Tax The Rich!
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From: Hammer Lane
Tax The Rich!
Kerry wants to raise the taxes on those who make over $200,000.00, right? He feels the rich should carry a larger percent of the burden to support the government financially, right? Here's an interesting article about his family's recent tax payments.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ibd/041018/issues01_1.html
I don't care that Kerry is rich. Good for him. I don't care how he got there either. I don't care that he found a way to pay less in taxes, percentage wise, than I do. I just think some of the crap he's slinging at Bush's tax plan, and the way he says that the rich don't pull their fair share, is just a tad hypocritical.
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Teresa's Taxes: Let Them Eat Ketchup
Monday October 18, 7:00 pm ET
Ibd
Full Disclosure: John Edwards often speaks of "two Americas" -- one that "pays the taxes" and another that "gets the tax breaks." Meet Teresa Heinz Kerry and her tax accountants.
John Kerry wants to raise taxes on everyone making over $200,000, rolling back Bush's "tax cuts for the rich." So why did his wife pay only 12.5% of her income in taxes last year?
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According to documents released by the Kerry campaign, Teresa Heinz Kerry in 2003 paid taxes at a rate barely above the rate paid by the lowest-income Americans who actually pay taxes. She reported a total income of $5,072,533, including nearly $2.8 million that escaped all federal taxes because it was from interest-free investments from state, city and other public funds.
On that income, she paid $628,401 in taxes, or a rate of 12.4% on her reported gross, slightly above the lowest 10% bracket. By comparison, the average middle class family that can't afford an army of tax accountants and lawyers to find ways to shelter its income pays more than 20%. George and Laura Bush reported paying $227,490 in federal taxes on income of $822,126, a rate of 27.7% -- more than twice the rate paid by Mrs. Kerry.
What Mrs. Kerry didn't release was almost as revealing. She refused to provide any details on the $267,541 she claimed in itemized deductions or regarding her personal charity contributions. Nor has she released any schedules to show where her money is invested, how much she invests overseas, or her total wealth.
Why is this important? Teresa Heinz Kerry has used her immense inherited wealth to rescue her husband's political career twice in the last eight years.
In his 1996 re-election bid against popular Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, Kerry squeaked by with 52%, thanks in large part to a $1.7 million 11th-hour "loan" from his wife and despite a pledge by both candidates to limit use of their personal family fortunes to $500,000.
Last year, when her husband's primary campaign was running on fumes, and Howard Dean had not yet imploded, Sen. Kerry mortgaged his half of the couple's five-story, 12-room Beacon Hill house, one of the five mansions inherited or purchased by his billionaire wife, for $6.4 million. Talk about "two Americas."
Where the Heinz fortune goes matters. For example, she has contributed heavily to the League of Conservation Voters and other groups whose leaders sit on the board of the $1.2 billion Heinz Foundation. How much of her money and the money she controls has found its way to 527 groups that have led the way around campaign finance laws to support her husband's candidacy?
John Kerry has made a major issue of "Benedict Arnold CEOs" who outsource American jobs, yet has reaped major political benefits exploiting his wife's fortune, built in large part by profit reaped by the foreign branches of U.S.-based Heinz and the tens of thousands of overseas jobs they created.
In late July, in what Bush critics might call a photo op, John and Teresa joined John and Elizabeth Edwards at a Wendy's in upstate New York to celebrate the Edwards' wedding anniversary. Dining at Wendy's is how they said they celebrated each year.
After mugging for the cameras, John and Teresa returned to their campaign bus to enjoy their real lunch -- catered shrimp vindaloo, grilled diver sea scallops and prosciutto-wrapped chicken prepared by a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef from an upscale eatery at the Newburgh Yacht Club.
Do as we say, not as we do. One wonders if they kept the receipt for next year's taxes.
Ketchup, anyone?
Teresa's Taxes: Let Them Eat Ketchup
Monday October 18, 7:00 pm ET
Ibd
Full Disclosure: John Edwards often speaks of "two Americas" -- one that "pays the taxes" and another that "gets the tax breaks." Meet Teresa Heinz Kerry and her tax accountants.
John Kerry wants to raise taxes on everyone making over $200,000, rolling back Bush's "tax cuts for the rich." So why did his wife pay only 12.5% of her income in taxes last year?
