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Obama’s “95% Tax Cut” Ruse

As we patiently listen to Sen. Obama’s tedious torrent of socialist mantras, like “economic fairness” and “leveling the playing field”, we would all do well to clearly remember just who pays the taxes in these United States.

When speaking about tax policy with Obama disciples, we must intellectually challenge them with, among other truths, this verifiably indisputable FACT: according to the IRS, 75% of tax filers in the top 5% income bracket are small business owners who create 75% of new jobs in America.

To help lead our liberal friends further into the light, here’s a breakdown of what portion of total taxes collected is paid by the various income brackets:

  • Top 5%………………………60%
  • Top 10%…………………….70%
  • Top 25%…………………….86%
  • Bottom 50%………….  0%

This straightforward IRS breakdown means that Obama’s oft-repeated and seductive promise of a “tax cut” for 95% of taxpayers is shamelessly misleading. (In impolite circles, it’s called a “lie”.) Simply put, since 50% of middle and low income earners pay no tax, then 50% of Obama’s 95% figure will NOT get a tax cut. What they will get is a bread-and-circuses, vote-buying welfare check. Again, not a “tax cut”.

Finally, history has proven over and over and over again that taxing business stymies job growth and economic prosperity. Thus, imposing higher taxes on the top 5%–75% of whom are small bussinesses which create 75% of the new jobs–would severely hurt the very people whom the liberals loftily profess they so desperately want to help. Unbelievable. The twisted logic of socialism.

Now that this is off my chest, let the Obama chicanery resume–but, in part, pre-exposed this time around. And let’s none of us be reluctant to enlighten those on the left who, despite the intrusion of facts in their lives,  opt to see and “feel” otherwise.

 

 

Dollinger Quote From 2002 — “It’s Impossible To Be Independent Once You Take Their Money”

We’ve commented before about Rick Dollinger being a flawed candidate.  He’s proven that protecting his own self interests comes before the people he seeks to represent or his party.  Overcoming the fact that he was the guy who had the Senate job and ran for judge while he had it, then quit to run for judge again (and lost a second time), then ran for Democratic Party Chair, was elected party chair and then quit to run for Brighton Town Judge, which he just quit so he could run for the Senate, would be difficult.

Now we’ve received a link from The Tall Lady, who has a Youtube post on Dollinger’s comments when he decided to quit the Senate.  Take a look at Dollinger’s explaination.  He admits that he feels it is impossible to take large campaign contributions from people and be independent.

Dollinger’s comment’s bring to mind a famous quote from former California State Assembly Speaker Jess Unruh:

“If you can’t drink their booze, take their money, sleep with their women and then vote against ‘em, you don’t belong in politics.”

While we take acception with former Speaker Unruh’s comment about sleeping with their women (times have changed), the rest of it is spot on.

Take a look at Dolinger’s comments — I wonder what he has been promised has changed.

 

 

It’s All the Republicans Fault — Not!

 

Lets not forget that 95 Democrats voted against the bailout as well.  Now, I am not going to sit here and say the Republicans hands are clean.  Blame needs to go to both parties.  But in 2004, several Republicans, including John McCain, warned of what would happen if we did not act then.  Well unfortunately, they were right.

Also, let’s remember this is the same Congress who spent several months determining if Roger Clemens took steroids.  Now, they are ready to pass a $700 tax burden on the tax payers in two days.  I think this shows where their priorities are.

Kuhl Votes Against Bailout

WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008 - U.S. Representative John R. “Randy” Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) issued the following statement today concerning his vote against the taxpayer funded bailout.

“The gravity of our current economic crisis is undeniable, but I cannot ask my constituents, who have worked so hard to keep up their obligations on their homes, cars, and college loans for their children to foot the bill for irresponsible lenders and borrowers. This revised bailout plan is just that, a bailout plan where hard-working Americans are being asked to surrender the money they need to put food on the table and put gasoline in their car, to bailout reckless Wall Street. This plan does not address the fundamental cause that created this problem, nor does it lessen the credit crunch. It creates the largest national debt in U.S. history, forcing generations of taxpayers to pick up the tab for Wall Street losses. It is a Band-Aid that will not fix any of our nation’s economic problems, but provide a brief and fleeting moment to remember when we are in the same situation in the months and years to come.”

