President Barack Obama - Term 1 and 2 Thread

[Saint John]

Binder and Binder just ran a double...same commercial back to back. These guys rule!

What fucking channel are you watching ... WGN?

I see the commercial on A&E, TNT, and USA a lot watching my various police/FBI dramas

That fuckhead still wear that silly looking hat in the commercials?

[7 Wishes]

He's not paying attention to foreign affairs? Attempting to broker a peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, gaining a foothold with the Chinese, and signing an incredible arms-reduction treaty with Russia isn't enough? What about the fact that he's taken a hard turn to the right to up the ante in Afghanistan? The only kind of diplomacy Dubbya knew was starting illegal wars and claiming "coalitions" with military superpowers like Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and the Dutch Antilles. We couldn't have possibly had a worse foreign policy than we did for the previous eight years.

[Rockindeano]

Binder and Binder just ran a double...same commercial back to back. These guys rule!

What fucking channel are you watching ... WGN?

I see the commercial on A&E, TNT, and USA a lot watching my various police/FBI dramas

That fuckhead still wear that silly looking hat in the commercials?

Yep. A cowboy lawyer.

[donnaplease]

I never really understood how someone could get more of a refund than they pay in taxes. WTF?!?

[donnaplease]

I never really understood how someone could get more of a refund than they pay in taxes. WTF?!?

See my sig line and talk to the 10 percent who earn more than $350grand yet pay 73% of ALL taxes.

I get it. They'd probably just rather write a check and hand it directly over to someone, it's the same concept. It would at least keep it out of the government's grubby hands.

It just bugs me that someone can pay $1000 in taxes and get a $4000 refund (hypothetically speaking). It really bugs me to hear them brag about all the great things they're gonna buy with that money, when they haven't earned it to start with.

[Saint John]

I never really understood how someone could get more of a refund than they pay in taxes. WTF?!?

Time to rant. I'm fucking tired of "tax credits" for having children. You shouldn't get a tax credit for anything that doesn't involve a business. You have 6 kids? Too fucking bad. Pay for them yourself. Why do people get extra money back for having kids? This seems completely assanine to me. Having children is a huge deal and you should be able to provide for them yourselves. In the end, these "tax credits" allow you to pay less in taxes than someone else making the same amount. It's total bullshit.

As I understand it, and I could be wrong (I think it's happened once before ), but if you have 2 couples, one with 2 kids and the other with none, doesn't the family with 2 kids get like $1,500 per kid? That's 3k that I'm sure the other couple would greatly appreciate. Fuck, some people (Mexicans immediately come to mind ... as do inner city blacks and white trailer trash), should be paid to not have anymore kids! Give these fuckers an extra $5,000 every year that they don't pop out a kid and this country would be far better off.

[Ehwmatt]

I never really understood how someone could get more of a refund than they pay in taxes. WTF?!?

Time to rant. I'm fucking tired of "tax credits" for having children. You shouldn't get a tax credit for anything that doesn't involve a business. You have 6 kids? Too fucking bad. Pay for them yourself. Why do people get extra money back for having kids? This seems completely assanine to me. Having children is a huge deal and you should be able to provide for them yourselves. In the end, these "tax credits" allow you to pay less in taxes than someone else making the same amount. It's total bullshit.

As I understand it, and I could be wrong (I think it's happened once before ), but if you have 2 couples, one with 2 kids and the other with none, doesn't the family with 2 kids get like $1,500 per kid? That's 3k that I'm sure the other couple would greatly appreciate. Fuck, some people (Mexicans immediately come to mind ... as do inner city blacks and white trailer trash), should be paid to not have anymore kids! Give these fuckers an extra $5,000 every year that they don't pop out a kid and this country would be far better off.

If they're gonna "credit" you, they should force you to invest your child tax credit into a 529 College Savings Plan for your kid or put it in some kinda trust/account where it can only be used for the child's direct benefit.

But wait Matt, you're a libertarian conservative, so according to your ideology the government shouldn't tell them what to do with their money! Key Distinction: It's not their money. It's free money. They should have to spend it for the purpose it's given, for the kids.

[Saint John]

I never really understood how someone could get more of a refund than they pay in taxes. WTF?!?

Time to rant. I'm fucking tired of "tax credits" for having children. You shouldn't get a tax credit for anything that doesn't involve a business. You have 6 kids? Too fucking bad. Pay for them yourself. Why do people get extra money back for having kids? This seems completely assanine to me. Having children is a huge deal and you should be able to provide for them yourselves. In the end, these "tax credits" allow you to pay less in taxes than someone else making the same amount. It's total bullshit.

