SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Sheriff Gonna Getcha is all about the political polls today.

Ok, so when choosing your candidate what's the most important issue to you? I'll give you the option of choosing two since I'm sure Iraq would be the overwhelming choice for the majority of the group.

-Foreign Affairs (Iraq)
-Health Care
-Economy
-Social Security
-Education
-Abortion
-Immigration
-Energy & Oil
-Gun Control
-Tax Reform

Granted these are broad issues. But it's a start

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

i voted health care. but its going to have to be someone with some big gazoinkas to try and fix that mess. between the drug companies, the doctors, and the insurance companies. thats a hole lot of cash

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

All the issues are important to me.

Foreign Affairs - We need to do the right thing. Get the fuck out of other people's business. I would like to see us isolate ourselves from world conflict. Step back and say we're not willing to be a middle man. We're not going to make back door deals. I'm a layzafair isolationist.

Health Care - I don't want to see a complete and utter overhaul as that would be disruptive. I want to see reduction in costs, the repeal of the drug prescription bill that was passed and a proposal of a new bill that's fair to the people and the drug companies.

Economy - I need to get paid, and continue to get paid. I'd hate to end up on the streets pimping your sister :P

Social Security - I'm paying into this program and I'll never see a penny if things stay the same. I'd like to see the government not be allowed to borrow from it. I'd like to see money invested in stopping SS fraud. I think at some point we have to overhaul SS.

Education - My brother's tuition needs to be reduced. That'll stop the SOB from trying to hit me up for some money :). I see no need for the Federal department of education. They're just useless middle men. The states should have control over education and manage financial aid and grants. They already to it any ways. I'd like to see the school systems and teachers get evaluated and tested. I've been in classes taught by beef jerkies that didn't know shit. I'd like to see those people in other professions.

Abortion - I just hate for the government to legislate and dictate what people can or can't do. I will however support a ban on partial birth abortion. I think a woman should make a decision to abort the baby before it's fully formed. 6 months seems like an awfully long time to not make up your mind. Of course a ban on partial birth abortion shouldn't apply if the woman's heath is at risk.

Immigration - Just look around and see who is making your pizza, sandwich, cleaning up after your ass. It's immigrants. Immigrations are good for this country though I don't like the fact that so many people are coming into the country illegally especially when so many people around the world are waiting and going through the lottery system. I say deport all the criminals right away. You can't really deport 12+ million illegal immigrants without adverse impact on the economy so I say let the ones that are currently here illegally work towards residency/citizenship. They should be granted work permits and allowed to work in the states. After 10 years they should be eligible for a green card.

Energy & Oil - No single politician has the power to impact how the Oil and Automakers operate. The politicians will all tell you what they want you to hear and not too many of them have the balls to or can institute the policies necessary for change. F*ck the energy and oil industrial complex, I'm waiting for that killer car and fuel source. Only the people can bring about change. I'll vote with my dollars.

Gun Control - People should be able to own guns. I go to the shooting range once in a while with former marine buddy and it's pretty fun. I don't like the idea of people being able to buy guns willie-nillie though. WTF does anyone need 10 AK-47's for? Guns are enablers and they make you feel powerful, it's best to stay away from them all together unless you're participating in some kind of activity.

Tax Reform - Uncle Sam is bending me over every paycheck. Not only that but our executives pay capital gains tax of 15% on their stock options while us lowly employees pay our income tax rate. I'd like to see capital gains mess sorted out and fairness brought to our tax system. I'd like to see the elimination of tax havens for corporations and wealthy individuals. No, you can't do business in the states and have you HQ in the Cayman Islands. I'd like to see single people get a tax brake for being single and not contributing to over population. Married couple who don't have kids should get a tax break too :)

p.s. Vote for saden in '08.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Moral Character

You missed it and our Country "try" to look for it.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Issues related to economics drive about 75% of my voting decision.

