Americans Renouncing Citizenship in Record Numbers

[89Hen]

That's what we pay you Montana grads for.

Those look like Marshall grads to me.

Like there's a difference.

[Cap'n Cat]

All anyone needs to know about this post by Z is highlighted in red above.

Thank you,

Cap'n Cat

Classic donk approach. Can't refute the facts, attack the source.

Classic Conk approach. Blindly follow proven news manipulators, sensationalists and hate-mongers.

[Pwns]

$8 a gallon without 70 billion in oil subsidies? I have a hard time believing that. The federal government makes about half that on a 21 cent gas tax.

[Cap'n Cat]

Conk shit on taxes is all noise and no substance. We need more taxes.

[CID1990]

This thread isn't stimulating

[Cap'n Cat]

This thread isn't stimulating

Is this?

[BDKJMU]

I would like to point out that I am an advocate for the elimination of all energy subsidies, breaks, loopholes, incentives, and what have you, from oil and natural gas to wind and solar alike — because they all serve niche interests, distort free market signals, and further encumber our tax code.

What Liberals (such as myself) always conveniently neglect to mention about the attractive idea of eliminating oil company tax breaks - is that without an accompanying decrease in across-the-board rates, it’s really just a dysfunctional way of hiking taxes.... (am I right) Which is of course the goal

Liberals (such as myself) don’t want revenue neutrality
Secretly we want more revenue to pay for big-government stuff
and if anybody is honestly convinced that those (effective) tax hikes would come from the fat cats ill gotten gains rather than the backs of everyday consumers (which is, I might add, is everybody) they’re simply delusional...

That's why I say:
Gas should be $8 bucks a gallon

That might still be under the true value. When you factor in all of the externalities...environmental damage, healthcare costs, infrastructure costs, keeping Iranian motorboat patrols in the Persian Gulf at bay...some estimates go as high as $15/gallon.

Then again, people don't really like reality all that much. For instance, I like wasting tons of gas, driving hundreds of miles down dirt roads in ma' truck, listening to Old Crow Medicine Show, and searching for secret fishing spots...quite a bit.

In any event, if the price reached closer to it's true cost, people would certainly walk, bike, and take mass transit more. It would also level the playing field a bit for alternative fuels which is supposed to be what the champions of capitalism really, really worship...competition.

Link?

And as far as Mid East security costs, that's true. That's also due to the the enviros who have prevented us from using more nuclear along with offshore extraction, ANWR, and other govt owned land where extraction is currently off limits. An energy independent US wouldn't have to worry nearly as much about the Mid East...

[HI54UNI]

That might still be under the true value. When you factor in all of the externalities...environmental damage, healthcare costs, infrastructure costs, keeping Iranian motorboat patrols in the Persian Gulf at bay...some estimates go as high as $15/gallon.

Then again, people don't really like reality all that much. For instance, I like wasting tons of gas, driving hundreds of miles down dirt roads in ma' truck, listening to Old Crow Medicine Show, and searching for secret fishing spots...quite a bit.

In any event, if the price reached closer to it's true cost, people would certainly walk, bike, and take mass transit more. It would also level the playing field a bit for alternative fuels which is supposed to be what the champions of capitalism really, really worship...competition.

Link?

And as far as Mid East security costs, that's true. That's also due to the the enviros who have prevented us from using more nuclear along with offshore extraction, ANWR, and other govt owned land where extraction is currently off limits. An energy independent US wouldn't have to worry nearly as much about the Mid East...

He doesn't provide links because his "facts" all come from his ass.

[BDKJMU]

Conk **** on taxes is all noise and no substance. We need more taxes.

No we don't. We've already paying a national avg of about $.55 a gallon.
http://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas- ... Update.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Quit diverting highway funds to things other than roads & bridges, get rid of Davis Bacon to trim bloated highway constructions, esp in the non right to work states, and that would enough to pay for our roads in bridges...

[kalm]

Link?

And as far as Mid East security costs, that's true. That's also due to the the enviros who have prevented us from using more nuclear along with offshore extraction, ANWR, and other govt owned land where extraction is currently off limits. An energy independent US wouldn't have to worry nearly as much about the Mid East...

