The Bucknuts Hot Spot

My question is about fairness and the economy. So far we keep being told that Clinton's tax hikes are good for the economy and that the rich need to pay their fair share. So when these new tax hikes go into effect, what happens if the economy stays stagnate? Do we beat the drum for even higher taxes on the rich?

Please no one respond to Dave. Serious debate only.

I think we should retroactively go back for at least 20 years and tax the rich extra on everything they've made just to be fair. Just kidding.

In all seriousness, but I'm not liberal so I probably shouldn't answer, there's no way the deficit will not continue to grow under this administration, even with higher taxes on the 2%. Our elected officials have proven they can't produce a budget, let alone manage one, and the only solution is a balanced budget amendment to the constitution, or some other limitation on spending to a certain percentage of GDP. Even with either of those in place I wouldn't trust any of them to not manipulate the numbers to spend more. Until all Americans realize we have a spending problem nothing will change.

If the Clinton tax hikes were so good for the economy why aren't the Dems proposing them for all income levels?

Which is why it should be mandatory for anyone who wants unemployment benefits, food stamps or welfare to work a minimum of 20 hours/week in some form of public service capacity for the right to those benefits. Pick up trash or work in a halfway house - anything to create some ownership, and I'm sure our broke local governments could find something for them to do. And while we're at it what's wrong with mandatory drug testing? I'm not against benefits for people that need and deserve them, but there needs to be some minimum standards so people can't game the system. For the life of me I can not understand why something this simple couldn't become part of our policy. Pay to play so there's some skin in the game and no free lunch. Let the retorts from liberals begin.

In theory, I like your idea of requiring receipients of government benefits to do some type of work. However, as part of a massive "re-organization" last November, I lost my six figure job. I was eligible to draw unemployment and although it was not alot, it did help out. My wife who is an epidemiologist for the State of Ohio, was able to increase her hours from part time (24 hours) to 39 hours per week. She is fortunate to be able to work part time as we have 3 boys. During my 3 month vacation, I spent 10-12 hours per day looking for another job. Also, we took our boys out of pre-school and daycare to save money.

If I had to go pick up trash, which I am not above doing, it would have cost more for babysitting than the $473 net I received from unemployment.

In addition, Welfare and Unemployment is not the key drivers to our current debt issue. This is not to say changes (cuts) should not be made rather there are other expenses that can be reduced which will be more impactfull to the total debt issue. Specifically, Defense. We could cut 3-4 billion/year from Defense spending and become a safer nation at the same time. I would like to see our government re-allocate defense spending to more closely align with our current state rather than spending money on Defense programs that are no longer relavent.

Last, I personally tend to be slightly to the left although there are some issues that I more closely align with the right. I don't care which side of the fence your are on, at the end of the day we are all Americans and our government is letting us down. In my opinion, their behavior is unacceptable and if they worked in the private sector, they would be standing in the unemployment line. This is all government, not just the president. At some point, these people need to be held accountable and we are the only ones who really have the power to do so. It would be awsome to band together as voters, define 5 key metrics such as Unemployment Rate, Spending % of GDP, Debt Reduction, etc... and hold all members of govenment accountable to these metrics. The premise would be that if we were not hitting every defined metric at the end of their term, we would all vote for the challenger regardless of party affiliation. So, if you vote Republican and we are not hitting the metrics, you vote for the Republican challenger in all races, same goes for Democrats. Until these people are held accountable to serve us, they will continue to do what is in the best interest of themselves.

Just a thought!

Good to see Dave conclude his year on the same note even after his candidate's "victory"... Bitter, angry, and resentful. Sadly 2013 will bring more of the same for you. No amount of tax increase and corresponding "redistribution of wealth" will ever satisfy your perceived persecution It must really torque you that taxes are only going to get raised on families making more than $450K and individuals earning >$400K (So much retribution lost... A pity).

You are truly a victim, but not because other people have made you such... You are one because you feel sorry for yourself and take no accountability for your own decisions, actions, and position in life. You hide behind race and do more to spread hatred and divisiveness than the significant majority of those you attack and blame for your problems. People such as yourself solve nothing, produce little but more obligation and liability for others, and generally make our country a weaker nation. That's okay though as long as you do so in a "progressive" way.

Keep blaming those dreaded "cons" for just not spending enough money we don't have to fund your leftist grand designs. Wallow in the ignorance that increasing taxes could remotely pay for what is already in place let alone what you wish to expand. Meanwhile, those of us paying your ticket will continue to do so while you lament why there isn't more. The fallacy of your arguments will be exposed with our debts and deficits continuing to grow at unsustainable levels without the significant budget cuts which must occur for any legitimate and meaningful reform.

Happy New Year Dave... I have complete faith you will keep rallying people to the conservative cause in 2013.

Sure the "vast majority of Americans like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid" but the same vast majority don't want to pay the price to keep them solvent. The chickens will come home to roost someday and the longer we put off the pain to fix them the tougher the medicine will be to swallow.

Hmmm, no, how about you shut the F up. See, you are not the only one clever repartee s. I know you are peeved because I cannot help but laugh at the silly things you say such as implying legalizing marijuana can make a dent in the deficit.

Why 44%?? what is magical about that? Nothing other than you will never see that bracket and therefore you do not care. Take 44% throw in state and city taxes, sales tax and the individual is well over 55% in a state like California.

Eeergh, uh, now you shut the F up. You are no much for my quick wit.

The GOP cant control their party. Watch the House of Representatives. Boehner cant even pass plan B! or C,D,E,F,G you get the idea.

A lot of bad mouthing to start the new year. Once again your own words reveal you to be as bitter, angry, and resentful and feel yourself a victim as you accuse gave as being.

Your elitist claptrap that implies you are such a better human being because, in your own pitiful little mind, you think that what you have done in life is so much more than most others have accomplished is not only boring and ignorant, it is dangerous to the country.

The reason our country is in such poor economic shape is due to people like you who have not only reached the zenith of a deadly combination of arrogance and greed but have added to those the wonderful characteristics of stingy and elitism. Those in the top few percent have effectively held down wages and destroyed unions (the only hope for workers to effectively lobby for decent money, working conditions, and benefits) through their buying of the the law makers and the manipulation of most economic factors. It is not coincidence that we have higher than normal unemployment and a stagnation of wages and benefit packages for the bottom 80% while those making it on your sole criteria of monetary success now have created the greatest wealth and income disparity in our country's history. CEOs and other top management types like yourself are making record multiples of the common workers who most of you look down upon.

Save the claims about my envy, jealousy, etc. Making more in retirement than 85% of workers is good enough me.

It is a difference between how the two parties operate. The GOP has everyone voicing their desire. The Dem congressman vote top down. Pelosi tells them how to vote and they do it. The makes them diverse in opinion. IMO