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How Obama's Soak-The-Rich Plan Will End Up Hurting Middle Class
IBD Editorials ^ | March 3, 2009 | Jim Powell

Posted on 03/03/2009 5:48:18 PM PST by Kaslin

President Obama has claimed that his budget goes after the rich who supposedly will pay the cost of his spending extravaganza. But it is already apparent that the rest of us will pay plenty.

Obama is continuing the crusade against offshore tax havens he began as an Illinois senator. He's targeting places like the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles and Switzerland, which have low taxes. There are about 50 such tax havens globally.

It's wrong to think that a U.S. crackdown on offshore tax havens would primarily hit disgraced Wall Street high rollers who made fortunes peddling subprime securities. These tax havens are used by many of the biggest U.S.-based corporations to help minimize the massive tax liabilities imposed on multinational operations.

To the extent these corporations are able to minimize their tax liabilities — along with other costs of doing business — their profits and stock valuations are higher.

Shares of these corporations are in millions of individual retirement plans as well as the portfolios of colleges, universities, insurance companies, hospitals and charitable institutions.

Some of the corporations would be more adversely affected than others by Obama's effort to bar the use of offshore tax havens, thereby raising corporate taxes, undermining stock valuations — and making it harder to hire people.

Why would Obama choose to attack stock valuations now, after the stock market has already lost about half its value during the past year? Why, when the country is in a serious recession, investment portfolios have been hammered, the banking sector is in turmoil, and unemployment rates are rising, would Obama make it harder for U.S.-based corporations to do business?

(Excerpt) Read more at ibdeditorials.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial
KEYWORDS: bho44; classwarfare; democrats; economy; impeachobama; middleclass; obama; spreadthewealth

1 posted on 03/03/2009 5:48:19 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

The 0 proves everyday that he is not qualified to run this country


2 posted on 03/03/2009 5:49:55 PM PST by Kaslin (Acronym for Obma: One Bad Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin

Hurting = Destroying. His mission. Remember there is no middle class in communism.


3 posted on 03/03/2009 5:50:06 PM PST by screaminsunshine (f)
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To: Kaslin

4 posted on 03/03/2009 5:50:16 PM PST by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: Kaslin

Places are already cutting benefits to middle class workers to absorb the cost of doing business in the United States of France.


5 posted on 03/03/2009 5:50:30 PM PST by omega4179 (I hope he fails)
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To: Kaslin

The middle class ALWAYS pays the cost of the government. And the definition of middle class is the battle field. All I know is that my taxes are going up one way or another.


6 posted on 03/03/2009 5:50:34 PM PST by Thebaddog (Obama really did believe that stuff he was saying during the campaign)
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To: Kaslin

Because Republicans are NOT organized like democrats and cannot run commercials saying “Obama doesnt care about your 401K retirement” as democrats would,


7 posted on 03/03/2009 5:50:59 PM PST by sickoflibs (Keynesian Economics : "If you won't spend your money WE WILL!")
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To: screaminsunshine
Hurting = Destroying. His mission. Remember there is no middle class in communism.

I need to remind some relatives of that statement again.

8 posted on 03/03/2009 5:53:26 PM PST by TribalPrincess2U (Welcome to Obama's America... Be afraid, be very afraid)
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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2136635/posts

“Are you looking for a job?”

Note: This thread is updated on a regular basis.


9 posted on 03/03/2009 5:55:12 PM PST by Cindy
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To: TribalPrincess2U

This will also encourage more US companies to move out of the US. Any company that is doing 50% of there business out of US should relocate.
If you really want to kill US business..start double taxing them for their operations overseas.


10 posted on 03/03/2009 5:57:15 PM PST by Oldexpat
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To: Kaslin
If corporations can avoid higher taxes by incorporating or locating in other countries, then there will be less incentive for them to fight the high corporate tax rates in this country.

It might work out better in the long run if Obama is successful in preventing U.S. companies from incorporating or locating in other countries.

Then U.S. companies would be forced to lobby hard for lower corporate tax rates that would help all corporations ... and even encourage non-U.S. firms to locate here.

In any case I think it is an impossible task to prevent multi-national countries from being kowtowed by the laws of any single nation. There will always be a workaround, or else there will be protectionist backlash.

11 posted on 03/03/2009 6:02:08 PM PST by who_would_fardels_bear (The cosmos is about the smallest hole a man can stick his head in. - Chesterton)
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To: Kaslin
They ask: "Why would Obama do anything to make life harder for American consumers in already tough times?" But, they don't answer their own question. So, why is he doing this?
12 posted on 03/03/2009 6:03:20 PM PST by GBA
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To: Oldexpat

That’s what they’re doing.

