Is America still the greatest country in the world?

[BF]

Some rough language, but this should provoke some thought.....

The most honest three and a half minutes of television, EVER...	powered by Aeva

[FLAVALK]

....wait for it.....

[thumper]

Very powerful....

and unfortunately true.  JMHO

[Chrisj CMA]

America may not be the greatest country in the world because of progressives and bleeding hearts that have given it all away to them that not only dont deserve it but dont even appreciate what it cost.

BUT

Americans are STILL the greatest people on earth as groups of people go! And if we can purge our governments of those that have perverted the American dream and the American way of life, trampled the Constitution and lied to us all about how wonderful things will be.  If we can go back to an honest days work for an honest days pay.....no free rides and the law is the law........success is not guaranteed but freedom to try again is and opportunity is for all equally............then Yes we can again be the greatest country because Americans can remake it.  

This here government needs to be overhauled at its deepest roots to allow the American spirit to thrive again

[..]

Shame that NOT one OF THE SLIME in Washington have the courage to say similar.

Too worried about getting their little butts voted back in.

Too bad that so many Americans are so poorly educated and also blinded by the crap spoon fed to them by cinema, print, radio and television that they have NO idea what has gone wrong or why it's gone wrong. (It's not just us who have been dumbed down. Cricket and soccer   ).

As I've written here before I dare all of you to cancel your cable / satellite subscription. Your life will continue. 

[Blues]

These days Americans seem to be good at passing the blame.  It's not our government's fault that we are in our current state.

[G-Man]

America may not be the greatest country in the world because of progressives and bleeding hearts that have given it all away to them that not only dont deserve it but dont even appreciate what it cost.

BUT

Americans are STILL the greatest people on earth as groups of people go! And if we can purge our governments of those that have perverted the American dream and the American way of life, trampled the Constitution and lied to us all about how wonderful things will be.  If we can go back to an honest days work for an honest days pay.....no free rides and the law is the law........success is not guaranteed but freedom to try again is and opportunity is for all equally............then Yes we can again be the greatest country because Americans can remake it.  

This here government needs to be overhauled at its deepest roots to allow the American spirit to thrive again

I'm not in agreement with the first sentence of the second paragraph.  I can't get on board with Americans being the greatest people.......we have almost half of our nation content on living off of the other half.  These same folks now look at people with money or success as the enemy.  Financial success has been demonized by the have-nots, rather than aspiring to achieve it.  BECAUSE IT'S TOO HARD!  Success is hard, bitching and standing in line is easy.  The people used to shun complainers and teenage pregnancies.  Now, it seems like it's encouraged,..it sure isn't frowned upon.  Paying dues, unless it's union dues, is a terrible thing in our country now.  Student loans are viewed as a hazard, rather than as a means to an end.  Up until last year, age 47, I was paying $946 every month for my student loans.  Imagine the home and car I could be in with that extra grand a month.  The money and time was my investment in my, and my families future.  And how does half of America view me??  As the problem, not the solution.  I'm the problem because I don't pay enough.  Or because I question where my hard earned money is going.

And it will get WORSE, not better.  My daughter will be attending one of the "top" schools in the country come fall.  At the orientation we went to, I heard the terms "globalization" and "social justice" more times in two days than in all of my life and it made me sick.  Her education will cost me over $200K and she'll be immersed in that bullshit up to her eyebrows.  And I have heard similar things from other parents.  We'll be paying through our noses for our kids to learn the opposite of everything we've tried to instill in them.  

[john]

   right on track                         

[Robert]

I sat there and it brought tears to my eyes thanks that was really good. I wish it was more than a show

[BF]

I'm just amazed that a writer in Hollywood wrote that and they put it on TV. 

There is a very valid point being made in that clip........but the thing is, what to do about it to make this country look, act, feel and be the greatest nation on the planet that it once was?

[Chrisj CMA]

America may not be the greatest country in the world because of progressives and bleeding hearts that have given it all away to them that not only dont deserve it but dont even appreciate what it cost.

BUT

Americans are STILL the greatest people on earth as groups of people go! And if we can purge our governments of those that have perverted the American dream and the American way of life, trampled the Constitution and lied to us all about how wonderful things will be.  If we can go back to an honest days work for an honest days pay.....no free rides and the law is the law........success is not guaranteed but freedom to try again is and opportunity is for all equally............then Yes we can again be the greatest country because Americans can remake it.  

This here government needs to be overhauled at its deepest roots to allow the American spirit to thrive again

I'm not in agreement with the first sentence of the second paragraph.  I can't get on board with Americans being the greatest people.......we have almost half of our nation content on living off of the other half.  These same folks now look at people with money or success as the enemy.  Financial success has been demonized by the have-nots, rather than aspiring to achieve it.  BECAUSE IT'S TOO HARD!  Success is hard, bitching and standing in line is easy.  The people used to shun complainers and teenage pregnancies.  Now, it seems like it's encouraged,..it sure isn't frowned upon.  Paying dues, unless it's union dues, is a terrible thing in our country now.  Student loans are viewed as a hazard, rather than as a means to an end.  Up until last year, age 47, I was paying $946 every month for my student loans.  Imagine the home and car I could be in with that extra grand a month.  The money and time was my investment in my, and my families future.  And how does half of America view me??  As the problem, not the solution.  I'm the problem because I don't pay enough.  Or because I question where my hard earned money is going.

And it will get WORSE, not better.  My daughter will be attending one of the "top" schools in the country come fall.  At the orientation we went to, I heard the terms "globalization" and "social justice" more times in two days than in all of my life and it made me sick.  Her education will cost me over $200K and she'll be immersed in that bullshit up to her eyebrows.  And I have heard similar things from other parents.  We'll be paying through our noses for our kids to learn the opposite of everything we've tried to instill in them.  

GMAN........I hear you (about half of Americans sucking the system)  But its a culture now, they dont know any better (some of them)  If we change the culture theres still enough (maybe not for long) good old determination and perserverance to get back to what America stands for......but we cant wait 4 more years of the crap we have now

[john]

Subversion  .....
 refers to an attempt to transform the established social order and its structures of power, authority, and hierarchy. Or more specifically, subversion can be described as an attack on the public morale and, “the will to resist intervention are the products of combined political and social or class loyalties which are usually attached to national symbols. Following penetration, and parallel with the forced disintegration of political and social institutions of the state, these loyalties may be detached and transferred to the political or ideological cause of the aggressor.” [1] Subversion is used as a tool to achieve political goals because it generally carries less risk, cost, and difficulty as opposed to open belligerency. Furthermore, it is a relatively cheap form of warfare that does not require large amounts of training.[2] A subversive is something or someone carrying the potential for some degree of subversion. In this context, a "subversive" is sometimes called a "traitor" with respect to (and usually by) the government in-power. Terrorist groups generally do not employ subversion as a tool to achieve their goals. Subversion is a manpower intensive strategy and many groups lack the manpower and political and social connections to carry out subversive activities.[3] However, actions taken by terrorists may have a subversive effect on society. Subversion can imply the use of insidious, dishonest, monetary,
 or violent methods to bring about such  C  H  A  N  G  E

[steve 3054]

WOW!

[valkmc]

Anybody know if his statement about military spending is true. Do we really spend more than the next 26 countries of who many are our allies? I know I can find many people who think they know and write about it but it is difficult to find actual numbers.

[G-Man]

I'm just amazed that a writer in Hollywood wrote that and they put it on TV. 

There is a very valid point being made in that clip........but the thing is, what to do about it to make this country look, act, feel and be the greatest nation on the planet that it once was?

No, this is right in line with the democratic elite's thinking.  That America is NOT the greatest.  But they don't want to "go back to a better time", they want to "progress" to a different way,.........where not only a few succeed, but where everyone is brought down to an even level.  Notice that I didn't say to bring everyone UP to an even level.

[Bob E.]

I'm just amazed that a writer in Hollywood wrote that and they put it on TV. 

There is a very valid point being made in that clip........but the thing is, what to do about it to make this country look, act, feel and be the greatest nation on the planet that it once was?

