How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Political discussions
Ibanez
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 60519
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:16 pm
I am a fan of: Coastal Carolina

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Ibanez »

JohnStOnge wrote:
She's full of **** and you're an idiot for voting for her if you truly believe that. Really, she may WANT to eliminate the IRS and EPA, but what are the chances of politicians actually doing that? You'd sooner see a man land on Mars than the Gov't eliminate it's Revenue collection agency and the EPA. Get real, John. Use some common sense, she's saying that crap to appeal to people like you who votes because a politician says what you want to hear.
I think I agree that it's more likely that a man will land on mars. I think there is a very high probability that that's going to happen at some point.

However, there is a pretty good bit of sentiment for changing the tax system in a manner that allows for eliminating the IRS. I'd say the chances are less than 50:50 for sure. But I would not put that in the "can't ever happen" category. There are indeed quite a few politicians, including quite a few members of the US Senate and US House of Representatives, who support moving to a taxing scheme that would include eliminating the IRS.

The EPA? I don't think that's been talked about as much. But I don't think that's impossible either. The EPA is drawing more and more ire as time goes on.

As for Ms. Whitney: As I wrote in my first post about voting for her I don't think there's any chance she'll make the runoff. This was a case in which I felt safe about voting based on positions entirely. She won't make the runoff but another Republican will. That Republican will be running against Edwin Edwards. I'll be able to cast a "pragmatic" vote at that time.
Changing the tax code is very likely. Eliminating the IRS and firing 95,000 people isn't going to happen. At least, not at once. Maybe over decades.


Btw, let's get work on reducing expenses like foreign aid, corporate taxes, entitlements, etc... Maybe get someone to teach the govt to live within its means.
Turns out I might be a little gay. 89Hen 11/7/17
houndawg
Level5
Level5
Posts: 25096
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:14 pm
I am a fan of: SIU
A.K.A.: houndawg
Location: Egypt

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by houndawg »

Ibanez wrote:
JohnStOnge wrote:
I think I agree that it's more likely that a man will land on mars. I think there is a very high probability that that's going to happen at some point.

However, there is a pretty good bit of sentiment for changing the tax system in a manner that allows for eliminating the IRS. I'd say the chances are less than 50:50 for sure. But I would not put that in the "can't ever happen" category. There are indeed quite a few politicians, including quite a few members of the US Senate and US House of Representatives, who support moving to a taxing scheme that would include eliminating the IRS.

The EPA? I don't think that's been talked about as much. But I don't think that's impossible either. The EPA is drawing more and more ire as time goes on.

As for Ms. Whitney: As I wrote in my first post about voting for her I don't think there's any chance she'll make the runoff. This was a case in which I felt safe about voting based on positions entirely. She won't make the runoff but another Republican will. That Republican will be running against Edwin Edwards. I'll be able to cast a "pragmatic" vote at that time.
Changing the tax code is very likely. Eliminating the IRS and firing 95,000 people isn't going to happen. At least, not at once. Maybe over decades.


Btw, let's get work on reducing expenses like foreign aid, corporate taxes, entitlements, etc... Maybe get someone to teach the govt to live within its means.
Maybe try not being at war at all times on nearly everything.. :shock:
You matter. Unless you multiply yourself by c squared. Then you energy.


"I really love America. I just don't know how to get there anymore."John Prine
Ibanez
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 60519
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:16 pm
I am a fan of: Coastal Carolina

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Ibanez »

houndawg wrote:
Ibanez wrote:
Changing the tax code is very likely. Eliminating the IRS and firing 95,000 people isn't going to happen. At least, not at once. Maybe over decades.


Btw, let's get work on reducing expenses like foreign aid, corporate taxes, entitlements, etc... Maybe get someone to teach the govt to live within its means.
Maybe try not being at war at all times on nearly everything.. :shock:
that as well
Turns out I might be a little gay. 89Hen 11/7/17
User avatar
SDHornet
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 19511
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:50 pm
I am a fan of: Sacramento State Hornets

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by SDHornet »

I have to figure out who I’m voting for this weekend. On a federal level my district’s congressional house seat is up for grabs. (D) Ami Bera is up for re-election. Being as he touts his experience as a doctor and yet voted for the abortion that is Obamacare (and really just followed lock step with Pelosi) indicates that he has no idea what he is doing. The problem is (R) Doug Ose was the dbag Bera replaced and is re-running for the seat. Total lose-lose situation for me. I hope there is a Libertarian running so I can throw away my vote on a 3rd party.
User avatar
JohnStOnge
Egalitarian
Egalitarian
Posts: 20316
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:47 pm
I am a fan of: McNeese State
A.K.A.: JohnStOnge

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by JohnStOnge »

Eliminating the IRS and firing 95,000 people isn't going to happen. At least, not at once. Maybe over decades.


