George Steinbrenner has passed away...

[btorocco]

I no longer take you (6079smithW) seriously.

Whoa, Bob! You mean there was a time when you did?!

Guilty as charged, Cap, but take heart, I'm a reformed man!

[6079smithW]

Yeah, your average American millionaire could've been borned in a Phillipine landfill slum, and they'd be just as well off today, with their millions, because they deserve all the credit, because of their hard work. Our civilization, that we pay for with all these grossly unfair taxes, should get zero credit. What the heck are we paying for anyway? It's just so offensive, this whole "taxes" thing. The idea that we need a government is just silly, stupid "founding fathers."

Very intelligent and well thought out answer. I no longer take you seriously.

I accept your surrender. The notion that you could even HAVE such a thing as "inheritance," without rules and laws and enforcement, is utterly preposterous. The notion of paying a tax for the privilege of directing how your estate will be divided after your death, is only good morals, obviously.

[Cap'n Billy]

The notion of paying a tax for the privilege of directing how your estate will be divided after your death, is only good morals, obviously.

Now THIS is one of the most illuminating comments I have ever seen from this ridiculous person. The very idea that directing how one's estate will be divided after death being a "privilege" is simply beneath contempt. And the idea that paying a tribute to the government for that "privilege" is equally contemptible. This person obviously does not accept the concept of private property. Whoever taught him his "morals" did not do him a service. Disgusting! I cannot adequately express my utter revulsion that such people live in our midst.

This has gone beyond "political disagreements." People who advocate outright theft of personal property should be roundly condemned and shunned by all decent people, whether they be government officials, newspersons, anonymous forum commenters or anyone else.

[btorocco]

The notion of paying a tax for the privilege of directing how your estate will be divided after your death, is only good morals, obviously.

Now THIS is one of the most illuminating comments I have ever seen from this ridiculous person. The very idea that directing how one's estate will be divided after death being a "privilege" is simply beneath contempt. And the idea that paying a tribute to the government for that "privilege" is equally contemptible. This person obviously does not accept the concept of private property. Whoever taught him his "morals" did not do him a service. Disgusting! I cannot adequately express my utter revulsion that such people live in our midst.

This has gone beyond "political disagreements." People who advocate outright theft of personal property should be roundly condemned and shunned by all decent people, whether they be government officials, newspersons, anonymous forum commenters or anyone else.

Couldn't agree more, Cap. In fact I had to look at that statement twice to make sure I read it right. It's one of the most moronic statements I've ever seen, and you can rest assured I will never engage this person in conversation again.

[Cap'n Billy]

In fact I had to look at that statement twice to make sure I read it right. It's one of the most moronic statements I've ever seen, and you can rest assured I will never engage this person in conversation again.

You know, Bob, there are some people that are so despicable that any contact whatever with them on any level is just too damn sickening. I only regret that my duties here prevent me from putting him on my Foe list.

[btorocco]

I only regret that my duties here prevent me from putting him on my Foe list.

Lucky for me I have that option, and you have my sympathy for the fact you have to read crap like that.

[6079smithW]

Ridiculous.

How do you think inheritance works under the law of the jungle?

It doesn't. No government = no such thing as inheritance. It's not a question of beliefs, it's reality. Of course, neither of you are particular fans of reality.

[Jeffreydan]

Of course, neither of you are particular fans of reality.

Mm-hmm. Thanks for teeing it up for me:

The notion of paying a tax for the privilege of directing how your estate will be divided after your death, is only good morals, obviously.

Let's discuss the tax morals of pols for a sec.

I don't know where you live, but suppose it's Election Day and you were faced with a choice for any office, be it House, Senate, president, or governor. Two columns are in front of you. In column A you can vote for a typical conservative Republican (in the model of Mitt Romney, Tom Price, John Boehner, Chris Christie, etc.) with a relatively uncontroversial track record. In column B you have John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Tom Daschle, Charlie Rangel, or Hillary Clinton.

So which candidate(s) gets your vote?

[6079smithW]

Of course, neither of you are particular fans of reality.

Mm-hmm. Thanks for teeing it up for me:

The notion of paying a tax for the privilege of directing how your estate will be divided after your death, is only good morals, obviously.

