Must be Mexicans

I wonder how long we can keep pretending that our economy isn't in trouble?

I wonder how long we can keep pretending that political ambitions and public funds aren't intertwined?

Wanebo: I wonder how long we can keep pretending that political ambitions and public funds aren't intertwined?

you mean the wall street bailouts? the tea party sure does a good job distracting people from that mess of a situation.

Weaver95: Wanebo: I wonder how long we can keep pretending that political ambitions and public funds aren't intertwined?

you mean the wall street bailouts? the tea party sure does a good job distracting people from that mess of a situation.

Those also.

Clearly, a nice set of tax breaks for top earners are in order.

clancifer: Clearly, a nice set of tax breaks for top earners are in order.

Hey, if the job creators aren't given tax breaks they won't create jobs, and then, I don't know, half of the US will be getting government assistance or something.

Thankfully, all the tax breaks they've been getting have led to them creating more jobs than anyone could possibly fill, not just hoarding their money like old misers while telling the people to go fark themselves.

LOW TAXES FOR THE RICH! JOB CREATORS!

What are we defining as state benefits? Social Security? Medicare? Free public schools? Federal subsidized loans? Because if we include those, I bet we're somewhere about 80%.

FirstNationalBastard: Thankfully, all the tax breaks they've been getting have led to them creating more jobs than anyone

Yes, they eliminated 2.5 million US jobs over the past decade and created 3 million jobs overseas. Yaaaaaaa! tax breaks work!!!

Let's be clear. Tax breaks don't create jobs. Expanding your business CREATES a tax break. If you own a business why in the hell would you hire employees you don't need when you can put the money in your bank account? Taxing companies gives them an incentive to hide their money by expanding their business and writing off the expenses. TAXATION CREATES JOBS because it motivates companies to utilize expand and write off the expenses.

If you own a business, would you hand the money to the government or spend it on your business and write it off your taxes?

Here's my problem with this. Most people look at this kind of stat and think, "OMG FREELOADERS!"

But the scary thing is that this is what the "government" wants. It wants its citizens dependent on the collective generosity.

We like to simultaneously pretend that our "government" somehow has control of us and that it is controlled by us.

Yes, because half the nation doesn't even make enough money to pay federal income tax.

But lets keep coddling the "job creators".

jaylectricity: Here's my problem with this. Most people look at this kind of stat and think, "OMG FREELOADERS!"

But the scary thing is that this is what the "government" wants. It wants its citizens dependent on the collective generosity.

PRWORA. Thanks, Clinton.

Solution is simple. Fewer state benefits.

serial_crusher: Solution is simple. Fewer state benefits.

just let me know before this goes into effect so I can stock up on canned goods and ammo.

serial_crusher: Solution is simple. Fewer state benefits.

No, it's cut federal taxes and shift the burden to the states. If the state wants lots of social programs, they can have grow their tax base or raise taxes or some combination of the two.

If it just wants as many people employed, no matter what the pay, follow the example of Texas. Lots of minimum wage jobs and a limited social safety net!

I've never liked being on food stamps

/they taste terrible
//even with ketchup

I get a refund at tax time, therefore I pay no taxes, and my wife and I make a rather nice sum of money. EVERYONE above like $10k/year gets taxes taken out. This "statistic" is Sophistry.

I can only base my opinion on my experience. That said, I've made it to 32 with a job, a wife, two kids, and a house we can afford without ever receiving any government aid. So to those on government assistance, I say, f*ck you. Rot and die you leeches.

"They'll turn us all into beggars 'cause they're easier to please..."

meat0918: No, it's cut federal taxes and shift the burden to the states. If the state wants lots of social programs, they can have grow their tax base or raise taxes or some combination of the two.

Exactly. And Conservatives have solution to "bad" states that tax too high or have horrible social benefits: move. Really. That's their actual solution. THIS IS WHAT CONSERVATIVES ACTUALLY BELIEVE.

I'm always a little surprised by these types of stats. I've never made much money but I've always paid at least a little in income tax every year that I worked. The percentages have been low but I've never had a 0 or negative income tax.