Btw, let's get work on reducing expenses like foreign aid, corporate taxes, entitlements, etc... Maybe get someone to teach the govt to live within its means.
Regardless of whether or not the IRS would be eliminated during a short time frame or a long one the first step is to make the decision to eliminate it. And the first step to that is to reach critical mass of support for that. I'm not saying it's likely critical mass can be developed. But there IS support for it and I think it's growing. For SURE the necessary critical mass will never be developed if we sit back and say it can't happen.

Otherwise, corporate taxes are not an expense. And if you meant "corporate tax breaks" those aren't expenses either. One thing I really hate is this thing where people frame revenue reductions as expenses. Like the government is spending by not taking somebody else's money.

If you make $100,000 one year then decide to take another job for some reason that pays $75,000 per year, you didn't spend $25,000. That is NOT a $25,000 increase in spending. It's a $25,000 reduction in revenue.

We simply MUST people to get out of this thing of buying into the idea that a tax cut or a tax deduction is "spending." It's not. Spending when you shell out money that you already have to buy something or pay a debt. It's not when you don't realize revenue that you might have realized if you proceeded in some other way.

This country has never "spent" money on "tax cuts for the rich" or "tax loopholes for corporations" because that's not spending.
Well, I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star?

Deep Purple: No One Came
Image
User avatar
JohnStOnge
Egalitarian
Egalitarian
Posts: 20316
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:47 pm
I am a fan of: McNeese State
A.K.A.: JohnStOnge

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by JohnStOnge »

Maybe try not being at war at all times on nearly everything.
We could eliminate military and foreign aid spending entirely and we'd still run a huge deficit every year because we've accepted the idea that government is responsible for making sure everybody's personal needs such as food, housing, and medical care are taken care of. The military spending thing is a canard. That's not the problem. The problem is the "Government is Daddy and will take care of us while solving all of the world's problems" mentality.
Well, I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star?

Deep Purple: No One Came
Image
User avatar
JohnStOnge
Egalitarian
Egalitarian
Posts: 20316
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:47 pm
I am a fan of: McNeese State
A.K.A.: JohnStOnge

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by JohnStOnge »

BTW, the two images below showing how federal spending was distributed in 1962 vs. how it's distributed now are interesting. They illustrate the point that defense spending is not the reason for the problems. It's not the reason things have gotten worse for us fiscally. In 1967 Military spending accounted for 49% of federal spending while spending for Social Security, "Income Security", and Health accounted for 23%. Now Military spending is estimated to account for 17% of federal spending while spending for Social Security, "Income Security" and Health accounts for a whopping 65%.

The problem is the paradigm we've adopted by which a role of government is to directly ensure that our basic needs are taken care of. The oft mentioned "Entitlement Mentality." Make no mistake about it: THAT is the source of our fiscal ills and We, the People, are to blame for it. We're pathetic. It's a country founded by people who wanted the freedom to make their own way and evolved into a country largely populated by whining wards of the State who want Daddy to take care of them and think it's somebody else's fault if they don't have what they want or need.

Image
Image
Well, I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star?

Deep Purple: No One Came
Image
User avatar
89Hen
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 39283
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:13 pm
I am a fan of: High Horses
A.K.A.: The Almighty Arbiter

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by 89Hen »

Found a copy of Jon and Jelly's ballot...

http://www.bethesdanow.com/files/2014/1 ... allot2.pdf
Image
User avatar
Chizzang
Level5
Level5
Posts: 19274
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:36 am
I am a fan of: Deflate Gate
A.K.A.: The Quasar Kid
Location: Palermo Italy

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Chizzang »

Image
Q: Name something that offends Republicans?
A: The actual teachings of Jesus
User avatar
JohnStOnge
Egalitarian
Egalitarian
Posts: 20316
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:47 pm
I am a fan of: McNeese State
A.K.A.: JohnStOnge

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by JohnStOnge »

Chizzang wrote:Image

I don't know what the point of that is. First of all, it doesn't show that great an increase in inflation adjusted terms. That's even if we go ahead and go with assigning a certain component of interest on the national debt to defense spending even though I think that's kind of questionable. Second, it's pretty clear that if you did a similar graph with things related to Social Security, "Income Security" and Health you'd show a far more dramatic increase.

Defense spending is not the problem. It's not the reason there is so much stress on the system.
Well, I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star?