As I understand it, and I could be wrong (I think it's happened once before ), but if you have 2 couples, one with 2 kids and the other with none, doesn't the family with 2 kids get like $1,500 per kid? That's 3k that I'm sure the other couple would greatly appreciate. Fuck, some people (Mexicans immediately come to mind ... as do inner city blacks and white trailer trash), should be paid to not have anymore kids! Give these fuckers an extra $5,000 every year that they don't pop out a kid and this country would be far better off.

If they're gonna "credit" you, they should force you to invest your child tax credit into a 529 College Savings Plan for your kid or put it in some kinda trust/account where it can only be used for the child's direct benefit.

But wait Matt, you're a libertarian conservative, so according to your ideology the government shouldn't tell them what to do with their money! Key Distinction: It's not their money. It's free money. They should have to spend it for the purpose it's given, for the kids.

I agree with the 529 College Savings Plan. That's a great idea, Matt. I still wouldn't be particularly overwhelmed with joy, but I could live with the notion that it's making the country a better place and giving these kids a chance.

[Saint John]

Remove the 47% who don't pay taxes from the voter rolls.

I'm completely in favor of this. When you fail America and its people you should have some of your rights revoked.

[Behshad]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

[Saint John]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

I wouldn't. I never base my beliefs on my situation. Example: I think the rich pay far, far too much in taxes and I'm way down at the bottom of the tax bracket. Bush lowered it to 39% and I thought that even that was too high. I'm for a flat tax.

[7 Wishes]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a detainee released in 2007 would have been under Dubbya's watch, no?

Anyway, since Obama has decided the combatants will have military trials - when the same people were tried in Federal courts under Bush - wouldn't this new approach be more conservative? There's no pleasing you people.

Agreed that the tax rebates have gotten out of hand, however. Keep in mind that since the Dems had only a majority and were not filibuster-proof, that EVERY piece of legislation passed over George's desk. I'd start out by blaming him, and then maybe set my sights on Greenspan.

[7 Wishes]

Which is not to say the free-wheeling Spendocrat far-left radicals of the party don't have their share of the blame.

[Monker]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a detainee released in 2007 would have been under Dubbya's watch, no?

Anyway, since Obama has decided the combatants will have military trials - when the same people were tried in Federal courts under Bush - wouldn't this new approach be more conservative? There's no pleasing you people.

Bush screwed this up. There should have been no prison in Cuba. If they were truly terrorists, they should have been a military trial, conviction, and execution within weeks. The problem, IMO, is they really didn't KNOW who was a terrorist, and who wasn't...and they really just wanted to get info for any future attack. So, those 'arrested' were not truly known to be 'terrorists'...so they couldn't execute a bunch of innocents and have it blow up in their face. Instead, there is a huge mess now and no good way to deal with it. Any decision Obama made would be critiqued and turned into BS.

[Monker]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

So you're getting that big EIC, MWP and AdditionalChild tax Credits?

Amazing...a conservative in favor of raising taxes.

Once thing I'll agree with here...a person's credits should not be allowed to exceed what has been paid. That is just stupid and is a loophole that should be closed. However, if their credits are enough to mean they owe no taxes, fine, that's the way it is. I find it ironic that the same people who are so into lowering taxes whine when tax cuts cause a situation like those described above.

[Behshad]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

So you're getting that big EIC, MWP and AdditionalChild tax Credits?

the last 5 years I've been getting between 5000-6000 back. So even when ur daddy was in office I got the sane amount back than when ur black daddy got in the office !
( my kids are 6 & 3 )
Is that ok with you ?!

[donnaplease]

Any decision Obama made would be critiqued and turned into BS.

Just like you're criticizing Bush?

[7 Wishes]

Please, name one good thing Bush did during his Administration...and don't say "kept the country safe," because radical Islamic factions gain all their traction by recruiting Muslims still furious over the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Incidentally, during the mandatory "transfer of power" meeting that takes place between the outgoing and incoming Presidents every four (or eight) years, Clinton told Bush Bin Laden was a serious threat to America and would be his most pressing national security and foreign policy issue.

http://www.harpers.org/archive/2004/10/0080234

[StevePerryHair]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

So you're getting that big EIC, MWP and AdditionalChild tax Credits?

the last 5 years I've been getting between 5000-6000 back. So even when ur daddy was in office I got the sane amount back than when ur black daddy got in the office !
( my kids are 6 & 3 )
Is that ok with you ?!

