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Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

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Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#21
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It does not therefore follow that this rule is the key to making that happen.

Which rule? Owning the means of production (via employee stock ownership programs)? That's not a part of Bernie's campaign at all.

The rule this whole thread is about...

If he is correct in claiming that one group is being left behind, passing legislation designed to tie the hands behind the back of another group is not going to help the poorer group. His entire worldview revolves around the flawed misconception that the economy is zero-sum. That of course is a bunch of nonsense. Peter the software developer getting 0.25% equity stake in a startup does not hurt or hinder Joseph the line cook, and preventing Peter from getting that stake will not make Joseph better off.

Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#23

I'm pretty privileged and more than happy to pay a reasonable tax on my fortune if people richer than me who can afford to assemble legal tax shelters can be wrangled in to pay their share too. Also, tax churches. If we could incentivize startup structures that are less focused on pump and dump #growthhax and more on creation of organizations that produce value for the communities they are in and the people who trade…

We live in a time where small community organizations are on the decline. These organizations exist in the form of clubs, athletic leagues, religious organizations such as churches, and others.

Churches provide an emotional support network to many people, perform acts of charity, and generally do much more good than harm. If you intend to use the Westboro Baptist Church as an example of the harm done by churches please be aware that you risk throwing the baby out with the bathwater. If you castigate churches for being close-minded, please consider reading up on the Unitarians for a decent depiction of how varied the moral philosophies of churches can be.

If you want to make accelerate the trend of declining community involvement, tax churches. I don't think it is wise.

Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really confused by your comment to be honest. Maybe it’s an age gap thing? because Bernie is a deeply unfamiliar political animal to people who are less than 40. Also the left knows exactly what it’s need step should be. There’s obvious changes to be made in the areas of healthcare, wealth inequality, and environment. In what sense has “the left” not got a clear next step?

Maybe the commenter failed to distinguish between “left” and “liberal”, resulting in a confusion. Right now it’s the liberals who doesn’t have a clear next step, failing to acknowledge that they are part of the problem for the US’s staggering wealth inequality (which by the way, is the fundamental reason why Trump won), and now just trying to present a more “milder” version of Bernie’s policies to pander to voters.

I was referring to the Democratic Party, which is the more left leaning of the two main American political parties. And additional any left of center activists affiliated with it.

Yes, one can refer to liberalism in an economic and philosophical sense which is very different.

Yet, few Republicans, including very libertarian leaning ones, would ever identify as liberal.

Nobody would call Barry Goldwater a liberal, even though he very much fit the definition.

Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That churches thing - I find they have other benefits too. Is there a few clicks create a church have all the legal and what-have-you filed and such like stripe does with del corps? Might be time to setup one of these things.

It does appear that a lot of people believe religiously that they shouldn't pay taxes. We should all start churches. Maybe get a lawyer or three involved and make enough churches flagrantly abusing the law that the supreme court has to hear a case. The Church of Satan kind of does stuff like that. They do have other benefits but they very state to state. Like that guy that legalized his ayahuasca church in Kentucky[0…

That startchurch looks like they do do it! thanks for that.

I have been kicking the idea around of starting a few 'churches' just have an open 'third place' - I don't mind whatever religions stuff people choose to follow - I'd perhaps want to open a 'coag - church of any gods' and let people choose their own flavors.

To me a 'church space' should/could be all inclusive - even athiest / satanic whatever - life's a journey, things change, no judge all that.. a dojo is just a building where people train.

I like the tax break options, and let sub-groups be pro-active in whatever their chosen things are.

I read a story this week saying some atheist groups are actively trying to stop some religious texts in all government building in a certain state? I found another atheist group doing stuff for homeless that does not push religions.. I would encourage those kinds of things I think.

you mention the ayahuasca - I knew some native Indian folks some time ago that got peyote twice a year legally for their ceremonies, and have read Oregon has taken something like that to their state supreme court?

There are sometimes counseling services offered by these places where the people are not licensed/dr degreed right? So affordable someone to talk to could be offered.

It is interesting the exemptions that are made in the name of the invisible man in the sky as george carlin put it.

I found that our city (maybe state?) has exemptions for codes with churches - so you can't build a tiny home community with r10 zoning here, but if you have a church there are not restrictions on buildings.

As to where I don't particularly care for some of the extra tall buildings in the area, perhaps it's time to take advantage of their exemptions rather than just be miffed that they are getting them.

/randomthoughts

Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It does appear that a lot of people believe religiously that they shouldn't pay taxes. We should all start churches. Maybe get a lawyer or three involved and make enough churches flagrantly abusing the law that the supreme court has to hear a case. The Church of Satan kind of does stuff like that. They do have other benefits but they very state to state. Like that guy that legalized his ayahuasca church in Kentucky[0…

That startchurch looks like they do do it! thanks for that. I have been kicking the idea around of starting a few 'churches' just have an open 'third place' - I don't mind whatever religions stuff people choose to follow - I'd perhaps want to open a 'coag - church of any gods' and let people choose their own flavors. To me a 'church space' should/could be all inclusive - even athiest / satanic whatever - life's a jou…

I was part of such a church. It’s not active anymore.

http://www.churchofvirus.org/

It was good. Then it was bad. It got worse. Then it died a sad death.

I am pretty sure some of it’s members are probably right here on HN. Different time and another lifetime for me.

Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe the commenter failed to distinguish between “left” and “liberal”, resulting in a confusion. Right now it’s the liberals who doesn’t have a clear next step, failing to acknowledge that they are part of the problem for the US’s staggering wealth inequality (which by the way, is the fundamental reason why Trump won), and now just trying to present a more “milder” version of Bernie’s policies to pander to voters.

I was referring to the Democratic Party, which is the more left leaning of the two main American political parties. And additional any left of center activists affiliated with it. Yes, one can refer to liberalism in an economic and philosophical sense which is very different. Yet, few Republicans, including very libertarian leaning ones, would ever identify as liberal. Nobody would call Barry Goldwater a liberal, eve…

> Nobody would call Barry Goldwater a liberal, even though he very much fit the definition.

Only in the latter years of his career. [1]

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Goldwater

Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#28
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

as a middle class tech worker i like bernie but he's going to fuck us over the most.

How exactly? More taxes? Us middle class tech workers will remain totally comfortable under Sanders, and great improvements can be made to environmental and healthcare policy.

I cringe to think about what might happen to the greatly improved VA healthcare benefits I now enjoy.

Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#29
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How many major pieces of legislation does a president get through? One or two seems like the median these days. I doubt this is in his top 20 bills.

> How many major pieces of legislation does a president get through? Without flipping the Senate or replacing McConnell, a Democrat POTUS will get bugger all through unless they can do it through executive orders (AFAIK.)

> unless they can do it through executive orders

Which will be promptly reversed by the next conservative POTUS, thanks to the skill Trump has shown us.

Changes will have to be codified in law to make them stick from now on.

Re: Bernie Sanders Aims New Tax Hike at Executive Retirement Plans

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was referring to the Democratic Party, which is the more left leaning of the two main American political parties. And additional any left of center activists affiliated with it. Yes, one can refer to liberalism in an economic and philosophical sense which is very different. Yet, few Republicans, including very libertarian leaning ones, would ever identify as liberal. Nobody would call Barry Goldwater a liberal, eve…

> Nobody would call Barry Goldwater a liberal, even though he very much fit the definition. Only in the latter years of his career. [1] 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Goldwater

He never identified as a liberal, even in later years. He consistently called himself conservative. He accused the Republican Party of becoming liberal.
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