The country has no taste for a solution.

[.... callchet ....]

The prime fundamental way to recovery is through a tax increase. Putting the country back to prosperity would be a massive progressive tax plan like

the 40's and 50's. But there is no stomach for even repealing the Bush tax breaks early let alone raising taxes. Tax breaks have gotten us an

11trillion dollar national debt and 12,000,000 unemployed. Why is there not support for raising taxes? Is it because that the only people that express

themselves still have jobs, electricty, cable , and computers and don't want to rock the boat ? Pelosi is for repealing them now.

[rurallib]

1. nothing will happen til we are near revolution

that was the conclusion a friend and I came to about two years ago.

[safeinOhio]

2. The top 400 richest in America doubled their income in the last 8 years

Good reason to double their tax.

[corpseratemedia]

3. i agree

my feeling is the country will go into a total tailspin (which is starting now) and then they'll *very quietly* rescind
some of these tax breaks and the media won't cover it because, for the MSM, linking higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations
will mean that their constant mantra of "laissez-faire/taxes hurt the economy" was total bullshit

[enid602]

4. tax hike

No stomach? George H.W. Bush signed into law one of the largest tax hikes in US history, despite being warned that it would ruin his chances of reelection, and despite his personal commitment to no new taxes. Why did he do it? The country needed it. Sometimes the country´s needs should come first.

[Deja Q]

5. Even George H W Bush wasn't all that bad. I'm about the issue, not the politician*.

Added taxes are aggravating, no argument. Sometimes they are needed.

Or just adding solid jobs, which increases the tax base and therefore negates any need TO raise the tax burden for everyone else. Unless my perceived philosophy on this is incorrect...?


* Unless there's so much bad that the few good things done can't begin to compensate; even I have a line.

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. I have plenty of stomach for repealing the bu$h tax breaks and I'll bet many do also.

I could have sworn that candidate Obama said he would do just that? Maybe I heard wrong? x(

[.... callchet ....]

7. And now he is saying he will let them run out in 2010 .

That is a big deal to say we need to raise taxes and then back away from it immediately.. Who is he listening to ?

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. Who is he listening to? Since he is one who will benefit/has benefited from those tax cuts,

perhaps he is looking out for his bottom line? At any rate, it stinks, since those tax breaks contributed greatly toward the financial mess we find ourselves in. x(

[KharmaTrain]

8. Tax Hikes Alone Won't Do Much...

I agree with the need to increase the rates on those who benefit the most...returning the upper brakcets to the rates prior to 2002 and leave the lower rates (for those earning $100k or less) in place. But that's not what will solve the mess we're in now.

Credit is the major mess...without people able to borrow and a free flow of capital, there won't be any jobs created or any other growth. Yes, the government can, and should, issue low interest loans (especially for small business...I favor loan over tax breaks)...but in the end, it's solvent banking system that is the catalyst to a recovery.

Taxes mean little when people are losing jobs, houses and savings.

[.... callchet ....]

9. Taxes mean a lot for the economy.

You said "Taxes mean little when people are losing jobs, houses and savings". Tax breaks and caused this. The money left the system and is being hoarded. Taxes will put money back in the hands of people that will spend it, not save it. Why do you think they call iit a stimulus, putting money back in the system. Just give all the stimulus money to people who make under $50 k. It will be in the system tomorrow, not in the banks.

[KharmaTrain]

10. Tax Money That's Horded?

According to my knowledge the way you tax is on money made through a salary or interest/investment...meaning the money is in motion, not being horded and kept in a mattress. Unless your proposing a "wealth tax" on the assets. Good luck with getting anyone to approve with that one.

To create taxes you need to create jobs and loosen up that money...give people a reason to invest and make that money taxable as well. Right now neither is happening due to the credit mess. Plus that's not even addrsesing the loss of money from collapsing corporate and property taxes. Again...taxes don't mean much if money isn't moving around or people aren't making it.

Now about your 50k figure, do you know how many middle class people that would exclude? A lot of people I know who are definitely middle class have worked hard and earn more than 50k a year...money that doesn't go a long way when you have a mortgage, kids in college and constantly rising expenses. President Obama has suggested 150k...I think that's too generous...$100k is a lot more in line with the place where a break would benefit by keeping the current rates where they are (rather than allow them to reset to higher rates in 2010) and takes into account a lot of bracket creep that has happened over the past decade. Or in other words 100 grand doesn't buy what it used to. It's sure not enough money to retire on.

Cheers...

[.... callchet ....]

11. Digressive was what I said. No one under $50k pays income tax.

And I didn't say start the break at 50k, I said that no one under 50k would pay income tax at all. Starting at 250 k and down each lower bracket would pay lower taxes until it was phased out at 50k altogether.

What is being hoarded is the amount of money that the $250 k and above don't spend. If they have low taxes they don't spend the amount of money left after paying bills and having fun. They save it.

[lunatica]

12. Why not sell bonds, like the war bonds during WWII only

make them Reconstruction Bonds, or Infrastructure bonds, or Job Creation Bonds or just about anything Bonds? they could be cheaply bought and Americans would gladly buy them and the revenue raised would be huge. It would also be using real money rather than making more money.

[.... callchet ....]

13. I'm thinking nobody has any money to buy war bonds.

Pretty much running out of money altogether.

[lunatica]

15. Oh Please! No one can afford $50 or less to invest and get a return on?

That's the thing about bonds. Eventually you get it back with a little interest. They would sell like crazy and it would mean everyone could invest in the rebuilding of the United States of America. Even those who are too old or are handicapped and cannot do anything else to help the country would be involved.

[.... callchet ....]

16. Where do you live ?

Most of the people I know are just making their power bills and everything else before getting them shut off.

[lunatica]

17. I live in bankrupt California

And I have two jobs, am taking care of my bedridden mother who has dementia and have trouble making ends meet. Yet I would gladly invest some food money in my country to help it get back on its feet. Even if I could only afford to buy one bond I would definitely buy one and feel proud to be an American doing it because I could actually contribute something substantive for a better future.

And I would continue to buy one bond every month or two, thereby making it count even more. Your post was about Americans not having the will to help the national problem, then you try to knock down anyone who actually thinks of solutions. Are you just arguing to argue?

[.... callchet ....]

20. My mom has dementia, she carries around a bady doll

thinking it is her child. Once again, I am not arguing with you, I am asking you. Who do you knwo that can buy a bond? I am leaving for work right now

and I will meet a frined of mine who is working also at a side job. He has two kids, pays a thousand a month for health care and a thusand a month for

childcare. Dirves 340 miles roundtrip to work in a 13 year old Honda. I am saying that there is no money to buy bonds. Poor peole always help, they give

the most to charity and do all the volunteer work an school and church. They don't have any extra money. I haven't had any work in 8 weeks. This is the

first job I have had in two months, including over the Christmans Holidays. I am not arguing with you. I just want to know who has $50 for a bond. And

my situation is even worse than that. The answer is not going to come form poor people.

[lunatica]

21. Perhaps you're the one who has no taste for solutions then

I know plenty of people who would buy bonds to invest in our future.

[undeterred]

14. Tax cuts for business and the wealthy- the Republican answer for everything

and it solves nothing.

[OhioChick]

18. The bottom line is "No Jobs......No Recovery." n/t