1.) What rights have any of you lost that you once had, before President Obama entered the Oval Office? and;
The major right lost has been the option of not having a health care policy without paying a fine or so called tax.
2.) What are any examples of power that the President has seized that threaten this nation, under any criteria?
He did attempt to load the NLRB with an end run that was found to be not appropriate.
His failure to use the power vested in him may be a larger threat than seizing of power. Between him and Bush the number of young Americans crippled by missing limbs and other life altering injuries is beyond belief. The worry about collateral damage and other politically correct B.S. caused far too many of our young men and women their life. We are either at war or we are not. Get aggressive and unmerciful or get out. My preference would be start packing and moving out today. I have no sympathy for those in those corrupt countries and certainly no interest in trying to change or financially support them.
In 2010, Charlie Rangel was stripped of his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee amid an investigation into a corporate-funded trip to the Caribbean. Later that year, the House of Representatives formally censured him after he was convicted of 11 counts of violating House ethics rules. Among the violations: failure to pay taxes on rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic and failing to disclose over $600,000 in assets on a financial disclosure report.
He still sits on the ways and means committee. His response was it is wrong to abuse the tax system. He suggested that conservative groups filing for tax-exempt status as social welfare groups actually do deserve government scrutiny, but that government employees also did a poor job of applying the law.
He is no longer the W&M chairman but still on the committee. So much for congress policing their own. This is only one example of both parties being very lenient with their own.
ML.... You apparently agree with the opinions expressed in the Forbes article and consider the opinions expressed therein as facts. The root cause of the IRS issue is the convoluted tax code which could and should be extremely simple. However, as Charlie Rangle said in an interview "congress must retain the ability to manipulate the tax system". I take that to mean meaningful simplification is not likely. The IRS solution during the hearings is more agents are needed. I don't personally think there should be any exceptions to taxes including religious organizations. However, the behavior of some maverick agents and several years of delay, extensive inappropriate questions without a yes or no decision is not defendable. The hours and cost of filing and complying with the complex system is mind boggling and costly to every American.
carlB said...
fairmon, There is something that can be done. You sound like a loser and are trying to convince us that this Republic has to "hit rock bottom" before we go into another greart depression? I for one an not buying into that BS.
carlB you have my comment confused with that of nucanuck. I like things just they way they are. Only those items truly critical are supported by those in congress from the two parties with enough sense to get in out of the rain.
Note the progress being made without their interference and intervention. Unemployment going down, tax revenue going up, deficits going down, stock markets repeatedly hitting record highs. The IRS issue may be the catalyst that brings bold and sweeping changes to the tax codes since both parties appear to agree the current situation is not good. The truth is those in congress and those in the administration don't know who is doing what or who is spending money they should not spend. It is amazing how many times they have said I didn't know or I don't know when questioned about some unnecessary spending or misbehavior. Grid lock is good and it is good that they keep airing the dirty laundry of the other party. Right now the republicans are on offense but it won't be long until they are on defense for something and the democrats are on offense.
nucanuck said... Things have gotten so mean and hateful that we cannot even fill vacant positions requiring Senate confirmation. Reasonable legislation favored by large majorities cannot be enacted. The well is poisoned. We have become ungovernable and adrift with the different factions unwilling to seek common ground. We can all see the problem, but the solutions remain aloof. Do we have to crash and burn because we are so divided or is there hope?
nucanuck, It may be the best situation to have. The economy is slowly improving, the markets are reaching record level highs, gas is cheaper, tax revenues are at unexpected higher levels, deficits are lower. Keep them at a stalemate or grid locked and no telling how much better off we will be. If we can't reduce the size of the government the next best thing is a government that can do nothing and is vigilant in pointing out and making public each others dirty laundry.
Obama can't be drunk on something he doesn't have. It is amazing how two different people can read the same information and reach two totally different conclusions. The facts are not needed for some to jump to a conclusion of their liking. The IRS issue is not about the Tea group or others, it is the blatant abuse of power without checks and balances. $100,000 in bonuses over a three year period in addition to a $177,000 annual salary for the person allowing the conduct is a little heavy for this tax payer. The same woman is now in charge of building an organization of several thousand to over see the affordable health care act which prompts the question why is the IRS involved in the health care program? Is it because of their far reaching and unchecked power? Power is not what Obama is drunk on.
