Joe the Plumber Won't Go Away

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Immediate Tax Relief for Working Families:

Rather than a refundable credit based on payroll taxes, House Republicans propose reducing the lowest individual tax rates from 15% to 10% and from 10% to 5%. As a result every taxpaying-family in America will see an immediate increase in their income with an average benefit of $500 in tax relief from the drop in the 10% bracket and $1,200 for the drop in the 15% bracket. A married couple filing jointly could save up to $3,200 a year in taxes.

Help for America’s Small Businesses:

Small businesses (those employing less than 500 individuals) employ about half of all Americans, yet they can be subject to tax rates that siphon away one-third or more of their income. House Republicans propose to allow small business to take a tax deduction equal to 20% of their income. This will immediately free up funds for small businesses to retain and hire new employees.

No Tax Increases to Pay for Spending:

The stimulus proposal pending in Congress includes record levels of government spending that will substantially increase the current deficit. House Republicans are concerned that this level of spending will result in some proposing near-term tax increases on American families. House Republicans are insisting that any stimulus package include a provision precluding any tax increases now or in the future to pay for this new spending. House Republicans believe that any stimulus spending should be paid for by reducing other government spending, not raising taxes.

Assistance for the Unemployed:

Incredibly, the Federal Government actually imposes income taxes on an individual receiving unemployment benefits. House Republicans propose to make unemployment benefits tax free so that those individuals between jobs can focus on providing for their families. The plan would also extend unemployment benefits from March to December, 2009.

Stabilizing Home Values:

The real-estate market is paralyzed as potential buyers wait on the sidelines waiting for prices to fall even further. This is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. In order to encourage responsible buyers to enter the market and stabilize prices, House Republicans propose a home-buyers credit of $7,500 for those buyers who can make a minimum down-payment of 5%.

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Let's see... tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts, tax credits, tax breaks.

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Originally Posted by Askthepizzaguy

but if they won't give me something as an option besides general tax cuts

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And for the first one:

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Originally Posted by Your CNN article

The $713 billion plan was put together by Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, who has been working with a handful of other GOP senators.
The proposal includes $430 billion in tax cuts

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I almost thought you had me for a second, but even a passing glance at the links you mentioned prove the Republicans have no agenda besides tax reduction.

Right, cuz 413 out of 750 means the entire thing is tax cuts in your mind. Basically what you're saying is their plan needs to be the same as the Democrats plan for you to like it, yes? ~:handball:

You want them to be a viable alternative by being just like the current ruling party- good luck with that....

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Originally Posted by Askthepizzaguy

It's true that the Republican party may have nothing to gain politically if they help Obama and the Democrats pass legislation that could help this nation out.

However, I feel as though if we elected them to serve the country, that should be the overriding concern, not "what we can do to waste time until 2012".

I am just as critical of a minority party of Democrats doing the same self-serving thing. It's the obstructionism and partisanship that galls me, every time it happens, no matter which party does it.


The Republicans have a chance, with every passing day, to draft their own legislation and use their free time for the next 4 years campaigning around this country with their proposed alternative.

They don't even need to show up for votes, because they cannot really stop the Democrats. So why waste time sitting in the Senate with a thumb up their :daisy:?

DO something. Tell me what would be better, and don't say "the policies of the last 8 years". Give me a third alternative, or don't bother being elected ever again. DO your jobs, Republicans. Something besides selfish partisanship would be nice.

I'm not thrilled about the bailout packages either, but if they won't give me something as an option besides general tax cuts, no matter what the situation calls for, I don't see why they should bother holding office. And shouldn't we be balancing the budget, eventually? How do tax cuts accomplish this.

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What if the Republicans have accidentally stumbled upon the right course of action? That is to say, nothing.

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Originally Posted by Xiahou

Right, cuz 413 out of 750 means the entire thing is tax cuts in your mind.

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It is half of the package.

