That about says it all. Release the returns or we'll make s**t up and run with that.

You're a political genius, Keith.

He's just following the example set by Obama with the release of the birth certificate...

Run with your infectious imaginations, they served you well in the Walker recall.

Keith, I agree. The issue is starting to fester. We know Romney has offshore accounts, we know he's rich. We also know that he did provide his tax returns to the McCain campaign prior to the 2008 elections; we do not know the level of influence that their contents may/may not have had on McCain's (official) choice of Sarah Palin as running mate. The refusal to re-submit them, this time for public scrutiny, is more interesting than a consistent refusal, in my opinion. What stops Romney from just coming out, as GWB and Clinton did, and saying, "I've made mistakes, but learned from them?" I believe those admissions helped them politically.

I agree. It's kind of amusing to see Reid using GOP/Fox tactics. It's jumping into the mud, but maybe the high road is overrated. If Mittens wants to make Reid eat crow, he knows how.

@Bren -

And what "mistakes" would Romney's tax returns reveal exactly? If everything he did was legal, then how could he have made any mistakes?

The 'mistake' of being wealthy?

Our dear Mittens is not appreciated in the realm of foreign diplomacy. Perhaps he will be able to catch the shoes they will throw at him and bring them back to help pay off our national debt.

Mitt will Not show his IRS Tax information! Mitt does Not know where his monies are ! Mitt does NOT know how it is invested ! Mitt does Not know when he quit Bain ! Well Americans know what all these KNOTS add up to, and it is Not presidential material.
His party supports outsourcing.
Republican senators “stood firm with Mitt Romney and his 1 percent lobbyist friends” when they successfully filibustered the Bring Jobs Home Act yesterday, [July 19 2012] says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. The bill would cut taxes for U.S. companies that bring jobs and business operations back to the United States and end tax loopholes that reward companies that ship jobs overseas.
Let us not forget our ladies. Oxymormon ideologies‘.
http://OFA.BO/dBxgXk Mitt lying about what Obama said
http://OFA.BO/DPtM1v Mitt dodging tax returns
http://OFA.BO/g8usYZ Mitt singing to outsourcing
http://OFA.BO/iG451c Mitts record for outsourcing
This is what oxymoron’s find appealing.. LOL

---Perhaps he will be able to catch the shoes they will throw at him

Yes, there's a lefty fantasy..

Here's real current events.. Hillary was the target of many shoes and tomatoes in Egypt...

http://www.inquisitr.com/277487/protesters-throw-tomatoes-at-hillary-clinton-in-egypt/

What Did President Baseball-Bat do about our Secretary of State being assaulted?

Love to see you guys sweat because except for the seriously deluded on this blog -- and God knows we have many -- you all know the political realities.

The Great White Hope can ride this all you want. I am sure that he wouldn't be so stupid to commit any legal infractions, but let's for fun speculate. That is what Thurston Howell III is allowing to happen.

1) Maybe with the shaving of his income he isn't tithing to extent he should to the LDS?

But here's the juiciest.

2) He will have taken advantage of so many tax breaks that once they are revealed, the public will be so turned off that any more offered by the GOP in homage to rich bastards will be met with a tidal wave of revulsion and rejection.

So he may still get dumped in Tampa. Nobody likes the guy.

Hey Bob. For someone who fancies himself to be a towering intellectual cynic, you seem to have an awful lot invested mentally in this guy.

Smell the sweat? It's worse than a Bulgarian sauna.

I do, Keith? Fire up another one and expand on that for me, why don't you? This should be good...

Apparently the comment bot known as Bob McBride is malfunctioning and spitting out unintelligible comments. Are they working on 2.0 to clear up the glitches?

That's it? That's all you've got? All I have to do is ask you to back up your BS and you retreat to your corner? G-d, that was easy.

Hey plow boy, you spell it whut

Of course the insiders whut to...

What I want is you lefty morons to understand what a "billionaire" means. I know that Obama treats billions like chump change, but that is no excuse for you to be sucked into false envy.

Greg, you have never displayed what I would call a flash of intellectual brilliance here on Patch. I would not call you a "moron" because that is an insult to individuals born with physical/developmental disabilities, but since you rate the intelligence of liberals, I would grade you a 5 on a scale of 1-10 (ten being highest and 5 being average). Your prose is pedestrian and your attitudes inflexible. There is capacity but also intellectual laziness, offering limited challenge in discourse. It's unfortunate that you would vote for a candidate that refuses to follow the precedent set by every modern presidential candidate, including his own father, and share more than 1.5 years of tax returns.

I don't need intellectual brilliance, I know that 250 million does not make a billion. "its that simple"

My prose may be pedestrian, but yours is predictable. Where do you rate yourself?

Greg, in the words of Catharine of Aragon, "I have no peers." ; )

I appreciate your awareness of my intentional repetition of concepts (see, there's that "potential!"). When working with people who are hard-wired for intellectual inflexibility it is necessary to repeat information numerous times. Studies show 7 repetitions are required to begin the process of concept saturation. There are physical aspects of cognition (perhaps a loose analogy is the conformation/hp of a car), i.e. "nature," but also learned patterns of behavior ("nurture") that stifle intellectual curiosity and development. These learned behaviors begin very early, not only in extreme cases of abusive upbringing, but in ordinary households, too. where creativity is dismissed or discouraged.

Intellectual and creative laziness were abhorred in my family and the guilty were/are roundly abused! If we weren't reading a book, practicing an instrument, art-making, creative writing, etc. in free time, we'd get an assignment. I was reading simple books when I started school at the age of 4. Are we a family of geniuses? The one who takes IQ/EQ tests as a hobby is, the rest of us actually have things to do. ; ) I would suggest that I/we were trained to make the most of what we have! So I'll rate myself a work-in-progress. How's that? ; )

Now you've done it, Greg. You've inquired about its favorite topic. Itself.

Time to shut down the email notifications...

I was pretty happy with a 5, until I found out that there were other non-numerical ratings such as "a work-in-progress". Now my 5 seems meaningless.

Here's the take-away: don't insult other peoples' intelligence, Greg! It's an invitation to challenge! ; )

To highlight the level of Bren's intelligence for all:

Bren despises 'right to work' legislation, calling states that have adopted such legislation "right-to-work-for-less states."

Bren owns and drive a Toyota Camry, assembled with foreign parts in a right-to-work-for-less state.

Yeah, the intelligence that Bren displays in her actions is certainly mind-boggling all right!

Going after the vehicle again, Mr. Hoffa? Perhaps I should have stood on my principles and refused the car as a partial payment for contract work. However the timing was right, and in a moment of weakness my aversion to car shopping won out over principle. It was assembled in the U.S. and jobs are needed. I'm inclined to appreciate Toyota's hiring U.S. workers at a time when so many U.S. companies have and continue to ship jobs overseas.

So I'm not sure if it's mind-boggling intelligence or laziness I've displayed here. Probably a combo.

@Bren -

You really should either walk your talk or get out of the kitchen if you can't stand the heat!

My take-away: Challenge me, it does not make JL's comments any more correct. You have your way, I have mine. Direct, on subject and to the point is mine. Deflection and avoidance is yours. Since the entire tax issue is nothing more than deflection and avoidance, of the real issues, in front of President Obama, I understand your challenge.

No no no, he's a quadrillion jillion schmillion dillion aire.

He's richer than God. We thought Obama's stash would pay all the poor people's rents, but now Romney can do it.

Hoffa is damn proud of that gas-guzzling old monster Cadillac built by the UAW he drives out on those roads built by the government as part of its socialist agenda.
His carbon footprint is as big as an H-bomb crater.

Greg, what you call "direct" I call obnoxious. If I see you insult people with disabilities (i.e. "moron") I will respond. From what I've read, you are in no position to insult the intelligence of other people.

Dirk, perhaps we should chop up all the roads because they are instruments of Socialism. True patriots like Mr. Hoffa should be able to climb over miles of rubble to get to work because that's American. If some die of heart attacks or injuries along the way, well illness as we know is a lifestyle choice.

