Socialism, the democrat's only chance to win in 2020 ...

[dogtag]

And it has about as much chance as my winning the lottery,
especially considering that I don't indulge.
They've tried to force Trump'd popularity down for two years
with an unrelenting attack from the liberals and the media -
but that hasn't worked. So, if it hasn't worked so far there's
little chance of it's working as we look forward to 2020.
As a ploy. that can be considered kaput.
Another way to win might work if the economy was in bad shape.
But it isn't. It's moving right along at a good clip, so that
is another hopeless task as voters tend to vote their pocket books.
What's left ?
Well, when you're desperate you resort to desperate measures.
Dump the Electoral College. Free College tuition. Student loan
forgiveness, Free medical care. Allow illegals to vote. Open borders.
Reward slavery reparations to Blacks. Build homes for the homeless.
All at the paltry cost of roughly $100 Trillion.
I think that platform can be safely labeled Socialism which is really
a euphemism for Communism.
Like the British Politician labeled a similar Labour Party platform -
"The longest suicide note in history"

[S.A. Boggs]

Our National Socialists here are prime examples of this type of mentality, yet say they are not. I have a simple question for "their" simple minds. How much are you willing to pay to get something "free" from the government? 80-90% taxes on all, VAT, national sales tax of 15%?
Sam

[togor]

Sam, if taken on a purely economic basis, separated from the cultural elements, the Democratic platform is the sort of thing that sells well in your part of the country, where many communities feel left behind by the last few decades of shareholder-driven prosperity. DT, in your case, a priority has been made to deliver taxpayer-provided services to seniors, via programs conceived in the Liberal womb, to keep them in the voting bloc. My own preference is for an economy that provides opportunities for talent regardless of capital, and rewards hard work and initiative over wealth, which isn't exactly on the same page as the Democratic candidates, but not on the same page as the GOP establishment or Trumpists either, who believe that the economy should reward those with existing wealth as a priority.

[S.A. Boggs]

Back in 1960 Kennedy came thru our neck of the woods and was aghast at the poverty and promised to do something about it. In 1964 Johnson did the same thing and then created his "Great Society" to help Appalachia and a gob of money was dumped into the area. Poverty is still here, have good interstate roads to watch commerce go thru and rarely stop. "Poor" people have free cell phones, assisted housing and what not. Do they want to work, not on your tin type with a few exceptions. "If I work I will lose my benefits and can't watch T.V." How many times have I heard that line!!! I have no problem with government assistance coupled with government required work. The main skill needed to be taught is the work ethic which is solely lacking in many people in my area. Then there are some who are tired of poverty and will walk to work. Several years ago there was a young man who applied for and got a job at Wal-Mart, problem is that there was no transportation for him. He has a 15 mile round trip and at first he walked to and fro. Sometimes he could catch a ride, my daughter took him home when she could and other's brought him to work. He never asked for any help, saved up what money he could and bought a bicycle as transportation.
Sam

[dryheat]

Good post.

[Allen]

Back in 1960 Kennedy came thru our neck of the woods and was aghast at the poverty and promised to do something about it. In 1964 Johnson did the same thing and then created his "Great Society" to help Appalachia and a gob of money was dumped into the area. Poverty is still here, have good interstate roads to watch commerce go thru and rarely stop. "Poor" people have free cell phones, assisted housing and what not. Do they want to work, not on your tin type with a few exceptions. "If I work I will lose my benefits and can't watch T.V." How many times have I heard that line!!! I have no problem with government assistance coupled with government required work. The main skill needed to be taught is the work ethic which is solely lacking in many people in my area. Then there are some who are tired of poverty and will walk to work. Several years ago there was a young man who applied for and got a job at Wal-Mart, problem is that there was no transportation for him. He has a 15 mile round trip and at first he walked to and fro. Sometimes he could catch a ride, my daughter took him home when she could and other's brought him to work. He never asked for any help, saved up what money he could and bought a bicycle as transportation.
Sam

And just like that socialism had given birth in the U.S. Entire generations have grown up on welfare since and they are "paid" to have kids so the democrat votes just multiply and multiply till the majority are democrats eliminating the GOP completely or at least that was the plan.