ADVERTISEMENT
According to documents released by the Kerry campaign, Teresa Heinz Kerry in 2003 paid taxes at a rate barely above the rate paid by the lowest-income Americans who actually pay taxes. She reported a total income of $5,072,533, including nearly $2.8 million that escaped all federal taxes because it was from interest-free investments from state, city and other public funds.
On that income, she paid $628,401 in taxes, or a rate of 12.4% on her reported gross, slightly above the lowest 10% bracket. By comparison, the average middle class family that can't afford an army of tax accountants and lawyers to find ways to shelter its income pays more than 20%. George and Laura Bush reported paying $227,490 in federal taxes on income of $822,126, a rate of 27.7% -- more than twice the rate paid by Mrs. Kerry.
What Mrs. Kerry didn't release was almost as revealing. She refused to provide any details on the $267,541 she claimed in itemized deductions or regarding her personal charity contributions. Nor has she released any schedules to show where her money is invested, how much she invests overseas, or her total wealth.
Why is this important? Teresa Heinz Kerry has used her immense inherited wealth to rescue her husband's political career twice in the last eight years.
In his 1996 re-election bid against popular Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, Kerry squeaked by with 52%, thanks in large part to a $1.7 million 11th-hour "loan" from his wife and despite a pledge by both candidates to limit use of their personal family fortunes to $500,000.
Last year, when her husband's primary campaign was running on fumes, and Howard Dean had not yet imploded, Sen. Kerry mortgaged his half of the couple's five-story, 12-room Beacon Hill house, one of the five mansions inherited or purchased by his billionaire wife, for $6.4 million. Talk about "two Americas."
Where the Heinz fortune goes matters. For example, she has contributed heavily to the League of Conservation Voters and other groups whose leaders sit on the board of the $1.2 billion Heinz Foundation. How much of her money and the money she controls has found its way to 527 groups that have led the way around campaign finance laws to support her husband's candidacy?
John Kerry has made a major issue of "Benedict Arnold CEOs" who outsource American jobs, yet has reaped major political benefits exploiting his wife's fortune, built in large part by profit reaped by the foreign branches of U.S.-based Heinz and the tens of thousands of overseas jobs they created.
In late July, in what Bush critics might call a photo op, John and Teresa joined John and Elizabeth Edwards at a Wendy's in upstate New York to celebrate the Edwards' wedding anniversary. Dining at Wendy's is how they said they celebrated each year.
After mugging for the cameras, John and Teresa returned to their campaign bus to enjoy their real lunch -- catered shrimp vindaloo, grilled diver sea scallops and prosciutto-wrapped chicken prepared by a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef from an upscale eatery at the Newburgh Yacht Club.
Do as we say, not as we do. One wonders if they kept the receipt for next year's taxes.
Ketchup, anyone?
http://biz.yahoo.com/ibd/041018/issues01_1.html
I don't care that Kerry is rich. Good for him. I don't care how he got there either. I don't care that he found a way to pay less in taxes, percentage wise, than I do. I just think some of the crap he's slinging at Bush's tax plan, and the way he says that the rich don't pull their fair share, is just a tad hypocritical.
Last edited by Odin's Wrath; Oct 20, 2004 at 06:43 PM.
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From: Dallas, TX
The top 10% already pay something like 80% of the taxes or something silly like that. Where does it stop? Im not rich myself, but if I bust my *** to get myself rich, like the good ol american dream, I dont wanna have to fork half of it over just because I worked my butt off to get there.
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From: Hammer Lane
Originally posted by bigd999
The top 10% already pay something like 80% of the taxes or something silly like that. Where does it stop? Im not rich myself, but if I bust my *** to get myself rich, like the good ol american dream, I dont wanna have to fork half of it over just because I worked my butt off to get there.
The top 10% already pay something like 80% of the taxes or something silly like that. Where does it stop? Im not rich myself, but if I bust my *** to get myself rich, like the good ol american dream, I dont wanna have to fork half of it over just because I worked my butt off to get there.
Oh, I agree. The people, that Kerry is looking to tax, are the working rich. The people that have busted their asses, most of them, to get what they have. Not the trust fund babies that haven't had to work for anything their whole lives. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they should be taxed to death either. Somebody, somewhere, sometime, worked hard to leave the fortunes they are enjoying behind. I'd like to be able to do the same for my descendants, if I ever make it.