The rate at which the economy grows has a profound effect on our lives, there's a trickle-down or ripple effect. Strong GDP growth leads to:

- more jobs
- more people who can afford healthcare
- more citizens with portfolios that most would consider reliable sources of retirement income (mitigating the impending social security disaster)
- more tax revenue to the federal government (the higher the profits of big business, the more taxes they pay)
- stronger currency
- and GDP growth helps mitigate the consequences of the federal deficit

I think the economy is the issue of which Americans have the poorest understanding, BY FAR. And yet it's by far the most important to our children's future and our own well-being in the present.

Figures the salary cap nerd would say the economy, LOL. But what can I say, money talks.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[B]Foreign Affairs (Iraq)[/B]: We should stay out of most people's business (including "humanitarian wars"). But, Al Qaeda is our business and I'm glad we went into Afghanistan and we should stay there. I'm pissed we went into Iraq, but I honestly do not know how leaving Iraq is going to make it better. I don't buy the Ostrich "bury your head in the sand and things will all be better" theory.

[B]-Health Care[/B] People should not complain about doctors or insurance companies when they have a KFC drumstick hanging out the side of their mouth. Our healthcare system is very screwed up and needs some fixing, but you don't need so many "fixins."

[B]Social Security[/B] I don't really know where I stand. On the one hand, there should be some very basic safety net for people. On the other hand, it seems awfully paternalistic to say to people "give me your money because you are too dumb to make a decision for yourself." Moreover, the return on investment for SS isn't nearly as good as that which many safe mutual funds can offer. I'm not wholly sold on "privatizing" SS, but I'm not convinced that the government is the entity that I want to trust with my money.

[B]Education[/B] Higher education is way too expensive. There are a lot of people with enormous talent who think that college is a pipedream because their parents can't afford to send them to college. In that regard, we are wasting an awful lot of smart people that we have invested our tax dollars in.

[B]Abortion[/B] See Saden's response.

[B]Immigration[/B] [I]Sometimes[/I] I think that "immigration reform" is code word for "we hate [insert minority group]." I'm not accusing anyone who supports immigration reform of being racist by any means, but the immigration reform movement has definately tapped into the "we hate [insert minority group]" segment of the population. We hear all these statements about immigrants draining the tax pool, but we rarely hear how much these immigrants contribute to American society. I suppose the inscription on the Statue of Liberty needs to be replaced with something a little more xenophobic.

[B]Energy & Oil[/B] I have no problem with big oil. Oil is a finite resource and we will only enact sweeping energy reforms and get serious about alternative fuel development when oil becomes cost-prohibitive. We are addicted to oil and the only thing that is going to kick our habit is a good swift kick to our pocketbooks. So, drive your SUVs and help drive us towards $15 per gallon.

[B]Gun Control[/B] I said this before, I think that very limited gun ownership is fine. Sorry, I don't put the right to propel a small projectile out of a metal tube at high velocity on par with the right to free speech or freedom of the press. Oh, and a bunch of fat guys walking around the woods in funny clothes with patches that read "18th Michigan Freedom Fighters Army" on their sleeves aren't going to stop "government tyranny."

[B]Tax Reform[/B] I hate taxes, but I like police, roads, and schools.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

I voted Iraq and the economy.

However, my vote generally goes to the person who is most likely to cause the editorial page of the New York Times to shake their collective heads in disbelief. This is how I knew to pick Bush over McCain. Guliani has the lead among Republicans now, but of course any Republican will claim this distinction in the general.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Energy and oil.
I firmly believe that if we don't get a grip on this, we will have no environment to protect, therefore it is my #1 issue.
We as a society need to stand up and demand alternative fuels, not this 1% of company profits going to alternative fuel "research".
Crude oil is down $10 a barrel, but our fuel prices are up an average of $.39 a gallon...how is this possible? It's possible cause the oil companies are showing 15 billion dollar profits while last year they were 5 billion.
There was an interview done recently on one of the big gas execs (I think it was exxon mobil) and the basic comments are "well, it's supply and demand, if the demand is high, then prices will be high". In other words, we are too dumb to stop them.
We need someone to take the reigns with this and get us converted to say, corn fuel.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;314437]

[B]Gun Control[/B] I said this before, I think that very limited gun ownership is fine. Sorry, I don't put the right to propel a small projectile out of a metal tube at high velocity on par with the right to free speech or freedom of the press. Oh, and a bunch of fat guys walking around the woods in funny clothes with patches that read "18th Michigan Freedom Fighters Army" on their sleeves aren't going to stop "government tyranny."