What is needed is not going to happen. Obama should admit that trying to lead and control a dysfunctional government the size of the federal government is not possible. There is no human capable of doing that without some major changes that reflect today's population and technology. The states need to step up and fulfill their responsibility without depending on the federal government for everything. The tax codes need to be burned and start with a new concept like the fair tax proposals. The military industrial complex needs to be controlled as Eisenhower warned about.
The tea party does not really want to reduce the governments size and involvement in peoples lives to the extent they should. Why do those supporting or opposing gay marriage support discriminating against singles that are not gay? Take the discrimination against singles away and there is no issue. I prefer being single which means getting the full brunt of the discriminating policies favoring marriage. Who in the hell are politicians that think they should define the "American dream" for everyone. Why, if it is cheaper for two to live than one, is it necessary to add to that advantage with discriminatory tax and other policies and practices? Why should I help those that want to own a house with borrowed money pay for it? Why should I help educate their house full of rug rats? Why should I help pay for their health care and retirement income? Why should I help pay for their spouses social security income? The only reason for requiring a state license to be married is to participate in the discrimination against those not married. There is no reference in the bible to obtaining a state license to show two people are married. There is really no justification for any government to be involved in a marriage which is no more than two people making a commitment to each other.
Go figure....Obama can't get anything regarding the economy through congress. The economy is improving, the stock markets keep reaching new highs, unemployment is trending down, revenue increased more than expected. Both parties keep finding dirt on the other and bringing it to the attention of the public. Grid lock and an impotent president may be the best thing to have in Washington D.C. Anyone object to paying from $25,000 up to $45,000 for portraits of those in leadership positions in the administration and congress? Parties, portraits, play, personal fitness trainers, hair stylist and other personal perks paid for with tax money and they all talk about reduced spending?
Could it be the federal government is an unmanageable behemoth? It doesn't appear Obama knew about any of the recent events before hand that are reflecting poorly on his administration. He probably has good intentions but he has surrounded himself with some very incapable people with their own agenda and he is not a good leader or judge of character. The IRS is a powerful organization that can bring misery to innocent people. It will be interesting to see how they handle their duties involving the AHCA. The hiring to administer the program is in the thousands and it is supposed to save money, provide more and better care without increasing taxes? The brightest number crunchers available can't show that result.
The Critic
alpro ask....
1.) What rights have any of you lost that you once had, before President Obama entered the Oval Office? and;
The major right lost has been the option of not having a health care policy without paying a fine or so called tax.
2.) What are any examples of power that the President has seized that threaten this nation, under any criteria?
He did attempt to load the NLRB with an end run that was found to be not appropriate.
His failure to use the power vested in him may be a larger threat than seizing of power. Between him and Bush the number of young Americans crippled by missing limbs and other life altering injuries is beyond belief. The worry about collateral damage and other politically correct B.S. caused far too many of our young men and women their life. We are either at war or we are not. Get aggressive and unmerciful or get out. My preference would be start packing and moving out today. I have no sympathy for those in those corrupt countries and certainly no interest in trying to change or financially support them.
The Critic
In 2010, Charlie Rangel was stripped of his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee amid an investigation into a corporate-funded trip to the Caribbean. Later that year, the House of Representatives formally censured him after he was convicted of 11 counts of violating House ethics rules. Among the violations: failure to pay taxes on rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic and failing to disclose over $600,000 in assets on a financial disclosure report.
He still sits on the ways and means committee. His response was it is wrong to abuse the tax system. He suggested that conservative groups filing for tax-exempt status as social welfare groups actually do deserve government scrutiny, but that government employees also did a poor job of applying the law.
He is no longer the W&M chairman but still on the committee. So much for congress policing their own. This is only one example of both parties being very lenient with their own.
The Critic
ML.... You apparently agree with the opinions expressed in the Forbes article and consider the opinions expressed therein as facts. The root cause of the IRS issue is the convoluted tax code which could and should be extremely simple. However, as Charlie Rangle said in an interview "congress must retain the ability to manipulate the tax system". I take that to mean meaningful simplification is not likely. The IRS solution during the hearings is more agents are needed. I don't personally think there should be any exceptions to taxes including religious organizations. However, the behavior of some maverick agents and several years of delay, extensive inappropriate questions without a yes or no decision is not defendable. The hours and cost of filing and complying with the complex system is mind boggling and costly to every American.
The Critic
carlB said... fairmon, There is something that can be done. You sound like a loser and are trying to convince us that this Republic has to "hit rock bottom" before we go into another greart depression? I for one an not buying into that BS.
carlB you have my comment confused with that of nucanuck. I like things just they way they are. Only those items truly critical are supported by those in congress from the two parties with enough sense to get in out of the rain.