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From: the moral high ground
Originally posted by bigd999
... Im not rich myself, but if I bust my *** to get myself rich, like the good ol american dream,...
... Im not rich myself, but if I bust my *** to get myself rich, like the good ol american dream,...
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From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
I heard that Kerry keeps talking about increasing taxes on those making over $200,000. But Fox News had a segment this morning on it - if you check Kerry's web page his plan actually calls for raising taxes on incomes over $140,000.
I heard his plan includes a $2,000 fee once you hit $140,500. It works out that if you make just over $140,000 you will have LESS takehome pay than someone who makes $139,000.
There are a lot of two income famiiles struggling to make mortage payments, college tuition payments, etc... that are in the $140,000 household income range.
I heard his plan includes a $2,000 fee once you hit $140,500. It works out that if you make just over $140,000 you will have LESS takehome pay than someone who makes $139,000.
There are a lot of two income famiiles struggling to make mortage payments, college tuition payments, etc... that are in the $140,000 household income range.
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From: Massachusetts
"I just think some of the crap he's slinging at Bush's tax plan, and the way he says that the rich don't pull their fair share, is just a tad hypocritical."
I don't see how it is hypocritical. The current tax laws allow him to write off things and pay what he has paid. Why should he not use the current laws as they are? The guy is actually advocating raising taxes on himself and you want to cut him down for that? God, I hope he never wears blue socks with brown shoes, you'll never let him live that down.
I don't see how it is hypocritical. The current tax laws allow him to write off things and pay what he has paid. Why should he not use the current laws as they are? The guy is actually advocating raising taxes on himself and you want to cut him down for that? God, I hope he never wears blue socks with brown shoes, you'll never let him live that down.
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From: Western Massachusetts
Originally posted by momalle1
The guy is actually advocating raising taxes on himself and you want to cut him down for that?
God, I hope he never wears blue socks with brown shoes, you'll never let him live that down.
The guy is actually advocating raising taxes on himself and you want to cut him down for that?
God, I hope he never wears blue socks with brown shoes, you'll never let him live that down.
To some bringing up an issue like this might seem petty. When there are years of "issues" it makes some of us wonder if this guy, who so many are determined to get into office, is all that credible.
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From: the moral high ground
Originally posted by wittom
... who so many are determined to get into office, ...
... who so many are determined to get into office, ...
Let's say for some reason you do not want the Yankees to go to the World Series. You may be a big Seattle fan or a big Cleveland fan and not care that much for the Red Sox. You find yourself in the position of pulling hard for Boston to achieve your desired goal of keeping the Yankees out of the World Series.
I do not hate George Bush. I don't think he plotted the Iraq fiasco. It is inconceivable that he could mastermind and pull off such a thing. A President has advisors, appointees, Cabinet members, selected by him or recommended by those close to him. The election sweeps them in and a lost election sweeps them out. It is like giving your dog a flea bath.
Your vote is for two names on a ticket but, what you actually get is a whole Administration. Somebody, Somebody, dropped the ball (or worse played hide the ball). The only way to make sure ''they' aren't rewarded is to give the whole dog a flea bath.
Here is what a vote for Kerry buys me:
Cheney - Gone.
Rumsfeld - Gone.
Ashcroft - Gone.
Rove - Gone.
and un-named, unknown minions who have made me angry
What do I end up with:
Kerry, the most liberal member of the Senate
(but hey, everyone knows that Kennedy will be his Yoda behind the scenes)
Last edited by Raoul; Oct 21, 2004 at 09:00 AM.
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From: Washington DC
Originally posted by dirt bike dave
I heard that Kerry keeps talking about increasing taxes on those making over $200,000. But Fox News had a segment this morning on it - if you check Kerry's web page his plan actually calls for raising taxes on incomes over $140,000.
I heard his plan includes a $2,000 fee once you hit $140,500. It works out that if you make just over $140,000 you will have LESS takehome pay than someone who makes $139,000.
There are a lot of two income famiiles struggling to make mortage payments, college tuition payments, etc... that are in the $140,000 household income range.
I heard that Kerry keeps talking about increasing taxes on those making over $200,000. But Fox News had a segment this morning on it - if you check Kerry's web page his plan actually calls for raising taxes on incomes over $140,000.
I heard his plan includes a $2,000 fee once you hit $140,500. It works out that if you make just over $140,000 you will have LESS takehome pay than someone who makes $139,000.