No, this is right in line with the democratic elite's thinking.  That America is NOT the greatest.  But they don't want to "go back to a better time", they want to "progress" to a different way,.........where not only a few succeed, but where everyone is brought down to an even level.  Notice that I didn't say to bring everyone UP to an even level.

Well, it depends on what metrics you are using to measure greatness.  There are many areas where other countries have surpassed the US such as education and health care (even though we spend the most on them), life expectancy, income/wealth distribution, etc.  Other countries are catching up on science, technology, and infrastructure as well.  On the other hand, the US leads in many other areas. So it isn't just as cut and dry as "who's the greatest?"

I don't see it as anti-American to recognize that we cannot sit on our laurels and expect to stay ahead of the rest of the world.  Going "back to a better time"...what does that mean exactly?  Back to the 50's and 60's when we were the world leader in most of these areas?  The problem is that other countries aren't going back to the 50's and 60's so we'd just be farther behind.

[G-Man]

I'm just amazed that a writer in Hollywood wrote that and they put it on TV. 

There is a very valid point being made in that clip........but the thing is, what to do about it to make this country look, act, feel and be the greatest nation on the planet that it once was?

No, this is right in line with the democratic elite's thinking.  That America is NOT the greatest.  But they don't want to "go back to a better time", they want to "progress" to a different way,.........where not only a few succeed, but where everyone is brought down to an even level.  Notice that I didn't say to bring everyone UP to an even level.

Well, it depends on what metrics you are using to measure greatness.  There are many areas where other countries have surpassed the US such as education and health care (even though we spend the most on them), life expectancy, income/wealth distribution, etc.  Other countries are catching up on science, technology, and infrastructure as well.  On the other hand, the US leads in many other areas. So it isn't just as cut and dry as "who's the greatest?"

I don't see it as anti-American to recognize that we cannot sit on our laurels and expect to stay ahead of the rest of the world.  Going "back to a better time"...what does that mean exactly?  Back to the 50's and 60's when we were the world leader in most of these areas?  The problem is that other countries aren't going back to the 50's and 60's so we'd just be farther behind.

I meant to go back to when personal responibilty was a virtue.  When teenage and out-of-wed pregnancies were frowned upon, or even shunned, rather than excepted.  When public assistance was the very last resort, not the first.  When people actually saved money for a rainy day or an unexpected bump in the road.  When $100 items weren't disposable.  When we were taught that the police were our friends and there to help, instead of being thought of as the enemy.  When our holidays meant something.  When we respected our elders.  When everyone contributed, no matter how little.

Nowadays, 70% of black kids are born to unwed and teenage mothers, kids with cell phones get free lunch and bus fare, we celerate Presidents day???,  public assistance is a way of life, nobody knew who Bill Ayers is, but did know how much Palin's dess cost (left leaning media), half don't contribute to the system, etc.

If you take that last one, about half not contributing, and change that to the way it was, I'd bet it all that much in the first paragraph would correct itself.  If everyone who worked for a living actually paid something, there would be more outrage.  (I know, the rich don't pay their fare share even though half don't pay anything but the bill gets paid anyway........but they should pay even more to cover the deficets that they didn't create.  Oh right, I forgot, if we only taxed them more, we would get 8.5 days of free gov't spending, but we'd still be in the hole for the other 356.5 days)

[Bob E.]

I'm just amazed that a writer in Hollywood wrote that and they put it on TV. 

There is a very valid point being made in that clip........but the thing is, what to do about it to make this country look, act, feel and be the greatest nation on the planet that it once was?

No, this is right in line with the democratic elite's thinking.  That America is NOT the greatest.  But they don't want to "go back to a better time", they want to "progress" to a different way,.........where not only a few succeed, but where everyone is brought down to an even level.  Notice that I didn't say to bring everyone UP to an even level.

Well, it depends on what metrics you are using to measure greatness.  There are many areas where other countries have surpassed the US such as education and health care (even though we spend the most on them), life expectancy, income/wealth distribution, etc.  Other countries are catching up on science, technology, and infrastructure as well.  On the other hand, the US leads in many other areas. So it isn't just as cut and dry as "who's the greatest?"

