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Originally Posted by aceventura3
I think you underestimate big corporate influence with Democrats. For example think back to the BP oil spill and Mary Landrieu, Senator from Louisiana. She became (or always was) a big advocate for big oil going against the party line. They know who butters their bread - in both parties. However, the Tea Party arose as a protest against business as usual in Washington. I suggest you get more involved, you may be surprised that you have a lot in common with Tea Party folks.
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It's relative, Ace. I don't deny there's substantial corporate influence in the Democratic party, far, far, far more than I can stomach. I'm saying it's not complete. The GOP, without fail, always acts in the interest of the rich and powerful. As does the Tea Party, regardless of what you've been told. What, you think lowering taxes is anti-corporate? And when is the last time you were at a Tea Party rally where they talked about tackling loopholes in the tax code or completely ending subsidies to big oil? I've been to 5 Tea Party protests now (and I have pictures to prove it), and their message is clear: lower the already low taxes, don't raise taxes on the rich, end Social Security and Medicare, and some of the most vague language in existence about lowering the deficit. And then there's the social stuff no one wants to admit, like gay marriage, abortion, and such.
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Originally Posted by aceventura3
A flat tax can be structured in many ways - but what it does is evens the playing field. GE can pay zero federal corporate income tax with an army of lawyers and accountants, it is the small business person who pays the top rate, including self-employment taxes. Again, I suggest getting out of the theory and actually find-out how small business owners are treated in our tax code.
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First off, we already have regressive taxes in the system in the form of sales taxes and payroll taxes. The progressive tax system not only offsets the regressive taxes, but it also serves to balance out inherent inequalities of capitalism.
And as a small business owner, I could afford to pay a bit more.
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Originally Posted by aceventura3
Weak financial institution will fail, the strong will go on. Bailingout those who made bad decisions, encourages more and more bad decisions. There has to be a consequence for failure.
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You would have let America's core financial institutions fail? While I understand why this is in principle, are you aware of the consequences?
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Originally Posted by aceventura3
Health care gets the benefit of raising rates in anticipation of Obama-care and they are protected against inter-state competition. I simply say open the market, make it fair for the consumer. Or go all the way with a single payer system. Obama-care is a mess of a compromise. It solved nothing. However health-care insurers are able to raise rates and will get more people to insure without competition. In some states the average person may only have one or two choices for coverage - it is a joke.
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The market is as open as it wants to be already. You assume that somehow if the 'government' were to take a step back, healthcare providers would simply cover people with preexisting conditions or wouldn't suddenly drop insurance for people who suddenly get sick or injured. History would prove you wrong in that. As someone who was born with a cardiovascular defect, I have to say the private system is, to use your words, a joke.