Conk Hero: Calvin Coolidge

[Cap'n Cat]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_coolidge" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Was doing some random reading about early 20th century politicians and was very impressed with what is said about Calvin Coolidge. A Conk's Conk, he was for limited government, but he also had a heart, advocating for civil rights and women's suffrage. Apprently, enjoyed a renaissance during ConkReagan's term.

I hesitate to call him a Conk, because it is a derogatory term for Rove-Reagan-W-Palin fvcks, but, in his time, he was a good man. Died too young.

Take a few minutes to read his bio, then discuss.

[AZGrizFan]

Coolidge's taxation policy was that of his Secretary of the Treasury, Andrew Mellon: taxes should be lower and fewer people should have to pay them. Congress agreed, and the taxes were reduced in Coolidge's term. In addition to these tax cuts, Coolidge proposed reductions in federal expenditures and retiring some of the federal debt. Coolidge's ideas were shared by the Republicans in Congress, and in 1924 Congress passed the Revenue Act of 1924, which reduced income tax rates and eliminated all income taxation for some two million people. They reduced taxes again by passing the Revenue Acts of 1926 and 1928, all the while continuing to keep spending down so as to reduce the overall federal debt. By 1927, only the richest 2% of taxpayers paid any federal income tax

What a concept. Limited government, retiring of the debt.

[Cap'n Cat]

Coolidge's taxation policy was that of his Secretary of the Treasury, Andrew Mellon: taxes should be lower and fewer people should have to pay them. Congress agreed, and the taxes were reduced in Coolidge's term. In addition to these tax cuts, Coolidge proposed reductions in federal expenditures and retiring some of the federal debt. Coolidge's ideas were shared by the Republicans in Congress, and in 1924 Congress passed the Revenue Act of 1924, which reduced income tax rates and eliminated all income taxation for some two million people. They reduced taxes again by passing the Revenue Acts of 1926 and 1928, all the while continuing to keep spending down so as to reduce the overall federal debt. By 1927, only the richest 2% of taxpayers paid any federal income tax

What a concept. Limited government, retiring of the debt.

Hey, Lance, Dems want that, too. Cut through all the Conk weeds and you'll see that. Govt has a role, however. It exists to counter runaway Conktapatilist abuses, dude. See Warren Harding's admin. Reagan's, too. Wake up, son.

[∞∞∞]

It's unfortunate that some of our greatest presidents seem to have been forgotten through time. People like Coolidge, Hayes, and Polk were excellent leaders that just kinda faded into the catacombs of American history.

[Cap'n Cat]

It's unfortunate that some of our greatest presidents seem to have been forgotten through time. People like Coolidge, Hayes, and Polk were excellent leaders that just kinda faded into the catacombs of American history.

It's a right wing Conkspiracy.

[AZGrizFan]

It's unfortunate that some of our greatest presidents seem to have been forgotten through time. People like Coolidge, Hayes, and Polk were excellent leaders that just kinda faded into the catacombs of American history.

It's a right wing Conkspiracy.

What ISN'T a right wing conspiracy to you?

[Cap'n Cat]

It's a right wing Conkspiracy.

What ISN'T a right wing conspiracy to you?

The miracle of Barack Obama, brother. An absolute miracle.

[CID1990]

What ISN'T a right wing conspiracy to you?

The miracle of Barack Obama, brother. An absolute miracle.

I picture you laughing your a$$ off when you post things like this.

Seriously, I do, Cap.

[AZGrizFan]

The miracle of Barack Obama, brother. An absolute miracle.

I picture you laughing your a$$ off when you post things like this.

Seriously, I do, Cap.

You know he is....NOBODY could type that crap with a straight face.

[SDHornet]

Coolidge's taxation policy was that of his Secretary of the Treasury, Andrew Mellon: taxes should be lower and fewer people should have to pay them. Congress agreed, and the taxes were reduced in Coolidge's term. In addition to these tax cuts, Coolidge proposed reductions in federal expenditures and retiring some of the federal debt. Coolidge's ideas were shared by the Republicans in Congress, and in 1924 Congress passed the Revenue Act of 1924, which reduced income tax rates and eliminated all income taxation for some two million people. They reduced taxes again by passing the Revenue Acts of 1926 and 1928, all the while continuing to keep spending down so as to reduce the overall federal debt. By 1927, only the richest 2% of taxpayers paid any federal income tax

What a concept. Limited government, retiring of the debt.

