The most embarrasing moment in American history

[ElNono]

lol trickle down is for suckers

[midnightpulp]

So the point is they don't need a tax break because no matter what they pay it's too much... Listen you're well meaning but you don't understand how it works...I can't read the full article because it's truncated due to sign up features but I imagine it is / was referring to the overall % for a specific year. They may have paid 40% of the taxes but they didn't pay their fair share commensurate with their pay scale...thus you have Warren Buffets admin paying more in taxes than he did...listen don't be fooled by the fact that I collect food stamps... and then you can try your little games on the uneducated....

So tell me, what is a "fair share commensurate with their pay scale?"

Do you think the person who makes one million dollars a year should have to pay a greater percentage than those who make fifty thousand a year? If so, why?

So the government should have the power to legislate how much money is "enough?"

"Oh, let's tax the person who makes one million dollars a year 50 percent. Five hundred thousand should be more than enough for anybody to live a happy and fulfilling life. It's his moral duty to pick up the slack for the guy making fifty thousand a year."

[Koolaid_Man]

So tell me, what is a "fair share commensurate with their pay scale?"

Do you think the person who makes one million dollars a year should have to pay a greater percentage than those who make fifty thousand a year? If so, why?

So the government should have the power to legislate how much money is "enough?"

"Oh, let's tax the person who makes one million dollars a year 50 percent. Five hundred thousand should be more than enough for anybody to live a happy and fulfilling life. It's his moral duty to pick up the slack for the guy making fifty thousand a year."

Yes. In many cases Corporations set market rates don't they... how is that fair...They all get together and determine that a fair wage for a starting lawyer is let's say 80.00 / hr but of course he's salaried.

At the same time they pay their CEO's literally tens and on some cases hundreds of millions of dollars...why? because he's smarter than his workers? no because he's connected politically and is a good lobbyist in Washington...so yes I think they should pay more... You don't know how this works yet Midget...and your the one with the job...

[midnightpulp]

lol trickle down is for suckers

Of course. For me, it's the lesser of two evils.

Give the money to the government, so they can spend it on wars I'm not in favor of and issue welfare checks to people like Kool I personally don't like.

Or corporations, who are at least governed by the profit motive.

If I'm to accept excessive federal taxation, I want to be able to choose how my personal tax dollar is spent and receive an invoice showing that money was indeed spent how I intended.

Throughout history, governments have been the most corrupt and dishonest ins utions, and to think they'll spend our money wisely is almost as foolish as thinking a corporate bigwig will use a tax break to increase job opportunity. But at least with the former, it sometimes does happen. On the other hand, federal taxes have been primarily used for excessive defense spending and ineffective social programs and not much else.

Local services, as DoK mentioned earlier, are funded by state taxes, the only legitimate form of taxation as far as I'm concerned.

[midnightpulp]

There should be prison terms for people who think like that.

When are we sentencing Kool?

[midnightpulp]

Yes. In many cases Corporations set market rates don't they... how is that fair...They all get together and determine that a fair wage for a starting lawyer is let's say 80.00 / hr but of course he's salaried.

At the same time they pay their CEO's literally tens and on some cases hundreds of millions of dollars...why? because he's smarter than his workers? no because he's connected politically and is a good lobbyist in Washington...so yes I think they should pay more... You don't know how this works yet Midget...and your the one with the job...

Where is this cabal that "all gets together and determines a fair wage" located at?

Price of wages are set like any other commodity, determined by the market, which is governed by the laws of supply and demand. The reason the doctor makes more than the fast food cook is because there's less of a demand relative to the supply of s willing to do the job than there are capable doctors, who are in high demand but in relatively short supply.

But I agree that some CEO compensation packages are outrageous and the result of other factors besides performance, like the dumbass CEO of Home Depot, which posted record losses during his tenure, yet he got a near 100 million dollar severance package. Still, excessive taxation isn't going to remedy inequalities like that.

[Koolaid_Man]

Allow to it all fail. I'm all for starting over. It's such a big cluster that no matter who's in office you'll get the same results. You are wasting your time hoping and wishing of getting back. It's to easy to go elsewhere. Taxing your way out of this is not an option because those who hold the lions share are out of reach.

You asked for facts? I'll give you a harsh one that no one can deny. White folks only relinquish their communities to s only when they've moved on to bigger and better things. I just came from Kenya, and you can't even mention your boy Obama's name over there without being ridiculed. Also, those same communities that s took over became ghettos. Now ponder over that.

I never advocated taxing my out the problem but I don't think blowing it up is prudent either.

