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toemas

339 posts

Farmer

Posted August 16, '12 4:01pm UTC

tell me your Opinion on this, my mom sent it to me in an email, i think its pretty insane.
sorry if its kinda long but you should read it anyway...

A very interesting column.. COMPLETELY NEUTRAL
Be sure to Read the Poem at the end.

Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel...
He has been a journalist for 49 years.
He is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN.

Be sure to read the Tax List at the end.

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral,
neither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel,
has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis
must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day.
It's a short but good read.
Worth the time. Worth remembering

545 vs. 300,000,000 People
-By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish;
to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators,
to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.
Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like
"the economy," "inflation," or &quotolitics" that prevent them from
doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ***.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'oliticians?'

I hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!!

GO AHEAD. . . BE AN AMERICAN!!!

tell me your Opinion on this, my mom sent it to me in an email, i think its pretty insane.\r\nsorry if its kinda long but you should read it anyway...\r\n\r\n\r\nA very interesting column.. COMPLETELY NEUTRAL\r\nBe sure to Read the Poem at the end.\r\n\r\nCharley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel...\r\nHe has been a journalist for 49 years.\r\nHe is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN.\r\n\r\nBe sure to read the Tax List at the end.\r\n\r\nThis is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, \r\nneither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, \r\nhas hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis \r\nmust assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. \r\nIt's a short but good read.\r\nWorth the time. Worth remembering\r\n \r\n545 vs. 300,000,000 People\r\n-By Charlie Reese\r\n\r\nPoliticians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.\r\n\r\nHave you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?\r\n\r\nHave you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?\r\n\r\nYou and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.\r\n\r\nYou and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.\r\n\r\nYou and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.\r\n\r\nYou and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.\r\n\r\nYou and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.\r\n\r\nOne hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.\r\n\r\nI excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.\r\n\r\nI excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.\r\n\r\nThose 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.\r\n\r\nWhat separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.\r\n\r\nThe Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.\r\n\r\nIt seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.\r\n\r\nIf the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.\r\n\r\nIf the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.\r\n\r\nIf the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...\r\n\r\nIf they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.\r\n\r\nThere are no insoluble government problems.\r\n\r\nDo not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; \r\nto lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, \r\nto whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. \r\nAbove all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like \r\n"the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from \r\ndoing what they take an oath to do.\r\n\r\nThose 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.\r\n\r\nThey, and they alone, have the power.\r\n\r\nThey, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.\r\n\r\nProvided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...\r\n\r\nWe should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!\r\n\r\nCharlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.\r\n\r\nWhat you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.\r\nThis might be funny if it weren't so true.\r\nBe sure to read all the way to the end:\r\n\r\nTax his land,\r\nTax his bed,\r\nTax the table,\r\nAt which he's fed.\r\n\r\nTax his tractor,\r\nTax his mule,\r\nTeach him taxes\r\nAre the rule.\r\n\r\nTax his work,\r\nTax his pay,\r\nHe works for\r\npeanuts anyway!\r\n\r\nTax his cow,\r\nTax his goat,\r\nTax his pants,\r\nTax his coat.\r\n\r\nTax his ties,\r\nTax his shirt,\r\nTax his work,\r\nTax his dirt.\r\n\r\nTax his tobacco,\r\nTax his drink,\r\nTax him if he\r\nTries to think.\r\n\r\nTax his cigars,\r\nTax his beers,\r\nIf he cries\r\nTax his tears.\r\n\r\nTax his car,\r\nTax his gas,\r\nFind other ways\r\nTo tax his ***.\r\n\r\nTax all he has\r\nThen let him know\r\nThat you won't be done\r\nTill he has no dough.\r\n\r\nWhen he screams and hollers;\r\nThen tax him some more,\r\nTax him till\r\nHe's good and sore.\r\n\r\nThen tax his coffin,\r\nTax his grave,\r\nTax the sod in\r\nWhich he's laid...\r\n\r\nPut these words\r\nUpon his tomb,\r\n'Taxes drove me\r\nto my doom...'\r\n\r\nWhen he's gone,\r\nDo not relax,\r\nIts time to apply\r\nThe inheritance tax.\r\n\r\nAccounts Receivable Tax\r\nBuilding Permit Tax\r\nCDL license Tax\r\nCigarette Tax\r\nCorporate Income Tax\r\nDog License Tax\r\nExcise Taxes\r\nFederal Income Tax\r\nFederal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)\r\nFishing License Tax\r\nFood License Tax\r\nFuel Permit Tax\r\nGasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)\r\nGross Receipts Tax\r\nHunting License Tax\r\nInheritance Tax\r\nInventory Tax\r\nIRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)\r\nLiquor Tax\r\nLuxury Taxes\r\nMarriage License Tax\r\nMedicare Tax\r\nPersonal Property Tax\r\nProperty Tax\r\nReal Estate Tax\r\nService Charge Tax\r\nSocial Security Tax\r\nRoad Usage Tax\r\nRecreational Vehicle Tax\r\nSales Tax\r\nSchool Tax\r\nState Income Tax\r\nState Unemployment Tax (SUTA)\r\nTelephone Federal Excise Tax\r\nTelephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax\r\nTelephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes\r\nTelephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax\r\nTelephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax\r\nTelephone State and Local Tax\r\nTelephone Usage Charge Tax\r\nUtility Taxes\r\nVehicle License Registration Tax\r\nVehicle Sales Tax\r\nWatercraft Registration Tax\r\nWell Permit Tax\r\nWorkers Compensation Tax\r\n\r\n\r\nSTILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?\r\nNot one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.\r\nWe had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.\r\n\r\nWhat in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'\r\n\r\nI hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!!\r\n\r\nGO AHEAD. . . BE AN AMERICAN!!!