GREG; Is on his mommies computer again. Vomiting as much ignorance as usual. Good to know that he represents the right-wing. His examples of ignorant comments serves to illuminate what type of followers these republicans are scrounging up. He does represent a segment of our society however shameful it may be for us to admit. Reminds me of what “some people say” http://youtu.be/fys3MsKMpms

@Dirk -

Hoffa knew that Bren was mad jealous and envious of Hoffa's sweet-ass Caddy because all she has is a POS Toyota Camry assembled with foreign components in a right-to-work-for-less state, but what's your excuse for being a Cadillac/UAW hater?

BTW - Roads and road maintenance are primarily funded by direct user taxes/fees, in case you didn't realize that! And the 32V 4.6L Northstar V8 in Hoffa's Eldorado averages about 24MPG.

You're really batting ZERO today, aren't you?

@Bren -

Go right ahead and bust up all the roads if it would make you feel good - Hoffa is trail-rated off-road capable in his 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4!

I do believe that is the stupidest comment that Hoffa has ever seen out of you on the Patch! Over-dosing on the Daily Kos isn't giving you the results you were expecting, and your latest comments are conclusively proving Hoffa's point.

BTW - Still waiting on those citations. Could you at least provide your source indicating that the Walker administration awarded Georgia Pacific and Diane Hendricks special tax breaks just for them?

JL,
Looks like he & Ann are hiding some pertinent facts, YES!
<> Now that's a fact that the Repubnics seem to want to leave under the dirty rug until proven false. <>

Pleeze. Drop the childish envy charge. I don't care what Brad Pitt makes or Aaron Rogers makes or even Chuck Norris makes, because they are not earning their money at the expense of others.

Simple enough for you?

Ah Mr. Hoffa. A beloved grandfather shared your love of Cadillacs. I don't believe I've been in a Cadillac since I was a kid. Cadillacs will always be "his" car. While I appreciate the aesthetic of a fine automobile as much as anyone, a car is merely transportation. In a relatively unsophisticated region such as this, where simply commuting to/from work could take upwards of 3 hours/day (or a $35 cab ride, pre-tip, each way), not to mention getting to meetings and appointments, a car is a necessity. Or, should I say, a car with an excellent sound system, iPod dock and USB port is a necessity! ; )

You seem to be spending a lot of time on Daily Kos, Mr. Hoffa, judging by a number of comments regarding same. Are you suggesting that everyone here should be signing up over there, too?

@Bren -

I'll have to give you a ride sometime so that you can re-acquaint yourself with UAW quality and craftsmanship ;-)

As far as current factory car stereo systems go, the best found in domestic brands are:

The Beats Audio or Harmon/Kardon system used in certain Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep models.
The THX II system used in certain Lincoln models.
The Bose Symphony system used in certain Cadillac models.
The Shaker systems used in certain Ford models.

Finally, in quoting my fellow Teamster David:

"...you are a Scab Liberal --- buy UAW or take the bus."

Poor Bren, always on the losing side. Can't you blame ALEC for this? Best to get away from your old computer and pull some weeds, you will feel better about yourself instead of supporting losers all of the time.

"Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has asserted that a source has come forward stating that".
Almost sounds like one of Bren's "I have a family member that knows..." story.

I think the burden of proof lies with Reid, otherwise it is nothing but a fishing expedition.

I believe I have asked valid questions. Comments from the gallery are always welcome. Hank, I'd advise you to research ALEC on your own time and determine that special interest group's involvement in Mitt Romney's financial management.

Greg, your acrimony suggests a limited circle of family and acquaintance (by number and/or life experience). If true, volunteer work offers rewarding experiences for families and friends. Travel, book clubs, there are many opportunities to expand intellectual and creative horizons. Enjoy!

A simple observation turns into acrimony. I think someone needs a hug from their expansive circle of family and acquaintances.

Greg, I find your overall tone acrimonious. This isolated comment was not a "simple observation" but a snipe. My expansive circle certainly does provide hugs or kicks-in-the-pants when required. ; )

From Bren:
"Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has asserted that a source has come forward stating that Romney took advantage of an offshore account asylum offered to people who hadn't been disclosing their full income over time (a felony)."

If Reid's source is credible enough, then Reid knows he would need to take it to the IRS and let them handle it. I think we all know from Harry Reid's past record that this is just another attempt to make Mitt Romney, who is a saint by comparison to Barack Hussein Obama, look less appealing to voters.

Reid also knows that, if Romney had indeed committed a felony and falsified his IRS returns, releasing those returns would do nothing to confirm or refute the accusation. The ONLY reason Harry Reid wants Romey's tax returns released is to try and create an image of Romney being disconnected from the rest America because of his wealth.

Amazingly, Reid himself will not release his tax returns. In his case, it is because he does not want the public to see not only how much it is, but where it comes from!

Apparently, Hoffa was the only one to kick Bren in the pants for owning and driving a Toyota Camry while advocating against 'right to work' legislation.

Anti, if the assertion is correct, the IRS granted the asylum so there is no need for further action from that agency. I don't believe that a presidential candidate is legally required to submit tax returns, but to deviate from decades of precedent is interesting. As indicated previously, his extensive wealth is known. He has self-identified as much, discussed tithing, hobbies, possessions in some detail. The proffered excuse that people would look for things in the returns suggests there is something more to find. Why not a nice, tidy "mea culpa?" and be done with it?

Mr. Hoffa, perhaps no one cares?

@Bren -

And therein lies the problem with America today. You claim to have principles but then fail to act on them when the opportunities present themselves. So what good are your alleged principles, exactly?

I understand that sources have come forward stating that Reid was at Penn State and helped assault underage boys.

We all know that Reid has grown ultra wealthy from his work on Nevada gambling boards, leveraging his insider knowledge of real estate. We all have a right to know how a schlmiel like Dirty Harry became a ultra-rich in career as a civil servant (laugh).

Obama bought his house with the assistance of a convicted fraudster and briber Tony Rezko. We all have a right to know the specifics that sweet real estate deal. Also how were Obama's undergraduate college grades? Why did he give up his law degree? How did Obama get his Senate (Jack Ryan's) rival's sealed divorce records? When did Obama legally change his name from Soetoro? Why does a book jacket published in 1991 describe Obama as being from Kenya?

Is Obama still eating dogs?

http://dailycaller.com/2012/04/17/obama-bites-dog/

THOSE PEDERASTY RUMORS THAT HARRY REID’S OFFICE REFUSES TO DENY seem to be making an impression on Google. Start typing “Harry Reid” into the search box and see what happens

http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/

red, thanks for the foolishness break! ; )

----red, thanks for the foolishness break! ; )

No! Thank Harry Reid; gangster, pederast, Senate Majority Leader! :-0

http://www.westernjournalism.com/exclusive-investigative-reports/harry-reids-dirty-laundry/

http://minx.cc/?post=331602

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnnyshop/7702473670/
http://minx.cc/?post=331602

@Bren --- sorry but got to agree with my brother Teamster (the late though ironically present Mr Hoffa) here --- in union terms (not that all union members are any brighter than most management) you are a Scab Liberal --- buy UAW or take the bus.

@David -

Right on my brother Teamster! In solidarity!

David, the point being, I didn't "buy" at all. I could have taken cash and used it to buy a car but I despise the entire process of car shopping. In the past I've probably paid more than I could/should have but agreed to a price simply to end the incessant chatter. Why must buying a car be more annoying than purchasing any other appliance.

@Bren -

That's a weak excuse and you know it!

It was a lazy decision I admit. But again, Toyota brings jobs to the U.S. v. U.S. jobs heading over seas. I stand by my car and the Americans who assembled it.

Very interesting that you are a prominent posted here as well as for the metro San Francisco market as well. So who exactly are you, a mouth piece for this liberal rag called Patch of maybe some DNC plant?