I don't see it as anti-American to recognize that we cannot sit on our laurels and expect to stay ahead of the rest of the world.  Going "back to a better time"...what does that mean exactly?  Back to the 50's and 60's when we were the world leader in most of these areas?  The problem is that other countries aren't going back to the 50's and 60's so we'd just be farther behind.

I meant to go back to when personal responibilty was a virtue.  When teenage and out-of-wed pregnancies were frowned upon, or even shunned, rather than excepted.  When public assistance was the very last resort, not the first.  When people actually saved money for a rainy day or an unexpected bump in the road.  When $100 items weren't disposable.  When we were taught that the police were our friends and there to help, instead of being thought of as the enemy.  When our holidays meant something.  When we respected our elders.  When everyone contributed, no matter how little.

Nowadays, 70% of black kids are born to unwed and teenage mothers, kids with cell phones get free lunch and bus fare, we celerate Presidents day???,  public assistance is a way of life, nobody knew who Bill Ayers is, but did know how much Palin's dess cost (left leaning media), half don't contribute to the system, etc.

If you take that last one, about half not contributing, and change that to the way it was, I'd bet it all that much in the first paragraph would correct itself.  If everyone who worked for a living actually paid something, there would be more outrage.  (I know, the rich don't pay their fare share even though half don't pay anything but the bill gets paid anyway........but they should pay even more to cover the deficets that they didn't create.  Oh right, I forgot, if we only taxed them more, we would get 8.5 days of free gov't spending, but we'd still be in the hole for the other 356.5 days)

I thought we were talking about comparing the US to the rest of the world, which has little to nothing to do with your post. 

But since you brought up taxes, I'll make a couple of points. First, to suggest that half contribute "nothing" is a nice talking point, but nowhere near true.  Sure, if we are specifically talking fed income taxes, maybe.  But poor people pay a much larger percentage of their income in taxes and fees than anyone.  Payroll taxes are flat rates...at least until you get to the upper end, then they actually drop.  State and local income taxes are a flat rate where I live.  Then there's sales taxes (one of the most regressive taxes there are), property taxes, fuel taxes, vehicle taxes and registration fees, etc.  Even if one rents, a portion of that rent goes to pay the property taxes on the unit.  They contribute alot of other forms of taxes.

Second, I've asked this before without ever receiving an answer, but who makes up that 47% (or whatever the number is now)? The elderly with little to no taxable income?  Highschool and college kids?  The disabled?  What about people like Romney who have no "income", just "capital gains".  Are they included?

And finally, since we are reminiscing about the good old days, how come conservatives never harken back to the good old tax rates that existed back then when times were so good?  Upper end tax rates are the lowest they've been for several decades, maybe even a century.  In fact, I saw a report today in the Washington Post where the CBO says that average household tax rates are at a 30 year low with income taxes averaging just 7.2% and all fed taxes (income, payroll, and corporate) averaging 17.4%.  But spending is the problem...not revenue?

[f6john]

About 66 years ago



The aftermath





Hiroshima today










Detroit 66 years after the first photo














I won't play the blame game as far as whether it was the fault of the damn Democrats, damn Republicans, damn Tea Partiers ect. but this is the real deal. A town in Pa. has to put their public employees on minimum wage. Cities filing for bankruptcy. Meanwhile our President and Congress set back collect their pay and do enough finger pointing for us all.


\
What has caused more long term descruction, the Atom bomb or government welfare programs designed to buy the votes of people that want to be taken care of cradle to grave?

[G-Man]

I'm just amazed that a writer in Hollywood wrote that and they put it on TV. 

There is a very valid point being made in that clip........but the thing is, what to do about it to make this country look, act, feel and be the greatest nation on the planet that it once was?

No, this is right in line with the democratic elite's thinking.  That America is NOT the greatest.  But they don't want to "go back to a better time", they want to "progress" to a different way,.........where not only a few succeed, but where everyone is brought down to an even level.  Notice that I didn't say to bring everyone UP to an even level.

