A Nation of Entitlements

<p>"You. Cannot. Be. Serious. Please elaborate. On second thought, please don’t. "</p>

<p>You. Cannot. Even. Offer. Any. Evidence.</p>

<p>When has an application asked for your income as a means to deny you employment or admissions? Wait, companies are given tax credits to hire welfare recipients and people who used to receive benefits.</p>

<p>You. Cannot. Possibly. Be. That. Flippin. Stupid. Please. Elaborate. Anything. You. Claim. With. A. Shread. Of. Evidence. Ancedotal. Does. Not. Count. Why. Would. You. Even. Type. Like. This?</p>

<p>“Tiff and BIGeastBEAST, if you have such a problem with taxation in the US, then please leave. We would be a better country for it.”</p>

<p>You know what is great about this country? I can call my representative and ask him to extend tax cuts, and advocate for tax reform. I actually care enough to contact my representative. If you have such a problem with the wealthy, why don’t you move to Mexico? Or Cuba? Or any developing country? Then you could be wealthy and share you success with all the plebians of society. Do you even pay federal taxes? If you don’t, just stop now.</p>

<p>“As for financial aid, did you ever consider how much harder a lower income student had to work to be admitted to college in the first place? Unlike your private prep school, school districts in poor areas don’t exactly have SAT prep classes and volunteer trips to Haiti. In fact, they’re the ones for whom you are building that Habitat for Humanity house. Not that you two would ever volunteer for a cause like that. Then the students have to be in a position to forgo working in order to actually attend college. And it’s most likely more difficult for them to secure loans due to their parents’ limited incomes and possible poor credit history (certainly not all low income families have credit problems, though). Financial aid is actually a bad example in this case, because the government actually provides very little of the cost of attendance at most colleges.”</p>

<p>1) I went to the most economically diverse public school in my state. My school did not offer SAT prep classes, and the vast majority of students did not take them. Yet our average SAT score was 100 points higher than richer, neighboring schools. I never took a prep class or studied in any capacity, but was in the 97th and 98th percentile. I did not receive any help. Very few kids take prep classes, and they have what, about a 100 point correlation with scores? I hardly think a kid is not going to get into college because they didn’t take a prep course. Those courses don’t always result in improvement, especially LSAT and MCAT prep courses. Regardless, thinking a kid won’t be able to go to ANY college because of a prep course is a horrible argument. I expected better.
2) Do you have proof that the poor person has to study harder than a middle class student to do well? Are you assuming that poor people are less intelligent than the middle class? Making an unsubstantiated, hypothetical claim seems to insinuate that the poor have a harder time because they are not as smart. Many working and middle class students work while in HS, heck, I worked two jobs since my freshmen year. </p>

<p>How does financially struggles equate to a more difficult time in school? As in, most families have some sort of stressor, whether it be income based, marital problems or overtime at work. It is wrong to imply the poor work harder than people that work 50, 60 hours a week at a better job. Do you have any evidence, hard evidence, not ancedotal, that the system is “rigged” against the poor, or is that just a theory?</p>

<p>Hmmm…you assume that because I believe in economic liberty I don’t volunteer? That seems laughable. I guess that is your attempt to paint me as a bad person because I don’t agree with you, and you are resorting to a petty personal comment because you can’t defend your position well. Your points have nothing to do with the argument about the tax system. Discrepencies in the public school system is not part of the discussion. Stay on topic or don’t comment. I bet you are a Democrat. Democrats don’t support a voucher system. So you complain about the system, and won’t take a step to fix it. Nice.</p>

<p>And, I volunteer plenty. I’ve worked in low income areas throughout middle school and high school, and I’ve seen how widely abused the system is, because I’ve seen how unchecked it is. I’ve seen the welfare recipients running to the corner the 15th and 30th of every month. I’ve seen them deal drugs on the corner and then complain about crime. You seldom hear a thank you, even when you put on free camps (that none of the parents would help out with) or toy drives (poor kids complained because they didn’t get Wii video games). The thing is, until you work in the social work field, you can’t act like you understand how the poor operate. This is not related to the discussion, only in that our money is being misused. </p>

<p>It’s funny that you think I’m a “bad person” because I think everyone should contribute equally to society, and support the founders and the principles behind the consitution. If you think our society is so unfair, leave. If you want to whine about how things aren’t fair, that’s fine. But realize there is nothing in jurisprudence or our constitution that gaurentees any type of social security, it’s a 20th century invention. </p>

<p>You are certainly entitled to your assumptions, but do realize you can’t find support for handouts anywhere. </p>

<p>Here is a solution:</p>

<p>Everyone pays a flat rate. There are a bunch of check boxes, representing “welfare,” “war” “education” and so on. You can check 25% of the boxes. That money goes directly to the service you okayed. Or, have a flat tax. Have a box that says " I am willing to pay an additional 5% for x." We’ll see how much funding entitlements get when people have a say as to where it goes. The point is, it’s fine for you to whine about the rich paying more, because you are exempt from federal taxes. If you had to watch your check get robbed of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35%, you will have different feelings about the tax system,</p>

<p>If you are under 30 and conservative, you are heartless. If you are over 30 and liberal, you are brainless.</p>

<p>I bet you won’t feel like this 10 years from now. </p>

<p>I used to be an idealistic young liberal, until I started to become acclimated with the real world. Then I realized how stupid some liberal assumptions are.</p>

