Brian Williams Demands of Mitch McConnell: ‘Why Shouldn't Rich Folks Pay More?’
Running a brief excerpt from his Sunday night Dateline special, “Taking the Hill: Inside Congress,” Brian Williams on Thursday evening showcased one and only one question he posed to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. He demanded: “Why shouldn't rich folks pay more?”
Williams insisted on NBC Nightly News that’s “a hot topic, no tax increase in any of these plans being discussed” in “what has become a big charge from the left that in any of these debt ceiling deals the poor are likely to get hit while the rich are likely to get a pass.”
McConnell countered, in the interview conducted on Wednesday, with the fact the wealthy “do” indeed already pay more, explaining: “They pay an extraordinary amount more, and in fact about half of Americans don't pay any income taxes at all.”
Let’s see if Friday’s NBC Nightly News, or in the Dateline itself, Williams challenges any Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill with a conservative point/argument. He didn’t in the excerpts aired Wednesday and Thursday night.
Meanwhile, fill-in CBS Evening News anchor Bob Schieffer decided to bring aboard Senator John McCain one day after McCain had insulted Tea Party Congressmen for “foolish” and “bizarro” demands:
We’re joined now live by Republican Senator John McCain who was so frustrated by all of this yesterday he called the situation “bizarro.” Senator, have you seen anything today to cause you to step back from that description? [McCain: “Not really...”]
From the Thursday, July 28 NBC Nightly News:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: We are just back from Washington where we spent yesterday on Capitol Hill, all over Capitol Hill in fact. NBC News cameras were given special access for a special broadcast this Sunday night. We talked to nearly every member of the leadership, including the GOP leader in the Senate, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. And I asked him about a hot topic, no tax increase in any of these plans being discussed.
WILLIAMS TO McCONNELL: Why shouldn't rich folks pay more?
SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL: They do. They pay an extraordinary amount more, and in fact about half of Americans don't pay any income taxes at all. That isn't a sticking point. The President in signing a continuation of the current tax rates back in December made the argument that Republicans had made, which is that raising taxes in the middle of a recession is not a good idea. I don't know that anybody thinks the economy's in better shape now than it was six months ago. But all of those issues are being discussed in conjunction with how we put together a package here that will actually begin to get us to head in a different direction.
WILLIAMS: Mitch McConnell on what has become a big charge from the left that in any of these debt ceiling deals the poor are likely to get hit while the rich are likely to get a pass. We will have more from him, from all the players in this, in our prime time special, "Taking the Hill: Inside Congress." That's Sunday night, 7 o’clock, 6 central.
- Brent Baker's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
Yeah Brian....
Submitted by USMC8411 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:16pm.
Like these folks?
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/category/richest-politicians/democrats/
Here are the top 10 politicians and their minimum net worth levels for 2009, according to Roll Call:
1. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., $188 million
2. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., $160 million
3. Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., $153 million
4. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., $82 million
5. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, $74 million
6. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., $70 million.
7. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., $56 million
8. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., $55 million
9. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., $50 million
10. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., $46 million
How much does Brian Williams make per year hosting NBC’s Nightly News? $12.5 million. Total net worth... $40 million.
When asked about spending money (not voluntarily paying MORE TAXES), the pompous arse said: "I've had no desire to walk into any store but a grocery store for months. It's just not cool right now to be ostentatious. It doesn't look right. It doesn't feel right. It's not very sensitive to all the suffering that's happening."
I wouldn't deny any of them their wealth
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:24pm.
Whether they earned it or inherited it. What I would like, however, is for them to stop talking as if the wealthy are some group "over there" and they are not part of it.
Oh yea
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:36pm.
Class warfare is alive and well.
Anyone see Drudge lately, fantastic!
THE VOTE: 'TEA PARTY' IN CHARGE!
They have to be in charge...
Submitted by USMC8411 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:10pm.
O'bama isn't. As Jody Miller reported, "Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn(sp?) blasted president o'bama's economic policies. Hey he's just jealous that o'bama is better than him a getting people to lose their money."
This is FEAR MONGERING 101 Chapter 3
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 10:05am.
Create a sense of entitlement for those that we have deemed NOT THE RICH.... and a sense of HATE towards those we deem AS THE RICH!
The Declaration of Independence states ...
Submitted by Bodini on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 10:37am.
The Declaration of Independence states ... "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT of Happiness."
Nowhere do I read this to say Life, Liberty and Happiness. Too many socialist media elites and DemWit party members are trying to make success by those who PURSUED and ACHIEVED their dreams and HAPPINESS demagogues by the leaches in society.
Why is it that some foreigners clamor to immigrate to America for the (fading) OPPORTUNITY while millions of our birth-right citizens clamor for the Government (taxpayer) sugar teat?
Slick Willie famously said "Lets cross the bridge to the 21st Century together," but he didn't tell those of us that work that we had to carry the other half on our backs!
