Posted on 04/23/2009 12:19:24 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Do your tax duty
I am writing to protest these ridiculous and absurd "tea parties." The sheer idea of protesting taxes is absolutely idiotic. It is your duty as an American to pay your taxes. This is nothing but a bunch of cheapskates seeking to blame someone else for their economic misfortune. Where were these people when Bush drove our deficit to record levels?
American families are paying the lowest amount of taxes in recent history, the average family paying just barely 9 percent of their earnings. Middle-class families fare even better.
Why were none of these stupid protests held in any of the prior years? Why now? The timing makes no sense. Americans are angry and they seek to blame taxation for their woes?
That's not only ridiculous but idiotic. It is your civic duty to pay your taxes and now you're paying less than ever before. You can thank President Obama for that. Go pay your taxes and quit whining.
MICHAEL WEIR
Bakersfield
Americans, not extremists
What I have been hearing in the news and reading in the newspaper has me livid. Citizens who dare to have organized protests -- i.e. "tea parties" -- and use their constitutional right to voice their opinions as to what they feel about what is going on in America, are being labeled "extremists." They are mad about losing their jobs, their homes, their health insurance, their hope -- as well as having to pay higher taxes, fees, surcharges and whatever other label the government can come up with, as well as more for food, gasoline, utilities, etc.
In fact, the Department of Homeland Security just completed a report (which was not to be given to the media but it was leaked anyway), labeling us "extremists." The report goes on to imply that we "extremists" may be fueled by the recession. Do yuh think!
It also implies that pro-lifers and Iraqi veterans may be attracted by "right-wing extremists" and are therefore a threat to Homeland Security. Can you believe that! In addition, it was stated that an assessment of possible "right-wing extremists'" actions have been sent to law enforcement.
People, it is time to get involved and to contact your legislators and let them know that you not being represented as you would like and they had better get their act together.
DOLLY LOVE
Bakersfield
Life as it should be?
The shock and awe of the recent "tea party" coverage on Fox News and the hate-radio, anti-tax extravaganza was impressive. It was the largest gathering of white conservative Christians since the demise of the Bakersfield Business Conference. From the air, the scene must have resembled a pristine saucer of milk with only a fly or two trying to get space at the edges.
It was definitely a country music event, one of those events where the flag and hate signs intertwine seamlessly to define Kern County. To anyone not a hate radio fan or a Fox News viewer, the demonstration may have become confusing and mistaken for one of Kern law enforcement's dog and pony shows that cater to the same audience.
It is safe to say that this event purposely lacked diversity. The darkest face in the crowd was well-tanned Congressman and Fox hero John Boehner, who along with our own Kevin McCarthy, were present to cull any intruders into this shindig.
It is also safe to say that this crowd was not one that would welcome the present black president into their home or even their neighborhood, unless the president was in Domino's uniform, with a pizza on his shoulder.
Ah, but that is Bakersfield, life as it should be!
PANFILO FUENTES
Bakersfield
Sick of treachery
Now those of us who are responsible for taking care of ourselves, obeying our laws, oppose abortion, serve this nation in the military, believe in the Bill of Rights, oppose illegal immigration and government restrictions on firearms are now considered right-wing extremists.
This is an absolute insult to the majority of Americans, regardless of their political affiliations. Janet Napolitano should be fired and the Department of Homeland Security should be abolished if this is the best they can do. This garbage could not have been issued without the president's knowledge and approval.
Taxation without representation is socialism, which has been dumped on this nation within the past few weeks. What are they thinking?
Nancy Pelosi and her cadre have their heads in a very dark place and have exhibited an incredible arrogance and ignorance of America. The tea parties are just the beginning of what is truly a grassroots rejection of the demise of our America.
I am just one of the millions that oppose spending ourselves into oblivion with trillions in bailouts to companies "too big to fail," "stimulus" packages for those who have never contributed, sleight of hand approval of rewards for illegal immigrants, including "free" health care and blessing of "anchor babies." This insanity has made this state and our country into a third world nation.
We are sick of the treachery, dishonesty, conniving and irresponsible behavior of those in power and it must stop. Our elected representatives are part of the solution or part of the problem. Which is it?
JO ANNE HUCKINS
Tehachapi
Dark side to protests
I took part in the local tea party protests, along with a group of friends and family members. We were there as "counter protesters." I'd like to respond to charges leveled at our group by radio host Jaz McKay and highlight some of the more disturbing elements of the demonstrations.
McKay's version of events was disturbingly inaccurate. He claimed that we were running through the crowd, shouting "fascists." We weren't. After a few initial passes with our signs, we stood in the back the whole time. McKay also claimed we were "chased off" by a crowd of veterans. We weren't. After two hours of talking, we were thirsty. And despite his claims to the contrary, we weren't paid to be there by ACORN, MoveOn, or any other organization. I wish I'd known someone would've paid me to be there. Times, after all, are tough.
There was a darker side to the protests than portrayed on TV. Upon arriving, we were greeted with a chorus of insults. One patriotic American yelled out, "There go the fag lovers," to the delight of many. Several people approached us, not to debate, but simply to drop a few obscenity-laden one-liners. One creative soul told us to "go back to Russia" while holding up a sign stating that "Obama Is Not a U.S. Citizen." Someone grabbed my friend and called her an idiot. The police even had to tell one man to back off.
For a more reality-based depiction of the event than McKay's, there's a seven minute video on YouTube someone uploaded.
JORDAN AGUILAR
Bakersfield
City's tea party a success
Bakersfield's tea party at the downtown Liberty Bell was a great success. Thousands of voices were heard and many posters were displayed against the government's waste of taxpayers' money through bailout bills passed by our legislators and signed by President Barack Obama.
