Even S&P and Moody have implied that what the Tea republicans have wrought upon our nation is failure. Investors around the world know of the racist ignorance within our politics that is seeking our demise through the sanctimonious bigotry. They have not provided not one JOB and produced no revenue. Lost JOBS yes. Lost opportunities to promote JOBS yes. Serious measures to stabilize our financing, NO, NO, NO, party of. Their only focus from day one was and is to get that black dude out, at all cost. Those are your leaders you follow. You and your kind has illuminated through out the world with your self imploding ideologies. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.

"Those are the leaders you follow."

Wrong. I'm independent, leaning slightly conservative. I agree with some Republican ideologies, some Democratic ideologies, some Tea Party idologies. I recognize, and am not critical of, the rights of the "occupy" protesters, who seem to be at a very early stage of trying to focus their efforts.

I am merely pointing out the hypocrisy here. Jason is a former teacher, whose wife is a teacher. OK, I get it. You don't agree with Gov. Walker. OK, I get it. You hate Republicans. However, If you continue to throw stones, at least realize that you live in a glass house.

We live in country of bi-partisan gridlock. We need additional political parties to break it. Jason, and many of the bloggers here, merely add to such gridlock by merely spewing one-sided rhetoric. However, our problems are more complicated than that and I would hope that we are all smart enough, or at least open-minded enough, to recognize it.

Patchreader; Just stopped by and noticed some of your spin. Independent?? You can see clouds from both sides?? Glass Houses?? Like the House that since Tea tainted republicans gained majority, Not One Job Bill Brought to the floor. Shoot them down, even their own job bills! 300 days ZERO Job bills!
GE moving a plant to China. So what. They are also building a plant in Aurora Colorado to produce 400 MGW of panels per year. U.S. in 2010, total out put of solar panels was 875 MGW. Sizable investment in expanding solar panel production which will be in direct competition with China’s solar panel monopoly. GE is an international organization. Want their business then provide a fertile investment soils to attract them just as any other business.

Wow, someone's nerve got touched.

Just for kicks, do you have a link for that, or is this the usual BS?

Here you go.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/25/us/politics/25caribou.html?scp=1&sq=caribou+coffee+lobbyist&st=nyt

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/50081.html

Are you disappointed that I did not cite Fox News?

Shielded from public view?? Like U.S. Secretary Of The Treasury Mr. Paulson. X CEO of Goldman Sachs. 2007 bundles up toxic mortgages to be sold on through Sachs derivatives markets as a winner’s bet, as he shorts it on the back side and reaps in the profits in 2008 with the housing collapse. Conflict of interest?
J.P. Morgan, Chase, AG and so on doing the same as Paulson!
Citigroup on Wednesday agreed to pay $285 million to settle a civil complaint by the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had defrauded investors who bought just such a deal. The transaction involved a $1 billion portfolio of mortgage-related investments, many of which were handpicked for the portfolio by Citigroup without telling investors of its role or that it had made bets that the investments would fall in value.
That kind of backroom dealing you talking about? Want more of the same? 9-9-9 Flush with loophole corruptions.

Karen.

Nowhere in my post did I state that only Democrats are influenced by lobbyists. Yes, both Reps and Dems are. Please read my other posts in this blog to understand where I am coming from.

FYI: Wisconsin sales tax is 5%, not 6.1%. The maximum is 5.6%, for those with a county and stadium tax.

Good point, Mike. In fact, if I remember the rules as set down during the '08 election season, even if you just disagree with what Cain is proposing, you're racist.

And thanks Mike, because here's a real nifty explanation of that - http://ht.ly/70ZeD. And yes, liberals will enjoy this.

That was awesome Keith. I think I need To listen to Miller more, been on a Sly in the Morning kick of late.

Greendale isn't a suburb?

That's the neat thing about Herman Cain. His points are so vapid the parodies write themselves. Nein, Nein, Nein.

Greendale is a suburb, but it's not suburbia. Jason likes to pretend that he's a lone brave liberal, infiltrating the big, bad, GOP stronghold of Ozaukee County. Meanwhile, he knows nothing of what it's like to live here, he doesn't pay taxes here, and he'd never crack open his own checkbook to donate to our charities.