[/QUOTE]


Well, it's still there in the constitution, and if we make all the legit people give away their guns and right to protect themselves, then the only people who have guns are the criminals. There should be no such thing as "gun control" just MASSIVE penalties for those who use it as weapon. IE: hold up a 7 11 with a pistol, you get an automatic 10 years prison.
Of course this means we will need more jails / prisons, and we should build them in the middle of no where and go back to the days where they had to bust ass to survive, not watch HBO and be allowed to work out 10 hours a day.
Just my 2 cents.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Um how about Homeland Security, actually in the homeland?? Take some of that crap outta the defense budget and allocate it to make us secure at home, otherwise terrorist attacks are still happening.

The nature of terrorism as a virtual state, with no clear leaders(one can argue even if Bin Laden dies it is not a big deal, someone else will take his place) the best bet is to be safe at home first and then waste money abroad.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;314470]Um how about Homeland Security, actually in the homeland?? Take some of that crap outta the defense budget and allocate it to make us secure at home, otherwise terrorist attacks are still happening.

The nature of terrorism as a virtual state, with no clear leaders(one can argue even if Bin Laden dies it is not a big deal, someone else will take his place) the best bet is to be safe at home first and then waste money abroad.[/QUOTE]

In my pre-thread discussions with SGG we categorized that within Foreign Affairs. As I said, these are broad issues.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=saden1;314417]All the issues are important to me.

Foreign Affairs - We need to do the right thing. Get the fuck out of other people's business. I would like to see us isolate ourselves from world conflict. Step back and say we're not willing to be a middle man. We're not going to make back door deals. I'm a layzafair isolationist.

Health Care - I don't want to see a complete and utter overhaul as that would be disruptive. I want to see reduction in costs, the repeal of the drug prescription bill that was passed and a proposal of a new bill that's fair to the people and the drug companies.

Economy - I need to get paid, and continue to get paid. I'd hate to end up on the streets pimping your sister :P

Social Security - I'm paying into this program and I'll never see a penny if things stay the same. I'd like to see the government not be allowed to borrow from it. I'd like to see money invested in stopping SS fraud. I think at some point we have to overhaul SS.

Education - My brother's tuition needs to be reduced. That'll stop the SOB from trying to hit me up for some money :) I see no need for the Federal department of education. They're just useless middle men. The states should have control over education and manage financial aid and grants. They already to it any ways. I'd like to see the school systems and teachers get evaluated and tested. I've been in classes taught by beef jerkies that didn't know shit. I'd like to see those people in other professions.

Abortion - I just hate for the government to legislate and dictate what people can or can't do. I will however support a ban on partial birth abortion. I think a woman should make a decision to abort the baby before it's fully formed. 6 months seems like an awfully long time to not make up your mind. Of course a ban on partial birth abortion shouldn't apply if the woman's heath is at risk.

Immigration - Just look around and see who is making your pizza, sandwich, cleaning up after your ass. It's immigrants. Immigrations are good for this country though I don't like the fact that so many people are coming into the country illegally especially when so many people around the world are waiting and going through the lottery system. I say deport all the criminals right away. You can't really deport 12+ million illegal immigrants without adverse impact on the economy so I say let the ones that are currently here illegally work towards residency/citizenship. They should be granted work permits and allowed to work in the states. After 10 years they should be eligible for a green card.

