Anyone else think that Sarah Palin resembles....

[baylian]

As far as the tax issue - our best man is also a tax accountant and two months ago we started looking at the big picture in relevance as to who was going to get elected.

Why should the wealthy by punished anyway??? Can anyone answer that? Isn't there something called the American Dream and Prosperity? Yet when it is achieved there is this mentality that it's "not fair" . . and I am in no means rich but I have several well to do friends (or trust fund babies as some might call them) and I don't envy them at all . .because they act no different than anyone else I know - they just have money.

Religion - you may be tired of "getting it crammed down your throat" but as a Christian I am tired of being persecuted for my beliefs.

The War - I think the war was a "stupid" idea also (veteran brother from both gulf wars and a nephew who just joined the Army after obtaining his degree). However, you don't run away from a fight when the fight is not over. I agree that we are in far too deep than we should be but just because you don't like the game you don't pick up your marbles and go home.

I am one beer ahead of you . . .get crackin!

 

[fit_fairy]

Any candidate who says they will not raise taxes is not telling the truth.

 

[MCunningham]

Baylian - With regard to the Iraq war and not leaving before a fight is over... I think when the Iraqi government itself is asking us to pack our stuff and go home, I think it's way past time to depart. This is a fight we are never going to win, regardless of how long we're there. You cannot fight ideology with weaponry.

Religion - I don't think anyone in the US persecutes Christians for their beliefs. We're not Communist China... no one is closing down your churches or preventing you from owning Bibles. At most, I'd say Christians are "marginalized", but keeping Christianity (or, honestly, ANY religion) out of government is hardly persecution. Religion (and again, let me emphasize-- ANY religion) don't mix well.

MC

 

[hiitdogs]

Carola - PLEASE don't read this wrong. It's soooo hard to make things sound right over the internet!!! But here's my attempt - basically, if you aren't a "Christian" (using the term very loosely, like say an aethiest or agnostic, or someone who sort of believes in something higher, but isn't sure) then it would be hard to understand how someone who is deeply religious can feel God's call to a certain thing or feel a strong sense that God has a particular plan for them - like say Mother Theresa for example. A person not of that faith couldn't fathom that. They wouldn't be expected to. There is nothing rational about religion. It is all based on one huge factor - FAITH. So, it's not something that anyone is ever going to be able to fully explain. It's something that is experienced. Ok, hope that came across right. That being said, there are a bunch of wierdos and loonies out there who go around saying "God told me to ____" or "God talks to me" etc... That just freaks me out. It's usually mass murderers or dictators who say stuff like that.

I am not reading this wrong, Liann, I am glad that some of faith is actually talking to me trying to explain without attacking me. I understand what you are saying but I can't follow it - if that makes any sense?

I don't know if my view can be categorized into anything. I do believe there is a higher force, spiritual being or God if you want to call it that.

I don't believe in organized religion and think that the biggest crimes ever have been committed under the mantle of religion. I totally agree with your statement about the mass murderers and dictators. I think some people use religion, the bible or God as a crutch (for lack of better word) if they don't have a convincing argument. And when politicians do it that's where I get a little bent out of shape.

I think we all are looking for answers to questions where there are no answers. For example, where do you go when you die? Now, I know the answer that Christians give and I sure as heck hope they are right but in all reality no one can answer this with certainty. None of us has God's direct extention, a priest or preacher is just as as much a mortal or normal person with no more or less mental powers than the rest of us. The truthful answer would be "I don't know".

I hope this makes sense!

In the article from the Frontiersmen the librarian was quoted as saying that Sarah Palin had asked her on 3 different occassions if she would remove certain books (no mention was made as to which books) and she refused. A week after the last refusal and without any other incidences or conversations, the librarian got notice of termination of her job. Sarah Palin only retracted it after many of the residents went up in arms according to the article.

In the letter of termination it doesn't say that she is terminated for refusal to remove books, Sarah Palin is smart enough to not do that. So no, there really is no direct evidence. I guess I can never state with certainty that Sarah Palin tried to fire the librarian because the librarian refused censorship, but I guess one could call it circumstancial evidence . Usually if it walks like a duck, it quacks like a duck, it usually is a duck.

 

[hiitdogs]

Did I miss it or is not anyone concerned with the tax issues in this campaign?