The Tea Party Rules!
It's stupid
Submitted by GregE on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:43pm.
They act as if the "rich" aren't in a tax bracket at all.
And just what is "fair share" anyway? Anyone ever put a freakin number on it? NOPE, can't tie to a number, because once that number is met, the whining can't happen. So, keep it unquantifiable, and use it to whine for the next 500 years.
Neither would I...
Submitted by USMC8411 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:58pm.
But these are the same politicians that uses taxes to prevent us from gaining wealth simply because if we were all wealthy, they could not control us.
They (democrats) use "entitlements" to keep the poor reliant on them for any income that they receive, in order to control them.
The politicians were allowed, by a less informed electorate, to exempt themselves from the taxes they impose on us. If the politicians were mandated to contribute to social security for their retirement, the would not be able to threaten the seniors that payments would not go out to them.
They make the laws they exempt themselves from That is not representation, nor is it a "sacrifice" to serve the people. These jokers make careers out of it, in direct violation of the intent of public service.
Stop them from talking like that. Hold them accountable.
You make valide points, but
Submitted by jdhawk on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 4:41am.
You make valide points, but keep in mind that if you have inherited wealth and/or earned in your lifetime and are now retired, you look at taxes in a whole different light. If you are smart you can get you taxes down to under 15% of your wealth generating income. If you are willing to take a lot less in income, you can get it to nearly zero by investing in muni bonds that are not taxed at the federal level, not taxed if issued in the state you live in and sometimes you may avoid taxes in the county and/or city.
The bottom line is you give a crap that tax rates are going through the roof for the wage earners. You aren't affected.
Regarding Williams - get out your check book and write a check to the U.S. Treasury. They will happily take your money. Meanwhile, you know damn well that 50% of wage earners are not paying any taxes and amongst them, over half are getting money back. And, presently, they aren't paying their share of FICA. High wage earners get about 17% of the total wealth generated in our country and pay nearly 40% of all federal taxes. Slime ball, you know that, you're one of them.
Regarding RINO McCain - STFU!
The Fair Tax ...
Submitted by Bodini on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 10:42am.
The Fair Tax is the solution to end the control issue and maximize taxpayers into the system. Repeal the income tax!
Not impressed
Submitted by Unsane on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 4:09pm.
...except the "Fair" Tax isn't. When you have to call your tax proposal "fair", there is a 99% chance it isn't.
Yeah, let's replace a screwed up income tax code with something far worse:
1) A 23% sales tax on everything, ON TOP OF the 8.25% I already pay my state and local government. And if you read the TX Constitution, that is NOT going away. So a...rather pricey item I am looking at for $529.99, which goes for $573.71 with a state/local sales tax, becomes $695.61. And this effect hits every single thing I buy. EVERY single thing. So I react, rationally, with other participants in the economy, by slamming my wallet shut. Now watch the largest component of the economy get savaged.
2) Ah, but I should be VERY happy, because the government will dish out allowance money every month to make us FEEL better!
3) Yeah, the Unfair Tax - the most regressive tax you can have - will NEVER EVER be tinkered with by busybody Congresscritters.
4) "End the control issue", you say? How does turning every single business owner, large or small, into tax collectors, "end the control issue"? How does forcing people to save money as a tax dodge "end the control issue"?
Not impressed. I'd much rather have the 16th Amendment amended to set the income tax rate at 17% with absolutely NO variations due to income or anything else, and no "loopholes", "Breaks" or anything else of the sort allowed.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
No Fair Tax. I think a Flat
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Sat, 07/30/2011 - 1:34am.
No Fair Tax.
I think a Flat Tax would be better.
Let's say 17% individual, 20% corporate.
No loopholes, no deductions. EVERYONE PAYS!!
And of course that should also go hand in hand with cutting the size of the Government. It is inefficient and a drain on the economy.
For example:
Dept of Education - Billions and Billions of dollars spent and no improvement in student tests scores. GET RID OF IT! Let the States take back the responsibility. Watch people move to States where the students actually LEARN.
Dept of Energy - Billions and Billions of dollars wasted. We are more and more dependant of foreign energy instead of independent. GET RID OF IT!
Internal Revenue Service - now that everyone pays one rate there is no need for them, just enough people to make sure that the money is collected.
A small example of how the size of Government can be reduced.
Yeah, and I'd wager the old UPS truck . . .
Submitted by ConservaSerb on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 1:39pm.
Is pulling up in Bri-Bri's driveway every day. You think ol' horseface Jane is doing without?
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Brian%2BWilliams%2BJane%2BStoddard%2BWilliams%2BWall%2BQinsWH8wBozl.jpg
A wise & frugal government, which shall leave men free 2 regulate their own pursuits of industry & improvement, & shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. T. Jefferson
It doesn't matter what the
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:12pm.
It doesn't matter what the current rates are.