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Basically what you're saying is their plan needs to be the same as the Democrats plan for you to like it, yes? You want them to be a viable alternative by being just like the current ruling party- good luck with that....

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And no, now you're putting words in my mouth, which is a bad way to debate.
If you strawman me, I won't bother replying, my friend. No hard feelings.

:bow:

Tax cuts are a poor short term stimulus idea. You want spending? Give grants to all the major banks and have them zero out the credit card debt of every American. Spending will explode within 30 days.

And would it be THAT much more costly than the current boondoggle will END UP being (not the < $1T currently claimed)?

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Originally Posted by answerbag.com

January 2006 Statistics, Last available:

Total credit card debt in the United States has reached about $665 billion on bank credit cards and about $105 billion on store or gas credit cards. According to the Fed's G19 release, the total is roughly $800 billion.

(Sources: www.cardweb.com and the Federal Reserve)

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Very interesting approach.


I applaud any new idea, or anything besides the two options of just spending and just slashing taxes. Neither balance the budget, and if done improperly, neither will help.

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Originally Posted by Askthepizzaguy

And no, now you're putting words in my mouth, which is a bad way to debate.
If you strawman me, I won't bother replying, my friend. No hard feelings.

:bow:

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No hard feelings, I just thought you might take the opportunity to clarify your incoherent position. I don't mind if you don't want to. :bow:

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Originally Posted by Xiahou

No hard feelings, I just thought you might take the opportunity to clarify your incoherent position. I don't mind if you don't want to. :bow:

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LOL

I won't be part of a sniping contest. I really would rather not drain my energy and yours fighting over something silly. I believe I made my point that the Republicans have basically proposed nothing but tax cuts, if you disagree that's your prerogative. It's not big enough a deal to worry about.

Joe likes being in the centre of attention.
What he says is a load of:daisy:
Maybe, Just maybe he'll realise that people reporting war is their choose they take the chance.
Besides if we went to war we would like to no whats happening.

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Originally Posted by Askthepizzaguy

LOL

I won't be part of a sniping contest. I really would rather not drain my energy and yours fighting over something silly. I believe I made my point that the Republicans have basically proposed nothing but tax cuts, if you disagree that's your prerogative. It's not big enough a deal to worry about.

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It's not a matter of opinion- "half" and "all" are wildly different. The current plan is advertised as about 1/3 tax cuts. A GOP plan has been pegged at about half. You set out to lambast Republicans for offering no alternatives without having any facts on hand and when some are presented, you obstinately refuse to let them get in the way of your preconceptions.

I'm not at all interested in debating the merits of GOP plans, since they have no chance of passage anyhow. But it was your willful blindness to what has been proposed that drew my incredulous responses. I expect you'll continue to dodge and deflect... :juggle2:

AtPG What would your perfect bill look like?

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Originally Posted by Strike For The South

AtPG What would your perfect bill look like?

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"Paid in full"

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Originally Posted by Strike For The South

AtPG What would your perfect bill look like?

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Haven't you played any of them war games? What are they called again...

https://i275.photobucket.com/albums/...der38/bill.jpg

But seriously, I don't see why we can't just sit this out.

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Originally Posted by Alexander the Pretty Good

But seriously, I don't see why we can't just sit this out.

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My plan exactly. "What if they gave a recession, only nobody came?" I'm un-assing as much credit debt as I can, as fast as I can (like every neighbor and co-worker I know). No, I'm not hoarding food and ammo and moving to the hills (yet); I just don't want to participate in the magical event that seems about to take place, where the Boss changes debt into asset (like that earlier guy who did the water-into-wine trick) by muttering a few - quite a few - words.

I wish him well, the same as I wished Houdini would successfully escape the

https://jimcee.homestead.com/images.jpeg

Amazing Chinese Water Torture Chamber!

Not at all Xiahou, I'm actually going to take a break from this thread. There's just a slight unfriendly tone to the discussion that's totally unnecessary and I really don't want to get under your skin or vice versa.

I'm not interested in quibbling. You win.