***Official Political Discussion Thread***

[gry60]

Cantor knew

https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/07/26/eric-cantor-republicans-obamacare-donald-trump/

Asked if he feels partly responsible for their current predicament, Cantor is unequivocal. “Oh,” he says, “100 percent.”

He goes further: “To give the impression that if Republicans were in control of the House and Senate, that we could do that [repeal Obamacare] when Obama was still in office . . . .” His voice trails off and he shakes his head. “I never believed it.”

He says he wasn’t the only one aware of the charade: “We sort of all got what was going on, that there was this disconnect in terms of communication, because no one wanted to take the time out in the general public to even think about ‘Wait a minute—that can’t happen.’ ” But, he adds, “if you’ve got that anger working for you, you’re gonna let it be.”

It’s a stunning admission from a former member of the party leadership—that the linchpin of GOP electoral strategy for the better part of a decade was a fantasy, a flame continually fanned solely because, when it came to midterm elections, it worked. (Barring, of course, his own.)

 

[RustyShackleford]

We already do. It's called welfare as well as other safety nets and programs for the poor. Income inequality will always exist because we are not an egalitarian/socialist country. Ask Venezuela et al, how egalitarianism/socialism worked for them.

I already spelled out what I meant by that comments. Maybe you see should read my previous comment before trying to educate me on our welfare system (which is weak compared to other countries) And income inequality will always exist, but the level it is at now is dangerous.

Also Venezuela's problem is mainly bad governance. Bringing up that country as been a common deflection of the center and right. It proves nothing.

Go ask the Nordic countries how social democracy as been working for them. Since you want to cherry pick

 

[gry60]

Where Cantor used to be chided as the prince of political crazes, oscillating in his pet issues depending on party mood, he’s now unequivocal that “global supply chains interconnect,” that they’re “here” and “not going away.” He says “our country is one of immigrants,” that “we don’t hold kids liable for their parents’ illegal acts.”

It's almost like they all get their senses back when they stop being actively involved in the party.













Kinda like scientology...

 

[Belgium]

The scandinavian countries like Sweden excell in many areas, countries whose healthcare systems have received high praise from Trump during a Gettysburg speech for the record. Many countries could learn a lot from them.

 

[aepps20]

Anyone else proud of the okie dokie Jenner pulled on radical lefties? Wearing the MAGA hat was an EXCELLENT CHOICE. Hopefully she stays STRONG against the inevitable LIBBIE backlash. That's the thing about LIBBIES, they think a disagreement with DAPPER DON means you dont believe in COAL OR MAGA.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Anyone else proud of the okie dokie Jenner pulled on radical lefties? Wearing the MAGA hat was an EXCELLENT CHOICE. Hopefully she stays STRONG against the inevitable LIBBIE backlash. That's the thing about LIBBIES, they think a disagreement with DAPPER DON means you dont believe in COAL OR MAGA.

Tell me when you get to Nevada so I can smack the covfefe right outta you.

 

[brendasdeadbaby]

The scandinavian countries like Sweden excell in many areas, countries whose healthcare systems have received high praise from Trump during a Gettysburg speech for the record. Many countries could learn a lot from them.

Ain't the taxes in those countries like %40-%50???

 

[IATT]

 

[Based Jesus]

I'm sure this will go just fine

 

[AEA18]

Trump taking notes from Erdogan

If they actually tried to prosecute journalists there would be even more leaks.

 

[Belgium]

Ain't the taxes in those countries like %40-%50???

Taxes are very high of course but the quality of life is very high. Enough to give Americans a seizure at least
Belgium's tax rates are among the highest in Europe too but we don't get nearly as much out of it as Sweden. It's a very interesting country to learn more about.

 

[aepps20]

Tell me when you get to Nevada so I can smack the covfefe right outta you.

Boarding pass in hand. Auntie works for Frontier. Gifted hands about to lump up your face. Kale extract will help with the swelling.

 

[brendasdeadbaby]

Taxes are very high of course but the quality of life is very high. Enough to give Americans a seizure at least
Belgium's tax rates are among the highest in Europe too but we don't get nearly as much out of it as Sweden. It's a very interesting country to learn more about.

Poor Americans are not about to give half of their income even if it does help them out.

 

[kdawg]

Poor Americans are not about to give half of their income even if it does help them out.

You're not comparing he same things though - I'm no expert in this area but whenever I see the stats comparing to the UK I know they are fudged to look worse - sales tax is 20% etc.