5 Replies

offline

danielo

1,773 posts

Peasant

Posted August 16, '12 4:18pm UTC

dude, in 1900 you let the afro-americans starve to death in ther small getthos. in 1900 you let immagrenets to die on the street from the cold. in 1900, hospitals were almost a private place for the rich. in 1900, you threw teh poor native-americans from ther homelands, just to build a Highway or a mall.

so yea, there are taxes. but the now days, you dont hear about a man who starve to death as a normal news.
now days, if a kid has a potential, he can get out of his position as a street cleaner and become an artist, a scular, or anything.
now days, people around the world count on you to help them exist. to defend against terrorisem and Radicalism. from Iraq to Israel.
now days, nation {!!!} wont get bankrupt, and make a ground for Fascism and other fanatics groups.

you pay a little more, but now days you dont need to buy 3 guns so you can defend your house.

so i say, say thanke you that your country moving to be more socialist. care a little about it people.

when this 'stuiped politican' say that there is a problme, is not just because he want to get vote. no one run to politics for money. they can make it much easier and much quicker somewher else.
they do it because of idealism. becaose they want to make a change.
a change for you. for your family, for you all USAians!

so stop crying for the past, look for the future. the past always look much Beautiful and glamour than the present. but when you actualy see what was in the past, you can admire the present and look up for the future.

dude, in 1900 you let the afro-americans starve to death in ther small getthos. in 1900 you let immagrenets to die on the street from the cold. in 1900, hospitals were almost a private place for the rich. in 1900, you threw teh poor native-americans from ther homelands, just to build a Highway or a mall.\r\n\r\nso yea, there are taxes. but the now days, you dont hear about a man who starve to death as a normal news. \r\nnow days, if a kid has a potential, he can get out of his position as a street cleaner and become an artist, a scular, or anything.\r\nnow days, people around the world count on you to help them exist.  to defend against terrorisem and Radicalism. from Iraq to Israel.\r\nnow days, nation {!!!} wont get bankrupt, and make a ground for Fascism and other fanatics groups.\r\n\r\nyou pay a little more, but now days you dont need to buy 3 guns so you can defend your house.\r\n\r\nso i say, say thanke you that your country moving to be more socialist. care a little about it people.\r\n\r\nwhen this 'stuiped politican' say that there is a problme, is not just because he want to get vote. no one run to politics for money. they can make it much easier and much quicker somewher else.\r\nthey do it because of idealism. becaose they want to make a change.\r\na change for you. for your family, for you all USAians!\r\n\r\nso stop crying for the past, look for the future. the past always look much Beautiful and glamour than the present. but when you actualy see what was in the past, you can admire the present and look up for the future.

offline

nichodemus

14,987 posts

Grand Duke

Posted August 16, '12 4:26pm UTC

This is utterly ridiculous on so many levels, I don't know where to begin.

Without taxes, where do you think your education system, legal system, roads, pubic goods, public transport, defense systems will come from? God?

Without the government protecting you with the law, where I'll you be in an anarchy?

Without the government monitoring foreign terrorists and threats how will you survive, with much if the world trying to get at you?

I'm sorry, but people have to be much less narrow minded. These 500 people aren't the ones solely in charge; we have a vast million strong civil bureaucracy to run the whole **** place.

If you want a basic understanding of why the government is pertinent, go and read up on the social contract. You know, so people won't poke fun at you?