Well, it depends on what metrics you are using to measure greatness.  There are many areas where other countries have surpassed the US such as education and health care (even though we spend the most on them), life expectancy, income/wealth distribution, etc.  Other countries are catching up on science, technology, and infrastructure as well.  On the other hand, the US leads in many other areas. So it isn't just as cut and dry as "who's the greatest?"

I don't see it as anti-American to recognize that we cannot sit on our laurels and expect to stay ahead of the rest of the world.  Going "back to a better time"...what does that mean exactly?  Back to the 50's and 60's when we were the world leader in most of these areas?  The problem is that other countries aren't going back to the 50's and 60's so we'd just be farther behind.

I meant to go back to when personal responibilty was a virtue.  When teenage and out-of-wed pregnancies were frowned upon, or even shunned, rather than excepted.  When public assistance was the very last resort, not the first.  When people actually saved money for a rainy day or an unexpected bump in the road.  When $100 items weren't disposable.  When we were taught that the police were our friends and there to help, instead of being thought of as the enemy.  When our holidays meant something.  When we respected our elders.  When everyone contributed, no matter how little.

Nowadays, 70% of black kids are born to unwed and teenage mothers, kids with cell phones get free lunch and bus fare, we celerate Presidents day???,  public assistance is a way of life, nobody knew who Bill Ayers is, but did know how much Palin's dess cost (left leaning media), half don't contribute to the system, etc.

If you take that last one, about half not contributing, and change that to the way it was, I'd bet it all that much in the first paragraph would correct itself.  If everyone who worked for a living actually paid something, there would be more outrage.  (I know, the rich don't pay their fare share even though half don't pay anything but the bill gets paid anyway........but they should pay even more to cover the deficets that they didn't create.  Oh right, I forgot, if we only taxed them more, we would get 8.5 days of free gov't spending, but we'd still be in the hole for the other 356.5 days)

I thought we were talking about comparing the US to the rest of the world, which has little to nothing to do with your post. 

But since you brought up taxes, I'll make a couple of points. First, to suggest that half contribute "nothing" is a nice talking point, but nowhere near true.  Sure, if we are specifically talking fed income taxes, maybe.  But poor people pay a much larger percentage of their income in taxes and fees than anyone.  Payroll taxes are flat rates...at least until you get to the upper end, then they actually drop.  State and local income taxes are a flat rate where I live.  Then there's sales taxes (one of the most regressive taxes there are), property taxes, fuel taxes, vehicle taxes and registration fees, etc.  Even if one rents, a portion of that rent goes to pay the property taxes on the unit.  They contribute alot of other forms of taxes.

Second, I've asked this before without ever receiving an answer, but who makes up that 47% (or whatever the number is now)? The elderly with little to no taxable income?  Highschool and college kids?  The disabled?  What about people like Romney who have no "income", just "capital gains".  Are they included?

And finally, since we are reminiscing about the good old days, how come conservatives never harken back to the good old tax rates that existed back then when times were so good?  Upper end tax rates are the lowest they've been for several decades, maybe even a century.  In fact, I saw a report today in the Washington Post where the CBO says that average household tax rates are at a 30 year low with income taxes averaging just 7.2% and all fed taxes (income, payroll, and corporate) averaging 17.4%.  But spending is the problem...not revenue?

I wasn't comparing our country to others in my reply, I was comparing yesterday to today in this country.

And I wasn't yearning for the good ole days,...I was speaking to the mindset of the citizens today, compared to yesterday when personal responsibility meant something.

Yes, I was referring to Federal taxes.  Yes, payroll taxes are paid, but then given back at 100% to half (as well as local taxes).  Not a talking point.

When I was in college, I paid payrol taxes that I didn't get back.  My first real job, a locksmith when I quit college, was paid $1.00 over minimum and my bosses accountant screwed it up.  Not only did I pay federal taxes, I even OWED and had to send a check.  I'm certainly not saying that the poor should pay through the nose, but even if it's $100, it's something towards our society.  They say that if you don't vote, you shouldn't complain.  I think the same holds true for tax payers.  If you pay no taxes, you shouldn't complain.  Everyone should have skin in the game.  It would make for a much more informed population and voting population.  But, you know as well as I do, this is NOT want the left wants, at all.