@ WEACHATER also commented on For GOP Insiders, Romney's Tax Returns Aren't a Taxing Issue.
"Very interesting that you are a prominent posted here as well as for the metro San Francisco market as well. So who exactly are you, a mouth piece for this liberal rag called Patch of maybe some DNC plant?"

Bernie replies;
Long time no hear what are you doing here? Chased you out of town again? Hate to break this to you this site is from Aug.3 most everyone has left. Here a bone 4-U
Mitt will Not show his IRS Tax information! Mitt does Not know where his monies are ! Mitt does NOT know how it is invested ! Mitt does Not know when he quit Bain ! Well Americans know what all these KNOTS add up to, and it is Not presidential material.
His party supports outsourcing.
Republican senators “stood firm with Mitt Romney and his 1 percent lobbyist friends” when they successfully filibustered the Bring Jobs Home Act yesterday, [July 19 2012] says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. The bill would cut taxes for U.S. companies that bring jobs and business operations back to the United States and end tax loopholes that reward companies that ship jobs overseas.
Let us not forget our ladies. Oxymormon ideologies‘.
http://OFA.BO/dBxgXk Mitt lying about what Obama said
http://OFA.BO/DPtM1v Mitt dodging tax returns
http://OFA.BO/g8usYZ Mitt singing to outsourcing
http://OFA.BO/iG451c Mitts record for outsourcing
This is what oxymoron’s find appealing.. LOL

You have to admit that it looks bad for Romney that he won't release the income tax returns. It makes it look like he's hiding something.

You have to admit that it looks bad for Romney that he won't release the income tax returns.

You have to admit that it looks bad for Obama to invoke executive privilege regarding the BATF allowing thousands of weapons to go to the Mexican drug cartels. A minimum of 300 Mexicans and a US Border Patrol patrolman have died. The simple act of invoking privilege indicates Obama knows something.

We are now entering a 2d dip. General Motors - Obama's main remaining achievement is tanking. Iran laughs at Obama. Yep time for the libs to talk about Romney's returns

Red, that commie rag Fortune cleared both Holder and the President last month. But that won't stop you from lying about it.

You truly are a pampas Wing Nut

Another left-brain weighs in with a hyper-emotional response. Does Hank realize that his fear-reflex is so easily triggered? Instinctive reaction inhibits learning and adjustment to new concepts.

Its called an analogy Bren, please prove that Reid is not a pedophile.

Actually Hank, an analogy infers similar objects/concepts. You merely took a sidestep from the histrionic into the absurd.

Another source called me. Additionally Reid works as a French mime on the weekends.

You merely took a sidestep from the histrionic into the absurd.

Poor Bren, not enough reality contact to see the direct similarity.

A source just came forward to me and said that Bane in the Batman movie was modeled on Harry Reid.

Who`s the pedophile? Your name is Rear-Don, sounds painful !

Did our President serve in the military? I think that was a major Democrat requirement in the 2004 presidential election. This is just more of the same B.S. tactics.
Why does Reid even get to make these requests? Is he running for President? Romney should tell him to get bent.

Is a college diploma a requirement for the presidency?

Last time I checked, one must be a student at Harvard to be on the staff of, not to mention president of, the Harvard Law Review.

Greg, serving in the military wasn't "a major Democrat requirement in the 2004 presidential election." The Swift Boaters made it an issue. The only logical defense against an attack on military service was to review that of the opponent. My father is a veteran of Korea and I believe him when he says medals aren't handed out like candy. Reid may ask civil but pointed questions of a candidate for the highest political office in the country and so can you. "Get bent?" Romney's having enough trouble out there pr-wise.

"Is a college diploma a requirement for the presidency?"

No, it is not. I believe Harry Truman was our last President not to have graduated from college. Harry was pretty smart nonetheless.

Bren - I'm not questioning whether he was a student. I'm wondering what his grades were.

I would think that the IRS would have records of any problems with Romney's tax records. Not paying taxes seems to be a problem of the left. How many of President Obama's advisers had tax issues?

Bren:

When was the last time you checked that one must be a student at Harvard to be on the staff of the Harvard Law Review?

Isn't that the same Harvard Law Review Board that claims he was born in Kenya?

The Swift Boaters made it an issue.

"""""I'm John Kerry, Reporting for Duty!!!!!!"""""

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vYU-tW37Dc

We never discussed Kerry's meeting with the North Vietnamese in 1971. Traitor

http://www.nysun.com/national/hanoi-approved-of-role-played-by-anti-war-vets/3756/

It's not up yet, but I'm sure as witty as all of your other comments, Mr. Hoffa! ; )

I heard that Brian Dey is a comedian. Who knew? ; )

@Bren
Please tell me why Anti-Alinsky and Brian Dey are any more or less credible then Harry Reid?

A source told me Harry Reid has part interest in a waste disposal company that dumps nuclear waste in aquifers.

J.B., because Harry Reid has put himself out there on national tv to make his assertions, as compared to Brian Dey speaking out on a regional online comment board. Not sure why you bring up Anti-Alinsky as he responded seriously to my question.

@Bren
Then do you believe Paul Ryan when he puts himself out there and says that the Dems are going to run the country off a fiscal cliff? How about Sheriff Joe when he puts himself out there and says that Obama was not born in the US? Or maybe you believe Allen West when he puts himself out there and makes the claim that there are 80 communist in the US House of Representatives? I also believe that Scott Peterson put himself out there and claimed to be innocent, do you believe him?

If you burden of proof is whether the politician, has put himself out there, what do you do during the election season? Do you believe Obama or Romney, as they have put themselves out there?

So again, what makes Harry Reid more credible then Brian Dey and Hank Reardon assertions about Reid's lifestyle or Anti-Alnisky's assertions this is nothing more than a game? Neither of which you appear to believe while they have the same level of proof.

Seriff Joe Opileocrap is wasting the money of Arizona taxpayers because he is under federal investigation.

A lot of insiders are saying the Harry Reid has got the goods. He is no doubt waiting for Romney to come clean rather than having to out the guy from Bain. Except for loonie right fantasyland, Reid is known for being a) boring and b) a straight shooter.

Oh, the smell of sweat.

And Brian is a board member, now that`s a joke.

Scot- Wrong! And Bren, I put that out there because the Dems tactics are to back candidates into a corner with a false negative. Either you do what we say, or we will smear you with lies.

What I put out there is ridiciulous as what Harry Reid said. Make something up that if you try to disprove, and we'll make something up because you didn't try to disprove it.

You guys did that with Walker, now you try it with Romney, because your guys got nothing. So just try to make the other guy look bad. Didn't turn out so well for your side with Walker di it?

Well, for that matter this country made war on Iraq in good part because of claims from intelligence "sources" about yellow cake uranium and fuel rods. Perhaps it is the integrity of the one citing a source that also must be taken into consideration. Brian Dey is clearly indulging in mockery rather than making an effort to advance the discourse, so I give his comments the level of seriousness deserved.

Would anyone here have a problem with Romney if he confessed that he had taken a proffered asylum? I'm not voting for Romney but will be living in this country whether or not he is elected. I have several relatives and acquaintances who have had IRS issues due to accounting errors--things happen and that doesn't bother me. But the idea of actively trying to avoid the full responsibility of every income-generating American, that of paying taxes, does make me question the level of patriotic commitment, regardless of who it is. I recently read a report which stated that nearly 2,000 Americans/year give up their citizenship to avoid paying taxes. Good riddance to them I say. Let's see how well that works for them if God forbid they find themselves in a situation where having a U.S. passport can save a lot of trouble.

Oh poor Steve, he doesn't know anybody with a horse. Or off shore accounts.

The way Obama is ruining the economy all of us better get offshore accounts, we'll be using wheel barrows of dollars to buy bread.

Over the past six weeks, corn prices have soared by about 50 percent. They recently hit $8.20 per bushel, an all-time high. ...there is no doubt that the corn ethanol mandates imposed by Congress are distorting the market, which will mean higher prices for everything from milk to cheeseburgers.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/food/2012/07/drought_and_ethanol_how_congress_mandates_and_the_epa_s_new_policy_are_hurting_americans_.html

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/02/another-obama-disaster-deficit-this-year-500-billion-more-than-predicted/

Harry Reid lives in the Ritz-Carlton when he's in Washington. The RITZ!!

