Interesting facts about liberal affairs in America (1 Viewer)

[George_Washington]

I receive a weekly online newletter from www.gopusa.com, a conservative organization. In their most recent newsletter, they listed several facts about the current state of affairs in America, I thought they were pretty interesting:

"FACT: Over 40 tunnels have been found under the U.S./Mexican border since Sept. 11, 20001. Many of these tunnels, used for smuggling illegal aliens and drugs, had ventilations systems and lighting

FACT: The National Education Association -- the nations largest teachers union -- spent over $90 million from 2004 to 2005 on (mostly liberal) political activities and related contributions

FACT: Democrats are caught up in the Abramoff lobbying scandal too

FACT: The Iraq war is consuming far less of the US GDP than other wars in the past

FACT: A government agency sponsored a drug conference that included a lecture titled "You Don't Have To Be Clean and Sober... Or Even Want To Be

FACT: The top 50% of income earners pay 96.5% of the federal income taxes, while the lowest 44% pay no federal income taxes.

FACT: The federal government -- with your tax dollars -- subsidizes programs for kids to play golf at posh resorts

FACT: Federal employees spent $16.4 billion in 2003 on government charge cards. Some of those charges included: country club fees, personal clothing, movie gift certificates and beer

FACT: A national survey found that Democratic professors outnumber Republican professors 3 to 1 in economics, 28 to 1 in sociology, and 30 to 1 in anthropology

FACT: Over 8,000 illegal immigrants are estimated to enter the U.S. every day

FACT: The federal government is subsidizing yoga research"


The fact that our government is subsidizing yoga research is stupid and so is sending kids to posh resorts. I think the idea that the War on Iraq is consuming less of our GDP than any war in the past is something that the mainstream media has sort of, "slipped under the rug" and should be realized by anti-war proponents. Also, the idea that federal employees spent $16.4 billion in 2003 on personal clothing is ridiculous. And of course we all know how biased and liberal the National Education Association is. The conservative author David Horowitz has recently wrote a book about how biased a large percentage of teachers and professors are, it's called, "The Professors."

I personally feel like we are living in an age with a government that is way too large and that has taken far too much of our tax dollars. The IRS, I feel, should be abolished. I believe that private industries breed the least corruption and also operate the most efficiently. I think we should strive to maintain free markets and private industry.

 

[PeteEU]

Those facts can so easily bite the GOP in the ***.

"FACT: Over 40 tunnels have been found under the U.S./Mexican border since Sept. 11, 20001. Many of these tunnels, used for smuggling illegal aliens and drugs, had ventilations systems and lighting

And who has full political control with the institutions that could do something about it for say.. the last 6 years? Who benifits the most for said illegal aliens and where do thier campaign contributions often go?

FACT: The National Education Association -- the nations largest teachers union -- spent over $90 million from 2004 to 2005 on (mostly liberal) political activities and related contributions

And big oil spent more on mostly conservative activities and related contributions. Goes both ways. Lame excuse and sounds more like cry baby that the unions have the balls to support thier political opponents and yet its okay for the GOP to recieve millions from big business.

FACT: Democrats are caught up in the Abramoff lobbying scandal too

Yes they are, but they are a small part compared to the republicans. Also the Democrats recieved solely from Abramoffs clients, where as republicans recieved from both his clients and himself and his company. Also the republicans account for over 2/3 of the total amount. That by no means is "even" on blame. But yes Democrats are involved and have never denyed it, but on the same level of corruption and blame... hardly

FACT: The Iraq war is consuming far less of the US GDP than other wars in the past

So its a cheap war and hence its good? So what if its "cheaper" when you aint spending enough in the first place

FACT: A government agency sponsored a drug conference that included a lecture titled "You Don't Have To Be Clean and Sober... Or Even Want To Be

And who has been in total charge for the last 6 years?

FACT: The top 50% of income earners pay 96.5% of the federal income taxes, while the lowest 44% pay no federal income taxes.

And this fact is ground breaking because? Are they pissed that the poor dont pay tax because if they did then thier kids would starve? Or is it the good old conservative thinking that its the poors own fault that they are poor so screw them make them work harder!