Whenever a liberal is asked how much tax the wealthy should pay, the answer is simply "More."
OK, more than they pay now. How much more? As much as they need to fund all the programs they want?
I'd love to hear a liberal specify how much they think is "enough."
How much is "enough"?
Submitted by Unsane on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 6:34am.
If the Left had their way the "rich" or the "wealthy" would be taxed 100% and would have exactly as many civil rights as German Jews did during the Kristallnacht. As much as the Left loves to fight and die for people's "group rights", the one group they want to destroy is that group that is successful. Nothing enrages a Leftists like the notion successful people exist.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
In what way?
Submitted by SLUGGO on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 10:12am.
Do you mean the US Secret Police will destroy the homes of the wealthy, round them all up and hold them captive in concentration camps where, if they aren't starved to death, will be gassed? Are you typing from Auschwitz?
Sluggo
Sluggo... YOU TROLL
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 11:05am.
When I was young, (Many years ago) I had an assistant Scout Master named Kurt Spangenthal. his son Ruben, was in my troop and as a Good Jewish boy he missed scouting events that happened on the Jewish Holy days. I noticed that Mr. S never rolled his sleeves up, he might turn them up once above his wrist but never higher... So at one very hot scout event I asked his son why... The conversation went something like this as I remember.
"He doesn't want anyone to see his tattoo"
Ohh man what hes got a naked lady on his arm I asked....
"No its his number from the camps"
Camps I ask what camp tattoos you? (Woefully ignorant was I at the age of 12) I knew about WWII and that Jews were in camps I just hadn't put it together.....
Ruben then told me that his Dad was born in Poland in the 20's and that when the Nazis invaded his family was taken to Auschwitz... out of the 18 members of his family (6 brothers and sisters and his parents, the rest were all his grandparents, both sets.... uncles aunts and cousins) he was the only one that lived.... there is one picture that was taken at Auschwitz that will forever haunt me and that is the one that shows a man nearly naked standing in a barracks well look up in the corner of that picture.. you will see a young mans head that was my mentor Mr. S.
I made the mistake of using a phrase one time on a scout work project that got me knocked on my ass by him... we was working us hard it was hot and I opened my mouth and put my foot in it BIG TIME! he told us we hadn't seen hard work I muttered "Arbeit macht frei" (work sets you free) I found myself picking my self up and him looking at me saying NEVER SAY THAT WITHIN MY HEARING AGAIN! I knew where it had come from but at 12, (almost 13) I was not so smart.... I figured it out quick then went and appologized when he cooled down. He saw that it was an honest appology and he took me under his wing and taught me many things, yes he treated me as a son.... and on his death bed (he died of Lung Cancer in 1984) I cried as a son when we lost him. Sluggo, unless you have known the horrors or Auschwitz, of what it did to families and how it destroyed lives... please....S.T. .....no I won't go there PLEASE keep that analogy to yourself.
Are you functioning on ANY cylinders right now?
Submitted by SLUGGO on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 12:07pm.
If you look at the post just above mine, the post to which I responded, take special note of the word Kristallnacht.
While your story is sad it is not unlike those of the millions killed by WWII Germans. You might try reprimanding the person who related Kristallnacht to taxing the rich.
Look before you leap.
Sluggo
Actually I DID TROLL...
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 12:39pm.
You made no mention of his using Kristallnacht........ or denying the implications that in YOUR OPINION kristallnacht was ONLY about punishing Jews for being Jews.... (admittedly it was a large part) HOWEVER....... IT WAS ALSO USED as a way to destroy Jewish wealth. (IE punishing wealthy Jews that owned businesses taught school and practiced medicine.) By destroying the wealth of the Jews, first through the Nuremberg laws of 1935, then because the laws allowed some to escape the law due to there not being a clear definition of what a Jew is kristalnacht (1938) The Nazis believed that it would break the hold that the Jewish Bankers had over the economy. You instead leapt straight to the most hated and dispicable camp the nazis ever created and used the analogy about killing and gassing....... it is you that need to look before you leap...... into that slime pit of the Nazis and throw it on others.
you just moved the goal posts to another field!
Submitted by SLUGGO on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 12:47pm.
"Unsane" equated taxing the rich to Kristallnacht as a civil rights issue. Speaking on THIS issue (you can concentrate on just this one issue, right?), the 2 nights of Kristallnacht stripped 1/4 of German Jews of ALL civil rights.
How does Kristallnacht relate in any way to taxing the rich?
Sluggo
Read
Submitted by Unsane on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 3:57pm.
Clearly you have not bothered reading your history. Evans does a remarkable job of explaining how the Nazis were just tickled pink to see the Jews leave Germany - as long as they left EVERYTHING behind for the government to take control of.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Group rights and Socialism
Submitted by Unsane on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 11:12am.
Well, if it isn't our little Socialist group rights advocate.