Not sure what your particulars are (re.income and married status), but it's an unquestionable FACT that under The Won, you are getting $400 to $1800 more back than under Bush. The Making Work Pay Credit and The Additional Child Tax Credit were just put into effect this year. They are REFUNDABLE Credits, like the EIC. Believe me, I know how this works.

Interesting, because nothing changed with us, our income or number of dependents and the refund under Bush and Obama was about exactly the same. I don't see HOW you figure it is so different. We have 3 children and we got back about what B is saying he did. About exactly what we got back for our 2008 taxes also. No way $400 to $1800 more. I wish!!

[RedWingFan]

Please, name one good thing Bush did during his Administration.

I'll give you two. Justice Alito and Chief Justice Roberts who are originalists and actually uphold the Constitution. But that wouldn't matter to you would it? That's two more good things than Bamster has or will do in his remaining 3 years.

...and don't say "kept the country safe," because radical Islamic factions gain all their traction by recruiting Muslims still furious over the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Ah, and we're right back to Bush causes terrorism BS.
So you're saying the recent subway bombing by that "radical Islamic faction" was caused by Bush invading Iraq?

You're so myopic, you could actually be a member of the current administration.

[RedWingFan]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

So you're getting that big EIC, MWP and AdditionalChild tax Credits?

the last 5 years I've been getting between 5000-6000 back. So even when ur daddy was in office I got the sane amount back than when ur black daddy got in the office !
( my kids are 6 & 3 )
Is that ok with you ?!

Not sure what your particulars are (re.income and married status), but it's an unquestionable FACT that under The Won, you are getting $400 to $1800 more back than under Bush. The Making Work Pay Credit and The Additional Child Tax Credit were just put into effect this year. They are REFUNDABLE Credits, like the EIC. Believe me, I know how this works.

Interesting, because nothing changed with us, our income or number of dependents and the refund under Bush and Obama was about exactly the same. I don't see HOW you figure it is so different. We have 3 children and we got back about what B is saying he did. About exactly what we got back for our 2008 taxes also. No way $400 to $1800 more. I wish!!

We paid around $9100 in both 2008 and 2009. In 2008 we got back just over $4100, this year we got back over $7200. No changes in dependents or anything. They did allow me to claim my tuition, books and stuff I bought for school. They didn't let me do any of that for 2008.

[fredinator]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

So you're getting that big EIC, MWP and AdditionalChild tax Credits?

the last 5 years I've been getting between 5000-6000 back. So even when ur daddy was in office I got the sane amount back than when ur black daddy got in the office !
( my kids are 6 & 3 )
Is that ok with you ?!

Not sure what your particulars are (re.income and married status), but it's an unquestionable FACT that under The Won, you are getting $400 to $1800 more back than under Bush. The Making Work Pay Credit and The Additional Child Tax Credit were just put into effect this year. They are REFUNDABLE Credits, like the EIC. Believe me, I know how this works.

You don't know what you are talking about. What do you think the Additional Child Tax Credit is? What do you think the Making Work Pay Credit is?

[fredinator]

I never really understood how someone could get more of a refund than they pay in taxes. WTF?!?

See my sig line and talk to the 10 percent who earn more than $350grand yet pay 73% of ALL taxes.

I get it. They'd probably just rather write a check and hand it directly over to someone, it's the same concept. It would at least keep it out of the government's grubby hands.

It just bugs me that someone can pay $1000 in taxes and get a $4000 refund (hypothetically speaking). It really bugs me to hear them brag about all the great things they're gonna buy with that money, when they haven't earned it to start with.

I started a thread about this here: http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/vie ... hp?t=46552

It's worse than most know. A $475 withholding can become a $5317 refund nowadays.

The EIC was put in place by President Nixon--it's been around a long time. It helps the really poor in our country. Most people who REALLY ARE poor take the EIC and deserve it. Some on this board don't know very much about taxes and are the loudest whiners and complainers. Just like everything else, there is some cheating going on with taxes; however, the majority of the American people are honest when they file their tax returns and those that need a break get it. The ones who cheat are usually caught sooner or later.

[fredinator]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

So you're getting that big EIC, MWP and AdditionalChild tax Credits?

the last 5 years I've been getting between 5000-6000 back. So even when ur daddy was in office I got the sane amount back than when ur black daddy got in the office !
( my kids are 6 & 3 )
Is that ok with you ?!

Not sure what your particulars are (re.income and married status), but it's an unquestionable FACT that under The Won, you are getting $400 to $1800 more back than under Bush. The Making Work Pay Credit and The Additional Child Tax Credit were just put into effect this year. They are REFUNDABLE Credits, like the EIC. Believe me, I know how this works.

