Calling out the 47%-51% paynotax lie.

I agree. Exxon shouldn't be allowed to lobby.

 

Americans are bad at math, basically. It even shows when looking at how our education scores in math compare to most of the OECD.

 

I think you completely misunderstand the argument...either intentionally or.....

I have never heard anybody say that the poor should pay more taxes....except maybe a troll or two. The argument is whether the "upper class" and/or "rich" should pay more in taxes or not. The claim that 51% do not pay Federal Income Taxes is just a stat that is thrown around to say that the "upper class" and above already pays ALL of the taxes. Basically, the "upper class" and above pay for everything provided by the Federal Government that is used by all.

The core question is whether the rich should pay more taxes. I personally do not think that many conservatives would disagree that it would be better if the rich paid more in taxes IF congress could prove that it could live within the constraints of revenue received....i.e. a balanced budget....or at least a budget that isn't so top heavy in spending. The only thing that Congress has proven is that if revenue increases 2 fold, then spending will increase 5 fold. A lot of Americans are tired of this concept.

 

Payroll tax receipts are less than the money needed to meet current, much less out year promises.

 

Those are made up statistics...

 

Another made up number...

 

I think you completely misunderstand the argument. First off balancing the budget is the most economically disastrous thing the Government can do. Which is why they won't and they don't do it. Even the Republican's fought against the Tea Party on that issue. Only extreme nut jobs want the Government to balance the budget.

But, the argument is that the 51% that do not pay income taxes are getting a free ride and should pay taxes. It is pure jealousy from people that probably are pretty poor themselves. Anyone who makes a decent amount of money for a living could care less that someone making $31k a year with two kids doesn't have to pay income taxes.

The fact that 49% of income earners don't make enough income to pay taxes is a bigger issue then the fact 51% of income earners pay all the income taxes. Why not focus on increasing individuals incomes instead of taking even more income away from people that are already poor.

 

I would really have to question the validity of the article's claim. I agree that wages have been stagnant while inflation has increased....and I will also agree that the "middle class" (as it use to be known) is diminishing. However, I find it very hard to believe that every other person living in the US is low income and/or impoverished.

 

What's bad about balancing the budget?

 

We have a similar system designed to help working parents. Instead of handing out a cheque every time they breed, we build kiddie allowances into a tax credit.

Many middle income families not only pay no tax, they get cash back. And that includes cash that would otherwise have gone into our equivalent of your Social Security and Medicare/Aid.

Of course, if you are kidless, or rich, you get nothing.

 

Who has made the claim that the poor should pay more taxes? If you think that is the argument, then you should be able to provide a link to someone MAKING that argument.

 

I am conflicted.

Should I take notice of US census data?

Or should I follow Nunya D into a faith-based disbelief that it could be true?

 

Again that is simply a made up statistic...first the government changed the definition of poverty adding millions to the pot and they they add everyone making up to twice the poverty level (over $45K for a family of 4)..using that criteria they then make the claim 1 in 2 are living in 'poverty'...In my world $45K of household income would be a big pay raise.

spin, not math

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...QvgTvA?docId=9576d6a6343c46b1abbd0184a9244305

 

No, the payroll tax was designed to pay for SS alone but no longer does due to changing demographics and increased benefits. The medicare tax is to cover most of medicare and all the myriad of other social programs from welfare to medicaid are paid for from general revenues just like defense.

 

But you are not taking notice of a US Census Data.....you are blindly placing your faith in an article that claims it is using US Census data. While the article might be true, it reeks of "spin" and "cooking the books" so that it reads how someone wishes.

 

Do you like converting ideas at random? Or do you have thought processes that compel you to?

The article is about low-income Americans as well as Americans "in poverty".

 

So where are we?

1 in 2 Americans cannot afford to go to war. Should they be sent to the frontline and raised above the poverty line by being paid an above-average wage to indiscrimately kill people rich Americans don't like?

Should they be allowed to starve? Should they be forced to pay "federal taxes" regardless of the fact that they have no money to do so? Should they be assisted to become global corporations in order that they may pay no taxes in more socially-acceptable ways?

 

Were back at the Truth.......51% of Americans pay no Income Tax.


....and the goal of the Democrat Party is to have 51% of the electorate pay nothing and 49% of the electorate pay for everything.
.
.
.
.

 

97.45% of Americans pay no fishing licences.

Thank God for truths.

 

tell us again about the 61% who make less than $20,000

 

Ah, so you now want to hold me accountable for something I did not actually say but it suits you to pretend I did.

I suggest you visit the US Census site and then tell me about how it is all lies.

And why.

 

But the post I responded too pretended 1 in 2 Americans are IN poverty, not exactly what the data advised...

 

Did it indeed?

That would be this post, would it?

The word "in" was not even present.

Where DO you get your ideas from?

 

Let us repeat the claim...

What is the "poverty line"...as the reference noted, about $20K...So, your claim is that half of America lives at that level or below, absolute nonsense. About 49 million live at or below the poverty line...or under 1 in 6 Americans..Twice as many are in the next tier discussed, up to $45K for the same family, hardly poverty, and the other 1 in 2 make more, often the sky is the limit...

In short, the claim I responded to was simply fantasy not supported by the real numbers...

 

Don't take it personally. I did not invent the statistics.

That would have been your census bureau.

But if you wish to believe that people the bureau thinks are impoverished are not impoverished, I guess that's up to you.

I believe Americans are terminally stupid. But there are bound to be official statistics somewhere that say I am wrong.