Wouldn't it be fascinating to see the tax returns of all Senators and Supreme Court Judges. I'm especially interested in seeing Judge Thomas's tax returns. Can a Supreme Court Judge be brought up on tax evasion? Just wondering.

All elected federal government office holders should post their returns. I think it would be interesting to see where every one of them send money to utilize tax deductions for charitable contributions.

Just did a quick google search of: Representative Paul Ryan 2010 Tax Return...

NOTHING - ZIP - NADA!!

Joe in Albany

So millionaire Barry Obama paid 26.7% in federal income taxes.

So at least he paid 26.7% and that is more than 2/3 of corporations in this country because 2/3 pay zero in taxes, yet they enjoy the very stability that this country offers.

He should have paid -- according to the tax rates -- $108,421.35 on the first 373K and then 35 percent on the remainder.

No doubt, the right wing naysayers will find some thing to nitpick about President Obama, VP Biden and their taxes, they always do. The 400 richest Americans pay an average 17% federal income tax but the right will complain he doesn't pay his share anyway and spin some negative nonsense.

What the news media missed is that hedge fund managers don't even pay 15 percent. At least, not currently. So long as they leave their money, known as "carried interest," in the hedge fund, their taxes are deferred. They only pay taxes when they cash out, which could be decades from now for younger managers. How do these hedge fund managers get money in the meantime? By borrowing against the carried interest, often at absurdly low rates -- currently about 2 percent.

Lots of other people live tax-free, too. I have Donald Trump's tax records for four years early in his career. He paid no taxes for two of those years. Big real-estate investors enjoy tax-free living under a 1993 law President Clinton signed. It lets "professional" real-estate investors use paper losses like depreciation on their buildings against any cash income, even if they end up with negative incomes like Trump.

Frank and Jamie McCourt, who own the Los Angeles Dodgers, have not paid any income taxes since at least 2004, their divorce case revealed. Yet they spent $45 million one year alone. How? They just borrowed against Dodger ticket revenue and other assets. To the IRS, they look like paupers.http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/tax-mythology/Content?oid=1458328

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Just did a quick google search of: Representative Paul Ryan 2010 Tax Return...

NOTHING - ZIP - NADA!!

Try this about the Rocket Man

Ryan's late father was a lawyer who died when Ryan was 16. He has said his father's death made him grow up fast. Until he was 18, Ryan, the youngest of four children, collected Social Security survivor's benefits, which he said he socked away for college.

Outside of policy, his passions are family, fishing and bow hunting. He's been known to email from his deer stand.

"He's very devoted to his family. He flies back for parent-teacher conferences," said Janesville attorney George Steil Jr., who practiced with Ryan's father.

He noticed, though, that one year Ryan was fingering prayer beads while taking students' questions. The teacher asked why.

"He said, 'I am so stressed out about the country.'"

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-16/news/ct-met-profile-paul-ryan-04-17-20110416_1_dollars-on-tax-cuts-paul-ryan-health-care/3

Haa Haa Pimping the Government Ain't Easy!!!

I actually feel sorry for Biden now. Joint income in the $370ks? His wife is a Dr and he is VP!! What the hell. He alone makes in the $200ks. Think she needs to consider a new practice.

Navy,

The numbers are correct--27% in federal, but 30% in total taxes. But it could have been more. I mean, he did make $1.7 million--but he did get all kinds of deductions--But still he is not in the top tax bracket of 36%--which is where he wants everyone that makes over 250K.

Of course that 1/4 million in charitable deductions helped out--14% of his salary went to charity. How many people making 250k can contribute that much to charity?

Navy, you know I don't have a problem with people paying more--Just get rid of the deductions/loopholes and we can raise more money to pay off the debt. But at least he is paying his taxes--on time, not like a lot of other federal employees.

U.S. Navy...People who know how to manage money brag about how much they did not pay instead of how much they paid. Let's not forget Obama's had free room and board, transportation, etc.

Obama lives a life of luxury at our expense and when he "retires", he'll rake in millions for speaking. Wonder if he'll be so quick to release his tax return then.

No doubt his returns were publicized for political gain. I find it interesting has not desire to release his college admission papers. Something to hide?

Though obviously not a fan of Obama, I commend him for his donations to charity, especially our military personnel.

Why only 30 per cent? I figured he would lead the way on taxing the rich and volumteer at least what he's demanding from others in his financial catagory. If this doesn't seem somewhat hypocritical to any fans of our esteemed leader then I kind of wonder about your concerns.

Bev,

Try this about the Rocket Man

Ryan's late father was a lawyer who died when Ryan was 16. He has said his father's death made him grow up fast. Until he was 18, Ryan, the youngest of four children, collected Social Security survivor's benefits, which he said he socked away for college.

Outside of policy, his passions are family, fishing and bow hunting. He's been known to email from his deer stand.

"He's very devoted to his family. He flies back for parent-teacher conferences," said Janesville attorney George Steil Jr., who practiced with Ryan's father.

And what is wrong with being passionate about family, fishing, & bow hunting? Shouldn't all parents be at parent-teacher conferences?

And even though he got SS survivor benefits--he is talking about Medicare--not SS. But that is an area that could be reformed--how many "non-retirees" does SS pay out to. Why not just divide up the money and put it into the children's SS account--instead of paying out benefits.

What I'm having trouble with is figuring out how 27% doesn't add up to a fair share. Who defines "fair". OK, so President & Mrs. Obama paid more in taxes than his presidential salary. I guess I can say he's self-supporting that way, but seriously, how is more than a quarter of your income not a fair amount to pay in taxes? Why is anyone- ANYONE entitled to more of the money he makes? I didn't earn it. The posters on the vine didn't earn it (I'd guess that many actually contributed toward it though), so why should we be entitled to it? It's his damned money. Let him keep it, donate it to charity, send more to the treasury, whatever he wants to do with it but it's not my money to claim and spend!

BigBear: Thanks for the feed back.

Hey Spanky, I'm quite convinced that the loopholes that allow corporations to avoid income tax were written specifically for the benefit of the Congress critters that wrote them. The fact that someone other than themselves (the corporations) benefit from them is pure coincidence. This is the problem with having multi-millionaires running the country. They don't do what makes the most sense for the regular folk because most of 'em have never BEEN regular folk.

Kevin. Dr. Jill Biden's degree is in education--she's a teacher.

Bev in chicago--no one has even hinted that Paul is not a good family man and has worked hard. We just wish his math was better and that he cared for people he doesn't know--like my daughter and family who will, if he gets his way, be skating the private insurance market when they retire,if ever, with a learning-disabled child they will be supporting until they die. Talk to seniors who have experience with shopping for medicare D--the drug plans--confusing, changes every year, goes from zero to sixty in costs in nothing flat. That is just a gossamer hint of what will be instore for retirees under his plan. If we work seriously on controlling medical costs across the board, and eliminate the need for insurance companies to employ thousands of people to NOT pay benefits, we may actually get somewhere. It works in the rest of the industrialized world, I refuse to believe we are not smart enough or willing enough to make it work here too.

Wow, a lot of people complaining about corporations and the top 2% not paying their share. Which, I don't disagree with. However, where is the outrage that 47% of the remaining Americans paid 0% on income tax? That, knowing that at least one or two of those "angry taxpayers" fall into that 47%.

Lol, thanks Jody. I guess I had heard that. He needs a book tour or something. When his boss pays more taxes than his salary, that sucks.

So Bev, you're saying that Ryan didn't pay anything in taxes? Or are you saying you just haven't seen it yet?

and let's see....you have a problem with someone that flies back to attend a parent teacher conference? Or is it that you don't like someone that saves for college? Maybe you just have a problem with people that lose their father early?

Must be something about being responsible for oneself that you disagree with.

Biden and his wife only made $350k? Who is their accountant? Charlie Rangel?

So Obama gave $250k to charities....big deal. If I got my food for free, my rent for free, my vacations for free, healthcare for free, etc, etc....I'd be able to give 15% of my income to charity as well.

That is about 27% and he has no problem paying it. What the he!! is the matter with the richest people yapping about paying a merely 17%? Our President has no problem paying his fair share and this should be an example for all Americans. He is putting hios money where his mouth is now how about the rest of the richest 2% doing the same.

So isn't this a justification to at least examine Ryan's tax proposals? Instead writing them off as a cut for the rich why don't we get some real life analysis and see if by removing deductions and lowering the rates we may actually increase revenue. It is only the wealthy who can claim huge deductions hence the AMT.

True suzy - but let's not forget so much of the "loopholes" are directed at social or political goals by one party or the other.

And good golly I just wish on of the big brains on this board could advise me what exactly they mean by "fair Share." Who get to decide what's fair? Them? Rangel? Geitner?

Bottom line there is not enough income held by the rich to make the current spending go. So they are coming at the middle class.