Interesting, because nothing changed with us, our income or number of dependents and the refund under Bush and Obama was about exactly the same. I don't see HOW you figure it is so different. We have 3 children and we got back about what B is saying he did. About exactly what we got back for our 2008 taxes also. No way $400 to $1800 more. I wish!!

The Making Work Pay credit is for everyone--single people get $400 and married couples get $800. File a Schedule M with your 2009 tax return (see line 11 of the schedule to see if you received a payment already) and you will get it. TurboTax or those other software packages should have already calculated it for you if you answered the questions correctly. This credit appears on line 63 of the regular Form 1040.

If you have children who are under age 17 – age 16 or younger – at the end of 2009, then you will probably qualify for the Child Tax Credit. If you can take this credit, it will SIGNIFICANTLY reduce your tax liability. Once again, if you use TurboTax, etc., it should have calculated it for you if you answered the questions in the software correctly.

If you or your children have attended higher education, then it might be worth your while to look into education credits--read about Form 8863 and Form 8917 to see if you qualify. These 3 credits can be gotten by any taxpayer who qualifies.

[fredinator]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

So you're getting that big EIC, MWP and AdditionalChild tax Credits?

the last 5 years I've been getting between 5000-6000 back. So even when ur daddy was in office I got the sane amount back than when ur black daddy got in the office !
( my kids are 6 & 3 )
Is that ok with you ?!

Not sure what your particulars are (re.income and married status), but it's an unquestionable FACT that under The Won, you are getting $400 to $1800 more back than under Bush. The Making Work Pay Credit and The Additional Child Tax Credit were just put into effect this year. They are REFUNDABLE Credits, like the EIC. Believe me, I know how this works.

You don't know what you are talking about. What do you think the Additional Child Tax Credit is? What do you think the Making Work Pay Credit is?

President Bush mailed you the same type of payment when he sent out those checks we got a couple of years ago, Fact Twister.


P.S. The government doesn't "let" you take or not take any of these credits--it's up to you. You do some research and if you're eligible, then YOU take the credits. You can amend previous tax returns if you think you missed any of the credits discussed above for previous tax years. Look into filing an amended tax return, Form 1040X. Depending on the credits, you could receive extra $$.

You might be eligible to increase your standard deduction by certain state or local real estate taxes, new motor vehicle taxes, or a net disaster loss. See Schedule L for 2009 tax year; for 2008 the IRS website has the particulars.

[donnaplease]

The EIC was put in place by President Nixon--it's been around a long time. It helps the really poor in our country. Most people who REALLY ARE poor take the EIC and deserve it. Some on this board don't know very much about taxes and are the loudest whiners and complainers. Just like everything else, there is some cheating going on with taxes; however, the majority of the American people are honest when they file their tax returns and those that need a break get it. The ones who cheat are usually caught sooner or later.

It does help the poor in this country. It also rewards those that repeatedly have babies out of wedlock with no regard to how they're gonna pay for them (which is the kind of person I was referencing with my previous post). Therefore, it's another form of welfare. Just the name of it lends one to scratch their head. "Earned Income Credit"? So, we're gonna reward you for actually having a job? If that's the case, EVERYONE who has a job should be eligible, especially in this economic society. Or maybe now we can have the "unearned" income credit - a tax break for those who are unable to find one of those 'shovel-ready' jobs that we were promised over a year ago.

I guess I'm a whiner and complainer, but I know how hard I work and I know how little others work, and for them to get a refund check that in some cases quadruples mine just because they squeezed out a couple of kids to a druggie deadbeat is not exactly right. The even sadder part is that many of those kids don't even benefit from it.

I'm thinking more than ever that the flat tax is the way to go. It puts everyone on equal footing as far as their ability (and obligation) to contribute.

[fredinator]

The EIC was put in place by President Nixon--it's been around a long time. It helps the really poor in our country. Most people who REALLY ARE poor take the EIC and deserve it. Some on this board don't know very much about taxes and are the loudest whiners and complainers. Just like everything else, there is some cheating going on with taxes; however, the majority of the American people are honest when they file their tax returns and those that need a break get it. The ones who cheat are usually caught sooner or later.

