Republican debate

[Ready to do it 101]

Servicemen should not get any perks. It's a career choice or occupation they choose. Senior citizens, I could agree with that considering "everyone" will one day be a senior citizen. Perks for the poor? nope. Everyone should have the same fair shake. It's not one person's problem that another is poor, and it's not one person's problem that someone chose to join the military. Everyone should be treated equally, anything else is just non-sense.

From what little I know about it, the Fair tax is not compatible with the realities of politics.

It's so easy to change the tax code, we start off with a flat tax, next year we make exemptions of service men or seniors or the very poor or people who buy a solar system.

In no time at all you are right back were we are WITH a huge sales tax on top of it.

[Danno 1,228]

Servicemen should not get any perks. It's a career choice or occupation they choose. Senior citizens, I could agree with that considering "everyone" will one day be a senior citizen. Perks for the poor? nope. Everyone should have the same fair shake. It's not one person's problem that another is poor, and it's not one person's problem that someone chose to join the military. Everyone should be treated equally, anything else is just non-sense.

Not even disabled Vets?

You may be able to "hold the line" on who will be the "exceptions" to the tax code but the reality is, there are both politicians and interest groups that would work their hearts out to get those exceptions passed and sooner or later they will be in power.

Before long, we will need more tax money coming into D.C. and that flat tax will increase.. or a "special taxes" will be levied on some unpopular group. And so it will continue.

It doesn't take much imagination to see this is the reality of of special interest politics.

[luckytxn 2,264]

I was not aware the audiance was running for President.

I guess I am so maybe you could tell me. Why would people be against the FAIR TAX if they learn more about it? (PEOPLE, not politicians)

Pretty much half of the people pay no income tax at all except when they buy something now. So in effect these people will be paying a higher tax. You have a certain amount of people that do pay income taxes and a sales tax but will not ever vote for poor peoples taxes to go up. Right there you should have over half of the people that would vote against it.

Now if you were to get congress to get the bill out of committee and voted on no Socialist would vote for it and maybe half of the Socialist lites would not do so. Big fail again.

Now it was not that long ago that this idea was floated and put out so the people could have their say and a resounding no was heard. Maybe Gary Johnson can again bring it up and get a few more percentages of the people to see the light but even then it will be a loud "no" again. If Gary Johnson wants his campaign to move forward he better get more views out there as so far one view candidacy is going to die.

[Ready to do it 101]

I know I'm in the minority here, but "No, not even vets." By doing so it simply shows favoritism over one group of people, further it's simply used as a manipulation to entice poor people to join the military. Don't get me wrong, I would be thankful hand over fist if we had some sort of military that protected our mainland from an attack or even thankful if we lived in an environment where militarymen were on every street corner protecting all the citizens. But That doesn't occur. That isn't what our military does or has ever done.

The US has never been attacked, thus the purpose of the military since it's existence has been to go mess with other countries. I don't support violence regardless of whether or not it's to wipe out a dictator, terrorist, etc Further, what typically happens is you have quite a bit of civilian casualties, and I don't think paying people to go to another country to kill that country's citizens is a very honorable thing to do. So no, I would never offer perks to someone that is simply doing our government's unhonorable dirty work.

I do recognize that most of the folks that join the military are the high school dropouts, kids with behaviorial issues, kids that can't get into or afford a college education, etc... thus I do support paying these kids for the opportunity to perhaps have a brighter future or get their act together. Their pay and the opportunity to go to college is reward enough for the risks they take. It's their choice, get paid more than they would otherwise and there is the chance they get injured or die... or don't. Do you realize how many perks military people get? Heck, even here we read about military folks wanting the privilege of a quick visa process. Why? So they can bring over a fiance or spouse who isn't going to be able to be with them anyhow as they are overseas somewhere? I'll support the military the day we really need their help. As far as I know, the US has never really needed them. That being said, without them then things would be certainly different, so as individuals sacrificing their time and life for the potential to need to protect us, I salute them all. For doing what they do (which isn't really their choice once they are in) I really have very little respect for anyone who would kill another human being. It's really our government and ideals that I have the issues with, not the individual folks who join. As far as I'm concerned though, it's just another job... until the day we really need them to protect us.

Not even disabled Vets?

[^_^ 5,021]

The US has never been attacked, thus the purpose of the military since it's existence has been to go mess with other countries.

The US has been attacked, both from outside and from within.