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has been using campaign donations instead of his personal money to pay Christmas bonuses for support staff at the Ritz-Carlton where he lives in an upscale condominium. Federal election law bars candidates from converting political donations for personal use.

http://articles.latimes.com/2006/oct/17/nation/na-briefs17.1

You have to be super-rich to live there!!!

Must be hard to sneak the kids into that hotel.

Almost and surely. Now there's two words that don't belong in the same sentence...

@Dirk -

"Romney's richy rich lifestyle and his religion that conflicts dramatically with traditional Christianity are problems enough for many voters."

Could you give us some specific examples on these issues?

Paycheck - Quite the contrary, "Almost surely" means that there is little doubt in the matter, that reliable evidence to the contrary is negligible. But the usual form is "almost certainly" which I should have used, but .
"Almost surely" is also an acceptable mathematical term for the chances of something happening being virtually100%, but that other things can sometimes happen.
To give you an example in your terms, Paycheck, your trailer home here in Wisconsin will almost surely not be blown away by a hurricane tonight, but never say never.

Hoffa - I could, but you are smart enough even as an ultra-conservative to be sensitive and aware of these issues, so do not act bewildered. These issues have been in the news for months. If you continue to be clueless, I will just have to grind out the details But use Google on you Commodore 64. Save some time and just launch into your tirade about these issues.

---growing group of voters becoming more aware of the tax rules encouraging the export of jobs, offshore accounts, and a plethora of tax breaks

Obama is the champion job exporter. His best business Jeffrey Immelt GE was supposed to be his Jobs Council leader. (yes the GE that pays no corporate taxes - but the lefties don't care because they give lip service to "green". GE Medical moved all of its jobs to China.

Obama gave 529 to Fiskars to build hundred thousand dolllar electric cars. All those jobs are in Finland.

BTW, its a lie that Romney offshored jobs. That has also been documented..

http://factcheck.org/2012/06/obamas-outsourcer-overreach/

In-artful language usage:::Almost surely means more doubtfully than surely.

BTW...Obama is using the IRS in a corrupt way that even Nixon didn't dream about..

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444464304577537233908744496.html

BTW, Dirkster - you do know that Harry Reid is a Mormon right?

@Dirk -

For Romney supposedly being so "richy rich," who do you think played more rounds of golf this last year? Romney or Obama?

And didn't Michelle's wardrobe in London cost significantly more than Ann's wardrobe in London? I do believe it was.

As to Mitt's religion, MS-NBC has made more of deal out of it than Fox News has, so apparently it's the secular liberals that take issue with this much more than the Christian conservatives.

EPIC FAIL - Please try again!

Hoffa - you are drowning, reaching for straws to try to prove the Obamas are acting richer than the Romneys. Obama does not have that much money to work with relative to the Romney's hundreds of millions. And what do you find wrong with golf and nice dresses? Kind of middle class. Easy enough for Ann to get down in the gutter for her and underdo Michelle with a cheap dress for the Mitt. Weak arguments, possibly racist.

red - I knew Harry Reid was a Mormon. What of it? My parents died as practicing Mormons, and my sister and nephew are devote Mormons, my nephew has served a mission is equatorial Brazil. My brother and I were active in the Church as teens.
There have been and are many Democratic politicians. The Udall family are prominent Democrats in politics and conservation. My point was that many conservative Christian leaders are troubled by what they see as a cult and declaring Joseph Smith a divine prophet, supplementing the Bible with the Book of Mormon as a holy revelation.

@Dirk -

Hoffa states facts and you respond by playing the race card. You're a real piece of work all right!

IT's not only lower labor costs that encourage moving jobs off shore. It's why labor cost are lower and the gross lower cost of doing business.
At the top - as Romney pointed out last week in Israel - is health care costs. Mitt made the point that Israel's healthcare costs are only 8% of their GDP and USA's is 18%. (this is typical of all other industrial countries except the USA) Thus at the top, business costs in other countries are 10% less then here because of our lack of a single payer system like Medicare for everyone.
A persons health and medical care should come first. First before cost considerations. I bet you all feel this way especially when it comes to yourself and your family members. <>
So the real question is - what's wrong with Romneycare that has and is proving further, to keep health & medical costs from increasing as they were before the Affordable Care Act? <>

@Eugene Barufkin -

Hoffa's premiums have more than double since Obamacare was signed into law!

Mr. Hoffa, I've never seen an insurance premium rate go down, 1 year there was a single digit increase, usually it's double digits. A self-employed relative's rates doubled the year before ACA was introduced. That one shops insurance rates every two years or so--hours taken from actual work.

A source told me that Harry Reid smokes Marboroughs while driving his 4 MPG Cadillac Escalade.

Jason,
You forgot another point -
If all the people on the Left (say 50%) feel Mitt & Ann should release all past 12 years of tax returns, then add the 20% of the Repubnics who also believe this, then 70% are saying RELEASE!!!.
The last time I looked we are supposed to be living in a 50% + one rule in our Democracy. Unless of course the Right does not like a decision.
<> Correct Jason?

Hoffa - That Romney would release more tax returns than requested is fantasy, not wise and intelligent. Too much potentially explosive information, and it certainly would expose faults of the current tax code that Romney took full economic advantage of, but not to his current political advantage. You must be thinking of the people that commit larceny, run scams, hack computer systems, etc., and then "reform" and write books about how they did it and what for the reader should guard against. That will not work for a Presidential candidate, but I hope he tries.

@Dirk -

How is spending a lot of time and energy speculating about Romney's taxes at all productive?

Shouldn't we be focused on the real issues? Romney's past taxes don't effect Hoffa or you in the least. Romney's plan does. So why not focus on Romney's plan instead of Romney's personal taxes?

Obama raised taxes on everyone. Romney wants to lower taxes for everyone. This is where the substantive discussion lies - not with Romney's personal taxes!

Oh, that's just silly Dirkster. Google Journolist. NYT times not liberal! Hah. Is that why the NYT is leading the pack in investigating Fast and Furious?

-----Exactly what liberal journalism are you referring to that is unfairly influencing America?

ABCCBSNBCNPRMSNBCNYTWAPOCNN ... I especially relish paying taxes to hear my political views and values trashed on Government Radio!!!!

I'll grant you that these news organizations adherence to lefty worldview is a bad business model that is leading to their extinction...

CNN: Will the Last Viewer Please Turn Out the Lights? CNN was down double digits across the board in July. Compared to July 2011, the network is -20% in Total Viewers and -23% in A25-54 in Total Day. In primetime, CNN is down -23% in Total Viewers and -26% in the demographic.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/08/cnn-will-the-last-viewer-please-turn-out-the-lights.php

The New York Times Company reported a second-quarter loss on Thursday because of a write-down in the value of About.com and continuing declines in print and digital advertising revenue.

The net loss was $88.1 million, or 60 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $119.7 million, or 79 cents a share

But when it comes to the Democratic demographic - innercity, depends wearers, upper class elites they overwhelmingly are watching the Bigs. ohhh ohhh, what is Katie Couric doing tonite!!!!

red - You are apparently believing that objective reporting is unfair. You have your Fox, Rush, Christian Radio, and the many, many rightwing hate radio agitators for the kind of journalism you are looking for. No one is forced these days to 3 TV networks and 4 radio networks like years ago. There are hundreds of TV cable and thousands of radio stations as well as thousands of magazines, and newspapers, as well as many, many websites dealing with politics. That many of your "liberal" newsources are going broke just helps make the point that news is becoming more rightwing. And maybe if your extreme views were more in tune with mainstream America, there would be less room for the media to easily trash wild, stupid ideas. Wild. stupid ideas make great news fodder.

.

red - Maybe Chick-fil-A being homophobic and followers of The Huckster flocking there for one day to buy chicken biscuits and peach milkshakes is not front page material in objective journalism. I saw a lot of news about it, it just is not frontpage stuff except maybe in your trailer park.

@Jason -

Please provide direct citations to a primary document indicating that:

Romney wants to give millionaires larger tax breaks;
Romney wants to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction from the federal income tax;
Romney wants to eliminate the health insurance premium deduction from the federal income tax.

"Also, the Tax Policy Center (run by ex-Bush administration economist) just released a study showing Romney's plan would have to do just what I mentioned above and would be a negative impact on all middle and low income earners, but that upper income earners would stand to gain under his tax plan."

Not true at all - if spending is cut appropriately, which is also a cornerstone of Mitt's plan. If you're going to assess the plan, then do so as a whole, as opposed to cherry picking.

"Not to mention that older tax records may show that he was still indeed a working CEO of Baine Capital during the 'Let's ship American jobs overseas" years."

From a desk in SLC while he was busy organizing the Olympic Games? Wow, you must see Mitt as being some kind of superman to be able to handle all that responsibility simultaneously! I guess in Jason's world, Mitt never sleeps, right?

Hey, wait, didn't Obama promise that he wouldn't rest until unemployment was under 6%? And yet, Obama sleeps regularly, takes lavish vacations, plays more golf than any other modern President. Why aren't you upset at Obama for LYING to you?

Jamie boy where are your citations?
http://OFA.BO/dBxgXk Mitt lying about what Obama said
http://OFA.BO/DPtM1v Mitt dodging tax returns
http://OFA.BO/g8usYZ Mitt singing to outsourcing
http://OFA.BO/iG451c Mitts record for outsourcing
July 25 2012, Mitt Romney is traveling to London and attending an elite fundraiser, charging $25,000 to $75,000 per plate, hosted by the banking CEOs at the center of the LIBOR interest rate-fixing scandal.
According to reporting by The Washington Post, executives of several banks under investigation for illegally manipulating interest rates are acting as co-chairs of the Romney fundraiser.
We believe politicians should work for us, not their corporate sponsors.

Journalist Chris Hedges on Capitalism's "Sacrifice Zones": Communities Destroyed for Profit This is not for those with heart conditions. Weak minded beware may be hazardous to your ignorance.
Mitt Romney and Eric Cantor contribute to this degradation of our USA.
Mitt Romney with his multitude of Baine’s destructive out sourcing and Eric Cantor with his shut down of Avondale Shipyards in Avondale Alabama 5,000 unemployed.

Romney tells public of secret meeting with MI6 spy chief | The Raw Story www.rawstory.com Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Thursday disclosed that he had a meeting with the chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, an admission that was seen as a gaffe in the United Kingdom.

@Bernard Forand -

All of the links you provided are to third party analysis of secondary, and highly questionable, facts by clearly biased/partisan individuals.

Do you have any links to any primary sources or documents?

As to links supporting Hoffa's factual allegations:

http://taxpolicycenter.org/taxtopics/romney-plan.cfm
Note that the analysis only considers Mitt's tax plan in its own vacuum, exclusive of his planned spending cuts. If you're going to assess Mitt's plan fairly, you have to do so a whole, not cherry picking certain pieces of it and analyzing them in a vacuum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzNREGJzisI
Obama - "And I will not rest until anyone who's looking for work can find a job."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57454890-503544/president-obama-plays-100th-round-of-golf-draws-fire-from-critics/
Now over 100 rounds of golf.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/michelles-ski-trip-marks-16-obama-vacations/article/294051
Over 16 vacations for Obama since taking office.

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
Current US unemployment over 8.3%.

Thus, Obama LIED!

Bernard, get a life. We all know that Obama totally screwed American jobs to appease Chavez and Venezuela by shutting down the construction of the pipeline.

Yes indeed, I envy the ability to make gobs of money and pay less than 20% of it in effective taxes. And Mitt thinks even that is too much. He sees life through the tunnel-vision of a millionaire's son. It's easy to save for retirement -- just postpone installing that elevator in your garage for a few years. Problem solved!

Is it appropriate to say this -
<> "Tax returns are only irrelevant to political discourse — so long as there is no wrongdoing."?
<> Then produce proof there is no "wrongdoings"?
What's wrong with proving there are no "wrongdoings"?
This is not class warfare speaking.
<> It's logic seeking facts speaking.
What's Mitt & Ann hiding?????
NOTHING???
<-> Well prove it.

TANSANDY; Apparently you have sand in your eyes. Probably from when you picked up the red tan. Nice try on quoting but a total failure. Do try to actually READ the actual quote you are trying to twist and squirm to your delusional mind. It goes something like this;

The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy! Winston Churchill

DUUUUUUHHH

So Bernie re your interesting post -
The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy!
- Winston Churchill

So what are our choices???? - The Mitt Romney way????

Tansandy - Pretty sure there is very little envy for your class.

@Randy1949 -

What should Mitt Romney's effective tax rate be?

What should your effective tax rate be?

Please answer with specific percentages.

And Randy, you see life through the eyes that you are the only one that shouldn't get screwed by the government and that they owe you something. How many jobs have you created?

There's a whole lot more benefit to growing up with rich, powerful parents than just the money they leave you when they die. Now tell me Mitt didn't take a tax deduction for that BYU scholarship he funded.

Mr Best,
So you truly believe that two wrongs make correct behavior???
So you also believe that everyone who commits murder is innocent because it was done before????
Is that your factual logic????

Keith; Good point. What’s good for one should be equated by another. So with that in mind. Mittens father was born in Mexico. Now can we see Mittens Birth Certificate? His diploma? His tax returns? His outsourcing of American corporations? His outsourced financials? And so on and so on..
Mitt will Not show his IRS Tax information! Mitt does Not know where his monies are ! Mitt does NOT know how it is invested ! Mitt does Not know when he quit Bain ! Well Americans know what all these KNOTS add up to, and it is Not presidential material.
His party supports outsourcing.
Republican senators “stood firm with Mitt Romney and his 1 percent lobbyist friends” when they successfully filibustered the Bring Jobs Home Act yesterday, [July 19 2012] . The bill would cut taxes for U.S. companies that bring jobs and business operations back to the United States and end tax loopholes that reward companies that ship jobs overseas.
“OR” how about his honesty and integrity.
http://OFA.BO/dBxgXk Mitt lying about what Obama .
Now you say he gave his inheritance away. Do you have documantation of that. With Mittens record for secerecy surly doubt it. Perhaps it was one of the Fox's spouting about "I heard it said" or " some people say" kinda of factualy opionated tabolid news is where you picked that up?

@Eugene -

I believe that Mr. Best was illustrating a point about hypocrisy, and not his support of a 'two wrongs make a right' personal ideology. Try reading for understanding next time!

@Bernard -

Maybe the current Chief Executive should've done all those things that you mention while he was campaigning the first time around.

For seven years, his publisher held out to their B2B clients that Obama was born in Kenya. If that's not true, then his publisher was actively committing fraud to try to sell more books for their client. And Obama did nothing for seven years to correct such a mistake, but all of sudden has his publisher retract the biography when he decided to run for President - WHY? Doesn't this appear odd to you?

Yes Keith, the connections of the wealthy are the key point. I've seen it--one parental phone call and their kid, fresh out of college, has a job paying more than most adult
Americans are making after 20 years of sequentially-responsible employment. We got a glimpse of this with Brian Deschane, 20-something son of Walker donor Jerry Deschane. Brian was given a management job paying $81,500/year with no college education, 2 DWIs and no related job experience (the $81,500 came after a promotion after 2 months and a 26% pay rise). This is one example, there are many others:

"You know, I could run for governor and all this but I’m basically a media creation. I’ve never really done anything. I’ve worked for my dad. I worked in the oil industry. But that’s not the kind of profile you have to have to get elected to public office." George W. Bush, from interview with Midland Reporter Telegram, 07/04/1989, cited in "Bush’s Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential" (Moore, Slater 161).

