The DNC KenyanCommieMooselimbDidn'tBuildIt MegaThread!

[Jacob]

I am interested in arguing in good faith.  Jacob defined citizenship as buying cheese for people who are down on their luck.  I disagree with that.  But it's also true that half of Americans make no net contribution to discretionary federal spending.

As a serious definition of citizenship, I'm going to walk that one back.

I do not think that the definition of citizenship can be adequately described using cheese as a metaphor, and my comment was a response to MiM's (I think it was his) comment that "citizenship = getting government cheese." The point was - in as flippant and broad focused way as the comment I was responding to - that contributing to the good of the nation and the wellbeing of its citizens is good citizenship; it was not intended as an accountant accurate analysis of the +/- revenue contributed in taxes as the definition of good citizenship.

[DGuller]

This discussion is like a cheese that was left out in 100 degree weather for a week.

[The Brain]

This discussion is like a cheese that was left out in 100 degree weather for a week.

Celsius or Fahrenheit?

[Admiral Yi]

As it happens I also disagree with Jacobs definition, but I also disagree with your apparent assertion that no direct contribution means no contribution.

What about people who work for nonprofits? 

[CountDeMoney]

As it happens I also disagree with Jacobs definition, but I also disagree with your apparent assertion that no direct contribution means no contribution.

What about people who work for nonprofits? 

Suckers, right?

[The Brain]

As it happens I also disagree with Jacobs definition, but I also disagree with your apparent assertion that no direct contribution means no contribution.

What about people who work for nonprofits? 

Autoworkers are just weird.

[Admiral Yi]

Suckers, right?

Not necessarily.  Depends on the nonprofit.

Just seems unfair to me that workers at profitable companies get credited for their contribution to corporate taxes in a way that employees at nonprofits don't.

[DGuller]

That cuts both ways.  Plenty of champagne socialist types who vote NDP or Democrat despite the fact that economically, they'd be better off with Conservative or Republican policies.

Champagne socialists are easier to understand.  They'd rather be a little poorer, but live in a more fair and equal society where their children aren't kidnapping targets.  Once you're rich enough, other considerations take over.  I can't understand moonshine capitalists, though.

[Razgovory]

I'm still curious about Yi's statement that half of all Americans make no net contribution to federal discretionary spending.

[Admiral Yi]

I'm still curious about Yi's statement that half of all Americans make no net contribution to federal discretionary spending.

Something like half of income earners pay no income tax, if my memory serves.  Or maybe half of income tax filers.

[Maximus]

What about people who work for nonprofits? 

I said nothing about them. It probably depends on the organization.

No one is an island. If you buy anything you're probably contributing to the income that someone is paying taxes on, which is really the point.

Some contribute more than others, obviously. And fiscal contribution isn't the only kind there is.

[Admiral Yi]

And fiscal contribution isn't the only kind there is.

Can you tell me some others?

[Maximus]

Military service, working in certain nonprofits.

[DGuller]

Gouda God! 

[CountDeMoney]

Suckers, right?

Not necessarily.  Depends on the nonprofit.

Just seems unfair to me that workers at profitable companies get credited for their contribution to corporate taxes in a way that employees at nonprofits don't.

Not necessarily. 

Employees at nonprofits do pay state and federal taxes too.