White folks only relinquish their communities to s only when they've moved on to bigger and better things.

Kinda how they did black women during slavery right?

I digress...but what I do ponder is your seeming slave mentality..you put it out there I didn't. This is the same type of nonsense I've heard from people who think they've "made it". In many cases they relinquish their communities when their imperialistic holds no longer bind. Now if you're underlying argument is that whites by and large have more money than blacks and have more access to material wealth and economic opportunities then I concede the point without argument. But if you're argument is that a black man can't run the country because he's black and will ultimately run it into the ground then you've clearly misrepresented you who are.

and why would Kenyans ridicule Obama? Because he didn't shower their country with material wealth or because he's half white, or because he doesn't show favoritism to his distant relatives in the US? What gives

[Koolaid_Man]

Where is this cabal located that "all gets together and determine a fair wage" located at?

Price of wages are set like any other commodity, determined by the market, which is governed by the laws of supply and demand. The reason the doctor makes more than the fast food cook is because there's less of a demand relative to the supply of s willing to do the job than there are capable doctors, who are in high demand but in relatively short supply.

But I agree that some CEO compensation packages are outrageous and the result of other factors besides performance, like the dumbass CEO of Home Depot, which posted record losses during his tenure, yet he got a near 100 million dollar severance package. Still, excessive taxation isn't going to remedy inequalities like that.

you're living in the stone age if you beleive that in today's market Supply and Demand is the sole determining factor for typical jobs ( i.e not Doctors, Lawers, and Space Engineers) I guess it's Supply and Demand for CEO's salaries as well....

[midnightpulp]

you're living in the stone age if you beleive that in today's market Supply and Demand is the sole determining factor for typical jobs ( i.e not Doctors, Lawers, and Space Engineers) I guess it's Supply and Demand for CEO's salaries as well....

Prove that it isn't.

And yes, CEOs are subject to supply and demand. Often their reputations are overblown, leading to companies overpaying them, but they are overpaid precisely because they are in high demand.

[Koolaid_Man]

So why do you vote, or place so much faith in a politician changing this racketeering. What you said is correct, so what makes you think a politician will raise taxes on the CEO without expecting the CEO to pass that same tax down in the form of inflation. Or better yet, what makes you think that those CEO'S just wont get rid of those politicians who refuse to play ball?

I don't place soo much faith...however, CEO's have a business to run and they could very well cut their nose off to spite their face. It's their call. Exxon's CEO recently threatened before congress that there would be repercussions to his employees if taxes were raised, the same tax he claimed he didn't need in 2005. It's their business to make thrive or run into the ground because of their unreasonableness. Also Dems are less beholden to Politicians than Repubs are...Repubs are the big less govent no regulation champions

[Koolaid_Man]

Prove that it isn't.

And yes, CEOs are subject to supply and demand. Often their reputations are overblown, leading to companies overpaying them, but they are overpaid precisely because they are in high demand.

Prove that CEO pay is subject to supply and demand vs plain old good ole boyism

[midnightpulp]

Prove that CEO pay is subject to supply and demand vs plain old good ole boyism

I already acknowledged that can play a part, and with the super excessive packages, it does, but you live in lib fantasy land if you think every CEO isn't deserving of their salary.

[Koolaid_Man]

I already acknowledged that can play a part, and with the super excessive packages, it does, but you live in lib fantasy land if you think every CEO isn't deserving of their salary.

aren't you the same guy recently chiding NBA players for their pay. No I don't think CEO's are deserving of their pay considering the pay scale of their worker bees...your silly ass can spend your life believing that if you wish

[ElNono]

Of course. For me, it's the lesser of two evils.

Give the money to the government, so they can spend it on wars I'm not in favor of and issue welfare checks to people like Kool I personally don't like.

Or corporations, who are at least governed by the profit motive.

If I'm to accept excessive federal taxation, I want to be able to choose how my personal tax dollar is spent and receive an invoice showing that money was indeed spent how I intended.

Throughout history, governments have been the most corrupt and dishonest ins utions, and to think they'll spend our money wisely is almost as foolish as thinking a corporate bigwig will use a tax break to increase job opportunity. But at least with the former, it sometimes does happen. On the other hand, federal taxes have been primarily used for excessive defense spending and ineffective social programs and not much else.

Local services, as DoK mentioned earlier, are funded by state taxes, the only legitimate form of taxation as far as I'm concerned.

Baloney.

Plenty of governments out there that do pretty good for their people (Germany, Canada, etc).

