The volatile nexus of politics and college athletics
Apparently, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has a strange understanding of “limited government.”
As sports fans know, the nation’s college athletic programs are playing a high-stakes game of musical chairs at the moment, forcing universities to scramble to make sure they have a conference to play in. West Virginia University, for example, this week thought it had nailed down membership in the powerful Big 12 conference, with a media announcement scheduled for today.
That announcement has been canceled, thanks to McConnell. The Kentucky senator reportedly made a phone call or two, and before you knew it the Big 12 started thinking that inviting West Virginia to join their conference would be a big mistake. Instead, the conference may now extend that offer to the University of Louisville.
McConnell (University of Louisville, class of ‘64) isn’t talking. But Sen. Joe Manchin (West Virginia University, class of ‘70) is making up for it.
“If these outrageous reports have any merit – and especially if a United States senator has done anything inappropriate or unethical to interfere with a decision that the Big 12 had already made – then I believe that there should be an investigation in the U.S. Senate, and I will fight to get the truth,” Manchin said.
West Virginia’s other senator, Jay Rockefeller, has also gotten involved. “The Big 12 picked WVU on the strength of its program — period. Now the media reports that political games may upend that,” Rockefeller said. “That’s just flat wrong. I am doing and will do whatever it takes to get us back to the merits.”
Rockefeller is chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over college athletics. All in all, it looks as though West Virginia and Kentucky may be headed for a border feud the likes of which ain’t been seen since the days of the Hatfields and McCoys.
Pass the popcorn, please.
– Jay Bookman
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282 comments Add your comment
Stonethrower
October 27th, 2011
10:29 am
1st?
Don't Tread
October 27th, 2011
10:32 am
“Apparently, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has a strange understanding of ‘limited government’.”
Apparently, Obama has zero understanding of limited government.
stands for decibels
October 27th, 2011
10:33 am
Taxpayer subsidized farm teams for monopolistic professional-sports organizations? Whatever could be wrong with that, Jay?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
10:36 am
Pick a topic, any topic…… blame Obama nonsense in 4 posts or less!
rwcole
October 27th, 2011
10:38 am
Exactly 8 minutes til someone swings at Obama. Someone’s slipping.
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
10:38 am
Another example of Congress getting involved in sports when they have other more important problems to take care of.
(Also, funny how Jay does an article on a GOP congressmen getting involved in sports but not an article on the 3 Democrats who are sniffing around HGH testing in the NFL)
getalife
October 27th, 2011
10:39 am
Way to focus on the 15 million jobs you lost turtle.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
10:39 am
Wow, McConnell sticking his nose in and obstructing even progress on freaking sports. SPORTS.
Ideologue! WTF.
Normal
October 27th, 2011
10:40 am
Criminy! Second blogger takes a dig at President Obama…class, that.
I hope they do make a big deal out of this and at least get the esteemed Senator from Kentucky censored…
Jm
October 27th, 2011
10:44 am
Democrats destroying the superncommittee. And this is the mid morning coverage?
Hmmmmm
Granny Godzilla
October 27th, 2011
10:44 am
Call in the CIA, the FBI, the MIB and the O of O.
Can I throw that yellow penalty flag thingie down on the floor of the Senate and do some pointy stuff with my arms …
offsides? holding?
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
10:45 am
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7148159/house-democrats-request-hearing-nfl-hgh-testing
Just so we get both sides of the story
.
Grasshopper
October 27th, 2011
10:45 am
A politician exerting influence — how shocking.
ty webb
October 27th, 2011
10:45 am
I wasn’t aware louisville even fielded a football team.
stands for decibels
October 27th, 2011
10:46 am
Exactly 8 minutes til someone swings at Obama.
Guys with “Don’t Tread” stickers on their cars don’t tend to be plagued with little distractions like, oh, the actual topic at hand and suchlike.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
10:47 am
jm: Democrats destroying the superncommittee. And this is the mid morning coverage?
Where’s the Republican’s supercommittee plan?
Curious Observer
October 27th, 2011
10:47 am
As a graduate of West Virginia University (on the way to the Emory graduate school), I’ve followed this debacle with interest. On the negative side, I’ll add that the state legislature did the university no favors when it mandated a few years ago that any state resident with a 2.0 GPA had to be admitted to WVU, a crippling blow. Add to that an academic scandal in which administrators granted an MBA based on “life experiences” to the daughter of a former governor-now-US Senator, and you have a recipe for allowing even diploma-mill SEC schools to look down their collective nose at WVU academically. Throw in a few thugs like PacMan Jones, plus a reputation for burning couches in the street and throwing garbage cans at opposing players, and you have a less-than-stellar reputation for admission to any other conference.
Just the same, there’s no question that WVU is the flagship of Big East football. However, the university has damaged itself badly by its actions. Whoever remains in Big East football is a dead man walking. There’s no question that the conference will lose its automatic bid to a BCS bowl once the current agreement expires. The loss of Virginia Tech, Miami, and Boston College to the ACC has now been followed by the agreement of Pittsburgh and Syracuse to join the ACC. Is it any wonder that politicians allied with the University of Louisville and West Virginia University are now throwing their weight around?
Jm
October 27th, 2011
10:47 am
McConnell pulls a lever. Dems lose.
Now, rather than focusing on jobs the democrats want to fight over football in the commerce committee?
Gimme a break. Democrats are pathetic and costing the economy jobs from their intransigence.
md
October 27th, 2011
10:47 am
“The Kentucky senator reportedly made a phone call or two”
And there in lies the operative words……..but folks will take it and run……
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
10:48 am
“I wasn’t aware louisville even fielded a football team.” – They’re 2-5 or something like that…not really relevant. It’s all about the money with this musical chairs stuff going on.
Joe COOL
October 27th, 2011
10:48 am
WOW….on the 2nd comment, Obama showed up.
ty webb
October 27th, 2011
10:48 am
“censor” McConnell?…what are they going to do…black out his nipples?
Jay
October 27th, 2011
10:49 am
Peadawg, I’d say there’s an obvious distinction between using your political clout to get your alma mater into a conference and calling hearings on the illegal and potentially fatal abuse of human growth hormones.
But hey, that’s just me.
Jm
October 27th, 2011
10:50 am
Adam 10:47
Already been proposed. But republicans, adhering to the rules, unlike Dems, haven’t publicly released it.
They’re both submitted them, which happened yesterday in a meeting. Grow up.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
10:51 am
jm: But republicans, adhering to the rules, unlike Dems, haven’t publicly released it.
By previous Republican logic, that’s called NOT having a plan.
At least Democrats have a plan. Where’s YOUR plan?
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
10:51 am
Grow up.
Glass house, meet stone.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
10:53 am
Now, rather than focusing on jobs the democrats want to fight over football in the commerce committee
Right…because the Republicans are hard at work with the Dems on passing jobs bills….and all Dems are focused solely on this issue.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
10:53 am
Kamchak: Nice, but I’m taking the high road. No need to call people names when I’m on the correct side of the issues
Jm
October 27th, 2011
10:54 am
Adam. Stop trolling
stands for decibels
October 27th, 2011
10:54 am
“censor” McConnell?…what are they going to do…black out his nipples?
Nominated for post of the week. Any seconds?
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
10:54 am
“But hey, that’s just me.” – I see both as getting involved in sports, where they have no business being involved in. Remember all the money wasted on steroids in baseball? And now Roger Clemens wants taxpayers to pay for his lawyer fees b/c of the screwups during his perjury trial.
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
10:55 am
There are many successful alumni of many institutions that call to offer their opinion on a wide variety of things involving their former college all the time.
Why is Mitch McConnell not alloud to or suppossed to do this?
If he offered preferential treatment (don’t know what senate could offer the Big 12)then that is another issue. But seems like he just called in a couple of favors.
Exxactly which politician on any side is not guilty of doing that?
Adam
October 27th, 2011
10:56 am
Jm: Adam. Stop trolling
And the corollary to my statement above is, when you only have name calling left, you have lost.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
10:58 am
GS: Obama is consistently on record (since people seem to think they have to ask him all the time) as saying these guys in sports need to handle their own business. They can figure it out without his opinion. But he loves the Chicago teams.
ty webb
October 27th, 2011
11:00 am
Jay,
What exactly does McConnell allegedly lobbying for his alma mater’s entrance into the Big 12 have to do with what he prefers to be the appropriate size and scope of the federal government?
Jm
October 27th, 2011
11:01 am
Adam. You’re daft. I didn’t name call. I said stop doing something.
As I am not a congressman, my plan is wholly irrelevant. My vote is not tho.
Vote republican.
Rick
October 27th, 2011
11:02 am
Don’t Tread, the term “limited government” doesn’t mean no government. It doesn’t even mean minimal government. Get a dictionary. And you might want to actually read The Federalist Papers rather than just allowing the right-wing propaganda machine to pull out a few out-of-context passages in order to fill your head with nonsense.
Jm
October 27th, 2011
11:03 am
Oh and Adam. Daft is an adjective
Aquagirl
October 27th, 2011
11:04 am
I see both as getting involved in sports, where they have no business being involved in.
Look, I am the first to say men in all political parties spend waaaaaay too much time obsessing over young guys who wear tight pants and nestle their hands up to another man’s junk.
But even I will concede illegal drug rings might be a fair topic for the law, while college conference alignment is clearly not.
Contractor
October 27th, 2011
11:05 am
Do yourself a favor Bookman and don’t get into the realm of sports, because I highly doubt you understand anything about them. Stick with what you’re good at, being a low class Liberal writer.
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
11:05 am
Adam
October 27th, 2011
10:58 am
Correct,
has he used his political influence in areas it was not needed or his opinion on matters that are not part of his job description?
All of them have, for you to claim they do not is simply false or ignorant.
Did McConnel make any deals with the Big 12? Is the Big 12 going to get special treatment from congress for inviting Louisville?
He made a call and used his name to voice his opinion. Again which politician has not done this with something?
Adam
October 27th, 2011
11:06 am
Jm: “I’m not calling you names, I’m just…. well, I’m just…. calling you adjectives!”
Come on, man.
stands for decibels
October 27th, 2011
11:06 am
Democrats destroying the superncommittee.
Can someone rational tell me what jm is bitching about now?
from what I can tell, the Wussiecrats are being their usual surrender monkey-selves and leading with offers of cuts in benefits to old people.
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2011/October/27/super-committee-deal-swap.aspx
WTF do these right wingers want as a first offer? The rendered fat from the resulting dead bodies, as well, to be used as lamp oil to light the poorhouses?
kayaker 71
October 27th, 2011
11:07 am
I would wonder how many telephone calls have been made behind the scenes to influence college sports, by both Democratic and Republican elected officials. Why single out McConnell? He is just one of many.
