If the Republicans had a few more spokesmen like Haley Barbour, the political landscape might look a lot different. The Mississippi governor's down-home good humor and razor-sharp wit are a formidable combination. Barbour's killer combo of skills was on display on this evening's Hardball. When Chris Matthews challenged his criticism of Obama's tax credit plan, Barbour good-naturedly backed him down with an impressive disquisition on New Deal history. When he was through, Matthews had to admit that Haley was right.I'd encourage people to view the video, not only for the entertainment value, but as a case study of how to defeat a member of the liberal media.
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HALEY BARBOUR: His redistribution of wealth ideas are well known, before Joe the Plumber. The idea that we're going to have refundable tax credits, where people who don't pay taxes get paid "tax refunds," they will take the money from the people that do pay taxes. I don't think most Americans, regardless of their race, I don't think most Americans want that. And I've got real concerns about some of his ideas about unionism, about protecting our state right-to-work laws, against things like card check. I am a whole lot less worried about his race. The fact is, to me he is incredibly dynamic, articulate, charismatic, and I think actually being an African-American with many people helps him because they think now is a chance for us to show that America is above this. I believe America is above this, too, but I don't think America should elect the most liberal member of the United States Senate to prove that we're not racist.Touché, indeed. But wait a second. In admitting Haley was right, didn't Matthews also effectively admit that he knew from the start that his challenge to Barbour's description of Obama's plan was wrong? Had he come up against anyone less able than Haley, Matthews might have successfully duped viewers into accepting his misleading depiction of Obama's plan.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Well, let me ask you about a couple of points because I have to challenge you because you've made a very bold statement there. Let me ask you this about taxes. As I understand the Barack Obama tax program, it's to give people tax relief who are working people, who don't make much money, who pay a very high percentage of their income in payroll taxes. And that refund on the income tax which is, of course, new money back to them, is to offset the payroll taxes they're paying. They're not people who don't pay taxes. They're people who pay a high percentage of their income in payroll taxes and that refund as you call it is to offset some ofthat. Isn't that what Barack Obama is proposing?
BARBOUR: Some of them, in fact, do pay seven-point something percent of their income in payroll taxes because that's what the payroll tax is. It also is to fund what Franklin Roosevelt said could never become a welfare program. Franklin Roosevelt thought one of the ingenious ideas about Social Security is that everybody paid and that anybody that got Social Security it's because he or in some cases of minors who lost their parents, their parents paid in. It's not a program where -- and also we limit what gets paid out based on what you paid in. Now, that was a Rooseveltian principle that I think turned out to be very smart for preserving the sanctity of Social Security.
MATTHEWS: Touché. Haley, you gave the right answer. You're right. No, you are right. That's what I like --
BARBOUR: That was a French word, right?
In any case, Matthews' amiable reaction to being beaten by Barbour exemplifed that definition of a good politician: someone who can tell you to go to hell and make you look forward to the trip.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Comments Policy
I've got real concerns
November 3, 2008 - 21:01 ET by TN MomI've got real concerns about some of his ideas about unionism,
I heard Mitt Romney say today that Obama & Dems will push Unions on SMALL Businessess--with as few as 2-3 employees, resulting in big job losses as tiny businesses like that can't handle the high costs of Union labor laws.
I don't think America should elect the most liberal member of the United States Senate to prove that we're not racist.
...me neither!
VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN
Operation Destroy Business
November 3, 2008 - 21:06 ET by JDWIf you can handle the taxes, try the unions
JDW
DAILY WAVE
'Hey Chuck, Stand Up!'
Is the Community Reinvestment Act part of free enterprise
Obama added a work requirement to his proposal
Link to the vid doesn't seem
November 3, 2008 - 21:01 ET by no-libs.comLink to the vid doesn't seem to be working...
Sorry about that: fixed it
November 3, 2008 - 21:05 ET by Mark FinkelsteinSorry about that: fixed it now.
Works Well
November 3, 2008 - 21:11 ET by JDWWhy not embed on the jpg?