“This plan, which is much better than the Bush Administration’s original plan, includes important provisions that I fought for over the last week. Provisions like ensuring Wall Street Executives, who played crucial roles in bringing us to the breaking point, do not receive a dime of taxpayer dollars and do not obtain a golden parachute. However, this plan still does not do enough to provide the protection Main Street deserves and fails to force private companies to carry the financial burden. As I have said before, I will not support legislation that does not protect taxpayers first.”

“To revive our economy, provide stability in the financial market, and increase consumer confidence, we have to provide more than a simple Band-Aid to our housing and credit crunch. We have to take the financial burden off American taxpayers and put the financial rescue in the hands of private companies. We have to restore free market capitalism and individual responsibility.”

“Over 1,200 residents of the 29th District have called or emailed my office to voice their opposition to the bailout legislation. They have shared their heart wrenching stories of the struggles they endure because of skyrocketing energy costs, escalating health care expenses, and inflation. They all agree with me that we should not bankroll, at taxpayer expense, a bailout with a reported $1 trillion price tag. This legislation promotes further bad behavior and further risks saddling future generations with more debt. The Federal Government’s first role is to protect its citizens, but this legislation burdens them. Your government owes you better than this!”

 

Sheldon Silver Travels at Taxpayers’ Expense

For most state lawmakers, the most common and cost effective way to travel is by car.  Not for Democratic Speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver.  The speaker frequently takes indirect flights to the capital, with a stopover in Washington that’s 200 miles in the wrong direction.

A sampling of his reimbursement voucher forms from last year, which were provided by the state comptroller’s office, show the speaker paying in the range of $500 to $760 for round-trip airfare, more than four times the price of traveling on Amtrak.

Lawmakers who drive to the Statehouse are reimbursed by the state at a rate of 50 cents a mile, which comes to about $175, including tolls, for a round-trip with a starting point in Manhattan. Round-trip, governmental-rate Amtrak tickets come to a total of $110.

State records show that Mr. Silver is a “chairman’s preferred” member of US Airways’ frequent flier program, called “Dividend Miles.” One way to qualify for the status is to earn 100,000 miles within a calendar year.

Thanks to his preferred status, Mr. Silver frequently flies first class. As a chairman’s preferred member, he is entitled to priority check-in and boarding, guaranteed seating, reserve choice seats, and first-class upgrades when they become available. “Life is better when you’re Preferred,” the US Airways Web site states.

Silver also has a state-issued car in which he sometimes uses a driver.  Obviously by Silver using a driver, this would have an added expense.  All of which is paid for by John Q. Taxpayer.  He also prefers not to take a train to Albany because there are too many distractions from other passengers, many of whom are lobbyists.

Too many distractions from other passengers?  Are you kidding me?  I know last time I took a train to NYC, I could not take it, mainly because all of those lobbyists that continuously badgered me during the entire train ride!  Why is an act like this not regulated?  Is it any wonder our state budget is out of control?

Democrats in their own words–Covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Scam that caused our Economic Crisis

A shocking YouTube video shows regulators and Republicans warning Democrats of impending disaster. Democrats accuse regulators and Republicans of lynching and witch hunts.

John McCain Is Absolutely Right!

Even Barack Obama admits it — John McCain is absolutely right — on a lot of things!

McCain Proposes “League of Democracies”

I was pleased and surprised to hear Sen. McCain mention his “League of Democracies” concept during last night’s debate. Intrigued by the concept for some time now, I had researched this proposal a few weeks ago, and this is what I came up with.

During a speech before the Hoover Institution on May 1st, McCain spoke about the formation of a “League of Democracies” which would enable “democratic friends and allies…to build a new global order of peace…that can last…for a century” and “where the dangers and threats we face diminish and where human progress reaches new heights.”

Call me a wild-eyed idealist–of the conservative genre, of course–but such a pioneering concept in these treacherous and trans formative times is, for me, very appealing and definitely worth exploring. Despite cynical detractors both on the left and the right, it’s my belief that new challenges call for new approaches and, hopefully, remedies. For that reason, formation of the League is definitely worth pursuing.

Though I’ve been unable to cull a lot of specific info on this proposal, from what I’ve gleaned such a league is intended to be a viable and constructive alternative to a U.N. rife with parochial interests, corruption and ineptitude. It appears that the League would not supplant the U.N; rather, it would, in parallel,  supplement U.N. capabilities.