Occutard
October 27th, 2011
11:09 am
Do politicians really need to be involved with every aspect of human existence?
Adam
October 27th, 2011
11:09 am
stands: What they want is for the Democrats to offer first, so they can oppose it, no matter what it is. Oddly, I am at least 95% sure that if a package of only spending cuts were offered, it would be rejected for not cutting enough. Then the Republicans would move the conversation in that direction.
Personally I think the first offer should have been tax increases only, because we know that the Republican plan will be tax cuts, spending cuts, and deregulation only.
Read My Lips: No New Tax Cuts!
TaxPayer
October 27th, 2011
11:10 am
Well geez, Jay. It’s not like Mitch is some sort of honest or honorable or fair human being! He’s a Republican!!!
Misty Fyed
October 27th, 2011
11:13 am
Just goes to show what a little power can do to you.
TaxPayer
October 27th, 2011
11:15 am
And there in lies the operative words……..but folks will take it and run……
You mean sorta like that ClimateGate thingie…by the way, what ever came of that. Any word on any of the stations that talked about it before. Any word from any of the bloggers that talked about it. Watts up with that, dontcha know.
1811/0311
October 27th, 2011
11:15 am
Jay:
Although there are many more important things to talk about today, this is a rare occasion that we agree.
Except, we need a Constitutional Amendment to ensure we have BCS playoff !!!!
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
11:16 am
“But even I will concede illegal drug rings might be a fair topic for the law” – What does whether or not the NFL and Player’s Union agree on HGH testing have to do w/ illegal drug rings?
“Do yourself a favor Bookman and don’t get into the realm of sports, because I highly doubt you understand anything about them. ” – This needs to be sent in an email to every member of Congress. There’s more important things to take care of.
kayaker 71
October 27th, 2011
11:16 am
One of the biggest iniquities in college sports is the NCAA’s insistence that college athletes not be compensated. They get a really substandard education, only a small percentage go on to professional sports and they make gazillions of dollars off of them in the process. If it were not for football, most of the SEC schools, and others around the country, would be sucking wind. Wonder if any of McConnell’s telephone calls had to do with money?
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
11:17 am
Vote republican….
…it’s easier than thinking.
Senior Citizen Kane
October 27th, 2011
11:20 am
As a conservative, I say right on, Jay. A lot of these guys are conservatives until it comes to some pet project, especially one involving college football. Orin Hatch did the same thing a few years ago when Utah didn’t get a BCS birth. He called for a congressional investigation. Give me a break.
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
11:22 am
kayaker 71
October 27th, 2011
11:16 am
“They get a really substandard education,”
That is way lees the norm than it is the exception.
It happens but only a small percentage of the NCAA’s student athletes are not recieving a great education. Many of these student athletes would not be getting an education at all if not for athletics.
Again it is only a very small percentage that are not recieving an excellent education, opening many dorrs and opportunities that will help them throughout their lives.
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
11:22 am
“One of the biggest iniquities in college sports is the NCAA’s insistence that college athletes not be compensated” – They get a free education.
Aquagirl
October 27th, 2011
11:22 am
Why single out McConnell? He is just one of many.
Flag on the field! 15 yard penalty for patently childish conduct: screaming little Johnny does it too in an obvious attempt to deflect attention from an @$$hat move.
Some of us have raised children, using a defense commonly raised by six year olds looks extraordinarily lame.
rightwingextreme
October 27th, 2011
11:22 am
gracious Jay….this all you got for today?
bammy’s attempting to bribe students with a pathetic college bailout.
the supercommittee can’t get it together on spending cuts
islamic sharia based governments are taking over the middle east
bammy has lost iraq as he couldn’t secure immunity for our soldiers…..(i know bush couldn’t either) but hey bammy’s suppossed to be the best and brighest we’ve ever had….at least that’s what he tells us (not that we’ve seen any transcripts or writings to prove or disprove this!)
1811/0311
October 27th, 2011
11:23 am
Maybe some team disagreeing with a call on an “instant replay” should have the right to appeal to Congress ?
Might slow down the game a little but so what ?
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
11:24 am
“the supercommittee can’t get it together on spending cuts” – And you really expected them to get something worked out?
1811/0311
October 27th, 2011
11:25 am
rightwingextreme:
My point earlier but you see there is something you may not know …………………….
Jay is from WEST VIRGINIA !
So ……………….. the bias is not only with the good senator but with Jay the journalist.
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
11:29 am
Poor Kentucky.
The Bluegrass Republirubes have saddled themselves with two of the most buffoonish US Senators in the entire US Congress. And given just how many gawdawful lamebrains there are up there, that is one helluva feat.
Here in Georgia we are relatively lucky. We only have one industrial strength loser and coward in that august body.
And alas the Little10. Trying to replace a Nebraska with a Louisville?
Desperation…
kayaker 71
October 27th, 2011
11:31 am
The ridiculous amount of money that college coaches are getting today is in direct relation to the amount of TV money that the University lands. Saban… 4.7M…. Spurrier…. 2.8M…… Chizik…. 3.5M….. Miles 3.75M. Getting a good education? yeah, right. My daughter shared a bunch of classes at Auburn with people like “Cadillac” Williams and others who routinely got their tests taken by someone else and had term papers and other work done by other people. Many of them majored in Sociology or Criminology, two of the favorite joc majors that produce absolutely nothing. The “education” that they were getting was abysmal. But they provided fodder for the TV cameras and gobs of revenue for the schools. Most of them who didn’t make it to the NFL draft are selling cars.
Knuckle Draggin' Crybabies
October 27th, 2011
11:31 am
Man, this is weird. Jay shares an interesting sports story, and accurately depicts it in his headline.
Are there really that many stupid people in Atlanta that PeaDawg and Don’t Tread are a reflective sample?
They seem to be a perfect example of what Republicans are all about: maintaining the status quo and thwarting progress by changing the subject every time someone has a new idea.
We gave Republicans the House, and they accomplish nothing. We could give them the White House and the Senate, and they would go back to trying to ban gay marriage and try to dig up Terry Schiavo and bring her back to life. And Georgia Conservatives fall for this silly crap every time. Pathetic.
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
11:34 am
First of all….we shouldn’t even have a senate committee that oversees college athletics. That is ridiculous. Second…with a 9% approval rating and 9+% unemployment, you’d think all of these losers would have more important things to worry about.
godless heathen
October 27th, 2011
11:35 am
“We gave Republicans the House, and they accomplish nothing.”
See Jay’s previous post. They’ve turned the economy around.
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
11:36 am
Here in Georgia we are relatively lucky.
Not when we have Neal “When you grow up on a farm in Georgia, your first girlfriend is a mule” Horsley.
1811/0311
October 27th, 2011
11:38 am
Jay:
Maybe it should be the W.Va. “Mutineers” for trying to leave ??
ragnar danneskjold
October 27th, 2011
11:38 am
Count me as a vote for Congress preoccupying itself with matters of athletics and Hollywood culture, and getting it out of the business of micromanaging the real economy (i.e., healthcare, banking, manufacturing, etc.).
kayaker 71
October 27th, 2011
11:39 am
Kamchak,
I wish to take issue with you on your comments about mules. Some of us prefer sheep but they must be stump broke. There’s a pretty funny joke about that but Bookman probably wouldn’t allow it.
Midori
October 27th, 2011
11:39 am
KDC – You erroneously left out Godless Heathen………..
getalife
October 27th, 2011
11:39 am
LSU whooped the turtle’s team like our President whooped the gop.
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
11:40 am
I wish to take issue with you on your comments about mules.
Take it up with Horsley, it’s his comment.
stands for decibels
October 27th, 2011
11:42 am
K71, alas, Kamchak is not kidding.
http://www.newshounds.us/2005/05/06/bizarre_sex_habits_of_the_extreme_rightwing.php
Jay
October 27th, 2011
11:43 am
I’m all for a BCS playoff, Scout. I just don’t think it should be strong-armed into existence by Congress.
And for the record, I’m not from West Virginia, my dad is. As a military brat, I’m from nowhere in particular.
Sure is Amazing
October 27th, 2011
11:43 am
rightwingextreme
October 27th, 2011
11:22 am
gracious Jay….this all you got for today?
bammy’s attempting to bribe students with a pathetic college bailout.
the supercommittee can’t get it together on spending cuts
islamic sharia based governments are taking over the middle east
Did someone let Rick Perry into the room today??????
Adam
October 27th, 2011
11:43 am
godless: They’ve turned the economy around.
Only if your sentence is followed by the phrase “by doing nothing.”
Aquagirl
October 27th, 2011
11:44 am
Maybe some team disagreeing with a call on an “instant replay” should have the right to appeal to Congress ?
There’s no end to Scout’s ignorance. For god’s sake, man, did you sleep through high school Civics? All serious Constitutional scholars agree instant replay falls under the Supreme Court.
getalife
October 27th, 2011
11:46 am
We have a playoff system and the game is played in Atlanta.
SEC Champions are the National Champions.
LSU!
Wondering...
October 27th, 2011
11:47 am
Democrats seek hearing on HGH tests
WASHINGTON — Three Democratic congressmen are urging the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the impasse between the NFL and players union on testing for human growth hormone.
“
Committee hearings will allow us to learn about these issues, hearing from top scientists about the validity of HGH testing and from the NFL and the NFLPA about the extent of HGH use in the league and their plans for testing to eliminate such use.
” — Excerpt from Democrats’ letter
California Rep. Henry Waxman, the top Democrat on the committee, and two others made the request in a letter Tuesday to chairman Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican.
The NFL and the players agreed to begin blood testing for HGH as part of their new collective bargaining agreement reached in late July — but only if the union agreed to the methods. The union has delayed implementing the test, asking for more scientific data to prove it is reliable.
NFLPA sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the union would welcome hearings because it believes it may hasten its unfulfilled efforts to get data it is seeking from the World Anti-Doping Agency.
“This delay is a cause for concern,” wrote Waxman, along with G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina and Bobby Rush of Illinois, both of whom chair subcommittees on the panel.
The lawmakers cited a recent letter to the union and NFL from nearly two dozen scientists and lab directors from around the world stating the current test is scientifically reliable; and noted that the test has been used in the Olympics.
“There appear to be few questions about the validity of the HGH test,” the Democrats wrote.
They also noted that CBS football analyst Boomer Esiason, a former NFL quarterback, said that the union is “backing off because they have players guilty of using this substance,” and said that many believe at least 20 percent of players are using it.
“We hope that this is not the case,” the congressmen wrote. “Committee hearings will allow us to learn about these issues, hearing from top scientists about the validity of HGH testing and from the NFL and the NFLPA about the extent of HGH use in the league and their plans for testing to eliminate such use.”