He doesn't provide links because his "facts" all come from his ass.

I provide links all the time. They may or may not be "facts" and unlike you, I'm one of the people on this board willing to admit when I'm wrong. In this case, I was 1) too lazy to look up where I'd read it and 2) carefully described it as "some estimates" rather than "facts" . Of course, since you are reallly smart, and so into "facts" you already know all of this.

[BDKJMU]

In addition to the taxes we're paying at the pump & tolls we pay on many of our highways:

1. ExxonMobil
Income tax expense: $31 billion
Net income: $45 billion
Effective tax rate: 39%

2. Chevron
The oil giant pay among the highest tax rates because of overseas royalties that float with the price of oil.
Income tax expense: $20 billion
Net income: $26 billion
Effective tax rate: 43%

3. Apple
Income tax expense: $14.2 billion
Net income: $41.7 billion
Effective tax rate: 25%

4. Wells Fargo
Income tax expense: $9.2 billion
Net income: $19.8 billion
Effective tax rate: 31.2%

5. JPMorgan Chase
Income tax expense: $8.1 billion
Net income: $22.9 billion
Effective tax rate: 26%

6. Walmart
Income tax expense: $8 billion
Net income: $17 billion
Effective tax rate: 31%

7. ConocoPhillips
Conoco paid the highest effective tax rate of any company on the list.
Income tax expense: $7.9 billion
Net income: $8.4 billion
Effective tax rate: 51.5%

8. Berkshire Hathaway
Still complaining about paying a lower tax rate than his secretary, Buffett could just do us all a favor and pay double to the U.S. Treasury.
Income tax expense: $6.9 billion
Net income: $14.8 billion
Effective tax rate: 28%

9. IBM
Big Blue has in recent years shifted tens of thousands of jobs from the U.S. to lower-cost (and lower-taxed) India.
Income tax expense: $5.3 billion
Net income: $16.6 billion
Effective tax rate: 24%

10. Microsoft
Microsoft saves on taxes by routing revenues through the likes of low-tax Ireland, Singapore and Puerto Rico.
Income tax expense: $4.6 billion
Net income: $15.5 billion
Effective tax rate: 22.8%

11. Philip Morris International
Philip Morris sells smokes outside the U.S. and is triple the size of sister company Altria.
Income tax expense: $3.8 billion
Net income: $8.8 billion
Effective tax rate: 29.5%

12. Goldman Sachs
Income tax expense: $3.7 billion
Net income: $7.6 billion
Effective tax rate: 33%

13. Comcast
Income tax expense: $3.7 billion
Net income: $6.2 billion
Effective tax rate: 32%

14. Procter & Gamble
Tide, Gillette, Pampers, Duracell, Crest, Braun, Pantene, and on and on.
Income tax expense: $3.6 billion
Net income: $12.9 billion
Effective tax rate: 23.5%

15. Johnson & Johnson
Band-Aids, Listerine, Tylenol, Neutrogena, Rolaids, Visine, etc.
Income tax expense: $3.3 billion
Net income: $10.9 billion
Effective tax rate: 23.7%

16. Intel
Income tax expense: $3.2 billion
Net income: $10.3 billion
Effective tax rate: 23.6%

17. Occidental Petroleum
Income tax expense: $3.1 billion
Net income: $4.6 billion
Effective tax rate: 42%

18. UnitedHealth Group
Biggest health insurer is bracing for Obamacare, which will set profit margins.
Income tax expense: $3.1 billion
Net income: $5.5 billion
Effective tax rate: 35.9%

19. Walt Disney
Income tax expense: $3 billion
Net income: $5.6 billion
Effective tax rate: 32.7%

20. AT&T
Income tax expense: $2.9 billion
Net income: $7.3 billion
Effective tax rate: 27.8%

21. Oracle
Larry Ellison plans a winter sailing base on his recently purchased Hawaiian island of Lanai.
Income tax expense: $2.9 billion
Net income: $10.6 billion
Effective tax rate: 21.4%

