Together we stand. Divided we fall!

Not to be the know-it-all but if revolt was the answer why have Americans not done it yet? And dont say because they are cowards because there have been multiple times in our history that citizens have voiced their unhappiness.

Second, you reap the rewards of the income tax being levied. Yes, it is not explicitly in the constitution. One will say that they waste it and that Americans do not benefit from it. One glaring counterargument is the interstate highways. If Americans paid for what they actually used, the numbers would be astronomical. These major projects like dams, levies, highways are only possible because of subsidization and spreading the cost out over all agents or people. The maverick or anti-government type will say that we can do without them. Well then live by your word and refuse to drive on the highways. Next dont fish in the reservoirs and dont use power generated by them. Oh now who would do that.

Kim, nice blog as always. Mike, great comments and food for thought. Nothing like a good old debate to keep the mind sharp. As far as taxes going to where they should...SSI is a PERFECT example against. We give it to people who have never paid into it, who are not even U.S. citizens and then people who work the system and should work but do not. Let us not forget "help" to Africa, etc. We cannot take care of our own but send money OUT of this country on a regular basis. Why? Homeless vets could use some help. Vets that come back from war with mental health problems and health problems could use some help. Nope! Charity begins at home. Taxes that we pay are NEVER used the way they should be. The crooks in DC need to go. We are going under. When do WE get our checks instead of the big tub of Vaseline. Enough is enough.

No matter the person or institution there is going to be some waste or inefficiency. The larger the dollar amounts, the greater the amount of inefficiency will become. It is easy to manage 2 people but have you tried to keep track of 300 million people and all of their needs.

I vote for downsizing government but not completely. There are hundreds of thousands of examples that anarchy is not possible and instability due to lack of government causes economic hardship and a poor quality of life.

And today I heard from Biden's mouth..."I am here from the federal Government and I am here to help." I about fell from my chair. I believe Mike posted about that a while back. It was like a dream...but I was awake...and 100% sober.

Revolt is not the answer. The History of Europe is proof of what happens when one revolts. The results were never favorable. In fact, all of the conflict resulted in anger and in the end abject poverty.

I do not pretend that politicians spend the money wisely. I simply tire of anti-government types that have no concept of history or the consequences of their actions. Stability and cooperation have made Americans the superpower that it is. There is a reason that they withhold now and not let people pay at one time in the year. We are not the most Taxed country on the planet.

I guess the point is that small changes in the system could yield great benefits.One of those changes would be lowering our demand for quick easy investment. Any doubt about the impact of that statement can be refuted by the fact that people hold credit/debit cards, hold bonds, CD's ,etc. and seek loans.

Fundamental overthrow would benefit no one. Again, since the birth of civilization in Mesopotamia around 6000 B.C. only those countries that achieve stability have prospered economically. There are no exceptions.

Hey, I heard that Chuck Norris called you right-wingers to action. Revolts and all. You people are going to be labeled as terrorists soon.

And stop blaming the Dems for all this messed up crap going on. The Reps had an equal hand in this screw job. Everyone needs to fired, from the top too the bottom, right/left and center.

And just a side-note, glen beck is a cult-ish mormon. He probable can't be trusted. He'll try to steal your wives and feed you jello.

nice one. props to censored.

Yes, Glenn Beck is a Mormon. Jeeze, what a stupid thing for you to say...that he will steal your wife! Really, try to stay on task here. I am not a Mormon! I am just a simple Christian, believer in God. I don't believe in his doctrine. I do believe in the 9 principles he put on his website and I posted on here. I don't have to be a bible-thumping, go-to-church person to be a christian! Bazooka, is very passionate about what he believes. Need I remind you naysayers that it was the people who revolted that made America a Republic nation, at least up til lately. These people were not viewed kindly by the current government. They took a step of disobedience first. They tried to seperate without violence. Unfortunately, violence occurred and now they are called heros. Our forefathers were revolutionaries. Scarey to think we may have to become like them in order to demand our democracy back. I certainly hope that revolt is not necessary, however as I pointed out, quite truthfully, the government works for me! For us! If we don't pay them, they need to find a real job!

It is true that income tax is not right. There have been others who have challenged it and won in court. I think that civil disobedience is what we should be do. We just plant our feet and demand what is right. If enough people demand it and refuse to pay for it, something has to change. That's just my never-to-be-humble opinion. Taxation is wrong! Bazooka is right about that! We pay taxes everytime we buy something and that should be enough.

I am sure bazookaman knows this as well as others. People in the military have to pay taxes on their own pay check coming from the Fed's and if you retire from the military you keep right on paying taxes on your pay. If you get the normal social security you also have to pay taxes on that, I know I am paying taxes on both of those retirement checks. Also the State gets in on collecting taxes from a military retirement. I just don't understand when this money is coming out of the General Account why we have to continue to pay taxes on it. Also if you are disabled that money is tax exempt, just doesn't make sense. Anyway, Mike, Ken and Kim keep up all the info you been putting out for those that take the time to read it.