Note the progress being made without their interference and intervention. Unemployment going down, tax revenue going up, deficits going down, stock markets repeatedly hitting record highs. The IRS issue may be the catalyst that brings bold and sweeping changes to the tax codes since both parties appear to agree the current situation is not good. The truth is those in congress and those in the administration don't know who is doing what or who is spending money they should not spend. It is amazing how many times they have said I didn't know or I don't know when questioned about some unnecessary spending or misbehavior. Grid lock is good and it is good that they keep airing the dirty laundry of the other party. Right now the republicans are on offense but it won't be long until they are on defense for something and the democrats are on offense.
The Critic
nucanuck said... Things have gotten so mean and hateful that we cannot even fill vacant positions requiring Senate confirmation. Reasonable legislation favored by large majorities cannot be enacted. The well is poisoned. We have become ungovernable and adrift with the different factions unwilling to seek common ground. We can all see the problem, but the solutions remain aloof. Do we have to crash and burn because we are so divided or is there hope?
nucanuck, It may be the best situation to have. The economy is slowly improving, the markets are reaching record level highs, gas is cheaper, tax revenues are at unexpected higher levels, deficits are lower. Keep them at a stalemate or grid locked and no telling how much better off we will be. If we can't reduce the size of the government the next best thing is a government that can do nothing and is vigilant in pointing out and making public each others dirty laundry.
The Critic
Obama can't be drunk on something he doesn't have. It is amazing how two different people can read the same information and reach two totally different conclusions. The facts are not needed for some to jump to a conclusion of their liking. The IRS issue is not about the Tea group or others, it is the blatant abuse of power without checks and balances. $100,000 in bonuses over a three year period in addition to a $177,000 annual salary for the person allowing the conduct is a little heavy for this tax payer. The same woman is now in charge of building an organization of several thousand to over see the affordable health care act which prompts the question why is the IRS involved in the health care program? Is it because of their far reaching and unchecked power? Power is not what Obama is drunk on.
The Cover-Up
What is needed is not going to happen. Obama should admit that trying to lead and control a dysfunctional government the size of the federal government is not possible. There is no human capable of doing that without some major changes that reflect today's population and technology. The states need to step up and fulfill their responsibility without depending on the federal government for everything. The tax codes need to be burned and start with a new concept like the fair tax proposals. The military industrial complex needs to be controlled as Eisenhower warned about.
Right Side Round Table: What is the future of the Tea Party? What does the Tea Party need to do in order to remain influential and effective?
The tea party does not really want to reduce the governments size and involvement in peoples lives to the extent they should. Why do those supporting or opposing gay marriage support discriminating against singles that are not gay? Take the discrimination against singles away and there is no issue. I prefer being single which means getting the full brunt of the discriminating policies favoring marriage. Who in the hell are politicians that think they should define the "American dream" for everyone. Why, if it is cheaper for two to live than one, is it necessary to add to that advantage with discriminatory tax and other policies and practices? Why should I help those that want to own a house with borrowed money pay for it? Why should I help educate their house full of rug rats? Why should I help pay for their health care and retirement income? Why should I help pay for their spouses social security income? The only reason for requiring a state license to be married is to participate in the discrimination against those not married. There is no reference in the bible to obtaining a state license to show two people are married. There is really no justification for any government to be involved in a marriage which is no more than two people making a commitment to each other.
The Cover-Up
Go figure....Obama can't get anything regarding the economy through congress. The economy is improving, the stock markets keep reaching new highs, unemployment is trending down, revenue increased more than expected. Both parties keep finding dirt on the other and bringing it to the attention of the public. Grid lock and an impotent president may be the best thing to have in Washington D.C. Anyone object to paying from $25,000 up to $45,000 for portraits of those in leadership positions in the administration and congress? Parties, portraits, play, personal fitness trainers, hair stylist and other personal perks paid for with tax money and they all talk about reduced spending?
The Cover-Up
Could it be the federal government is an unmanageable behemoth? It doesn't appear Obama knew about any of the recent events before hand that are reflecting poorly on his administration. He probably has good intentions but he has surrounded himself with some very incapable people with their own agenda and he is not a good leader or judge of character. The IRS is a powerful organization that can bring misery to innocent people. It will be interesting to see how they handle their duties involving the AHCA. The hiring to administer the program is in the thousands and it is supposed to save money, provide more and better care without increasing taxes? The brightest number crunchers available can't show that result.