Also, let's put it this way. Why do you guys have a large national debt? Yes the government spends obscene amounts of money, such as on the military ( More than the next 26 countries put together, and 25 are allies) but the American people too are to blame. The market demand is what causes such huge amounts of imported goods to flow into the nation without an equal amount of export. This is in effect America spending more than it can afford.

Also, "mum stayed at home to take care of the kids". I cannot imagine a more sexist and anti-feminist statement that can so subtly masquerade itself. Women don't stay at home because they DON'T WANT TO. They want to be treated as equals, be go getters, get the same opportunities. How is this the government'a fault?

Apropos, your nation was the most prosperous in the last century BECAUSE the GOVERNMENT was the first in the world to promote free trade after WWII via the Bretton Woods system. The government forced other nations to open up to allow Americans access to foreign markets thus rapidly expanding American economic growth. The government was the one which lent
Money via subsidies so people could start businesses. The government was the one enacting pro business policies to attract FDI into America. The government was the one attracting immigrants into America to stimulate her economy.

The government is NOT perfect, bu we have every right to feel grateful to it.

This is utterly ridiculous on so many levels, I don't know where to begin. \r\n\r\nWithout taxes, where do you think your education system, legal system, roads, pubic goods, public transport, defense systems will come from? God? \r\n\r\nWithout the government protecting you with the law, where I'll you be in an anarchy? \r\n\r\nWithout the government monitoring foreign terrorists and threats how will you survive, with much if the world trying to get at you? \r\n\r\nI'm sorry, but people have to be much less narrow minded. These 500 people aren't the ones solely in charge; we have a vast million strong civil bureaucracy to run the whole **** place. \r\n\r\nIf you want a basic understanding of why the government is pertinent, go and read up on the social contract. You know, so people won't poke fun at you?\r\n\r\nAlso, let's put it this way. Why do you guys have a large national debt? Yes the government spends obscene amounts of money, such as on the military ( More than the next 26 countries put together, and 25 are allies) but the American people too are to blame. The market demand is what causes such huge amounts of imported goods to flow into the nation without an equal amount of export. This is in effect America spending more than it can afford. \r\n\r\nAlso, "mum stayed at home to take care of the kids". I cannot imagine a more sexist and anti-feminist statement that can so subtly masquerade itself. Women don't stay at home because they DON'T WANT TO. They want to be treated as equals, be go getters, get the same opportunities. How is this the government'a fault?  \r\n\r\nApropos, your nation was the most prosperous in the last century BECAUSE the GOVERNMENT was the first in the world to promote free trade after WWII via the Bretton Woods system. The government forced other nations to open up to allow Americans access to foreign markets thus rapidly expanding American economic growth. The government was the one which lent\r\nMoney via subsidies so people could start businesses. The government was the one enacting pro business policies to attract FDI into America. The government was the one attracting immigrants into America to stimulate her economy.\r\n\r\nThe government is NOT perfect, bu we have every right to feel grateful to it.

offline

HahiHa

8,259 posts

Regent

Posted August 16, '12 4:31pm UTC

I think the problem is that to get rid of problems, politicians like to declare new rules and measures instead of working on the ancient ones, because it makes more publicity and in certain cases is safer for their career. Everyone wants to change things and propose their own solutions, and in the end no one knows what is where anymore.

But exchange those 545 people by regular citizen, and in no time those ex-citizen will behave like politicians. Don't blame only the people behind the high positions, blame the whole of society.

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

So you're advocating more freedom through less taxes, and less freedom through more out-dated values? Makes sense! (I honestly don't see what emancipation has to do with taxes)

offline

samiel

421 posts

Shepherd

Posted August 16, '12 4:36pm UTC

you realy think people have a good oprotunity to become someone well sorry to tell you this but thats total crap the only way to become somthing now is to be popular not good not smart not strong but popular but thats not the point at all the thing up at the top is and its all true and as far as people starving il say that there are less on welfare BECAUSE there welfare dried up

offline

nichodemus

14,987 posts

Grand Duke

Posted August 16, '12 5:04pm UTC

Agree with you Danielo! If the politicians wanted money, they could easily
get more in Wallstreet. For your information, POTUS earns a mere half a
Million a year when with his credentials he would be a highly paid figure on Wall Street.

Also, Reese is NOT neutral, I dont see how people can think so. This smacks so strongly of the libertarian section of the GoP.

Why do we have high inflation and low growth? We DON'T HAVE high inflation. We have low growth because America isn't competitive, because it's labour wages are too high relative to others, because it's workforce isn't as educated as other nations.

Also, this is such a curiosity. Reese is a Conservative, yet he does not believe in "mythical forces" like the free market, inflation, the economy? Doesn't the GoP trumpet a laissez faire approach? He's just shooting his own views in the foot.

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