Let's discuss the tax morals of pols for a sec.

I don't know where you live, but suppose it's Election Day and you were faced with a choice for any office, be it House, Senate, president, or governor. Two columns are in front of you. In column A you can vote for a typical conservative Republican (in the model of Mitt Romney, Tom Price, John Boehner, Chris Christie, etc.) with a relatively uncontroversial track record. In column B you have John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Tom Daschle, Charlie Rangel, or Hillary Clinton.

So which candidate(s) gets your vote?

Kerry, Daschle and Clinton are fine folks, unfairly maligned by the right-wing smear machine. Enjoy your Kool-aid, I'll stick with what I'm drinkin' over here.

And you can't seriously ask me to pick between Boehner or Rangel, can you? Boehner is a willfully ignorant know-nothing. Policy matters zero to that guy, and further, he's a drunk. He seems to make a living without actually being competent to do anything, working welfare. On the other hand, Rangel did feather his own nest a bit too shamelessly, in Gingrich-like fashion .... Sheesh, is there maybe a Green Party candidate or a Libertarian or somebody? Boehner or Rangel, seriously?

[Jeffreydan]

Kerry, Daschle and Clinton are fine folks, unfairly maligned by the right-wing smear machine. Enjoy your Kool-aid, I'll stick with what I'm drinkin' over here.

And you can't seriously ask me to pick between Boehner or Rangel, can you? Boehner is a willfully ignorant know-nothing. Policy matters zero to that guy, and further, he's a drunk. He seems to make a living without actually being competent to do anything, working welfare. On the other hand, Rangel did feather his own nest a bit too shamelessly, in Gingrich-like fashion .... Sheesh, is there maybe a Green Party candidate or a Libertarian or somebody? Boehner or Rangel, seriously?

Do you read much?

I said a typical conservative Republican, meaning a generic/unnamed candidate. I used those examples as the model, not specifically.

Your first sentence pretty much takes care of it, in any event. Every one of those democrats has evaded taxes, and in the case of Kerry, also paid a considerably lower percentage of taxes than what is expected of the ultra-rich. You're defending people who love taxes as long as it's other people burdened with them. Their disinterest in living up to your definition of morality is not the fault of conservatives, nor is your hypocrisy.

I honestly admire your continued interest in coming to a site that is largely populated by righties, but you've never really managed to appear believable. Your disapproval of ethical failings is limited only to Republicans and conservatives, and that only proves that you don't believe your own position.

I'm not suggesting that you not support the pols that share your philosophy, but you are the last person who should accuse others of drinking Kool-Aid.

[6079smithW]

Kerry, Daschle and Clinton are fine folks, unfairly maligned by the right-wing smear machine. Enjoy your Kool-aid, I'll stick with what I'm drinkin' over here.

And you can't seriously ask me to pick between Boehner or Rangel, can you? Boehner is a willfully ignorant know-nothing. Policy matters zero to that guy, and further, he's a drunk. He seems to make a living without actually being competent to do anything, working welfare. On the other hand, Rangel did feather his own nest a bit too shamelessly, in Gingrich-like fashion .... Sheesh, is there maybe a Green Party candidate or a Libertarian or somebody? Boehner or Rangel, seriously?

Do you read much?

I said a typical conservative Republican, meaning a generic/unnamed candidate. I used those examples as the model, not specifically.

Your first sentence pretty much takes care of it, in any event. Every one of those democrats has evaded taxes, and in the case of Kerry, also paid a considerably lower percentage of taxes than what is expected of the ultra-rich. You're defending people who love taxes as long as it's other people burdened with them. Their disinterest in living up to your definition of morality is not the fault of conservatives, nor is your hypocrisy.

I honestly admire your continued interest in coming to a site that is largely populated by righties, but you've never really managed to appear believable. Your disapproval of ethical failings is limited only to Republicans and conservatives, and that only proves that you don't believe your own position.

I'm not suggesting that you not support the pols that share your philosophy, but you are the last person who should accuse others of drinking Kool-Aid.

Yeah, now I remember Daschle had that thing with the driver, for crying out loud. Kerry never dodged any taxes, surely that would've come out in 2004. The kerfuffle over the yacht, he agreed to pay taxes that he didn't even really owe! And Clinton? Is that some kind of Whitewater nonsense? You realize that a Special Prosector named Ken Starr kinda investigated all that crap ad nauseum, right?