The US has a ridiculous amount of "stealth tax" so just taking the income tax percentage and comparing them doesn't make sense. You've got to factor in property taxes and all those other things which are alien to other countries.

Plus, like already said, those people are getting their monies worth - they are happy and their country is run well.

And they don't have to pay for health care which is probably the main plus - if you add healthcare spending to the average middle class tax bill I would bet it gets pretty close to 40%.

 

[kdawg]

Poor Americans are not about to give half of their income even if it does help them out.

And this isn't poor people - you can pay up to 60% if you are a high earner (and that's probably only on a band of your income - some will be taxed at a lower percentage). Lower earners pay something like 29% (and that's for under like $40k).

They have a great national pension too.

 

[leavemeglazzies]

Another champion of Christian values who turns out to be a degenerate behind closed doors

Fox News certainly has a type

 

[EddieDoyers]

Honestly, I think the ordinary income tax rate is ok in our country.
However, I think they should raise the capital gains rate, that's where a majority of the 1% get their money from.

 

[everysingletime]

Dude said Kale extract

 

[RustyShackleford]

Poor Americans are not about to give half of their income even if it does help them out.

I agree, and they should not be expected too. Poor Americans deserve more services to help them

Currently it is relatively very expensive to be poor person in America

 

[northoaklandfc]

Taxes are very high of course but the quality of life is very high. Enough to give Americans a seizure at least
Belgium's tax rates are among the highest in Europe too but we don't get nearly as much out of it as Sweden. It's a very interesting country to learn more about.

Random anecdote but I literally just got back from Gothenburg, Sweden and had an interesting exchange with a taxi driver.

We get to talking and it comes out he had emigrated from Somalia in '89 and gone on to raise his family in Sweden with adult kids now living in different parts of Sweden, the UK and Africa.

I asked him what life was like in Sweden specifically for a black man, a black immigrant, he looked me in the eyes through the rear view mirror and said, "this is paradise."

He specifically cited the government and the structure socioeconomic systems in place, the weather was his only complaint. Very interesting country to visit as an American, some glaring cultural differences.

 

[Nike Jordan]

 

[rexanglorum]

Ultimately, the upper middle class, the top 20% minus the top 1% of Northern Europeans have more disposable income than their Americans counter parts. The reason in because good education and healthcare cost so much in the US while the State largely or entirely covers those expenses in Northern Europe. (I'm using Northern Europe as shorthand for German speaking countries, the Netherlands and the Nordic Countries. In this context, I am excluding the kleptocracies that are the former USSR States as well as the savagery of Anglo Saxon Capitalism. I am also excluding Belgium because that is Belgium 's turf and because it is part Francophone. It is the Maryland of Europe, northern or southern? ).

 

[RustyShackleford]

Living in Maryland for so long, and being an immigrant, I always got a kick out of the North v. South arguments.

Especially from black folk.

Two ole heads going at it about the Mason Dixon line was always lulz. My all time favorite exchange was in a barbershop in PG...

Ole Head #1: Negro we are below the Mason Dixon line, we in the South

Ole Head #2: Does your *** even know where the Mason Dixon line is

Ole Head #1: No, but I know my *** is below it

Ole Head #2: Well I know my knees are below my ****, that don't make them my bawls

Ole Head #1: Mother ****er that don't make no kinda sense

Ole Head #2: Neither do you *****



Maryland being in the ACC instead of the SEC was always cited too.

 

[seandon23]

Ole head #2 sounds like a reasonable guy

 

[kdawg]

Ultimately, the upper middle class, the top 20% minus the top 1% of Northern Europeans have more disposable income than their Americans counter parts. The reason in because good education and healthcare cost so much in the US while the State largely or entirely covers those expenses in Northern Europe. (I'm using Northern Europe as shorthand for German speaking countries, the Netherlands and the Nordic Countries. In this context, I am excluding the kleptocracies that are the former USSR States as well as the savagery of Anglo Saxon Capitalism. I am also excluding Belgium because that is Belgium 's turf and because it is part Francophone. It is the Maryland of Europe, northern or southern? ).

The education point is a good one. If you spend $100k on your education (which I don't think is unusual when you add in accommodation etc) which with interest will be around $140k if you pay it over 10 years.

So, you're going to work for 40 years with that education you purchased - so that's $3.5k every year!

And you're still paying plenty of tax.