I guess that i should be more clear. Violent uprising like the French Revolution would be ignorant and utterly asanine. Civil disobedience like what Gandhi did would be enormously effective. If Americans despise politicians, then dont elect them. Dont complain when they dont allot money for your cause. Dont be selective because your existence is equal to that of every other one. It is rather hypocritical. People want tax cuts and then they complain that certain projects dont get funded or want not.

The ones who fund the projects are the ones that win. Now dont give me this redneck, up against the world, left out, pity party. It is simple human nature. People will take opportunities when they are present. Overall, I think that if you want change you have to do more than try to be Tom Cruise from Born on the 4th of July. Dont demand the services that the Government provides. Dont complain about inflation. Our actions not theirs cause that. Dont complain about the highways when they are in disrepair. And when someone goes on a shooting spree in a crowded public area, dont blame gun laws. Politicians know that people depend on them and the economics of government.

Food for thought: all the money that the feds possess does not come from taxes. Some of it actually comes from other sources (hint... not direct payments from citizens). So before the William Wallace in you comes out, give it some thought

One last comment and feel free to comment.

In capitalism, some will be poor and some will not. Some taxation is going to happen to make sure that minimal government activity happens. Now the question is, do we really need to spread the wealth of all. Do we need to prop up the poor and those who are down on their luck? Those who make bad decision, should they be bailed out or should we let them fail? Collectively it will depress the economy to let banks, mortgage companies, homeowners, business owners go down in flames but in the long run are you willing to let them be poor and have it affect our collective bottom line?

I believe that, with the exception of AIG, we should let people crash and burn. Borrowing continuously to help make everybody middle-class is going to have consequences. Do you think that is why we charge the government with keeping unemployment down? Because Americans refuse to let life happen and know that economies have ups and downs.

Yeah, to bad the patriots and the tyrants are on the same team?!

Kim, thank you so much and thanks for the comments. I really enjoy your blog as well. You are a smart lady and I too enjoy your thoughts. You have much to say and I love what you write---you have talent. Keep up the good work. All of this is true for Ken as well (other than the "lady" part of course). Take care you two. Have a great weekend.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sat, Mar 14, 2009, at 8:59 AM

Not to be philosophical but lets think about this. In life, the first things that we take care of our food, water, shelter, and other physical needs. Unless those are met, the rest of life is for not. this has not included politicians yet. Next on the society's table is emotional needs. Such as making friends, enemies, finding one's place in the social maze. We do this as a survival tactic. No one person can do it all so we make relationships with others who have talents that we do not. Make a long story short, at the end of life's vast interactions are people like economists, politicians, and tax types. They only have existence because of the existence of all the other aspects to life (physical needs, emotional, psychological, etc.) So why should we care. Because if we change what we do, it will have an effect. Provoking one invokes fear. Fear is not what we should be after. Respect and cooperation should be our core goals.

If we take the ground out from underneath them by not driving, not paying taxes, or other activities they will have to listen. If a drug dealer suddenly had no one to sell to, he would have to change his ways for better or for worse. Overall, I feel that we give politicians too much credit for affecting the economy. The economy functions because of everyday citizens. Our decisions make theirs happen.

Bazooka:

Yeah excactly, "patriots and tyrants holding hands," which put the common american citizen under their command. It's the patriots who believed in the tyrants lies, that have led to the loss of freedoms that we see today. Like believing Bush2's lies, Clinton's lies, Bush1's lies, Reagan's lies, Carter's lies, Ford's lies, Nixon's lies, so on and so forth. Straight down the line of election "frauds". The fact is, the freedoms that you grew up with took over a hundred and fifty years of struggle, of the 200+ years of American History, by the "common people" to get. If it hadn't of been for the common people in "radical groups" fighting against the patriot groups who side with, industrial and governmental tyranny, we'd all still be wage slaves paying rent to our Bosses and getting shot at by federal agents and armies for calling the industrialist and government out. The Patriots are in the same league as the Pinkerton (thugs) Detective Agency, and the Black Hundred from Russian history. Hired Guns and Flag blind crazies. "Tools" of Big Buisness and The Government. "TOOLS and fools", just doing what the Boss tells them to do "because it's patriotic."

twilcox1978:

A nation wide strike, close the doors of commerce, shutdown the whole machine and watch the Government Buckle under the true power of America = the people. "no bullets needed."

You mean zealous as in zealot, fanatic, flag blind, as in blocking your views?

For every movement or proposed movement, there is going to be a countermovement thinking that they have all the answers. Being nationalistic has changed over time. Our actions signal the government what to do. We complain about poor roads and so politicians know that to win an election that has to be on their platform. To be reelected, they have to find a way to get funding for that cause. Usually that means higher taxes in some area. The contractor as always supports this idea because it is guaranteed income.

The point is that we need to quit sending the wrong signals. By complaining and then electing those who can fulfill these wasteful desires, we are enabling them.

