Comments on: Finances, Money, and the Bailout http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout A Blog of Atheist Thought Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:03:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: tyro http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89862 tyro Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89862 You guys have a little budget and a few lawyers kicking around, right? Have you ever found out what the exact legal definition of religion is and is there a way to ram otherwise secular societies in? As a legal ignoramus it still strikes me as discriminatory if religious groups are granted tax-exempt status for doing diddly-squat. The big mega-churches have bowling, fast-food and JumboTron tvs, surely the bar for tax-exempt status must be pretty low.<br /> <br /> I figure there would be two outcomes that would be greatly beneficial: vast number of secular organizations suddenly become tax exempt; or it goes to trial and a court is forced to proscribe strict limits on what sorts of religions are acceptable (which is a whole lot of awesome).<br /> <br /> I'm reminded of some schools offering paid days off for Jewish teachers for religious reasons which sounds like clear discrimination against atheists. Why can't atheists get social organizations which are tax-exempt? You guys have a little budget and a few lawyers kicking around, right? Have you ever found out what the exact legal definition of religion is and is there a way to ram otherwise secular societies in? As a legal ignoramus it still strikes me as discriminatory if religious groups are granted tax-exempt status for doing diddly-squat. The big mega-churches have bowling, fast-food and JumboTron tvs, surely the bar for tax-exempt status must be pretty low.

I figure there would be two outcomes that would be greatly beneficial: vast number of secular organizations suddenly become tax exempt; or it goes to trial and a court is forced to proscribe strict limits on what sorts of religions are acceptable (which is a whole lot of awesome).

I’m reminded of some schools offering paid days off for Jewish teachers for religious reasons which sounds like clear discrimination against atheists. Why can’t atheists get social organizations which are tax-exempt?

]]> By: rainbows4dinosaurs http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89864 rainbows4dinosaurs Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89864 My stepfather, who's many degrees include a doctorate in world economics, has been my goto guy on money issues for years. I had a long conversation with him about the Paulson plan and he seems to think it's exactly what we need. He kept stressing that it is unlikely that we will end up owing the full $700 billion because those assets will eventually work themselves out and begin generating capital again. <br /> <br /> He also agrees that this is a death nail for the unregulated free market philosophy. I think it's pretty telling that every single industry that has undergone massive deregulation has pretty much turned to shit, or went to shit and had to be reigned back in: the telecommunications industry, commercial radio, the press, energy companies (remember Enron?), health care and other insurance, and now our <b>banks</b>. They played russian ro_ulette with the driving forces of our economy and the gun has finally gone off. <br /> <br /> And yet the dunderheads on the far right of the house are still pretending to fight for a 'market solution.' What market are they talking about? The market is fracking wiped out! Half of it has been pretty much nationalized anyway! Idiots.<br /> <br /> <br /> My stepfather, who’s many degrees include a doctorate in world economics, has been my goto guy on money issues for years. I had a long conversation with him about the Paulson plan and he seems to think it’s exactly what we need. He kept stressing that it is unlikely that we will end up owing the full $700 billion because those assets will eventually work themselves out and begin generating capital again.

He also agrees that this is a death nail for the unregulated free market philosophy. I think it’s pretty telling that every single industry that has undergone massive deregulation has pretty much turned to shit, or went to shit and had to be reigned back in: the telecommunications industry, commercial radio, the press, energy companies (remember Enron?), health care and other insurance, and now our banks. They played russian ro_ulette with the driving forces of our economy and the gun has finally gone off.

And yet the dunderheads on the far right of the house are still pretending to fight for a ‘market solution.’ What market are they talking about? The market is fracking wiped out! Half of it has been pretty much nationalized anyway! Idiots.

]]> By: what http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89865 what Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89865 McSame is such an ahole. He pulled his little attention getting suspending-the-campaign stunt which has now resulted in the injection of politics into this mess. McSame is such an ahole. He pulled his little attention getting suspending-the-campaign stunt which has now resulted in the injection of politics into this mess.

]]> By: teammarty http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89866 teammarty Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89866 Why should churches be any different from any other mega billion corperation and hve to pay their fair share of taxes?? Then they couldn't bleed the beast, they'd have to feed it. <br /> <br /> That reminds me, isn't there something about rendering to Caesar in their bible?<br /> <br /> Even with churches paying just property tax, we could increase school funding (or cut taxes for the restof us. Notice how tax assessments don't fall with property values. Strange, huh??)<br /> <br /> But then, where would they get the money for restitution for the victims of abuse? Why should churches be any different from any other mega billion corperation and hve to pay their fair share of taxes?? Then they couldn’t bleed the beast, they’d have to feed it.

That reminds me, isn’t there something about rendering to Caesar in their bible?

Even with churches paying just property tax, we could increase school funding (or cut taxes for the restof us. Notice how tax assessments don’t fall with property values. Strange, huh??)

But then, where would they get the money for restitution for the victims of abuse?

]]> By: mdetrano http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89871 mdetrano Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89871 I see this bumper sticker, "I'm a Republican because *everyone* can't be on welfare"...<br /> <br /> ..yet, here we are, a bailout that has been made necessary by the republican-neocon agenda that puts everyone one welfare (or so the greedheads would have us believe, anyhow).<br /> <br /> Not sure taxing churches would fix this...aren't they exempt for pretty much the same reason American Atheists is, anyhow? I see this bumper sticker, “I’m a Republican because *everyone* can’t be on welfare”…

..yet, here we are, a bailout that has been made necessary by the republican-neocon agenda that puts everyone one welfare (or so the greedheads would have us believe, anyhow).