JDW
DAILY WAVE
'Hey Chuck, Stand Up!'
Is the Community Reinvestment Act part of free enterprise
Obama added a work requirement to his proposal
P3WNED
November 3, 2008 - 21:18 ET by sawing battaAt least CM owned up to being owned.
"obama will pay to put
November 3, 2008 - 21:24 ET by TN Mom"obama will pay to put gas in my car and pay my mortgage"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36x8rTb3jI
Yes he will TN
November 3, 2008 - 21:30 ET by cocodrieKeep a lookout for low flying pigs.
coco
November 3, 2008 - 21:33 ET by TN Momyou betcha!
And THAT is one of the
November 3, 2008 - 21:23 ET by Pete WilsonAnd THAT is one of the reasons that I voted for Haley. He is smart and very, very capable.
He also speaks Southern, which drives Northeastern Liberals crazy. They just do not know the language! :)
I seriously think
November 3, 2008 - 21:23 ET by katainkentthat Mr Matthews has NO IDEA he just got owned.
just my opinion.
Sigh, I am obliged to be forthright.
November 3, 2008 - 21:43 ET by Josh SNI want to keep this from you all. I watched and listened to many 100s of politicians speak from 2000 to the current day. And many think tankers and pundits besides.
Haley Barbour was the best. I heard him get an audience applaud that his parents were proud Eastland Democrats. I can't get past Eastland being one of those hard-core Southern segregationists who spent a good chunk of their career trying to make sure people like Barack Obama would not be allowed in the White's Only restaurants and would be forced to the back of the bus.
People called Clinton "slick" because they didn't know Haley Barbour.
The only comprable event I can think of was when Rep. Thomas, former Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, got the top AARP people to all raise their hands to support cutting Social Security. That was fast talk. You knew some of them wondered why they did it. "It all happened so fast!"
I guess he has some mistresses or something in the closet, or he'd have gone for something bigger than Governor of a middle sized state.
really Josh?
November 4, 2008 - 08:44 ET by candanceWho cares if Obama wants to explode the welfare state? Haley Barbour grew up racist and probably has a mistress!
Talk about being quick. DKos has those talking points down to an art. It's the same old story every time something makes Obama look bad: ignore the point, smear the other side, and then moveon.org
FICA is not a friggin tax!
November 3, 2008 - 21:50 ET by JWFIt is supposed to be an insurance contribution. The money you pay in is directly in proportion to what you should receive.
To now claim it is a tax is a lie. A liberal lie.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
In 70 years
November 3, 2008 - 21:56 ET by Josh SNIt was never actually an insurance contribution. It is a tax. Every definition of tax I can find is broad enough to encompass the payroll tax.
More Sincerely,
A Victor In 180,000 Psychic Wars, And Counting
Ah, more obfuscation
November 3, 2008 - 22:02 ET by BlondeWhen is a tax not a tax?
When The One says so.
Gotcha!
Oops....You Betcha!
Keep sipping the kool-aid.
So all of the free loaders in the world not only get REFUNDS of their payroll taxes....they still get to collect Social Security? Do I have that right, Mr. Obama?
In his own words (19 seconds): This man is qualified to be VP?
Which dictionary do you use?
November 3, 2008 - 22:05 ET by Josh SNPlease point to any respected dictionary which defines tax whose definition of tax does not include the payroll tax.
The dictionary of ECONOMIC REALITY
November 3, 2008 - 22:08 ET by BlondeNatch.
I'm a grown-up.
Not a Kool-Aid drinker.
Ta.
In his own words (19 seconds): This man is qualified to be VP?
Good evening Josh
November 3, 2008 - 22:20 ET by cocodrieI agree with you not because of any dictionary but because the Social Security Administration calls FICA a tax. Before it was renamed Federal Insurance Contributions Act, it was the Social Security Tax. Now that I have agreed with you I'm going outside to wait for the low flying pigs.