In an email to The Associated Press, union head DeMaurice Smith said that players’ health and the safety and integrity of the game go hand-in-hand.
“I applaud the members in their request for a hearing and look forward to fully discussing all of these issues as soon as possible,” he said. “We are sending letters to the teams immediately in order to assist Congress in its fact finding mission.”
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league appreciated the lawmakers’ commitment to the issue, “but there should be no need for this hearing if the union would simply live up to its agreements.”
A spokesman for Upton’s committee, Sean Bonyun, said lawmakers on the committee are in bipartisan agreement that “it is well past time for the NFL and Players Union to live up to their HGH testing agreement.”
“Each day that goes by without rigorous HGH testing tarnishes the image of the NFL and sends the wrong message to the nation’s youth,” Bonyun said.
Earlier this month, the chairman and ranking member of another panel, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, emerged from a meeting with the NFL and players union and announced a deal to begin collecting blood for testing. But the union demurred, and last week, told the NFL to hold off collecting the blood.
The union is seeking data from the athletes who were used to originally set thresholds as to what constitutes a positive test, so it can compare that data with a population study on football players. The union believes players could have naturally higher HGH levels than those of other athletes.
Jimmy62
October 27th, 2011
11:48 am
If theres a bigger bunch of scum than in congress, its the ncaa, whose entire purpose is to make money off talented kids while talking about high-minded ideals like student-athletes, which is code for indentured servants.
granny godzilla keeper
October 27th, 2011
11:50 am
14 million Americans are unemployed and 9.3 million are underemployed. Our debt has grown over $4 trillion in less than three years and will be above $16 trillion before the end of 2012. The safety net for the poor is coming apart at the seams and no one in Washington seems to care.
The only way we can restore our prosperity and save our great nation from President Barack Obama’s failed policies is to elect conservative Republican leaders from the Court House to the White House in 2012 — and make President Obama a one-term president.
scott
October 27th, 2011
11:52 am
Where was this outcry when Senator Warner(Va), then governor or VA, did basically the same thing to get VA Tech into the ACC? Nope. A non-story. Status quo for Jay.
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
11:54 am
stands for decibels
October 27th, 2011
11:42 am
I didn’t read the article, but I doubt they are as weird as Kam’s squirrel fetish.
scott
October 27th, 2011
11:52 am
Why, of course.
Evans Dawg
October 27th, 2011
11:56 am
Just more proof that neither party is for limited government.
ty webb
October 27th, 2011
11:57 am
excuse me, there already is a BCS football playoff…It’s called the SEC Championship game.
Stonethrower
October 27th, 2011
11:57 am
Mr. Horsley, as the preacher said in the old joke, “da__ed if I’d of told that”!
pat
October 27th, 2011
11:58 am
Then you have the idiot senators trying to ban tobacco use by the MLB..Seriously, we don’t have any bigger problems?
I wish the worst problem we had was that baseball players chew. Who give a rat’s ass really?
1811/0311
October 27th, 2011
11:58 am
Should a team have the right to “secede” from a conference?
stands for decibels
October 27th, 2011
12:00 pm
PD @ 11.54, not only admitting on a nationally broadcast radio show that you had sex with a mule, but claiming that anyone who grew up on a farm in Georgia did likewise?
Call me biased, but I think that might trump Kamchak borrowing a riff from the movie “Up” on yonder Weirdness scale.
n
October 27th, 2011
12:01 pm
A good portion of the western world is on the verge of financial collapse and this is what our congress obsesses about? State-sanctioned gladiator shows to placate the masses foreshadowed the fall of the Roman Empire. Is there nobody left in federal and/or state government with a modicum of reason (or civility, or honesty)?
ty webb
October 27th, 2011
12:03 pm
HGH in the NFL, NCAA conference alignment, Tobacco in Major league baseball…these issues are precisely what our federal government should be involved in…They can spare us all their “help” with the economy and jobs…better to keep them preoccupied with these shiny objects.
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
12:05 pm
The SEC should dominate.
Outside of Miami (which is in a league of it’s own) they have the highest player payroll and the most scandals in any given year.
This was a bit of an off year for them though – just Auburn, LSU and Tennessee in the news. For the wrong reasons…
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
12:05 pm
“Then you have the idiot senators trying to ban tobacco use by the MLB”
But it’s unhealthy. And is bad for kids to watch baseball players chew.
(sarcasm)
Daily Aued
October 27th, 2011
12:06 pm
Garters at rouged knee course of my visits.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
12:08 pm
Even in sports, Scout has to try to create new rabbitholes…..
ty webb
October 27th, 2011
12:09 pm
Amvet,
hmmm… pretty sure Ohio st., USC, and UNC are giving Miami a run for their money…and none of those are in the SEC.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
12:11 pm
Evans Dawg: Eh, both parties ARE for limited government – limited in the ways they want it to be limited and really really big in the ways they want to control things. The argument really should be on what makes more sense for government to be involved in and what makes more sense for the government to stay out of.
Marie
October 27th, 2011
12:12 pm
Let’s get politics out of sports period. I still have no idea why the US Senate or House calls players up for hearings on steroids. It’s none of their business. And yes that includes ending these anti-trust clauses that Senators/Congressmen love to waive around whenever they want the NBA, NFL, NHL, or MBA to co-operate with them in some stupid investigation.
But it sounds like Rockefeller and Manchin are just mad that McConnell may have more clout than them. If they’re that upset it seems to me they probably made a few calls on behalf of their school too. And Senators make calls all the time in favor of one thing or the other; quit whining R&M and just suck it up. Just slap McConnell on the back and say “you got us dude” and have a beer summit.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
12:12 pm
LUNCH
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
12:16 pm
ty, at least your innate ability to be wrong extends beyond politics! (grin)
Miami’s rap sheet is longer than those three universities combined…
Mick took umbrage at that observation some months back until I showed him in black and white.
Hell, there is even a “Miami Rule” implemented after some truly ugly unsportsman like conduct in the 1991 Cotton Bowl.
By every measurement and every metric, over a sustained period of decades, Miami stands FAR above all others in collegiate football scandals…
St Simons - we're on Island time
October 27th, 2011
12:16 pm
I think W.Va will come out better for this. They don’t wanna go out to that 1-2-3 go-out-for-a-pass cow pasture junior league. We’ll take em in a few years in the SEC, after they get some more faciliities and get their revenues up, and they can play in the East in the Big Boy League. That way the Auburn $cammers won’t have to move over. Go Dawgs
I see the the AM radio talky-point for today is “dems are sabotaging the super-committeee wah wah screeeech” and just ignore the positive GDP.
Well. aint karma a beeatch, cons.
If they don’t agree, taxes go up with a Republican House.
heheheheheheh
Republican – Its Whats for Dinner
St Simons - we're on Island time
October 27th, 2011
12:18 pm
Republican – the Other White Meat
Jack
October 27th, 2011
12:18 pm
Seems Bookman ran a little short of something to write about today.
Granny Godzilla
October 27th, 2011
12:20 pm
Oh Look a new fan!
Jm is that you?
WOODSTOCK MIKE
October 27th, 2011
12:21 pm
St Simons – we’re on Island time
Georgia football would be so embarassed to know you were a fan…
LKB
October 27th, 2011
12:23 pm
Jay – “fatal abuse” on HgH. Name one person that has died taking HgH for non-critical care issues like peformance enhancement? Just like a liberal to use “shock” tactics. Your new name – Jay “I wanna be Biden” Bookman.
RB from Gwinnett
October 27th, 2011
12:23 pm
“Peadawg, I’d say there’s an obvious distinction between…”
I’d say there’s an obvious distinction between journalism and the biased crap you post here every day bashing Republicans for everything from climate change to college sports. It’s a frigging journalistic JOKE you never have an “opinion” about anything Democrat.
Armed Liberal
October 27th, 2011
12:26 pm
Why is there such a strong correlation between user names that include initials and bitter idiocy.
We need a study.
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
The rhetoric within these posts eptomize the problem with the current American Political system. Its become a Rep v. Dem battle rather than a goal to make America better. The GOP is too busy protecting the money of the top 1% who have seen their income increase 247% since 1980 while the Dems continue to leverage the future of this country with entitlement programs for those who don’t contribute to the tax base or GDP. Meanwhile the vast majority of Americans, the middle class, are not being represented at all. I am part of the 53% who pays taxes but I still wonder how I’ll ever be able to retire or put my kids through college. Since 1980 (adjusted for inflation) middle class income has increased by 40%, while housing expense has increased 48%, healthcare 118%, and college tuition 127%. The middle class is being eliminated by the policies of BOTH parties. Unfourtunately too many Americans, like those that have commented on this board, are too busy blaming the other party rather than the policies themselves. The policies that represen onlyt the best interests of the minority (extremely rich or extremely poor). Like lemmings Dems will blame the GOP and vice versa when neither party is looking out for you.
bucket
October 27th, 2011
12:29 pm
Last time I checked a Senator is a representative for the interests of the people that live in his state. If McConnell doesn’t make a phone call or two on behalf of Louisville then he would be derelict in his duty IMO. Now if he offered any favors on legislation that would be a different story. Of course, it is odd that McConnell’s involvement in a minor matter to some is criticized, but Machin and Rockefeller’s reaction to such a minor matter is not criticized? Come on! All of those guys are doing what they should do to help their state schools. The Big East is going down and everyone is trying to land somewhere profitable.
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
12:31 pm
I didn’t read the article…
There’s your sign
…but I doubt they are as weird as Kam’s squirrel fetish.
Posting a video is a fetish?
The lady doth project too much, methinks.
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
12:33 pm
I am part of the 53% who pays taxes…
This crap again?
Every consumer pays taxes, sport.
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
12:37 pm
Kamchak,
OK I’m am part of the 53% who pays income taxes, sport!
Sorry but the 7% or so collected as sales tax isn’t going to do much to support this govt. I wish my tax rate was even double that.
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
12:40 pm
Sorry but the 7% or so collected as sales tax isn’t going to do much to support this govt.
Never said it would, but you come here with a disingenuous talking point that you parrot as fact.
St Simons - we're on Island time
October 27th, 2011
12:40 pm
mike dude- more democrat Dawgs than con Dawgs, by a longshot
those with the sheepskins anyway (& the degree) – da-dum
haha Athens joke – you wouldn’t get it
Midori
October 27th, 2011
12:41 pm
Why is there such a strong correlation between user names that include initials and bitter idiocy.
We need a study.
add people named “Dawg” to that study
GM
October 27th, 2011
12:41 pm
What do you expect from a racist redneck from Ky who said in Obama first 90 days his job is to make sure the President of the United States fails.
