YOUR COMMENTS

Gee, golly, gosh, Isn't it wonderful to become tax victims of this rotten society? Both my spouse and I worked hard for all of our lives, and this criminal, Barrack Hussein Obama wants us to pay even more in taxes! Why? To give our proceeds to those who don't work of otherwise have anything to offer to the United States of America. Whoops, I forgot that Obama is as student of Marxism.

Sorry, but here's one American voter who is more than a little happy that I don't have more than a few years left to live, and we long-ago chose not to bring any children of ours into this world. A decision vindicated each and every passing day.
- George A. Keiper, Amherst, NH

Fifty percent of Americans pay no taxes now, and Senator Obama's proposed tax increase would likely add to those with their hands out. Offering a $3,000 tax credit does not quite cover the payroll, employer, medical and dental insurance, or the additional 5% increased tax on the salary of one employee. Taxes are assessed on Gross Income, and an employer with 3-4 employees paying a living wage (and taxes, insurance, etc.) will likely have to let one of them go to balance the 5% tax increase on Gross, adding that person to the exponentially growing numbers who pay no taxes (as they are unemployed). So do the math, with less than 50% of Americans paying any taxes (federal, state, local), how does that improve the quality of life for anyone? It doesn't.
- Kate Sender, Cleveland, Ohio

We already have some data on the effects of putting more money in the hands of the middle class--the Economic Stimulus Package, which gave us one quarter of spectacular growth. Putting money directly into consumers hands means they buy more goods & services which means more manufacturing and service jobs. The rich will still get their piece of the action, they just have to give more support to the middle class.
- Bernard M Bergmann, Chicago, IL

I cannot believe how many people just swallow propaganda and consider themselves informed! Anyone with a computer or a library can look up the numbers and see that when G.H.W. Bush and the Democrat Congress raised taxes it stalled GDP growth for years. When the economy started growing Clinton whacked it again with another tax hike and stalled it for 2 more years. The G.W. Bush tax cut got our economy rolling again after 9/11, such that GDP grew 20% from 2000 to 2007, and tax revenue grew with it. Anyone with a brain and a modem can pull up the raw data from the last 60 years and see this. When Kennedy, Reagan and G.W. cut tax rates, GDP and revenue went up. Also recall that like Obama, Clinton ran on a promise to cut middle class taxes and only raise taxes on "those rich snobs" - and 2 weeks after inauguration said "Ha! Fooled you!" The liberal approach to increasing revenue is to squeeze the economy, the conservative approach is to grow the economy. Denying these plain facts is either ignorant or devious.
- Alan Hollingsworth, Milton, FL

I am always amazed at comments which are made in these kinds of places. First of all the democrats keep shouting how it is all the fault of the Republicans: this is a lame excuse, we are all at fault! Yes all of us! The American people are spoiled and want everything now! However in order to have paved roads, an education system, sewer treatment plants, electric plants, airports, national highways, arm forces for the protection of this country, mass transportation and the list can go on for a very long time. There has to be a means to pay for this and this is via taxes. I do not agree with the situation this country is in but it is not the Bush Administration it is We The People! We want everything to be better than our parents had before us! But in order to do this someone has to pay for this. You cannot tax the individuals who make more money just because they have strived to make a better life for themselves and than just hand it over to the individuals who do not strive to better themselves. Bottom line you need to bash all of us for getting here and the answer is not by giving tax dollars back to underperformers. I for one am proud of Senator McCain for what he stands for and what he is going to do for this country: this man has stared death in its face many of times and has won. This man has challenged individuals in this country knowing that it could not get him re-elected! As for Barrack Obama plan, it will not work due to the fact this country does not have the funds to pay for it. Just look at the GAO and see what kind of tax dollars this country brings in and how much we pay out to operate this country. The U.S. is broke and it can only pay for things we all want by taxes. So the next time you are driving down one of those U.S. Highways just remember it only got there because all of us wanted it! So don’t blame the last eight years lets blame the last 48 years! We all have enjoyed the fruits of our efforts and it is just time to tighten our belts and roll up our sleeves and get back to work. We will get through this! There is only one clear choice for President and that is John McCain.
- Brian Anderson, Edmond, OK

I'm sorry, but this article is pointing out something that doesn't make much sense. John McCain wants to lower taxes slightly more than the levels are now....how is he going to pay for his tax decreases? How did Bush pay for his tax cuts without raising taxes elsewhere? There are other ways to balance the budget than just raising taxes to pay for cutting taxes, so really this articles whole hypothesis does not make sense and is, in my mind propaganda.