Plus this statistic is common in most western nations and always has been. Thats how the modern tax system is constructed. Those that can pay more, pay a bit more so that those that are barely earning enough to put food on the table pay less. I know it goes against every conservative way of thinking but we dont live in the dark ages anymore. The master and slave ideals of the last 1900 plus years died out over a 100 years ago.

FACT: The federal government -- with your tax dollars -- subsidizes programs for kids to play golf at posh resorts

Again, who is it that has been in total power for the last 6 years and had control of congress for a longer period? Any bets that its Congress kids that are at these posh resorts? I somehow doubt its inner city black boys that are sent to these places.

FACT: Federal employees spent $16.4 billion in 2003 on government charge cards. Some of those charges included: country club fees, personal clothing, movie gift certificates and beer

Who was in power in 2003? What party controls congress at this point in history?..Who can change things and have they done so?

FACT: A national survey found that Democratic professors outnumber Republican professors 3 to 1 in economics, 28 to 1 in sociology, and 30 to 1 in anthropology

And who wrote this national survey.. the GOP? Plus its not that shocking, especially the sociology and anthropology bit.. they are after all not exactly money making conservative wish jobs are they now. Plus there is very little money in being a professor so I would say that the reason is that conservative thinking potential professors simply go private to earn the big bucks. Why slave away at teaching for nothing when you can drive billion dollar corporations for a few million a year?

FACT: Over 8,000 illegal immigrants are estimated to enter the U.S. every day

And..... who has had full control of congress and the White House for the last 6 years? Plus that aint that impressive... several hundred enter Spain each day, and they have to travel an ocean to get here.

FACT: The federal government is subsidizing yoga research"

/shrug, again.. who has had full control of Congress.. and why dont they mention the millions spent on other pet projects like helping the car industry sell cars or something just as stupid? Like a bridge to no where in Alaska?

Statistics like these are so easily debunked and thrown back in the face of the accusers. Heck take a similar democratic one and you could debunk thier figures and quotes just as easy.. after all they at some point were in control of the White House.. but then again its been a while since they had control of Congress..

 

[tecoyah]

FACT: A national survey found that Democratic professors outnumber Republican professors 3 to 1 in economics, 28 to 1 in sociology, and 30 to 1 in anthropology

I have always found this an interesting type of statistic, and if you actually bother to consider the implications of it, it does not bode well for the intellectual prowess of your team. That most professors shy away from the republican mindset can mean a couple of things....but one particular scenario seems likely.


*The Highly educated tend to be forced into critical thinking more frequently, as a means of increasing the knowledge they hold.

*Critical thinking, and increased Data make educated descisions more likely under any circumstances.

*Forced to consider these data, and in a position to help our youth understand the world around them, these people must by default gain even more knowledge if they intend to excel in a chosen field.

*No longer able to deny the realities of US Politics one is far more likely to choose the lesser of two evils, and support an Idealogy which has a better chance of producing moral,succesful and ethical behavior in those you are charged with teaching.

I see no alternative, but to shy away from a republican mindset in this situation,

 

[AndrewC]

I have always found this an interesting type of statistic, and if you actually bother to consider the implications of it, it does not bode well for the intellectual prowess of your team. That most professors shy away from the republican mindset can mean a couple of things....but one particular scenario seems likely.


*The Highly educated tend to be forced into critical thinking more frequently, as a means of increasing the knowledge they hold.

*Critical thinking, and increased Data make educated descisions more likely under any circumstances.

*Forced to consider these data, and in a position to help our youth understand the world around them, these people must by default gain even more knowledge if they intend to excel in a chosen field.

*No longer able to deny the realities of US Politics one is far more likely to choose the lesser of two evils, and support an Idealogy which has a better chance of producing moral,succesful and ethical behavior in those you are charged with teaching.

I see no alternative, but to shy away from a republican mindset in this situation,

Republicans tend to be focused more on business rather than academia. Suits them really. The practical application of knowledge rather than the pursuit and dissemination of it.

 

[millsy]

Republicans tend to be focused more on business rather than academia. Suits them really. The practical application of knowledge rather than the pursuit and dissemination of it.

does business require equal parts ruthlessness and intelect?