Deep Purple: No One Came
Image
User avatar
DSUrocks07
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 5339
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:32 pm
I am a fan of: Delaware State
A.K.A.: phillywild305
Location: The 9th Circle of Hellaware

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by DSUrocks07 »

DSUrocks07 wrote:Since I'm moving back to Delaware in January, my votes will really have little to no ramification to me but it is my right as an American gawddammit! :thumb:

Michigan Oscoda County Greenwood Twp Precinct 1

GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Rick Snyder [X] Republican
Brian Nelson Calley [X]
Mark Schauer [] Democratic
Lisa Brown []
Mary Buzuma [] Libertarian
Scotty Boman []
Mark McFarlin [] U.S. Taxpayers
Richard Mendoza []
Paul Homeniuk [] Green
Candace R. Caveny []

Snyder has done an excellent job since taking over as Governor after Granholm.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Ruth Johnson [] Republican
Godfrey Dillard [] Democratic
James Lewis [X] Libertarian
Robert Gale [] U.S. Taxpayers
Jason Robert Gatties [] Natural Law

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Bill Schuette [] Republican
Mark Totten [] Democratic
Justin M. Altman [X] Libertarian
Gerald T. Van Sickle [] U.S. Taxpayers
John Anthony La Pietra [] Green

UNITED STATES SENATOR

Terri Lynn Land [X] Republican
Gary Peters [] Democratic
Jim Fulner [] Libertarian
Richard A. Matkin [] U.S. Taxpayers
Chris Wahmhoff [] Green

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
1st DISTRICT

Dan Benishek [] Republican
Jerry Cannon [X] Democratic
Loel Robert Gnadt [] Libertarian
Ellis Boal [] Green

STATE SENATOR
36th DISTRICT

Jim Stamas [X] Republican
Joe Lukasiewicz [] Democratic

REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE
105th DISTRICT

Triston Cole [X] Republican
Jay Calo [] Democratic

My former co-worker (who ended up taking a job in DC after the primaries up here) at the hotel was stomping for Cole and was one of the few up here that I felt really comfortable talking about politics with, plus I got to meet Triston in person and he has a bright future.

Funny story about Jay Calo, I work at OfficeMax in the Print Dept and one of his supporters came in to make a bunch of flyers and we were all small talking about the Election and he was really trying to get us out to vote and he made the off hand comment of "if you have the day of go out a vote two, three, even four times" with a big grin on his face. :lol:

Northern Michigan is solidly GOP territory. But Benishek seems to be resting on his laurels as the "Doctor candidate" and I haven't really seen the appeal besides the R next to his name, plus he rolled over easily during the whole sequestering thing. Besides since the House is solid GOP anyways they could use some new blood. :coffee:
Throw out my ballot. Not gonna be able to vote in this election. Image
MEAC, last one out turn off the lights.

@phillywild305 FB
User avatar
Gil Dobie
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 31515
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:45 pm
I am a fan of: Norse Dakota State
Location: Historic Leduc Estate

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Gil Dobie »

Arrived 25 minutes prior to the polls opening, #8 in line this morning.

Should be no surprises in Minnesota.
Image
User avatar
Aho Old Guy
Level2
Level2
Posts: 1436
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:18 pm
I am a fan of: Tweetsee
A.K.A.: Evil & Nastie

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Aho Old Guy »

JohnStOnge wrote: ...
This country has never "spent" money on "tax cuts for the rich" or "tax loopholes for corporations" because that's not spending.
Actual Cost In Revenues
Total Tax Breaks By Fiscal Year
FY2014 . . . . . $1.21 trillion
FY2015 . . . . . $1.32 trillion
FY2016 . . . . . $1.43 trillion
FY2017 . . . . . $1.53 trillion
(typical projections are historically 15-20% too low)

Pew's Tax Break Database


Top 5 Republican Health Care Plans

5 - Jesus Knows Best-Care™
4 - Imaginaire-Care™
3 - Just Die, Already-Care™
2 - Bring Out Yer Dead!-Care™
1 - Soylent-Care™
"But the damned and the guiltiest among you are the men who had the capacity to know, yet chose to blank out reality, the men who were willing to sell their intelligence into cynical servitude..."
- John Galt
User avatar
GannonFan
Level5
Level5
Posts: 19233
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:51 am
I am a fan of: Delaware
A.K.A.: Non-Partisan Hack

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by GannonFan »

Aho Old Guy wrote:
JohnStOnge wrote: ...
This country has never "spent" money on "tax cuts for the rich" or "tax loopholes for corporations" because that's not spending.
Actual Cost In Revenues
Total Tax Breaks By Fiscal Year
FY2014 . . . . . $1.21 trillion
FY2015 . . . . . $1.32 trillion
FY2016 . . . . . $1.43 trillion
FY2017 . . . . . $1.53 trillion
(typical projections are historically 15-20% too low)

