Politicial Dream Team - - VtKid's Blog - Tehachapi News

May 2, 2007 at 04:05 PM : I am still undecided...

I am still undecided as of yet, the only candidates I have eliminated from my list so far is McCain, Mike Gravel, Joe Biden, Tommy Tancredo, John H. Cox, and Lieberman. I can say it's most likely I will vote for a Democrat this Election, there isn't much of a choice when it comes to Republican candidates. .

My top concerns are: (in no particular order)

Homeland Security

Health Care

Illegal Alien Reform

Focus on the Middle Class for once

The Iraq War

May 2, 2007 at 05:05 PM : Sparks - we're...

Sparks - we're not that far apart it looks like. I do think this election there will be far fewer people voting along the party line and instead will be much more focused on issues which matter to them. My priority is security concerning our borders and a strong national defense. With that comes a better economy. With a better economy comes improved standards of living and self worth & less social dependence on welfare programs. This in turn would reduce tax rates, which could then be simplified. I think the environment is important but we shouldn't make it a national budget suckhole, because that's what it would become in order to make a dent in what nature has proven over the last few millions of years. The focus should be on realistic and attainable goals, not some pie in the sky vision. So let's hope our upcoming season of political ads will be something more substantial than mud!!

May 2, 2007 at 06:05 PM : You are absolutely...

You are absolutely right, we do agree on many issues. I also agree with you that this will not be a "who's side are you on" election. The issues are what is most important to people today and many Republicans are becoming Independents. However, I personally won't vote for anyone that agrees with Bush on the Iraq War so it's probably not likely I will vote for a Republican like I did last election. Also Dems have promised to take away the tax cut Bush gave the rich to help pay off the National Debt and they have promised not to raise our (middle class workers) taxes. But then you know how that goes... Remember Bush Sr? "Read My Lips, No More Taxes". lol I am not only looking at where a candidate stands but I also have to look at whether he/she has been consistent with their views. Gulliani has already changed his mind a few times and he has many of the same social views Dems have. I don't think that will hit it off with most Repubs. I suppose if I were a Republican and I had to pick a candidate that I thought could win this election, it would be Thompson. I think Thompson would be the smart vote for Republicans. I'm just throwing that out there. I am not voting for him, but if you are a Republican and "sides" means a lot to you, he would be the smartest choice in what will be a VERY difficult election for a Republican to win at all..

P.S. I am not anti-war. We need our military home and rested and well trained to protect us from the enemies we have. We are using up precious resources in Iraq and yes that includes lives of our much needed soldiers. Our military defense is on the top of my concern list.

May 2, 2007 at 07:05 PM : Sparks - How do you...

Sparks - How do you define "Rich"? When the libs raise taxes do you also want them to reduce the tax credit a parent gets for each child? As the middle class father of 5, I rely on those credits to greatly reduce my tax burden each year.

May 2, 2007 at 09:05 PM : I won't vote for...

I won't vote for anyone supporting the continuance of the Iraqi war. I want a strong military and actually, wouldn't have a huge problem if they reinstated the draft- but it would have to include everyone, not just the poor. The military should be used against our real enemies - not some little guy rattling his little... ummmm, sword.

I would love if someone would really, honestly, for sure get campaign reform initiated. That's a pipe dream but it would solve so many problems should our representatives not be beholden to some fat cat that paid for their election. Or some lobby like the pharmacy industry, NRA, the religious extremists ---- or any group that pushes our government too far left or right.

We absolutely need to reverse the tax cut provided to the rich. That's just so wrong. The Dem's are saying a little about this. We'll see how that subject proceeds.

Health Care needs big time reform. What a mess. If you know someone elderly, you know how the republicans messed this up.

Homeland Security, FEMA --- need insightful leaders. Not the prez's best bud. Competence - it would be wonderful to see some.

EDUCATION - the percentage of illiterate high school graduates is embarrassing. We are robbing our children of a fulfilling life.

And we really need to stop that procedure that allows the senators to tack on kick backs to the peanut farmers (or what/whoever) on the bill addresses additional funds to our soldiers (or what/whoever). This is common practice and I think it is despicable. Who is ashamed? No one - no democrat or republican or independent or green party.