22. Coca-Cola Company
Income tax expense: $2.7 billion
Net income: $9 billion
Effective tax rate: 23.1%

23. Home Depot
Home Depot has the highest tax rate of any non-oil company on this list.
Income tax expense: $2.7 billion
Net income: $4.5 billion
Effective tax rate: 37.2%

24. McDonald's
CEO Jeff Skinner has been outspoken about the need to cut U.S. corporate taxes.
Income tax expense: $2.6 billion
Net income: $5.5 billion
Effective tax rate: 32.4%

25. Google
Google is under fire in the U.K. for paying just $9 million in taxes on $3.8 billion in revenues there.
Income tax expense: $2.6 billion
Net income: $10.7 billion
Effective tax rate: 19.4%
http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopher ... ost-taxes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Chizzang]

$8 a gallon without 70 billion in oil subsidies? I have a hard time believing that. The federal government makes about half that on a 21 cent gas tax.

Dude you're starting to scare me a little
We have an 680 billion dollar Military buying down our fuel prices as well
Try to see the entire point (the big picture)

[HI54UNI]

He doesn't provide links because his "facts" all come from his ass.

I provide links all the time. They may or may not be "facts" and unlike you, I'm one of the people on this board willing to admit when I'm wrong. In this case, I was 1) too lazy to look up where I'd read it and 2) carefully described it as "some estimates" rather than "facts" . Of course, since you are reallly smart, and so into "facts" you already know all of this.

Sorry. That wasn't for you. Reading to fast and thought he had quoted Chizzy.

See I can admit when I'm wrong.

[Grizalltheway]

That might still be under the true value. When you factor in all of the externalities...environmental damage, healthcare costs, infrastructure costs, keeping Iranian motorboat patrols in the Persian Gulf at bay...some estimates go as high as $15/gallon.

Then again, people don't really like reality all that much. For instance, I like wasting tons of gas, driving hundreds of miles down dirt roads in ma' truck, listening to Old Crow Medicine Show, and searching for secret fishing spots...quite a bit.

In any event, if the price reached closer to it's true cost, people would certainly walk, bike, and take mass transit more. It would also level the playing field a bit for alternative fuels which is supposed to be what the champions of capitalism really, really worship...competition.

Link?

And as far as Mid East security costs, that's true. That's also due to the the enviros who have prevented us from using more nuclear along with offshore extraction, ANWR, and other govt owned land where extraction is currently off limits. An energy independent US wouldn't have to worry nearly as much about the Mid East...

We're projected to become the largest producer of oil by 2020 and energy independent by 2035. But you can bet we'll still have our finger in pies all over the world (gotta keep Booz and Lockhead happy).

[kalm]

I provide links all the time. They may or may not be "facts" and unlike you, I'm one of the people on this board willing to admit when I'm wrong. In this case, I was 1) too lazy to look up where I'd read it and 2) carefully described it as "some estimates" rather than "facts" . Of course, since you are reallly smart, and so into "facts" you already know all of this.

Sorry. That wasn't for you. Reading to fast and thought he had quoted Chizzy.

See I can admit when I'm wrong.

No worries but PLEASE don't confuse me with Chizzy. His "buy down" meme is too cynical for even me.

[kalm]

In any event, if the price reached closer to it's true cost, people would certainly walk, bike, and take mass transit more. It would also level the playing field a bit for alternative fuels which is supposed to be what the champions of capitalism really, really worship...competition.

That's really all you think would happen?

Of course it would to a certain degree and over a period of time. Things like living closer to work, reorganization, and R&D into petroleum alternatives in a variety of products would also occur. When gas prices go up it's not just fuel costs that increase. Ever check out the price increases in petroleum coated fertilizer when gas prices are high?

Forgive me for believing in the market and competition to solve problems. Jeesh.

[Ibanez]

The problem is, that's EXACTLY what this country needs. A reorganization. Anything else is just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. You know it, I know it, hell even the politicians know it. They just don't want to be without a chair when the music stops.

Give all the northern border states to Canada, Florida to Cuba, sell the Louisiana purchase back to France, call Zorin Industries to do away with California, let Texas finally have their independence and let's get back to the original 13.