Pew's Tax Break Database
His point about the tax breaks not being spending is still technically true, though. The only way you consider the cost(value) of tax breaks as a "cost" or as "spending" by the government is by assuming that all of the money in circulation is the government's and anything they let you "keep" via a tax break is spending by the government. It's not, of course, it's just an unrealized opportunity cost.
Proud Member of the Blue Hen Nation
User avatar
Skjellyfetti
Anal
Anal
Posts: 14681
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:56 pm
I am a fan of: Appalachian

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Skjellyfetti »

Tax credits are definitely spending... but, are almost always lumped in with "tax cuts"
"The unmasking thing was all created by Devin Nunes"
- Richard Burr, (R-NC)
User avatar
AZGrizFan
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 59959
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:40 pm
I am a fan of: Sexual Chocolate
Location: Just to the right of center

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by AZGrizFan »

Skjellyfetti wrote:Tax credits are definitely spending... but, are almost always lumped in with "tax cuts"
No they're not. Unless you're of the mindset that everything you make belongs to the government, and they in their benevolence decide how much you get back.
"Ah fuck. You are right." KYJelly, 11/6/12
"The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam." Barack Obama, 9/25/12
Image
User avatar
Skjellyfetti
Anal
Anal
Posts: 14681
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:56 pm
I am a fan of: Appalachian

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Skjellyfetti »

Ok. Then by that logic there is no such thing as government spending because none of it is the government's.
"The unmasking thing was all created by Devin Nunes"
- Richard Burr, (R-NC)
User avatar
Pwns
Level4
Level4
Posts: 7344
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:38 pm
I am a fan of: Georgia Friggin' Southern
A.K.A.: FCS_pwns_FBS (AGS)

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Pwns »

Skjellyfetti wrote:Ok. Then by that logic there is no such thing as government spending because none of it is the government's.
By your logic everyone's money is the government's money and what's left after taxes is what the government generously lets us keep.
Celebrate Diversity.*
*of appearance only. Restrictions apply.
kalm
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 69145
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:36 pm
I am a fan of: Eastern
A.K.A.: Humus The Proud
Location: Northern Palouse

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by kalm »

Pwns wrote:
Skjellyfetti wrote:Ok. Then by that logic there is no such thing as government spending because none of it is the government's.
By your logic everyone's money is the government's money and what's left after taxes is what the government generously lets us keep.
By that logic, everything you make is....

Awwww fuck it!
Image
Image
Image
User avatar
VictorG
Level3
Level3
Posts: 4662
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:44 pm
I am a fan of: Griz

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by VictorG »

kalm wrote:By mail. :coffee:
I voted weeks ago by mail as well. Can I vote again?
Politicians are like Diapers; they need to be changed often and for the same reason
- Mark Twain
Ibanez
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 60519
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:16 pm
I am a fan of: Coastal Carolina

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Ibanez »

Pwns wrote:
Skjellyfetti wrote:Ok. Then by that logic there is no such thing as government spending because none of it is the government's.
By your logic everyone's money is the government's money and what's left after taxes is what the government generously lets us keep.
how many times are you guys going to say the same thing?
Turns out I might be a little gay. 89Hen 11/7/17
User avatar
Skjellyfetti
Anal
Anal
Posts: 14681
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:56 pm
I am a fan of: Appalachian

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Skjellyfetti »

And, I'm sure y'all have always considered the tax credits in bills like the stimulus, ACA, etc. as tax cuts and not spending.

Riiiiiiight. :rofl:
"The unmasking thing was all created by Devin Nunes"
- Richard Burr, (R-NC)
User avatar
AZGrizFan
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 59959
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:40 pm
I am a fan of: Sexual Chocolate
Location: Just to the right of center

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by AZGrizFan »

Skjellyfetti wrote:Ok. Then by that logic there is no such thing as government spending because none of it is the government's.
What?

The only thing that's the government's is what they take. If they never TAKE it, it isn't theirs and it isn't "spending cuts" by NOT taking it.
"Ah fuck. You are right." KYJelly, 11/6/12
"The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam." Barack Obama, 9/25/12
Image
Ibanez
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 60519
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:16 pm
I am a fan of: Coastal Carolina

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by Ibanez »

There wasn't anyone worth voting for outside of local elections so I wrote my name in.
Turns out I might be a little gay. 89Hen 11/7/17
User avatar
AZGrizFan
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 59959
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:40 pm
I am a fan of: Sexual Chocolate
Location: Just to the right of center

Re: How are you voting - 2014 Midterms

Post by AZGrizFan »

I voted (L) everywhere there was an option, with the exception of Governor, LT Gov, Congressman & Senator.
"Ah fuck. You are right." KYJelly, 11/6/12
"The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam." Barack Obama, 9/25/12
Image
Post Reply