructure? And, uh, aren't they getting paid on top of it?

From where I sit, it almost looks like the poor are double-dipping.

[웃 910]

The best solution which would not be plausible under the current administration would be to start bombing certain cities.

If you have too much debt, too much welfare, or too high of unemployment you get a 30 days notice and then we call in the air brigade and bomb everything in sight.

[Leatherneck 693]

These workers still have to be educated. Whether that's here or elsewhere. Coincidentally, companies tend to set up shop where they can find the most skilled workers. There wouldn't be any American company doing business overseas if America quit providing public education and infrastructure. Plain and simple. It's probably one of the reasons why you don't have Somalian companies thriving in China using their workers. The libertarian paradise is a wasteland - as any libertarian paradise would be.

Libertarians don't believe in lawlessness. Libertarians believe in more personal responsibility - which you liberals obviously hate. There are far more cradle-to-grave leftwing, big government wastelands than any other.

[Leatherneck 693]

So, let me get this straight. All you lefties are saying rich people get money from the government by indirectly profiting off infrastructure we collectively own.

Now, don't poor people also use that very same infrastructure? And, uh, aren't they getting paid on top of it?

From where I sit, it almost looks like the poor are double-dipping.

Slim, liberal logical and economics, are like oil and water. Their logic and understanding (make that lack of) of economics is similar to that of a 5 year old.

I have more faith in a 5 year old - at least they're teachable.

[Leatherneck 693]

No roads, no airports, no electricity, no communication, water or sewer required? How do you have the rule of law, a stable and functioning government system in a nation of illiterates and know nothings? How does that work? How do you thrive in such a setting? Short answer is, you don't. Look around the globe. All the emerging economies put public education and infrastructure front and center. It's what allows them grow and what allows their people to thrive. Some will thrive more than others - i.e. get a bigger return on that national investment. Not too much to ask of those to shoulder a larger share of that investment.

Typical liberal nonsense, more interested in making things equal and a fantasy equal outcome.

The model this country followed is what allows a people to grow and thrive - the rise of this country to economic dominance and super power status in its short existence was no accident. Whereas governments that meddle the least, ensure property rights, protect property ownership, protect citizens natural unalienable rights, those are the conditions by which folks left to be creative and productive... will thrive. Even without "public education and infrastructure front and center."

[slim 1,514]

The best solution which would not be plausible under the current administration would be to start bombing certain cities.

If you have too much debt, too much welfare, or too high of unemployment you get a 30 days notice and then we call in the air brigade and bomb everything in sight.

Square for president.

The sad thing is, this is what's going to happen. It won't be us bombing the inner cities, but once the lights go out, they'll be left to fend for themselves and anyone walking out will be SOS. (Shot on sight.)

Slim, liberal logical and economics, are like oil and water. Their logic and understanding (make that lack of) of economics is similar to that of a 5 year old.

I have more faith in a 5 year old - at least they're teachable.

Mrs. Johnson's 3rd grade class could balance our budget before recess.

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

No roads, no airports, no electricity, no communication, water or sewer required? How do you have the rule of law, a stable and functioning government system in a nation of illiterates and know nothings? How does that work? How do you thrive in such a setting? Short answer is, you don't.

agreed - it's a wonder we made it out of the 1700's!

[slim 1,514]

agreed - it's a wonder we made it out of the 1700's!

But we NEEEEEEED a federal government.

[Leatherneck 693]

Square for president.

The sad thing is, this is what's going to happen. It won't be us bombing the inner cities, but once the lights go out, they'll be left to fend for themselves and anyone walking out will be SOS. (Shot on sight.)

Mrs. Johnson's 3rd grade class could balance our budget before recess.

I could spend 4 hours in the Oval Office, three agencies at the top of my list would get the ax within 2 minutes of sitting down. By the time I took a break for lunch, we'd have a federal government resembling pre FDR. There would be a lot of misery - experienced by former federal employees.