Politics What did Romney and the GOP do wrong?

There is no pretense with Trump. I like a man who will look you in the eye and is prepared for a honest and real debate. President Obama simply let the birther issue fester for too long - just as he is doing with the Bengasi issue. Why can't the guy face issues head on?
--- merged: Nov 29, 2012 at 5:38 PM ---

There are billionaire liberals. My point is related to the inherent conflicts within political ideology and practical matters involved in actual personal behaviors. I illustrated my premise with one example, there are many, involving liberalism and wealth accumulation. Another example I gave was involving a conflict I have with my political ideology involving the abortion question and the right of personal privacy.

 

Then it is odd to me that you took the time to comment - I don't get stuff like this either - can you explain it?

I have asked this question many times of many people over the years, I never get a clear answer. When I start reading something that does not keep my interest, I stop reading and I move on.

 

Of course there's pretense with Trump. Everyone has personal motivations they keep hidden. To believe otherwise is foolish and naive. In the case of Trump, not only have you confused his skill at emphatically repeating an unproven premise with what real forthrightness and honesty look like, you can only guess at why he chose to embark on this particular witch hunt. Thing is, you appear not to care what motivated him - preferring to be fooled and manipulated by his dog and pony show into believing the show was the man.

The President's error was not in failing to respond quickly enough. It was in responding to the birther nonsense at all. It was always a rotting potato.

 

Perhaps I look for too much, perhaps they just play people for fools. This should be illustrative given the many people who claim tax rates don't matter:

Review & Outlook: Costco's Dividend Tax Epiphany - WSJ.com

...all the way to the bank..., at least the folks at Wal-Mart are honest about wanting to dominate the market and make money.
--- merged: Dec 1, 2012 at 2:01 PM ---

Right, I am sure he really wants to be a movie star - but he is not really keeping that a secret given his TV's shows. I am sure he want a full head of hair, but he is not really keeping that a secret either. I am sure he wants to be the envy of men by having the sexiest wives he can buy, but he is not keeping that a secrete either. so, what motivations do you think he is keeping hidden?

Either one. Respond directly and timely or ignore totally. Pick one, I get that. It is this hybrid/wishy washy type shit that I don't get. But given, he did respond he should have did it more timely and more assertively.

 

I'm not sure if you're being intentionally or unintentionally obtuse, Ace. I suspect the former.

What is his motivation for turning himself into an even bigger asshole over Obama's birth certificate? Patriotism?

 

I thought they were possibly going up to 25%. Probably 20% though. The 39.6% is from a non-dividend income tax rate on dollars earned over $250,000.

 

Many argue that tax rates don't matter. Some argue that the rich don't employ tax avoidance and that tax increases have no negative consequence. I guessing the real impact of the Costo dividend will be lost here - but understand what I have been saying and consider that Costco not only is paying a dividend but they are borrowing money to pay a dividend. They are paying a dividend with borrowed money, while not using borrowed money to hire, to give raises, to improve benefits, to build new stores, to do R&D, etc. etc.,etc. They are borrowing money today that will reduce taxable income in the future, while avoiding taxes in the near-term. What Costco is doing is brilliant - and perfectly legal - while the CEO gives speeches about fairness. While the VP of the US returns a favor ( got to love Chicago-style politics) - and then liberals will trash Wal-Mart.
--- merged: Dec 1, 2012 at 10:23 PM ---

It was my intent.

I suspect his need for being in the spot-light combined with a real dislike of President Obama. I do not think it is racial. I think Trump knows the con game pretty well and that he thinks President Obama is a bigger con-artist than he is. If you have read any of Trumps books he basically admits his cons. For example - he will tell you to put a fresh coat of paint on it and raise the price 50% - so if you ever buy something from Trump and you smell fresh paint, get a structural test!

 

If there's no pretense where Trump is concerned, as you originally stated, why the need to "suspect" what his motivations might be?

For the record, I don't think race has anything to do with it either. I think he enjoys being the center of attention almost as much as he enjoys fucking over anyone who comes between him and a profit. Thing is, Mr. Unpretentious will never admit to either of those motivators as to why he chose to go on the attack against Obama.

You admire him for his lack of pretense which is, in and of itself, pretty inadequate criteria in the face of what the entire fucking world knows about the way he operates. On top of that is the fact that you admire a quality that doesn't exist.

I think most of the sane world would tell you that attempting to defend Donald Trump is a thankless and largely impossible venture. Give it up.

 

Why do you even bother here? When folks like Mitt Romney employe every known tax dodge and avoidance scheme he's a smart business man. When a company that supported Obama does it they're tax cheats.

 

Pretty much yes. That's the GOP of today. Look at what they said about Kerry when he ran in '04. Kerry was an out of touch rich guy who didn't connect with regular folks. One of the reasons he didn't connect... he speaks French. Sound like any recent Presidential nominees?

 

With Trump it is all about Trump - that is clear, he does not hide it. With President Obama it is also all about President Obama - that is clear, he tries to hide it.

He goes after President Obama because he has a genuine dislike of President Obama. Trump thinks President Obama got where he is because he is a con artist, not because he earned it. Trump thinks President Obama lies and uses deciept to manipulate people into getting what he wants. He believes President Obama has nefarious motives....etc.. All you have to do is listen when Trump is interviewed and the subject of President Obama comes up. trump pretty much says what he thinks.

Trump displays a trait that I admire, I am not saying I admire Trump the complete man. There are many issues about Trump that I do not like - one is that he is narcissistic. I hope i did not confuse the issue, but I can give a person a compliment and not admire the person - I may simply admire the trait that is the subject of the compliment.
--- merged: Dec 2, 2012 at 8:04 PM ---

Warren Buffet said it this past week. He said no one when offered a great business deal will stop and ask what the tax rate is. Many either inferred it here or said it outright. He recently told me that I put too much emphasis on taxes 9whatever that means, it is vague). I have argued that on the margins taxes and tax rates can mean the difference between a yes and a no. Costco's dividend illustrates how capital will be allocated and clearly shows tax policy makes a difference.

Really.
--- merged: Dec 2, 2012 at 8:09 PM ---

Read what I write. Costco's dividend is a brilliant business decision. I think Romney never hid the fact that he was out to make a shit-load of money and move on. But the CEO of Costco when he spoke at the Democrat party convention - the theme was all about jobs. In December it is all about avoiding taxes.
--- merged: Dec 2, 2012 at 8:17 PM ---

Not close. When I say I am a proud greedy capitalist pig and that I celebrate capitalism and that my goal is to achieve my desired state of financial security - I expect you to believe it. I expect others I do business with feel the same. I just find it odd that some hold some lofty but vague standards about "fairness" and things like that when it is clear "fairness" never enters the equation. These concepts like "fairness" are at odds with being a capitalist - how do they reconcile these conflicts? You don't know, I realize that - I am not sure you even understand the conflict. You clearly don't see the significance of the Costco dividend and why if businesses do thing like this it has resulted in wealth disparity, wage stagnation, slow job growth and a tepid growing economy. It is right in front of you, easy to see as plain as day.

 

I don't blame anyone for taking advantage of existing tax codes. I blame the government and those who lobby it, for not having the right tax codes.

The difference between Costco and Wal*Mart is not about the company granting dividends before a change in the tax code. The difference is in how they ultimately treat their employees (salary, benefits, etc.). The fact that Costco can still grant significant dividends to its investors despite paying its employees a decent wage, etc. give me even more reason to think less of Wal*Mart's management.