Becuase everybody knows that's what Obama means by "spending reductions in the tax code." I know none of you all have read it, but I can assure you there is no such thing as a spending reduction in the tax code.

But of course Obama knows that.

Spanky-

Aw, bayllie- just who do you suppose writes the tax codes that set the corporate rates, and more importantly allows all those fantastic deductions?

Spanky, we had a chance to let the Bush tax cuts expire for the rich and go to the pre-Bush rates - the right said "no". I know what these "fantastic" tax deductions are for the average American: you don't pay taxes on the money that paid health insurance, 401K and FSA. You also get to deduct the interest paid on your home - because it's an income for banks, and any other tax like excise tax, etc.

Now move on to the loopholes, shelters, deferments, deductions, credits, PO Boxes in Cayman Islands, etc.

You end up like Exxon Mobile, GE and the other 66% of corporations that pay less than I do. Why does a company like Exxon Mobile take the taxpayer subsidies but pay no taxes? How is it that Bank of America took a taxpayer bailout but pay very little in taxes?

I am curious why Obama didn't pay more than just the minimum owed. After all the gov. really need the cash. How about you all - did you all just pay the minimum? How very "republican."

You enjoy your vacation pay at work? You should give that up because the very people (Unions) that you are so against fought for that right for you. If you are so into your principles, walk into your HR department tomorrow and give up your benefits, your pee breaks, and your overtime. After all, why the Big Business needs cash, too.

Best part is you all don't seem to get it - they are coming for your money. They'll need to jack the middle class tax rates up to 50% to pay of all that debt, cause that's where the real money is.

I do get it. They are coming for us but it's not the Democrats, it's the Republicans. They have been trying to take away education, retirement, health insurance, Labor Laws, and anything else they can get their paws on. And yes, as this country is spiraling down due to debt, someone will have to pay and it seems like the right will not allow EVERYONE TO CONTRIBUTE!

Spanky, one more qustion: why did 100% of Republicans vote against closing loopholes that reward outsourcing? If they are so worried about this country, why not make sure that we start bringing jobs back to the Americans????

I find it interesting has not desire to release his college admission papers. Something to hide?

Does this paranoia hurt?

zoroaster, that drivel about "only the rich pay taxes" only holds water if you define "taxes" SOLELY as income tax. 36% of federal tax revenues are from PAYROLL taxes, which only workers making up to $106,300 a year pay.

And that piece of the pie has gotten bigger every year. Meanwhile, CORPORATE tax revenues have fallen to their lowest percentage of GDP in history - 12% of all federal tax revenues.

Share of federal tax revenue

The Numbers: What are the federal government's sources of revenue?

So before you go taking away food stamps and Earned Income Tax Credits and Medicaid, I suggest you go ask your corporate buddies to pay their fair share.

From Senator Bernie Sanders, (I, VT):

1) Exxon Mobil made $19 billion in profits in 2009. Exxon not only paid no federal income taxes, it actually received a $156 million rebate from the IRS, according to its SEC filings.

2) Bank of America received a $1.9 billion tax refund from the IRS last year, although it made $4.4 billion in profits and received a bailout from the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department of nearly $1 trillion.

3) Over the past five years, while General Electric made $26 billion in profits in the United States, it received a $4.1 billion refund from the IRS.

4) Chevron received a $19 million refund from the IRS last year after it made $10 billion in profits in 2009.

5) Boeing, which received a $30 billion contract from the Pentagon to build 179 airborne tankers, got a $124 million refund from the IRS last year.

6) Valero Energy, the 25th largest company in America with $68 billion in sales last year received a $157 million tax refund check from the IRS and, over the past three years, it received a $134 million tax break from the oil and gas manufacturing tax deduction.

7) Goldman Sachs in 2008 only paid 1.1 percent of its income in taxes even though it earned a profit of $2.3 billion and received an almost $800 billion from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury Department.

8) Citigroup last year made more than $4 billion in profits but paid no federal income taxes. It received a $2.5 trillion bailout from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury.

9) ConocoPhillips, the fifth largest oil company in the United States, made $16 billion in profits from 2007 through 2009, but received $451 million in tax breaks through the oil and gas manufacturing deduction.

10) Over the past five years, Carnival Cruise Lines made more than $11 billion in profits, but its federal income tax rate during those years was just 1.1 percent.

Spanky: Best part is you all don't seem to get it - they are coming for your money. They'll need to jack the middle class tax rates up to 50% to pay of all that debt, cause that's where the real money is.

It sure is. For the top 400 Americans in terms of wealth, their wealth only comes to about $1.4 trillion. Taking everything from them today still gets you a $250 billion dollar deficit for FY 2012. But the Left and Obama only know class warfare and a populist message. Real facts just confuse them.

Suzy: What I'm having trouble with is figuring out how 27% doesn't add up to a fair share. Who defines "fair".

To a Liberal, "Fair" is when they get the benefit, and someone else pays for it. See Wisconsin teachers unions for details.

Only 26.6% ?! REally? Those greedy scumbags in the First Family are obviously not paying enough in taxes. When are those lowlifes going to pay their fair share?!

JoAnna - Possibly, he was working to bring back the economy. I'm sure that you think the economy has not improved, and that is your opinion, which is fine.

I'm sure that you think the economy has not improved, and that is your opinion, which is fine.

No Mary It is Standard & Poors Opinion.

We'll assume Obamas' income is average for the top 2% of Americans. 2% of of 350,000,000 Americans is 7,000,000 rich Americans. If they all paid on average $500k like the Obamas, surprise!!! That's $3.5 trillion dollars of revenue. This doesnt even include the corporations. Imagine how much revenue this country would make if people (corporations included. the surpreme court declared them as individuals in the campaign financing decision) would pay their share of taxes. It's not even whether their taxes are too high or not, it's a case of individuals and corporations using every loophole and shady accounting method to not pay a single cent in taxes. It's the epitome of greed. Pay your taxes, and stop worry about your great-great-great grandchildren's inheritance of billions of dollars. Pay your taxes, and stop worry about your bottom line to share holders.

My Texas Brother,

Congress is not required to release tax statements. For all of you crying about tax statements; why don't some of you put yours online. Let us all see how much you paid. I guarantee most of you took the maximum deductions allowed in order to receive the largest return possible.

If you say you didn't; you are a frikken liar.

Better watch out. I tried that last week, they nearly bit my head off saying I cheated on my taxes and they would never do such a thing.

Well, I will admit it, I cheat like crazy. Anything to get an extra buck back for myself. But I also take "zero" deductions throughout the year, allowing my government to use my tax refund money as a "zero" percent loan, until I get my refund.

I know that everyone puts down their information, not rounding up, but rounding down to the nearest dollar:)

Zath - The Standard and Poor's rating involves the debt, not the improvement in the economy.

bayllie - yep it's all the Republicans fault, and even though the dems were and are around apparently they are just powerless to stop the dems. Is that really your point, cause the dems have written so much of the tax code.

But you know that don't you? Just as you know it was Obama that signed into law the tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% - right after he said it was "needed" and necessary"

And as for you comments about vacation pay and unions - obviously you are not a business owner and clearly have no understanding of taxes. Do you think I get vacation pay? Just who would pay my vacation pay? My HR guy,is also the janitor, and copy machine fixer. He also make the coffee, which sucks.

bayllie you do realize there is a whole big world out there beyond your w-2, right? My crappy boss not only does not allow pee breaks, he took away my birthday for getting uppity!

I'd love to discuss "outsourcing" but since you have never read the IRC you simply have no idea about such things. But tell you what - how about you explain revenue cuts in the tax code that Obama talked about?

I'm sure that you think the economy has not improved, and that is your opinion, which is fine.

No Mary It is Standard & Poors Opinion.

Oh boy....I can't wait to hear that one explained away! This could get downright entertaining!

Joanna,

sure is. For the top 400 Americans in terms of wealth, their wealth only comes to about $1.4 trillion. Taking everything from them today still gets you a $250 billion dollar deficit for FY 2012It

When Republicans talk about "shared sacrifice" they are talking about you and I sharing all the sacrifice and they will sacrifice nothing. They think you are too stupid to know the difference just like they tea-bag masses that worship their greed like gospel.

Besides taking 700 billion in taxpayers money, what sacrifies is the Corporate America making? Jobs? No, those are being ousources for higher profit. Taxes? No, those are being paid everywhere else but this country. Affordable health insurance? No, that's been going up since 2000....what are these sacrifies? The Right calls endlessly for sacrifice for their states and our country from the Middle Class what about the Big Business?

RealAmericanFirst,

Payroll makes up 36% of revenue because the corporations, 2% wealthiest, and 47% parasites don't pay. They are all freeloaders. And yes, I also know that those 47% pay social security, big deal. You have income over the poverty line, then pay something.