At this moment, I am still liking Obama. I find his honesty refreshing. I like Hilary but don't think she can win. I keep hearing about Fred Thompson but know nothing about him except he is a "movie star" on Law & Order. I think he had some political position in the past? But, it's early I know, he isn't currently running.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

May 3, 2007 at 09:05 AM : Aero - here we go...

Aero - here we go again. She's smart. I like that. Remember the health care program she tried to establish? Hillary haters beat the be-jesus out of her, but she hangs in there. I like that. She cares deeply about women's issues. I like that. She's basically a centrist. I like that.

Who's afraid of the big bad woman?

I don't get the goofy pictures. There's a hundred of them on every one in the public forum. How many do you see when you've finally seen enough? The anvil falling on the coyote's head was funny for about the first 1200 times. Then - not so much.

May 3, 2007 at 03:05 PM : Aero - my funny bone...

Aero - my funny bone is jaded for sure. Like I said, I can only hear a joke a few times and then, not so funny any more. But I'm gonna have to stick with my instincts. The dumb pictures are just so unexceptional. Like political and religious statements people put on their car bumpers. And individualized license plates that say "red car5." Now, "Eye812" is funny (but only once). Big difference.

And - like our "conversation" a few weeks ago - Hillary has a lot of baggage and I think she is unelectable. I was just saying - she's smart. I like that. I like all smart women. I like powerful women. They give me hope and encouragement and strength. Women need examples of women with these traits because we have so many females getting attention for the wrong reasons, i.e. Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and let's not forgot the truly horrid, Madonna. UGH Embarrassing because this list is the tippy top of a giant ice berg.

If I had to make a list of good examples for my grand daughter (she's only a year old, so it'll be awhile), it would not include one single politician. So ---- we are very close to agreement on Hillary. Who would you encourage your little girls to emulate?

May 3, 2007 at 03:05 PM : Red the libs...

Red the libs aren't going to raise taxes to the middle class, They are going to finally help us. The middle class has been taking care of everyone by paying taxes while Bush gave the rich a tax cut... the rich only pay 1% of America's taxes now. The rich are also the ones that want cheap labor and embrace illegal immigration. My income is in the 6 figures and I am considered middle class so I would not worry about it too much if you are indeed middle class.

May 3, 2007 at 04:05 PM : The "rich"...

The "rich" (>10M) receive a lesser percentage tax cut now than before, while the lower incomes (<50K) received almost a 50% reduction in their taxes owed. I thought I read somewhere the top 2% earners pay 80% of all the taxes collected in the country. My copied link to the New York Times article for this info doesn't work - sorry.

May 3, 2007 at 07:05 PM : VT I heard...

VT I heard that somewhere too, but the figure was 94%. I'm looking it up now and I have been to a couple dozen websites saying anywhere from 1% to 99.5 percent. lol Is there an official whitehouse.gov site or a more official site that we can get that data from? I don't know how much they are taxing the rich now. I don't know how we are going to pay off our national dept of over 500 billion and growing if the rich is already being over taxed. Cinton payed our national dept off when he was in office but it wasn't as high as it is now and it's growing. Did he raise taxes to do so and if so, who and how much? If anyone knows where I can get data on this issue... please let me know.

May 3, 2007 at 07:05 PM : VtKid -...

VtKid - nope. The top 2% earners pay less tax than the middle class. Only the very poor pay less than the very rich.

Maybe someone can find the article you read - it would be interesting to see what it said. Let see how this group interprets it.

Aero? Red? You're both good at this kinda stuff.

Pulling this together with this site's agenda - republicans USED to really reduce government. Not so any more. Government has grown under all the last 30 years of republican leaders. This growth requires more money. So - our taxes have increased, unless you're really poor or really rich. I'm neither, so I have felt the increase. It has been the democrats that have reduced government in recent history.

May 3, 2007 at 07:05 PM : Lori &nbs...