@Bren -

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119283094.html

Next time, tell the whole story!

Mr Best,
If your post about Kerry was tongue & cheek, I miss-interpreted it.
However, you provided a great opportunity for my post.
Thus, I apologize and thank you. <>

And Randy, how many students benefited from the scholorships and grants Mitt provided. Why is it somehow wrong for Mitt to follow the tax laws. I bet you took your mortgage deduction didn't you? Shame on you!

And Bren, you just proved it is all class envy.

Mr. Hoffa, everyone already knew the denouement. Because you skimmed my post (again) you missed the key word, "was," [past tense] v. "is" [present tense].

Hard to take you seriously these days.

@Bren -

We all know the reason that you posted that little anecdote - your unabashed hatred of Scott Walker.

And for the record, your post contained a mixture of tenses.

But if you want to hide behind grammatical technicalities, be my guest. It just makes you and your position come off as appearing very weak.

So much hate from Bren lately. One wonders if Bren even remembers love - Macross: Do You Remember Love (1984), Bren?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX4BzEMEZbM

@Brian Dey -- "Why is it somehow wrong for Mitt to follow the tax laws. I bet you took your mortgage deduction didn't you?"

You'd bet wrong. I don't have a mortgage. I would probably qualify for a Homestead credit based on my income, but I don't bother to take it.

The issue is that in China, people will take jobs for $ .31/hour, as they do at FoxCon. They will sleep in dormitories and work 24-32 hour shifts. Communist China treats people like fodder. When greed overtakes the mind and soul of an individual I believe they lose their humanity, like an addict subsumed by addiction. The traumatic loss identity, economic security, self-confidence and self-respect that accompanies a job loss for profit is no longer of concern. The continuing and exacerbated exploitation of an oppressed people is no longer of concern. All that matters is getting more money, more power, more influence. It's not a rational thing we are dealing with here, it is a sickness I am convinced.

Romney has nothing to do with Bain any more. Why doesn't Obama or Quinn do something to save those jobs?

@Bren -

So then, if Obama's the answer, then why hasn't he supported a punitive tax that would penalize moving jobs overseas and tariffs on imported goods made with exploited labor that would equalize the playing field for US manufacturing/industry? He's had nearly four years to do this, two years with a solid Congressional majority. Instead, of focusing on jobs, as he promised to do, he focused on using most of his political capital on a health care plan that violated many of his own campaign promises regarding such and a stimulus that he laughingly admitted wasn't "as shovel-ready as we expected."

Obama's been nothing short of an all around EPIC FAILURE on most of his promises and yet you continue to back him. WHY?

Jimmy, you can act so naive every so often.

The Great White Hope is drawing interest from Bain and it's not like they kicked his ass out the door, so I am sure he could say something. But he won't, because then every time they want to outsource jobs people would be on Mitt to do it. And Anne won't want him sullying himself with the little people.

That haircutting incident in prep school is very indicative of his regard for people, and usually electing a sociopath to lead this country is not a good idea. Run the tax calculations and discover the haircut he'll be giving you. And unless you to are living on carried interest, you are going to get porked royally.

Of course we all get stuck with all the social costs when jobs get sent overseas, so a handful of people can make a ton of money. Therefore taxes should be raised on these people to pay for the mess they leave behind. Isn't that what Chuckie Sykes calls responsibility and preaches about constantly, or is that only for poor minorities?

Mr. Hoffa, you know as well as everyone else posting here that such a measure would never get through Congress. The majority of that body no longer represents the will of the people but the will of Big Money/special interests.

My Republican father promises that Social Security and Medicare will always be there for the people, that Paul Ryan is just blowing smoke to build his career. But Mitt Romney says he will enact the Paul Ryan budget plan if he is elected. That's of far greater concern to me than whether the guy got a tax asylum or got a tax deduction for a horse that's higher than the average American salary, at the end of the day. Both programs were developed to fight senior poverty. I don't want our country's longevity rates to drop and mortality rates among industrialized nations to rise just because some people think that older Americans are throw away Americans.

@Bren -

That's why I asked why Obama didn't do something like this during his first two years, during which he enjoyed a solid congressional majority, but you either skimmed Hoffa's post and missed that part or conveniently skipped it. The executive is just as guilty, if not more so than Congress, as Obama ran on 'Hope' and 'Change,' remember?

In his own mind, Obama is accountable for nothing negative. Most dishonorable President in our nation's history!

@Schmitzy -

So, now we're judging the candidates by their adolescent school-day shenanigans, are we?

In that case, how exactly do you reconcile Obama's hard drug abuse during his formative years? It would appear that whenever things got tough, Obama preferred to check-out and get high instead of facing his problems and challenges head on. Definitely not a characteristic that one wants in their commander in chief, is it? And yet, for some strange reason you're OK with this. That's pretty messed up in Hoffa's opinion!

"Run the tax calculations and discover the haircut he'll be giving you. And unless you to are living on carried interest, you are going to get porked royally."

Where exactly are you getting this stuff from - the Daily Kos?

Direct from Romney's website, his individual income tax plan:

"Make permanent, across-the-board 20 percent cut in marginal rates
Maintain current tax rates on interest, dividends, and capital gains
Eliminate taxes for taxpayers with AGI below $200,000 on interest, dividends, and capital gains
Eliminate the Death Tax
Repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)"

Everyone gets a 20% cut in their marginal rate. And the poor guy won't have to pay any taxes on cap gains, interest, or dividends. Death Tax and ATM gone. You're going to see A LOT of upward mobility under this tax plan!

Direct from Obama's website, his individual income tax plan:

"That's why President Obama proposed the Buffett Rule, asking millionaires and billionaires to do their fair share. But if you're one of the 98 percent of American families who make under $250,000 a year, your taxes won’t go up."

His plan isn't very specific, lacking detail. No tax cuts for anyone, and the successful have to pay more. Not sure what he's going to do with cap gains, interest, dividends.

BTW - There is nothing about taxing out-sourcers more anywhere on Obama's tax page.

Those are the FACTS Schmitzy. Romeny - everyone gets a tax break! Obama - no one gets a tax break and Obamacare is one of the largest tax increases in modern history, that will impact the wallet of the middle class the hardest, as confirmed by the SCOTUS.

Yeah, Obama has your best interest at heart all right - if paying more taxes is what you want.

To Hofa and Hofa and the other Hofa; Obama and the democrats did present a bill for tax cuts to those corporations if they return the Jobs back to the USA and increase taxes for those outsourcing. Bill was shot down on the House floor with republicans filibuster number 145 Think they just beat their old record there.
Mittens is losing the Party First confidence. Nation losing confidence with the no, no, no leadership republicans.
Mr. Kissinger, a former Republican secretary of state, remains on the sidelines. The reason, according to several Republicans familiar with the matter: concerns about Mr. Romney’s aggressive statements on trade policy toward China, a keen issue for Mr. Kissinger, who helped reopen relations with China and who later, as a consultant, has had clients with significant interests there.
As Republican leaders fell in behind Mr. Romney this spring, many members of the party’s foreign policy establishment have been more muted. Reluctance by this group to come forward for Mr. Romney more quickly reflects an unease over some of his positions, including his hard line on Russia and opposition to a new missile treaty.

http://youtu.be/ceTWKfnjeSs Republicans calling for Romney’s tax returns

@Bernard Forand -

If that's the best that the Dems could do, then that's pretty pathetic, don't you think? Anti-Alinsky already pointed out some of the defects with that bill and Hoffa doesn't have the time or the will right now to educate you further. If you really want to find out for yourself, like a big boy, try reading the actual bill as opposed to taking a third party analysis as gospel, as you so often seem to do!

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s3364/text

Correct guys. Just maybe Willard will get dumped at the GOP convention and another person drafted, like J Bush.
Or is the GOP so greedy they feel they must keep Willard because of his unknown vast wealth, spread throughout the world for safe keeping and to avoid taxes? Thus is WMR to big to fail (be replaced)????? <->

It is tongue in cheek just as you pictured it in your mind.