Stang Sallie - As I previously posted, the S & P rating involves the debt and managing the budget. It is not indicative that the economy did not improve last year.

Now, go ahead and blather away about how I'm "drinking the kool-aid," etc. No, I'm a conservative Democrat and not a blind follower of President Obama or the liberals. I was merely stating that there are many indications that the economy improved somewhat last year. Are we still in trouble? Yes. Do we need to get the budget deficit and debt under control? Yes. Do we need to seriously cut entitlements? Yes.

Cygnus,

Those numbers would be great if they were true.

1. There are a little over 300 million people in the US, according to Census bureau, but with illegal immigrants--your number could be correct:)

2. Not all 350 million people work or have an income--236,000 million returns were filed in 2009, All returns, some corporate, some individual. 140.5 were individual income tax forms.

3. Of the 140.5 million individual tax reforms--the top 2%--in which Obama falls into--there are only 2.8 million individual tax returns.

4. But if you took those folks, and each paid 500K like you want, you would get about $1.4 Trillion dollars--leaving about $250 billion short of next year budget proposal.

It's so great to think in overall population, but remember, we don't tax wealth or people, we tax income.

spanky,

My HR guy,is also the janitor, and copy machine fixer. He also make the coffee, which

do you need a tissue?

How does that make you feel that the very people you are for are the very people that have zero interest in small business - because that's what you are, right?

Did you know that under Obama you pay less in taxes as a Small Business?

Did you know that the reason why the Bush tax cuts got extended was because the President was given an ultimatum by the Congressional Right that he either extends the tax cuts or the unemployment will not?

You are cracking my up bayllie. I don't need a tissue, but I would suggest you might benefit from getting a clue. Admit it, you are a w-2 employee. You work for someone else and are no where near the top brackets. Or do you in fact pay something other than personal income taxes? You statement is simply false about taxes paid, or is the only taxes federal taxes?

[psst - this is one of those Forrest through the trees moments bayllie].

And again it's the big bad republicans that forced their will on the president?

Kinda a sad comment on the dems, no? And you just ignore what he said about the taxes when he signed them? Or was he lying then? Or is he lying now? I suspect he just has no clue.

@ BigBear62,

And even though he got SS survivor benefits--he is talking about Medicare--not SS

Here listen to Paul talk about SS. Should you decide not to I copied it for you.

Social Security helps fulfill the promise of retirement security for millions of America’s seniors. Serving a critical component of the “three-legged stool” for retirement (along with personal investments and employer pensions), Social Security is in dire need of reform in order to make good on the promises made to current and future beneficiaries. Social Security’s own actuaries continue to warn of its unsustainable growth, with a $5.4 trillion unfunded liability and cash deficits that will soon become permanent.

Left on its present course, beneficiaries will face a 22% across-the-board benefit cut when the Social Security Trust Funds are exhausted. According to the 2010 Social Security Trustees Report, median income-earners now approaching retirement will receive benefit cuts in excess of $4,000. Even those who are currently on Social Security – those now 62 and older – may experience indiscriminate cuts in benefits at a time when they are increasingly reliant on the program.

Lost in the heated rhetoric against reform efforts is the real pain that will be inflicted on seniors if we continue to cling to this unsustainable status quo, as detailed in the following table (Source: Social Security Administration 2010 Trustees' Report - impact of scheduled 22% across-the-board benefit cut for those in and near retirement):

http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/

I must jokingly say this is quod erat demonstrandum (QED) for all the malcontents in the Gop/T-Bagger Party. In other words, it is a pious copout of the party of so-called fiscal hawks. Oh the irony!!!

Joe-755363

So Bev, you're saying that Ryan didn't pay anything in taxes? Or are you saying you just haven't seen it yet?

I'm saying Private Ryan has pimped/ is pimping the government. Isn't he supposed to be the poster boy for anti-entitlements? He is a Liar.

@opajack

Bev in chicago--. If we work seriously on controlling medical costs across the board, and eliminate the need for insurance companies to employ thousands of people to NOT pay benefits, we may actually get somewhere

The Rocket Man got his; what up with being a hypocrite because that is what private citizen Ryan is schooling you for. The more who get hired to knock other off insurance the fewer benefits, See?

Cygnus, I think you're trying to simplify things just a little too much. First off, you need to base your numbers on the number of people who could actually PAY taxes. So first we eliminate 27% who are under 18 and another 13ish% for people who are fully retired. So we're down to about 210M. Somewhere between 13-17% of the population lives below the poverty level so lets take out another, say, 15% for round numbers' sake- wouldn't want to include them in our calculations because that might skew things, right? . So now we've got something like 178.5M folks to consider or a possible 3.6M supposedly "rich" folks we could tax. Now, of course, your theory is that means we should have 3.6M millionaires who could each pay upwards of $500K each per year in taxes in order to create a surplus. Only problem is, a significant number of that 2% makes between $250 and $500K. Can't ask them to pay more in taxes than the make, can we? And lets not forget that we're still talking taxable income, not net worth, so again, we are going to have to remove a few people from the discussion since they don't draw salary, they draw dividends. In the end, its a whole lot more complicated than 2% of the population paying $500K in taxes so that everything is fair.

You are cracking my up bayllie. I don't need a tissue, but I would suggest you might benefit from getting a clue.

Thank you for your suggestion - but until you have an ounce of a clue who I am and what I would benefit from, I will decline your offer.

Admit it, you are a w-2 employee. You work for someone else and are no where near the top brackets. Or do you in fact pay something other than personal income taxes?

Yes, I do work for someone else, and no I do not own my business. And no, I am not near the top 2% top brackets and neither are you so that makes us equal, doesn't it. I do pay real estate taxes, excise taxes and income taxes.

You statement is simply false about taxes paid, or is the only taxes federal taxes?

Not sure what statement you are refering to.

And again it's the big bad republicans that forced their will on the president?

No, these are the cards he was dealt and he went with extending taxes or many more Americans would lose their homes. Again, could have closed loopholes on rewarding outsourcing to lower unemployment but 100% of the Republican Senatores voted against it. Profit was more important.

Kinda a sad comment on the dems, no? And you just ignore what he said about the taxes when he signed them? Or was he lying then? Or is he lying now? I suspect he just has no clue.

Senate Republicans voted against President Obama's plan to extend the Bush tax cuts to only the middle class .The Senate voted 53-36 to extend all expiring tax cuts on individuals with incomes of less than $200,000 a year and married couples making less than $250,000 -- seven shy of the required 60 to advance.

This was about the time that the Republicans tried to block the 911 bill as well.

Ironically, the teabaggers are fighting hard to give the president a bonus tax cut.

Mary-

If our economy was inproving they would be less worried about the US being able to repay our debt.

Just did a quick ZIP of Mr. Obama's staff. Yeah, it figures. A lot of his aides, Congressional representatives and Federal Workers, HAVE FAILED TO PAY THEIR BACK TAXES.

The Washington Post’s T.W. Farnum did some research and found that out the following Federal employees owe the following BACK TAXES, was reported by Political Commentary Andrew Malcolm of the Los Angeles Times. Excerpts from the report are as follows:

• 41 of Obama’s White House aides owe $ 831,055. His aides must look good in the newly decorated Oval office.
• On Capitol Hill, 638 workers owe $ 9,300,000.
• In the House of Representatives, 421 people owe $ 6,524,892.
• In the Senate, 217 owe $ 2,774,836.
• In the Treasury Department, 1,204 owe $ 7,670,814.
• In the Labor Department, 463 owe $ 7,481,463.
• In the Justice Department 1,971 employees still owe $ 14,350,152.
• In the Homeland Security Department, 4,856 people who owe a whopping total of $ 37,012,174.
• In the Federal Reserve System's board of governors, 81 employees owe $ 1,076,733.
• Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/09/congress-taxes-irs.html

Maybe Mr. Obama can get his staff, et al, to pay their Federal taxes, or send them to Federal court.

Next comment from the corrupt windy city is.....

Why is this front page news on MSNBC, but not a peep about Wikileaks releasing documents proving that we're paying the Muslim Borhterhood millions of dollars to stage uprisings in the Middle East? I mean, I know this is hardly a news service anymore, more of the liberal version of Faux News, but I mean come on. You're overlooking a huge story based on party politics, and putting out pro-Obama fluff peices like this? Gimme a break.

$1.7 million in 2010

I didn't realize the President's position got paid so much and here is Obama and his dem's claiming to be fighting for the middle class. I'm middle class and I'd love to get paid as much as him.

bayllie why are the dems so powerless?

Or is it they just won't take responsibility?

And no bayllie we certainly are not equal in terms of taxes. You pay real estate taxes? Good for you! But see when they are your taxes that they are calling to raise it's a little more personal. But hey, maybe someday you will be "rich" and they will be your taxes they are talking about.

And p.s. you pay a hell of a lot more taxes than those you listed. And you did pay in extra to the feds, right?

Waited till the last minute and ........came up a few trillion short

You libs really do worship the ground he walks on. Pathetic.

Id like to see Fiesty's tax return...how much does a paid MSNBC liberal troll net these days??

Who are your charitable contributions to?

Justice Thomas, an appointee of George H.W. Bush who is now in his 20th year on the high court, was put on the defensive over the weekend following a widely circulated report in Friday's Los Angeles Times that indicated he had failed to properly disclose nearly $700,000 of his wife's income from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank at which Virginia Thomas worked from 2003 to 2007.

I didn't realize the President's position got paid so much and here is Obama and his dem's claiming to be fighting for the middle class. I'm middle class and I'd love to get paid as much as him.

Sigh. How much fun is it to be ignorant, anyway? Wouldn't you really rather know something?

He doesn't get paid that much as President. He earns about $570,000 from that, with a $400,000 salary and specific reimbursed expense accounts. If you had read the article, it says expressly that the majority of their earnings come from book revenues, a lot of which he donated to charity.

Do you think that the President of the United States is more or less complicated than the average CEO? I vote more. In 2009, the average CEO of an S&P 500 company made $9.25 million.

Res ipsa loquitur.

FedupwithFed:

Id like to see Fiesty's tax return...how much does a paid MSNBC liberal troll net these days??

Who are your charitable contributions to?

Ante up, big shot. Let's see yours first.

Ron (from way up there somewhere):

Wouldn't it be fascinating to see the tax returns of all Senators and Supreme Court Judges. I'm especially interested in seeing Judge Thomas's tax returns. Can a Supreme Court Judge be brought up on tax evasion? Just wondering.

We never will, and you already know that. The votes are stacked in his favor.

Heck, the Justice Department can't even get Gitmo closed.

I remember when all hell broke loose during vetting occurred as the President was choosing cabinet members. The funny thing--when asked of all Senators and House members if they would voluntarily submit to an audit. I think it was something like 18 said they would.

I submit to you negative individuals, our President is honest---maybe too honest for that job. I was thrilled that his microphone was open last week when he gave some hell to the GOP. Stand up to those "nickname for Richards"! We've got your back. The President is just a guy that wants to make a difference in the lives of those that are not wealthy and has openly said--"I don't need a tax break." How many politicians have said that? A damned fine Statesman. He lost me for a bit for giving in to the right, but he can count on my vote and 2012. I see the man as a true centrist.

The right complains because The First Lady talks to kids in schools about good nutrition. You call her "snooty" and say she has a "big ass". I think she's a great First Lady, and incredibly talented, intelligent, a strong woman,and a great mother.

Bottom line, this is another fluff pro-Obama news story from the new liberal Faux News channel, MSNBC. STILL no mention of the Obama admin paying terrorists to start revolutions in the Middle East, just more stories about how great Obama is. Someday, the news channels will remember they're there to present the news, not editorials.

Spanky -

So it is the Dems fault that you fail at business? Every small business owner I know is capable of running a successful business AND taking paid vacations . . . that's right, they still get paid even though they are the owners.

But now the truth comes out. YOU hate unions and everything liberal because it forces you to actually treat your employees as humans. You would rather cut their salaries, remove all benefits, and horde all the money yourself. Unfortunately a liberal government will not allow that, so you want a change.

On top of all that, you complain about taxes when YOU have been paying the lowest taxes in . . . what? 10 years? Ahhhhh poor baby. Here's the worlds smallest violin playing the worlds saddest song, just for you. I suppose in your perfect world, you being a business owner would pay zero taxes, there would be no welfare, no medicare, no medicaid, no social security, no unions . . . and you can horde all your money while laughing at the lower class go hungry and die on the streets. I'm sure there would be no negative long-term consequences to creating a society where the rich pay nothing and the poor die in the streets.

Better yet, Amy .... seems Paul Ryan grew up on the government "teat" and his own grandmother had Alzheimers and benefited from Medicare/Medicaid.

http://www.wpri.org/WIInterest/Vol19No2/Schneider19.2.html

With his father’s passing, young Paul collected Social Security benefits until age 18, which he put away for college. To make ends meet, Paul’s mother returned to school to study interior design. His siblings were off at college. Ryan remembers this difficult time bringing him and his mother closer.

Within months, Paul’s maternal grandmother moved into the house. She suffered from Alzheimer’s, and it often fell on young Paul to care for her, including brushing and braiding her hair. Ryan credits his father’s death and the care of his grandmother as giving him first-hand experience as to how social service programs work.

Now why am I not surprised by the hypocrisy implicit in this?

I wonder how he thinks seniors will pay for Alzheimers care with those puny vouchers he plans to give them.

Oh WOW, like the president pays for housing, food, car & home insurance, transportation to and from work, elegant dinners, liquor, need I go on? Maybe Biden paid for his hair transplants out of his own frickin pocket, but not real sure about that. I guess we are paying for Barry's puffy tubes also??? You all rag about the king and queen of England, how bout the king and queen of Washington DC???

Wow, so glad they collapsed Feisty's very offensive comment.. imagine the nerve of her!

Half a mill in taxes,definitly proves the point that you don't have to be smart to make money!!!

its about time someone in obamas administration paid taxes

Okay for all you people out there, Obama has to pay for all his family meals and incidentals just like everyone else in the world. Yes, he gets to live in the White House just like every president, but he still has to foot some of the bill.

Actually, I was quite impressed that he paid in taxes/donated $700,000. That is more than most people who make the kind of money he makes.

If all the other rich people would do the same, then maybe the deficit wouldn't be so big. Nah, never happen, it is mine, all mine!

TreeHugger...I agree. I am not an Obama fan at all but the huge charitable donations and the taxes he paid is to be commended. I give credit where credit is due.

Sandtrich...I will start off by saying that open mic night with Obama was pretty refreshing to hear. After awhile you get tired of the cliche's and calculated responses. Its the same listening to athlete's interviews too. I want to hear some passion and emotion sometimes, even if I dont agree with it, like in Obama's case.

I dont understand where he gave into the right. If you are talking about the latest budget compromise of $38B, I believe it was Boehner that gave in to Obama because the actual budget cut was in the hundreds of thousands, much less in the billions. You, as a fiscal conservative, and I know this isnt going to get the job done. I think despite how you claim the liberals and libertarians are closer together than we think, there is still a huge gapping discrepancy about the role of the government.

If anything, its the right and Boehner allowing Obama and the left to get away with accounting gimmicks and fuzzy math to achieve a nonexistent budget cut of $38B. We cant even find $38 freakin billion out of a deficit of $1.6 trillion and you call that standing up to the right? I call it exactly what Senator Obama in 2006 called it, reckless fiscal policies.

Republicans and their wealthy supporters should learn from Barack Obama. He pays his taxes, donates 40% of his income to charities and doesn't whine about it. He is awesome!

....as opposed to Democrats and their poor supporters? I'm sure George Soros and Warren Buffet didn't pay much in taxes this year either.

Plus, you really have to wonder if he would have really donated that much unless he knew it was going to come under such scrutiny, or if he did it as a tax break himself. You'll notice the link to his "RETURN" is not operable.....seems kinda shady. If he did do it out of the kindness of his heart, good for him. I sort of doubt it though, considering his other tax returns were nowhere near that level of charity.

AZ---I wasn't even speaking to the budget. I said on many posts, slice away. I look to his campaign contributions when elected--over 90% from private individuals. How many "politicians" can say that? I want the kind of reform that prohibits PAC's and donations from the sectors to be governed out of politics--and ban all lobbying.

We have 11 aircraft carriers and massive flotillas as support-- costing fortunes. Russia has 1 operational Carrier and China is building it's first. Those are our "enemies" right? 737 foreign bases with 108,000 non-American employees. Why is it that we slice away at education and other domestic issues and not touch these issues? In the 4th quarter of 2010, $686B in "new" defense contracts were awarded with no disputes--that's >10 times the proposed cuts by the House. The top 10 recipients of the $127M in contributions in that quarter went to both sides of the aisle--6 Democrats and 4 Republicans. Giffords and McCain of AZ both made that top 10 list. Daniel K. Inouye of my state made the top 10 and will never get my vote again. It's not fiscally responsible by either party. The US pokes and prods to keep us in wars with our CIA running the show. Let the Pentagons' unholy alliance with defense contractors take a huge hit. Close the majority of bases on foreign soil, cancel the new contracts, and bring our troops home. Pass a Constitutional amendment that will allow our troops to protect our borders as oppose to chasing goat herders on foreign soil.

I'm still waiting for someone to step forward and address that from either side. I hope the President doesn't go ahead with speaking engagements--he's a target of the far right now.

Spanky-

bayllie why are the dems so powerless?

they have as much power as 1 vote allows them to have - the constitution works this way for all.

Or is it they just won't take responsibility?

every vote is public knowledge so I gave you the vote count already. Do I need to educate you that the US Senate has 100 Senators?

And no bayllie we certainly are not equal in terms of taxes

And you base this on what? Your glass ball? Your superpsychic abilities? Your personal knowledge of my finances?

I actually feel sorry for Biden now. Joint income in the $370ks? His wife is a Dr and he is VP!! What the hell. He alone makes in the $200ks. Think she needs to consider a new practice.

Maybe Jill really enjoys her job, it's not about the money. Just a thought.

Not everyone covets and worships money.

Amy, per #1,

Queer that what you want to know, and question with no authority, what Rep Ryan paid. How quintessentially 'Progressive' of you.

Let's stick with what we do know, shall we. The Obama's paid 1/4 of their AGI in income tax. I think that's way too high.

Their charitable donations are around 1/7 of their AGI. I think that's commendable.

The Obamas are part of the class warfare crowd which constantly preaches for higher taxes on 'the rich.' Certainly the Obamas are 'the rich.' And yet, they continue to not heed their own words. Now they were legally entitled to their 12K refund. But they could have led by example and chosen instead to overpay. Unfortunately, true to their liberal colors, it was 'do as I say, not as I do.'

Like all the other redistributionist blowhards, the Obamas have never paid a single penny extra of federal income tax. Oh how actions do speak louder than words.

So true, Amy. Conservative doesn't even mean what it did when I was first eligible to vote.

In other news, the president is being investigated by the FEC for not revealing donors' names. I tell you "liberal transparency" doesn't mean the same thing today it did in my father's day.

Amy,

Thanks to your incessant nasty attacks on the good Governor of Maine, I will make sure and donate to his campaign. Take that, and you can have your idiotic moonbatty $70,000 labor mural, too.

Anybody ever thing Ryan filed an extension? That would too easy. Right libbies?

Orange County Republican party member Marilyn Davenport is refusing to resign from the party after having sent out a racist email depicting President Obama's head on the body of an ape, according to the Orange County Weekly.

Davenport, a Tea Party member and elected official of the County Republican party, sent an email to fellow party members in which Mr. Obama's head is pasted on the body of a baby ape. The image also depicts two adult apes wearing human clothing - presumably referencing Mr. Obama's parents. "Now you know why no birth certificate," reads the accompanying text.

......and that has what to do with this story dzaffina?

How much are you paid exactly to troll for the liberal side of the aisle. This is the 3rd post like this you've put on here, and have yet to address the story once.

dzaffina,

And what does that gibberish have to do with Obama's taxes?? Certainly a news story, but certainly not relevant to the discussion on this thread....

Ben

In other news, the president is being investigated by the FEC for not revealing donors' names.

Where is your proof please. And not the National Inquirer this time.

Thanks to your incessant nasty attacks on the good Governor of Maine, I will make sure and donate to his campaign. Take that, and you can have your idiotic moonbatty $70,000 labor mural, too.

Bob, you are IMPOSSIBLE. Exactly how is a post that was strictly a recitation of FACTS "nasty"?

Facts are facts. If you don't like facts, that's your problem. On the other hand, "Idiotic moonbat" is "nasty."

Look in the mirror sometime, will you?

Not a bad deal when you figure that every living thing they do is paid for with taxpayer dollars. I guess that's a couple trips on Air Force one. As for Ryan or anybody else, who cares?? Sounds like BO needs a new tax consultant, but then again other than spending a lot of everyone elses money, he really doesn't know too much about finances.

So he overpaid . . . why is that news?

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio

So he overpaid . . . why is that news?

because Durango does not grasp the concept - or he is just good at spinning facts into fiction.

So what? I got a tax refund, too, Durango--because I overpaid more than I actually owed.

Can you say "knee jerk"?

Nevermind... sure, he paid that much but got a refund... Already stated, he overpaid Federal Taxes. Big freaking deal.

At least President Obama and his wife aren't hypocrites on taxes.

Unfortunately, the Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers are still in place, Guantanamo is still open, and we're going to have military tribunals for Khalid Sheik Mohammed and the other 9/11 conspirators.

We'll see what President Obama does to address the debt crisis.

He knows the debt crisis exists...it's just that he's having a whole lot of trouble finding a solution that he can live with.

Endless debt commissions aren't the answer.

But, he'll come around.

lol

He doesn't have a choice, does he?

Unfortunately, the Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers are still in place, Guantanamo is still open, and we're going to have military tribunals for Khalid Sheik Mohammed and the other 9/11 conspirators.

Can we all say "Liberal"?

MB, They just announced another meeting hosted by Joe Biden on the debt crisis. Maybe he will stay awake for this one. I guess the S&P ratings finally got someone's attention.

Honestly, Lisa-

We have the President's own debt commission's Plan to address the debt crisis.

We have Paul Ryan's plan to address the debt crisis.

Soon, we should have a plan from the bipartisan "Gang Of Six" U.S. Senators, based on the plan from the President's debt commission.

There are plenty of opportunities for VP Biden to catch some shut-eye...we don't need another presidential blue-ribbon debt commission for that , or anything else.

I skipped all of your comments above. I didn't read a one. I don't care what Mr. Bush did or anyone before him. My comment is that we pay our President X amount and he's supposed to be working for us. Where did this other money come from? Who else is paying him? Over and above this, where is his campaign money coming from? Who is buying influence? Same for congress, Republican and Democrat?

Our government is bought and paid for by others. Who are they and what are they getting in return?

Apparently, Ben, you should slow down and READ. The article stated that most of the additional income was from BOOK SALES.

You may now carry on with your conspiracy theory.

Yeah. How the hell does he have so much spare time to write books? Aren't we paying him to work? I remember something about the Clintons making a killing on books also. How many did they actually sell? Or did they sell them by the truckload to George Soros?

Sorry, Clara. I don't buy it. Maybe you should READING between the lines.

are you seriously this stupid?

I've given you an opportunity to educate yourself and you want me to spoon feed you?

Dreams from My Father was written in 1995 and reissued in 2004

The Audacity of Hope was written in 2006

Do you really think he's written NEW books and been doing the book tour circuit?

I guess you'll believe just about any BS you hear that validates your hatred of him?

Allrighty then. PS. No need to read between the lines, you're already providing the subtext. But it has nothing to do with facts OR reality.

You really believe he has that many followers (who can read) who have waited until now to buy his books? And you call me stupid. You have got to be one of the dumbest broads on the planet. If being an author was so lucrative, why would anyone go into politics?

Just because you're stupid, don't expect the rest of us to be.

Watch the movie The Distinguished Gentleman. Now, it's a comedy, starring Eddie Murphy, but the way a power company had paid of the chairman of the comittee he wanted in his pocket was buy thousands of copies odf his wife's terrible book. It's not too far off to think something like that could be used to ffunnel funds to a candidate. Whether it is or not remains to be seen.

I think I do remember that movie. It may have been about the same time as one of Hitlarry's book deals. Mr. Murphy is quite talented, indeed. I could see where this kind of sh!t goes on with both parties. Sneaky bastards.

Snowdog650, Pres. Obama paid more that most large corps., and he created a lot more jobs!

Michelle ... please back up your BS with data. Oh ... you mean GE didn't pay taxes? The same company that owns MSNBC? Oh, you mean THAT large corporation? And the only jobs O'Bama can possibly "create" are those within the US government. You are the type of weak-minded person that the MSM preys on when they talk about presidential administrations "creating" jobs.

Nice try.

John Paulson, the most successful hedge fund manager of all, bet against the mortgage market one year and then bet with Glenn Beck in the gold market the next. Paulson made himself $9 billion in fees in just two years. His current tax bill on that $9 billion? Zero http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/tax-mythology/Content?oid=1458328

Michelle ... please back up your BS with data.

Well, I'm not michelle, but here you go!

1. Exxon Mobil made $19 billion in profits in 2009. Exxon not only paid no federal income taxes, it actually received a $156 million rebate from the IRS, according to its SEC filings.

2. Bank of America received a $1.9 billion tax refund from the IRS last year, although it made $4.4 billion in profits and received a bailout from the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department of nearly $1 trillion.

3. Over the past five years, while General Electric made $26 billion in profits in the United States, it received a $4.1 billion refund from the IRS.

4. Chevron received a $19 million refund from the IRS last year after it made $10 billion in profits in 2009.

5. Boeing, which received a $30 billion contract from the Pentagon to build 179 airborne tankers, got a $124 million refund from the IRS last year.

6. Valero Energy, the 25th largest company in America with $68 billion in sales last year received a $157 million tax refund check from the IRS and, over the past three years, it received a $134 million tax break from the oil and gas manufacturing tax deduction.

7. Goldman Sachs in 2008 only paid 1.1 percent of its income in taxes even though it earned a profit of $2.3 billion and received an almost $800 billion from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury Department.

8. Citigroup last year made more than $4 billion in profits but paid no federal income taxes. It received a $2.5 trillion bailout from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury.

9. ConocoPhillips, the fifth largest oil company in the United States, made $16 billion in profits from 2007 through 2009, but received $451 million in tax breaks through the oil and gas manufacturing deduction.

10. Over the past five years, Carnival Cruise Lines made more than $11 billion in profits, but its federal income tax rate during those years was just 1.1 percent.

http://www.occasionalplanet.org/2011/03/30/the-top-ten-tax-dodging-corporations/

Fair & Balanced my a@@!

Please, by all means snowdog continue on with your uniformed ravings! Feel freee to back up some of your BS with data anytime... ;o)

Ok, we have a progressive tax system. The current highest rate is 35% which is not what anybody would pay since they must go through all the lower rates as well which dilutes his effective rate. The top 400 richest people in the USA was about 16-17%, President Obama paid 10% more in taxes than them. Why is that? Why are you not asking about their deductions?

The point is our President put his money where his mouth is. Not so for the GOP/TP folks who want to pay no taxes at all and let this country go into bankruptcy and ruin.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
great post. too bad that the paid trolls will just ignore the facts and continue to spread their fiction.

Ahh, a reincarnation of the half gov of Alaska who insisted it was O'Bama and O'Biden. Snowdog, cold, Alaska, dog sleds--yep, it's you know who.

Do tell bayllie - what is a paid troll?

I don't suppose you have an actual definition you could share? Come on, it'll be mighty fun to apply to certain posts made the the various posters around here.

What'dya say bayllie?

I mean really, you all seem to have a fundamental mis-understanding about taxes, so what's the point of debating that topic. For instance you all might want to look up the term estimated tax payments, then try to apply it to a corp. like GE, or the others in Feisty's little cut and paste mess.

Seriously the tax system is messed up, but geared to be used a variety of complexsituations. Don't blame the people who use the system, blame the monkeys that put it together and oversee it. You know like Geitner, Rangel and the gang.

See the tax code, like the world is a big ugly place. Not all of us are silly little w-2 employees, thank goodness. Too bad, cause there are some smoking deals available in the code if you know how to use the system.

But hey, I bet not many of you get the pleasure today of writing a check for last year's taxes, and the first quarter's estimated tax payment, right?

Yeah, Fiesty Redhead...too bad that's just more of the same disingenuous liberal misinformation.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/dec/10/bernie-s/bernie-sanders-filibuster-exxon-mobil/

Navy:

In your lame attempt to defend Obama, you just made a jackazz statement.

Obama paid taxes on his ADJUSTED income, to which he got their through DEDUCTIONS.....just like anyone else with any sense.

So you can't say he put his money where his mouth is; I'm quite sure he had MAJOR deductions to which won't be revealed, not to mention the perks of POTUS.

I bet your azz doesn't volunteer to pay any extra tax. So stop with the condescending remarks about GOP not wanting to pay any taxes. There is NO LAW stopping you from adding to your taxes. You can send the government money everyday and it will not be turned down.

When all of you whining Liberals start sending Uncle Sugar your refund checks back, the GOP wqwill do the same. Since we know that will not happen; this is a moot argument.

Actually, Michelle is right. Obama created thousands of new jobs. Unfortunately they are government jobs that just increase the tax burden and don't add to our economy as a whole...

Hey Mike - if you want to call Feisty's figures "bogus", you might want to consult with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He's the one who published those figures last week.

Snowdog650

And the only jobs O'Bama can possibly "create" are those within the US government.

Um Snowdog what was that about those jobs?

Forecast: Detroit 3 to boost Michigan job levels by 34%

A respected economist whose work focuses on the auto sector, said the Detroit Three have already recalled many of the workers who kept their jobs during the downturn but have been on indefinite lay off. “So any additional production through the summer requires new hiring,

http://www.freep.com/article/20110412/BUSINESS01/110412062/0/SPORTS07/Forecast-Detroit-3-boost-Michigan-job-levels-by-34-?odyssey=nav|head

Also, GE paid back its loan with interest.

As for hiring employees, how many jobs has John Boehner created or hired? That'd be NONE - ZIP - ZERO- A GOOSE EGG-NADA!!

It's been 100+ days

http://WhenAreTheJobs.com/

Speaking in his southwest Ohio home district hours after a bleak federal report on employment was released, Boehner said that it looked a lot like the reports every month under President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan. … ‘This coming election is about one issue: jobs,’ he said. ‘It’s about jobs that were promised to the American people by the current administration, and were never delivered.’” (Associated Press, 10/8/10)

http://www.johnboehner.com/?p=1549

Oh say can you see? Is the Boner listening to the American people?

Do tell bayllie - what is a paid troll?

Fiesty Redhead = Paid Troll

Yes and that is what Politifact roundly debunked...in November. That liberals continue to spread this anyway - after close to 6 months - without checking (or outright ignoring) the voracity of the charge calls into question their own level of honesty - especially when her own post says something like: "Fair & Balanced my a@@!"

Was her charge fair? No. Was her charge balanced? No. Did her charge have anything to do with reality? No. Yet she's supposed to by handled with kid gloves because it's somebody else' lie that she's continuing to repeat? I think not.

Spanky-

Do tell bayllie - what is a paid troll?

These people were surfing the internet and joining discussion boards solely for the purpose of disruption. They pretend to be ‘concerned citizens’ but they are conservative trolls that seem to generate knee-jerk right wing talking points

zath

Fiesty Redhead = Paid Troll

Fiesty, I hope you get compensated well because you deserve it girl!

Fiesty Redhead, thanks for having the facts for me. Great job!

bayllie - only conservatives, no libbie trolls?

So bayllie you brought up paid trolls here. So who are they, in your estimation? I mean, based upon your definition "they"an only be conservatives, correct? Also, how are you able to tell who is pretending? Are there no libbie talking points?

And from you comments here I assume you are a CPA, or tax consultant?

And gosh where in the tax code are these darned spending cuts Obama keeps talking about?

So you can't say he put his money where his mouth is; I'm quite sure he had MAJOR deductions to which won't be revealed, not to mention the perks of POTUS.

I bet your azz doesn't volunteer to pay any extra tax. So stop with the condescending remarks about GOP not wanting to pay any taxes. There is NO LAW stopping you from adding to your taxes. You can send the government money everyday and it will not be turned down.

When all of you whining Liberals start sending Uncle Sugar your refund checks back, the GOP wqwill do the same. Since we know that will not happen; this is a moot argument.

I can write what ever I want as my opinion is just as good as yours and I have a right to it just as you do yours.. I do not tell you what you can write and you cannot stop me from writing what I want. If you do not like it don't read it. Move on. I will stop talking about the GOP when the top 400 pay 27% and not 16-17%.

Just because you disagree, which is fine, does not make the arguement moot because you say so. Not by a long shot.

oh no Navy is getting cyber-bullied again.

Whoever is up in Navy's business, this time, just know that is a very sensitive little fella. As you can see, it does not take much to make him sad.

oh no Navy is getting cyber-bullied again.

Whoever is up in Navy's business, this time, just know that is a very sensitive little fella. As you can see, it does not take much to make him sad.

Quite the contrary. I am against anybody telling somebody else what they can say or not say on this board because they disagree. Everybody has the right to post what they want. You teabaggers keep claiming you support the constitution then you try to tell people what to say. This is not Europe of the 1930's and 1940's, that ideology was tried and failed. I call anybody that does that a hypocrite and un-American period.

It takes a he!! of a bigger personthan you two clowns to make me even approach being sad. In fact what I feel is pity and contempt for people who try to shut others up just because their opinion is different. That ideology is not what this country was built upon.

These people were surfing the internet and joining discussion boards solely for the purpose of disruption. They pretend to be ‘concerned citizens’ but they are conservative trolls that seem to generate knee-jerk right wing talking points.

You summed that up brilliantly bayllie! Their SOLE purpose is to distract you off your message!

As my friends like to say, NEVER get into an argument with the ignorant, they drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience! lol

Fiesty Redhead, thanks for having the facts for me. Great job!

Thanks michelle! It was my pleasure!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

You summed that up brilliantly bayllie! Their SOLE purpose is to distract you off your message!

They keep posting the same crap over and over. I guess I'm the silly one for falling into their trap.

Spanky-

bayllie - only conservatives, no libbie trolls?

I'm sure there are "libbie trolls" out there as well - but I'm pretty much refering to this post.

I tried to have a conversation with you but it seems that your last resort is insults. You cannot help yourself or you do not have anything of value to add. It seems like you pick couple of people and just throw garbage at them and hope it will stick. I guess I just had my "Forrest through the tree" moment.

These people were surfing the internet and joining discussion boards solely for the purpose of disruption. They pretend to be ‘concerned citizens’ but they are conservative trolls that seem to generate knee-jerk right wing talking points.

You summed that up brilliantly bayllie! Their SOLE purpose is to distract you off your message!

Says she who never adds anything to the conversation except mud slinging, name calling and general superfluous commentary on any who disagree with her. Now that was a good giggle. Thanks Feisty!

and he created a lot more jobs!

Name 1 job Obama created, just one ...

So bayllie can you see how your comments about trolls may be insulting to conservatives? You stated that it was only conservatives that were the trolls. That's just silly.

Spanky-

So bayllie can you see how your comments about trolls may be insulting to conservatives?

Spanky, if I wanted to instult ALL conservatives, I would write that all trolls are conservatives and all conservatives are trolls. I hope that my comment is insulting to those who are trolls. That was the purpose.

michelle, please read my post #4.9. Feisty Redhead gave you fantasy, not fact. Not that liberals are in anyway disturbed by perpetuating a lie. I'm sure you'll keep passing it on no matter how false it is.

Name 1 job Obama created, just one ...

Try over 1.5 Million new Private Sector jobs in the last 13 months. Go look it up. I do not think any Private Company created a Million plus jobs. Many laid people off and just are now starting to re-hire.

feisty

Interesting and inconsistent that today you discount Politifact's credibiilty. A website you have used often in the past. They rated those as completely inaccurate

Mike pointed out the post your fellow lefties praise you for cutting and pasting by the socialist Sanders is inaccurate. A lie. It seems to matter not to the lefties that lies don't matter.

Navy:

Dah dump de dummmm..... Made an azz out of yourself again. I thought Obama worked for the government. What private sector job has he created?

What private sector company does he own? Matter of fact, what private sector company has he ever worked for?

147,000 jobs a month are negated due to new people entering the work pool. Soooooo....

13 x 147,000 = 1,911,000

You're still losing jobs.......

They rated those as completely inaccurate

Didn't learn a thing this weeked did you Doug? Why you were hollering about Politifact being a 'left wing' speculation - remember?

Doug Ponders

You have provided three different sources of pure left wing speculation which is designed to stir up the feeble minded

#1.42 - Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:46 AM CDT

If you had bothered to follow the link the ONLY one that was rated 'false' as opposed to your 'completely inaccurate' was Exxon Mobile.

Semantics still isn't a strong suit of yours, I see! lol

How about the other nine there Doug? What about you Mike? Anyone?

*crickets*

Here you go Feisty. This should take care of and debunk at least half of that list.

As you would surely say, "Crickets my a@@!"

How about the other nine there Doug? What about you Mike? Anyone?

OK Feisty, I agree with you on the point that these large corporations should be paying their fair share in taxes. But I have noticed that the democrats have had control of all three branches of our government for the last couple of years and did NOTHING to fix the problem of corporations using loopholes to get out of paying what they should. BTW, you assumed that since they are large corporations, they must be republicans. Surely you must understand that democrats also work in "big Business" (GE for example).

I notice you are always here, most times first in line to comment. I was wondering do you work? or are you "working the system"? (I only look at these blogs while I take 10 minutes to eat my lunch at my desk.)

Also, I saw the comments from the leftists who counterprotested the Tea party demonstrations. I believe one guy said "god damn the USA" and another said he "wiped his ass with the American flag every day." -Not very patriotic.....

Feisty,

Because Mike SAYS so.

So THERE!

lmfao. (I assume he attempted to attach a link? nah, I like my version better!)

Dookie!

Both are well shy of the 39-percent rate they're advocating for...reads like: do as I say, not as I do.

The highest tax bracket is 35%. Also, I suggest you look into how income tax return work. I am sure you do not pay taxes on your gross income - does that make you a hypicrite?

Once the President gets the tax rates back up to where they should be, he will pay the 39%. However, the Republicans fixed it so the President pays lower taxes.

bayllie:

The GOP/TP never lets the truth get in the way of a lie. You are correct, the currnet max rate is 35% and that is in the last of 6 buckets and only applies to Taxable Income NOT GROSS INCOME as some are trying to propose. By going through all 6 brackets the effective tax rate will always be less than 35% since their are income dollars being taxed at 10%, 15%, 20% etc and only the top dollars every reach 35%.

Using 39.6% is a joke since it does not currently exist. If it did President Obama's rate would be 5% higher or about 32% as all the deductions have already been accounted for.

RWNJ'S on the prowl.

Job1, who decides what tax rates SHOULD be? This seems to be the question no one can answer. I think federal tax rates should be whatever is necessary to provide for the basic necessities that can only be effectively managed by the Federal Government- infrastructure, national defense (and yes, I'm more than willing to question what of our defense spending is necessary and what is discretionary), care for the elderly and truly disabled (yes I am qualifying). I am even willing to throw in NASA funding because it is the single greatest piece of scientific research and technological development we have ever assembled- its actually rather astounding that it is a government program for all the benefit we've gotten out of it, but I digress. Much beyond that and I think the feds are overreaching and the bureaucracy it takes to administer the programs costs more than the benefits that actually get to the beneficiaries of said programs. Individual states can better administer the bulk of government programs. The people who pay for them benefit from them. Let the states establish their necessary tax rates based on the services the residents of the states feel is acceptable. I don't mind paying local taxes when I can see where and how the money is spent. At the federal level all I see is an ever increasing debt load and demand for more of my money.

Can you read? 39% is the rate Dems want - that's what dookie said.

(Actually Dems want it much, much higher.)

35% is the top rate now. Dems want to raise it.

That said, Obama paid too much in taxes. 26% is too much.

However, he, and anyone else, can make voluntary payments above and beyond their tax liability. He did not - thus the comments about hypocrisy.

Now about Biden's charitable giving...............

bayllie, bayllie, bayllie... please learn to read before you digress to name calling. I'm just stating the fact that both are paying taxes at a rate lower than the 39-percent rate they're advocating for. I believe the words the President spoke were that rich people want to pay more taxes. I also figured out long ago that individual tax rates are based on adjusted gross income, not gross income.

obama is not asking people who make 1.7 million to pay an extra 500 thousand...get real

When the GOP pays more President Obama will pay more. If he does away with the deductions you claim he will, then he will pay more. Unlike the GOP/TP that wants to take deductions away from only a select few and keep the big ones for themselves.

Madison - Do you expect the President, or anyone else, to pay more than tax law requires?

I expect hypocrites to say one thing and practice another.

All the rants about the GOP and the TEA Party really are infantile, vet.

Taxed Enough Already. Got it? None of the plans make a real dent in the deficit, which has just cratered our credit rating again.

Make me a documented list of what deductions the Dems want to lose and which ones the Repubs and TEA Party want to lose. Then we can talk.

In the end, the Dems want bigger government (more, higher taxes) and the TEA Party wants to reduce taxes and spending.

drive-by-observer

Obama ain't making enought money. If he'd have made over 453 Million , maybe he could have paid NO taxes!

you are too modest drive-by-observer, we are dealing with billions now and soon to be trillions. Making 1.7 million is so 1993.

Statistically, republicans/conservative give significantly more to charity than do democrats/liberals. Since you won't do your own homework, I'll help you:

-- Although liberal families' incomes average 6 percent higher than those of conservative families, conservative-headed households give, on average, 30 percent more to charity than the average liberal-headed household ($1,600 per year vs. $1,227).

JimmyJackson
It is easy to give to charities when you don't pay your employees OT or make them work off the clock or hiring illegals to increase your profit.
Anyone can do that.

real m.

How true.

Charity isn't just about the dollars donated, it is also about time spent doing charitable works which is not deductible but equally valuable.

I keep reading that republicans give more to charity than do democrats--perhaps it is because the republicans are the millionaires and billionaires who have more to give. As for that report, who is the source of it?

LOL jimmy, You guys still using that lame BS from the right wing hacks book? OK Jimmy, I'll bite, give us all the stats and how those conclusions were come too. This should be interesting since it's as plain as the nose on your face that either 1.) You haven't actually thought about this BS "data" you quote or 2.) You are just a dunce and are unable to see the obvious.

I do find it interesting that the Obama's made such a large charitable contribution this year versus other years. In years previous, he has not made nearly as much in charitable giving as he did this year:

I commend him for his charitable giving first and foremost, however I feel that he this large jump in charitable giving is either for political clout or to reduce his adjusted gross taxable income... or maybe both. If it wasn't then why the increase in charitable giving once he started his ramp up to run for office and continuation since being in office?

Either way, the money is going to good causes and is to be commended either way. Further, any person willing to take the role and responsibility of President of the United States is to be revered and respected. I know that I for one would is not be willing to take on that role (or any congressional role for that matter) and succumb to the scrutiny and responsibility associated with that role for that little amount of pay.

Tell me the truth.

If you knew your tax return would be heavily scrutinized by a lot of people, what would it look like? Would it look like it did this year, or would it have more charitable giving, a higher tax payment, etc?

