Tax protest April 15

[widowson1968]

Rita and I attended the last TAX protest, it was in November of 2008, unfortunately not enough folks "protested" .

[jeeprubi]

We attended one in Brownsville, TN at the court house. 100+ folks. I hope that this continues to grow. Our elected officials need to get back to following the U.S. Constitution and putting the people first.

[Lorna]

We attended the one here in Franklin. Over 600 people showed up. The local freebie paper covered it... The local regular paper didn't. It was great. We attended as food vendors (the only ones... this is largely a democratic town...).

[David K]

We had a very nice gathering here in Atlanta --- hope for more to come in the future. The Fox channel is one of the "backers" of the gathering here in Atlanta. There was suppost to be an opposition "demonstration" but, ah em --- the organizers could not get it off the ground.

[diandtom]

I did not make the tax protest here in New Bern, but there was a large crowd. I should not say tax protest but a spending protest. It was covered on the local news. I did see where a CNN reported got very ugly with a protester. She ask him a question and before he could finish, she jumped all over him. I am not suprised seen this several times from the news media.

[dickfrompasadena]

We can change the situation at the next election. It's time the people took charge of this country.

[offshore]

Didn't make the tea party in Lafayette, perhaps more people will get involved when the new taxes on their 401K's take place.

[chasfm11]

Originally Posted by dickfrompasadena

We can change the situation at the next election. It's time the people took charge of this country.

The basic problem is that, by the next election, the huge amounts of money will have been spent, the interest incurred and there will be no way to deal with the situation except sky rocketing taxes. Contrary to some media reports, the root problem crosses all party and governmental lines. Many believe that Social Security is the equivalent of the government version of a Madoff ponzi scheme because it is being handled as a "pay as you go" system and the future payments will far outstrip the projected revenues - even before all of the other additional spending that has already passed is included. When you add in the potential costs of "cap and trade" and national healthcare, there is no place to go financially. The key is sufficient public pressure before any more of these wild expenses are passed. After they are passed, it will be too late.

[Chickadee]

chasfm11:

Geeze Charlie....kinda bleak...eh? I certainly agree with you, and so do numerous others, but the frustration and even anger we see stems from the inability to affect any REAL change. Short of whistling in the wind by calling, writing, e-mailing or petitioning our representatives, and short of waiting for and hoping to change representatives through the election process, we are pretty much helpless. HOW do we affect, as you say, "sufficient public pressure?" Steve

[hamguy]

Originally Posted by chasfm11

The basic problem is that, by the next election, the huge amounts of money will have been spent, the interest incurred and there will be no way to deal with the situation except sky rocketing taxes. Contrary to some media reports, the root problem crosses all party and governmental lines. Many believe that Social Security is the equivalent of the government version of a Madoff ponzi scheme because it is being handled as a "pay as you go" system and the future payments will far outstrip the projected revenues - even before all of the other additional spending that has already passed is included. When you add in the potential costs of "cap and trade" and national healthcare, there is no place to go financially. The key is sufficient public pressure before any more of these wild expenses are passed. After they are passed, it will be too late.

Yes, the next President will be stuck with a debt that makes the Bush deficit look like pocket change. Of course, he will have to raise taxes, among other good things and take the subsequent heat from the people.

In Arizona, Nappy Napolitano (she of the, "it is returning servicemen that are the real terrorist threat") spent the state into a $B+ shortfall. Not the new Gov, Brewer-R needs to raise taxes to keep from going bankrupt. Of course, the people blame her for all the problems.

Moral of the story... Never underestimate the stupidity of the American public.

[Chickadee]

hamguy:

That final statement ("Never underestimate the stupidity of the American public.") is kinda cute, and I've seen it in a number of places, BUT,...it's WRONG, and OFFENSIVE!!!

The American public can no longer determine WHAT is true and what isn't!! The American public is bombarded every minute of every day with politcal position ads, selected sound bites, slanted news articles, movies/tv shows w. underlying slanted agenda msgs., biased media presentations, etc. etc. etc. The American public is also bombarded with all those damnable ads. Such ads range from those saprophytic attorney firms trolling for clients to sue big bad corporations for everything from asbestos exposure to denture adhesive, to position ads trying to garner support for energy agendas, "green" environental agendas, insurance agendas, health care agendas, etc. etc.

The "American public". as you put it, aren't stupid, but since it's crap in, ya get crap out,.....and....the public is SO inundated with this stuff, some of which strikes a chord, sorting out the truth about ANY issue, whether local, state, federal, economic, political, YOU NAME IT!!...has become impossible. ALL those with special agendas KNOW THIS!! And, they use this to manipulate the American public as effectively as they can to ensnare that public into support for their agenda.

Sure!....one can isolate ANY given "issue" and dilegently attempt to gather information and to "get to the bottom" of what is or is not true about THAT issue, but FEW Americans can ever be afforded the time and effort needed to "get to the bottom" of EVERY issue affecting them. Are they then to be called "stupid" cause they didn't have time to thoroughly research, for example:, the TRUTH or FICTION relating to the pump price of our fuel somewhere in between working for an income, raising a family, surviving day to day????? NO!!! The American public is NOT STUPID,.......but they are being USED!!!

Steve

[hamguy]

Originally Posted by Chickadee

hamguy:

That final statement ("Never underestimate the stupidity of the American public.") is kinda cute, and I've seen it in a number of places, BUT,...it's WRONG, and OFFENSIVE!!!

[snip]

Steve

Well Steve. I find your comments to be offensive also. So are we even?


Bottom line. I believe we, the American public, spend waaaaay too much time being offended. You know, in reality, I have never allowed myself to be offended. It isn't worth the effort.

[Chickadee]

hamguy:

I need to explain. Please notice that I refrained from accusing you personally as being "offensive", rather, I tried to refer solely to that tag statement attached to your posts. I certainly don't find you offensive and enjoy as well as learn alot from the posts you contribute.

What I was reacting to, has to do with getting rid of destructive name calling and labeling in our society (whether in jest or not) which impedes, and obstructs, a return to interpersonal respect, consideration, and trust among folks.

The sheer volume of the b.s. we're inundated with every day pulls and tugs people in so many different directions that more and more folks are either polarized into often dramatically advocating for or against some position,.... OR,... they are becoming more and more suspicious of the motives and agendas of others and less and less trusting of anyone in general.

I'm still the kind of guy that trusts my neighbor and my fellow Americans to be straight shooters.

Is the American public stupid? NO! They (WE) simply don't know and/or are finding it harder and harder to know who, or what to trust any longer.

I apologize for "offending" you, .....so....yeah, we're even!!

(what do ya wanna talk about now???.........religion!!!!??)

Hey!....how do I get emoticons (smileys) on this "Quick Reply"???

[hamguy]

Originally Posted by Chickadee

hamguy:

Is the American public stupid? NO! They (WE) simply don't know and/or are finding it harder and harder to know who, or what to trust any longer.

I apologize for "offending" you, .....so....yeah, we're even!!

(what do ya wanna talk about now???.........religion!!!!??)

Hey!....how do I get emoticons (smileys) on this "Quick Reply"???

As I said, I do no allow myself to be 'offended'. But, you should be in my shoes. I am/was a lawyer, and a criminal defense lawyer at that. Try wearing that target for a while.

Oh, yer mommy wears brogans!