Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

a month?

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

I pay $96 per month for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I'm single, non-smoker, and in good health.

However, if I had to "cash in" on my policy they'd probably drop me without thinking twice. That's my biggest beef: as soon as I try to use the service I pay for, they want to get rid of me. :doh:

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[quote=dmek25;273602]a month?[/quote]
Yes.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;273605]I pay $96 per month for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I'm single, non-smoker, and in good health.

However, if I had to "cash in" on my policy they'd probably drop me without thinking twice. That's my biggest beef: as soon as I try to use the service I pay for, they want to get rid of me. :doh:[/quote]
Thats a false hood that is against the law. Unlike most policies a Health Ins. provider cannot cancel you do to a medical condition or claims. My daughter had around $50,000 in medical claims a year or two ago and I was able to switch to a new Ins. Co. which gave me a lower rate.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=firstdown;273611]Yes.[/QUOTE]

What if you earn minimum wage? What would you have to earn such that $250 a month is considered affordable?

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

saden, from reading some of your other posts, i think we have alot in common. i dont know if thats a good thing, though:)

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[quote=saden1;273635]What if you earn minimum wage? What would you have to earn such that $250 a month is considered affordable?[/quote]If you have a family and are making min wage you need to find a new job and should have held off on the family if you cannot afford one. Oh, I guess I should work a little harder so I can pay for his health ins, apartment, and food while everyone else makes excusses to why thats all of his earning potential. I know everyone has bad luck but I have more faith that people do not need the goverment to better their life they can do it on their own IF THEY CHOOSE TOO. If not then anyone who thinks they need their support when doing your taxes send in a few extra 100 dollars and ear mark it for the min wage people.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=dmek25;273638]saden, from reading some of your other posts, i think we have alot in common. i dont know if thats a good thing, though:)[/QUOTE]

I am a righteous-omnipotent-genius...does that sound like you? No really though, I'm a humanist.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=firstdown;273642]If you have a family and are making min wage you need to find a new job and should have held off on the family if you cannot afford one. Oh, I guess I should work a little harder so I can pay for his health ins, apartment, and food while everyone else makes excusses to why thats all of his earning potential. I know everyone has bad luck but I have more faith that people do not need the goverment to better their life they can do it on their own IF THEY CHOOSE TOO. If not then anyone who thinks they need their support when doing your taxes send in a few extra 100 dollars and ear mark it for the min wage people.[/QUOTE]

Sometimes people don't have much of a choice. The world is about opportunity my friend and not everyone has the same opportunities. I know first hand what it is like to be filthy rich, dirt poor, and in between. Some f'up their lives but there is no reason for their kids to have to suffer the same fate.

I know exactly where you are coming from though because I use to be like that. I use to say to myself I worked hard to get where I am, why can't everyone else do the same. As I have gotten older, however, I realized that if I hadn't had the some of the opportunities I had, I probably would have suffered the safe fate as those who are just getting by.

I believe the government can help and I would at least like to see all children under certain age (18 or 22 yo?) have free health care and education.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[quote=saden1;273647]Sometimes people don't have much of a choice. The world is about opportunity my friend and not everyone has the same opportunities. I know first hand what it is like to be filthy rich, dirt poor, and in between. Some f'up their lives but there is no reason for their kids to have to suffer the same fate.

I know exactly where you are coming from though because I use to be like that. I use to say to myself I worked hard to get where I am, why can't everyone else do the same. As I have gotten older, however, I realized that if I hadn't had the some of the opportunities I had, I probably would have suffered the safe fate as those who are just getting by.

[B]I believe the government can help and I would at least like to see all children under certain age (18 or 22 yo?) have free health care and education[/B].[/quote]

That's a very good suggestion. I once thought the same thing but a little more restrictive using something like a voucher system. Free 6 month checkups (or twice a year) and one free yearly emergency room visit. After that you would pay a small fee, which increases incrementally to a final and still affordable level.

Most kids get a free education in public schools. It's the clothes, supplies and extra-curricular activitites that bites the family's butt.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

Can somebody tell me what role the government fulfills? If not to ensure the well being of its citizens, then what? The way I see it, the government exploits the people more than anything else.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

I dont know why anyone would think the government can do anything to help people. They inevitably screw it up.

I believe there are many people down on their luck that could use some help. I believe there are 10X more people who don't even give it a good try. I see what most people call effort and it lacks for sure. I have trouble supporting any idea that our government with our money should do anything for those people.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

Hard work? You don't need to work hard to get ahead. Why you can snort cocaine, get caught in a FBI crack-sting operation, become an alcoholic, kill a woman in a drunk driving episode and try to hide her death, be a lazy "C" student and still get ahead. Just ask our President, D.C. former-mayor Barry, or Senator Ted Kennedy.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=FRPLG;273671]I have trouble supporting any idea that our government with our money should do anything for those people.[/QUOTE]

If that's the case why not do away with taxes all together? Or maybe give people the choice as far as where their tax money is spent (i.e. you specify where your tax money goes when filing your tax return)?