The ONLY think I EVER hear from the Left is how horrible, rotten and evil rich people are, they're not paying their fair share, they're all greedy, etc etc etc and I have been hearing this longer than you have been alive. (Never mind that the top 60% of income earners pay 99.94% of the freight...)
To me, a tax is a necessary evil that pays for government functions. Nothing more, nothing less. To you and your fellow Socialists, a tax is a "get even" mechanism; a tool that allows government to target, and punish, and steal from certain people simply because they are successful.
I WISH I could say I was exaggerating, but knowing the way Leftists have behaved ever since...well, ever...I have no doubt you would have multiple orgasms if we just carried out a massive operation which exterminated rich people as a class. If you want to convince me of otherwise, you may want to do some soul-searching and do something about the seething resentment you have towards people who are successful. While you are at it, you may want to dump that obsession you have with group rights.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
well
Submitted by SLUGGO on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 12:09pm.
it seems you know everything about me, but all I know about you is that your analogical abilities rest on the shoulders of nazis.
Sluggo
Well.....?
Submitted by Unsane on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 2:01pm.
That comes from the study of the works of Richard Evans and Slayer songs.
But thanks for the typical "you don't know me" whine. What I know about you is that you are a Socialist who considers group rights to be far more important and relevant than individual rights. You being younger? Just a hunch based on your writing style. I could be wrong.
And you also demonstrate one of my first rules of life: Nothing Bad Ever Happens On The Left. I could make a lengthier analogy with many different Communist regimes, but you would be OK with that. Why? Because Nothing Bad Happens On The Left. People don't recoil in revulsion when they hear "The Internationale" or the Soviet National Anthem, but boy, play the Hörst Wessel Song and people will vomit with disgust. (That BOTH Communists and Nazis murdered people by the millions is lost on many: hence Nothing Bad Happens On The Left.) If I were to make one of my oft-used analogies to Сталин liquidating Кулаки, you wouldn't care and would perhaps even approve. Using the reference I did, you throw a fit.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Which Richard Evans would that be?
Submitted by SLUGGO on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 2:17pm.
The American Christian author?
The British Sci-Fi author?
Oh, the WWII historian.
The gibberish of this last post of yours aside, please explain how a 2 night pogrom of destruction, Jew slaying and imprisonment relates to taxing the rich. With an emphasis on civil rights.
Sluggo
Crayons needed for Sluggo
Submitted by Unsane on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 3:57pm.
If only I could break out the crayons for you. Leftists hate rich people and would badly want that kind of event to happen to rich people. If the Left had their way - including supporters of group rights like you - there would absolutely, positively be NO civil rights for any American citizen who could be considered financially successful. You know this. You constantly being a smartass won't change that.
Again, if you prefer, I can make other analogies.
Why do I say this? Because ever since I can remember, the ONLY thing Dems and Leftists bitch about are rich people.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
"Leftists" are rich people
Submitted by SLUGGO on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 4:15pm.
Are you suggesting liberals hate themselves? Or is it that liberals don't want to be rich? Maybe you're saying something on a whole different plane? I just don't know.
As you have the punies to take this a step further, I can only laugh at the worry that US civil rights laws will somehow be stripped from people making over a certain amount, and that anyone in America would promote such hysteria.
But the most @#^@%$#^%ed up statement you've made here:
Leftists hate rich people and would badly want that kind of event to happen to rich people.
Pathetic interpretation of society. If you really think Americans wish that kind of horror on other Americans, you really, really, really need to find something new to argue.
No longer may you blame liberals for ignorance. You just crowned yourself.
Sluggo
Sluggo revels in his own ignorance and smartassery
Submitted by Unsane on Sat, 07/30/2011 - 7:04am.
Are you suggesting liberals hate themselves? Or is it that liberals don't want to be rich? Maybe you're saying something on a whole different plane? I just don't know. Are you stupidly suggesting ALL Leftists are rich? Their leadership is and yes, they DO hate themselves. I've seen examples of this on CNBC many a time.
Or, as I suspect, the reason some rich Leftists whine they aren't paying enough in taxes while at the exact same time doing everything in their power to avoid paying taxes is because what they REALLY want is a static society so that way the icky masses don't ever have a chance or a desire to become the rich Leftists' neighbor tomorrow. I'd explain but I don't think you'll get it. You are more interested in being a complete smartass than actually critically thinking.
As you have the punies to take this a step further, I can only laugh at the worry that US civil rights laws will somehow be stripped from people making over a certain amount, and that anyone in America would promote such hysteria. Please. Ever since I have been alive the ONLY people Leftists bitch about are rich people. Even His Majesty The Shahinshah will NOT shut up about forcing "millionaires and billionaires" to pay more in taxes even though the top 53% of income earners pay the freight.
Exaggeration? One only hopes. But as stated before, the top 53% of wage earners pay the freight. And Leftists still constantly SCREAM that is isn't enough. What the hell do you expect me to think?