And federal services are out there too and used too. The difference between the stuff you eat and Somalia is that there's a FDA ensuring you're not eating rat poison. The cars that safely take you to work and back have the highest safety standards thanks to the NHTSA. The reason people could prepare properly for Irene is thanks to the people at NCEP. FEMA is also there to provide disaster relief.

It's not all rosy, it's not all effective, but having it vs not having it makes huge difference.

Is the government bloated right now? Sure. It's the political class flat out bought out by the big wigs? No doubt. I always have a laugh when people talk about tax breaks for the mega rich. They pay no taxes as it is, and when they do, they pay less than a cop or a teacher.
If you want to know who put this system in place, and who is the most interested in keeping it, you have to look no further than them.

[Koolaid_Man]

That went way over your head. I haven't misrepresented anything. Sure, I won't let whitey deem us worthless, but at the same time, I won't follow s in the ditch. I've yet to state my position, you have. Negroes followed MLK, and he led them nowhere. You jumped on Rainbow Coalition bandwagon, and the wheels fell off. Now you swallowed the Obama pill and seemed to have choked.

Let me make it plain so there will be no misunderstandings. If white folks have given s the keys to the house, it simply means the house is no longer worth anything to them. And what in the makes you think negroes can lead this Nation? And what self-respecting white person would be so foolish to follow? The slave now leads the master? Religious, much! You followed Farrakhan all the way to Washington for him to give some lame ass speech and tell you to go back to the hood and get a job. What have you done since then? Nothing!!! Not a damn thing!!! Now you got Obama, a that will ditch his momma just to save face. I don't know you, but I know negroes and when hits the fan, I won't be here to watch them stand in the bread line and hym songs. You can keep the hope alive... I'm doing for self.

So let me ask you... If I give the keys to my house to a white man what does that mean?

Sure, I won't let whitey deem us worthless

no disrespect intended but I actually think you've done a really great job of that with your last post.

and no I don't follow Farrakhan but your disrespect for a man that gave is life Dr. King is down right foolishness and quite frankly you better hope Like Clarence Thomas and Thomas Sowell that you don't ever need the black community otherwise it's gonna be a bitter pill you're forced to swallow...

[sendman]

That guy is a clown if I've ever seen one.

Oh, you see one every day.
Of course I presume you have a mirror.

[ElNono]

I already acknowledged that can play a part, and with the super excessive packages, it does, but you live in lib fantasy land if you think every CEO isn't deserving of their salary.

All those bankers that needed to be bailed out deserved their salary? (and yes, I'm including GM and what not)

Unless you're pointing out that they did their job by raping taxpayers and transferring enormous amount of money from taxpayers to the top 1%...

[midnightpulp]

All those bankers that needed to be bailed out deserved their salary? (and yes, I'm including GM and what not)

Unless you're pointing out that they did their job by raping taxpayers and transferring enormous amount of money from taxpayers to the top 1%...

Where did I say those bankers deserved their salary?

Why entertain absolutes here and believe all CEOs to be corrupt s bags who are undeserving of their salaries? The average CEO salary is around 700K. As I'm sure you know, not every CEO is a superstar pulling in 8 figures, and I'd venture to guess the ones making more down to earth salaries most likely deserve it.

Look, I'm not fanboying CEOs here. Nothing sickens me more than to see excessive compensation packages being handed out while layoffs are happening, but to believe every business executive only got to that level through corruption, cronyism, or any other kind of dishonest method is being overly cynical.

[midnightpulp]

Baloney.

Plenty of governments out there that do pretty good for their people (Germany, Canada, etc).

And federal services are out there too and used too. The difference between the stuff you eat and Somalia is that there's a FDA ensuring you're not eating rat poison. The cars that safely take you to work and back have the highest safety standards thanks to the NHTSA. The reason people could prepare properly for Irene is thanks to the people at NCEP. FEMA is also there to provide disaster relief.

It's not all rosy, it's not all effective, but having it vs not having it makes huge difference.

Is the government bloated right now? Sure. It's the political class flat out bought out by the big wigs? No doubt. I always have a laugh when people talk about tax breaks for the mega rich. They pay no taxes as it is, and when they do, they pay less than a cop or a teacher.
If you want to know who put this system in place, and who is the most interested in keeping it, you have to look no further than them.

Yeah, and how much of our tax dollar goes to those services as compared to the defense budget?

Last I checked, 30 percent of our tax dollar goes to defense spending.

[midnightpulp]

Do you own a house?

I think we know the answer to that question.

Starts with an N and ends with O.