Tread on me:: as long as he has back wood hillbillies like you to support him, he will continue to bring this country to the gutter””
TaxPayer
October 27th, 2011
12:42 pm
If Tom Graves can walk away from his loan, then students should be able to do the same.
markey mark
October 27th, 2011
12:42 pm
Woodstock Mike – as a former native of St Simons (before it became overbuilt and overblown, god I miss the late 70;s on that island) and a Ga Football fan, we are…..not many liberal Dawg supporters, but we all got our crosses to bear…..and right now, the GA Alumni Association is meeting and discussing the state of Mark Richt over multiple cocktails (and tomorrow nights revelries are a whole ‘nother discussion….
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
12:44 pm
For the umpteenth time – people do not pay taxes.
They simply pass the costs along.
The answer is to immediately eliminate all corporate taxes.
And then taxes on individuals. (In about 250 years.)
Only then will we finally be able to reduce government to the size where we can drown it in a bathtub…
markey mark
October 27th, 2011
12:44 pm
“mike dude- more democrat Dawgs than con Dawgs, by a longshot” – I know you live on my old hometown island, but what in the @#$@#$ ever gave you that idea?….you may have a degree, but it appears to be in self-delusion….
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
12:45 pm
Oohhhh… If we are doing that study, can we add anyone who claims they are “winning” or constantly references “your mom’s basement”, frequently says “calm down” or “did you take this [drug]”
TaxPayer
October 27th, 2011
12:47 pm
I think scout bragged about attending UGA. Perhaps he was even birthered there.
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
12:47 pm
“Never said it would, but you come here with a disingenuous talking point that you parrot as fact.”
What did I say that was disingenuous?
Both parties agree to the OMB calculaltions that after deductions only 53% pay income tax.
Midori
October 27th, 2011
12:52 pm
good idea, Keep
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
12:54 pm
What did I say that was disingenuous?
Geez…maybe this will help.
In
.
your
.
original
.
post
.
didn’t
.
mention
.
“income”
.
taxes.
.
Both parties agree to the OMB calculaltions that after deductions only 53% pay income tax.
This
.
is
.
what
.
we
.
call
.
“moving
.
the
.
goalposts.”
RB from Gwinnett
October 27th, 2011
12:54 pm
“Every consumer pays taxes, sport.”
And everybody on this blog knew when he stated 53% he was talking about federal income taxes and not state sales taxes. I suspect you knew that too, but you chose to make this comment on the level of a third grader anyway.
Then you have the nerve to call him disingenuous????? Really??
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
12:56 pm
And everybody on this blog knew…
Who granted you the authority to speak for “everyone”?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
12:58 pm
RB, if everyone “knows” it then why not be precise when posting instead of repeating a disproven talking point. And you have the nerve to claim that pointing out the constantly repeated false claim is “third grader.” I guess constantly repeating a disproven claim is the level of kindergarden or nursery school…… unless of course someone may have an agenda by repeating the inaccuracy constantly instead of the correct statement.
You whine about pointing out the lies of the right? Really?
Mr. Snarky
October 27th, 2011
12:59 pm
So how does getting Louisville in the Big 12 contribute to making Obama a one term president? Sounds like fish-face is falling down on the job.
Knuckle Draggin' Crybabies
October 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
I need to add Woddstock Mike and RB from Gwinnett to my list. I’m ashamed to say it’s growing and I probably haven’t scratched the surface.
Woodstock assumes you have to be a mouth breather to be a dawg fan, and he probably never set foot on the UGA campus except on gameday or to buy a camo “G” hat from the bookstore.
And RB assumes if it is published by a newspaper it has to be objective journalism. It’s called a political blog, Einstein. see also “editorial.”
The editorial selection and content necessarily reflect the views of the authoer, but not necessarily the publisher. I realize watching too much Fox News makes this all confusing, so I’ll give you a pass.
RB from Gwinnett
October 27th, 2011
1:03 pm
“Who granted you the authority to speak for “everyone”?”
And the 3rd grade level comments just keep on coming….
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
1:04 pm
“Who granted you the authority to speak for “everyone”?”
“RB, if everyone “knows” it then why not be precise when posting”
I guess we can call y’all tweedle-d and tweedle-dumb? Both of you knew damn well what he meant. I don’t either of you are perfect when it comes to writing and grammar.
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
1:05 pm
I too think everyone should have some skin in the game.
As a good Republican I have no beef whatsoever with the 4.3 million Americans who make between $50,000 and $100,000 and the 485,000 Americans who make between $100,000 and $500,000 and the 18,000 Americans who make $500,000 or more and who pay no federal income taxes in any given year.
In fact I have never once even brought them up in conversation.
Those people are job creators and winners.
My beef is with the poor schmucks making $27,500 a year who could easily cough up a $100 each…
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
1:06 pm
And the 3rd grade level comments just keep on coming….
And the deflection just keeps on coming…
Paulo977
October 27th, 2011
1:06 pm
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
10:36 am
Pick a topic, any topic…… blame Obama nonsense in 4 posts or less!
We are just failing on critical thinking skills….Are we hiding behind a canopy of his ‘alleged’ failings to mask the real reason for our bashing of this very clever,committed , adroit president ??????
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
1:07 pm
I don’t either of you are perfect when it comes to writing and grammar.
Glass house, meet stone.
carlosgvv
October 27th, 2011
1:07 pm
When I was in high school, many years ago, getting into a college like Georgia Tech was difficult. Everyone, including the football players, had to demonstrate college level learning and intelligence. Now, Tech and so many other schools give full scholarships to “student athletes” who cannot pass even eight grade levels of learning and cannot write or speak a grammatically correct sentence. If our nation’s educators were really as concerned about the educational level of American students as they profess, they would insist colleges stop this shameful and disgraceful practice. Unfortunately, this would demand a large amount of political incorrectness and their courage is sadly lacking in this regard.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
1:08 pm
Pea….. its not grammer or writing to constantly repeat a lie….its a lie when a false claim is constantly repeated over and over and over despite constantly proving it a lie. At that point its deliberate and intentionally misleading and not something merely misspoken. So you may want to put on your tweedle-dumb hat!
Normal
October 27th, 2011
1:10 pm
Sorry Jay,
But the visuals….
http://justcapshunz.icanhascheezburger.com/2011/10/24/funny-captions-cocacola/
RB from Gwinnett
October 27th, 2011
1:11 pm
“And you have the nerve to claim that pointing out the constantly repeated false claim ”
Let me guess, you heard it wasn’t true from a guy down at the OWS tent city?…
That’s a pretty widely accepted number for you to claim it’s not accurate. How about you provide some support for your claim.
Kamchak
October 27th, 2011
1:12 pm
….its a lie when a false claim is constantly repeated over and over and over despite constantly proving it a lie.
And my point is, this is a battle that we as liberals didn’t fight thirty years ago when talk-radio first started this kind of crap.
We ceded the ground and let false talking points define the language of debate.
Knuckle Draggin' Crybabies
October 27th, 2011
1:13 pm
This is boring. The only conservatives dumb enough to post here are getting powned. It’s not even worth it. Ima go start some trouble elsewhere. Hey, Kyle . . . !
GT
October 27th, 2011
1:13 pm
Mitch McConnell has always got that look like you are a dummy and he has all the answers. In his world you don’t have to be able to talk, just look cocky, have a smirk, and look like there is only one road to an answer and you have to go through him to get it. Country boys call that being smart, I call it covering up being dumb, which is a measure of intelligence in that world.
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
1:15 pm
OK I guess I’m the idiot because I didn’t include sales tax, gas tax, ad velorum, payroll, excise, and social security. I probably missed another tax please forgive. I was talking about Federal Income tax since the discussion was about the Federal Govt. Given that, the 47% figure is accurate after allowable deductions.
I find it interesting that so many people find this to be GOP rhetoric, its not. I consider myself a Red Clay Democrat and do not agree with the direction of either party. They have stopped representing the backbone of America and yet like mindless idiots you defend them due to a perverted one sided sense of allegiance. The one thing that both Rep & Dems can agree on is the more they can polarize the base the longer they will remain in office. Obviously plenty of you here have taken that bait because a moderate opinion is hated equally by the right & left.
RB from Gwinnett
October 27th, 2011
1:16 pm
“And RB assumes if it is published by a newspaper it has to be objective journalism. It’s called a political blog, Einstein. see also “editorial.” The editorial selection and content necessarily reflect the views of the authoer, but not necessarily the publisher”
I’ve given Jay multiple opportunities to state he is not a journalist, but merely an opinion columnist, and he has declined. As long as he claims to be a journalist, THAT is the standard he will be held to. A journalist should be expected to have an objective “opinion” of political matters and post them to their blog. The crap he posts here is so far from objective, you can’t even see objective from here. And as I’ve told Jay many times, this city deserves better from it’s only newpaper.
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
1:19 pm
Keep @ 1:08
Most people on this blog knew exactly what he meant when he said that. I’m sorry you and Kam didn’t. That sounds like a personal problem to me.
Mick
October 27th, 2011
1:19 pm
rb
If jay isn’t your cup of tea, then why don’t you just go over to kyles? You can find agreement if that is what you’re looking for…
Granny Godzilla
October 27th, 2011
1:21 pm
Atlbirdawg
I understand some of your sentiment.
It is important however to understand that as there is no moderate 3rd way in this nation we will be presented 2 choices in November 2012.
You either don’t vote, or you stand up, pick a side and fight for that which is closest to your heart.
Fence sitters can be as big a drag on the nation as the partisans.
Remember, bait is fishy stuff….
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
1:23 pm
Kind of sad and funny at the same time…
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320×320/315551_250834048297763_132284120152757_687011_2101329262_n.jpg
williebkind
October 27th, 2011
1:23 pm
Curious Observer
October 27th, 2011
10:47 am
I hope you have a real degree, I mean one with skills than can be applied toward earning a living. Unless you are like the others think they are owed a good living just because you have a particular degreel. MA in liberal arts is no better off than the kid next door with a black belt.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
1:23 pm
Atlbirdawg: OK I guess I’m the idiot
We’ll let you have that one.
But now that you acknowledge that there are many taxes paid by 100% of the people and that income taxes are only a segment and that when all taxes are taken into account including federal payroll taxes, as a percentage, a NYC janitor pays more as a % than a millionaire…. we then the discussion can move beyond your little “mindless idiots” rant to talking sensible solutions.
Granny Godzilla
October 27th, 2011
1:24 pm
“MA in liberal arts is no better off than the kid next door with a black belt.”
Cute but not true.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
1:26 pm
Poor widdle Pea, he just wants to play ignorant about the lies….. I think Kam already addressed your retort.
Armed Liberal
October 27th, 2011
1:29 pm
Why are the GOP apologists up in arms over being asked to stop lying?
Just stop, and we can all move on.