[luckytxn 2,264]

The US has been attacked, both from outside and from within.

Careful spreading those rumours.

I am surprised how nobody said anything about him wanting troops on every street corner.

[james&olya 1,121]

Servicemen should not get any perks. It's a career choice or occupation they choose. Senior citizens, I could agree with that considering "everyone" will one day be a senior citizen. Perks for the poor? nope. Everyone should have the same fair shake. It's not one person's problem that another is poor, and it's not one person's problem that someone chose to join the military. Everyone should be treated equally, anything else is just non-sense.

You prove why it won't work! You are willing to make exceptions. For you it is seniors, for others it might be military, the disabled, whatever. The way politics works is that they trade votes, what one person wants to get passed requires him to agree to vote for another's pet project to get his vote. Before long the tax code is just as complex as it is now!

Theoretically, the law could be drafted in such a way that changes and exceptions would be very difficult to pass. Do you see the current, or any future, congress doing such a thing?? The power to write tax law is one of the biggest perks for the crooks in Washington. Giving their friends and contributors special tax breaks helps these congressmen assure their own future financially! That is why the 'fair tax' will never happen!

[Ban Hammer 13,349]

I do recognize that most of the folks that join the military are the high school dropouts, kids with behaviorial issues, kids that can't get into or afford a college education, etc...

interesting - as a military brat/dependant, during my 20 years in the military and the 11 years since, all totaling almost 50 years - i've never seen any semblance of the above being close to reality.

[james&olya 1,121]

interesting - as a military brat/dependant, during my 20 years in the military and the 11 years since, all totaling almost 50 years - i've never seen any semblance of the above being close to reality.

My experience in the USAF was the same. But the talk was that the Army did have much lower standards. I don't know if there was or is much truth in that. Regardless, I have nothing but respect and gratitude to those who have volunteered to serve in the military.

[Ready to do it 101]

Actually, I really am against even seniors getting any perks. I have stated since I was 18 years old that Social Security should be done away with. Everyone should be held accountable for themselves.

What I meant, but didn't explain was that if somehow the flat tax was going to be in place long term, then it's not unfair since we will all be seniors one day... meaning I would sign off on it as a compromise if necessary. I can't think of any other compromises I would agree to though.

For you it is seniors, for others it might be military, the disabled, whatever.

[Ready to do it 101]

I too know some Air Force folks who are pretty well educated. As indivuduals I respect them all simply because they have given their lives to protect us if needed. It's the concept of what they are being used to do, and the brainwashing (that killing another human being is ok) that has been passed down by our govt over the years upon our citizens that I have a problem with.

My experience in the USAF was the same. But the talk was that the Army did have much lower standards. I don't know if there was or is much truth in that. Regardless, I have nothing but respect and gratitude to those who have volunteered to serve in the military.

Edited September 24, 2011 by Ready to do it

[Ready to do it 101]

by whom?

The US has been attacked, both from outside and from within.

[Danno 1,228]

I guess this was the best "line" of the night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPYOvOcBgOg&feature=player_embedded

[Dan and Judy 614]

Well anyway you saw what you wanted to see, as did we all I guess.

I didn't see Sarah

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Pretty much half of the people pay no income tax at all except when they buy something now. So in effect these people will be paying a higher tax. You have a certain amount of people that do pay income taxes and a sales tax but will not ever vote for poor peoples taxes to go up. Right there you should have over half of the people that would vote against it.

Now if you were to get congress to get the bill out of committee and voted on no Socialist would vote for it and maybe half of the Socialist lites would not do so. Big fail again.

Now it was not that long ago that this idea was floated and put out so the people could have their say and a resounding no was heard. Maybe Gary Johnson can again bring it up and get a few more percentages of the people to see the light but even then it will be a loud "no" again. If Gary Johnson wants his campaign to move forward he better get more views out there as so far one view candidacy is going to die.

Seemsd like y'all need to read the fair tax bill. It includes a monthly rebate for each PERSON that covers the amount of tax that would be spent for necessities. In other words, poor people would still pay no tax. It wouls also eliminate the current hidden tax you pay on every item you purchase. Did you think corporations are losing money to pay tax?

The fair tax also will apply only to retail sales and services. One can avoid this by shopping at thrift stores, garage sales etc. Basically it gives YOU some control over the amount of tax you will pay.

Fair tax is designed to be "revenue neutral"