I'm not surprised, though. Hypocrisy among narrow-minded liberals is all the rage. Why be honest when you can be popular?

How is Greendale a suburb but not suburbia? How do places like Random Lake or Port Washington count as suburbia? As far as taxes I just did a quick search for homes for sale in Greendale and in Port Washington. I found two both priced at $229,000 and found that the property tax in Greendale was $438.37 a month, while in Port Washington it was $348.68 a month, so I don't see your point there either. This is Greendale Patch that this is posted in, so there again....what's your point?

I think I agree with Robert here. I guess I don't think of 'suburbia' as being defined by an Ozaukee county location. Patzfahl's bio is very clear about where he lives, and while he may be a 'narrow minded liberal', I don't get any sense that he is 'pretending' to live anywhere else or be something he is not...

He specifically stated that he's referring to 'federal income tax' when he's making the claim that the poor aren't being taxed...

"47% of this country pays no federal income tax and that same 47% are using most of the services."

If you're counting the FICA as federal revenue (which it seems Cain plans to do away with) then everyone with an earned income pays a federal tax, which cuts your 49% down considerably.

Sorry -- 47%. I misread.

I believe that was exactly the Dude's point...

...or, after rereading what you stated, maybe not.

@Robert Hansen -

The "stupid filter on the patch" must not have kicked in, as your post is still here!

Sales taxes are imposed by the state, and the truly poor are able to take advantage of state sponsored programs that permit the exemption of sales tax application on necessities. What truly poor person spends money on anything other than necessities? So NO – the truly poor do not pay sales taxes unless they are using ‘their’ money for purchases other than necessities, in which case then they are fairly taxed.

Currently, the main federal excise taxes are on petroleum-based fuels, tobacco products, and alcohol - none of which are necessities. So NO – the truly poor do not pay federal excise taxes unless they are using ‘their’ money to purchase these non-necessities, in which case then they are fairly taxed.

As far as property taxes go as a pass-thru that renters charge their tenants, again the poor (or really anyone meeting qualifications despite not being truly poor) are able to take advantage of both federal (section 8, etc.) and state (RHD, Section 42, etc.) programs that assist such tenants by subsidizing their housing and/or providing direct rental payment assistance and/or tax credits. Ergo, these housing programs effectively negate any property tax pass-thru that such poor tenants would have otherwise been paying. So again, NO - the poor do not pay property taxes.

I guess you are the FOOL after all, eh Robert Hansen?

@James R. Hoffa, so are we now taking about the 47% myth or the destitute? Is your point that you want to tax people that have little or nothing, or do you think there should be no taxes at all. My point is that the premise is false and designed to create jealousy among the classes. By saying 47% don't pay federal income tax is foolish, it's as if those people are getting some sort of deal or getting away with something. When you make so little as to not qualify for federal income tax, you are not living high on the hog. As far as the programs you site, would you like to be in a situation where you would have to rely on those thing to survive? Seriously, who's the fool here? Go move to Idaho or the Upper Peninsula, the big bad government will never bother you in those places trust me.

@Robert Hansen – Working a minimum wage job is enough to keep an individual out of poverty if they budget correctly. And who’s the fool that’s making incorrect broad and general statements that you can’t defend once I debunk them with FACTS? Using actual FACTS to support a position is a little something I like to call reality – you may want to join the rest of us in it, it’s pretty cool once you get the hang of it. Especially before you start trashing other posters and calling them 'stupid' and 'fools' - that's just not cool!

The problem is that your people who apparently "are not living high on the hog," have cell phones, DVD players, video game consoles, flat screen TV's, cable/satellite programming, jewelry, and many other 'luxuries.' If they can afford these things, then they can afford to contribute to society just like the rest of us have to. That's fair, isn't it? Everyone gets to play, so why shouldn't everyone have to pay something - even just a nominal amount? Wouldn't that be fair for everyone? After all, the extra revenues collected could be allocated to actually helping those who TRULY need and deserve the help of the government. Think about it.