Energy & Oil - No single politician has the power to impact how the Oil and Automakers operate. The politicians will all tell you what they want you to hear and not too many of them have the balls to or can institute the policies necessary for change. F*ck the energy and oil industrial complex, I'm waiting for that killer car and fuel source. Only the people can bring about change. I'll vote with my dollars.

Gun Control - People should be able to own guns. I go to the shooting range once in a while with my former marine buddy and it's pretty fun. I don't like the idea of people being able to buy guns willie-nillie though. WTF does anyone need 10 AK-47's for? Guns are enablers and they make you feel powerful, it's best to stay away from all together unless you're participating in some kind of activity.

Tax Reform - Uncle Sam is bending me over every paycheck. Not only that but our executives pay capital gains tax of 15% on their stock options while us lowly employees pay our income tax rate. I'd like to see capital gains mess sorted out and fairness brought to our tax system. I'd like to see the elimination of tax havens for corporations and wealthy individuals. No, you can't do business in the states and have you HQ in the Cayman Islands. I'd like to see single people get a tax brake for being single and not contributing to over population. Married couple who don't have kids should get a tax break too :)

p.s. Vote for saden in '08.[/QUOTE]

I agree with just about everything he said, You got my vote...

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Personally my two big beefs are illegal immigrants and social security. I don't believe illegal aliens should be given similar benefits to those who are actually paying taxes into the programs illegal aliens are cyphering off of for free. And though I know it's not the popular idea I personally love the idea, if set up correctly, for private social security. The majority of the money I'm personally making that is cut away for social security should go into a personal account that can't be accessed until I turn 65-68 years old. The other part can still go to the various programs it needs to especially so those who are retired now still receive something, but the majority of it should be for my personal future well being and that of my family because there's no way in hell I'll see a cent when it's my time if social security stays the way it is.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

I would be in heaven ($ heaven) if SS was privatized...my friend's mother who has nerve damage and can not function normally without pain killers, well, she'll have to choose between eating and medication.. As the old saying goes, you are as strong as your weakest link. We can not abandon those who are really in need.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

I chose Iraq obviously. I would like to see more emphasis on poor and homeless and make it illegal for them to be out on the street, while providing a means for them to succeed. I would also like to see stricter standards from a Federal standpoint on building codes and improve the quality from a structural standpoint of the conditions in which a human being is permitted to live. Of coarse while the places were being renovated or rebuilt, housing would have to be provided for those occupants. There are empty hotel rooms everyday in every city in the U.S.

The United states also needs to harvest or develop another Gross National Product other than Entertainment. Something that we can actually put stock into that the rest of the world could become dependant of us for. Just a thought. People are going to figure out how to entertain themselves and we're screwed.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

I forgot to mention dogfighting. I'm against it, I guess.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

I read through the ideas of the previous posters who laid out their disposition of all of the topics. The only subject that I have a slight difference of opinion in or, would like to add a little bit to is abortion. I believe in a womans right to chose only in extreme circumstances. e.g. If she was rapped or there are some serious health issues with her or the baby (Life and Death, not deformity or retardation). Other than that, you make your bed and you have got to lay in it.

As far as Illegal Immigrants are concerned. I am glad that they want to come here. It just goes to show you that the U.S. is still viewed as a land of opportunity. They are highly determined to be successfull and a contributing member society. I served with many people who were not U.S. citizens, but busted thier asses and were the some of the most dedicated and loyal Soldiers I had. They were not afraid, nor did they find it beneath them to serve this country. Even the ones who do not serve take pride in the very jobs that many Americans bitch about them taking, but are not really willing to do themselves. What is crazy is that that man will succeed and be a millionaire before the rest of us ever would. They come here, bust their ass, and earn everything that they get. I love the shit out of that type of person.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

My problem with abortion is overpopulation is already a huge problem in not only this country but around the globe. I often see someone staunchly against abortion, but also tells someone to stop having kids and get off welfare. The two go hand in hand. Sometimes accidents happen, and I'm not suggesting abortion be used as some sort of birth control, but we need to find a way to start cutting population around the globe. The rate at which we're using natural resources is alarming.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

I tried to keep it simple. I just don't think any of the candidates will be able to adequately address all of these issues during one term.