The sad truth is they feel it is their inalienable right to lie, cheat, and steal without any repurcussions. Accountablity only applies to the left according to the right.
Homey don’t play that no more, suckas.
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
1:29 pm
“Poor widdle Pea, he just wants to play ignorant about the lies”
I’m not ignorant. I just know what the f people mean when they say, “50% pay no taxes”.
St Simons - we're on Island time
October 27th, 2011
1:30 pm
hey markey, let da biggest cocktail pahhtay in the world begin!
Gnat’s Landing in redfern village is the epicenter this yr
Mark R’s gonna be fine. That was my vote anyway.
I stand by that. More Democrat Dawg grads than con Dawgs.
Education/Democratic/Coincidence?
Cons hate Education/Republicons/Coincidence?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
1:36 pm
Pea, you are ignorant if you don’t believe it is done intentionally either because they are repeating a talking point lie from another source without comprehension of its true meaning (which means they need the “education”) or they omit the truth. If you chose to remain ignorant, your choice. Despite your whine, we’ll continue to point out the lies and maybe you can save yourself some time and effort by just typing the truth. Okay?
Granny Godzilla
October 27th, 2011
1:39 pm
“we’ll continue to point out the lies”
Yea baby!
Peadawg
October 27th, 2011
1:40 pm
“Okay?”
Okay punkin.
Curious Observer
October 27th, 2011
1:44 pm
williebkind
October 27th, 2011
1:23 pm
Curious Observer
October 27th, 2011
10:47 am
I hope you have a real degree, I mean one with skills than can be applied toward earning a living. Unless you are like the others think they are owed a good living just because you have a particular degreel. MA in liberal arts is no better off than the kid next door with a black belt.
Oh, I have numerous degrees in several fields, willieb, and lots of books to my credit. And now that I’m almost retired, it occurs to me that I’ve made a very good living. I have a little empathy even for you. You apparently believe that earning a college degree is a pathway to employment, rather than evidence of having acquired some knowledge, an ability to acquire more, and an appreciation of culture. The people I feel sorriest for are those who will walk away with a BBA, an abysmal ignorance of culture, including their own, an ignorance of any language except their own, and an arrogance that lets them put down people who are ten times better in just about every respect.
You can’t teach a stump, willieb, and we have millions of stumps walking around, with or without college degrees. Enjoy your stumpdom.
Hussan
October 27th, 2011
1:45 pm
Getalife,
You know LSU is somethng to be real proud of, a QB who kicks a downed Marine, and three pot heads that only miss one game……boy that Les Miles and the President of the School are also such fine examples to follow…….yes they win, but at what cost?
Typlical that a rat would pull for that team…….go Bama…………..beat the cheaters
Big 12 realignment becomes political football as US senators weigh in – USA Today | News Reporter Online - Daily News Magazine
October 27th, 2011
1:46 pm
[...] holding up WVU move? – Manchin weighs in on Big 12 expansionBluefield Daily TelegraphThe volatile nexus of politics and college athleticsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Teel Time: Big 12 expansion shenanigans similar to politics that [...]
Adam
October 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
RB: And everybody on this blog knew when he stated 53% he was talking about federal income taxes and not state sales taxes.
I’ll give you this one when you let other such wordsmithing slide, like Elizabeth Warren’s “rest of us paid for” and Democrat’s “it ends medicare.”
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
1:48 pm
Granny,
I agree that there is not a moderate option, which is the problem.
In November I will choose from the lesser of two evils yet again based on the issues.
My contention is that middle America is getting squeezed by both sides and the middle class could soon be an endangered species.
I am of the philosophy that “all boats rise together with the tide.” I am a demand side economist who thinks that citizens are entitled to a fair opportunity at nothing more. Granted some social programs are needed to help those who can’t help themselves but as long as people have the opportunity and ability to better themselves then their success or failure should be entirely up to them.
As the distribution of wealth in American becomes more disproportionate then the chances of a more socialist govt increases.
Bait is fishy stuff and it stinks!
Bosch
October 27th, 2011
1:50 pm
Well, it seems the topic has turned to the erroneous bumper sticker sound byte that 47% pay no income tax, and as such, I’ll simply post a very good point our friend Paul made the other day:
As I asked the questions, your answers avoiding a direct answer lead me to believe you know very well many of those 47% pay payroll tax on all they earn and that SS tax receipts have for years been used to finance the General Fund. So while they may not pay ‘income tax’ they pay tax which goes to support the same things that income tax supports.
Which knocks the legs from under the assertion they ‘have no skin in the game.’
In fact, as has been repeatedly demonstrated here, they have more ’skin in the game’ than many millionaires who pay zilch.
Well done Paul.
Bosch
October 27th, 2011
1:53 pm
“As the distribution of wealth in American becomes more disproportionate ”
I agree, when you see the top 1% getting that distribution, it does create problems.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
1:53 pm
Atlbirdawg : As the distribution of wealth in American becomes more disproportionate then the chances of a more socialist govt increases.
Exactly.
The Marxist revolution so feared by conservatives will happen the more and more they marginalize the 99%.
We have a lot of kids graduating college, can’t find jobs,” Bloomberg said on his weekly WOR radio show. “That’s what happened in Cairo. That’s what happened in Madrid. You don’t want those kinds of riots here.”
Adam
October 27th, 2011
1:55 pm
Bosch: Nevermind that statistic being from 2009 returns, which were returns from the 2009 year, still at the height of the recession. When do the 2010 return statistics come out?
Bosch
October 27th, 2011
1:57 pm
Adam,
I don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter — the cons will be poutraged no matter — I wonder if they think that percentage of people are all on welfare?
RB from Gwinnett
October 27th, 2011
1:59 pm
“If jay isn’t your cup of tea, then why don’t you just go over to kyles? You can find agreement if that is what you’re looking for…”
Nowhere have I ever asked for “agreement”. I’m asking for objectivity; something Jay appears incapable of.
Do you have any idea what kind of society has a completly one sided news media?
Bosch
October 27th, 2011
1:59 pm
And on a total unrelated note, I picked up this beverage while I was out called “Peace Tea” and I must say, it is pretty good stuff!
md
October 27th, 2011
1:59 pm
Distribution?
You folks do know there is no distribution or allocation of wealth…..don’t you?
Did I miss that behind door number 3?
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
2:00 pm
Mystery meat from Alabama,
You’re joking, right?
You hire a guy by the name of Price in 2003 who goes to Pensacola for a golf outing, gets whacked out in a bar/strip club and allows a woman, but not his wife, to run up a room service bill of close to $1,000. And ditch him before he coaches his first game.
Antonio Langham, the “Textbook Matter”, boosters paying other students to take tests for football players, paying high school coaches to get players to go to Tuscaloosa, Franchione, telling his players he wasn’t coming back – via teleconference!
Those acts and others caused Alabama to receive a two-year bowl ban and five years of probation from the NCAA. In addition, Alabama lost 21 scholarships and almost received the “death penalty”—having the program disbanded for a proscribed period.
Yeah, that’s a class outfit…
Bosch
October 27th, 2011
2:01 pm
RB,
For the millionth time, Jay’s column here and this blog is an opinion thing.
Do you hold the same standard for the other op-ed journalists at the AJC? Do you go to Kyle’s blog and pitch hissy fits about how he too is biased and subjective???
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
2:02 pm
I am sure RB demands that Hannity and Beck be objective too.
TaxPayer
October 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
Who gave RB the double-knotted half-hitch wedgie today.
Bosch
October 27th, 2011
2:06 pm
Taxpayer,
Today? I’d say he’s had that going on for years now.
Mick
October 27th, 2011
2:06 pm
rb
We have a multifaceted media here, pick the one that works for you. The internets have blown wide open the access to all kinds of information. I check out el rushbo every day to see if he will finally say something that is akin to the truth. It’s not going to happen, he gives his followers exactly what they want – misinformation and they gobble it up. That’s the thing, there are hundreds of not thousands of ways to get information, its your choice….md are you catching this?
Adam
October 27th, 2011
2:06 pm
Keep: And Rush and Coultergeist and Kilmeade and Huckabee and, and, and
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
2:07 pm
Keep up the good fight,
“as a percentage, a NYC janitor pays more as a % than a millionaire…. we then the discussion can move beyond your little “mindless idiots” rant to talking sensible solutions.”
I’m in agreement with you on this 100%. I think that the tax code should be simplified and every citizen who is able should pay their fair share. I do not support a regressive flat tax policy but I do think that there can be a simplified progressively tiered tax policy based on income regardless of where it originates. We have to have an environment that is pro-business but not anti-labor. More people employed equals more tax revenue and increased consumer spending. This is not a left or right ideal its a pragmatic approach to a balanced budget and a healthy economy.
Big 12 realignment becomes political football as US senators weigh in – USA Today | Just Top News - Daily News Magazine
October 27th, 2011
2:07 pm
[...] holding up WVU move? – Manchin weighs in on Big 12 expansionBluefield Daily TelegraphThe volatile nexus of politics and college athleticsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Teel Time: Big 12 expansion shenanigans similar to politics that [...]
willie lynch
October 27th, 2011
2:09 pm
McConnell is a dumb a**.
willie lynch
October 27th, 2011
2:11 pm
Bosch
October 27th, 2011
2:01 pm
Does anyone go to Kyle’s blog?
Big 12 realignment becomes political football as US senators weigh in – USA Today | News Blitz Weekly - Daily News Magazine
October 27th, 2011
2:12 pm
[...] holding up WVU move? – Manchin weighs in on Big 12 expansionBluefield Daily TelegraphThe volatile nexus of politics and college athleticsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Daily Press (blog) -Chicago Tribune -Washington Post [...]
getalife
October 27th, 2011
2:13 pm
Do we need a gop?
They act like the enemy.
Very unpatriotic and unAmerican actions.
getalife
October 27th, 2011
2:13 pm
willie,
I do.
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
2:15 pm
That damn liberal, Warren Buffet!
Always putting his feet in his mouth…
“My gut tells me a couple of things. Number 1, you know it took a long time to produce this certificate and when it came out, as you know, you check out the internet, many people say it is not real. Okay? It’s a forgery. And the other thing is, nobody has been able to see the day of his birth, they had twins born, they had the other one born. Nobody has been able to find any records that he was born in that hospital.”
OH! Did I say liberal and Buffet?
I meant the adored neo-con icon Donnie Trump.
Never mind…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
2:17 pm
simplified progressively tiered tax policy based on income regardless of where it originates
I don’t disagree with the concept. That does however mean that some will not pay any income tax and that some will pay progressively more. However, you will not get to that discussion if there are pledges by some who claim “no new taxes” and that removing a deduction is a “tax increase” or that extending a tax cut for some but not all is wealth envy or any of the other nonsense. I have no disagreement that the tax code is too complicated but I also know that defining “income” takes more than a few sentences.
getalife
October 27th, 2011
2:17 pm
insane,
Which part of LSU is number one do you not understand?