Stimulus has taken on a new meaning under the new administration. Despite promises from Obama that lobbyists and earmarks would not be an influence in the process of cleaning up Washington, both have raised their ugly heads to threaten our nation's democratic system. The recently passed bailouts certainly prove this fact.
Only by lifting the burden of over-taxation and returning to the principles of free enterprise without an oppressive government interference will we bring this country out of the crushing debt that keeps building from administration after administration.
Since when does the government have the right to abuse their power to say who receives taxpayers' money and who does not in the form of bailouts or giveaways?
We, the people, must be allowed to stand on our own. A socialistic system reduces an individual's opportunity to become successful and independent. Socialism divides its people, with one pulling the load, the other rider the free ride of failure -- both losing the opportunity to create their own destiny.
If America is to remain the land of the free, its citizens must be willing to serve as a beacon for individual rights and elect a government that respects these rights. There is no other way -- time has proven this.
TRENTON SPEARS
Bakersfield
They neglect to mention all the things that are now considered 'income'. I think if they added up all the ways we are taxed, that would be much higher.
IIRC, the average family pays about 33% in income taxes, along with state taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, gas taxes, etc.. Where they came up with this 9% figure, I have no idea...
It goes beyond protesting the paying of taxes I think anyways. Most of us are protesting what are tax dollars are being used for, the subsidization of failure, irresponsibility, and grift by the honest, hardworking, succesful American taxpayers and their children, (and their grandhildren) by a party of lying, scheming, manipulating bulsh*tting, traitorous, queers no less.
The country has certainly fallen down Alice’s rabbit hole.
Wow I wish I paid 9%—I pay 28% just for Federal tax—6% SS tax - 9.25% for State income tax- Medicare I think is 2%
that is about 45% and that does not include sales tax, gas tax- Maybe Michael pays 9% but I pay much more than that
and I am under the 250K that always gets thrown about.
Michael Weir is an Obama supporter have alook at his
Obama-Biden page
Sorry to bum you out.
To further salt the wound, Obungle is toying with the idea of taxing medical benefits. This will either cause companies to eliminate them, or cut them way back.
F%%k you and your racist little screed, Mr. Fuentes. I have a Mexican buddy that I've gone drinking with, had over to my house, played paint ball with, and done business with. Likewise a Columbian buddy, and a Guatemalan buddy. I've got more Chinese friends than I can count, many of whom call me at least once a year to take them to the local shooting range, and whom I happily oblige. I even take one guy's non-English speaking Chinese buddies (those guys are COOL, even though they are hard to communicate with). I'm godfather to the cutest little black girl alive, and a trusted confidant of a very bright capable black woman where I work.
I didn't attend a tea party because I had to WORK, Mr. Fuentes, partially to pay for all the liberal schemes that half of my country men want me to pay for. I say again, F%%k you, Mr. Fuentes. You are an ignorant racist, the very thing of which you accuse me of being. I only wish I could reply directly to you.
Boy, some people are ignorant. Those are the rates they are paying under Bush's budget. The Obama/Reid/Pelosi increases haven't kicked in yet.
And, BTW our effective federal tax rate is just over ten percent. I want to keep it that way.
They duly covered all the leftist anti-tea-party fallacious talking points:
- “No blacks allowed — conservatives are racists”
- “Where were they when Bush was ruining the economy?”
- “Conservatives attacked us.”
I have yet to find a single report of any arrest at any tea party. I have no doubt that if we eventually do read of any arrests, they will be arrests of leftists.
For some strange reason I have the urge to beat the cr@p out of PANFILO FUENTES.
From Michael Weir's Obama/Biden page, before he told us "right wingers" we need to shut up...
Liberalism really is a mental disorder...
I LOVE this one... They speak of "averages." Of course what this idiot ignores is the fact that more than 40% of US workers pay NO federal income tax, and quite a few actually get money BACK from the government to help reimburse them for their FICA and Medicare taxes as well! Which sticks the rest of us with HIGHER taxes! But then, that wouldn't matter to this idiot, since he's probably in that 40% that pays NO taxes to begin with!
Mark
some dude was arrested in denver for throwing a scewdriver at a woman. I have not heard a word about this from the local press, but my chilfren watched it happen.
Jenny
ps he was not a tea party goer.
Peoples press collective is the only place where I have been able to find collaboration about the screw driver being thrown at a womans arm, and it was in the comment section of the report: http://www.peoplespresscollective.org/2009/04/denver-tea-party-after-action-report/
I have to believe that if one of the tea partiers had thrown a screwdriver at someone, it would have made the national news. The rumor is that the man who threw it was a local liberal activist, but I have no proof of that because I don’t know his name or how to find out who he is.
Jenny
well, I always have been above average ;-)
my tax rate is around 40% with a marginal tax rate of almost 50% - no reason to be upset. I should be emberassed, shut up, do my patriotic duty and pay my confiscatory taxes cheerfully. That’s the ticket! /s
MICHAEL WEIR
Michael Weir, AKA Joe "Paying Taxes Is A Patriotic Duty" Biden?
(2) To anyone not a hate radio fan or a Fox News viewer
PANFILO FUENTES
Another useful idiot carrying the banner of "If It's Not Approved By Zero, It's Hate Speech".
(3) McKay's version of events was disturbingly inaccurate. He claimed that we were running through the crowd, shouting "fascists." We weren't. After a few initial passes with our signs, we stood in the back the whole time. McKay also claimed we were "chased off" by a crowd of veterans. We weren't. After two hours of talking, we were thirsty.
JORDAN AGUILAR
Sure. I'm sure that running through a crowd for two hours yelling "fascists" would make one thirsty. Dark side indeed. We'll call this one the banner of "I'm A Useful Liar, Red to the Core".
Tell us how you really feel! <:D
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