It does help the poor in this country. It also rewards those that repeatedly have babies out of wedlock with no regard to how they're gonna pay for them (which is the kind of person I was referencing with my previous post). Therefore, it's another form of welfare. Just the name of it lends one to scratch their head. "Earned Income Credit"? So, we're gonna reward you for actually having a job? If that's the case, EVERYONE who has a job should be eligible, especially in this economic society. Or maybe now we can have the "unearned" income credit - a tax break for those who are unable to find one of those 'shovel-ready' jobs that we were promised over a year ago.

I guess I'm a whiner and complainer, but I know how hard I work and I know how little others work, and for them to get a refund check that in some cases quadruples mine just because they squeezed out a couple of kids to a druggie deadbeat is not exactly right. The even sadder part is that many of those kids don't even benefit from it.

I'm thinking more than ever that the flat tax is the way to go. It puts everyone on equal footing as far as their ability (and obligation) to contribute.

I don't get the reward part--the little money they get doesn't offset the amount of money needed to raise a child. Most of these people make $15,000 to $25,000 a year (single and married). Also, the key is "earned"--these people have to be working and making wages at a job in order to get the credit. What do you want them to do? If we didn't help them somehow, we would have ghettos like the ones they have in India.

[conversationpc]

I'm thinking more than ever that the flat tax is the way to go. It puts everyone on equal footing as far as their ability (and obligation) to contribute.

The flat tax would be a major improvement over what we have but it's still regressive in comparison to the fair tax, for instance, which is really the only major tax change proposal out there that effectively eliminates the tax burden on the poor.

[StevePerryHair]

I'm sure you'd think differently Saint John, if you had kids .

So you're getting that big EIC, MWP and AdditionalChild tax Credits?

the last 5 years I've been getting between 5000-6000 back. So even when ur daddy was in office I got the sane amount back than when ur black daddy got in the office !
( my kids are 6 & 3 )
Is that ok with you ?!

Not sure what your particulars are (re.income and married status), but it's an unquestionable FACT that under The Won, you are getting $400 to $1800 more back than under Bush. The Making Work Pay Credit and The Additional Child Tax Credit were just put into effect this year. They are REFUNDABLE Credits, like the EIC. Believe me, I know how this works.

Interesting, because nothing changed with us, our income or number of dependents and the refund under Bush and Obama was about exactly the same. I don't see HOW you figure it is so different. We have 3 children and we got back about what B is saying he did. About exactly what we got back for our 2008 taxes also. No way $400 to $1800 more. I wish!!

We paid around $9100 in both 2008 and 2009. In 2008 we got back just over $4100, this year we got back over $7200. No changes in dependents or anything. They did allow me to claim my tuition, books and stuff I bought for school. They didn't let me do any of that for 2008.

Well, something did change for you if you were a student and you claimed things. But I just don't see HOW you jumped that high from 08 to 09 I WISH I had a jump like that! It makes no sense how you could end up with $3000 more and I have 3 kids, and knowing my situation and income mine stayed the same.

[Ehwmatt]

The EIC was put in place by President Nixon--it's been around a long time. It helps the really poor in our country. Most people who REALLY ARE poor take the EIC and deserve it. Some on this board don't know very much about taxes and are the loudest whiners and complainers. Just like everything else, there is some cheating going on with taxes; however, the majority of the American people are honest when they file their tax returns and those that need a break get it. The ones who cheat are usually caught sooner or later.

It does help the poor in this country. It also rewards those that repeatedly have babies out of wedlock with no regard to how they're gonna pay for them (which is the kind of person I was referencing with my previous post). Therefore, it's another form of welfare. Just the name of it lends one to scratch their head. "Earned Income Credit"? So, we're gonna reward you for actually having a job? If that's the case, EVERYONE who has a job should be eligible, especially in this economic society. Or maybe now we can have the "unearned" income credit - a tax break for those who are unable to find one of those 'shovel-ready' jobs that we were promised over a year ago.

I guess I'm a whiner and complainer, but I know how hard I work and I know how little others work, and for them to get a refund check that in some cases quadruples mine just because they squeezed out a couple of kids to a druggie deadbeat is not exactly right. The even sadder part is that many of those kids don't even benefit from it.

I'm thinking more than ever that the flat tax is the way to go. It puts everyone on equal footing as far as their ability (and obligation) to contribute.

I don't get the reward part--the little money they get doesn't offset the amount of money needed to raise a child. Most of these people make $15,000 to $25,000 a year (single and married). Also, the key is "earned"--these people have to be working and making wages at a job in order to get the credit. What do you want them to do? If we didn't help them somehow, we would have ghettos like the ones they have in India.

Is Obama instituting a 10+ MR Forum screen name tax credit this year? If so, does the latest version of TurboTax support it? Inquiring minds want to know.