And as for tax rates in the past,........we could go back to them, but it won't make anything better.  The wealthy will never pay what the designated percentage is because of the tax laws that they can take advantage of.  They did it then and they'll do it again.  Nobody ever paid 90% or 75% or whatever nutty figure it was.  If we all could afford creative accountants like the rich, we would have been in this mess a long time ago.  But don't worry, Obamacare's 16,000 new IRS agents will take care of it.  They still won't be able to go after the rich, so they'll destroy the middle class tax payers because their job is to find something.

[Bob E.]

The wealthy will never pay what the designated percentage is because of the tax laws that they can take advantage of.  They did it then and they'll do it again.  Nobody ever paid 90% or 75% or whatever nutty figure it was.  If we all could afford creative accountants like the rich, we would have been in this mess a long time ago.  

Now you're starting to sound like a Progressive!     Jest kiddin' 

[alph]

Good video. I'd have to agree with it.

When everyone points fingers at someone else, there are always three fingers pointing at the accuser.

[G-Man]

The wealthy will never pay what the designated percentage is because of the tax laws that they can take advantage of.  They did it then and they'll do it again.  Nobody ever paid 90% or 75% or whatever nutty figure it was.  If we all could afford creative accountants like the rich, we would have been in this mess a long time ago.  

Now you're starting to sound like a Progressive!     Jest kiddin' 

We need to go out for a drink, Bob!  

[Bob E.]

The wealthy will never pay what the designated percentage is because of the tax laws that they can take advantage of.  They did it then and they'll do it again.  Nobody ever paid 90% or 75% or whatever nutty figure it was.  If we all could afford creative accountants like the rich, we would have been in this mess a long time ago.  

Now you're starting to sound like a Progressive!     Jest kiddin' 

We need to go out for a drink, Bob!  

Any time you are down here in southwest PA, let me know. 

[musclehead]

I'm just amazed that a writer in Hollywood wrote that and they put it on TV. 

There is a very valid point being made in that clip........but the thing is, what to do about it to make this country look, act, feel and be the greatest nation on the planet that it once was?

No, this is right in line with the democratic elite's thinking.  That America is NOT the greatest.  But they don't want to "go back to a better time", they want to "progress" to a different way,.........where not only a few succeed, but where everyone is brought down to an even level.  Notice that I didn't say to bring everyone UP to an even level.

Well, it depends on what metrics you are using to measure greatness.  There are many areas where other countries have surpassed the US such as education and health care (even though we spend the most on them), life expectancy, income/wealth distribution, etc.  Other countries are catching up on science, technology, and infrastructure as well.  On the other hand, the US leads in many other areas. So it isn't just as cut and dry as "who's the greatest?"

I don't see it as anti-American to recognize that we cannot sit on our laurels and expect to stay ahead of the rest of the world.  Going "back to a better time"...what does that mean exactly?  Back to the 50's and 60's when we were the world leader in most of these areas?  The problem is that other countries aren't going back to the 50's and 60's so we'd just be farther behind.

I meant to go back to when personal responibilty was a virtue.  When teenage and out-of-wed pregnancies were frowned upon, or even shunned, rather than excepted.  When public assistance was the very last resort, not the first.  When people actually saved money for a rainy day or an unexpected bump in the road.  When $100 items weren't disposable.  When we were taught that the police were our friends and there to help, instead of being thought of as the enemy.  When our holidays meant something.  When we respected our elders.  When everyone contributed, no matter how little.

Nowadays, 70% of black kids are born to unwed and teenage mothers, kids with cell phones get free lunch and bus fare, we celerate Presidents day???,  public assistance is a way of life, nobody knew who Bill Ayers is, but did know how much Palin's dess cost (left leaning media), half don't contribute to the system, etc.