Not sure taxing churches would fix this…aren’t they exempt for pretty much the same reason American Atheists is, anyhow?

]]> By: Dorky Mommy http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89872 Dorky Mommy Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89872 The United States is a secular society, and it is beyond ridiculous that religion based clubs don't have to pay taxes. It is even worse that the dues (contritbutions, love offerings, collections, etc.) are considered Charity contributions and can be deducted from the income tax. The tax code needs to be revised so that donations to churches are NOT considered charity. And what about the businesses and apartment housed owned by religious groups? They don't have to pay all their taxes either. The United States is a secular society, and it is beyond ridiculous that religion based clubs don’t have to pay taxes. It is even worse that the dues (contritbutions, love offerings, collections, etc.) are considered Charity contributions and can be deducted from the income tax. The tax code needs to be revised so that donations to churches are NOT considered charity. And what about the businesses and apartment housed owned by religious groups? They don’t have to pay all their taxes either.

]]> By: phreedm http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89875 phreedm Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89875 Comment from: rainbows4dinosaurs <br /> <br /> <blockquote>He also agrees that this is a death nail for the unregulated free market philosophy. I think it's pretty telling that every single industry that has undergone massive deregulation has pretty much turned to shit, or went to shit and had to be reigned back in: the telecommunications industry, commercial radio, the press, energy companies (remember Enron?), health care and other insurance, and now our banks.</blockquote><br /> <br /> You've got to be kidding...you can't be serious. It was regulations that got us into this mess...not the free market. You should watch the video I posted on the last thread...<br /> <br /> Are you telling me deregulations hurt the telecom industry? <br /> <br /> It's massive federal regulations in the health industry that have helped drive up costs (by design I might add) so the weak minded will fall for the dream of socia1ized medicine...don't believe me?<br /> <br /> Two health care industries that have the least amount of government interference are plastic surgery and eye doctors. All very competitive with costs going down in some areas.<br /> <br /> And I see "What do I know"...falls for the lies of the Dems last Friday. They came out Friday afternoon and lied to the American public when they said they had a deal. THERE WAS NO DEAL. It was all designed to blame McCain for the lack of progress...<br /> <br /> As for taxing churches...<br /> <br /> It's called the First Amendment...<br /> <br /> Or as Dave like's to promote...they "myth"...<br /> <br /> And by the way Dave...a secular society? Hmmm...congress just took the next 2 days off for the Jewish holidays. Now, where's your complaints? Oh wait...Dems run the joint...<br /> Comment from: rainbows4dinosaurs

He also agrees that this is a death nail for the unregulated free market philosophy. I think it’s pretty telling that every single industry that has undergone massive deregulation has pretty much turned to shit, or went to shit and had to be reigned back in: the telecommunications industry, commercial radio, the press, energy companies (remember Enron?), health care and other insurance, and now our banks.

You’ve got to be kidding…you can’t be serious. It was regulations that got us into this mess…not the free market. You should watch the video I posted on the last thread…

Are you telling me deregulations hurt the telecom industry?

It’s massive federal regulations in the health industry that have helped drive up costs (by design I might add) so the weak minded will fall for the dream of socia1ized medicine…don’t believe me?

Two health care industries that have the least amount of government interference are plastic surgery and eye doctors. All very competitive with costs going down in some areas.

And I see “What do I know”…falls for the lies of the Dems last Friday. They came out Friday afternoon and lied to the American public when they said they had a deal. THERE WAS NO DEAL. It was all designed to blame McCain for the lack of progress…

As for taxing churches…

It’s called the First Amendment…

Or as Dave like’s to promote…they “myth”…

And by the way Dave…a secular society? Hmmm…congress just took the next 2 days off for the Jewish holidays. Now, where’s your complaints? Oh wait…Dems run the joint…

]]> By: charlie http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89876 charlie Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89876 I think the house does pass the 700 billion bill.....and maybe it does temporally free up credit, slow falling home prices and provide for a quick bounce in the stock markets....but eventually we will see as a result of our extended credit and ballooning deficits.... a weaking dollar....<br /> <br /> Im considering a new appraisal on my home....I should have a case to lower the towns assessment...thereby reducing my property tax bill<br /> I think the house does pass the 700 billion bill…..and maybe it does temporally free up credit, slow falling home prices and provide for a quick bounce in the stock markets….but eventually we will see as a result of our extended credit and ballooning deficits…. a weaking dollar….

Im considering a new appraisal on my home….I should have a case to lower the towns assessment…thereby reducing my property tax bill

]]> By: DD Dropout http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89877 DD Dropout Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89877 OT<br /> <br /> Terrorists attack American religious centre! Other than locally, news outlets ignore the event.<br /> <br /> http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/29/ddn092908mosquefoloweb.html<br /> <br /> Some are making a connection with the massive distribution of an anti-religion DVD being distributed by a political organisation. OT

Terrorists attack American religious centre! Other than locally, news outlets ignore the event.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/29/ddn092908mosquefoloweb.html

Some are making a connection with the massive distribution of an anti-religion DVD being distributed by a political organisation.

]]> By: DD Dropout http://atheists.org/blog/2008/09/30/finances_money_and_the_bailout/comment-page-1#comment-89878 DD Dropout Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-89878 If everyone's assessment goes up or down in proportion to everyone else's then there would be no change in an individual property tax bill. If everyone’s assessment goes up or down in proportion to everyone else’s then there would be no change in an individual property tax bill.

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