Most educated people say it as tongue in cheek. Those who think they know more than they do (single digit IQ's), will say it as they think they have heard it. Read the posts and see what I mean- clearly they can not think on their own, they are only repeating another idiots talking points.

My favorite is "that's a mute point",

@ Dick
Obama has completely sealed his door . Why he turned in his law license for Lying and his school records. Even his own book is Fiction . So its pretty silly of you to talk about OPENING the door isnt it ? The Guy in the White house is the least open President In history! Lets not hold Mitt to a standard his opponent wont adhere too.

@skinnyDUDE - Your comments are the exact opposite of thoughtful discourse.

Correct Dick,
The wealthy to big to fail, who purchase their influence at all legislature levels to protect themselves.
Why do so many people among the bottom 98%, vote against their personal interests????.
Will the people on theis string please answer that question, I'm not one of them and can not understand this madness.

@Eugene Barufkin -

"Why do so many people among the bottom 98%, vote against their personal interests????"

Good question - why do so many people vote for Democratic candidates?

As one who does not vote for Democrats, Hoffa really can't answer that question with any kind of personal insight, as you're seeking - sorry!

@Schmitzy -

Why do you hate white people so much?

Romney is no more white than your wet dream Barry.

Hoffa, why do you hate people so much?

@Schmitzy -

Hoffa asked you first ;-)

Keith,
Great White Hope for what??? Fewer public services for everyone like less fire & police protection. Tolls on 'all' roads because there is not enough tax money coming in to build and maintain excellent roads & bridges. So lets raise fees where we can so more money can go to schools. There is only so much tax money to go around.
Wake up people. Life costs money. And a good life even more. <->
How many have noticed since Walker virtually put a stop to raising "property" taxes, municipal entities around WI are raising water & sewer fees more than ever before??? - And creating special tax zones for specific purposes to pay for necessary infrastructure costs???? <->

@Eugene Barufkin -

"Life costs money. And a good life even more."

So, Eugene, how much extra above and beyond your legal tax burden did you donate to the federal and state governments when filing your last set of income tax returns? And if you own any real property, how much extra did you pay in property taxes? After all, you don't want to rip off your level of governments that provide you with a good life, do you?

Do you even pay any income or property taxes?

@Keith Schmitz -- It just occurred to me last night, how does a person accumulate a $100MM IRA? I mean, there are yearly limits to contributions. Those investments must have done VERY well.

Many of the Olympians will get endorsement deals that would bring a pro to tears. Some of the Olympians are pros with big $$ contracts.

I saw a commercial from Stare-Master Mark Neumann running that lie about Obama's "You Didn't Build It" comment. Thought devote Christians like Neumann aren't supposed to lie.

The right wing sweating over Mitt's secrecy over his tax returns calls for lots of Old Spice.

Even the most servile on this blog have to admit that with all the sacrificing athletes have to do to be in the Olympics it is disgusting that the Thurston Howells took the deduction on the horse.

But that's the Romneys. While others sacrifice such as during the Viet Nam War, there's this spoiled brat protesting in favor of the draft while he enjoys his luxury missionary work in the Chateaus of France.

Gotta admire you guys. You are taking voting against your self interest to stratospheric levels.

@William -

Why did Obama allow his publisher to print and distribute a biography, wherein it claimed that Obama was born in Kenya, for 7 years, only taking the time to correct such information when he decided to run for President, if such information is not true? Was Obama attempting to commit fraud on book retailers - sure looks that way to Hoffa. So, how exactly do you reconcile this FACT?

How about that he was a successful Governor that worked well with a Democratic controlled legislature. That he he is morally and ethically a good person. What the hell credentials does or did Obama have? That he is a leftwing, crack smoking idiot?
Come on oh great one, start using your head!

@Lyle -

"One insider said Romney could even turn the tables on Democrats by releasing more tax returns. That person claimed it could give the presidential hopeful a platform to expose the faults in the current tax code and demonstrate that he’s a candidate serious about tax reform."

Hoffa thinks A LOT could be learned by all from whom ever this individual is ;-)

King Barack has not done too well the last 4 yrs.

Bernie, there were a number of issues with the Bring Jobs Home Act. These were a big concern for the Republican's, and since Harry Reid was not going to allow ANY of the Rep. amendments to advance, they had no choice but to filibuster.
1) Tax credits would be given for automated plants
(how many jobs would that bring home?)
2) A company could first start up a company or factory overseas, then immediately shut it down and bring the operations over to the US in order to get the tax credit.

The fact that Reid refuted to allow a true debate is what killed this bill. Much of it had bipartisan support, but Generalissimo Harry refused to allow a truly democratic function to proceed!

tom munson
10:49 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
King Barack has not done too well the last 4 yrs.
Well tommy boy we can see from this kingy stuff your comprehension levels are non existent. Making everything there after irrelevant.

ANTI} again here you go off on some imaginary rant. Simply observe your own words. 1) Tax credits would be given for automated plants
(how many jobs would that bring home?) What in the world made you say that? Did you read the bill? This is the second time they tried to pass this Bill. Both time republicans shot it down. DO YOU know what Filibuster is and where do they do that? DUH on the HOUSE floor to stop opponent from debating! DUHHHH
2) A company could first start up a company or factory overseas, then immediately shut it down and bring the operations over to the US in order to get the tax credit.
Your # 2 is just that! Good lord do you have any idea how much that would cost a corporation to do that? AND don’t you think there could be some auditing required? SHHH we’ll keep it a secret.

Bernie, you poor clueless SOB.
1) you just repeated what I pointed out, but tried to make it sound like your own.
2)In third world countries it doesn't take that much to start up a factory. And it doesn't have to be that hi-tech. For example, someone could buy 50 used Singer sewing machines, rent a rundown warehouse and start making shirts. Three months later they could move the operation to the US and get the tax credit.

Maybe you need to do at least a little research!

And one more point Bernie,
"DO YOU know what Filibuster is and where do they do that? DUH on the HOUSE floor to stop opponent from debating! DUHHHH"

The House of Representatives hasn't had a filibuster for over 150 years. The Senate is the only chamber that still uses it.

I originally thought your DUH was to insult me. I now realize it really is part of your personal vernacular.

To quote Red Foreman "DUMB ASS"!
(hey red, it that who you really are?)

@Dave -

Most of the discussion on this forum seems to revolve around the issues and policy positions taken by the candidates. Could you point out where anyone has substantiated an argument based upon mere image?

Leftist educational elitism assuming that the masses are stupid and easily manipulated. Doesn't say very much about our teachers, does it - turning out a bunch of "sheeple?"

Compare the stance on the issues that Obama has on his website, very vague and general with no specifics, vs the stance on the issues that Romney has on his website, very pinpoint specific about what he'd do if elected.

What can possibly be learned from Romney's taxes that would at all impact the true issues in this race? Why doesn't Obama give us specifics about what he'd do if given another 4 years? Why hasn't Obama admitted that his healthcare legislation represents one of the largest tax increases in modern history and that the brunt of the impact of such will be felt by the middle class, as confirmed by the SCOTUS? Obama doesn't trust us with info, because he thinks that we're too stupid to understand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9i6Sbnj-hk

HOFA-HOFA and the other HOFA. You must be tired. Cutting and pasting your words. HA ,ha That aside you were wondering, well lets use your words.

“Compare the stance on the issues that Obama has on his website, very vague and general with no specifics, vs the stance on the issues that Romney has on his website, very pinpoint specific about what he'd do if elected.”

Note your PINPOINT SPECIFICS about what Mittens would do. Laddie are have you forgotten so soon Mittens tribulations as a FLIP Flopper.
http://youtu.be/EQwrB1vu74c perhaps that will refresh your memory. This is what you and your followers support for president of the USA? He is similar to you as I notice the multi personalities within him. His personalities are not as united as yours. Perhaps that is why he Flip Flops so much. Sorter like you. Independent indeed! Your red skirt is showing. OH by the way Obama got the Tax raises for the poor Millionaires. Alas he could not raise the taxes on those earning less than $250,000. Gee I wonder what his vague plans could be?
Drones, Libya, Iraq, Osama, Obamacare, and so on and so on and so on? PREETY VAGUE THERE…………… DON’T YOU THINK?

