Next presidential election: Obama VS. Romney

[Browning151]

First of all, Romney isn't a bad guy for following the tax code and getting all the deductions allowed. He merely exemplifies the result of a bad tax code.

I can agree with this, our tax code is garbage.

Also Obama isn't a hypocrit just because he also follows the tax code but says it should be reformed. You play by the rules as they are, not as you want them to be.

Do as I say, not as I do. You can't preach that rich people aren't paying enough taxes and then yourself pay as little taxes as possible when you fall into that very category. Either man up and pay what you feel to be your "fair share" per your own rhetoric or shut up. If he thinks the rich pay too little in taxes why didn't he take the standard deduction of $11,500 instead of his itemized deduction of $278,498? His itemized deductions of $278,498 less the std deduction of $11,500 is $266,898 taxed at the marginal rate of 35% is $93,414 in taxes saved.

Secondly, you can't completely remove the concept of fairness from the tax code. The only issue is what is fair? Jimmy seems to think of it in terms of how many dollars you give while blank.cd is talking in terms of the burden it places on your lifestyle. There isn't a right answer because fairness is a subjective concept.

You want to make the tax code fair for everyone? Take away the politicians power to use the tax code for class warfare and wealth redistribution. Institute the fair tax, flat tax or something of that nature. Everyone pays the same percent of taxes across the board, period end of story. That's a completely level playing field. Those on the lower end will pay less taxes since they have less disposable income for discretionary spending than those on the higher end who will inherently pay more in taxes since their discretionary spending is higher.

Finally in regards to spending cuts vs revenue increases. Even if you feel your side is 100% right and all the data unequivically supports you, you live in a country where everyone gets a say and they don't all agree with you. Therefore, we have to compromise which means some spending cuts and some tax increases. This whole my way or the high way mentality is why we have gridlock in congress. It may make you feel righteous but it isn't helping the country.

The entire spending cuts/revenue increase debate would be much easier to have if the gov't were actually making CUTS, not reductions in projected increases. DC math makes that entire debate nearly impossible because no one has or is willing to make an actual cut i.e. reducing spending to a level that is actually LOWER than the previous year. That is a cut, a reduction in projected increase is not a cut.