We want bama to show the world why we are number one.
Granny Godzilla
October 27th, 2011
2:19 pm
AMVet
Seen the Trump O’Donnell fued?
Donald wants to sue Lawrence and Lawrence says Donald can’t afford it….
Butch Cassidy
October 27th, 2011
2:19 pm
RB from Gwimmett – ” A journalist should be expected to have an objective “opinion” of political matters”
Please, Please, Please send that to those talking turds on Fox and Friends! Actually, just make it a general memo to everyone at FNC. Thanks!
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
2:19 pm
“as a percentage, a NYC janitor pays more as a % than a millionaire…. ”
Oh good lord. I guess no proof or facts are needed to back up that idiotic statement.
getalife
October 27th, 2011
2:20 pm
“I am so proud of myself for getting owned by the President in front of the world”
That is trump if he told the truth,
Another gop clown.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 27th, 2011
2:20 pm
Them lyin’ papers! Things must be pretty good in this country if all U.S. Senators got to fuss about is football teams. I use to think it was just, I got mine, you get yours and to heck with you. Now it’s, My football team ain’t going to be left behind if yours is moving. Now we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty. In a few weeks Perry and Cain will be coming out with their Equitable Football Conference Alignment Plan, in which the big boys will get even more money and the little schools will be sucking hind teat as usual.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
2:24 pm
Libertarian….your “google” not working. Here you go. Try the nice color chart at the bottom.
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
2:27 pm
Keep Up..
I agree again!! See how much common ground there is to be had among the voting populous?
The GOP can’t continue to be obstructionists simply to ensure that Obama loses in 12. That is what drives me insane, they would rather the economy tank than have a Democrat get credit for improving it. I don’t believe that many of the Pres. policies have been successful but I do see someone who is trying to do all that he can to find solutions. I don’t feel the same way about the GOP.
American politics has become Party first, re-election second, and country a distant third.
This needs to change.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
2:27 pm
Granny, I hope Donald sues. It would be fun to see him have to demonstrate the “lies” by showing his actual net worth, etc. Donald is a blowhard and a stinking liar.
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
2:31 pm
Bosch
October 27th, 2011
1:50 pm
thats disingenuous.
You know that those folks pay sales tax and many other forms of tax.
I’m surprised the others didn’t let you know how wrong you are for telling a lie, or a mis-truth.
Granny Godzilla
October 27th, 2011
2:32 pm
Keep
You are way to kind to the Donald.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
2:32 pm
Atlbirdawg….we can agree on the outsome of gridlock and a lot of stupidity. I don’t agree that the entire politics of the Dems are “party first”, some may be but I believe that its too easy to make those claims when the politics align with what is right. I do agree that is the politics of the Republicans is Party First and above the country. Re-election is a concern of all politicians but that is exacerbated by United Citizens and we need real campaign reform.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
Granny, yeah I know but I did not want to have to satisfy the sensititives of the auto-filter
Janney
October 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
AND RB, Jay has documented facts, not made-up fantasies, to back up his opinions.
Big 12 realignment becomes political football as US senators weigh in – USA Today | Breaking Right Now
October 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
[...] holding up WVU move? – Manchin weighs in on Big 12 expansionBluefield Daily TelegraphThe volatile nexus of politics and college athleticsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Daily Press (blog) -Chicago Tribune -Washington Post [...]
Big 12 realignment becomes political football as US senators weigh in – USA Today | Breaking Right Now - Daily News Magazine
October 27th, 2011
2:34 pm
[...] holding up WVU move? – Manchin weighs in on Big 12 expansionBluefield Daily TelegraphThe volatile nexus of politics and college athleticsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Daily Press (blog) -Chicago Tribune -Washington Post [...]
TaxPayer
October 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
Lehman had $639 billion of assets when it filed for protection from creditors on September 15, 2008, a filing that was a major trigger of that year’s global financial crisis.
Another Chapter in the history books, “The Failure that is Wall Street,” about to be finalized, in a year or two or three…
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
Keep
1. I was told yesterday on the blog that referencing opinion websites does not constitute facts
2. Your little chart there does not account for any other taxes besides income and payroll. As you and the rest of Jay’s groupies like to point out daily, you have to consider gas, sales and all other types of taxes. The rich spend more, therefore they pay more in sales tax.
3. Your little chart is based on people in NYC. I’m guessing those people must make their money off of dividends and capital gains to only pay an effective rate of 7% (if this bs website is even true). But, without giving up too much information, I see a lot of tax returns and I’m looking at one right now from a millionaire and that person paid 31.5% in income tax alone. And spare me the typical liberal response of “that person needs to get a new accountant.” Some people are honest, and pay what they owe. For you and others to make a sweeping statement that “all millionaires pay nothing” and “janitors pay more than millionaires” is insulting and elementary. Turn off the MSNBC for a minute.
AmVet
October 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
“I am so proud of myself for getting owned by the President in front of the world”
getalife, in that regard, the loon epitomizes our con bloggers here, doesn’t he?
The more they get punked the more they ask, “What punking?”
Granny, nope. Honestly if the headlines includes that birther moron’s name, I’m fairly certain it is just titillating trash.
In a few weeks Perry and Cain will be coming out with their Equitable Football Conference Alignment Plan, in which the big boys will get even more money and the little schools will be sucking hind teat as usual.
That’s hysterical, RC. I love it.
But I’m think I’m “down” with Brother Herman’s 999 plan.
If I understand it correctly now, the bottom 99% pay in $999 up front, and then pay $999 a month for 999 months.
The job creators and winners in the top 1% are exempt.
RB from Gwinnett
October 27th, 2011
2:39 pm
“Please, Please, Please send that to those talking turds on Fox and Friends! Actually, just make it a general memo to everyone at FNC. Thanks! ”
Sure. Right after you send one to NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, PBS, THE AJC, NYT, LA TIMES, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, etc, etc, etc……..
When you’re done, I’ll be happy to send that one letter to that one media outlet.
Get the point?
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
2:40 pm
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
2:31 pm
On this blog its ok to tell lies and half-truths about the “rich” or the 1%.
getalife
October 27th, 2011
2:41 pm
The cons lack of intellectual honesty is ridiculous.
After presented with solid evidence that they are dead wrong, they can’t admit it.
You just have to laugh at the clowns.
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
2:41 pm
Libertarian,
Oh good lord. I guess no proof or facts are needed to back up that idiotic statement.
It’s more true than you realize. If a CEO of a company earns $1 mill/yr salary then yes he will pay a higher tax rate on that income than someone who earns $50k/yr. The issue is when you have CEO’s like Buffet who earn $1/yr salaries but then receive $10 million/ year in divendend income which are taxed at a much lower rate. When you combine that with the fact that the “janitor’ also pays the various payroll taxes and spends nearly 100% of their income to survive they are paying consumption taxes on nearly 100% of their income. The millionare who pays the nominal 15% capital gains tax on the $10 mill plus only consumes 1-2% of income is paying a significantly lower blended rate than the janitor.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
2:43 pm
Libertarian…. sorry, you dont like the website or the facts as initially reported on Tax.com. I did not know you were so very sensitive that you consider that an opinion website. And since you want to be precise….do show where I or any other said “all millionaires pay nothing” or that “janitors pay more than millionaires.” You really whine without fact…. I did say “NY janitors pay more than millionaires as a percentage” as demonstrated by the info on Tax.com as reported in another story.
Now I am sure that if you add in the gas tax, sales tax, property tax…. as a percentage, the NY janitor pay more. But your welcome to provide facts, which you have not so far, to demonstrate your point.
Got anything more than some childish rant. If you are looking at tax returns, I hope you are doing a better job there than you are at posting here.
DebbieDoRight
October 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
The rich spend more, therefore they pay more in sales tax.
Well DUH!! If you buy a yacht you’re going to spend more on taxes than the person who bought a Mini Cooper. Jeesh!!
Paul
October 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
Generation:
The background to that was the assertion by many on the Right that N% pay no income tax. The counter is they pay payroll taxes which go to support the General Fund. The level was federal. Sales and many others are state or are designated for a specific purpose (gasoline tax).
It was also noted in the same discussion there are over a thousand households with incomes over one million dollars who have no federal income tax liability. Given how many of them have their financial affairs structured to take advantage of laws minimizing tax liability, payroll taxes don’t enter into the equation.
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
2:47 pm
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
2:41 pm
I understand how our tax system works. I’m smart enough to know that included in the “1%” are people who make $350,000 to INFINITY. What some people on this blog are too stupid to realize is that you can’t just lump the whole group together and say “they pay zilch.” Yes, Buffett, Oprah, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, etc etc etc probably don’t pay much more than 15% or so because they make all of their money off of dividends. They use money to make more money. There is a simple solution to that….raise the tax rate on dividends. I get it. But you can hardly lump a business owner making $350,000 or even $1.2 million into the same category as Warren Buffett. Those are the people are are genuinely screwed by our tax system. They are small business owners, they are job creators. It is insulting to all of them to have bottom feeders sit here daily saying they don’t pay anything.
delagator
October 27th, 2011
2:47 pm
Atlbirdawg “OK I guess I’m the idiot”
Well said from a Gator, only you are not an idiot. If you run for office I will vote for you. Political extremist keep pushing their own vitriolic agendas to keep American’s eyes off the ball. Until WE THE PEOPLE get our act together, there will be no change.
Paul
October 27th, 2011
2:48 pm
“The rich spend more, therefore they pay more in sales tax.”
Another example of introducing state and local taxes into a discussion about federal taxes.
Hi DDR!
Just got done with a stint for nearly a week of taking care of son’s 2 1/2 year old son and twin 7-month old sons.
Mrs. Paul did most of the work, but I take a lot of the credit.
It’s a guy thing.
Paul
October 27th, 2011
2:50 pm
Libertarian
“What some people on this blog are too stupid to realize is that you can’t just lump the whole group together and say “they pay zilch.” ”
My impression is, no one here on the apparent Left side of the argument says that.
It’s the people on the apparent Right side of the argument who say the Left says that.
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
2:50 pm
I don’t know why I bother with you Keep.
So, you’re telling me you know without a doubt that ALL JANITORS pay more than ALL MILLIONAIRES (as a percentage)? You know that? As a fact? There isn’t ONE millionaire out there who pays a higher percentage than ONE janitor?
And I believe it was Bosch who said “millionaires pay zilch.”
Janney
October 27th, 2011
2:54 pm
RB; please supply facts to prove your “point” about NBC, CBS, ABC, et all. There are already numerous facts to prove Fox News bias.