@Bernard Forand -

You're shifting the subject and spinning so hard that you're actually starting to see triples!

Looks like this wasn't the week that Bernard picked to stop sniffing glue ;-)

"Alas he could not raise the taxes on those earning less than $250,000."

Umm... really??? Haven't you heard of this little thing commonly referred to as Obamacare? The SCOTUS said that the bill is little more than a giant tax. Politifact has confirmed that Obamacare is one of the largest tax increases in the modern history of our nation. And because of the way it's structure, that tax will disproportionately impact and be felt by the middle class.

Try again!

@Dave -

"My comments were bi-partisan, you ignoramus."

And yet, Hoffa read closely enough to see that you referenced Romney 3 times, in not a very positive light, while failing to mention Obama at all. If the comment was meant to be construed as bi-partisan, why the need to mention any names at all? And if you were going to reference names, why not do it a neutral fashion?

I agree that the advertising done by most political campaigns treat people like they're stupid. But then again, anyone who bases their vote merely upon media advertisements aren't very versed in the actual issues anyway, are they? Personally, Hoffa qualifies such an act as being one of stupidity.

Care to try again?

HOFA_HOFA and the other HOFA; Hope you don’t mind my saying so but your comments are vague and lacking FRESH substance. Perhaps you guys want to experiment a little bit. Get those little gray cells some exercise. Now this is going to be Fast and Furious. A tale of conspiracies, gun running and it could be the greatest thing since Watergate. Obama is in the middle on this one. Now see if you can figure it out before it ends. Here it is; http://youtu.be/2X6Wpwzr9gE

@Bernard Forand -

Still seeing triple and still shifting the subject I see - this time to Operation Fast and Furious!

How do you keep all of your crapola straight?

@Dave -

"Oh look...there's a picture of Mitt Romney wearing a yarmulke at the wailing wall. He must be very pro-Israel. Oh look, there's Romney with his sleeves rolled up. He must be a friend of the working man. A baseball cap would get the farm vote and an Indian bonnet means the Native American's troubles are over."

Yeah, the quoted passage really discusses "Romney and his reluctance to show his tax returns," doesn't it?

Dave, we all know you're in the bag for Obama - why are you trying to hide it? Are you really that embarrassed or ashamed of the horse you're backing in this race?

Thanks Dave for being so eloquent.
The is and he is the problem. Whom am I referring to?
Romney of course.
Add Cantor, McConnell, Walker, that Backwardsmen lady and others bought and paid for legislators throughout the USA, that's where the problem is.
If we had both - public financing of 'all' elections and Fusion electoral system, the problems would go away and we would have a truly great country. However, as long as Greed & Hypocrisy rein, we have a lousy country for and paid for the corporations. <>

James Hofa, and your brother Hofa and your other brother Hofa; Your statement is exposing you to be as naive as your comments.
[“Oh look, there's Romney with his sleeves rolled up. He must be a friend of the working man.”] If that’s all it takes to float your boat then lets have Mittens sing for you his version of the Star Spangled Banner….http://OFA.BO/g8usYZ Now I know you are sold on Mittens.

@Bernard -

Are you attempting to use some kind of Bob Newhart humor here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN6UAzYY8qg

Like you Liberals worked with Governor Walker?
Like you Liberals worked with Bush 43?
Like Jim Doyle worked with the Republicans?
Like Obama, Reid and Pelosi worked with the Republicans?

@Dave -

"The election process is a sham bought by anonymous PAC donors who have an agenda that is way different than the average American's. P.S. Don't mis-read this, but I think your candidate, Romney, is a dork, but he does have great hair and is tall. What more could a simpleton like you want?"

Apparently, you're unaware as to how exactly our election process works. PAC donors get only 1 vote per person, per race, that they are jurisdictionally qualified to participate in, which is exactly the same as what the "average American" gets. No more, no less.

So how exactly can a PAC donor effectively buy the election process? They have no more power than the "average American" individual does. And seeing as how there are far more "average Americans" than PAC donors, it would appear as if the the "average Americans" do indeed have the upper hand here, doesn't it?

For a teacher, your logic appears to be a bit rusty and in need of some major work.

BTW - Thanks for the name calling - real mature!

Mr. Hoffa, apparently you've skimmed my comments about the connections between name recognition and electability. One person one vote, but PAC donations influence name recognition. The more the market is saturated with a candidate's name the more receptivity the otherwise uninformed prospective voter is going to remember it. Marketing 101.

@Bren -

It's a persons right to be uninformed, isn't it? Why should the government step in and enact legislation simply because many people choose to be stupid and easily influenced? It's just more pointing the finger and absolving personal responsibility in favor of government restrictions on freedoms. Sorry, but that's not what this country is about!

If you really want to blame someone, blame the media for abandoning journalistic principles in favor of sensationalism. Just look at the way the media treated Ron Paul during this election cycle.

Mr. Hoffa, you are underestimating the influence of advertising. The media conglomerates could care less who makes ad buys (other than those which could create legal/ratings issues). However, I've had little respect for the media since journalistic integrity leaped into the backseat of corporate profit.

Ron Paul is a fringe candidate with little profit potential. Why would you be surprised that he received less media attention than the billionaire boys club candidates or the logical front runner?

@Bren -

"Mr. Hoffa, you are underestimating the influence of advertising."

If you honestly believe that our elections have come down to a contest over who can produce and air the more effective media advertisements, that doesn't say very much as to your opinion of the masses of this nation, does it?

Thanks Dave. You, Keith Schmitz, myself and a few others try to point out real facts.
To many believe unfounded rumors.
Do you know that rumors and facts are alike in one way and but differ in another?
<=>
The're both a bunch of words, but facts are the truth. <>

@Dave -

Perhaps they donate for the same reason small "average Americans" like you and Hoffa might donate to political causes - because they believe in something??? Nah, that couldn't be it! It has to be because they want something direct in return.

When someone like you or Hoffa gives $250, it could very well represent close to 1% of our yearly take home pay, assuming a $40k annual gross. When someone like the Koch Bros gives $10M, it represents .02% of their net worth. Who do you honestly think is expecting more from their respective contributions here?

Under your logic, Obama, who has a significantly lower net worth than Romney, is more apt to being bought off by outside big money interests, right? Plus we already saw the crony capitalism from the Obama administration - Solyndra ring any bells? Or how about the GM and Chrysler deals - behind closed doors with the UAW, Italians, and Canadians. The way Bush had the auto bailout structured, it was to be a straight up, interest bearing loan with a controlled repayment schedule and security interest in assets, just as Carter had done it with the successful Chrysler/Iacocca bailout in 1979. The Obama hanky-panky wasn't necessary at all, except to repay his crony friends!

But hey, that's the kind of crap that you apparently support going on in DC. Personally, Hoffa's had enough of that kind of BS!

@Bernard -

Is English your native language?

Babble.

If you don't like Dave's comments Greg,don't read em.
What's the matter Greg, can't find your Delete key???
Also, have respect. Are you proud of your disheveled post????
Dave has just as much rights to place his comments where he wants, just like you and me.
Agreed Greg???? <><

Why?
Because he made health & medical more accessible and affordable to Americans????
Why"?
Because he's trying to raise taxes on the wealthy 2% so we can get back to Clinton years of federal budget surpluses?
Ques Mr NObama 2012 (cute). Are you one of the 2%????
I bet not - so why will you vote for the 2%??????

@Bernard -

You need to do better homework. Try expanding your sources beyond the Daily Kos for a start!

Until you get up to speed with the FACTS, there's not really a point in continuing a dialogue with you.

@Bren -

Are you participating in the Blue Wisconsin surveys?