The theory goes that the nearly 100 democracies which would comprise this coalition would share common values and similar viewpoints on important matters, thus better ensuring more effective unified action on international issues and challenges of common concern. And,  of course, as long as we don’t delude ourselves into believing that such a league would forge a “Grand Alliance” or otherwise diminish the need for existing military alliances, such as they are, then a League of Democracies just might make the positive differences on the world scene McCain is hoping for.

Though international organizations have been inherently and notoriously ineffective, the League’s greatest asset would be its constructive example which might well serve to invigorate burgeoning democracies while encouraging a U.N. woefully in need of major reform to do so.

As a respectable international watchdog of sorts–with credible economic, political and military leverage as well–the League would be effectively unconstrained by un-constructive and irresponsible Security Council vetoes. As a result, chances are probably better than even that the League would be able to more effectively and quickly intercede in acute humanitarian crises like Darfur and the Rwanda massacres. As an international aid worker in my past life, the aggressive humanitarian capability (my words) alone would render the League’s formation well worth the effort. I suspect that the U.N.’s role would be appropriately reduced to that of handling those humanitarian crises with which it is more adept and familiar, e.g. UNICEF, UNHCR and less politically challenging disaster relief and peacekeeping operations worldwide. And, of course, the U.N. would continue to be a venue where international crises and concerns would be discussed–just not the only one.

Owing to my first-hand experience in the developing world, and given my political realism to boot, I hope this concept has legs. Though it hasn’t been talked about much either by the candidate or the media, I believe it has genuine merit. If nothing else, it would reinvigorate America’s international diplomatic purpose and clout while enhancing the Free World’s collective security as well.  One would hope so anyway.

Rick Dollinger — Union Buster With Working Families Party Endorsement

(Editor’s note: We wanted to reprint this post in light of Jim Bertolone’s — head of the labor council – strongly worded endorsement of Joe Robach.  Many blogs put up off base post but we feel we were right on with this one. We asked the question and Mr. Bertolone answered loud and clear!)

If you were a big union honcho, who would you support, a Republican with a record of supporting your causes or a Democrat who was once censured by the local labor council for union buster activities? The answer should be obvious.  And it is for most  people in labor — Robach has received the endorsement of most unions.

One glaring exception is the Working Families Party — which has endorsed Rick Dollinger for state Senate over incumbent Senator Joe Robach.  WFP has endorsed Dollinger depsite the fact that Dollinger was censured by the Rochester Area Labor Council in the early 1990’s. A reader sent us the newspaper article from the old Times-Union about the incident. Take a look for yourself — we have a scan of it after the text.

Dollinger was a county legislator at the time and actually ran with labor support when he was first elected. The local AFL-CIO asked to have Dollinger added to the national organization’s “Report on Union Busters.”

Ron Pettengill, head of the Labor Council at the time, said at the time that Dollinger was the first person censured by the local AFL-CIO in almost 20 years. Pettengill said at the time:

You are not going to get the support of the Rochester labor community by using anti-labor tactics.

Now the WFP, which has its’ roots in the labor movement is rewarding this union buster with their endorsement.  My how things have changed!

Dollinger Hypocrisy Part II

More on that negative mailing on Richard Dollinger.  We told you about Dollinger admitting taking money as a reward for one of his votes and attempting to justify it.  We checked bullet point number two on this mailing and guess what?  That’s 100% accurate.

Dollinger failed to file required financial disclosure forms.

From the archives (2/10/95) of the Albany Times Union

ALBANY Twelve state lawmakers have won a dubious distinction from the state Board of Elections: They will be the first to face a $500 fine for not filing campaign finance reports on time.

(snip)

The legislators, who all won elections in November, have not turned in a report on donations and expenses that was due Jan. 15, the panel said.

(snip)

“It sends the wrong message when lawmakers become lawbreakers,” said Andrew Greenblatt, executive director of Common Cause, an advocacy group that pushed for the increase in fines.
(snip)

“That’s news to me,” said state Sen. Richard Dollinger, a Rochester Democrat who had not filed his report. He said he would immediately order his campaign treasurer to send it in.

Ah, yes, the old I didn’t know that was the law excuse.  Leadership you can count on!