Ignoring Josh is easy, so
November 3, 2008 - 22:02 ET by Clear thinkerIgnoring Josh is easy, so I suggest doing so until after the election. He's one of those trolls on the Obama payroll!
Final Thoughts Before D-Day!
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
I am not on the Obama Payroll
November 3, 2008 - 22:07 ET by Josh SNThis "Clear Thinker" liar keeps saying this.
If the Obama campaign would give me money for this, gosh, I should get hooked up!
I already make good money, but nothing is stopping me from taking a second job.
Ooooooh, you scare me,
November 3, 2008 - 22:12 ET by Clear thinkerOoooooh, you scare me, hehehehehe.... A liberal turd like you calling me a liar is like me calling Obama patriotic.
Final Thoughts Before D-Day!
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Then what do you get from the Obama...
November 3, 2008 - 22:14 ET by MightyMouthTicket? Not Bush? McCain is so not Bush you wouldn't believe it I am a Bush supporter, and would vote him in a third term! He has kept us safe, something Obama will not do! Yes he spends like a drunk sailor, but up until the 06 elections the econ was doing great, until the damn demos got in power.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
That's what you know
November 3, 2008 - 22:18 ET by Josh SNThe housing meltdown was beginning in January, 2007, the first month the House Democrats were in power. It was over a half year before they enacted their first budget, and many months after that before their first budget took effect.
Between February and March of 2007, 25 Subprime lenders declared bankruptcy. In April, 2007, America's largest subprime lender declared bankruptcy.
BUT SOME IDIOTS WANT TO BLAME THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS THAT TOOK OVER IN JANUARY, 2007!
You sir, should shut up.
I don't think you want to
November 3, 2008 - 22:23 ET by MightyMouthI don't think you want to go there dumbass, if there was a Republican to name for the Fannie, Freddie debacle he would have been strung up already. But there isn't, the Dems brought the house of cards down. And you know it you little weasle!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Mike Oxley?
November 3, 2008 - 22:31 ET by Josh SNWho was Chair of the House Finance Committee during this whole mess? Mike Oxley? Republican?
You bring up Oxley? He
November 3, 2008 - 22:46 ET by MightyMouthYou bring up Oxley? He retired that year! Josh you are dumber than a bag-o-hammers"
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
So...
November 3, 2008 - 23:04 ET by Josh SNyou think things got bad last year? I mean, there was no build up? No warning signs? No roadsigns on the interstate highway to the current crisis?
Even President Bush was warning about Fannie or Freddie some time back.
Duh?
November 3, 2008 - 23:14 ET by MightyMouthGreat boom even AFTER 9/11. Are you stupid? Do you not see what the Bush Admin as done? Even after 911? Of course he should have raised taxes and abolished his tax cuts! You guys are total dumbasses wrt the economy,We had six years of growth under Bush until the "the best congress, who fooled the most people got in to power, and have done NOTHING!. And now you dipshits wantt a pres who will go along? KMA!!!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
And which side of the aisle
November 3, 2008 - 23:14 ET by RESTLESS 1ignored those warnings again??? To which party do obama, dodd, frank, reid, pelosi, kennedy, kerry et al. belong???
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Not quite MM
November 3, 2008 - 23:08 ET by cocodrieHammers are useful.
I hear you buddy!
November 3, 2008 - 23:14 ET by MightyMouth"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Josh you are being an ass
November 3, 2008 - 22:17 ET by dark_dsJosh you are being an ass again .....you seem very self righteous, pompous, very enamored with yourself , vain and in the end what is your purpose.... you say you are not a troll, perhaps you arent but what do you hope you will accomplish ..I honestly dont want to know .... a good question for anybody in life do you ever admit that you are wrong? I dont know this for sure about you Josh but I know your personality type and I doubt that you admit error, that you would admit that you dont know everything ... once again you seem like an ass .. my purpose will be to tell you everyday that you act like you do on this site that you are acting like ass ....
dark_ds, laughable butthead
November 3, 2008 - 22:39 ET by Josh SNIn the previous thread this self-proclaimed arbiter of the moral highground wrote, and I quote "Malloy breathes out his v*g*na" (without the *s).