Also for those of you who think Obama is not a US Citizen, think again. You CANNOT run for president unless you are born in this country. Obviously he is a citizen, because he was born in Hawaii (look it up).

I'm sorry, people should not write political articles such as these with blatant lies. If you are going to insult Obama's "math" maybe you should look at your own.
- Matt Haupt, Sterling Heights, MI

I think that McCain will stick to what he says the best he can once elected.
If Obama is elected, people will slowly find out that the promised tax cuts were just to get elected. How do you add more police on the street and lower taxes at the same time as Obama promises, unless the cops give out 3x more tickets than they do now?
- Gary Colageo, Rotonda West, FL

Pat Kraft -

It is obvious you don't know where the bailout money is going or why it is important. Where Pat do you think banks get their money to lend? It is from those Wall Street fat cats you are talking about. Without those investors that buy the bonds to cover the mortgage lending, there isn't mortgage lending. Why did we have a credit crunch and need to bail out Wall Street? Because those investors pulled their money away when the risk outweighed the reward.

The whole problem stems from Demos in Congress requiring banks to loosen their standards back in the mid 90's and part of the Community Reinvestment Act signed into law by Slick Willy Clinton. Sub prime mortgages came from this as the people banks were now required to give loans to couldn't qualify and Congress and our friend in Massachusetts Barney Frank told them that - "You are discriminating and you must lend to them or be fined and sued". So now the banks had no choice, they created these sub prime or "I can't really afford this mortgage" loans. They were left no choice.

These loans were rolled over again and again as these borrowers could not pay the reset premiums when the interest went up and had to keep refinancing on additional subprime programs, because they still couldn't qualify for a fixed rate. Then the housing market started to sink, people could not refinance and started losing their homes. Investors decided not by these subprimes and bad things happened to our financial system.

In closing Pat, this all began because the Dems in Congress wanted to make "the american homeownership dream" affordable for everyone and in their haste to do so, damn near bankrupt the entire country. You can believe what you will, but this is the reason.
- Mike, Londonderry

Chris
Although Jesus was clearly an advocate of helping the poor, I doubt that he was in favor of a centralized federal government redistributing income such that the middle class, or lower class citizens enjoy an equivalent lifestyle to those who have broken their backs to achieve financial success. Everyone is for helping those who truely are in need.

As a good socialist, it would serve you well to study some history. The socialist state despises and wants to destroy organized religion and Christianity in particular, and replace it with adoration and dependency upon government. The religion of the secular progressive left is big government, global warming, and darwinism, and the sacraments are alternative marriage and abortion. All orchestrated by a legal clergy.
I find it fascinating that the left all of a sudden becomes devote Christians when it comes to social enginering plans, but blindly turns the other way on standing up for the most Christian of all principles, life and family.
- Vincent Caruana, Bedford NH

First of all, we ordinary spending people, do not need any added taxes...We live from paycheck to paycheck, and we give 10% in our churches, and try to live good lives. Also, is OBAMA a true American Citizen? We need a president that is going to REALLY follow through and NOT raise taxes! They both say alot of things, BEFORE, they get sworn in, but will he (John McCain) follow through? I pray he does, for the well-being of America and the underdog. -Tina marie Carnes, OHIO
- Tina Marie Carnes, Akron, OHIO

Wake up America did everyone forget about 9/11? At least I know John Mccain is an AMERICAN, I think Obama isn't even American born. I agree he will be a diseaster for the USA. He is a good speaker, but so was Clinton. WAKE UP AMERICA
- Salene Stathas, Pembroke Pines, Fl

Billy Ford, the 250,000 tax increase is on gross income. If that area of tax increases, we all pay for it, let me explain. Let's say (hypothetically ) I own a small business that sells meat or potatoes. I have 5 employees. Each employee earns 30,000 a year. that tallies up to 150,000 of deductions already, then I pay unemployment, workers comp.( an additional 20,000 out fo my pocket ) then on top of that, I have to pay the farmer for the product 40,000 a year and the butcher/packager, an additional 20,000 a year. Now I have to pay 10,000 a year in shipping. Now let's say I make 30,000 a year myself for running it. That all adds up to 270,000 a year. Why do I have to pay more taxes than my employees when after the cost of running the business, I make no more than them?
- Scott, BFE, Pa

Ummm... deficit spending, perhaps? And I certainly hope the Republicans aren't planning on lecturing the Democrats about deficit spending.