1811/0311
October 27th, 2011
2:55 pm
Regarding the previous thread:
“Protected class is a term used in United States anti-discrimination law. The term describes characteristics or factors which can not be targeted for discrimination and harassment. The following characteristics are considered “Protected Classes” and persons cannot be discriminated against based on these characteristics:
Race – Federal: Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1866
Color – Federal: Civil Rights Act of 1964
Religion – Federal: Civil Rights Act of 1964
National origin – Federal: Civil Rights Act of 1964
Age (40 and over) – Federal: Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
Sex – Federal: Equal Pay Act of 1963 & Civil Rights Act of 1964
Familial status (Housing, cannot discriminate for having children, exception for senior housing)
Sexual orientation (in some jurisdictions and not in others)
Gender identity (in some jurisdictions and not in others)
Disability status – Federal: Vocational Rehabilitation and Other Rehabilitation Services of 1973 & Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Veteran status – Federal Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974
Genetic information – Federal: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act”
Now, I don’t see anything in there that says it’s “discrimination” for an employer to not hire someone because they are a knucklehead “WallStreet Occut*rd” ……………..: because it has nothing to do with race, color, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, or genetic information, etc.. Maybe I missed it but I didn’t even see being a “member of a certain political party” as being one of the categories in federal anti-discrimination law. If it’s there someone please show me the legal cite.
However, even if being a member of a certain “policital party” is a categroy, if an employer doesn’t want to hire someone stupid enough to be part of a group that promotes violence, confronts police, violates city ordinances and lawful orders, trashes public places and violates the rights of others …………….. then that’s just the kind of employer I would want to work for.
Bottom line ………….. you don’t have to hire a “knucklehead” as there are always “better qualified applicants” !
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/qanda.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_class
Paul
October 27th, 2011
2:56 pm
Libertarian
It was I who said, of those who assert there are people who ‘pay no income tax’ that “as has been repeatedly demonstrated here, they have more ’skin in the game’ than many millionaires who pay zilch.”
Armed Liberal
October 27th, 2011
2:58 pm
Libertarian – Read this: http://gcoe.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/CAED/papers/id038_Haltiwanger_Jarmin_Miranda.pdf
It says you tell lies…
Butch Cassidy
October 27th, 2011
2:58 pm
RB in Gwinnett – Right after you send one to NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, PBS, THE AJC, NYT, LA TIMES, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, etc, etc, etc……..
When you’re done, I’ll be happy to send that one letter to that one media outlet.
Get the point?”
Not really, I don’t get my news from anyone that you listed. I am however partial to the BBC. I find that watching the news from sources outside the U.S. tends to provide much better understanding of how we are really viewed in the world. Whereas the FNC leans so far right that if they went any further the world would shift on it’s axis.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
2:58 pm
Libertarian…you do have a comprehension issue or are you just lying? Did I say ALL janitors? First I said NY Janitors. I doubt that is ALL Janitors and that the 49 other states have ZERO. Then you don’t really care for the truth do you…just your lies. To be precise, I said when all taxes are taken into account including federal payroll taxes, as a percentage, a NYC janitor pays more as a % than a millionaire. Note the word “a” not “all” and the one and only point I will concede is that I did not refer to federal payroll and income taxes, however, that said, I dont think that state and local taxes will change that overall result.
So to recap…You lie!
St Simons - we're on Island time
October 27th, 2011
2:59 pm
“The rich spend more, therefore they pay more in sales tax.”
Not if the rich guy has a good accountant.
Shell co – across state lines – book it in SG&A – lowers Net Income
Not only does he pay no sales tax, he effectively pays lower
income tax because of the SG&A expense.- boom
The little man just goes to the store and pays it.
The rich man gets “paiiid” twice.
Is that fair?
There is one party that is FOR more regulation of this.
There is one party that is for LESS regulation of this.
Vote your conscience, if you have one.
Don’t blame us, we just count the beans.
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
3:00 pm
Paul
October 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
As others here have posted, you should have indicated exactly what you meant and left nothing out. Outherwise you have another motive as to what you said and are thus disingenuous.
I’m surprised those who were arguing that earlier have not posted anything along those lines to you for orignally posting it or to Bosch for re-posting it.
Also kinda shocks me that you chose to remain silent and did not say anything to contradict those posters arguing that those who pay no income tax, do pay taxes. You know with your whole federal and state tax issue.
Guess you didn’t see where they posted that only when other people did. Weird
I am sure they must have just acidentally skipped Bosch’s re-post and were unaware you made the same mistake as another poster, with whom they were arguing with.
lso how can you just decide to eliminate the payroll taxes of those you speak of?
If they are accepting a salary and get a pay check from the company they are paying their payroll tax as well, sorry if you don’t think its enough, but they are paying this tax.
If they own the company or coorporation they are also paying taxes deducted before their takehome profit.
Armed Liberal
October 27th, 2011
3:03 pm
RB – I’ll make a deal with you, if you’re game.
You read this: http://books.google.com/books/about/What_liberal_media.html?id=zXu0MIeRoCYC
And I’ll read something you suggest.
Wanna play?
Paulo977
October 27th, 2011
3:03 pm
Janney
October 27th, 2011
2:54 pm
RB; please supply facts to prove your “point” about NBC, CBS, ABC, et all.
About time someone called her/him on it!!!!
USMC
October 27th, 2011
3:04 pm
Occupy Wall Street kitchen staff protesting fixing food for freeloaders…
LOL!
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/zuccotti_hell_kitchen_i5biNyYYhpa8MSYIL9xSDL#ixzz1c0iDCCSu
Granny Godzilla
October 27th, 2011
3:04 pm
Millionaires Support Warren Buffett’s Tax on the Rich
I read stuff like this, then look at the GOP and wonder how they can be so self destrustive.
DebbieDoRight
October 27th, 2011
3:05 pm
Hi DDR! – Just got done with a stint for nearly a week of taking care of son’s 2 1/2 year old son and twin 7-month old sons. Mrs. Paul did most of the work, but I take a lot of the credit. It’s a guy thing.
Hi ya Paul!! Well congrats on all the hard work that you did with the kids! Yes I know it was really Mrs. P — But you were the one giving her all that good advice, while watching television. You did your part and that’s all that counts.
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:06 pm
Generation
“As others here have posted, you should have indicated exactly what you meant and left nothing out. Outherwise you have another motive as to what you said and are thus disingenuous.”
I would suggest if you select a statement from a prior blog, you should read the thread to understand the context of the statement and not assume you interpret one post correctly.
I just came back on here a few minutes ago. The post was addressed to Bosch. I generally give the addressee time to respond before I jump in.
I do not understand the point you made regarding the payroll tax. Can you rephrase?
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
3:07 pm
Keep
As long as you concede that it is possible that some millionaires pay a higher percentage than some janitors, I’m fine with that.
And, it wasn’t you who said millionaires pay nothing, it was Bosch/Paul.
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
3:08 pm
Delagator – Thanks for the endorsement
Libertarian – We too then can agree. I’m with you that many govt policies hinder small businesses. However if a small business owner is claiming business receipts, or even business income as personal income then they really do need to get with a good accountant because the US tax code has many legal and ethical exemptions they can claim.
“There is a simple solution to that….raise the tax rate on dividends.”
100% agreed dividend income, capital gain income, whatever income, is income and should be taxed as income at the appropriate rate for that income. I would recommend that the corporate tax rate be cut from 36%, which is among the highest in the world, to around 25% simplify the tax code and eliminate the vast majority of exemptions. This would bring more jobs and more growth to the economy.
Butch Cassidy
October 27th, 2011
3:08 pm
Janney – “RB; please supply facts to prove your “point” about NBC, CBS, ABC, et all. There are already numerous facts to prove Fox News bias.”
I wouldn’t hold my breath Janney. Its’ been my experience that RB is on “right wing” time. Make a statement devoid of facts and then disappear. That, or he’s stuck in traffic because he refuses to use the HOT lanes that were so graciously provided by his Republican Overlords.
DebbieDoRight
October 27th, 2011
3:10 pm
Numbers: However, even if being a member of a certain “policital party” is a categroy, if an employer doesn’t want to hire someone stupid enough to be part of a group that promotes violence, confronts police, violates city ordinances and lawful orders, trashes public places and violates the rights of others …………….. then that’s just the kind of employer I would want to work for.
Wow! Does that mean an employer can discriminate against the NRA or those Dog Loving people? They break LOTS of ordinances, laws, etc., etc., etc.
Butch Cassidy
October 27th, 2011
3:13 pm
Numbers – ” if an employer doesn’t want to hire someone stupid enough to be part of a group that promotes violence, confronts police, violates city ordinances and lawful orders, trashes public places and violates the rights of others …………….. then that’s just the kind of employer I would want to work for.”
How many resumes have you sent to Communist China? I think you’re just the type of employee they’re looking for.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
3:13 pm
Ummm….Libertarian. I think the quote from Paul as reposted by Bosch at 1:50 and later again by Paul says “many millionaires who pay zilch.” Again, NO one has said ALL millionaires pay zilch” except for your claim.
But thanks for conceding that you are fine with a concession I did not make about a statement that I did not make. Just can step up and admit you were wrong can you? I won’t expect you are able to stand up and apologize for your false attributions and lies either.
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
3:15 pm
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:06 pm
“I would suggest if you select a statement from a prior blog, you should read the thread to understand the context of the statement and not assume you interpret one post correctly.”
As I would suggest that you read through the discussion of a current blog before you jump in, and not assume you interpret one post correctly.
Many Millionaire take a salary for working a position at a company. If they are getting paid they are having to contribute payroll taxes. your statement does not say anything about that unless zilch is not zero. Or I have a misunderstanding of the value of zero.
You did exactly with your post what another poster did, yet not a peep from those who argued with the other poster. just seemed odd to me….
dare i say disingenuous of them.
Then i asked the same of you, but from your statement of you just checking back in…..
I guess you were simply guilty of what you lectured/ suggested that i do….
Odd how people’s hypocricy shows depending upon the issue huh?
You sure u ain’t a republican?
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:16 pm
Libertarian
“And, it wasn’t you who said millionaires pay nothing, it was Bosch/Paul.”
Actually, it wasn’t.
Reread the 2:56
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
3:17 pm
Keep
You are a child. And I am done with you. Have a good day.
DebbieDoRight
October 27th, 2011
3:17 pm
I am however partial to the BBC. I find that watching the news from sources outside the U.S. tends to provide much better understanding of how we are really viewed in the world. Whereas the FNC leans so far right that if they went any further the world would shift on it’s axis.
Butch: or he’s stuck in traffic because he refuses to use the HOT lanes that were so graciously provided by his Republican Overlords.