If that isn’t destroying America from within, I don’t know what is.
It’s going to take a lot to wake these idiots up. Some of them who longingly cling to his legs like Chrissy, and will never admit they were wrong.


13 posted on 03/03/2009 6:10:37 PM PST by TribalPrincess2U (Welcome to Obama's America... Be afraid, be very afraid)
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To: Kaslin

There has been a lot of talk aboout a ‘’fair tax’’. This mite be a good time to do 3 things,start the fair tax, revalue the dollar 1 for 10, 1 buck would buy the same as 10 bucks did before, and set up new reciprical agreements with all nations willing to, much as diplomatic are now.


14 posted on 03/03/2009 6:13:05 PM PST by Waco
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To: Kaslin; All
This is the same horseshit that Lounge Lizard Joe said was coming down the pike: crises are coming, we're gonna be tested, you'll think our solutions are wrong, but we need your support.

Support for what, Joe? Destroying the very fabric of Western society? Redefining the construct of modern human civilization? In your and your fellow conspirators' zeal to execute your global putsch, you're skipping over the 'high crimes and misdemeanors' part of the equation, and jumping face-first into the pit of 'crimes against humanity'. How much longer to you think the cauldron will simmer before the boiling tar of our oppression and damnation will explode upon you and sear you to the bone? 2012? 2010? Maybe this year? Do you even think about the consequences of your actions on the body American, or are you incapable because that part of your soul rotted away like a black, infected tooth cavity when you decided that Leftist politics was your true amoral calling?

We're waiting for an answer, Joe. And our impatience is becoming stuff of legend.


15 posted on 03/03/2009 6:16:47 PM PST by Viking2002 (The Occupation has begun. God help America.)
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To: Waco

What would be the benefit of revaluing the dollar? Wouldn’t everything essentially still cost the same, but with a different price tag attached to it? Please excuse my ignorance if I’m missing something obvious.


16 posted on 03/03/2009 6:19:06 PM PST by Two Kids' Dad (((( ))))
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To: GBA
So, why is he doing this?

Haven't studied Lenin, I see...

17 posted on 03/03/2009 6:25:59 PM PST by Jim Noble (They are willing to kill for socialism...but not to die for it.)
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To: Two Kids' Dad

Silver, copper, nickel etc. would be one tenth as much as it is now, in ‘’new’’ montery terms. This would allow re-introduction of these metals in coinage, anong other uses.


18 posted on 03/03/2009 6:27:17 PM PST by Waco
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To: Kaslin
Why would Obama choose to attack stock valuations now, after the stock market has already lost about half its value during the past year? Why, when the country is in a serious recession, investment portfolios have been hammered, the banking sector is in turmoil, and unemployment rates are rising, would Obama make it harder for U.S.-based corporations to do business?

Heighten the contradictions.

The worse, the better.

All power to the workers and people's soviets!

19 posted on 03/03/2009 6:28:13 PM PST by Jim Noble (They are willing to kill for socialism...but not to die for it.)
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To: Kaslin
Corporations that can't take advantage of the tax havens to operate more economically in the U.S. will solve the problem by cutting loose the cause of the problem...operating in the U.S.
20 posted on 03/03/2009 6:31:45 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: Kaslin

21 posted on 03/03/2009 6:33:30 PM PST by Colonial Warrior (Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.)
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To: Kaslin
Obama's "budget" is going to do severe damage to the oil companies. That will be great news for all who have big retirement fund investments in the oil companies. Obama "attacks" the rich and cuts the legs out from everyone with a retirement portfolio.
22 posted on 03/03/2009 6:34:20 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: Myrddin

And their ex-employees will go on the dole, leaving who exactly to provide the taxes needed to feed the Leviathan?

When Obama completes the fence will it be to keep people out or in?


23 posted on 03/03/2009 6:44:04 PM PST by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
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To: Kaslin

So let’s recap:
Cause: Reducing charitable tax deductions.
Effect: An immediate tax increase on those of us that give, reduction in goodwill organizations, more people will fall through the cracks where the government will be forced to increase support levels, can you say more taxes?

Cause: Cap and trade and GREEN Initiatives
Effect: Prices of everything that are ptoduced from energy will go UP UP UP. Look for shortages on everyday staples due to manufacturing cutbacks and increased government meddling (rationing far off). INFLATION is an insidious tax.

Cause:Labor Voting Law
Effect: Wal-Mart, Costco, Home Depot will be have forced organization, labor costs will skyrocket, jobs will be lost stores will close, we will have less choice and pay more for all of it.