 

[AndrewC]

does business require equal parts ruthlessness and intelect?

Depends on the business.

 

[Iriemon]

I receive a weekly online newletter from www.gopusa.com, a conservative organization. In their most recent newsletter, they listed several facts about the current state of affairs in America, I thought they were pretty interesting:


FACT: The top 50% of income earners pay 96.5% of the federal income taxes, while the lowest 44% pay no federal income taxes.

This is a distortion that I have seen frequently. It creates the perception that half of all Americans are getting a free ride, and only the wealthier are paying taxes.

A similar distortion was played by Bush regarding his tax deferrments, errr, "cuts," when he bragged about how he cut taxes for all working Americans who paid income taxes. This statement creates the impression that everyone who works got a tax break, which is not true.

The statements are technically true as to federal income taxes. The statistics are probably accurate, and folks who paid income taxes got tax cuts.

But what is deceptive about these statements is that they ignore FICA taxes. Even the guy making minimum wage pays FICA taxes, which are SS and medicare taxes. SS is an effective 12.4% tax (including the employer's half) and medicare is about 3%.

SS is actually a very regressive tax; it is a flat tax, but the tax stops after (this year) about $90k in income. That means the guy making $20k a year pays 12.4% of his income in SS taxes, a millionaire pays about 1.2% of his income in SS taxes. The wealthy effectively pay less SS tax. SS taxes are the taxes the working poor and middle class pay.

SS taxes account for almost as much of government revenue as Income taxes. In 2005; income taxes accounted for $927B of Govt revenue, SS taxes accounted for $794B. http://cbo.gov/budget/historical.pdf

SS taxes are the taxes the working poor and middle class pay. Many poorer workers pay no income tax, because of deductions. But they pay that SS/Medicare tax. So when income taxes were cut, it benefitted them little, or not at all. Bush cut almost every tax there was, but did not cut SS taxes. I wonder why?

When you add SS taxes into the picture, the stats change dramatically. The lowest 44% pay hundreds of billions in taxes. So when you hear conservatives talk about tax statistics, listen for the word "income taxes", and remember they are not giving you the whole picture, and ask yourself why.

 

[George_Washington]

I have always found this an interesting type of statistic, and if you actually bother to consider the implications of it, it does not bode well for the intellectual prowess of your team. That most professors shy away from the republican mindset can mean a couple of things....but one particular scenario seems likely.


*The Highly educated tend to be forced into critical thinking more frequently, as a means of increasing the knowledge they hold.

*Critical thinking, and increased Data make educated descisions more likely under any circumstances.

*Forced to consider these data, and in a position to help our youth understand the world around them, these people must by default gain even more knowledge if they intend to excel in a chosen field.

*No longer able to deny the realities of US Politics one is far more likely to choose the lesser of two evils, and support an Idealogy which has a better chance of producing moral,succesful and ethical behavior in those you are charged with teaching.

I see no alternative, but to shy away from a republican mindset in this situation,

Boy is that all a load of hog wash. So only people with Phd. degrees are intelligent? I guess that means Bill Gates must be an utter and complete moron for dropping out of Harvard. You should write to him and tell him that so he can hurry up and go back to school. I guess that also means all the great people throughout our history like Abe Lincoln or Howard Hughes must have really been dumb, too.

 

[George_Washington]

does business require equal parts ruthlessness and intelect?

Yes, we all know that academics are these ultra kind and compassionate people, while business leaders are evil tyrants. Why, a professor is simply incapable of being ruthless...sure...

 

[tecoyah]

Boy is that all a load of hog wash. So only people with Phd. degrees are intelligent? I guess that means Bill Gates must be an utter and complete moron for dropping out of Harvard. You should write to him and tell him that so he can hurry up and go back to school. I guess that also means all the great people throughout our history like Abe Lincoln or Howard Hughes must have really been dumb, too.

Interesting, at no point did I even hint at the need for a degree to prove intellect. I was commenting on my perception of a possible reasoning behind the statistics....just watch your head on the cieling as you jump to such conclusions. You can "Guess" what it means all you want, but I tried to make the reasoning as clear as I could to avoid exactly the reaction you just gave.