With that being said, I went with two, education and immigration. I certainly feel rising tuition costs needs to be addressed, but I'm a bigger proponent of addressing and correcting the ills of our public school systems in the inner-cities; Particularly those in here in the Nations Capitol.

Immigration is a bit more trickier to overhaul than most think. Not only do the laws that currently govern illegal immigrants need to be addressed, but the system needs to be overhauled.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=angryssg;314488]As far as Illegal Immigrants are concerned. I am glad that they want to come here. It just goes to show you that the U.S. is still viewed as a land of opportunity. They are highly determined to be successfull and a contributing member society. I served with many people who were not U.S. citizens, but busted thier asses and were the some of the most dedicated and loyal Soldiers I had. They were not afraid, nor did they find it beneath them to serve this country. Even the ones who do not serve take pride in the very jobs that many Americans bitch about them taking, but are not really willing to do themselves. What is crazy is that that man will succeed and be a millionaire before the rest of us ever would. They come here, bust their ass, and earn everything that they get. I love the shit out of that type of person.[/QUOTE]

I agree 100%. Most immigrants I know, and I know a bunch from Asia, Central America, and Europe, love this country because they realize just how much it has to offer. People should take note of our problems and do everything to fix them, but I swear that many young people complain about America because pissing on America is simply the thing to do among a majority of the urban 20-something crowd. Not so among most immigrant populations, who are about the most patriotic people I know.

Moreover, as you noted, most immigrants are incredibly hard-working and do a lot of things Americans would never do. I don't hear of too many illegals taking those cushy CEO position paying $500M a year. And even if they are in fact taking jobs that Americans want, I say if we can't compete with immigrants, they deserve to win the jobs.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

All of the above issues are very important. I just hope for once the candidates can stay focused on what's important and not get sidetracked on the personal BS and mudslinging.

And inevitably, someone will try to sidetrack things with hot button issues such as gay marriage that in the end only helps to distract people from the real issues that we should be concerned about.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=saden1;314417]Tax Reform - I'd like to see the elimination of tax havens for corporations and wealthy individuals. No, you can't do business in the states and have you HQ in the Cayman Islands.[/QUOTE]

Saden, this is an interesting comment, one that I’ve heard many times as an example of outrage over corporations looking to escape tax liabilities. But did you know that the United States is the only industrialized country in the world which imposes taxes on American based companies on products sold outside the United States? Every other industrialized nation will charge a tax on products sold in their own country, but not on what they sell overseas. The U.S. is the only country that does it.

Can you blame a corporation from moving its headquarters to a place that offers the best opportunity to do business? Let’s say you personally had the choice to work or start a business in two of our 50 states – one imposes a state income tax, and one does not. Which state would you choose? Is it wrong to look out for your own best interests and locate your business in the state which provides the best incentives to work there? Of course not! So why should it be any different for any other business?

Aside from all that, how exactly do we stop businesses from headquartering in another country? Do we stop them at the border or an airport at gunpoint? Or once they do relocate, do we stop allowing them to sell their product here, in an effort to punish them for not ‘doing the right thing’ by taking it up the butt in taxes?

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;314534]Saden, this is an interesting comment, one that I’ve heard many times as an example of outrage over corporations looking to escape tax liabilities. But did you know that the United States is the only industrialized country in the world which imposes taxes on American based companies on products sold outside the United States? Every other industrialized nation will charge a tax on products sold in their own country, but not on what they sell overseas. The U.S. is the only country that does it.