It's so crazy it might just work!

Do we keep Alaska, Hawai'i, Guam and Puerto Rico as territories?

[Grizalltheway]

Give all the northern border states to Canada, Florida to Cuba, sell the Louisiana purchase back to France, call Zorin Industries to do away with California, let Texas finally have their independence and let's get back to the original 13.

It's so crazy it might just work!

Do we keep Alaska, Hawai'i, Guam and Puerto Rico as territories?

Why? None of those were US territories when that flag was in use.

[Pwns]

$8 a gallon without 70 billion in oil subsidies? I have a hard time believing that. The federal government makes about half that on a 21 cent gas tax.

Dude you're starting to scare me a little
We have an 680 billion dollar Military buying down our fuel prices as well
Try to see the entire point (the big picture)

Of course, more fuel consumption always brings prices down.

[Chizzang]

Dude you're starting to scare me a little
We have an 680 billion dollar Military buying down our fuel prices as well
Try to see the entire point (the big picture)

Of course, more fuel consumption always brings prices down.

Now you're just trying to play stupid...

a) Iraq is the 7th largest oil producing country in the world / now completely controlled by U.S. interests
b) Iraq is listed as having the 5th largest oil reserves in the world

which we have full unrestricted access to now

Regardless of whatever you THINK the Iraq war was about
One by product of that Military action was securing HUGE oil reserves

[Grizalltheway]

Of course, more fuel consumption always brings prices down.

Now you're just trying to play stupid...

a) Iraq is the 7th largest oil producing country in the world / now completely controlled by U.S. interests
b) Iraq is listed as having the 5th largest oil reserves in the world

which we have full unrestricted access to now

Regardless of whatever you THINK the Iraq war was about
One by product of that Military action was securing HUGE oil reserves

Actually China is reaping the greatest benefits from that boon doggle, which, of course, makes all of the blood and treasure spent there all the more wasted.

[Ibanez]

Link?

And as far as Mid East security costs, that's true. That's also due to the the enviros who have prevented us from using more nuclear along with offshore extraction, ANWR, and other govt owned land where extraction is currently off limits. An energy independent US wouldn't have to worry nearly as much about the Mid East...

We're projected to become the largest producer of oil by 2020 and energy independent by 2035. But you can bet we'll still have our finger in pies all over the world (gotta keep Booz and Lockhead happy).

We will be fine. We were allowed to re-enter the commercial world about 2 years ago. Originally, we were a large company that broke out into a defense company and a commercial one.

Where's the hate for General Dynamics?

[Ibanez]

It's so crazy it might just work!

Do we keep Alaska, Hawai'i, Guam and Puerto Rico as territories?

Why? None of those were US territories when that flag was in use.

But he didn't mention returning Alaska to Russia, or Puerto Rico, Guam and Hawai'i to their people. Hence I referred to them all as territories. Maybe he forgot them. Hey, I don't know. This is the internet. It's serious business!

If we're going back to the 13 colonies, I want to make sure it's just us 13.

[Pwns]

Now you're just trying to play stupid...

a) Iraq is the 7th largest oil producing country in the world / now completely controlled by U.S. interests
b) Iraq is listed as having the 5th largest oil reserves in the world

which we have full unrestricted access to now

Regardless of whatever you THINK the Iraq war was about
One by product of that Military action was securing HUGE oil reserves

Actually China is reaping the greatest benefits from that boon doggle, which, of course, makes all of the blood and treasure spent there all the more wasted.

Yes, and China's consumption is the primary reason we've basically had $3.00+ a gallon gas for most of the last 5 years. War for oil indeed.

[Ibanez]

Now you're just trying to play stupid...

a) Iraq is the 7th largest oil producing country in the world / now completely controlled by U.S. interests
b) Iraq is listed as having the 5th largest oil reserves in the world

which we have full unrestricted access to now

Regardless of whatever you THINK the Iraq war was about
One by product of that Military action was securing HUGE oil reserves

Actually China is reaping the greatest benefits from that boon doggle, which, of course, makes all of the blood and treasure spent there all the more wasted.

So many lost souls. What a fucking disaster.