 

[cascadian]

To be honest, I'm having a hard time relating the article presented and the viewpoint expressed. So I'll just address the viewpoint.

I personally feel like we are living in an age with a government that is way too large and that has taken far too much of our tax dollars.

I would agree although, I would probably be prone to cutting funding for things you approve of and saving things that you don't.

The IRS, I feel, should be abolished.

Ok, are you in favor of other forms of taxation? Ex: a gasoline tax that pays for road maintainence. Otherwise I guess you are advocating an end to government. Which I could agree with as soon as you give me a better alternative.

I believe that private industries breed the least corruption and also operate the most efficiently.

I'm not sure what you mean by corruption in relation to private industries. "Buyer beware" only goes so far without some sort of external oversight.

I think what you're trying to say about efficiency is that markets create efficiency more effectively than democracies. Since any given private operation could concievably operate with incredible ineffiency it just might not operate too long (unless of course it has a monopoly).

I have many problems with our democracy, but I think democracies can be more responsive and more efficient than they currently are. I don't think we have a problem with democracy in and of itself, it's just that trading mechanisms have been operating for a longer period of history. It will take democratic mechanisms a while to catch up.

I think we should strive to maintain free markets and private industry.

Of course. But perhaps they are not an end in themselves. I think markets generally work best when there are numerous players interacting on a mostly level playing field. Depending upon the industry and market this might take government (or some sort of non-market) intervention to maintain this state.

 

[jfuh]

Republicans tend to be focused more on business rather than academia. Suits them really. The practical application of knowledge rather than the pursuit and dissemination of it.

In all fairness, you should re-word and say politicians tend to be more focused on "business" rather than academia. A politician's worst enemy has most often been the academic, because academics can't be :spin:.

 

[jfuh]

Boy is that all a load of hog wash. So only people with Phd. degrees are intelligent? I guess that means Bill Gates must be an utter and complete moron for dropping out of Harvard. You should write to him and tell him that so he can hurry up and go back to school. I guess that also means all the great people throughout our history like Abe Lincoln or Howard Hughes must have really been dumb, too.

A pretty lame :spin: Techoya never said "ONLY ppl with PhD's are intelligent" nor did he even imply that. The implication was that PhD's are obviously intelligent and are not swayed by political rhetoric. The higher the level of intellectual knowledge, the less ability to be spun by rhtoric.

 

[jfuh]

Yes, we all know that academics are these ultra kind and compassionate people, while business leaders are evil tyrants. Why, a professor is simply incapable of being ruthless...sure...

Interesting how you resort to sarcasm upon statement of facts against businesses. Next time, present a counter argument without :spin:

 

[wackestmc]

I agree with PeteEU. the facts/statistics have nothing to do with liberalism, only American affairs in general. There's no connection besides the assumption that "liberals are bad so this is their doing." And, in fact, as Pete stated, has more to do with republicans; they've been in opwer now for six years and still ARE. THEY have more power to change these atrocities than the liberals do.

 

[mpg]

This is a distortion that I have seen frequently. It creates the perception that half of all Americans are getting a free ride, and only the wealthier are paying taxes.

A similar distortion was played by Bush regarding his tax deferrments, errr, "cuts," when he bragged about how he cut taxes for all working Americans who paid income taxes. This statement creates the impression that everyone who works got a tax break, which is not true.

The statements are technically true as to federal income taxes. The statistics are probably accurate, and folks who paid income taxes got tax cuts.

But what is deceptive about these statements is that they ignore FICA taxes. Even the guy making minimum wage pays FICA taxes, which are SS and medicare taxes. SS is an effective 12.4% tax (including the employer's half) and medicare is about 3%.

SS is actually a very regressive tax; it is a flat tax, but the tax stops after (this year) about $90k in income. That means the guy making $20k a year pays 12.4% of his income in SS taxes, a millionaire pays about 1.2% of his income in SS taxes. The wealthy effectively pay less SS tax. SS taxes are the taxes the working poor and middle class pay.