And what the hell are "punies"? Is that just more of your focusing on your goal of being NB's biggest smartass? If only you spent a tenth of your effort in debate rather than being a smartass.
Pathetic interpretation of society. If you really think Americans wish that kind of horror on other Americans, you really, really, really need to find something new to argue. I do not know what else to conclude of people who work overtime to target the most successful Americans or of politicians like your Leftist heroes who want to pit Americans against other Americans constantly. You and your Leftists friends desperately want an America where everyone hates each other due to their economic "class".
No longer may you blame liberals for ignorance. You just crowned yourself. The ignorant Sluggo, who prides himself on his absolute devotion to the concept of group rights, Socialism, and being a complete smartass, calling others "ignorant". I love it. Kid, you are nowhere near the intellectual giant you think yourself to be. Go coronate yourself, for you are the one who doesn't know what is going on.
For what am I supposed to think of a group of people who do not think the people who are paying 53% of the frieght are paying nearly enough?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
How does any of this justify your Kristallnacht comment?
Submitted by SLUGGO on Sat, 07/30/2011 - 8:56am.
You've been ranting for quite some time now while ignoring the first simple question I asked. How does taxing the rich equate to a night of murder and mayhem?
The ignorant Sluggo, who prides himself on his absolute devotion to the concept of group rights, Socialism,
Source, please.
Sluggo
Geez Sluggo
Submitted by Radical1979 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 4:13pm.
Because Hitler blamed the Jews for the horrible economy in Germany and said they had all the money. He started by stealing the wealth from the Jews using class warfare as his basis.
Don't you know anything?
yes
Submitted by SLUGGO on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 4:20pm.
Do you know anything about Kristallnacht? Explain it to little old ignorant me.
Sluggo
How about we try having
Submitted by Snappy on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:08pm.
How about we try having everyone put some skin in the game Mr. Williams. Instead of this ludicrous progressive tax rate that somehow always seems to be used as a class warfare theme. ---against all the numbers and common sense I might add.
Flat Tax will end all that nonsense
Hey Brian,
Submitted by Dave81 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:12pm.
If your HOA decided to build something you don't want, say a nuclear power plant in your backyard, and decided half the neighborhood wouldn't pay a dime for it while a "rich folk" like you would pay about 50% of the cost, would you go along with it so the rest of the neighborhood could have electricity they weren't paying for?
That's why rich folks shouldn't pay more.
Last time I checked ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:15pm.
... the "wealthy" (that would be people who work) pay about 90% of EVERYTHING, you dip stick!
I say let's let the 51% who don't pay shiite start paying just a LITTLE. That way they won't be so happy with the way liberals spend their money.
Liberals are really beginning to piss me off.
My reply?
Submitted by Ashrak on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:16pm.
Brian, there are things in the Constitution called First Principles. This one is called 'Equal Protection Under the Law' and it is to apply to all people within these united States.
You media types keep talking about Barry invoking the 14th Amendment......well there you go, it is invoked.
Mr. Williams, it is time for tax reform that sets the code right with that First Principle. First, all must pay their "fair share" - which cannot be Zero for anyone. Second, that taxation must not punish earning, so it must be enacted upon spending stand alone. Third, and most importantly, there is absolutely nothing stopping from any of the wealthy Congressmen, or Congresswoman, from writing a check to the Treasury to pay more as they say, and you say, the wealthy should. Lead by example, right, Mr. Williams? So, Sir, when can Mr. Geitner be expecting your check?
I tell you what Mitch SHOULD HAVE SAID:
Submitted by djwolf12 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:18pm.
If the Rich payed more, then you little Obama Rimjobbers would say that The rich STILL aren't paying enough.
"What in the Wide, Wide World of Sports is goin' on around here?" - Slim Pickens, Blazing Saddles
In Other words Brian
Submitted by donabernathy on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:32pm.
you are suggesting we can tax and spend ourselves out of this debt crisis like everything else. Look around sport. It don't seem to be workn'
roflmao
My reply would be....
Submitted by pbthinker on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:34pm.
I wouldn't mind rich people paying more in taxes to help retire this huge debt we have, but I certainly don't want to them send money to Washington D.C. at this time to have it wasted on every liberal policy initiative guaranteed to fail and become nothing more than another entitlement we can't afford.
Awesome, but..
Submitted by USMC8411 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:00pm.
Vote Republican - Then you'll only be called a racist one more time.
I'd add, one LAST time...
Send this to every liberal
Submitted by GregE on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:43pm.
Send this to every liberal you know who wants taxes raised.
https://www.pay.gov/paygov/forms/formInstance.html?agencyFormId=23779454
And Mr. Williams, we thank you for your donation, which I'm sure you, as a rich person, have made, right?