If you take that last one, about half not contributing, and change that to the way it was, I'd bet it all that much in the first paragraph would correct itself.  If everyone who worked for a living actually paid something, there would be more outrage.  (I know, the rich don't pay their fare share even though half don't pay anything but the bill gets paid anyway........but they should pay even more to cover the deficets that they didn't create.  Oh right, I forgot, if we only taxed them more, we would get 8.5 days of free gov't spending, but we'd still be in the hole for the other 356.5 days)

I thought we were talking about comparing the US to the rest of the world, which has little to nothing to do with your post. 

But since you brought up taxes, I'll make a couple of points. First, to suggest that half contribute "nothing" is a nice talking point, but nowhere near true.  Sure, if we are specifically talking fed income taxes, maybe.  But poor people pay a much larger percentage of their income in taxes and fees than anyone.  Payroll taxes are flat rates...at least until you get to the upper end, then they actually drop.  State and local income taxes are a flat rate where I live.  Then there's sales taxes (one of the most regressive taxes there are), property taxes, fuel taxes, vehicle taxes and registration fees, etc.  Even if one rents, a portion of that rent goes to pay the property taxes on the unit.  They contribute alot of other forms of taxes.

Second, I've asked this before without ever receiving an answer, but who makes up that 47% (or whatever the number is now)? The elderly with little to no taxable income?  Highschool and college kids?  The disabled?  What about people like Romney who have no "income", just "capital gains".  Are they included?

And finally, since we are reminiscing about the good old days, how come conservatives never harken back to the good old tax rates that existed back then when times were so good?  Upper end tax rates are the lowest they've been for several decades, maybe even a century.  In fact, I saw a report today in the Washington Post where the CBO says that average household tax rates are at a 30 year low with income taxes averaging just 7.2% and all fed taxes (income, payroll, and corporate) averaging 17.4%.  But spending is the problem...not revenue?

the bottom 47% of course. they pay into payroll taxes and essentially get it all back.
in the washinton post they say the CBO sez? 7.2%? I actually believe that one.

our prez said yesterday that a key cause of the deficit is that the rich aren't paying their fair share. (reference graph above) the top 10 % pay 70% of all taxes. soooo spending isn't the problem?

we need more tax payers not more taxes. JOBS jobs jobs......

[Skinhead]

What has caused more long term destruction, the Atom bomb or government welfare programs designed to buy the votes of people that want to be taken care of cradle to grave?

I couldn't agree more!

Well, it depends on what metrics you are using to measure greatness.  There are many areas where other countries have surpassed the US such as education and health care (even though we spend the most on them)

This just proves that throwing money at a problem isn't the best way to fix it.

[bludragon]

I am a Canadian and am very fortunate to have America as a neighbor. I just rode through the Mid west and West for 12 days.I visited North peninsula, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming  and South Dakota Blackhills aplenty  I was fortunate to visit Mount Rushmore on July 4th.  I was sitting on my valk looking at the presidents and was thinking how lucky I was to be free to ride my motorcycle in this wonderful country made of of great people. I thanked people working that day for same.  You are the best neighbours i could ask for.

[Bob E.]

I'm just amazed that a writer in Hollywood wrote that and they put it on TV. 

There is a very valid point being made in that clip........but the thing is, what to do about it to make this country look, act, feel and be the greatest nation on the planet that it once was?

No, this is right in line with the democratic elite's thinking.  That America is NOT the greatest.  But they don't want to "go back to a better time", they want to "progress" to a different way,.........where not only a few succeed, but where everyone is brought down to an even level.  Notice that I didn't say to bring everyone UP to an even level.

Well, it depends on what metrics you are using to measure greatness.  There are many areas where other countries have surpassed the US such as education and health care (even though we spend the most on them), life expectancy, income/wealth distribution, etc.  Other countries are catching up on science, technology, and infrastructure as well.  On the other hand, the US leads in many other areas. So it isn't just as cut and dry as "who's the greatest?"

