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Regardless of whether you lean left or right, I think this is worth a watch (and in terms of results, I think that a big part of the lack of voters was due to Hillary being crap too, but that's beside the highly personalized and scary nature of the information reported here):
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Here's an interesting article on this matter
Ive extracted two sections. Unsure what the truth is but unlikely to get it from the NYT
.@alexthechick discovered that the NY Times did not review all tax payments Trump made in 2016 and 2017. “Trump PAID, as in transferred to the US Treasury, $1 million in 2016 and $4.2 million in 2017. The $750 figure is an ADDITIONAL $750. Thus every single story saying he paid $750 is a lie.
Therefore, If you are offended by the NY Times hit job, ask yourself these questions:
Is it logical to blame Trump for hiring good accountants? Is it logical to blame the IRS? For the most part, they are just following and enforcing the laws created by congress. Who created our tax system? Is congress is upset about Trump’s taxes, it’s their fault. Do you think congress will ever take responsibility for the tax code?
In the end, don’t hate the player, hate the game.
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@gt12
That was a great watch thanks.
Fascinating and scary.I wonder if the documentary would have been made and anyone would have given a shit if Hillary had won??
I also wonder if Cambridge Analytica would be such a household infamous name had Hillary or Obama used them to secure victory?? They'd probably be lauded as brilliant.Both sides try to suppress enthusiasm of certain sub-groups of voters.
It seems the Trump team did a pretty good job of it. -
I think you raise a number of interesting and probably correct questions.
I came away from it wondering whether the USA should have a law like Oz, requiring people to vote.
All I know is that if winning elections is about getting people to not vote at all, then there is something very very wrong.
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@gt12 said in US Politics:
but that's beside the highly personalized and scary nature of the information reported here):
Why is this scary. Its just a fact of life (the democrats throw mud at Trump as a deterrent hoping some will stick. And I'm sure they have lots of data on people too). But it comes down to people not voting for Hillary due to her being poor. And maybe disappointment with Obama's 8 years.
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The questions around tRump and taxes are not so much about the amount he pays but how the amounts he pays reveals the truth about the myth he created.
He borrows lots of money to appear rich and successful when, in reality, his net worth is a fraction of what he makes it out to be. He campaigns partly on the basis of his business acumen and success but it really just a shyster.
None of that prevents people from liking him or his policies of course, and nor should it.
However, and this is the big one, if his facade is propped up by money borrowed from foreign entities then that throws a much different lens over things. Being elected means that he doesn't have to be security vetted however this possible situation would normally stop any unelected person from holding a high position. -
I don't think the tax thing will make a huge dent on the election.
Although as others have pointed out, it's not Trump's fault he pays very little tax. It's the broader system that allows for it to happen - the mega wealthy hire accountants who can work the loopholes while regular people end up paying more.
The issue for Trump may be that his taxes cause people to actually question this system, and which candidate may be more likely to change it in their interests. It contributes to the narrative that Joe is something closer to a normal person, while Trump lives in a very different world.
But I can't see it playing a major role in the outcome of the election.
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@barbarian said in US Politics:
I don't think the tax thing will make a huge dent on the election.
Although as others have pointed out, it's not Trump's fault he pays very little tax. It's the broader system that allows for it to happen - the mega wealthy hire accountants who can work the loopholes while regular people end up paying more.
The issue for Trump may be that his taxes cause people to actually question this system, and which candidate may be more likely to change it in their interests. It contributes to the narrative that Joe is something closer to a normal person, while Trump lives in a very different world.
Trump made use of the 'carryback' losses law that was part of the Recovery Act. It wasn't a loophole it was specifically what the law was designed to do.. it was part of the Obama stimulus package which Biden was instrumental in passing
At the time it was passed there were plenty of people complaining that this was welfare for rich people (I was one of them)
The politicians that wrote, advocated for and passed the law deserve a portion of blame
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@Duluth said in US Politics:
I deleted the last few posts. Can we raise the tone a bit? There's some real facebook level crap being posted
We have rules about not calling everyone you disagree with evil and/or stupid
If people can't play nice the thread will get locked again
All good though didn’t think my post was anything bad? But given the replies that followed I fully understand..
Anyway I’ve done my dash here, looking forward to catching the debate online soon
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@voodoo said in US Politics:
But we used to call them out and hold them to account.
Did "we". My view is the elite have always controlled the message through the media they own and only now have we a way to find an alternative viewpoint. Its a new world that the wealthy elite would like to largely close down. So only approved viewpoints can be read or heard.
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@Godder said in US Politics:
Fundamentally, businesses pay tax on profits, not revenue. Obviously that can be gamed by claiming marginal expenses, but if Trump is paying very limited taxes, the obvious inference is that he is making no profits.
Tax profits are different to accounting profits. (Esp where building increasing in value are concerned)
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Debate should be fun.
If Joe can hold it together without losing it, it'll be chalked up as a win. He has a more effective ah shucks everyman quality than Trump.
Biden is well rested and (probably) well medicated, so I think he has a good chance of doing well.
US Politics