Here are the gifts over the years. Not looking too good. Sure seems like alot more people want other people's taxes raised, than are donating.
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/gift/gift.htm
This was implemented by President Kennedy, and I read that since inception, it's collected about $87 million. Do the yearly math on that.
Soros, where are you? Buffet? You in, bro? Russell Simons, where you at, playa?
I guess Soros and Simmons
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 8:00am.
I guess Soros and Simmons feel like the government will piss their money away; sorta like I fell the government will do.
I emailed Brian
Submitted by Model850 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 4:16pm.
Well actually the only address I could find was Nightly@nbc.com, but I put his name in the subject line. Here's what I wrote:
I see where you recently asked Sen. Mitch McConnell "Why shouldn't rich folks pay more?
Good question. So to help you achieve your goal of "rich folks" paying more I send this link to you.
Dig deep, Brian. It's for the good of the country, you know.
You should print out the form after completing it and display a huge copy of it on your show to let America know you're doing your part.
I included the link to the pay.gov site and thanked him for his contribution.
Hope he doesn't report me to his buddies in the WH and have them sic the IRS on me or something!
Questions for Williams . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:44pm.
QUESTIONS
- Do you feel at all guilty that GE -- the company that paid you $ millions over the years that it owned NBC -- paid no Federal income tax on $5 billion in US sales?
- Why didn't your old company pay its fair share?
Simple answer to that
Submitted by bkeyser on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:48pm.
Well, Brian, just how much more is enough? Raising the rate back to 39.6% won't solve the budget crisis, now will it? So, what figure would you recommend?
Question to Brian and His Band of Wannabe Alms Givers
Submitted by Bourbeau on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:53pm.
The Federal Income Tax Code allows for anyone, you, Mr. Obama, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, George Soros, Nance Pelosi, John Kerry, etc. etc. to pay any amount of additional taxes you so choose. It's very easy; it's in the instructions. Have you, at any time since you have been an anchor paid one additional dollar in tax then you had to? Simple question - lets not hold our breath for the answer, even thought we all know it's an emphatic no.
Tax the wealth, not the income.
Submitted by Clutch1956 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:59pm.
Since many liberals make their millions and billions via investments and other mechanisms other than direct income, tax their total WEALTH, not their INCOME and watch how quick they are to squeal! Tax the earnings on their movie deals and the value of all their fancy homes (they can exempt one, the one with the lowest value ONLY) How many times have you heard where a CEO takes a dollar salary for a year? They made up for it in stock and other ways, so they probably paid no tax at all that year, may have gotten money back (income below the poverty level, ya see?) and still made a killing.
NO IRS. Support the Fair Tax!
Are you kidding?
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:14pm.
That would apply to ALL of us. Why should we pay taxes on what we've saved and worked for? It would decimate us all and goes along with the class warfare ideal, because there's no way to tax just liberals.
Even with investments people need money to live on, and cash in stock or other assets if they have no earned or unearned income. That money is then taxed.
Inheritance tax
Submitted by Tjexcite on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:15pm.
They can't tax the wealth when they are alive so they tax the lifetime wealth when they die. They did squeal when it was paused for a year. But it still will not even come close if they take 100% of everything to clear the debt.
Inheritance tax
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:20pm.
This hurts farmers and small business's more than it hurts the wealthy. Wealthy people pay a lot of money for trusts and other mechanisms to protect their money for their families.
But why should the government be entitled to someone's money when they die anyway? Why shouldn't I be able to give my money to my children? What entitles the government to more of money just because I've died?
Especially
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 7:35am.
When they are doling out health care
Brian allegedly was bullied when he was in .....
Submitted by jmigyanka@msn.com on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:33pm.
...grade school - give him a break. He only wants to look down on the little guy .... what a snobbish prick.
The putrid freak needs some
Submitted by Diesel on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 10:40am.
The putrid freak needs some bullying NOW! Matter of fact, he needs a good ass whoopin once a week!
Every time I see that ugly face of his, I want to smack the piss out of it.
Edit; I don't care what anyone thinks of my statement. I'm through taking the "high road"...it takes too much gas to go that route!
The wealthy didn't get
Submitted by TerryWest on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:11pm.
The wealthy didn't get wealthy by giving more money to reckless spending addicts and nor will this country see anything different then we are witnessing today if the wealthy give more.
The people sent the Tea Party in as an intervention, sadly all we see still is addiction behaviors of denile and blame, a desperate desire to hang onto the drugs.
Brian Williams is typical of
Submitted by neighb on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:04pm.
Brian Williams is typical of the many people I meet who say how gladly they would pay more of their money to the government to "help right this fiscal ship", or some other similar platitudinous mumbo-jumbo. So why, I ask, don't you just pay your taxes and then send in double that amount, "Just-because-you-care"?