Probably easier when we weren't out playing the role of Captain Save-a-hoe for the entire world.

[AZGrizFan]

What a concept. Limited government, retiring of the debt.

Probably easier when we weren't out playing the role of Captain Save-a-hoe for the entire world.

Agreed. We should return to that role ASAP.

[SDHornet]

Probably easier when we weren't out playing the role of Captain Save-a-hoe for the entire world.

Agreed. We should return to that role ASAP.

I agree...and unfortunately there is only one candidate who would not continue the status quo of the last 70 years so it looks like the budget and gov cuts will come from somewhere other than the DoD.

[Vidav]

It's unfortunate that some of our greatest presidents seem to have been forgotten through time. People like Coolidge, Hayes, and Polk were excellent leaders that just kinda faded into the catacombs of American history.

Polk and Coolidge sure but Hayes was completely forgettable.

[Ivytalk]

My wife and I visited Coolidge's birthplace in Vermont about 30 years ago. Beautiful mountain setting. We got a real sense of his roots and the basis for his fiscal conservatism. At the time, his son John was still alive, and we saw him from a distance.

[BigSkyBears]

What a concept. Limited government, retiring of the debt.

Hey, Lance, Dems want that, too. Cut through all the Conk weeds and you'll see that. Govt has a role, however. It exists to counter runaway Conktapatilist abuses, dude. See Warren Harding's admin. Reagan's, too. Wake up, son.

This

[OSBF]

When considering the taxiation pollicies of the Coolidge administration, one must keep a proper perspective and frame of reference. The "roaring twenties". A time of un-paralleled growth and prosperity. The pre-crash of '29 bubble was something to behold. Things were so good that there was almost no need for any sort of government programs. The economy was going gang busters, surging ahead, good times for just about every American. The biggest problems facing the Feds were boot leggers and organized crime, not run away inflation, un-employment, trade deficits, etc etc etc.

[AZGrizFan]

When considering the taxiation pollicies of the Coolidge administration, one must keep a proper perspective and frame of reference. The "roaring twenties". A time of un-paralleled growth and prosperity. The pre-crash of '29 bubble was something to behold. Things were so good that there was almost no need for any sort of government programs. The economy was going gang busters, surging ahead, good times for just about every American. The biggest problems facing the Feds were boot leggers and organized crime, not run away inflation, un-employment, trade deficits, etc etc etc.

Also pre-new deal and entitlement programs.

[Grizalltheway]

When considering the taxiation pollicies of the Coolidge administration, one must keep a proper perspective and frame of reference. The "roaring twenties". A time of un-paralleled growth and prosperity. The pre-crash of '29 bubble was something to behold. Things were so good that there was almost no need for any sort of government programs. The economy was going gang busters, surging ahead, good times for just about every American. The biggest problems facing the Feds were boot leggers and organized crime, not run away inflation, un-employment, trade deficits, etc etc etc.

Also pre-new deal and entitlement programs.

What happened in the 50s? Or, is that a red herring, as well?

[AZGrizFan]

Also pre-new deal and entitlement programs.

What happened in the 50s? Or, is that a red herring, as well?

I give up, what happened in the 50's?

[Grizalltheway]

What happened in the 50s? Or, is that a red herring, as well?

I give up, what happened in the 50's?

A post-new deal economic boom.

[AZGrizFan]

I give up, what happened in the 50's?

A post-new deal economic boom.

That we've been paying for since about 1977.

[∞∞∞]

I was just looking up the grave sites of our deceased Presidents, and Calvin Coolidge is the only one I noticed who's buried under a very simple tombstone in a non-special place of the cemetary. Maybe it's just me, but it kinda tells what type of dude he was:

[CID1990]

I remember the movie "A River Runs Through It" where Brad Pitt's character tells a story about how a reporter was interviewing President Coolidge who was fly fishing at the time. The reporter asked the President, "What are they biting on?" and Coolidge replied without missing a beat: "The end of my line."

I wonder if he actually ever made that quote?

[ODUsmitty]

God gave us two ears and one mouth.

"Silent Cal" understood that they should be used in the proportion that God created.

[HI54UNI]

I give up, what happened in the 50's?

A post-new deal economic boom.

Because we were the only major country that didn't have to completely rebuild so we could manufacture and sell to everyone else in the world.