All I have read is about religion and abortion rights which are two minor players this time around. And fact has it that where there is religion - there are genuinly decent people. I know that will get me flamed up the kazoo but it is true. And do you really think that roe v. wade will get overturned? No it won't. I am a prolifer however I don't even think that will happen.

It's been a while since I have been on these boards. Currently displaced from my home 1500 miles away taking care of my dear Dad who is terminal. So I decided I needed to visit some forums and let my fingers type.

But back to taxes:

CAPITAL GAINS TAX

MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples) McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.

OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales

How does this affect you?

If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.



DIVIDEND TAX

MCCAIN 15% (no change)

OBAMA 39.6%

How will this affect you?

If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned in taxes if Obama become president.

The experts predict that 'higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.



INCOME TAX

MCCAIN (no changes)

Single making 30K - tax $4,500 Single making 50K - tax $12,500 Single making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 60K- tax $9,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250

OBAMA
(reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 125K - tax $38,750


Under Obama your taxes will

more than double! How does this affect you? No explanation needed. This is pretty straight forward.



INHERITANCE TAX

MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)

OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax

How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms and ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.



NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY OBAMA


* New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet


* New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)


* New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)


* New taxes on retirement accounts and last but not least....

* New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries.


If an immigrant is over 65, they can apply for SSI and Medicaid and
get more than a woman on Social Security, who worked from 1944 until
2004. She is only getting $791 per month because she was born in 1924
and there's a 'catch 22'.

It is interesting that the federal government pr ovides a single refugee
with a monthly allowance of $1,890. Each can also obtain an additional
$580 in social assistance, for a total of $2,470 a month.

This compares to a single pensioner, who after contributing to development of America for 40 to 50 years, can only
receive a monthly maximum of $1,012 in old age pension and
guaranteed income supplement.




Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees consider sending this to
all your American friends, so we can all be ticked off and maybe get
the refugees cut back to $1,012 and the pensioners up to $2,470. Then
we can enjoy some of the money we were forced to submit to the
Government over the last 40 or 50 or 60 years.


TAXATION = redistribution of wealth. I would prefer it not be mine wealth - what little I have.

Just some things to think about people . .

Blatently untrue!!! This is an email going around, just like the email that claimed Obama is a Muslim.

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/would_obama_tax_my_profits_if_i.html

I don't know how McCain can claim he will cut taxes, how the heck are we going to pay for staying in Iraq for the next 100, shaking money from the money tree??? Or are we just borrowing more money from China???

 

[MCunningham]

Carola, you're my hero. Very well-stated on all fronts.

I genuinely worry about anyone who claims to know God's plans or be carrying out God's work. Until I see a fax/email/letter or hear a voicemail from him... I'm going to be skeptical.

I don't even claim to know what my neighbor Melissa thinks/believes about anything I do in life, and she is right next door to me, and we talk every day.

MC

 

[baylian]

Sorry - never got the one about him being a muslim. That being said - his church that he did attend for 20 years wasn't so great now was it. Lots of hate coming out of that pulpit.

 

[baylian]

Larry King

Oh geeze - and there he blows - Michael Moore. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! I am so ashamed that he comes from my home state.

And lives in a multi million dollar mansion on Torch Lake (not that there is a thing wrong with that) where he illegally dregged out the front of his home against all EPA and DNR rules so it would be sandier for his fat feet (LOTS wrong with that).

Ick - hypocrite.

Thank goodness college football is on and Tampa Rays Baseball.

 

[hiitdogs]

I would say some of the speakers at the Republican convention didn't take a backseat to the angry rhetoric of Obama's ex-preacher.

How do we go from an email about taxes that has been proven to be a lie to Obama's church to Michael Moore? I guess you lost me there.

 

[MCunningham]

Yeah, his church/pastor was a bit of a crackpot. To be honest, my choice to vote for Obama is more of a "lesser of the two evils" choice, much like my vote for Kerry was 4 years ago.

However, please show me one church that doesn't spew forth SOME sort of hatred (homosexuals, abortion providers, liberals).

I grew up in a very religious household (church all the time, Bible study at home, prayers every day and before every meal) among a family who attends Lutheran Church (LCMS, not Evangelical). Every Sunday in church, all I ever heard was hatred coming from the pulpit, just not couched in necessarily hateful terms. That's why I left when I was 20 and have never looked back.

MC

 

[hortyhoos1]

...Cathe??

