No Huckabee in 2012

[HisMajestyBOB]

I was amused when all the Republicans voted against ending subsidies to the largest oil companies, claiming it would be "raising taxes".

Yeah, we can't be ending subsidies - that would be like raising taxes and thus increasing the size of the government and creating market distortions!

[derspiess]

In what way? 

Stupid ideas such as birtherism. Birtherism was basically harmless, but incredibly stupid. The concern over fiat money seems to be going mainstream among republicans--see Pawlenty--before that was something for fringe candidates such as Paul. Some republican states are passing laws for alternative currencies.

Silly tax reform overhauls like the "fair tax" are getting a lot of traction on the Republican side.

The toxic reaction to anything "obamacare" related is overdone.

The latest idea to replace medicare with vouchers is a rare feat in that it combines horrible politics with horrible policy.

The general desire to sharply cut spending in a recession, but of course not on the military, isn't very sound.

Those are the first things that come to mind. I'm probably leaving a few off.

Thanks for sharing.  I was asking Yi for his opinion 

[alfred russel]

Thanks for sharing.  I was asking Yi for his opinion 

Aren't we all Yi?

[derspiess]

I was amused when all the Republicans voted against ending subsidies to the largest oil companies, claiming it would be "raising taxes".

Well, technically the measure would have eliminated tax breaks.  When you lose tax breaks, then your tax liability does go up.  So it's not dishonest to call that raising taxes.

Yeah, we can't be ending subsidies - that would be like raising taxes and thus increasing the size of the government and creating market distortions!

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies. 

[derspiess]

We'll find out. Pawlenty is currently in Iowa talking about getting rid of ethanol and farm subsidies,

That made me finally take notice of him.  I've liked what I've heard, so far. 

[derspiess]

Thanks for sharing.  I was asking Yi for his opinion 

Aren't we all Yi?

I feel like I don't know Yi any more

[Neil]

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies.

No, that's not a good idea.  Creating tax subsidies for industries that need incentive to expand for social reasons (solar satellites, fission reactors or fusion reactors) when to do so might not otherwise be profitable is a worthwhile use of the government's ability to set tax rates.

[derspiess]

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies.

No, that's not a good idea.  Creating tax subsidies for industries that need incentive to expand for social reasons (solar satellites, fission reactors or fusion reactors) when to do so might not otherwise be profitable is a worthwhile use of the government's ability to set tax rates.

Nah, no thanks.  But if you guys want to subsidize that stuff, feel free.

[grumbler]

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies.

I don't understand.  Are you arguing that two wrongs make a right?  If the government needs money why not eliminate the oil subsidy even if you don't eliminate all subsidies?

It never made sense to me to tolerate something bad because we cannot eliminate all evil.

[Neil]

Nah, no thanks.  But if you guys want to subsidize that stuff, feel free.

No, you'll subsidize that.  And you'll subsidize oil, and ethanol, and pretty much everything else.  There is no political support to cut much of anything in your country.

[Admiral Yi]

That factors into your support for Obama?  Obama himself has thrown Bush under the bus every chance he's had.

Yes.  To end a feud someone has to make the first gesture.  That person is ME.

[CountDeMoney]

Yes.  To end a feud someone has to make the first gesture.  That person is ME.

Your beautiful black President thanks you for your support.  Welcome back to sanity, my brother.

[Admiral Yi]

Welcome back to sanity, my brother.

If you move out to Seattle now you might be in time to vote for Kucinich.

[alfred russel]

If you jack up oil company taxes you aren't going to hurt much--at current prices they aren't going to cut back production. But this idea they are weaseling out of taxes isn't accurate: exxon had an effective tax rate of 45% last year, chevron 40.3%, and conoco phillips 42.2% (I think those are the 3 largest american producers). Compared with the rest of the fortune 500 they are paying quite a bit.

[derspiess]

Now I've no horse in this race.  Though I like Huntsman.  Really need to roll-on to when Rubio's running

And I'd rather see Bachmann in the White House than Romney

WTF?

Romney would be a pretty moderate president. Bachmann is batshit insane.

I can get people liking Huckebee, he seems like a nice guy, but Backmann? She's a shrill ignorant harpy.

I've liked Bachmann ever since she bitch-slapped Chris Matthews on election night last year.

Though for some odd reason I keep wanting to call her "Barbara" Bachmann