Lori What I am getting is that even though the rich are paying most of our taxes, I am paying 24% of my earnings and the rich are only paying 1 or 2 percent of their earnings because of "loop holes". But the truth is after VT brought it to my attention, I'm more confused than ever about who is paying the most taxes. I think it should be that everyone pays the same PERCENT isn't that the best way to do it? I'm for giving the poor a break.. absolutely but the middle class shouldn't be paying a higher percent of their earnings than the rich should they? anyone? If I was making a billion dollars a year I should be giving America 24% of my earnings just like the middle class does right? I could be wrong... I'm just asking.................

May 3, 2007 at 09:05 PM : The flat tax,...

The flat tax, wouldn't that be fabulous? How do we get our politicians out of the pocket of the very rich? If that can be done, we may get back to the flat tax idea. It's been out there .... just kind of comes and goes with elections. Haven't heard a thing yet, from current candidates. That could be me not listening .... soooooo tired.

May 4, 2007 at 04:05 AM : The only thing better...

The only thing better than a Flat Tax would be a USE TAX. That is, we pay a tax for anything that WE buy but no one else pays it FOR us. If I want to buy a bottle of wine and a pack of cigarrets, I will pay the tax on it. If YOU want to buy a Yacht and a mansion, or condoms, or whatever, YOU pay the tax on it, and not me. Doesn't that seem to be the fairest way of all?

Jim Richards

May 4, 2007 at 08:05 AM : Okay, again maybe I am...

Okay, again maybe I am just a little dim witted here, but this tax stuff is confusing the heck out of me. Somebody please help me here. Why would one person pay more than another (% that is). I understand the more you make the more you pay. The less you make the less you pay. I even get some of the tax breaks like donations. But, Jim, doesn't everyone pay taxes on what they purchase and not what some else purchases? Maybe you were being sarcastic, I'm not by the way, I'm just little confused honestly. Help me here people :)

May 4, 2007 at 09:05 AM : Taxes - a necessary...

Taxes - a necessary evil. Sales tax is the tax we pay on purchases made, stuff Jim pointed out. Each state (and counties within the states!) has a different percentage. Some items have additional "use" or "luxury" tax added. Cigarettes and gasoline have these added taxes. So do hotel rooms and airline tickets - go figure,it falls under "luxury."

State income taxes, are taxes on income and that amount varies greatly. You can earn $50,000 and state income tax paid depends on how many deductions you can claim. Like dependants, medical expenses, interest paid on your primary residence - donations to non-profit organizations. Or how many loop holes you can find and the rich are particularly good at this because they can afford the very best tax accountants whose primary job is to find - and lobby for - these loop holes. So, if you have a lot of deductions, you may pay zero state income tax - or as much as $12,000.

Federal income taxes fall under similar guidelines as state income taxes. It's a rate depending on the deductions you squeak out which lowers your taxable income.

Then we have FICA (aka social security) and that's a flat percentage rate, which by the way, your employer matches. Until you earn over - what's the figure now? $87,500.? After that, you don't pay this tax anymore. Note: if we did away with this cap on social security, all our social security money problems would immediately disappear. SDI is the state tax for disability and works like social security but the cap and the percentage is lower.

Jim - I see the sales tax as basically the same as the flat tax. The more you earn, the more you buy equals the more tax you pay. Either way would be fine with me. But, liberal that I am (or, kind hearted), I think the poor would need to pay less. Our sales tax would be astronomical and how could someone earning $10.00 an hour afford - let's say something like gas?

May 7, 2007 at 02:05 AM : It's a given that...

It's a given that taxes of any kind are a necessary evil. It's what they are spent on and how efficiently the money is used once it's allocated that is the main concern. Anyway "political dream team" is sort of an oxymoron and if not that then simply a catch-22, simply because anyone who is honest and smart enough to run for president would not run given the corruptability of the said office. Also he or she would not be dumb enough to believe that two people, even at the highest level of the US government, could right the wrongs of the Bush Administration. It would take not only the president but a majority of like-minded people in Congress to pull off such an incredible feat, which is pretty much an impossibility given our system of govenment.