Puterbac News Network and Political Discussion Thread

[hedge]

"The death penalty is irreversible and eliminates the possibility that the falsely convicted can be exonerated later"

Well, they can still be exonerated, but it doesn't do them much good if they're dead...

[Owlman]

Once executed, the State does not make the evidence (including DNA) available for study.

[BigRedMan]

Can't make an omelette with cracking a few eggs

[hedge]

I've heard that somewhere before...

[Professor Tiger]

Texas loves the death penalty so much they replaced the electric chair with the electric bleachers.

[BigRedMan]

Terrible joke.

F!! Take a seat.

May god have mercy on your soul.

[bluetick]

From Forbes, no less.

U.S. One-Percenters See Largest Income Gains of All Developed Economies - Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2 ... economies/

"The rich get richer and the poor get poorer" is a phrase as common in the U.S. as "take me out to the ballgame". For the middle class and the poor, it is gospel.

Not that their was ever any doubt, but the richest 1% of wage earners in the U.S. have seen their share of income gains double to almost one fifth of total income, while the income of the poorest households are not any better than they were in the 1980s [read more]

Yeah, the super-rich have been killing it ever since Reagan lifted their tax burden. Meanwhile their minions in the GOP block all efforts to raise the minium wage, admonishing low-wage earners to clam up and be thankful they have a paycheck at all.

[Toemeesleather]

Tell'em to take their part-time job, thank Brock, and stfu.



The drop in the unemployment rate from March’s 6.7 percent came as the agency’s survey of households showed the labor force shrank by more the 800,000 in April. The so-called participation rate, which indicates the share of working-age people in the labor force, decreased to 62.8 percent, matching the lowest level since 1978, from 63.2 percent a month earlier.

[sardis]

From Forbes, no less.

U.S. One-Percenters See Largest Income Gains of All Developed Economies - Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2 ... economies/

"The rich get richer and the poor get poorer" is a phrase as common in the U.S. as "take me out to the ballgame". For the middle class and the poor, it is gospel.

Not that their was ever any doubt, but the richest 1% of wage earners in the U.S. have seen their share of income gains double to almost one fifth of total income, while the income of the poorest households are not any better than they were in the 1980s [read more]

Yeah, the super-rich have been killing it ever since Reagan lifted their tax burden. Meanwhile their minions in the GOP block all efforts to raise the minium wage, admonishing low-wage earners to clam up and be thankful they have a paycheck at all.

Income tax rates have very little to do with income inequality. It has everything to do with the growth in the overall economy. That's why income inequality is the most under Reagan and Clinton, and the least under both Bushes.

[Toemeesleather]

Fox News big shots will be dining out on this one for some time: Assemble a crowd of civic-minded people at the 92nd Street Y in New York’s Upper East Side. Issue a compliment for Fox News. Listen for the groans.

That’s what happened yesterday as Jeff Greenfield interviewed Time magazine’s Joe Klein at the historic venue. The chat alighted on early-evening news programming, and Klein ripped CNN for focusing excessively on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. “I miss being able to turn on a straight newscast, and it turns out the only place to get one at 6:00 at night is Fox.”


...The only other choice, argued Klein, “is to go to MSNBC and see the Rev. Al Sharpton, who I still consider to be a major criminal” over his role in the Tawana Brawley case.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/eri ... -fox-news/

[bluetick]

Yeah, the super-rich have been killing it ever since Reagan lifted their tax burden. Meanwhile their minions in the GOP block all efforts to raise the minium wage, admonishing low-wage earners to clam up and be thankful they have a paycheck at all.

Income tax rates have very little to do with income inequality. It has everything to do with the growth in the overall economy. That's why income inequality is the most under Reagan and Clinton, and the least under both Bushes.

I didn't say super-income-earners, I said super-rich. Some years the super wealthy don't register much in the way of income. Reagan and the Bushes easing of the super-rich's tax burdens not only dealt with tax rates, but a myriad of loopholes and outright repeals. Slashing estate and inheritance taxes, as well as capital gains and corporate dividend taxes - while opening up off-shore tax evasion en masse.

The one percenters accumulated wealth has far outstripped what growth there has been in the economy.

[hedge]

I think inheritance tax should be minimal...

[Professor Tiger]

Yeah, the super-rich have been killing it ever since Reagan lifted their tax burden. Meanwhile their minions in the GOP block all efforts to raise the minium wage, admonishing low-wage earners to clam up and be thankful they have a paycheck at all.

Income tax rates have very little to do with income inequality. It has everything to do with the growth in the overall economy. That's why income inequality is the most under Reagan and Clinton, and the least under both Bushes.

I didn't say super-income-earners, I said super-rich. Some years the super wealthy don't register much in the way of income. Reagan and the Bushes easing of the super-rich's tax burdens not only dealt with tax rates, but a myriad of loopholes and outright repeals. Slashing estate and inheritance taxes, as well as capital gains and corporate dividend taxes - while opening up off-shore tax evasion en masse.

The one percenters accumulated wealth has far outstripped what growth there has been in the economy.

But the one percenters DESERVE their big windfall for the past 20 years. That's because they (unlike the lazy bums in the middle class and the worthless scum in the lower class) are PRODUCERS.

[Jungle Rat]

There should never been an inheritance tax to begin with. Top 5 of dumbest taxes ever.

[bluetick]

There should never been an inheritance tax to begin with. Top 5 of dumbest taxes ever.

heh. Then you and Thurston Hedge III have that in common.

[Professor Tiger]

What is it about death that entitles the government to takes the dead person's money?

[AlabamAlum]

I am anti inheritance tax, too.

I knew someone of decent means who started emptying accounts a few years before his death. Upon his death, each of his four children got a suitcase with a bit more than a $700k in it with detailed instructions on how to launder it.

[Owlman]

What is it about death that entitles the government to takes the dead person's money?

Entitled? The govt can tax anything it wants as long as it's for the general welfare. Some things I agree with, some I don't. But it's not about entitlement. They are entitled under the Constitution including it's Amendments.

[AlabamAlum]

I don't think he meant legally entitles....rather, I think he was on more of a philosophical right and wrong thing.

[Professor Tiger]

Correct.

I also disagree with the idea that all personal wealth belongs to the government, and private citizens should be grateful for whatever the government allows us to keep. Constitutionally, it's supposed to be the other way around.