Ooooo…… You’re talking about RB’s daddies! He’s going to get really really upset and probably try and stop some poor old democrat from voting.
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:21 pm
Generation
You’re beginning to sound like Libertarian. The salient point is that he mischaracterized what I said. It was not necessary to read four pages to determine that.
You don’t have a misunderstanding of zilch. You are merely ignoring those who’ve structured their finances to avoid income and payroll taxes by introducing another group.
Today’s the fourth Thursday in an even-numbered month in an odd numbered year, so yes, today is “Be a Republican” day.
Janney
October 27th, 2011
3:21 pm
Debbie Do Right and Butch Cassidy; thanks for pointing out the hilarity of right-wingers!
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
3:23 pm
Some people just can’t stand someone pointing out that they are wrong……
Butch Cassidy
October 27th, 2011
3:25 pm
DebbieDoRight – “Ooooo…… You’re talking about RB’s daddies! He’s going to get really really upset and probably try and stop some poor old democrat from voting.”
Well if he follows suit, he’ll refer to me as a “Lib” then instruct me to get a job (even though I’m retired) and then make some comment about “wealth envy” (not knowing that I’m a retired stockbroker who lives off of investment income that is taxed at a substantially lower rate) and ending with some mindless rant about how “if I loved Obozo so much, why don’t I marry him” (again not realizing that I didn’t vote for Obama and probably won’t in this election either. But hey, I could be wrong.
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:26 pm
Keep
I think some, like Generation, are just having fun. Others, it seems, can’t distinguish their egos from their opinions.
DebbieDoRight
October 27th, 2011
3:27 pm
Keep – You are a child. And I am done with you. Have a good day.
Hmmm sounds a lot like:
Luke, I am your father. Join with me and embrace the DARK SIDE.
Libertarian
October 27th, 2011
3:27 pm
“You are merely ignoring those who’ve structured their finances to avoid income and payroll taxes”
I’m not ignoring those people. I know there are many in America who don’t pay their fair share. Some are in the top 1%. But what a lot of liberals seem to ignore is that there is a large number of people in the top 1-2% who do pay their fair share. They pay a lot. And are tired of seeing our government pi*s it away. Some on this board consistently like to demonize the the “rich” while defending the poor. And to be fair, there are plenty on this board who demonize the poor as being lazy, etc when that is no necessarily true. In short, there are a lot of hypocrites on this board who would follow their chosen party off a cliff.
DebbieDoRight
October 27th, 2011
3:32 pm
Butch: Well if he follows suit, he’ll refer to me as a “Lib” then instruct me to get a job ……..make some comment about “wealth envy” ……..ending with some mindless rant …… But hey, I could be wrong.
Naw you’re right. You forgot to add the part about your being a Socialist and the anti-christ. He puts that sh##t on everything.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 27th, 2011
3:33 pm
Paul, I would agree with the egos and opinions mishmash. My opinion can definitely be changed with real facts and information. I have often held opinions over the years that were wrong initially.
DDR:
To which the proper retort is “There I have run rings around you logically”? Or is it “Intercourse the Penguin’?
Atlbirdawg
October 27th, 2011
3:33 pm
“In short, there are a lot of hypocrites on this board who would follow their chosen party off a cliff.”
WINNER WINNER CHICKIN DINNER!!!
The biggest problem is with politics in America is this right here. The Republican party specifically has done a masterful job of getting people to vote against their own best interests.
Armed Liberal
October 27th, 2011
3:34 pm
GOP: I like vanilla ice cream, it’s the best.
DEM: I like strawberry.
GOP: Idiot, vanilla’s the best. That’s a fact!
DEM: That’s your opinion, not a fact.
GOP: NO. Vanilla is the best. It’s a fact. Check it here.
DebbieDoRight
October 27th, 2011
3:35 pm
Lib: They pay a lot. And are tired of seeing our government pi*s it away.
They squirrel most of it away in tax shelters and off-shore accounts. They’re not paying as much as they pretend they are. They just like to make a big fuss in case someone, (Uncle Sam), finds out the number on those accounts and come a-calling.
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:35 pm
Libertarian
“But what a lot of liberals seem to ignore is that there is a large number of people in the top 1-2% who do pay their fair share.”
I don’t recall ‘liberals’ making that case.
I do recall them saying that many in the top N% pay less of their income in federal (payroll and income) taxes than do the aggregate of middle-class households and the deductions/rates should be adjusted to ensure they pay at least the same percentage as their middle-class counterparts.
And yes, I’ve also read of many liberals who would like to get rid of redundancy, special breaks for certain groups, and streamlining of government operations to bring operations costs more in line with revenue.
Butch Cassidy
October 27th, 2011
3:36 pm
DebbieDoRight – “Naw you’re right. You forgot to add the part about your being a Socialist and the anti-christ. He puts that sh##t on everything.”
I forgot about the Socialist part. Apparently in Gwinnett, it’s categorically impossible for someone to be wealthy AND support the notion that there is a tremendous amount of inequity when it comes to slicing up the pie in this country.
MPercy
October 27th, 2011
3:37 pm
Without knowing if indeed McConnell made said calls, and if he did, what was said, I can offer an opinion that there there is a difference between a person, even a Senator (or even the President) expressing an opinion and the same official using the power of the government or threat of government action.
That is, if Pres. Obama said he thinks the BCS should be replaced with a playoff, that’s an opinion. Pres. Obama calling for a hearing on the BCS, that’s using government power.
Jay
October 27th, 2011
3:37 pm
sheets
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
3:37 pm
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:26 pm
Me?
No, Never.
Just trying to educate myself on why it is disingenuous to say 47% don’t pay taxes, when they do pay some form of taxes.
Yet it is not disingenuous to say many millionaire don’t pay taxes, when they do pay some form of taxes.
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:40 pm
Libertarian
In fact, in days gone by, I’ve noted many of America’s prominent families had one of the charismatic sons win election to Congress? Why? Because they write the tax laws. And we see the results today.
I’ve also noted that in all the talk about tax reform, eliminating breaks, etc. that the Pelosis and Rockefellers and Kennedys never, ever, ever mentioned abolishing the family trusts that shelter so much of wealth from federal taxes.
That’s back in the days when I was assailed as a neocon.
Then I got my “what am I supposed to be today?” calendar.
DebbieDoRight
October 27th, 2011
3:40 pm
“Intercourse the Penguin’?
HA! Now that reminds me of…..
Felicity Shagwell: Austin Powers, I presume.
Austin: Powers by name, powers by reputation.
Felicity Shagwell: Felicity Shagwell, CIA. Shagwell by name, shag-very-well by reputation.
Austin: Oh, be-have.
Felicity Shagwell: Not if I can help it.
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:46 pm
Generation
“Just trying to educate myself on why it is disingenuous to say 47% don’t pay taxes, when they do pay some form of taxes.”
That’s a common statement many on the Right pick up from media. I attribute it many in media not thinking thru the issue. Or having thought it through, ignoring the conclusion to make their political points.
Yes, many millionaires pay taxes. A lot. A whole bunch of a lot.
And some pay zilch. That’s where most of my comments are directed.
RB from Gwinnett
October 27th, 2011
3:49 pm
“And I’ll read something you suggest.
Wanna play?”
Sure. I’ll play. Here you go…
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=NIV
Adam
October 27th, 2011
3:49 pm
1. I was told yesterday on the blog that referencing opinion websites does not constitute facts
Close. In ALL OF REALITY, if you use a blog post as a way of showing PROOF, then it had better have at least some actual evidence through citation. If all you get is a blog post that does not in any way even attempt to cite a source to back up the claim, then it can’t even come CLOSE to being “PROOF.”
Now if you want to cite statistics or whatever to back up a claim, that’s fine. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your opinion about what it means suddenly becomes fact, and it certainly doesn’t constitute PROOF of your claim unless that claim is directly linked to the data, such as having data that shows where money is going or how many jobs were created or something.
Adam
October 27th, 2011
3:54 pm
Libertarian: Those are the people are are genuinely screwed by our tax system. They are small business owners, they are job creators
An assumption. There is no evidence that has been presented to suggest this entire group, or even most of it, is full of people who have businesses being taxed as individuals instead of businesses, which is the only instance in which your argument that job creators having their income taxed affects their company directly. Many pull their paycheck and all their employees’ paychecks from the profits of their company, instead of paying every employee out of their own personal pocket.
Generation$crewed
October 27th, 2011
4:00 pm
Paul
October 27th, 2011
3:46 pm
Ahh but now you change it to some not most!
Moving teh goal post, moving the goal post
MPercy
October 27th, 2011
4:28 pm
Paul “That’s a common statement many on the Right pick up from media. I attribute it many in media not thinking thru the issue. Or having thought it through, ignoring the conclusion to make their political points.”
It is careless to say that 47% pay no taxes.
But a trip to the IRS web site clears this right up.
About 40% of tax units pay zero or negative federal income taxes. Of those, about 1 in 4 pay zero or negative income and payroll taxes combined; fully 12% of all tax units pay zero or negative combined income and payroll taxes, since their refundable income credits more than offset their payroll taxes.
Another 15M or so simply don’t file. The combination brings us to that oft-quoted figure that 47% don’t pay federal income taxes (and again, 12% are *also* not paying any payroll taxes). It is true that some do pay at least a little in the way of payroll taxes, ostensibly funding their SS and Medicare use later in life (*although not really, given Ponzi structure of SS).
It is doubtful that many of those 47% directly pay much, if any, federal corporate taxes.
This leaves only federal excise taxes on things like gasoline, alcohol, and cigarettes.
The CBO reports (2006) that the lower quintile pays an effective federal tax rate of 4.3% when all federal taxes are considered (income + payroll + corporate + excise). The upper quintile pays 25.5% effective rate when all federal taxes are considered, and the top 1% pays an effective rate of 31.2% when all federal taxes are considered.
State taxes are an altogether different issue, since we are usually discussing federal spending and federal taxes. People may live in one several states without a state income tax, for example, so it is hard to compare apples to apples, but everyone lives under the same federal tax code.
MPercy
October 27th, 2011
4:33 pm
Adam, small businesses structures as S corporations are the most common corporate entity by a long shot (more than 3 million). S corporations flow all income through to the owner(s) and onto their personal income taxes.
All employees of S corporations are truly being paid out of the owner(s) pocket.
Ross Perot
October 27th, 2011
5:27 pm
Can’t they focus on the Solyndra payoffs instead??
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stephen
October 27th, 2011
9:41 pm
8 minutes before an ObamaHate? I knew they would start getting tired around now.
Elli.T
October 28th, 2011
1:18 am
Sometimes things are not working as forecasted, thats life….
cheers,
Elli
AlmowlNon
October 28th, 2011
6:59 pm
http://sharerun.com/ – file upload
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