Can you blame a corporation from moving its headquarters to a place that offers the best opportunity to do business? Let’s say you personally had the choice to work or start a business in two of our 50 states – one imposes a state income tax, and one does not. Which state would you choose? Is it wrong to look out for your own best interests and locate your business in the state which provides the best incentives to work there? Of course not! So why should it be any different for any other business?

Aside from all that, how exactly do we stop businesses from headquartering in another country? Do we stop them at the border or an airport at gunpoint? Or once they do relocate, do we stop allowing them to sell their product here, in an effort to punish them for not ‘doing the right thing’ by taking it up the butt in taxes?[/QUOTE]

Internation law works such that a corporation pays taxes in the country it is based out of. Whether you make the money in the sates or not is irrelevant. You have to pay taxes to somebody and if you're not paying any taxes, well, you're cheating the system. You and I will have to pick up their load, and that doesn't sit well with me.

As for the states, they really have to compete for business to move to their states and create jobs. Most corporations are based out of Delaware, Nevada or New Jersey nowadays to avoid paying state taxes. I would like to see life made simple for the corporations. Them having to deal with so many states tax laws is unfair and inefficient.

How would a stop a corporation from cheating the system? Tax them more. Place tariff on their goods.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=saden1;314543]Internation law works such that a corporation pays taxes in the country it is based out of. Whether you make the money in the sates or not is irrelevant. You have to pay taxes to somebody and if you're not paying any taxes, well, you're cheating the system. You and I will have to pick up their load, and that doesn't sit well with me.[/QUOTE]

Right -- businesses and corporations will always pay taxes to the country that they are based in, but only the United States imposes taxes on products sold in their country [I][B]and[/B][/I] products sold in other countries. That's why it makes good business sense to move your headquarters out of the country that has a bad tax policy and into a country that has a better tax policy. You still think that's a bad thing?

Unless you're rich, because I'm certainly not, you and I are likely not "picking up the load." Most of the tax revenue in this country comes from top earners thanks to our progressive tax system. Politicians love it that way -- they can stay in power by appealing to the larger mass of voters by sticking it to the rich who are far fewer in numbers.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=saden1;314543]How would a stop a corporation from cheating the system? Tax them more. Place tariff on their goods.[/QUOTE]


And who pays the tab for that greater tax burden?

Answer? The consumers. The businesses and corporations will simply pass the expense on to the people who buy their products. So the cost is simply diverted. In the end, the consumers get stuck with the tab.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Man, we've been feeling very patriotic around here lately.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;314552]Right -- businesses and corporations will always pay taxes to the country that they are based in, but only the United [B]States imposes taxes on products sold in their country [I][B]and[/B][/I] products sold in other countries[/B]. That's why it makes good business sense to move your headquarters out of the country that has a bad tax policy and into a country that has a better tax policy. You still think that's a bad thing?[/QUOTE]

What does that mean? Corporate profits are taxed. Are you saying that profits made on products sold outside the country shouldn't be taxed?

Almost every country in the world has a sales tax of sort and that's the kind of money foreign nations generate from American companies doing business in their nation. If, say, Microsoft does business in Italy, it's not paying corporate tax to the Italian goverment.

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;314552]Unless you're rich, because I'm certainly not, you and I are likely not "picking up the load." Most of the tax revenue in this country comes from top earners thanks to our progressive tax system. Politicians love it that way -- they can stay in power by appealing to the larger mass of voters by sticking it to the rich who are far fewer in numbers.[/QUOTE]

It don't think it should matter whether I am rich or not. I'm still paying taxes and the corporations are setting up shell companies outside the states to shelter them from taxes. On the account of principle I protest.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;314554]And who pays the tab for that greater tax burden?

Answer? The consumers. The businesses and corporations will simply pass the expense on to the people who buy their products. So the cost is simply diverted. In the end, the consumers get stuck with the tab.[/QUOTE]


Tariffs are designed to make market entry costly and prohibitive. At some point these companies will figure out that it's much cheaper to just pay their share and move on. If they don't their shareholders will be up in arms and no company wants that.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=12thMan;314557]Man, we've been feeling very patriotic around here lately.[/QUOTE]

Is that a bad thing?