I will make the same offer to Williams that I have made to countless of my valued, albeit economically ignorant friends: If you will pay YOUR taxes next year and then SEND in an ADDTIONAL $10,000 because you believe the government needs it so badly, I will pay MY taxes and SPEND (MY OWN FREAKIN' MONEY, BTW) an ADDITIONAL $10,000 out in the economy....where it can REALLY do some good!
(In case readers of this thread are wondering, NOT A SINGLE person--NOT ONE--has EVER accepted this offer....)
Brian Williams Ignorant as Usual
Submitted by Comrade Jim on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:11pm.
1. There is NO such thing as a wealth tax, i.e. a tax on the "rich." Got it Brian?
2. High taxes on high income is a tax on wealth creation and job creation. Lefties like Williams are too dumb to get it and Lefties like Obama don't care about creating wealth and jobs. Obama cares about redistributing income. He would redistribute wealth too (at least Republican wealth) if he could get his hands on it.
Live here
Submitted by grammajane on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:15pm.
If you live in this country, pay taxes. No matter if you make 10 million or 10 hundred pay something. Why should the ":filthy rich" be responsible for a bunch of lazy a-------es who sit and collect free money and don't pay a penny in taxes. Williams, try and donate some of your millions to to help the military families and others who deserve help like many conservative media hosts do instead of whining about others doing so. Take a break from all your adoring remarks about your buddy Barry and start reporting news that is of interest.
A clear explanation of tax cuts...
Submitted by j_phred on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:28pm.
I can't remember where I found this, but it definitely needs repeating for Mr. William's sake:
Sometimes politicians, journalists and others exclaim;
"It's just a tax cut for the rich!" and it is just
accepted to be fact, without questioning it. But what
does that really mean?
Just in case you are not completely clear on this
issue, the following might help.
Let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and
the bill for all ten comes to $100.
If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it
would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed
quite happy with the arrangement, until on day, the
owner threw them a curve.
"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm
going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by
$20."Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we
pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected.
They would still drink for free. But what about the
other six men - the paying customers? How could they
divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his
'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if
they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the
fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being
paid to drink his beer.
So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to
reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and
he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing
(100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings)
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the
first four continued to drink for free. But once
outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their
savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the
sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got
$10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only
saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times
more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should
he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get
all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison.
"We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits
the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for
drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without
him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they
discovered something important. They didn't have
enough money between all of them for even half of the
bill.
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college
professors, is how our tax system works. The people
who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a
tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for
being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore.
In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the
atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
Very good,
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 8:42am.
Thanks, this may be useful when explaining simple economics to idiots? Lord knows they dont understand simple math
Not to spoil the beauty of
Submitted by Bhaal on Sat, 07/30/2011 - 12:22pm.
Not to spoil the beauty of your post but, in our tax system the first four drinkers should have received the 20 dollar discount as a 5 dollar credit. That's how it's working currently. On top of them not paying taxes they are getting credits as though they had over paid on taxes that they don't owe.
Two things I've learned in life Brian
Submitted by donabernathy on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:51pm.
eventually other peoples checks begin to bounce and it's always fun to play with sticks till someone gets their eye poked out. Now go play with a stick.
roflmao
#1 - last I heard, the 'rich'
Submitted by killa37 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 2:42am.
#1 - last I heard, the 'rich' DO usually pay a hell of a lot more taxes than most other people......and, to tell you the truth, I don't blame them if they try and keep as much of it for themselves as they can!!
#2 - the 'rich' are usually the ones who are hiring me to do work......and, in turn, I am hiring other people, and buying materials and goods and services......all as a result of someone 'richer' than me spending money!!!
#3 - I doubt if Williams can grasp what I've just written, because he makes a hell of a lot of money just sitting up there on TV acting like he knows something..............he's out of touch with the 'real' world, as most of us know it!!!
And.....hey Brian......you can always cut a big-ass check to the government, if you're so inclined!!! I'll bet you a month's wages that he NEVER has done that!!!
The rich need to pay their fair share?
Submitted by Order270 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 10:48am.
In 2008, the top 5% earners paid almost 60% of the federal income taxes. What equates to "fair"? I'm tired of these generalized mantras that no one defines.
Fair Share
Submitted by tomaspain on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 5:52am.
The Feds are spending $3.8 trillion which comes out to over $12,000 per citizen or over $34,000 per taxpayer. I wonder how many of these folks who seem to hate the successful are paying their "fair" share of the bill. Note that I am writing about the Feds. If State and local spending is included the corresponding numbers are $22,000 and $61,000!
Why can't government become smaller?
Submitted by Red Jeep on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 6:42am.
Why is it always, "We need more tax money!"
Without massive spending
Submitted by ThisnThat on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 7:41am.
...how would the dims be able to buy their votes?
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
There's more than a few GOP
Submitted by ThatDude on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 9:38am.
