Re: The folly of the independent voter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
When I hear somebody call themselves an independent voter in presidential elections I just shake my head. You may think you are choosing the best person available, but in our stinky political system, you are not.
A presidential election is about electing a party to power. If you help elect a republican, thousands of republicans will pour into Washington to steer the Interior Department, Education, etc. etc. in a direction along republican philisophical lines. And then there's the all important Supreme Court and Federal Court appointments, which will also be chosen largely from a pool of party loyalists.
Grow up, dumb ass. Decide whether you are more philisophically aligned with the Dems or Republicans and pull the appropriate lever. Stop all that thinking. It's not a good system, but it's reality.
I hate our system - I want much bigger changes. Neither party does shit for me. I pay as much in taxes as many people make in wages - and I'll never benefit from this tax. Remember, taxation without representation.
How about taxation without utilization?
And a significant 3rd party vote can have serious repercussions for the election - 'taking' votes from one party (i.e., I may vote for an independent or a Republican - the independent vote would then help the Democrats).
Re: The folly of the independent voter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fosco33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
When I hear somebody call themselves an independent voter in presidential elections I just shake my head. You may think you are choosing the best person available, but in our stinky political system, you are not.
A presidential election is about electing a party to power. If you help elect a republican, thousands of republicans will pour into Washington to steer the Interior Department, Education, etc. etc. in a direction along republican philisophical lines. And then there's the all important Supreme Court and Federal Court appointments, which will also be chosen largely from a pool of party loyalists.
Grow up, dumb ass. Decide whether you are more philisophically aligned with the Dems or Republicans and pull the appropriate lever. Stop all that thinking. It's not a good system, but it's reality.
I hate our system - I want much bigger changes. Neither party does shit for me. I pay as much in taxes as many people make in wages - and I'll never benefit from this tax. Remember, taxation without representation.
How about taxation without utilization?
And a significant 3rd party vote can have serious repercussions for the election - 'taking' votes from one party (i.e., I may vote for an independent or a Republican - the independent vote would then help the Democrats).
Amen brother. And why can't we opt out of Social Security? Why in the world should the government run retiriement plans.
Re: The folly of the independent voter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Campbell
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fosco33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
When I hear somebody call themselves an independent voter in presidential elections I just shake my head. You may think you are choosing the best person available, but in our stinky political system, you are not.
A presidential election is about electing a party to power. If you help elect a republican, thousands of republicans will pour into Washington to steer the Interior Department, Education, etc. etc. in a direction along republican philisophical lines. And then there's the all important Supreme Court and Federal Court appointments, which will also be chosen largely from a pool of party loyalists.
Grow up, dumb ass. Decide whether you are more philisophically aligned with the Dems or Republicans and pull the appropriate lever. Stop all that thinking. It's not a good system, but it's reality.
I hate our system - I want much bigger changes. Neither party does shit for me. I pay as much in taxes as many people make in wages - and I'll never benefit from this tax. Remember, taxation without representation.
How about taxation without utilization?
And a significant 3rd party vote can have serious repercussions for the election - 'taking' votes from one party (i.e., I may vote for an independent or a Republican - the independent vote would then help the Democrats).
Amen brother. And why can't we opt out of Social Security? Why in the world should the government run retiriement plans.
I just heard Huckabee call for a National sales tax to replace the income tax. Intriguing idea.
I don't mind Social Security at all....it's a rather small portion of the "taxes" I pay out overall. I pay way more in Federal withholding...I like to call it the "fucked zone". I'm with Fosco...neither of the parties now do much for me anymore.
Re: The folly of the independent voter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freak Out
I don't mind Social Security at all....it's a rather small portion of the "taxes" I pay out overall.
You really should mind Social Security, it is the single greatest screw job against lower and middle class people. Social Security taxes are capped at 75K (or some such figure.) Meaning people making more than 75K pay a smaller rate as they earn more.
And the real killer: SS taxes only apply to labor! If you earn your money through investment, you pay ZERO SS taxes.
And BTW, "tax" is theoretically the wrong term. It is supposed to be like paying a premium for an insurance policy, which is the justification for capping it for rich folk. But in reality, the SS moneys collected goes immediately towards the purchase of treasury bills - which makes it effectively identical to a tax! The SS money acts as an EXTREMELY regressive tax that keeps progressive income taxes artificially low.
I'm telling you, unless you're making a lot of money, or earning your money through investment, you are getting f-u-c-k-e-d.
Re: The folly of the independent voter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freak Out
I don't mind Social Security at all....it's a rather small portion of the "taxes" I pay out overall.
You really should mind Social Security, it is the single greatest screw job against lower and middle class people. Social Security taxes are capped at 75K (or some such figure.) Meaning people making more than 75K pay a smaller rate as they earn more.
And the real killer: SS taxes only apply to labor! If you earn your money through investment, you pay ZERO SS taxes.
And BTW, "tax" is theoretically the wrong term. It is supposed to be like paying a premium for an insurance policy, which is the justification for capping it for rich folk. But in reality, the SS moneys collected goes immediately towards the purchase of treasury bills - which makes it effectively identical to a tax! The SS money acts as an EXTREMELY regressive tax that keeps progressive income taxes artificially low.
I'm telling you, unless you're making a lot of money, or earning your money through investment, you are getting f-u-c-k-e-d.
I didn't say that some type of reform was not needed...I just like the thought that it is going to help many Americans that are not saving at all right now. It is going to mean very little to me in my retirement years....at least I am hoping so. :doh: