NationStates Jolt Archive

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2005
NEW YORK Two and a half years into the war in Iraq, Americans are worried about the toll it is taking on the United States, both in the mounting casualties and the drain of resources needed at home. And although they anticipate a long, protracted American involvement, they say Iraq will never become a stable democracy, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.

The poll also suggested that there was widespread reluctance to make sacrifices to continue to pay for the mission in Iraq.

Ninety percent of those surveyed, including a majority of Republicans, disapprove of Washington cutting spending on domestic programs to pay for the war, almost 80 percent would not be willing to pay more in taxes and 55 percent disapprove of eliminating recent tax cuts to raise revenue.

And Americans say they are feeling the impact of the war on their communities, a sentiment that is more pronounced among blacks than whites.

almost no one wants a tax hike no matter how much the money's needed

almost no one wants a tax hike no matter how much the money's needed

It's the old story: people want healthcare, good roads, a strong military, and good schools. But when asked to actually pay for this, they prudently loose there wallet.

It's the old story: people want healthcare, good roads, a strong military, and good schools. But when asked to actually pay for this, they prudently loose there wallet.
Indeed.
Theres an old saying I remember, cant quite remember who said it though:
"Everybody wants to get into Heaven, but nobody wants to earn it."

Regardless of your religious status or lack thereof, it applies. We want a good nation, but we dont want to pay for it.

Indeed.
Theres an old saying I remember, cant quite remember who said it though:
"Everybody wants to get into Heaven, but nobody wants to earn it."

Regardless of your religious status or lack thereof, it applies. We want a good nation, but we dont want to pay for it.

Besides the fact that about 50% of the country don't pay or get returned all of their income tax.

I don't want to pay any more taxes, period. We need to stop spending so much money and we won't need to pay taxes. Until the budget is balanced, government spending cannot exceed the rate of inflation, save in case of national emergency (and Iraq doesn't qualify). That would go a long way towards ending the budget crisis.

The thing is, tax cuts do increase revenue beyond the amount made by holding taxes at a steady rate. However, if you don't cut back spending, they don't do anything but make the situation worse.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2005
NEW YORK Two and a half years into the war in Iraq, Americans are worried about the toll it is taking on the United States, both in the mounting casualties and the drain of resources needed at home. And although they anticipate a long, protracted American involvement, they say Iraq will never become a stable democracy, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.

The poll also suggested that there was widespread reluctance to make sacrifices to continue to pay for the mission in Iraq.

Ninety percent of those surveyed, including a majority of Republicans, disapprove of Washington cutting spending on domestic programs to pay for the war, almost 80 percent would not be willing to pay more in taxes and 55 percent disapprove of eliminating recent tax cuts to raise revenue.

And Americans say they are feeling the impact of the war on their communities, a sentiment that is more pronounced among blacks than whites.

And two years ago how many of these supported the war in Iraq? I know the public were told the war would be quick, but any educated person would have known it would be over once the good ol American boys came rolling in.

I don't want to pay any more taxes, period. We need to stop spending so much money and we won't need to pay taxes. Until the budget is balanced, government spending cannot exceed the rate of inflation, save in case of national emergency (and Iraq doesn't qualify). That would go a long way towards ending the budget crisis.

The thing is, tax cuts do increase revenue beyond the amount made by holding taxes at a steady rate. However, if you don't cut back spending, they don't do anything but make the situation worse.
Unless you're a Keynesian, in which case deficits don't matter.

Unless you're a Keynesian, in which case deficits don't matter.

True, but constant deficits stoke inflation and increase borrowing costs. What happens is that you have too many dollars chasing too few products, which crowds out investment and actually weakens the consumer. You can't keep borrowing forever without consequences. Some debt is good, but constant 3-4% of GDP is going to end up in disaster.

The government still sends out foriegn aid, and I've never wanted to pay taxes for that. Welfare is still there, and a number of people don't want to pay taxes for that. I fail to see how people not wanting to pay extra for the war is any different.
The key thing that everyone needs to remember here is a matter of definitions.
"Money" (and "Government Money") is this fuzzy, infinite thing that, like God, is sort of out there, eternal and all powerful.
"My Money", on the other hand, is very limited, unbelievably impotent, and always about to run out (no matter how much there is).
By extension, everyone wants the goods, but no one wants to foot the bill.

And two years ago how many of these supported the war in Iraq? I know the public were told the war would be quick, but any educated person would have known it would be over once the good ol American boys came rolling in.

The war is going quick-compare it to Vietnam, and how we originally kicked it off by providing aid to the french (Eisenhower), then to Ngo Dienh's goverment (Kennedy), then to full-fledged war that lasted about 7 years I think (66-74?)...we've only been in iraq like 3 years. In WW2 when the Russians and germans went at it they were at it for several years and lost millions. We've been at it for 3 or so and have lost less than 2000. If the russkies or Germans would have lost 2000 in one day they would have called it good.

The war is going quick-compare it to Vietnam, and how we originally kicked it off by providing aid to the french (Eisenhower), then to Ngo Dienh's goverment (Kennedy), then to full-fledged war that lasted about 7 years I think (66-74?)...we've only been in iraq like 3 years.in todays dollars (adjusted)...we have already expent more than in Vietnam.

Homnestly, tehy're all whining about casualties when they don't seem to realize that compared to a lot of fights, we're doing well.

I just think we need to figure a way to get into teh Insurrgency's mind like they're doing to us.

I don't want to pay any more taxes, period. We need to stop spending so much money and we won't need to pay taxes. Until the budget is balanced, government spending cannot exceed the rate of inflation, save in case of national emergency (and Iraq doesn't qualify). That would go a long way towards ending the budget crisis.

The thing is, tax cuts do increase revenue beyond the amount made by holding taxes at a steady rate. However, if you don't cut back spending, they don't do anything but make the situation worse.

to continue paying for iraq:

1)Cut welfare -- limit it to 1-2 months for those who are physically and mentally able. This would light a fire under some who are currently lazy... unemployment rate would go down, while production per person would increase. And many, many people would feel better about themselves since they'd be supporting themselves instead of sucking on the government's teat.

2)Cut government expense accounts... no more $50,000 weekends in the Caribbean (for example). Cripes... talk about wasting our money.

3)Raid Saudi Arabia and steal their oil. (hehe)

Homnestly, tehy're all whining about casualties when they don't seem to realize that compared to a lot of fights, we're doing well.

I just think we need to figure a way to get into teh Insurrgency's mind like they're doing to us.

our casualty totals are pretty darn low compared to those for the US Civil War, World War II, and the conflict in Vietnam.

cripes, more Americans died at many Civil War battles -- many of which took all of 1-2 days -- than have died in the past 2 years in Iraq.

but we get drilled EVERY DAY by the media... and some are weaker than others... lose sight of the goal... and get discouraged.

80% Don't Want to Pay Any More Taxes for Iraq
Americans; what a bunch of selfish, weak chickens. (Not that many Europeans are better, to be honest.)

NY Times: 80% Don't Want to Pay Any More Taxes for Iraq

Hey, I don't want to pay any more taxes for Welfare, but they politicians, they never ask me. They just take the money and spend it on whatever they want to spend it on...