24 posted on 03/03/2009 7:02:38 PM PST by databoss (I'm with Etta..."big ears" is not my President either)
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To: Kaslin
The Great Homogenizer's aim is to purée the American economy into a featureless sludge, in which the One Leader presides over the One Source of everything: food, water, housing, fuel, transportation, medical care, entertainment, and (unpleasant little necessity that it is) work.

Anyone and everyone who is attached to the government teat -- from Foggy Bottom bureaucrats to union bosses and their rank-and-file to slobbering "journalists" to blinkered academics to invading illegals to slum-ghetto crack whores and gangbangers -- is the Mutt's constituent.

Anyone and everyone who innovates or produces or saves or invests -- from Fortune 50 moguls to the fewer-than-20-employee companies that account for 85% of U.S. businesses to the corner coffee-cart vendor -- is in the Mutt's crosshairs.

Could the lines be any more clearly drawn? Could the coming battle be any less inevitable?

25 posted on 03/03/2009 7:07:24 PM PST by Tenniel2 ("Providence moves slowly, but the devil always hurries" -- John Randolph of Roanoke)
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To: Colonial Warrior

Great post with great statement! Love your tagline too.


26 posted on 03/03/2009 7:11:24 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: Kaslin; All

“... hurting the middle class ...”

We better wake up and realize that destroying the middle class is what this whole mess is about.

A tyrant can only succeed if he destroys the middle class. Tyranny consists of only the ruling class and the slaves.


27 posted on 03/03/2009 7:20:52 PM PST by CyberAnt (Michael Yon: "The U.S. military is the most respected institution in Iraq.")
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To: Kaslin

what we’re seeing right now are the rich bailing out of the USA....all that’s left will be the middle-class..and the dependent class.

40% of federal income tax was paid by 1% of the population...they already have blown town.


28 posted on 03/03/2009 7:22:40 PM PST by mo
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To: Myrddin
Obama "attacks" the rich and cuts the legs out from everyone with a retirement portfolio.

Obama wants to destroy private retirement plans. The retirement plan he wants to give us is a stale loaf of bread twice a week and a free room (for a very short stay) at the Euthanasia Home.

29 posted on 03/03/2009 8:23:10 PM PST by Wilhelm Tell (True or False? This is not a tag line.)
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To: Kaslin

What we have is a kid who grew up mad at the capitalist world, and now is in a position to get even by imposing his Marxist world view on those he grew up hating.

I suspect we ain’t seen nothing, yet!

HST, he and his lackeys are doomed to failure:

Marxism can’t work. Marxism won’t work. Marxism never has worked.

All Marxism has ever done is cause a huge amount of human misery and get a lot of people killed.

That is what we have to try and avoid.

We are in for a very rough ride, but we can survive and will thrive, post Obama.

That is the only theory that will work for me.

One
Big
Ass
Mistake
America!


30 posted on 03/03/2009 9:07:40 PM PST by Taxman (So that the beautiful pressure does not diminish!)
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To: Taxman

Notice my tagline


31 posted on 03/04/2009 3:40:00 AM PST by Kaslin (Acronym for Obma: One Bad Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin

Roger that!


32 posted on 03/04/2009 6:04:11 AM PST by Taxman (So that the beautiful pressure does not diminish!)
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To: mo

MORE DETAIL ABOUT WHO PAYS TAXES. THE “RICH” ALREADY PAY THE LION’S SHARE.........

Who Pays Taxes?
August 1, 2008 by Isaac
Notwithstanding Warren Buffet’s claim that his assistant pays income tax at a higher rate than he, the fact is that the bottom 50% of earners pay at a rate of 2.98%, the top 5% at 20.78% and the top 1% at 23.13%.
Barack Hussein Obama wants to tax the rich more, more, and more! He has plans for your money. Things to do; stuff to buy; worlds to save. TaxProf Blog observes that, as things stand today, the rich are the only ones paying taxes. The bottom 50% of earners pay only 3% of all taxes.
Top 1% Pay More Income Tax Than Bottom 90%

The Tax Foundation has published Summary of Latest Federal Individual Income Tax Data:
New data released by the IRS today offers interesting insights into the distributional spread of the federal income tax burden, new analysis by the Tax Foundation shows. The new data shows that the top-earning 25% of taxpayers (AGI over $62,068) earned 67.5% of the nation’s income, but they paid more than four out of every five dollars collected by the federal income tax (86%). The top 1% of taxpayers (AGI over $364,657) earned approximately 21.2% of the nation’s income (as defined by AGI), yet paid 39.4% of all federal income taxes. That means the top 1% of tax returns paid about the same amount of federal individual income taxes as the bottom 95% of tax returns.


33 posted on 03/07/2009 2:47:54 PM PST by pleikumud
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