Also, do you really think you are going to sway anyone to McCain by pointing out that Obama gives cuts (or payments) to low- and middle-income Americans? Do you thinkg the majority of people are going to have a problem with that? Unless your article is directed towards those makin gmore than $200,000 or $250,000 as the case might be.
- Billy Ford, Baltimore, MD

When are we going to start calling these give-aways by their rightful name? Thinly-veiled promise of reparations.
- Greg Dodd, Chattanooga, TN

Chris in Bedford,

You are correct that the Good Book states you should give to your fellow man....out of free will however, not by force of the Government. As for the Apostles, they left their family, home, and job, so of course they needed help from citizens to get by everywhere they went, so that argument is pathetic. The Book also states a man should not eat if he doesn't work and overwhelmingly stresses the importance of working and saving; all testimonty to earning your keep. The morality card seems convenient to the Left when they deem appropriate, but gets oh so conveniently blurry the majority of the time.

Austin, DC, land of the sheep
- Austin, Washington DC

Mike Mc, for once you are correct.
I don't have a degree in finance, if that's what you were getting at.
I am, however, familiar with the trickle up theory. That is why I tend to discard it.
I'm also familiar with my sense of humor(such as it is). I would have tagged the anti-gravity line as such, but I've been told, by good authority, the UL, for some reason or other, frowns on such devices.
I would have used a ;o) tag otherwise.

Now, Mike, what was it you were going to "learn!" me.
- Michael Paradis, Manchester

chris, I notice that nowhere in the quotes you cite did Jesus say give your money to the government for they shall decide how to distribute it. You won't find those words in any of the dozen more you have either.
I'm an agnostic, but I do believe in the truth and the truth is, regardless of the liberals desire to rewrite history, Jesus WAS NOT a socialist. He did not believe that government was the answer to the poors plight, as do real socialists.

Regarding Dorothy(I assume this is the name you were looking for) Day and Hugo Chavez.
Dorothy Day, while possessing many fine qualities, was a pacifist in the face of Nazism. Does this make her a horrible person? I don't know. I do know that it means she was dangerously mis-guided, and tragically naieve. Thankfully, her views weren't the norm.
As for Hugo Chavez, yes, he is definately an evil person. Unless you believe that attempting to destroy the Venezualan Constitution and steal his peoples freedom is a good thing.
After reading some of your comments, chris, I'm afraid you just may.
- Michael Paradis, Manchester

Michael P


You obviously have no background in finance!!! Read and learn!



The trickle up effect is an economic theory used to describe the flow of wealth from the poor to the affluent; it is opposite to the trickle down effect.
- Mike Mc, Derry

Obama is going to make a responsible exit from Iraq. That will save our country 10 billion dollars per year, which we can spend here. We don't need to be Iraq—we need the money to support hard working American families.
- Jacob Harris, Kensington

Jim,

I can get a dozen more for you but these should help

"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Matthew 19:21


"Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and the distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." Acts 4:34-5:11.

"And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece." Luke 9:3

What about Dorthody Day or Hugo Chavez, I guesss they were horrible people huh.
- chris, bedford

I really hate to point this out to you Bush Haters, but THE DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED US CONGRESS passed the bailout. I would suggest you take your angst out on those that voted for this abomination by voting against them in their next election. Stop being led around by TV and newspapers think for yourselves.
- Mark Givens, Bridgewater

Mike Mc, just a couple of points.

If the 750 billion dollar bailout is criminal(I tend to think that it is) than why did your man, Obama support it?
Couldn't he fend off the 'evil' Bush and put a stop to the criminality?

Our roads, bridges, and educational system have been going south for a lot longer than eight years my friend.

Trickle up??
Have you and the Messiah constructed an anti-gravity machine?
- Michael Paradis, Manchester

I remember a day when people were inventive and ambitious to make progress and succeed. I say, cut spending 20% across the board. Endeavour yourself to provide the same services for 20% less. We The People are doing that. We make the same amount of money regardless of the cost at the grocery store or gas pumps. Many times we don't even receive a yearly raise, or if we do, most of the time it can't even keep up with inflation (which doesn't even include the cost of energy which is the root of our economy these days).