I am doing PLB this morning, where Cathe is wearing her hair up and she has bangs. I looked at her and thought, if she was wearing glasses and some of that *hockey mom* lipstick, they could be twins!!

I think that both Palin and Cathe are classy and attractive. I would vote for either one of them. )

 

[baylian]

I grew up in a LCMS also. Prayers at dinner, attended a Lutheran school, son currently attends and all I see are people helping people that are less fortunate here and abroad.

Never do I hear hatred being taught. Honestly.

 

[Fit_mommy]

Just so you all know-I haven't read any of the previous posts and am kind of ashamed to admit that I have pretty much ZERO interest in politics but I just HAD to come on and post this since you brought her up!!!!

My DH thinks Palin's a hottie!

He said she's the first hot politician he's ever seen. He was going to vote for McCain anyway but even if he wasn't going to before I think he would have changed his mind after seeing her! LOL

 

[CollinsMom]

Whoa, I just came here to post my 4am, post-workout musings... Then I return tonight to check in on my girls, and SEVEN pages later, this thread is still going strong! Glad I could provide you all some Friday entertainment!! And thanks for "fighting" clean!

 

[celestialtimes]

Any candidate who says they will not raise taxes is not telling the truth.

Isn't that the truth...I distintly remember a bush saying he would not raise taxes...I think it's a good theory to not raise taxes and no one wants to raise them but sometimes it's necessary...however, sometimes it's not.

 

[celestialtimes]

Whoa, I just came here to post my 4am, post-workout musings... Then I return tonight to check in on my girls, and SEVEN pages later, this thread is still going strong! Glad I could provide you all some Friday entertainment!! And thanks for "fighting" clean!

Gee Katie, where you been...you've had our minds working all day...just not on work...smile. At least I got some work done at work...gosh and I came home and missed so much...took me a half hour to catch up...

 

[Liann]

Lol, yeah, thanks Katie for giving me something to do today. Fridays are sooo boring at my office. All the big wigs always take off.

Oh, and Carola, I can't follow it most days either! I'm ashamed to admit that it has been a LONG time since I have graced the doors of a church. I grew up going though and obviously went to religious schools all my life, so I have a good background in it. Lately, I've opted for more the personal relationship rather than the organized church route though. And I really do try to never be preachy.

 

[hiitdogs]

I have never EVER perceived you to be preachy at all, Liann!!! I think you are wonderful!!!

 

[Liann]

Awe, group hug!!!

 

[carres1973]

With the war in Iraq... I'm not necessarily anti-war (I am a military veteran), but this war was such a stupid idea, executed in a very dumb manner, that it is difficult to see what it is that people support about it. For those of you that support it, how many people do you know that have gone to Iraq? How much of the daily struggle of dealing with a loved one in a war zone have you had to deal with? Aside from the emotional aspects of it, let's talk numbers. Our own country is in a tremendous amount of debt, our own public programs are going under, our schools are drastically underfunded, and it's likely that none of us will EVER see social security. However, we continue to literally pour billions into Iraq, a country whose own countrymen have no desire to rebuild... two of my best friends are in Iraq right now serving on MIT teams to train the Iraqi army and they regularly relate to me their frustrations dealing with a military/police force that literally runs the other way whenever there's a conflict. Many of them don't show up to work or go completely AWOL; they steal equipment and sell it for money on the streets. They refuse to search vehicles because the occupants are their mother's sister's cousin's brother's kids, and "they're good people". (FYI, upon inspection by the US forces, several of these types of situations have yielded cars full of explosives.) Please explain to my why my friends might lose their lives to rebuild a country that has no desire to do any of the dirty work for themselves.
MC

While I might not agree with the reason we went into Iraq, unfortunately, we are there now. How socially responsible would it be to leave the country that WE ruined? I think it is sickening that young men and women are dying over there for a cause that not many believe in (or even understand since we are now finding out we were lied to from the start). After the Allied Forces defeated Hitler in WWII, what did they do? They poured millions of dollars into rebuilding Germany. We have men and women in the armed forces that to this day serve in Europe because of it.

I was in the Air Force. I have had many friends and even a family member serve in the middle east. I don't have all the answers (obviously) on how to withdraw peacefully but just pulling out all foreign troops from Iraq overnight isn't going to solve anything. IMHO, It will only make matters worse.

Carrie