SS taxes account for almost as much of government revenue as Income taxes. In 2005; income taxes accounted for $927B of Govt revenue, SS taxes accounted for $794B. http://cbo.gov/budget/historical.pdf

SS taxes are the taxes the working poor and middle class pay. Many poorer workers pay no income tax, because of deductions. But they pay that SS/Medicare tax. So when income taxes were cut, it benefitted them little, or not at all. Bush cut almost every tax there was, but did not cut SS taxes. I wonder why?

When you add SS taxes into the picture, the stats change dramatically. The lowest 44% pay hundreds of billions in taxes. So when you hear conservatives talk about tax statistics, listen for the word "income taxes", and remember they are not giving you the whole picture, and ask yourself why.

Which party tried to reform SS and Medicare? Which party always blocks the reform by scaring seniors?

 

[Donkey1499]

I receive a weekly online newletter from www.gopusa.com, a conservative organization. In their most recent newsletter, they listed several facts about the current state of affairs in America, I thought they were pretty interesting:

"FACT: Over 40 tunnels have been found under the U.S./Mexican border since Sept. 11, 20001. Many of these tunnels, used for smuggling illegal aliens and drugs, had ventilations systems and lighting

FACT: The National Education Association -- the nations largest teachers union -- spent over $90 million from 2004 to 2005 on (mostly liberal) political activities and related contributions

FACT: Democrats are caught up in the Abramoff lobbying scandal too

FACT: The Iraq war is consuming far less of the US GDP than other wars in the past

FACT: A government agency sponsored a drug conference that included a lecture titled "You Don't Have To Be Clean and Sober... Or Even Want To Be

FACT: The top 50% of income earners pay 96.5% of the federal income taxes, while the lowest 44% pay no federal income taxes.

FACT: The federal government -- with your tax dollars -- subsidizes programs for kids to play golf at posh resorts

FACT: Federal employees spent $16.4 billion in 2003 on government charge cards. Some of those charges included: country club fees, personal clothing, movie gift certificates and beer

FACT: A national survey found that Democratic professors outnumber Republican professors 3 to 1 in economics, 28 to 1 in sociology, and 30 to 1 in anthropology

FACT: Over 8,000 illegal immigrants are estimated to enter the U.S. every day

FACT: The federal government is subsidizing yoga research"


The fact that our government is subsidizing yoga research is stupid and so is sending kids to posh resorts. I think the idea that the War on Iraq is consuming less of our GDP than any war in the past is something that the mainstream media has sort of, "slipped under the rug" and should be realized by anti-war proponents. Also, the idea that federal employees spent $16.4 billion in 2003 on personal clothing is ridiculous. And of course we all know how biased and liberal the National Education Association is. The conservative author David Horowitz has recently wrote a book about how biased a large percentage of teachers and professors are, it's called, "The Professors."

I personally feel like we are living in an age with a government that is way too large and that has taken far too much of our tax dollars. The IRS, I feel, should be abolished. I believe that private industries breed the least corruption and also operate the most efficiently. I think we should strive to maintain free markets and private industry.

Interesting research, George. Our gov't is way too big, which is why I like Monarchies (I believe I was born 1,000 years too late, which would bring the year back to 987 AD; I think), but I won't get into that in this thread.

The fact that our gov't takes advantage of us is appalling. I nearly puke at the thought. But really, if we had a gov't that was run more like Alaska's (which has no property, sales, or state income taxes (If you own land the state actually PAYS YOU to live there) this country would be better off, I think. Alaska just has a Governor, 2 Senators and one Representative (The largest state in our union only has ONE representative... believe it or not). Anyway, who needs a large gov't? It just leaves more people to take advantage of ya. We also don't have any real exciting pols on capitol hill anyway. I say we strip them all of all their power and start fresh. That would be the logical thing to do. And we also need to stop letting the pols decide what their pay is. We should decide that, not them!

 

[justone]

*Forced to consider these data, and in a position to help our youth understand the world around them, these people must by default gain even more knowledge if they intend to excel in a chosen field.

I still wait to see when you would be able to put 2 thoughts together.
The world around them=a chosen field? I know what your are going to say: No, but the answer stays the same.
People exceling in a chosen field may be very damn in the world around them. And certainly they are lot more damn than people exceling in the world around them and hiring them for a miserable pay.