Personally, I would love to have input as to where my tax money is spent.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

Has anyone ever heard the argument that the federal income tax is illegal and unconstitutional? I don't know the logic, but there was a movie about it called "America: Freedom to Facism". Did anyone see it?

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=GhettoDogAllStars;273702]Has anyone ever heard the argument that the federal income tax is illegal and unconstitutional? I don't know the logic, but there was a movie about it called "America: Freedom to Facism". Did anyone see it?[/QUOTE]


I watched this [URL="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7521758492370018023&q=income+tax"]program [/URL]a while ago. It's pretty interesting in that people have successfully defended themselves against the IRS. Apparently there is no law that's actually in the books that says you have to pay taxes but there are laws that say that if you do file taxes you can't lie and fill you tax return with false information.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=saden1;273680]If that's the case why not do away with taxes all together? Or maybe give people the choice as far as where their tax money is spent (i.e. you specify where your tax money goes when filing your tax return)?

Personally, I would love to have input as to where my tax money is spent.[/QUOTE]

An idea that wouldn't work.

I expect our government to do nothing right and I am never disappointed and I expect there still to be many people who take money when they could work for it.

A great example that I think shines my point about people's attitude toward government entitlements.

My wife belongs to a board about kids. There are many of the homewife types who talk about bargain hunting and finances and such. There are constantly arguments about people who use WIC. The example my wife always loves to tell is the woman who posted her monthly budget. Part of the budget includes money from WIC. Now WIC is a pretty good program I think. It provides essential foods for kids and struggling moms. So this woman has this worked out budget on a spreadsheet with variables items like food and fixed items like rent. Sounds like a put together woman right? Except one of her fixed expenses is for her out of work husband's, who hasn't been able to find a job, monthly marijuana. $250 a month.

Now I am no put everyone in jail who smokes weed type but here they are on WIC with a dead beat husband who smokes weed and it's a f*cking fixed item on their monthly budget!

An extreme example for sure but it highlights people's attitude. Her quote when people pointed out that she was basically using the $200 in WIC she gets a month on weed was 'I never thought about it that way'. There are way too many people who 'think' they have no opportunity or 'think' that they need help when all they need is someone to kick them in the ass and tell them to figure it out for themselves.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[quote=saden1;273647]Sometimes people don't have much of a choice. The world is about opportunity my friend and not everyone has the same opportunities. I know first hand what it is like to be filthy rich, dirt poor, and in between. Some f'up their lives but there is no reason for their kids to have to suffer the same fate.

I know exactly where you are coming from though because I use to be like that. I use to say to myself I worked hard to get where I am, why can't everyone else do the same. As I have gotten older, however, I realized that if I hadn't had the some of the opportunities I had, I probably would have suffered the safe fate as those who are just getting by.

I believe the government can help and I would at least like to see all children under certain age (18 or 22 yo?) have free health care and education.[/quote]
They do have free health care and you have not heard of public schools but school is only what you make of it.To give people the out to say I did not have the opportunity you had so thats why I'm poor is giving them an excuse to do so. There is tons of help in this country for anyone that wants to make the most of their lives. I'm not saying that all will become rich but they can make a good life if they choose to. You say you had oppertunities many of which you probably made for your self and they did not just fall out of the sky. If your sitting at home donig nothing opportunity is not going to come to your house and find you.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;273702]Has anyone ever heard the argument that the federal income tax is illegal and unconstitutional? I don't know the logic, but there was a movie about it called "America: Freedom to Facism". Did anyone see it?[/quote]
I know a guy who goes by this and does not pay any federal income tax. Evertime I see him I ask if hes has heard form the goverment and he says no. Its only a matter time before he does get caught and it will be pay up or go to jail. They had a guy on the news fighting his case out taxes and he got something like 20 years in jail.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=saden1;273717]I watched this [URL="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7521758492370018023&q=income+tax"]program [/URL]a while ago. It's pretty interesting in that people have successfully defended themselves against the IRS. Apparently there is no law that's actually in the books that says you have to pay taxes but there are laws that say that if you do file taxes you can't lie and fill you tax return with false information.[/QUOTE]

This argument is a sham and no one has ever successfuly used it to not pay taxes. In fact this guy went to jail because of this argument.The 861 argument has been found to be a frivolous argument many times. Essentially his argument is that the term 'sources derived" must be defined explicitly. Section 861 appears to do this but courts have found 100% that the section that initially references "sources derived" is general enough and explanatory enough as to not require an explicit dictionary thus rendering the rest of his argument moot. Basically he argues that the government is supposed to be taxing income based on WHERE it comes from and the courts have held that where income comes from is not even part of the equation.

