Tea Party Nation Founder: 'A Wise Idea' To Only Let Property Owners Vote

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I disagree. That would be an encroachment between church and state.

What? Does taxing media companies encroach on the freedom of the press?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What? Does taxing media companies encroach on the freedom of the press?

In Walz v. Tax Commission, the Supreme Court noted that the church’s “uninterrupted freedom from taxation” has “operated affirmatively to help guarantee the free exercise of all forms of religious belief.” The much misunderstood “separation between church and state” is in truth designed to restrict the sovereignty of each over the other. That is, it is designed to achieve a position for each that is neither master nor servant of the other. Exemption from income taxation is essential for respect of the church as a separate sovereign entity. Otherwise the government has the power to encumber and even terminate churches if such taxes are not punctually paid or cannot be so paid in full. Indeed, as the high court noted many years ago, “the power to tax involves the power to destroy.”

[mawilson 2,133]

ETA: If you have a mortgage, technically you don't own the deed to your home...the bank does.

That's just not true.

When you buy real estate, you own the house from the moment the

deal closes and the deed is recorded with the county. Your

mortgage lender has a lien on your house that gives them the right

to seize the property and sell it at auction to pay off the

mortgage if you fail to make your payments, but the deed is

recorded in your name only. Check your title insurance policy

and you will see that you are listed as the legal owner of the

property and your lender is listed as a lien holder.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

“the power to tax involves the power to destroy.”

Interesting. We're fine with the government having the power to destroy the free media but not with it having the power to destroy the churches. Free speech and freedom of religion are equally protected in the 1st amendment but we hold one dearer than the other? Makes no sense to me.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Interesting. We're fine with the government having the power to destroy the free media but not with it having the power to destroy the churches. Free speech and freedom of religion are equally protected in the 1st amendment but we hold one dearer than the other? Makes no sense to me.

The media is not taxed for exercising the 1st Amendment right to free speech. If you own a publication, you are only taxed on your profit. There are plenty of non-profit publications that I would guess are tax exempt.

A church is supposed to be a non-profit. The donations are used to cover expenses and for charitable purposes. I suppose if a church was not meeting the criteria for tax exemption, then they could be fined with a tax.

[웃 910]

That's just not true.

When you buy real estate, you own the house from the moment the

deal closes and the deed is recorded with the county. Your

mortgage lender has a lien on your house that gives them the right

to seize the property and sell it at auction to pay off the

mortgage if you fail to make your payments, but the deed is

recorded in your name only. Check your title insurance policy

and you will see that you are listed as the legal owner of the

property and your lender is listed as a lien holder.

Steven got pwned

[one...two...tree 2,762]

ETA: If you have a mortgage, technically you don't own the deed to your home...the bank does.

That's just not true.

When you buy real estate, you own the house from the moment the

deal closes and the deed is recorded with the county. Your

mortgage lender has a lien on your house that gives them the right

to seize the property and sell it at auction to pay off the

mortgage if you fail to make your payments, but the deed is

recorded in your name only. Check your title insurance policy

and you will see that you are listed as the legal owner of the

property and your lender is listed as a lien holder.

Well, if we were to institute voting laws that required ownership of property and allowed those with mortgages, then I think just about anything could technically qualify, like multiple owners, infinitesimal land sizes, etc.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The media is not taxed for exercising the 1st Amendment right to free speech. If you own a publication, you are only taxed on your profit.

Without a profit, there is no media. It's not that hard to see.

[scandal 951]

Without a profit, there is no media. It's not that hard to see.

Well, NPR/PRI/PBS operate as non-profits.

As do the CBC in Canada and BBC in the UK.

But I take your point. Most of our media outlets operate as for-profit entities.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Without a profit, there is no media. It's not that hard to see.

This is interesting:

Senator proposes bill to give newspapers tax-exempt status

Maryland Senator Benjamin Cardin proposed a bill on Tuesday that would allow newspapers to operate as tax-exempt non-profits. Under the Newspaper Revitalization Act, newspapers would be organizations eligible for 501©(3) status, the same status public radio and television have now, and could adopt the Low Profit Limited Liability Company business model (L3C).

Cardin believes immediate action is necessary to preserve the American newspaper. "We are losing our newspaper industry," Cardin said in a statement. "The economy has caused an immediate problem, but the business model for newspapers, based on circulation and advertising revenue, is broken, and that is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy. Cardin's legislation would make advertising and subscription revenue tax-exempt and contributions to the papers tax deductible. It would also permit non-profits to invest in newspapers. Non-profit newspapers could still cover political issues, but they would not be allowed to make political endorsements. Cardin said in a statement that the bill is targeting the preservation of local newspapers, not large newspaper companies.

Edited December 7, 2010 by 8TBVBN

[Pooky 3,794]

Well, NPR/PRI/PBS operate as non-profits.

As do the CBC in Canada and BBC in the UK.

But I take your point. Most of our media outlets operate as for-profit entities.

It's hard to operate for profit when you're paid for with what amounts to a use tax.