[togor]

Sam what separates the last few decades of economic growth from the economy of your youth is that profits have soared while wages remain flat and certain classes of jobs shrink in number due to technology or market forces. Recognizing that the deck is much more stacked against the little guy doesn't make anyone lazy. If the Liz Warrens and AOCs of the country get traction when they talk about this, then maybe the belching GOP donor class can do something to raise wages and take the wind out of their sails. Right?

Case in point, Sam-- pensions and the Trump v. Obama administrations. Compare the priorities expressed in a single Treasury Dept. rule. This isn't about lazy teens, but rather people a long time in the workforce.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/feeds.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2019/lump-sum-payments-for-pensions.html%3f_amp=true

[blackhawknj]

Lowering the tax bite and allowing people to keep more of what they earned is in effect a pay raise.

[S.A. Boggs]

Lowering the tax bite and allowing people to keep more of what they earned is in effect a pay raise.

++1
Sam

[togor]

Lowering the tax bite and allowing people to keep more of what they earned is in effect a pay raise.

It can help but there is a limit. No taxes means no money for roads, schools, military, law enforcement, payments to seniors and those on disability, or for that matter interest on government issued bonds. If anyone thinks that last category is superfluous, they should think again.

Around here many roads stink and this winter's ice-ocolypse didn't improve things. Gotta get the money somewhere. In the old days, rural roads in the rust belt states were paid for by taxes levied on the factory towns like Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee. Rural voters didn't mind a little"re-distribution" then. These days they lean on the gas tax which isn't quite enough as cars are more fuel efficient. The problem remains unsolved.

[S.A. Boggs]

Taxes are what some would call a necessary evil. Taxes should apply to all, not just the employed or to property owners. I live on a private road where each is suppose to take care of what is in front of your place. Twice in ten years I have placed gravel on my section, others have done zilch in front of their place. I am the first drive on the road so I do my section of my road for my family, others use what I have done. Tail in Charlie has the most road and does nothing, so they have nice holes in their section. One of these days their little car is not going to make it. Watched one of the new ones try to "drive" up the hill while snow was on, road NEVER gets plowed and they didn't make it to the top, backing down went off the road and got stuck. Put my truck in 4 wheel low and he just watched me go up the hill, he will learn what not to do. Just love flatlanders come to the country and try to live as in the city, can't wait until shooting season starts in the spring.
Sam

[Allen]

If tax money went where it's supposed to go and was accounted for there wouldn't be any problems. Where I live every time a road needs to be resurfaced the county or state will cry "we don't have the funds--we need to raise taxes". Well duh, where does the money go we already pay in and where is it? Where does our property tax dollars go? Why is there always ample funds in the emergency account when disasters hit? Where does the money go that goes into the "general fund". Why does the board of education try to constantly increase property taxes while they are building new schools and not repairing the older ones? Etc, etc. and etc.

There's no such thing as paying enough or too much tax according to the elected officials.

[togor]

Does Alabama have a tax problem, governance problem, or both? If not mistaken, sheriffs in Alabama can put the convicts on short rations and pocket the surplus taxpayer money.

[Vern Humphrey]

If tax money went where it's supposed to go and was accounted for there wouldn't be any problems. Where I live every time a road needs to be resurfaced the county or state will cry "we don't have the funds--we need to raise taxes". Well duh, where does the money go we already pay in and where is it? Where does our property tax dollars go? Why is there always ample funds in the emergency account when disasters hit? Where does the money go that goes into the "general fund". Why does the board of education try to constantly increase property taxes while they are building new schools and not repairing the older ones? Etc, etc. and etc.

There's no such thing as paying enough or too much tax according to the elected officials.

Allen, as you see, it is not permitted to question the government's management of YOUR money -- especially not if you live in a Southern state. At least that's how the National Socialists see it.

[togor]

Allen, as you see, it is not permitted to question the government's management of YOUR money -- especially not if you live in a Southern state. At least that's how the National Socialists see it.

How do you figure? Of course a guy may question, even Allen. Can he question objectively, that is less clear. But from what he is saying, Alabama local government is opaque. You agree or disagree?