The better argument is that our federal government clearly has no right to actually tax our incomes. No where in the constitution does it explicitly or even indirectly offer that power to the legislature. Good luck though.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

I think there's a guy in New Hampshire who is holed-up in his fortress-like home who is currently refusing to pay his income taxes. He said he's prepared to die if the federal agents try to come in. That was a couple of days ago. Not sure what's going on with that now.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=724Skinsfan;273780]I think there's a guy in New Hampshire who is holed-up in his fortress-like home who is currently refusing to pay his income taxes. He said he's prepared to die if the federal agents try to come in. That was a couple of days ago. Not sure what's going on with that now.[/QUOTE]

I can understand, and I empathize. If I could do such a thing, I probably would.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[quote=FRPLG;273777]This argument is a sham and no one has ever successfuly used it to not pay taxes. In fact this guy went to jail because of this argument.The 861 argument has been found to be a frivolous argument many times. Essentially his argument is that the term 'sources derived" must be defined explicitly. Section 861 appears to do this but courts have found 100% that the section that initially references "sources derived" is general enough and explanatory enough as to not require an explicit dictionary thus rendering the rest of his argument moot. Basically he argues that the government is supposed to be taxing income based on WHERE it comes from and the courts have held that where income comes from is not even part of the equation.

The better argument is that our federal government clearly has no right to actually tax our incomes. No where in the constitution does it explicitly or even indirectly offer that power to the legislature. Good luck though.[/quote]
The second argument that the federal Gov. has no right to tax our incomes is what I have heard them say and is what this friend says and does not pay federal income tax. I guess one day I will vist him in jail.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=FRPLG;273777]The better argument is that our federal government clearly has no right to actually tax our incomes. No where in the constitution does it explicitly or even indirectly offer that power to the legislature. Good luck though.[/QUOTE]

The 16th Amendment explicitly allows Congress to levy incomes taxes.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;273794]The 16th Amendment explicitly allows Congress to levy incomes taxes.[/QUOTE]

Yes, it does say that. However, I think the argument is that it contradicts previous articles of the original Constitution. I believe it is illegal/unconstitutional to make an amendment to the Constitution which negates something in the original. I'm not sure though.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

An interesting site on taxation:
[url=http://www.tax-freedom.com/]TAX-FREEDOM.COM[/url]

"EVERY JUDGE THAT ALLEGES THE 16TH AMENDMENT AUTHORIZES A DIRECT TAX, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE AMENDMENT DOES NOT ACTUALLY SAY THAT, AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT ARTICLE I PROVISIONS PROHIBIT THAT, COMMITTS TREASON OF THE HIGHEST ORDER BY IGNORING AND NOT UPHOLDING THE ACTUAL WRITTEN PROVISIONS IN ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THEM WITH HIS OR HER OWN PERSONAL OPINION, NOT WRITTEN IN THE CONSTITUTION." (sorry for the caps)

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

the bottom line is, that the U.S. govt is that big, that they WILL do whatever they want, to achieve the results that they want. it might take them awhile, but they always win. its almost like the 500lbs. gorilla

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=dmek25;273863]the bottom line is, that the U.S. govt is that big, that they WILL do whatever they want, to achieve the results that they want. it might take them awhile, but they always win. its almost like the 500lbs. gorilla[/QUOTE]

You are exactly right. It's kinda sad though. This is the type of thing our founding fathers gave their lives to get away from (i.e.: the king).

It reminds me of a quote from Ben Franklin. After leaving one of the sessions held for writing one of the important draft documents (articles of confederation, the constitution, or some other), he was asked, "what have you created?" He responded, "a republic, if you can keep it." I guess we have failed. :doh:

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=GhettoDogAllStars;273795]Yes, it does say that. However, I think the argument is that it contradicts previous articles of the original Constitution. I believe it is illegal/unconstitutional to make an amendment to the Constitution which negates something in the original. I'm not sure though.[/QUOTE]

For better or worse, it is not unconstitutional to pass an amendment to the Constitution that negates something in the original constitution. Subsequently enacted laws or amendments supercede prior laws. Moreover, amendments are not considered "minor additions" to the constitution, they have the same force and effect as the original provisions of the constitution.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;273870]For better or worse, it is not unconstitutional to pass an amendment to the Constitution that negates something in the original constitution. The "later in time rule" holds that subsequently enacted laws or amendments supercede prior laws. Moreover, amendments are not considered "minor additions" to the constitution, they have the same force and effect as the original provisions of the constitution.[/QUOTE]

Yes, but this is the Constitution we are talking about -- not basic laws. Also, isn't an amendment just that -- an amendment? We're talking about a revision here. There is a big difference.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

[QUOTE=GhettoDogAllStars;273871]Yes, but this is the Constitution we are talking about -- not basic laws. Also, isn't an amendment just that -- an amendment? We're talking about a revision here. There is a big difference.[/QUOTE]

The "later in time rule" also applies to the Constitution and amendents/revisions to the Constitution do in fact have the same force and effect as the original provisions. Thus, the 1st Amendment (freedom of the press, speech, etc) and the 2nd Amendment (right to bear arms) have the same effect as Article I (dealing with Congressional powers) of the original Constitution. I'm no constitutional law scholar, but I was taught as much in my first year of law school by my Constitutional Law Prof. who clerked for Chief Justice Rehnquist.

BTW, yes I know that I am a tool for talking about my Con. Law course in the Parking Lot.

Re: Cheney treated like others, angry about it
 

It really does not matter if its constitutional or not we still have to pay federal taxes or go to jail.