I think I am going to take advice from other people.
k?
thx.
BYE!
ahhh if you only knew how
November 3, 2008 - 23:15 ET by dark_dsahhh if you only knew how far from the truth about me being on the moral high ground .. i fell so far off the mountain top of moral superiority along time ago ...I actually hate when I or anybody else act self righteous .... I do act that way and Josh I very wel might have acted that way whan pointing out that you were actng liek an ass .. but when pointing out that I in no way thought of my self as more moral than you.. contrary I actually think that you are intelligent although misguided but thats just my own opinion, I also dont know anything for sure about you, I only know how you choose to portray yourself here .. and my observation that you act like an ass here .....I also think others act like asses here... including myself ....but when I do so and somebody wants to point it out to me Im cool with that .. I also try to learn from my errors .. In fact Malloy from my previous comment more than likely doesnt have a vagina.... I noticed in a an earlier post you commented that consevatives dont have senses of humor .. you have the worng conservative here .. I laugh at my self all the time ... I can be quite the dooche ... do you laugh at yourself Josh? do you think at times you say stupid childish things?... I know I do .... I also laugh at my political viewpoint ... shhh my favorite show is the Colbert Report dont tell anyone ok .. The Daily Show is so so, but Colbert is witty ....so no I wasnt neccesarily trying to elevate myself above you, but trying to get a reaction out of you as you try to do to....I still think you need to get laid .. it would take the edge off .. relax dude
and I also cant spell so
November 3, 2008 - 23:17 ET by dark_dsand I also cant spell so dont bother pointing that out lol
I suggest...
November 3, 2008 - 23:20 ET by MightyMouthKOS for you, you must be what 20? Listen kid... follow the politics of your elders... you will live a better lilfe...
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Why are you putting *s in
November 3, 2008 - 23:26 ET by RESTLESS 1Why are you putting *s in VAGINA? Does that word scare you josh? You know, the word VAGINA. You were most likely born through a VAGINA, unless you were a C-section. I won't mention the other possibility on a freindly blog. Just remember, you don't have to fear the VAGINA. Love the VAGINA. Respect the VAGINA. It will set you free.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
FICA is the acronym for the
November 3, 2008 - 22:06 ET by Scuba DudeFICA is the acronym for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. This act mandates that an employer withhold a set percentage of an employee’s salary each pay period. FICA also requires that the employer match the employee’s amount and contribute the money to a government account known as the Social Security Trust Fund. This fund provides retirement income, as well as disability insurance, Medicare, and benefits for survivors.
Josh, this does not sound like a tax to me. When does my company match my Federal witholding tax or City or State tax?
How can you call it a tax when eventually I will start to get BACK what I put in?
Ponder that you dolt.
DEFINITIONS OF TAX, from the dictionary
November 3, 2008 - 22:15 ET by Josh SNMaybe you have made-up definitions of words that you and your friends use, but until then, I'm going to stick with the dictionary. Where multiple definitions were provided, I tried to choose the most relevant one. I always chose the Noun.
ASS!!!!
November 3, 2008 - 22:35 ET by RESTLESS 1I mean josh, just because the govt. uses the social security witholdings for governmental support, in direct contrast to what SS was intended, doesn't make it a "tax". A "tax" is money that is used by the govt. to support infrastructure, (interstates, national parks, etc.) and provide for the military and national defense. If you liberals would stop asking the govt. to do everything for everybody, then they wouldn't have to use SS for their expenditures, and thus it would not be a tax. So, if SS is indeed a tax, you have no one but your precious dems to blame.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Your Own Private Idaho
November 3, 2008 - 22:40 ET by Josh SNYou can make up definitions for words all you want, until you start writing dictionaries, I really don't care.
At all.
Ass!!!!
November 3, 2008 - 22:55 ET by RESTLESS 1I mean josh, what good are dictionaries to you when you can't even comprehend that the definitions you provided disprove YOUR point.