Government, here is my challenge. Cut 20% across the board, provide the same services. If you are true to the Constitution you will cut your waste and accomplish this mission.

That is if you are truly a government for the People by the People; and not just a 'larger corporation raping its citizens.
- Jay, Manchester

Chris, Bedford. Jesus was a socialist?!? Where does that nonsense come from? I suppose he was a Democrat too? Was Dad kidding when he told Moses "Thou Shalt Not Steal?"

On the other hand, you may have a point. Anybody endowed with Godlike powers could possibly make socialism work. Jesus could just wave His hand and change human nature, crushing the boundless human spirit that makes socialism nothing more than a cruel joke.

But for us mere mortals, socialism is nothing but an unworkable dopey pipe dream.
- Jim Peschke, Croydon, NH

It doesn't suprise me that people will latch onto ideology without sustance during times of desperation and crisis. People are in suffering and want protection an security. It is time that we citizens start using our intelligence rather than emotion and start to examine the under current of Obama's message. With an Obama presidency we will move rapidly towards a social enginering experiment that goes against the grain of what is the most traditional of all American values, hard work lends success. Helping those in true need is a noble cause and should be promoted, but not at the expense of penalizing individual reward for talent, creativity and hard work. Government will not solve all our problems. The American fighting spirit and self reliance are the long term solution to our current predicament.
- Vincent Caruana, Bedford NH

The UL and it's blind GOP readers will never learn!

If a small business owner files as an individual that is his/her problem! It should not be put on the taxpayers to bail them out! Talk about socialism!

To put 750 Billion on the backs of our children and reward multi millionaire CEO's that have failed miserably at their jobs and did not have the foresight to guide their companies properly is criminal!

For 8 years these FAT CATS have eaten well and destroyed the foundation of this once great country! Our roads/bridges have fallen apart, our education system is in shambles!

Trickle down does not work because it does not account for greed in the ones on top! They took the money and shipped our jobs to China, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan to help the share price of their companies and their own bottom line!

It is time to have 8 years of Trickle Up and give that a try! It can not be any worse that the mess that they have put us in now! At worse we will even it all out!
- Mike Mc, Derry

Excuse me, Ross, since you want to blame the Democrats, please name one bill that the Democrats have passed in the previous two years that Bush has not vetoed? And, if he didn't veto it, then I guess he supported it. Where exactly does that leave your argument?
- Pete Brown, Manchester

Thank you Useless Leader for pointing out that the next president will spend more than tax. I can't believe it. Bush is my hero. Let's have 2 wars and not pay for it. Why should we pay tax when all we have to do is borrow from China and our kids can pay it back? As I said, Bush is my hero and Obama is more of the same. Lucky me!
- Chip Sanders, Wilton

For all of you right winged Christians - Jesus was a socialist period. Stop with all of the Mcarthy scare tactics and labeling.
- Chris, Bedford

I always get a kick out of the blame just the evil Republicans crowd. We have a so called conservative President now acting like a Liberal spending machine and they complain. The difference being though that Bush has spent while NOT raising taxes. So the solution for the eight years of hate Bush crowd is to claim a President who will do more of the same and raise our taxes is some how a better solution.

Let's not forget there are plenty of Democrats in Wall Street and who have also been in charge of Congress for the last two years, just about the time the housing and financial markets started tanking, not to mention sitting at the top of the Federal housing and banking committee. As for the wonderful Clinton years did we forget about the impact we faced in 2000 after the over inflated dot com businesses finally burst and the economy slowed down? Come on New Hampshire think about where this election will take us. None of us will escape the class warfare tax increases we will get under Obama. Not to mention even more importantly we are at war and only one candidate has the experience we need to actually win one. Or we can find out the cost of loosing this one later on.
- Ross Mansfield, Derry

Your editorial is correct that Obama's numbers don't add up and that an honest review of Obama's inconstant campaign suggests we cannot depend on him to hold to his line between "rich" and "poor."

But there is another point, which was the point behind a decade of struggle in Congress over whether the CBO should use "static" or "dynamic" revenue analysis. Merely letting the Bush tax cuts expire--raising taxes on people with high annual incomes--will make some of them consider other uses of their time than working to produce more wealth for Obama to seize and "spread around." Behaviors will change, government revenues will fall short of the estimates, and Obama will be "forced" to raise taxes on other groups, maybe even on the low-wage people who vote Democratic.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

The community organizer thug from a corrupt, Chicago neighborhood will say anything to accomplish a White House takeover.