There's more than a few GOP who rely on the same. We wouldn't have this complicated progressive tax scheme with writeoffs and deductions for every little thing the politicians believe will endear the masses to them if the GOP were not similarly corrupt.
1776
Submitted by scout on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 1:07pm.
(Looks around the area)
"Now where did I put them Tar and Feathers"
These frauds are so TIRESOME!
Submitted by HelenS on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 6:45am.
Not having read the comments so far, I apologize if I'm repeating other's thoughts but:
Would everyone in the debate just SHUT UP! STOP the talking, STOP the dithering and make just one simple request: Everyone who wants to raise taxes, send the IRS a check worth 25% of your most recent paycheck and VOTE WITH YOUR DAMN MONEY!
It's always amazing to me that the pukes who have the money are all talking about what to do with everyone else's money but they're all standing back, hands up, saying "except me. I need to be exempt because..."
JUST PAY AND LEAVE THE REST OF US ALONE!
...phew. Thanks for the platform to vent.
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."
You're welcome, Helen,
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 7:00am.
and "Amen!" too :-)
Yes, a lot of us have similar thoughts, but that's OK. Liberals never get tired of repeating the same old argument, and that rebuttal is the most obvious.
They talk a good game about sacrifice, but they're not going to contribute a penny more unless everyone else is forced to pay more too!
People want taxes raised on
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 8:13am.
People want taxes raised on the other guy, not themselves.
One thing you can say about Williams
Submitted by ThisnThat on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 7:40am.
...he doesn't let facts and newsworthyness get in the way of his politics. I wonder why he doesn't wear a "Vote Dem" button on his coat during his broadcasts?
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
Wassa matter, comrade Williams?
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 8:06am.
Is the number of unemployed Americans still not high enough for you?
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
"Obama: I won't allow the
Submitted by dasher on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 8:37am.
"Obama: I won't allow the half of Americans who pay no taxes to bear the burden of the other half who aren't paying their fair share." -- Chip Bok
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150249037666751&set=a.29150810...
why don't we ask
Submitted by ohio granny on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 8:47am.
why don't we ask some of the 50 percent of households who do NOT pay any federal income tax to "sacrifice" and share in the support of the federal government? They benefit the same {and in may cases a lot more} as the people who do pay.
So I ask again, what is wrong in expecting them to contribute something. Can someone explain to me why some are OBLIGATED to pay and others are ENTITLED not to pay?
Vote buying, social engineering, slavery...
Submitted by Red Jeep on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 9:07am.
End class warfare, 15% flat tax for ALL.
Because it's not the governments EFFING money Mr. Williams
Submitted by vyger on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 9:32am.
I think every single time a reporter asks this question the Congressman or Senator in the interview should ask them if they have written a check to the government to help out with the debt?
And then say it's not the Governments money it's the peoples money and they have a fiscal duty to spend as little as possible of it.
I keep waiting....
Submitted by Spoker on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 10:02am.
I keep waiting to read how all/any of the proponents of 'robbing from the rich' have decided to lead by example and have given the government more than their required taxes to show the way through example. ............................still waiting.
The poor
Submitted by psammy on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 10:15am.
I have a friend that argues he pays taxes every year,but every year he receives a tax refund triple the amount that was held out thru payroll.The poor do not pay income tax.How would this plan hurt the poor?By the way,how many poor people have You worked for.
Government vs God
Submitted by scout on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 12:59pm.
Isn't is sad that in the Christian religion God asks that his people give a "tithe" or ten percent and God is satisfied with that, but the government (who often tries and fails at playing God) demand as much as 35% of all we make.
Just proves that God a far better money manager than the government.
if there was a budget-perhaps we would know how-
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 1:26pm.
much to steal from everyone.
you may need all of our money, not just 70% of it.
Wealthy pay more !
Submitted by LionKing on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 4:11pm.
I have an idea. Why not let ALL of the wealthy LIBERALS pay more without raising taxes.
Soros, Buffet, Gates, Job, Kerry ... they and their ilk can freely PAY more. Since they feel it is necessary or right -- let them pay more. No one is stopping them execept themselves.
They must be very selfish since they think paying more is GOOD but they refuse.
I'm sorry, I forgot that liberals are not principled, just hypocrites.
zzzzz.
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 4:54pm.
rich people already pay more, much more, you dolt.....
I knew our days as a free nation were numbered...
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 5:02pm.
...the first time I encountered "conservatives" supporting the existence of the federal income tax - and that was way back in the early Usenet days.
That shows me two things:
And we are about as forked as it is possible to be, and unless we rid ourselves of the most regressive, destructive form of tax there is, we're soon going to tip over for good.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Actually...
Submitted by Unsane on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 8:39pm.
Actually, the most regressive taxes in existence are sales taxes.
Under the current system of income tax, you are absolutely right. The government is picking the winners and losers as things stand now. Hence my voting for Steve Forbes in 1996, for his "flat tax" idea.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)