C-ya.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
ehehe
November 3, 2008 - 23:02 ET by katainkentfollow that up with "I'm not listeningggggg lalalalala..." and you're on to something.
"You can make up
November 4, 2008 - 00:47 ET by ckc1227"You can make up definitions for words all you want, until you start writing dictionaries, I really don't care."
What good would that do when you don't read, or can't comprehend the dictionaries already in existence? Your own sources say a tax is levied to support the government. Social security doesn't exist to support the government.
Having said that, I believe it is a tax. If I don't have a choice in paying it, it's a tax. Actually, to be more accurate, what it is is a scam, and illegal if you or I tried to set up a similar program for our employees.
Obama's Economic plan: more taxes, more spending, more regulation. Prosperity here we come.
Josh...too ignorant
November 4, 2008 - 13:46 ET by LionKingReading is fundamental. This withholding does not support the government, it supports the contributor. QED
Whether it's tax or not isn't the issue
November 4, 2008 - 13:50 ET by TucsonicanJosh,
FICA, whether you call it a tax or not, is paid back to the taxpayer that paid in to the system.
Obama's tax credit, as well as other refundable credits, do not get paid back to the original taxpayer. These refundable credits SPECIFICALLY reallocate a portion of one persons income to someone else. This concept may or may not be "fair" to someones way of thinking but, ultimately, such a reallocation of income should be at the discretion of the individual who earned the money NOT THE GOVERNMENT!
The ultimate effect of refundable income tax credits, as they are currently designed, is that they actually discourage recipients from taking marginally higher paying jobs as the credit phases out. The effect is that the poor tend to stay poor and that's just the way the Democrats like it!
Think about this for a minute...if the Democrats are focusing on the supporting poor that's because they get some benefit from that support (Votes. LOTS of votes). It is, therefore, to their benefit to keep people poor so that they can stay in power.
Generally speaking, the Republicans focus more on creating opportunities for people to get ahead. The McCain health care tax credit, although refundable, does provide this opportunity. Keep in mind that the McCain credit does not get paid to the taxpayer but, instead, gets paid to the health care provider. It's definitely not a redistribution of income and provides a direct benefit for the taxpayer without impacting anyone else.
The Supreme Court of the
November 4, 2008 - 13:53 ET by NL207The Supreme Court of the United States determined that FICA was a tax about 40 years ago. They also ruled that Social Security was a welfare program in a separate ruling also about 40 years ago. One of these rulings was in 1964 and I think the other was in 1972.
NL207 ???
November 4, 2008 - 13:56 ET by LionKingThe Supreme Court??? Are you serious?
Sadly, most of the time they do not know their head from their ass.
Furthermore, they certainly have no understanding of what the Consitution and the Bill of Rights stands for.
Apparently they knew
November 4, 2008 - 14:36 ET by NL207Apparently they knew enough they were able to clearly understand the Social Security program is nothing more than a taxpayer supported welfare program subject to the whims of Congress just as any other government welfare program is.
Proud of my Governor
November 3, 2008 - 22:35 ET by d1carterI am just as proud of my Governor as I am my new POTUS, John McCain. I can't wait to see Chrissy implode on TV tomorrow night.
that name sounds familiar...
November 3, 2008 - 23:17 ET by nicholas nicklebyIsn't Haley Barbour the one who tried to bury a Senate race by putting it on the bottom of the ballot, in direct contravention of Mississippi electoral laws? I guess because it's an election for an unexpired term, Barbour got confused about the laws?
Happy voting tomorrow.
And that makes him wrong
November 4, 2008 - 00:38 ET by ckc1227And that makes him wrong here how?
I heard he got a speeding ticket once too. What that has to do with the Hardball segment, I'll never know....
