ikol

That makes you a selfish bastard, and selfish bastards vote Republican.

Obviously, the watermelon picker works harder, which is why I said the connection isn't 100%. Other factors go into it, such as supply and demand of skills. A much larger % of the population has the necessary skills and training for watermelon picking than for lawyering, and since no one likes watermelons (instead favoring the much superior cantaloupe) and everyone likes to sue or be sued, there's a greater demand for lawyers. That doesn't mean there's absolutely no connection between amount of work and success. If you compared amount of work and pay amongst lawyers, you would probably find th

Really? I could agree with no 100% connection, as in hard work does not guarantee success and lousy work does not guarantee failure, but no connection at all? I guess I can stop studying. I'll just float through the rest of med school and any success or failure I have will be completely determined by luck. And just to correct a couple misconceptions floating around: Obama is cutting taxes for 81.3% of households, not 95%. And the tax rates for those making over $250,000 are in the 30's, so Obama is not raising taxes to 25-26%.

Me 3!

So what's the limit on funding your healthcare? What if there is some new treatment for your brain tumor that costs $1,000,000 and will not cure you but extend your life by a couple months? Is the government obligated to pay for that? Who gets to make the decision on whether you get that treatment? I know I asked this yesterday, but I never got a clear answer from anyone, so I'll ask it again to anyone willing to answer: What do you think is a fair tax rate for someone making $250,000 per year? My answer is 25%.

Happy Birthday!

I would cut defense and privatize social security. 25% Well, I wouldn't be making $250,000 if I was getting taxed at 40-50%. And I would already being paying higher taxes (in both dollar amount and percentage of income) than someone making less under current tax rates.

Not just the money, but I do think it's not too much to ask for me to be allowed to keep a fair amount of the money I will make considering all the work I have to put in to get to that point. I guess the logic is that it's the only way to squeeze in enough training in 5 years. I don't see any good alternatives. Cut spending.

When I was on my surgery rotation, something occurred to me: I am not going into surgery. There's a law in effect that technically limits how much interns/residents work to 80 hours per week. They were actually working about 100, and getting paid what amounts to about $10 per hour (and these are people with medical degrees and $100,000 of student debt on average). They have to do this for at least 5 years of residency, more if they want to subspecialize. When they finally finish their residency, they will make 6-figure incomes, and many of y'all will want to raise their taxes. Seeing as not ma

Not ringing any bells.

They've got a mortgage when they can't afford Fruit Loops? No. I meant he'd literally pay for it with his own money. He doesn't have to be President to do that.

Barack Obama.

I'm pretty sure that it's not growing as fast as you're taxing it (though you'd have to give some actual numbers to be certain).

Indeed. Those parents need to buy their kids some Fruit Loops.

I'd take that tax rate!

Like as in you'd tax the same wealth every year so it eventually whittles down to zero?

Lame.

What do you think is a fair tax rate for the highest income bracket?

But what alternative is more reasonable?

Then, we're in agreement. Obama is probably being honest about his philosophy towards governing and I'm in more agreement with McCain than I am with Obama. Income is yearly whereas wealth is accumulated. Obama is proposing to raise taxes on the former, not the latter.

Give me 5 coherent sentences and I'll give you 5 things on which I agree with McCain.

What does wealth have to do with anything? I thought Obama was going to raise taxes on high incomes.

You're right. All we have to go by is Obama's proposals. Now, I suppose he could be a big liar and is actually planning to keep taxes low, cut spending, appoint strict constructionist judges, refrain from further socializing healthcare, etc., but I assume he's being honest and thus do not care to vote for him.

I would think it would be obvious to anyone smarter than Sarah Palin that disagreeing with McCain less means agreeing more.

I disagree with Obama more than I disagree with McCain on most issues, including taxation, the war in Iraq, healthcare, abortion, and judicial nominees. My point exactly.