What facts do you have? I posted all kinds of things up above in the comments, even used the Koch brothers Heritage Foundation.
I remember the last time I had a minimum wage job I had to have five roommates and I still had trouble making ends meet. Step out of your fantasy and go meet someone who is truly poor. Are you even human? Do you have no empathy? If your going to come on here and spread your right wing lies have the courage to use your real name at least. Post some links with real numbers and I'll look at them, but I sure as heck am not going to take your word as proof of anything.

as far as the "toys" they have, it is interesting to me that there are so many rent to own stores or payday loan stores in poor neighborhoods. Perhaps we could maybe not allow that sort of predatory businesses take advantage of people?. Perhaps we all need to tone down the greed in our society? Perhaps a new thrift movement? Perhaps we could have provided proper education in poorer areas all along? The tax structure is already unfair and burdensome for many in society, but folks like you that believe social mobility still exists in this country defend tax cuts for the most affluent among us. Then you cry victim because the poor aren't paying federal income tax but the have dvd players? Really? Glad your not my neighbor, you'd probably let my house burn if it was on fire because I didn't cut my grass every other day.

@Robert Hansen -

That's funny, I'm looking at your above posts, and mostly what I see is propaganda and rhetoric such as "[t]he GOP clown car rolls on," and "[p]retty sure that TEA actually stands for Take Everything Away," just to name a few and not including your insults of other's comments, which I've already covered. And you threw up some links with little or no analysis and want a pat on the back for doing so - I don't think so.

FICA taxes pay for Medicaid and Social Security, which by design and original intent operate more like a government holding fund as opposed to a tax in that the payor of this tax is supposed to receive benefits in an amount equal to or greater than what they actual contribute of those taxes over their lifetime.

The other taxes you mention, I've already debunked with FACTS. You can look up the specifics regarding the programs that I mentioned which allows low-income individuals to negate tax responsibility for necessities. And if they're purchasing items others than necessities, then they're not TRULY poor and should be contributing something, just like the rest of us.

And BTW - I wish I could use my real name on here, however, when I did so on another board that I frequently comment on, left wing nuts like yourself looked up my address and phone number and made threats of violence against my family. I will not allow that to occur again, nor will I be silenced by people like you. Sorry, but that's how it is!

Try again Mr. Hansen.

And I do have compassion for those that TRULY need and are deserving of such compassion.

Previously, I was a social worker in Racine for almost 3 years. You can't imagine the abuses of government programs intended for low income individuals that I witnessed occurring. It was appalling and made me sick. 92% of my case load listed SSI as their only source of income because apparently, they were so disabled that they couldn't work. However, I saw these people at the park hanging with their friends, playing basketball, wondering the streets, and they managed to get along just fine. Couldn't work my @ss!!! These same people also almost always had lavish gold jewelry on every time they came to check in with me.

If you think that’s all fine and dandy, tell you what – put your money where your mouth is and voluntarily pay more taxes upon filing your next return. Lead by example.

Funny, I haven’t seen anyone on the left willing to do this for some reason or another. Either put up, or shut up in demanding that the rest of us pay more to fund this kind of nonsense!

number one, this is a satire. I was making jokes based on the satire. Luckily you and your buddies with your lies and thin skin come on here and comment and therefor make the satire all the more humorous. As far as your case load with 92% on ssi, if as you say all of them were hanging out at the park, playing basketball, and wearing gold, I'm not one of those sheepish liberals you are used to and I'll tell you straight up you're full it. Are there people gaming the system? Yes. Is it as bad as you say? I seriously doubt it. The fact is that programs like social security are working. When implemented poverty rates among the elderly was 40%, now it is 10%. I would call that a huge success.
The last thing I have to ask is, while you were a social worker, if you saw abuse in the system, did you report it? If not, then your equally as guilty aren't you.

This topic started on the 47% propaganda. 47% of the population is not on public assistance, so your presumption and "facts" are false. Just because you were a social workers doesn't mean you are compassionate as your posts clearly point out.

I don't think that anyone is making any claim disputing your comparison of percentage of income and total taxes paid...

sorry CowDung, I have issues with Angry White Dude, we had some debating the other day and he chose to delete his comments instead of continuing the debate, so I have no tolerance for his propaganda.