Obama's Economic plan: more taxes, more spending, more regulation. Prosperity here we come.
no, just a thought
November 4, 2008 - 09:37 ET by nicholas nicklebyckc, no, it doesn't refute his point--what was his point, exactly? That people who "don't pay taxes" actually do pay taxes for Social Security?--but just something that I half-remembered about how slick Barbour is.
stop it nick
November 4, 2008 - 09:48 ET by candanceHis point was simple: Obama is expanding the welfare state beyond what it was meant to be even from FDR. As Blonde so succinctly observed below, Obama wants to give people refunds for what they pay *and* let them collect full bennies - thus basically giving them government welfare for free.
THAT was Barbour's point. It has nothing to do with him being "slick" or talking fast.
Incidentally, it's hilarious to watch liberals suddenly concern themselves with a smooth talking politician.
heh
November 4, 2008 - 10:06 ET by nicholas nicklebyAbout being slick, if you get caught, you're not that slick: here Haley knows the answers, but when it came to the ballot, he seemed to have forgotten or misunderstood Miss. election laws. What's up with that?
But my point is not that Haley is untrustworthy and/or slick, but rather that I don't see him as a great conservative spokesperson. Chris may have thought Haley was right here, but to argue that Obama's tax plan goes against the original intention of the founders of... the New Deal?--this is a conservative argument? Since when do Conservatives want to keep the sanctity of Roosevelt's New Deal? It looks like Haley here is moving a bit to the left--where what they thought was radical in the 30s is now tradition. Does this mean that gay marriage--radical in the 00s--will be something that conservatives want to protect in 70 years?
(As I said, I'm not so interested in Haley's answer as an answer to this question, but more because the whole ideology of conservatism seems up in the air--Haley would break electoral laws and keep the sanctity of Social Security, and he's the conservative spokesperson that Mark Finkelstein thinks he's been waiting for?)
seriously nick. stop it.
November 4, 2008 - 10:34 ET by candanceYou are such a poor spokesman for the left.
How convenient that we hear *nothing* about how shady Haley Barbour is until the precise moment he pokes a hole in Obama's plan. Thus your attempt to distract us with nonsense about a ballot issue is nothing but a distraction.
In other words, if you actually cared about integrity, you'd have brought that issue long ago.
Since when do Conservatives want to keep the sanctity of Roosevelt's New Deal? It looks like Haley here is moving a bit to the left
Um no, you're completely missing the point of Haley's argument. He is not speaking in favor of the New Deal. He's debunking Chris's impression that Obama's plan will be fair by saying "look, even the godfather of entitlements, FDR himself, had more common sense than Obama."
It has zero do with moving left.
And if your point has nothing to do with Haley being slick, then why the crap did you bring it up in the first place? Simple answer: to smear and discredit him with the hope of distracting us from the oncoming welfare state.
you heard nothing about Haley being shady?
November 4, 2008 - 11:32 ET by nicholas nicklebyHi Candance,
I'm going to go vote, so I will be offline at least for a few hours--so I'll stop writing back then. But first, the issue of Haley Barbour's confusion/malice over the Miss. ballots--uh, my point is that I did hear about it before, over on the left-wing sites like HuffPo and Washington Monthly, but since this is the first time I saw Haley's name pop up over here, I thought I'd bring it up. (His name may have come up before, but this is the first time I saw it.) Haley's shadiness doesn't, as you point out, discredit his point in any way; I was just trying to get a grasp on why Mark seems to think that more spokespersons like Haley would get the word out about how dangerous Obama's tax policies are--as I said, here's a guy who knows the right answer when it's convenient, but is either not so smart about Miss. electoral laws or is purposely trying to bury a hard election in his state, and this is the guy Mark thinks the conservatives need/need to emulate?
Also, I see what you're getting at about Haley not being a defender of the New Deal as such, but you might reread what he says: "Now, that was a Rooseveltian principle that I think turned out to be very smart for preserving the sanctity of Social Security."
The sanctity of Social Security? Ha! I never thought I'd hear a conservative say that. If Haley really wanted to say what you said--that FDR, the godfather of entitlements, had more sense than that--well, then, Haley could have said that! After all, Mark seems to argue in this post that Haley is such a well-spoken person that he should've been a more prominent spokesman--and here you have to put words in his mouth to explain what he really meant! It's not about the sanctity of Social Security at all, even though he used the phrase!
