Election Day 2012

[Azdgari]

Three days!

[TheLionPrince]

Well, it seems you answered largely by confirming what I said, that he hasn't got much in the way of specifics. And isn't capping income tax deduction on very wealthy Americans extremely similar to, well, raising taxes on them? Seems a bit ironic.

Do you find his plan sound?

Yes, capping the income tax deductions and loopholes is along the lines of raising taxes. And no. I do not find this ironic. President Reagan raised taxes in the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) despite being popularly known for his strict conservative fiscal policy for tax cuts for the rich. However, he gets the free pass from conservatives because according to The Free Dictionary, "they remained well below what they were prior to Ronald Reagan's accession to the presidency". On top of that, the act is passed for the very same reason: to close tax deductions.

In the end, Romney's tax policy may not been sound, but if it will make Democrats and liberals shut up about having tax cuts being unpaid for, then more power to Romney if he gets elected. Heck, I would do the same thing if I were in office.

[TheGunner18]

Well, in Britain at the moment I'm pretty sure that I heard something about the government removing child benefit for families who earn more than £50,000 ($80,000/€62,000) per year. Hopefully then that can be used on improving education etc. and giving people from a poorer background a better chance at life instead of turning a blind eye to them. I may not like the Conservatives, but at least David Cameron's planning to legalise same-sex marriage by 2015.

He made himself look like a bit of prat when he introduced the pasty tax.

But anyway, this is about America and not Britain.

Perhaps Romney should take a leaf out of Europe's book in terms of equality.

[Azdgari]

So you don't believe it's ironic that someone who stands on the stump bellowing about lowering taxes across the board actually plans to, essentially, raise taxes?

[DGFone]

I do find it ironic that someone who promised us freedom and prosperity is doing something completely opposite. There is a reason why America will never pass a European tax-like system:

America is about freedom and individualism. Equality is not freedom.

[Regulus]

And that's why our European brethren will always be politically and ideologically superior to us.

[TheRoguePrince]

You guys do know they why Romney wants to lower taxes on the rich, right?

It’s not cause he hates the middle class, it’s because he is trying to improve the economy. For example, if we taxed the rich 90% of their wealth, two things would occur.

• They would lower salaries, fire workers, and do whatever to get that extra money for the government (cause rich people are not going to accept making less money on their lifestyles)
• They would leave the US. Corporations are global; who says they need to stay in America where people want them taxed to death? Most corporations inside America are located in the state of “Delaware”. Know why? Cause they have the lowest tax rates for corporations.

Is this fair? Not really. But it’s how free enterprise works. Unless you want the government telling companies and (rich) people how to work and do things.

[Carl]

I do find it ironic that someone who promised us freedom and prosperity is doing something completely opposite. There is a reason why America will never pass a European tax-like system:

America is about freedom and individualism. Equality is not freedom.

On the contrary; one cannot be free if he is not equal.

[TheRoguePrince]

You guys do know they why Romney wants to lower taxes on the rich, right?

It’s not cause he hates the middle class, it’s because he is trying to improve the economy. For example, if we taxed the rich 90% of their wealth, two things would occur.

• They would lower salaries, fire workers, and do whatever to get that extra money for the government (cause rich people are not going to accept making less money on their lifestyles)
• They would leave the US. Corporations are global; who says they need to stay in America where people want them taxed to death? Most corporations inside America are located in the state of “Delaware”. Know why? Cause they have the lowest tax rates for corporations.

Is this fair? Not really. But it’s how free enterprise works. Unless you want the government telling companies and (rich) people how to work and do things.

That's a rather big exaggeration, just saying...

That's a rather bad rebutal, just saying...

Seriously, taxing the rich seems good, they have so much money, but it's never easy as it seems. Rich people don't play by the rules (hence why they are so rich lol) they will find ways around giving up their money. And if you say “Not all rich people are bad”, you are correct. Those are the people who constantly give to charity.

[DGFone]

Oh believe me I want to reply. I just have a pact with DGF that I won't talk American politics anymore.

I was about to ask you why the hell you posted in this again, seeing as you have no clue how our system works. (I was talking to him on Skype and he made an utter fool of himself when I asked him the simple question of how the US system works).

But back to what I really wanted to say: There are two types of "free" systems.

1. One is a forced equality. This is not exactly free, because the government controls a lot of your life. You pay high taxes, and for the most part, the distribution of wealth is much more equal. However, innovation is somewhat on the lower level, because this system is much more 'stable' -resisting in change. This is why only modern nations can survive in much more communist like states than other self-proclaimed communist nations: they advanced nations have the technology and infrastructure to keep a stable society. Unfortunately, as you can see in Europe right now, should something shake the place up, the entire system tends to unravel before your eyes.

2. Individual freedom. This system is unfair, but gets the most things done. If socialism is the narrow band of colored light, the US system is the entire elctro-magnetic spectrum. It has the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. But like I said before, it gets the most things done. It won't be a well-meaning doctor who will discover the cure for cancer, but a large greedy corporation that wants the wealth and fame that comes with such a major breakthrough. This system is a free-for all, last man for himself. While it is true that here in the US, we do have some socialist systems in place, but most Europeans agree that what we have hardly qualifies. Naturally, this system get ugly all the time, but at the same time, seems to thrive in the unstable.

Both of these have their pros and cons, and what you want to live as should determine where you want to live. If you want to be like everyone else - go to Europe. If you want to be held up to your own responsibly, have the chance to become extremely wealthy, and be aware that you can fail, then a US system is the one to go to.