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;314596]Is that a bad thing?[/quote]

No, it's a damn good thing.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=saden1;314576]What does that mean? Corporate profits are taxed. Are you saying that profits made on products sold outside the country shouldn't be taxed?

Almost every country in the world has a sales tax of sort and that's the kind of money foreign nations generate from American companies doing business in their nation. If, say, Microsoft does business in Italy, it's not paying corporate tax to the Italian goverment.[/QUOTE]

If I start a business making widgets in Germany, I will pay taxes on what I earn in Germany. If my German-based business really takes off, and I start selling my products to Switzerland, the German government will not tax me on my sales in Switzerland. Every other industrialized country in the world has that policy except the United States. If I base a company in America making widgets, not only will I pay taxes on my sales in the United States, the U.S. Government will also tax me on the sales of my product if start selling it in Mexico. Again, we're the only industialized country in the world which has that form of double taxation. What some corporations are doing, is basing their headquarters outside the United States in countries that do not have that oppressive tax policy.

It simply comes down to what makes the good business sense. Is it therefore wrong for an American to base his company's headquarters in the Cayman Islands in an effort to avoid greater costs of operating his business? Is that immoral to you?

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[quote=SmootSmack;314473]In my pre-thread discussions with SGG we categorized that within Foreign Affairs. As I said, these are broad issues.[/quote]

Yeah it's cool, then I guess my vote should be changed to Foreign Affairs, or a lack of proactive foreign policies, and allocating funds to security at home.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;314437] [B]Gun Control[/B] I said this before, I think that very limited gun ownership is fine. [I]Sorry, I don't put the right to propel a small projectile out of a metal tube at high velocity on par with the right to free speech or freedom of the press. [/I][/QUOTE]

We've had this discussion before SGG -- you still don't hold the right to defend your life against people who mean to do you harm in very high regard?

Your right to free speech is pretty meaningless when your dead and didn't have the right to defend yourself.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;314622]If I start a business making widgets in Germany, I will pay taxes on what I earn in Germany. If my German-based business really takes off, and I start selling my products to Switzerland, the German government will not tax me on my sales in Switzerland. Every other industrialized country in the world has that policy except the United States. If I base a company in America making widgets, not only will I pay taxes on my sales in the United States, the U.S. Government will also tax me on the sales of my product if start selling it in Mexico. Again, we're the only industialized country in the world which has that form of double taxation. What some corporations are doing, is basing their headquarters outside the United States in countries that do not have that oppressive tax policy.

It simply comes down to what makes the good business sense. Is it therefore wrong for an American to base his company's headquarters in the Cayman Islands in an effort to avoid greater costs of operating his business? Is that immoral to you?[/QUOTE]


That is a blatant lie the talking heads on TV are spewing. [URL="http://www.germany.info/relaunch/business/taxes/german_tax_corporate.html"]Straight from the horses mouth[/URL]:

[QUOTE]Corporate entities whose registered or administrative office is located in Germany are subject to corporate income tax on [COLOR="DarkRed"][B]their global income.[/B][/COLOR] The corporation tax law makes extensive use of the principles and provisions of income tax law, especially in respect to the determination of profits and the assessment and payment of tax.[/QUOTE]

No developed nation would allow a system in which companies don't pay taxes on certain earnings/profits. If the United States did as you suggested we would be fucked! We would lose half the taxes Blue Chip companies like Boeing, GE, and IBM pay.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Something interesting on abortion, at least for me. Abortion is not an issue I care enough about to cast my vote on it (other issues are just more important, IMO). But after my wife had our first young'n back in October, my stance on abortion has changed drastically.

I used to be staunchly pro-choice, feeling that the government shouldn't be involved in telling a woman how to handle her body. But now that I've witnessed the birth of a human being, I can't get past the fact that abortion basically denies that child the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It just feels different now that I'm a parent, it's difficult to explain. I wonder if anybody else's opinions have changed on the subject because they've become a parent?