There are a lot of two income famiiles struggling to make mortage payments, college tuition payments, etc... that are in the $140,000 household income range.
Not to mention $140,000 in one place isnt the same somewhere else. Here in Northern Virginia families that make $140,000 are not exactly well off. The wealthy are those over $200,000 not the low 100s. Especially when a 2000 sqft townhouse goes for $500,000.
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From: Rochester NY
Originally posted by Raoul
By default.
Let's say for some reason you do not want the Yankees to go to the World Series. You may be a big Seattle fan or a big Cleveland fan and not care that much for the Red Sox. You find yourself in the position of pulling hard for Boston to achieve your desired goal of keeping the Yankees out of the World Series.
I do not hate George Bush. I don't think he plotted the Iraq fiasco. It is inconceivable that he could mastermind and pull off such a thing. A President has advisors, appointees, Cabinet members, selected by him or recommended by those close to him. The election sweeps them in and a lost election sweeps them out. It is like giving your dog a flea bath.
Your vote is for two names on a ticket but, what you actually get is a whole Administration. Somebody, Somebody, dropped the ball (or worse played hide the ball). The only way to make sure ''they' aren't rewarded is to give the whole dog a flea bath.
Here is what a vote for Kerry buys me:
Cheney - Gone.
Rumsfeld - Gone.
Ashcroft - Gone.
Rove - Gone.
and un-named, unknown minions who have made me angry
What do I end up with:
Kerry, the most liberal member of the Senate
(but hey, everyone knows that Kennedy will be his Yoda behind the scenes)
By default.
Let's say for some reason you do not want the Yankees to go to the World Series. You may be a big Seattle fan or a big Cleveland fan and not care that much for the Red Sox. You find yourself in the position of pulling hard for Boston to achieve your desired goal of keeping the Yankees out of the World Series.
I do not hate George Bush. I don't think he plotted the Iraq fiasco. It is inconceivable that he could mastermind and pull off such a thing. A President has advisors, appointees, Cabinet members, selected by him or recommended by those close to him. The election sweeps them in and a lost election sweeps them out. It is like giving your dog a flea bath.
Your vote is for two names on a ticket but, what you actually get is a whole Administration. Somebody, Somebody, dropped the ball (or worse played hide the ball). The only way to make sure ''they' aren't rewarded is to give the whole dog a flea bath.
Here is what a vote for Kerry buys me:
Cheney - Gone.
Rumsfeld - Gone.
Ashcroft - Gone.
Rove - Gone.
and un-named, unknown minions who have made me angry
What do I end up with:
Kerry, the most liberal member of the Senate
(but hey, everyone knows that Kennedy will be his Yoda behind the scenes)
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From: Rochester NY
I don't nessescarily hate the Red Sox, I hate the "Red Sox" 
On a tangent, I don't think the city of Boston can handle winning a World Series, they would lose their inferiority/ persecution complex and would be forced to appreciate and enjoy those two Superbowls in the last three years. 
On a tangent, I don't think the city of Boston can handle winning a World Series, they would lose their inferiority/ persecution complex and would be forced to appreciate and enjoy those two Superbowls in the last three years.
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From: Modesto CA
I have no problem with anyone raising taxes on the rich. They already have plenty of income to take the burden off the middle class.
But then again I am for a 7% straight tax across the board with no deductions for anyone for anything...
But then again I am for a 7% straight tax across the board with no deductions for anyone for anything...
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From: Massachusetts
"Kerry, the most liberal member of the Senate
(but hey, everyone knows that Kennedy will be his Yoda behind the scenes)"
Actually, that's another myth created by the republicans. They've quoted American Journal magazine (Bush himself used this during a debate). American Journal does NOT rank Kerry as the most liberal senator. Raoul, I'm surprised you fell for that one. BEWARE THE RIGHT-WING SPIN MACHINE!!!! Even if he were the most liberal member of the senate, it still puts him far from the extreme left.
(but hey, everyone knows that Kennedy will be his Yoda behind the scenes)"
Actually, that's another myth created by the republicans. They've quoted American Journal magazine (Bush himself used this during a debate). American Journal does NOT rank Kerry as the most liberal senator. Raoul, I'm surprised you fell for that one. BEWARE THE RIGHT-WING SPIN MACHINE!!!! Even if he were the most liberal member of the senate, it still puts him far from the extreme left.