*No longer able to deny the realities of US Politics one is far more likely to choose the lesser of two evils, and support an Idealogy which has a better chance of producing moral,succesful and ethical behavior in those you are charged with teaching.

You are charged with teaching moral,succesful and ethical behavior ? on a base of ideology? Stay away from my children! I will be chasing you around.
I need them to learn math as a highest form of logic, then they will choose thier ideology, - and I know it is not going to be yours, if they ever learn math.

 

[ProudAmerican]

And who has full political control with the institutions that could do something about it for say.. the last 6 years? Who benifits the most for said illegal aliens and where do thier campaign contributions often go?

while I agree with the first part of your statement, to act as though the left isnt just as concerned with pandering as the right is nonsense.

And big oil spent more on mostly conservative activities and related contributions. Goes both ways. Lame excuse and sounds more like cry baby that the unions have the balls to support thier political opponents and yet its okay for the GOP to recieve millions from big business.

so it is your contention that big business only gives money to the right? LMAO. thats a joke.

Yes they are, but they are a small part compared to the republicans. Also the Democrats recieved solely from Abramoffs clients, where as republicans recieved from both his clients and himself and his company. Also the republicans account for over 2/3 of the total amount. That by no means is "even" on blame. But yes Democrats are involved and have never denyed it, but on the same level of corruption and blame... hardly

political partisanship at its best. sounds like you are justifying the democrats involvement to me.
a simple "yeah both sides are guilty" would have taken less time to type.

So its a cheap war and hence its good? So what if its "cheaper" when you aint spending enough in the first place

his point was clear. the leftist media completely AVOIDS topics like this because they dont want to lend any credibility to this war at all.
the next time you hear a report about how much money we are spending on this war, remember his point.

And who has been in total charge for the last 6 years?

I again agree. It would seem the starter of this thread understands the meaning of bi-partisan.

And this fact is ground breaking because? Are they pissed that the poor dont pay tax because if they did then thier kids would starve? Or is it the good old conservative thinking that its the poors own fault that they are poor so screw them make them work harder!

No, its the the good old conservative thinking that folks who make 50,000 a year are tired of being called "wealthy" and paying the way for those that simply dont give a damn.

Again, who is it that has been in total power for the last 6 years and had control of congress for a longer period? Any bets that its Congress kids that are at these posh resorts? I somehow doubt its inner city black boys that are sent to these places.

and the previous 8 years never saw anything like this. LOL. take the partisan blinders off for a minute will you???
YES , THIS ADMINISTRATION IS GUILTY OF NONSENSE IN THE PAST SIX YEARS.

can we move on now?

Who was in power in 2003? What party controls congress at this point in history?..Who can change things and have they done so?

THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE MISTAKES IN THE PAS.....nevermind. it wont make a dent.

And who wrote this national survey.. the GOP? Plus its not that shocking, especially the sociology and anthropology bit.. they are after all not exactly money making conservative wish jobs are they now. Plus there is very little money in being a professor so I would say that the reason is that conservative thinking potential professors simply go private to earn the big bucks. Why slave away at teaching for nothing when you can drive billion dollar corporations for a few million a year?

yeah, cause people like John Kerry, Nazi Palosi, and Barbara Boxer are the types to take low paying jobs. The left only wants to help the common man. They would never be millionaires, or run big businesses.

And..... who has had full control of congress and the White House for the last 6 years? Plus that aint that impressive... several hundred enter Spain each day, and they have to travel an ocean to get here.

The current administrations stance on illegal immigration is HORRID. but wake up, so was the previous administrations, and so will the next administrations.

NO ONE HAS THE GUTS TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE no matter the party.

/shrug, again.. who has had full control of Congress.. and why dont they mention the millions spent on other pet projects like helping the car industry sell cars or something just as stupid? Like a bridge to no where in Alaska?

its clear that you dont understand this thread was started to show the problems with GOVERNMENT in general. At least some of us have the intellectual honesty to see the problem is with GOVERNMENT and not a particular party.