<p>Also, let me point out how petty it is to call someone heartless because they believe in economic freedom. </p>

<p>Question:</p>

<p>If you believe in personal freedom (I am going to guess the liberals here are all for gay marriage, pro life), why don’t you believe in economic liberty? Is not economic liberty an extension of personal freedom? I don’t understand how you can believe in only personal freedom, or only economic freedom. You either support liberty or you don’t. The liberal on here obviously don’t support freedom or liberty. It’s sad to see the erosion of liberty at the hands of the young.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.fee.org/pdf/books/MarxismUnmasked.pdf[/url]”>www.fee.org/pdf/books/MarxismUnmasked.pdf</a> </p>

<p>Off to work.</p>

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<p>Question:</p>

<p>Do you pretend to ask questions and instead put words in people’s mouths because you’re stupid? Or is it because you are lazy? It’s sad to see computers in the hands of the stupid or lazy.</p>

<p>I’m not sure what the issue regarding sales tax is…</p>

<p>Do people think the lower class shouldn’t have to pay sales tax on purchased items?</p>

<p>How would you even do that? Give them an ID card saying they are exempt and show it at each purchase?</p>

<p>Or is your plan to tax the upper brackets so much that it eliminates the need for sales tax?</p>

<p>Also, define rich and poor.</p>

<p>If a person is poor (dependent on the government/welfare), than the sales tax they are paying is with money that was already issued by the government, which was generated by a taxpayer. So sure, they are paying sales tax, but with other peoples money.</p>

<p>Also, how much do you think a “rich” person should pay in taxes? 90% of their income?</p>

<p>Also, at what point does a person stop being poor, and become what you feel is acceptable? If we get a person to that acceptable point via government entitlements, what happens when those entitlements are taken away?</p>

<p>BigEast, if you understood basic economics, you would understand that a sales tax is a regressive tax. So, to balance it out, we might implement a progressive tax.</p>

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<p>We do. But we also need safety nets for the people the system spits out, and people like you don’t give a damn about.</p>

<p>And have you ever heard of monopolies? Those exist free of government. Oh wait, government intervention can protect you from abuse.</p>

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<p>It inherently favors the wealthy. That’s not necessarily an issue - just something to keep in mind when assessing the tax burden on various groups. You ignored it.</p>

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<p>No.</p>

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<p>The people you’re addressing may not have a plan for change. You may recall that it was YOU that started a thread essentially complaining about the tax system. This isn’t a thread about how sales tax is too high. If one exists (and I can’t recall seeing one), you may consider taking your discussion there.</p>

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<p>Why do you feel the need to randomly make **** up? You’re the one complaining about the burden as is.</p>

<p>“Yes, and the poor have the right to LIFE. It’s the entire basis of the social contract and obeying the government’s laws.”</p>

<p>How does not giving the poor money and benefits qualify as denying them the right to life? The right is to life. There is not set bar to what type of life. If there was a “right” to economic equality or a minimum standard, there would have been one in the constitution. There isn’t. And the courts HAVE NEVER interpreted the “right to life” as a “right to entitlements.” Ever. Ever ever ever.</p>

<p>You typically need food, water, and shelter to live.</p>

<p>Am I going too fast for you tiff?</p>

<p>By the way tiff ---- are you ever planning on having a baby? If you are, you probably need to go on maternity leave and not work for a few weeks at least.</p>

<p>Well, what entitles YOU to THAT? Huh?</p>

<p>You are not producing; you are not benefiting your employer. Why should they not fire you one the spot?</p>

<p>Riddle me that, oh confused one.</p>

<p>The people in this thread are so laid-back and amiable…</p>

<h2>The people you’re addressing may not have a plan for change. You may recall that it was YOU that started a thread essentially complaining about the tax system. This isn’t a thread about how sales tax is too high. If one exists (and I can’t recall seeing one), you may consider taking your discussion there. ~Thiscouldbheaven</h2>

<p>I wasn’t the one who brought up sales tax - so go back and read through the thread.</p>

<p>I was responding to people who were saying sales tax should have been included in my opening post.</p>

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<p>I didn’t say you brought up sales tax. I did say you should have included it in your opening post. And to reiterate…</p>

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<p>^ Well when I respond regarding a topic raised by a poster (sales tax), don’t give me this crap:</p>

<p>“This isn’t a thread about how sales tax is too high. If one exists (and I can’t recall seeing one), you may consider taking your discussion there.” ~ Thiscouldbeheaven</p>

<p>Dare I enter this fray…</p>

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<p>And I bet you’re not. Do I win a prize? </p>

<p>The ignorance in this thread is beyond belief. ■■■■■■■■, maybe? </p>

<p>If not - summer camp, private school, unpaid internships, parents who can answer homework questions, travel teams, fraternity dues, interview clothes, Daddy’s friend giving you a job, admission to any need-aware school, health insurance, ADD testing, a quiet place to study, not having to babysit siblings while parents work, healthy food - I could go on and on. These things both cost money and create opportunity. If you haven’t learned that yet, I’m sorry. </p>

<p>I’m not the one who has a problem with the taxation system of this country. Who was that again? Oh wait, YOU!! So I’m actually going to stay here and keep paying the federal taxes that are withheld from my paycheck. I said that you could leave if you weren’t happy (and apparently you’re not). </p>

<p>I apologize to the other rational posters on this thread, but I can’t take this anymore. I’m done.</p>