[Koolaid_Man]

Do you own a house? If so, how does your question relate to anything I said. Set aside your emotions and stop being petty. I never said you followed Farrakhan. But you won't deny that it was the scam of the decade.

I never disrespected King, he disrespected himself. What self-respecting man would march his women and children into a racist hot zone that even he himself is too afraid to enter. This was his plan right? To integrate and bring about social equality, right? Have sit-ins and get hot coffee poured on top of your head and dogs sicked on you? And you call me foolish? Ok, let's assume that I am foolish. I still for the life of me will never accept the idea of boycotting your own peoples establishments, while luring them over to those that hate you? So what? Now you can a white girl without being lynched and eat apple pie in a white diner without getting a dog sicked on you? In return, black businesses suffer for the ignorance of that fool King not understanding that his success was relying on his own kind.


Me, rely on the black community. That's a good one. I'm not going to jail. Don't go acting like the black community is some kind of safe haven for fallen negroes. It's a hole, created by blacks. No thanks.

Sure I'm hardly emotional but I would like for you to answer my question. If I gave the keys ( let me rephrase since you added a zinger onto your question..to my 790k pad) to a white man what would that mean?


I'm not a believer in anything Farrkhan so I can't say either way it was a scam..maybe if he called them to D.C and passed around a collection plate. Then maybe? But you're jumping all over trendsetters like a pit bull that's seen action. You're all about self I get it but you seem to be looking for a Jesus Christ in these brothers when their goal as far from perfect men is to try and educate the masses. Listen Dr. King died for his beliefs you may not realize it but his death opened the path for you to have whatever measure of success you enjoy so don't be so gotdam critical of a man who paid the price for all minorities ( whether Asian, Black, or Mexican) when all you're doing is complaining about every ing thing...From the political process to past and current black leaders show some respect.

And needing the black community is not about being or living in it..I don't live in it by hood is a mixture. However, It's about understanding how the black community can help and coalesce around a worthy person or cause and bring about the needed attention for change..One thing I notice is that you summarize all the black issues nicely with a nice red velvety bow but seldom provide alternative solutions...I've encountered and went to school with some who thought like you... it's no big deal

But peep this I'm confident you're a great Laker fan but on the real you're not black dude...come off it... s / brothers I know whether well off or struggling don't talk like this about Dr. King they're generally grateful of his contribution to progress...even the white uncle Tom's acknowledge his greatness..I will not view you as a black from here on out but I respect your right to your views...just extremely disappointed in your views...

[Kobe™]

Kool and Luva arguing?

Mid and Luva in agreement.

My my my how things have changed.

[LkrFan]

Hey, I was just wondering why so many re s become Lakerfans. Do you know?

Did he shoot ty or not?

Typical of Kobe not maximizing the abilities of a stacked team. I see that you're paying attention to Kobe hitting some shots at the end of the game.(BTW,statistics show Kobe isn't clutch) What you're missing is the fact that a game was in jeopardy because Kobe couldn't lead a stacked 08 team. It really show his ability to lead a team. If he was half the player you think he is all those games would have been blow outs like in 1992. LMAO barely winning with a stacked team and thinking that's a positive for Kobe. Prime Duncan on that team and you would have seen scores similar to this.

USA 116 Angola 48
USA 103 Croatia 70
USA 111 Germany 68
USA 127 Brazil 83
USA 122 Spain 81
USA 115 Puerto Rico 77
USA 127 Lithuania 76
USA 117 Croatia 85

They weren't in their prime in 04 like they were in 08. Same name on the jersey but that's it.

Give TD an off-season +82 games and he could have worked wonders with that team. He would have had the team playing as a team to maximize their potential. The problem Kobe had that year is he didn't have a top 10 player(big) to carry him. Duncan always wins even without a top 10 player.

Nate Dawg - I already conceded that he shot ty. He's done it a number of times. That's what makes him great because even if he is 1/7, he believes he will make the next 7. Sometimes it bites him (and the Lakers) in the ass, but most of the time he has come up on top. His confidence and willing to take risks is what makes him an all-time great. He is easily top 10 all-time. Easily.

Bottom line son: TD couldn't lead 8 fellow all stars to gold. That's it. And that is all.

Kobe NEVER won Bronze, but TD did. Neal with that !!

In 2009 and 2010 Kobe won without a top ten player. Back to back (something TD has NEVER done and NEVER will unless he is a 3rd option sidekick on a contender). Thems be the facts. this if you can!!

[LkrFan]

And how in the did this thread turn into a political mud slingfest?

[Giuseppe]

And how in the did this thread turn into a political mud slingfest?

Hussein Obama