But in all seriousness, I think conservatives are going to lose this election, and there's going to be a lot of soul-searching and finger-pointing; my point in bringing up his ballot shenanigans and his strange use of words here (just as a counterpoint, Reagan would never have said "the sanctity of Social Security") is just that, though Mark thinks Haley is a good spokesperson, I think Haley may not be the savior the party is looking for, and people might want to investigate him a little more. The only thing I know about him is that he seems like a nice guy on shows like this, but there's some scandal over him profitting from Katrina recovery efforts and still getting profits from his lobbying company--and then there's the ballot issue.
The sanctity of Social Security.
November 4, 2008 - 13:38 ET by KarmaAs in keeping it separated from other government confiscations and methods of enslavement.
You sure talk alot for someone with nothing to say.
No representation, without taxation!
Gotta agree with Nick
November 4, 2008 - 13:43 ET by RESTLESS 1a little. The words "sanctity of Social Security" raised my eyebrows too.
That said, the point is still sound. If you give rebates to the 40% that don't pay taxes under the guise that they are paying SS "tax", and not taking away from their payouts at retirement, then it is welfare, beyond what even FDR envisioned.
"This liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Haley is slick----
November 4, 2008 - 14:04 ET by misterbillHaley is slick---- Nicholas is sick!!!!
What diD you miss in your viewing? Sleaze Matthews from his lofty income platform probably just learned the distinction of payroll taxes from income taxes and went as far as he could with his limited knowledge.
Payroll taxes may be looked at as mandatory retirement savings. Under the current plan, most of us will live long enough to collect twice or more what we put into it. Part of that reason is because the funds are loaned to the various federal departments at a ridiculously low interest rate. If the average American was allowed to invest half those payroll taxes in a private fund, he or she would find, at the end of 30-35 years of working that the private half would be capable of generating more than double the revenue of the SS money.
Matthews is an asshole!!!!!!!!!!
PS One definition of taxes is:
Money collected for YOU is not really a tax even if it is taxing to you. (Teehee)
Obama will invest our money in Failure
November 4, 2008 - 06:05 ET by Retired GeekBarack Obama's clarion call is to "Sacrifice for the Common Good" - to redistribute wealth, as Obama said to 'Joe the Plumber', "letting those behind catch up".
Who are these citizens that Obama will invest the money of those who work in?
Hard working people that need 'Just a Helping Hand' to catch up?
Hard working students that need help to finish or continue their brilliant educations?
NO, Barack Obama wants to invest OUR money in criminals, those chronically unemployed and those students that have low levels of student academic achievement.
That is like picking the poorest performing stocks one can find and investing their retirement and 401K money in failure - hoping to help those companies that are on a course of bankruptcy, complete their goals.
Those who work get to help criminals pursue their careers, those that won't work, continue not working (with some walking around money) and enable drug users, alcoholics and other addicts to continue their lifestyles.
"Establish 20 Promise Neighborhoods: Obama will create 20 Promise Neighborhoods in cities across the nation that have high levels of poverty and crime and low levels of student academic achievement." Barack Obama, Blueprint for Change
Barack Obama's 'Hope' and 'Change' = 'Investing in Failure' = coming to America with anyone who will work or has a job's help.
Drunk on the Obama! - nothing else matters
November 4, 2008 - 08:30 ET by SickofLibsMATTHEWS: Touché. Haley, you gave the right answer.
Douché.
Tweety's uncharacteristic amiability is only enabled b/c his wettest dream is about to come true, and he just doesn't give a hoot about losing one debate point.
Too Bad he can't raise Cigarette Taxes.
November 4, 2008 - 09:52 ET by Saint ZeroI guess his former employers over in the Tobacco Cartels still have his loyalty there.
Uninformed psuedo
November 4, 2008 - 10:18 ET by d1carterUninformed psuedo intellectuals....