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;314630]We've had this discussion before SGG -- you still don't hold the right to defend your life against people who mean to do you harm in very high regard?

Your right to free speech is pretty meaningless when your dead and didn't have the right to defend yourself.[/QUOTE]

I know we've discussed it before, so I won't rehash the debate here and jack this thread.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

I voted economy and foreign affairs.

In general I am against protectionism and isolationism--I believe that history shows they do not work. Protectionism only raises local consumer costs and lets inefficient companies flourish. Isolationism sounds nice, but in reality we are part of a fully integrated world system. The failure in Iraq shouldn't makes us withdraw from the world; instead, it should teach us to be better at interacting in world affairs. We need a pragmatic, engaged foreign policy, one that both protects and promotes our national interests, and promotes the the things that make the world a safer and better place for everyone. Self-determination, democracy, and free markets are better for people, wherever they live. That certainly does not mean we should bring these things to folks at the point of a gun, but that does not mean we should give up on these things. WE are safer when other countries have these things, and hiding behind the oceans is not going to keep us safe. Yes, inept, badly-run, wars prosecuted by idiots are a mistake. But the solution is not isolation. It's intelligent foreign policy.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[QUOTE=JWsleep;314688]I voted economy and foreign affairs.

In general I am against protectionism and isolationism--I believe that history shows they do not work. Protectionism only raises local consumer costs and lets inefficient companies flourish. Isolationism sounds nice, but in reality we are part of a fully integrated world system. The failure in Iraq shouldn't makes us withdraw from the world; instead, it should teach us to be better at interacting in world affairs. We need a pragmatic, engaged foreign policy, one that both protects and promotes our national interests, and promotes the the things that make the world a safer and better place for everyone. Self-determination, democracy, and free markets are better for people, wherever they live. That certainly does not mean we should bring these things to folks at the point of a gun, but that does not mean we should give up on these things. WE are safer when other countries have these things, and hiding behind the oceans is not going to keep us safe. Yes, inept, badly-run, wars prosecuted by idiots are a mistake. But the solution is not isolation. It's intelligent foreign policy.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, what he said.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

Personally I'm not for isolating ourselves to within our own borders and pretend the world outside doesn't exist. We should certainly participate in the world economically and be the champion of peace and prosperity for all. You do that by leading by example. Right now, we don't even speak softly, we just wield a big stick.

Re: SGG's What's Your Issue Poll
 

[quote=Schneed10;314659]Something interesting on abortion, at least for me. Abortion is not an issue I care enough about to cast my vote on it (other issues are just more important, IMO). But after my wife had our first young'n back in October, my stance on abortion has changed drastically.

I used to be staunchly pro-choice, feeling that the government shouldn't be involved in telling a woman how to handle her body. But now that I've witnessed the birth of a human being, I can't get past the fact that abortion basically denies that child the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It just feels different now that I'm a parent, it's difficult to explain. I wonder if anybody else's opinions have changed on the subject because they've become a parent?[/quote]

I'm a parent as well, but my views have changed in the other direction. I lean more pro-choice now.

I guess my position is this; If the government wants to legislate abortion then they should also legislate sex before marriage. I know that's a pretty extreme stance, but that's how I see it. You can't outlaw one immoral decision yet allow another. How many pre-marital abortions are performed? I don't know. But I would venture to say that the vast majority of them are done out of wedlock.

Why is this an issue with me? Because I tend to find that much of the protesting and demonstrating in front of abortion clinics attempt to invoke the Ten Commandments when making their case against abortion. Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting that sex before marriage should be outlawed. To that end, I think those who stand on "scripture" are duty bound to invoke all of the Commandments, not just the one(s) that appease their particular base.

But if people are in engaging in pre-marital sex then that's their business. And if they want to have an abortion then, well, that's their business too.