It's no more stupid and no more a lie than the claim we hear almost daily about GE paying no taxes...

total revenue from corporations was 191 billion vs. 898 billion from individuals. Corporations have a lot more money than we do and if they are going to continue taking our jobs overseas and paying us less that first number should be a hell of a lot higher. I am not a fan of GE regardless of if they pay taxes or not. They or one of these big free trade pushers that have destroyed our country with democratic and republican support.

@karen k -

Please, enlighten us. What taxes do the poor actually pay?

Sales taxes are imposed by the state, and the truly poor are able to take advantage of state sponsored programs that permit the exemption of sales tax application on necessities. What truly poor person spends money on anything other than necessities? So NO – the truly poor do not pay sales taxes unless they are using ‘their’ money for purchases other than necessities, in which case then they are fairly taxed.

Currently, the main federal excise taxes are on petroleum-based fuels, tobacco products, and alcohol - none of which are necessities. So NO – the truly poor do not pay federal excise taxes unless they are using ‘their’ money to purchase these non-necessities, in which case then they are fairly taxed.

As far as property taxes go as a pass-thru that renters charge their tenants, again the poor (or really anyone meeting qualifications despite not being truly poor) are able to take advantage of both federal (section 8, etc.) and state (RHD, Section 42, etc.) programs that assist such tenants by subsidizing their housing and/or providing direct rental payment assistance and/or tax credits. Ergo, these housing programs effectively negate any property tax pass-thru that such poor tenants would have otherwise been paying. So again, NO - the poor do not pay property taxes.

And the so-called 'payroll taxes,' as you call them, or FICA taxes, pay for Medicaid and Social Security, which by design and original intent operate more like a government holding fund as opposed to a tax in that the payor of this tax is supposed to receive benefits in an amount equal to or greater than what they actual contribute of those taxes over their lifetime. So is it really fair to call this a tax? Not really.

Like you said, [d]ata is like a bikini, it's what it doesn't show that's the real story."

So again I ask you, what taxes are the truly poor actually paying? Because unless they're really loading up on non-necessaries or aren’t taking advantage of every government program that they qualify for, I don't see how they're effectively paying any taxes at all.

Maybe when you actually peal back that bikini, the story isn't actually how you presumed it to be, is it?

Like I said, the GOP clown car rolls on.

*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*

1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office
and receives no pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All
funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security
system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system,
and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for
any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans
do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay
will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the
same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American
people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.
The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen
made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor,
not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours
should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

#1--members of congress have the same retirement benefits as other federal employees.
#2--as of January 1, 1984, all members of congress are required to participate in social security.
#3--see #1
#5--Members of congress receive (and pay for) the same healthcare benefits as other federal employees. I believe that 'federal employees' are 'American people'.

#6--what laws are members of congress breaking that are of concern?
#7--what "contracts with past and present Congressmen" are you talking about?

Bernard, perhaps you meant well by posting the "Congressional Reform Act of 2011," however, its basis is merely an inaccurate viral email that has been making the rounds.

http://www.factcheck.org/2011/03/congressional-reform-act/

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/28thamendment.asp

Generally I do not bother with shoveling out the manure. Those with a tad of intelligence recognize manure. Now that I’m here just a small example of the BS you serve us on a daily bases.
One “Welfare Health Care and Pensions” that elitist receive is not compatible with what federal employees relieve. As to the rest of our population, I’ll leave that for you to do some research. Hint 45,000/year die to lack of.
Two; Laws to be equaly distributed. Observe Citigroup on Wednesday agreed to pay $285 million to settle a civil complaint by the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had defrauded investors who bought just such a deal. The transaction involved a $1 billion portfolio of mortgage-related investments, many of which were handpicked for the portfolio by Citigroup without telling investors of its role or that it had made bets that the investments would fall in value. Add Mr. Paulson U.S. Sectary Of The Treasury, J.P Morgan, Chase and so on. Legal on Wall Street? On Main Street, Not so much. 285 million for the billions in damage? Joe the plumber would have been imprisoned for life for less than that..
Now get your head out of that dung and seek fresh air and a bath.

What are you even talking about? Does any of that have to do with the '7 points of manure' that you posted?

Cow Dung illuminates us with the ability to savor the fragrance of fresh air. Manure by any other name will still smell as foul.

Thanks for the commentary about my name. What does that have to do with the crap you posted?