Oaf Elections!

[laker67]

The use of the term "...discussion of politics on OAF..." must be used with extreme caution. I have yet to read any "discussion". All I have read is the typical scare tactics, if you have low common sense you may believe them, that have been heavily used and perfected since the 2000 election.

Two members have attempted to debate in this thread but, as you have seen, it is much more fun, I guess, to attempt to lob sophomoric attacks at the other side.

Have fun boys, I'll be staying out of the reindeer games. If need be though, after the election, I will be able to forward some delicious recipes for crow.

Hey Chief,

I thought this started as a "fun" thread, so excuse me all to h--- for being wrong!

[Trav]

Whats white, hairy, and has little red bumps?

[laker67]

Whats white, hairy, and has little red bumps?

The new VP nominee

[Chief Grey Bear]

I can't answer that Taxi. Was JFK accused of being inexperienced?

Laker - sounds like you only have fun if you are the one making fun. Chill out. If you are gonna dish it out, be prepared to eat what is on your plate.

Trav- your butt?

[laker67]

hey chief,

Dinner is served. looks like you are the only rain on this picnic.

[Guest kevinkirk]

So if Obama chooses.......where was i ..lost my train of thot....oh yea..are the fish biting..

[Al Agnew]

I agree with ya, Chief...pointless to "debate" with all the so-called "facts" that Taxi threw out there. Sorriest thing is, a whole lot of people believe them. My dear old aunt, who is 80-something and was introduced to the computer about 5 years ago, is on the email list of just about every radical religious right nutjob in existence due to visiting a lot of religious websites, and is constantly forwarding that kind of stuff to us.

Just a couple of questions to Trav...Do you REALLY believe that Obama is a Muslim? Do you REALLY believe he would favor Muslims in the governance of this country? And, maybe a little food for thought...do you think it is POSSIBLE that having a bit of actual exposure to the Muslim religion in his youth might turn out to be a good thing, in that he would actually UNDERSTAND them a bit better than somebody who's only religious experience was with a single Christian church? If nothing else..."know thine enemy."

[Phil Lilley]

I get some of the forwards but don't read them. One of the best things about my time in AK is I didn't hear anything about the elections. I hate the rhetoric on both sides. It's degrades our culture and shows how stupid and uninformed we are to believe half of what's said.

Personally, I am conservative and will vote for the conservative candidate. In this election, it sadly will be the most conservative. But not much will actually get done in the present climate of politics no matter who wins.

Now for this topic and the discussion... I would like to see constructive discussion without all the personal stuff. Get personal and this topic will disappear. And yes this is a dictatorship, thank you.

[Trav]

Hey you all!

My butt aside

Lets play nice. I want this topic to ride until election night.

Al, I dont care. As an Athiast I find all religions to be a threat to America. They tap potential tax dollars away from society.

I am in the train of thought that taxes improve our way of life.

Since religion was brought up. I feel that million dollar churches should pay taxes!

I am gonna write this opinion in a "Letter to the Editor" format, so bear with me. To breach the subjects I want to discuss, I realize as a touchy situation, might go against the crutches society thrives on . All the same…..still has validity.

To the guys that make new taxes and balance our government budgets:

Why are we ignoring one of America's largest business's when it comes to taxing? I am talking about charities bringing in trillions of dollars a year. Now of course we can't tax donations like food and clothing, but we can definitely tax property and cash income. Right here in Missouri the governors can't meet a budget. Our kids will have to suffer in our public schools and our elderly will be hindered again by high prescription costs for another year. If we taxed charities like churches, charitable fund raisers, and cash donations given to charities we would have all the money we need to meet a budget. It should be charity for all. Even a penny on the dollar would help our country.

I don’t mean to beat up on charities. I know the arguments. "Money given to charity goes back to the community". Still, How much is going into the community? Everywhere I look I see million dollar churches. Sure….need to have a place to congregate….but the money spent to build the church changes the word "charity" into a business. Taxable property and income. Do we really know if our donations are used to help people in our community? Over a third of all cash donations to charities are given to people outside of America. Or so that some preacher can go on a missionary. Either way it is a business and all cash income as well as property should be taxed. Separation of church and state should include taxing.

I live in Branson Missouri. Churches here are multi million dollar facilities. All tax free and making money. Sure…there are the small churches that barely get by….but their faith keeps it going, not money. I'm stating right now that any congregation over 500 is a business. No different than organized crime. Business transactions to fellow parishioners is no different than keeping it in the family. Pure nepotism. Not based on relations but faith. No one can say it isn't a practice. And money made by charities and churches shouldn’t be exempt to taxes. People are making money and as a government we have right to tax income and property. Fancy churches or school books?…to me the decision is easy.

Why do we tax cigarettes and alcohol so much? Is it really fair to cleanse society's bad habits with taxing and not tax religious organizations and charities? Charities and religious organizations double the income of what is currently taxed by those industries. The Red Cross alone can bring in millions of dollars of taxable income. Granted…the tax could fund charitable government programs but it is money that could be used to meet a budget and save some teachers jobs as well.

I'm just a regular Joe. Call me stupid…I don’t always have the right answer but I do think common sense. Business is business and whether its charity or religious, it shouldn’t make the business exempt to taxes and taxes should be considered charity. Taxes educate our youth…pave our roads and pays for the police and fire protection we have now. It just makes me sick that charities help everyone except America. Our government might not be perfect but this is a flaw that we could correct. Society will complain but its revenue that will help us as a country. America is charitable and if we want to continue to be that way, we need to impose taxes on all revenue. Including charities.

I have a whole Willie Nelson approach as well when it comes to taxing Cannibus as well. The income will be enormous! Legalize it and there is a recource! The united states gained a 15% increase of tax recource after prohibition. The idea that taxes are bad is such a farse. Our government would not exist without it. It wouldnt exist without it. Our independence in 1776 was to get away from it, but that was only because we wanted to keep the taxes for ourselves.

Grrrrr......Sorry guys. As a writer I tend to go on and on. Believe it or not, I rapped this whole thing in 15 minutes.

I am going to bed.

[crappiefisherman]

vote for Pedro