And no, being President doesn't make you "revered and respected". You have to earn that.

Doc, "you want the truth... you can't handle the truth". Sorry couldn't resist.

You restated the point I was trying to make: public scrutiny gives ever more reason to have one's tax return look favorable, hence why significantly higher charitable contributions in recent years (most notably since he started his ramp up for a run at the office in '06) seems more like to be a PR stint than a true heart of generosity. Let's face it, the Obama's are not hurting for money... but $250K is nothing when it comes to politcal PR...

As far as having to "earn" respect and reverence for the Office of the President, I will agree to disagree. As an American, I believe the Commander and Chief of the United States of America is a honorable position for any American citizen and one that commands my respect, whether earned or not. Whether you or I agree with the President on his political assertations, he is the President of our country. I am first and foremost an American and I will stand by this country (and it's leaders) whether I agree or disagree politically. I will excercise my right to disagree by taking part in the democratic process, but I will not without respect for the greatest office in this country.

Back to the original post:

"groceries and gas are going thru the roof, which is not Obama's fault, but the gready corporatist republicans and their greedy oil company supporters...most of price in food is due to energy cost"

I find this to be a fascinating and simplistic view on politics and it's affect on everyday living costs. It's no surprise, food costs will go up as the price of energy costs (ie. fuel and transport costs), however the primary indicators for increases in the cost of food are: food supply/demand and commodity prices according to the ERS (Economic Research Services) for the USDA (). I would argue that the price of grain (primary corn and soy beans) is the leading contributor to food cost increases, not fuel costs.

Corn based Ethanol has been highly subsidized by the government and is a cash crop for most farmers now-a-days... it's all about supply and demand economics: farmers grow the most profitable crop per acre as possible - only makes sense. The government highly subsidizes the farming industry due to certain agricultural relief acts. It's estimated that for every dollar a farmer makes, $.50-.60 is from a government subsidy. Right now, corn receives the largest chunk of government subsidies (mostly from ethanol subsidies): about 35-45% annually of all gov't subsidies. As farmers grow more corn, other commodities naturally have shortages, resulting in higher prices. Question: Why is corn now the hot commodity/grain? Hint: It's not because we are using more corn/grain for food. Check out this graph from the USDA website on corn usage. Note the massive spike in Ethanol consumption: USCorn.gif This emphasis on ethanol only exacerbates the costs of other grains and commodities because as the supply of corn goes down, costs go up.

So to politely disagree with the original statement, I do not believe the food prices are a direct result of "republicans and greedy oil companies..." if anything it's a result of significant government subsidies that are encouraging farmers to sell corn for ethanol production and not food consumption.

Take way the subsidies, ethanol would not exist. So it's a give and take: do you pay billions of dollars every year in subsidies to get a cleaner burning fuel and higher prices at the grocery store? or do you do away with subsidies and lower food costs?

Parting note: I haven't even begun to discuss the inefficiency in ethanol production.

you are correct mike...it is the most honorable position for any AMERICAN CITIZEN...

navyvet98:

Good to see you again. True, give credit where credit is do. Have a great day.

good point william, wonder how many millionaire republicans actually give to charity...oh i guess charity for them is giving to some mega church or grover norquist and his stupid americans for tax reform...thats real charity for the overclass republican publicans

There is no 39% currently. Highest rate is 35%.

Well, the right keeps claiming 39% which is probably because GOP/TPers have for the past two weeks been claiming the rich pay nearly 40%. If the GOP repeats almost 40% enough, we see the results--conservative posters claiming the top tax is 39.6% (which it hasn't been since 2001 which Bush cut it).

Can't liberals read?? Dems want to raise rates to that level. That has been stated. I assume William was somehow equating charitable contributions as an additional tax, bringing Obama's rate above 39%.

I'll leave it to William to clear it up.

What I see stated more however, are claims about the TEA Party or Republicans that have no basis or backup.

Jody, is everyone in Iowa as naive as you?? Irregardless of the effective tax rate, the top 10% of wage earners pay 60% of the taxes. (IRS statistics not mine). and 49% of the people in the US pay absolutely 0 taxes... i assume you are in that category

The silly, uninformed comments continue. The high end tax rate is the maximum BEFORE deductions; very few people ever pay the highest rate for their tax bracket. The 400 richest Americans paid 17% so that means they paid far less than President Obama.

Jody,

Did you ever stop to think that perhaps they gave way more to charities than President Obama did? That would lower their overall tax liability.... Perhaps you should consider that before you make non-supported comments....

So Obama paid enough under the Bush tax rates??? You may lose your "Screaming Lib" card member privileges for this!

Obama,

the point is that over 66% of corporations don'tpay taxs. the rest pays less than they should. Before you criticize one individual WHO WANTED TO ICREASE HIS OWN TAXES, you should criticize all the ones that don't pay nada.

Obama is free to overpay his taxes. He did not.

BTW - post a reliable, unbiased reference for that "66% of corporations don't pay taxes". And pray tell - are you the arbiter of how much they should pay?

Philipmiller111

Obamas paid 27% on 1.7 million. Two years ago he was a Illinois Senator. How did he get so rich in 2 years? ..........mmmmmmmmmm

Compared to whom? Darth Cheney?

Selling books can do that to your pocketbook.

Even this "paid troll" doesn't question where the income came from. To think that BHO's income is the result of something illicit or sinister would be ignorant ...

Phillipmiller - The President has authored a couple of books, from which he receives royalties. Additionally, I'm sure that he has some investments, from which he received income. To infer that President Obama has obtained money illegally is disgusting; you have no knowledge of this. Maybe you could join the Southern California Tea Party activist and member of the central committee of the Orange County Republican Party, Marilyn Davenport in spreading lies and hatred.

Oh, please. He got rich by writing two enormously popular best sellers--that stayed on the best seller lists for months. He also wrote a best selling children's book last year, earning more money.

Darth Cheney? Really? I'm embarassed for you.

StangSalie

Darth Cheney? Really? I'm embarassed for you.

Please entertain me with your explanation of your embarrassment. Is it the word Darth or Cheney that seems to embarrass you?

Or is it the fact that Cheney is benefiting from the very no-bid contract he awarded to Halliburton. I wonder what the tax bracket should be for making money on manufacturing substandard body armor that cost American lives. Or is it that Halliburton moved the PO Box so that they would not be required to pay taxes? What is it that's embarassing to you?

To infer that President Obama has obtained money illegally is disgusting; you have no knowledge of this.

Then YOU are the liar. PhilipMiller said or inferred nothing of the sort.

Please entertain me with your explanation of your embarrassment. Is it the word Darth or Cheney that seems to embarrass you?

I'm embarassed for you for acting like such a child on here. You totally negate any point you are trying to make when you resort to comments like that. My embarassment for you has nothing to do with Cheney or any point you were trying to make about Cheney....it's your juvenile attitude. You are so sure that your opinion is the ONLY correct one and the ONLY one that matters that you come across as being incredibly smug and obnoxious. Just look at the post you sent me....I said nothing about Cheney or anything he's ever done yet you rattle off your talking points as if I am interested. You must be an absolute joy in person if this is how you behave online. Did that sufficiently answer your question?

I don't question the financial status near so much as I question how he's still selling books... I'd have expected market saturation by now.

Then you're wrong since people are still buying his books.

The donations listed by Biden are only those he chose to itemize as a tax deduction.
He has been quoted in the past as saying that he does not itemize his tithings
to his church (Catholic) because he thinks such donations should not be used
as a tax deduction. So, in reality, you have no idea how much or how little
that Biden gives. You only know what he claimed for a tax deduction.

Anybody that has actually read the books would know they were "written" by different authors. Another misconception ;)

Yes he paid with state tax just over 31 % another person earning over one million pays combined about 55 % wait he took the write offs that everyone gets that give money to charities. so he wrote off the 285 thousand he gave to charities that all get to write off no matter what you earn. If he fells the rich need to pay more why take the write Off the same with Biden. I am not among the rich and i do not believe because one earns more than me that they should carry the free loaders we have that pay no tax at all. I am one that believes we should have a flat tax on any income over poverty level. This way we all pay our equal share.

Dave-781087

How can a former community organizer and college instructor who is so incompetent have that kind of income? Unbelievable!

Its called using his Harvard-Columbia education to writing 2 books both before he was elected to the senate, don't worry, when Sarah releases her return i will say, how can a 4 time college drop-out, mayor of mayberry, make that much money.

Dave its called living in America, the land of opportunity.

How can you be so "unbelievably" uninformed, Dave (numbers). I suggest you scroll back up and read about the books the President has written.

they are renting out rooms in the White House to family members who are receiving assistance from the Federal Govt.

How can someone who never finished college be one of the richest men in the world? That Bill Gates is unbelievable!