To be polite, if you dont have both sides of the political spectrum it is always undesirable. If you need proof look at the disaster that was Europe from 1880-1990. Lack of opposition and lack of discussion in every country but Germany led to poor decision making compounded over and over again.

Bazooka:

Pork and social programs are the same thing? Those are two different actions, man. Pork is unwarranted spending on studies like the effects of soda on the brain functions of middle to late aged white men in Mountain Home. And social programs are to help people in a state of need. What is it that you have against helping your fellow Americans. Are you just a greedy elitist that only cares about the middle class? Or I guess it has a lot to do with your John Birch Society that promotes bigotry and class hatred. You say things like "the people need to unite" to fix society, but then you divide people with the groups you support, like JBS and the Confederate Party. Why don't you just admit that you want Unity with the white people and no one else. Your a racist, Bazooka. No matter what you say, or how much you squirm, you are just a racist pure and simple. And you and people like you, Bigots, can't stand the fact that an African American is the President.

I would be willing to bet my life that had a white man been elected and was doing the same things as Obama you'd be fine with it.

And just for your information, I am white and sick and tired of you backward, ignorant elitist giving me a bad name, just because you jokers can't handle progress. Grow Up!

To correct myself only in Germany specifically West Germany from 1950 to present was the opposition allowed to voice themselves. The many overtly authoritarian dictatorships (Franco, Stalin, Hoxha, Caecescu, Mussolini, etc.) prove why having both sides can stave off disaster.

I find it quite replusive that the rascist card was thrown out. It is weak to use that card. It is appaling to say that when a person disagrees with the actions of an African American, they wouldn't disagree if said person was caucasion. Nothing could enrage me more than to have that response. I grew up in the south and lived with this crutch all my life. Yet, I find it more in the North than I ever imagined. Being a minority doesn't mean that they are free from criticism. Though that is not the case. Usually, this crutch was used frequently to shift the focus off of them back onto the person who had the gall to disagree. The buck stops there and there is no more discussion on the issue because if you continue to disagree then you must be rascist! Please, lets always focus on the deeds and actions of our President without throwing rascism around. It's BS weak politics to do so. I don't care what color or religion a person is. My focus doesn't get skewed by that. Your deeds define character not your race.

I was referring to Bazooka and his outwardly racist white boy clubs. It's all a matter of history, but if your going to be offended by history then you too are in the boat with Bazooka.

And stop using it as a crutch. Because America is racist. I see it everyday in peoples reactions and words, despite the softness they put to it's edges.

"The Race Card" Another devilish tactic you've learned from the conservative fascist.

And the word Fascism is considered a FAR Right ideology.

Good Day.

Bazooka,

Economies are not self-equilibrating. It is known and acceptable by all who know the financial world. Therefore, we need educated individuals who can oversee the picture and attempt to steer it in the right direction. If not for the Federal Reserve, Black Friday in 1987 would have been catastrophic. The government was not behind that mess. It was greedy self-absorbed stock brokers, their clients, and Americans not saving enough. Second, inflation in the early 70's would have soared to levels never seen before. We would have experienced a similar situation to that of Russia in the early 90's. Moderation is not such a bad thing. Being too far in one direction tends to be disastrous. Just look at history.

Bazooka, the history of your JBS is more then enough to prove my case.

And this whole I have a (enter ethnicity) friend, doesn't make your club less racist. I've heard that line plenty of times. It's just when your so called "ethnic friend" is out of ear shot you start laying down the slurs. It pays to not dress like a radical, it affords a guy the chance to actually listen in on all your crazed, malcontent banter.

(you shouldn't throw away your jackknife, you might need it to clean your ears out)

You do realize that this mess that he has encountered is our fault as Americans. His actions may not be exactly what you want. If our actions had not came first, then things would have panned out differently. Cause and effect.

As for your stimulus package. This is 2009 not 1909.

We also disease, poverty, and ignorance as well so pick your poison

Actually we had more cancer by a whopping margin then than we do today. One difference was that stomach cancer was the primary cancer and not heart disease. AIDS is a plague just like the Black Plague and the disease that us Europeans spread to the natives. And above all, in 1909 there were actually people that thought that blacks were genetically inferior. Those still exist but not nearly in the numbers of the past. today we have other issues which are equal but i am glad to have been raised to know equality. I would have felt stupid caring about skin color and someone's religion and thinking that it actually meant anything about their character.

in 1909, the poverty rate was a lot higher even when one adjusts for inflation. More Americans lived on the farm or lived paycheck to paycheck. Those who rode the thin line between making an adequate living and being in poverty were the majority. That uncertainty gives one fewer choices. Furthermore, poor is usually desparate. Government had less of a role then due to poor information and the geographical spread. Getting policy to apply to all 48 states at that time was time intensive and costly. That is why the West was isolated and sometimes left out of the equation. The US did not arrive as a world power until after WWI when we became the primary lender for the world. Germany's war reparations went primarily to us. Now if you know your history, one will know how that ended up...