I don't see it as anti-American to recognize that we cannot sit on our laurels and expect to stay ahead of the rest of the world.  Going "back to a better time"...what does that mean exactly?  Back to the 50's and 60's when we were the world leader in most of these areas?  The problem is that other countries aren't going back to the 50's and 60's so we'd just be farther behind.

I meant to go back to when personal responibilty was a virtue.  When teenage and out-of-wed pregnancies were frowned upon, or even shunned, rather than excepted.  When public assistance was the very last resort, not the first.  When people actually saved money for a rainy day or an unexpected bump in the road.  When $100 items weren't disposable.  When we were taught that the police were our friends and there to help, instead of being thought of as the enemy.  When our holidays meant something.  When we respected our elders.  When everyone contributed, no matter how little.

Nowadays, 70% of black kids are born to unwed and teenage mothers, kids with cell phones get free lunch and bus fare, we celerate Presidents day???,  public assistance is a way of life, nobody knew who Bill Ayers is, but did know how much Palin's dess cost (left leaning media), half don't contribute to the system, etc.

If you take that last one, about half not contributing, and change that to the way it was, I'd bet it all that much in the first paragraph would correct itself.  If everyone who worked for a living actually paid something, there would be more outrage.  (I know, the rich don't pay their fare share even though half don't pay anything but the bill gets paid anyway........but they should pay even more to cover the deficets that they didn't create.  Oh right, I forgot, if we only taxed them more, we would get 8.5 days of free gov't spending, but we'd still be in the hole for the other 356.5 days)

I thought we were talking about comparing the US to the rest of the world, which has little to nothing to do with your post. 

But since you brought up taxes, I'll make a couple of points. First, to suggest that half contribute "nothing" is a nice talking point, but nowhere near true.  Sure, if we are specifically talking fed income taxes, maybe.  But poor people pay a much larger percentage of their income in taxes and fees than anyone.  Payroll taxes are flat rates...at least until you get to the upper end, then they actually drop.  State and local income taxes are a flat rate where I live.  Then there's sales taxes (one of the most regressive taxes there are), property taxes, fuel taxes, vehicle taxes and registration fees, etc.  Even if one rents, a portion of that rent goes to pay the property taxes on the unit.  They contribute alot of other forms of taxes.

Second, I've asked this before without ever receiving an answer, but who makes up that 47% (or whatever the number is now)? The elderly with little to no taxable income?  Highschool and college kids?  The disabled?  What about people like Romney who have no "income", just "capital gains".  Are they included?

And finally, since we are reminiscing about the good old days, how come conservatives never harken back to the good old tax rates that existed back then when times were so good?  Upper end tax rates are the lowest they've been for several decades, maybe even a century.  In fact, I saw a report today in the Washington Post where the CBO says that average household tax rates are at a 30 year low with income taxes averaging just 7.2% and all fed taxes (income, payroll, and corporate) averaging 17.4%.  But spending is the problem...not revenue?

the bottom 47% of course. they pay into payroll taxes and essentially get it all back.
in the washinton post they say the CBO sez? 7.2%? I actually believe that one.

our prez said yesterday that a key cause of the deficit is that the rich aren't paying their fair share. (reference graph above) the top 10 % pay 70% of all taxes. soooo spending isn't the problem?

we need more tax payers not more taxes. JOBS jobs jobs......

Don't shoot the messenger.  That's what the article said.  It was actually for 2009 because they said that detailed data for 2010 and 2011 wasn't yet available. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/in-2009-americans-paid-lowest-tax-rates-in-30-years-to-federal-government/2012/07/10/gJQAWc5bbW_story.html

As for your 10% paying 70%, that's just a spin on the math.  Take this simple example.  One guy makes $10,000 and another makes $1,000,000.  If they were both taxed at the same rate, lets say 10% for simple numbers, then the first guy pays $1000 and the other pays $100,000 for a total of $101,000.  Now the 2nd guy is paying over 99% of the taxes...how is that fair, you might ask?  And they are paying the same rate, while our system is (supposed to be) a progressive rate??  Now, multiply that by 350 million people.  That's why saying the top 10% pays 70% doesn't mean squat, unless you are in the top 10% I guess .