You gotta agree with me about Boehner. As for your "generic conservative," what does that mean? Your standard creationist, who wants to cut rich people's taxes, declare war on Iran, and "drill baby drill"?

[Jeffreydan]

Yeah, now I remember Daschle had that thing with the driver, for crying out loud.

And you're not crying out loud about his failure to pay taxes, are you?

Kerry never dodged any taxes, surely that would've come out in 2004.

First, read my specific comments about Kerry. According to the left, rich people have a duty to pay a larger percentage than others. I'd be surprised if you consider his 15% paid apropos for a guy with his wealth.

The kerfuffle over the yacht, he agreed to pay taxes that he didn't even really owe!

This is exactly what I'm talking about. By Kerry's actions, he technically didn't have to pay taxes. Shall I take that to mean you think super-wealthy people who put their money in offshore accounts don't owe taxes?
You'll need to explain why he decided to pay the taxes. If this was simply a bunch of nonsensical, unjustified ravings from the right, if there was nothing to support the claim that he avoided taxes, then the proper thing to do would have been to come out and say he didn't owe anything, and lay out exactly why. He could have done this, and the MSM would have let this thing end up a dead horse that only kooky conservatives would beat.

And Clinton? Is that some kind of Whitewater nonsense? You realize that a Special Prosector named Ken Starr kinda investigated all that crap ad nauseum, right?

You realize that the Clinton's took deductions on the property into which they invested no money, despite their accountant's objections, right? You realize that Hillary admitted to a Senate committee she took thousands of dollars in deductions she knew she wasn't allowed, right? You realize that Hillary failed to pay the property tax on her car while Bill was governor, right? You realize that the Clinton's wrote off ridiculous amounts of money for charity-donated items like a shower curtain ($30), Bill's old undershorts ($4 a pair), running shoes ($40), and dress shoes ($80), and independant accountants declared it to be excessive, right? You realize that the contract trust that the Clinton's set up takes a huge bite out of any inheritance tax their estate will be saddled with, right?

You gotta agree with me about Boehner. As for your "generic conservative," what does that mean? Your standard creationist, who wants to cut rich people's taxes, declare war on Iran, and "drill baby drill"?

It means whatever ill-informed crap you feel like spewing about conservatives, apparently.

This is the sort of nonsense your Kool-Aid fuels: getting all high & mighty about the morality of taxes, and then giving a pass to the democrats who don't live up to your morality.

[6079smithW]

I really don't see how I am giving a pass to anybody. Like you said, we have to choose. You seem to think the choice is between a Democrat with faults, on the one hand, and a "generic conservative" on the other. In fact, since you got into the act, it's all about personal attacks against public servants.

The way you're clinging to that anti-Clinton drivel is utterly fantastic. This is what we can expect if Boehner's crowd takes over - subpoenas for Clinton's underwear. You've got no ideas, whatsoever, so you'll just tear everybody else down.

Name the right-wing politician who wants to abolish graduated tax rates, and is willing to actually say so, out loud. Go ahead. Somebody who actually holds an elected office of some kind.

[Jeffreydan]

The way you're clinging to that anti-Clinton drivel is utterly fantastic. This is what we can expect if Boehner's crowd takes over - subpoenas for Clinton's underwear. You've got no ideas, whatsoever, so you'll just tear everybody else down.

Name the right-wing politician who wants to abolish graduated tax rates, and is willing to actually say so, out loud. Go ahead. Somebody who actually holds an elected office of some kind.

My, it is hard to soapbox about taxes when you prefer pols that avoid them, no? Maybe you can blame your hypocrisy on President Bush.

[6079smithW]

Well you guys don't have any problem with your "moral values" candidates like Ensign and Vitter.

Not that Daschle is running for ANYTHING, because he isn't. Further, you've utterly failed to prove ANYTHING about either Clinton or Kerry. So even if I am, somehow, a tax hypocrite (are you seriously suggesting that I don't pay my taxes?), you got nothin' on any of the elected officials you've mentioned.

Standard conservative argument: just repeat the same lie, only LOUDER.