Then it's payback.

A one party system under Obama/Pelosi/Reid will be just like living in the old USSR.
- Bill Howard, Exeter, NH

How do you give a tax refund to 95% of wage-earners when 40% don't even pay into the system? And raising taxes on corporate America, which already has the second highest tax rate in the world, will only reduce wages and the number of jobs. This is proven economic theory. But what would a lawyer know about economics?

With this bonehead plan, the "beneficent one" will drain the coffers dry--that is, unless he pledges to donate at least a portion of the millions he has amassed in his campaign. But oddly enough, BO has made no such pledge.

Oh well, so much for beneficence--and authenticity! The man's a fraud and his promises are nothing but lies.
- Susie Nickerson-Warley, Horseshoe Bay, Texas

Steve, Apparently you forgot how bad the stock market began to crash at the end of Clinton's term. Or are you going to try to tell me because it was 3 months into Bush's term that it was his fault? Love how the Democrat's try to make a point on bad information.
- James, Manchester

Before we go throwing the Socialist label at Obama, let's remember that Bush just Socialized our banking system! The US Government now owns part of the banks we bailed out. I wonder what kind of laws will be enacted to help banks now that the government is in on it. Yeah, now the Republicans wants me to get worried about pumping a couple of billion towards the poor. Why is it Socialist to help the PEOPLE and not when we help the BANKS? BTW, I'm an Independent voting for the third party. I am so sick of the left, right distortions of the truth. It's time for REAL CHANGE!
- Tom Kendall, Derry, NH

Most small business owners file their taxes as individuals, not as businesses. When asked whether the $250,000 amount was 'net' or 'gross' income, the Obama spokesperson responded "gross".
Therefore, any Joe-the-Plumber who has 6 employees and who, along with them, draws a $35,000 salary, will find himself with a significant tax increase.
What's his option? Lower salaries? Cut an employee?
Obama's tax plan is downright stupid, particularly in this environment.

And as for his 95% getting a tax break, two pesky items to point out:
First, 40% pay NO federal income taxes at all, so 40% will be getting a welfare check at the expense of the other 60%.
Second, EVERYONE who pays taxes at all will see them increased because the Bush tax cuts will be tossed.

In so many ways, Obama would be a disaster for the USA.

Therefore, while I am no cheerleading fan of McCain's, he is the one for whom my family is voting. Once again, the lesser of two evils. Much lesser.
- Pamela Valentine, Washington NH

Rather than having a "D" for Democrat after his name, I honestly think that at this point, Obama should just be honest to America and put an "S" for Socialist. Heck, I guess when it comes down to it, he hasn't really hidden his socialist beliefs. He wants a national healthcare. He even said he wanted to "redistribute the wealth" in his convo with Joe the Plumber, so when America becomes Europe and turns Socialist, we can't blame Obama, but rather everyone who voted for him because he was completely upfront to the voter with how Socialist his beliefs are.
- Chris King, Manchester

Here's what doesn't compute: the GOP and media's fear mongering that under President Obama the economy will tank. Guess what? It already has tanked under the "free market" Reaganomics of George W. Bush, our nation's most unpopular (and quite likely unelected) president. If I remember correctly, the economy was just fine under Clinton. In fact, historically the U.S. economy typically performs better under a Democrat in the White House, as do other factors such as the employment rate, the stock market, the federal balancesheet and on and on. So, please, can we give the chicken little predictions a rest and let the electorate have their say? Preferably with a minimum of Republican-directed voter suppression?
- Steve Bonser, Santa Barbara, CA

Haven't you been watching the news lately? The US taxpayers are GIVING Wall St. fat cats $750 BILLION dollars to pull their fat out of the fire. It is money taken from the taxpayers and they have no say about it. And you are concerned about removing the tax cuts for the rich that Bush is responsible for, same as he is responsible for the economic mess we are in now? You must be smoking some funny cigarettes!
- Pat Kraft, Concord NH

Thankfully Obama is a lot smarter than you guys at the UL. That's about all the review you deserve on this bloody op-ed.
- Tim Roulton, Nashua