Posted on 12/29/2004 5:03:43 PM PST by FairOpinion
Here's a simple proposal that would capture the world's attention, and which a majority of Americans would almost certainly support. President Bush should announce that because of the colossal losses suffered by millions of people in Southeast Asia and East Africa, he will make an exception to his promise not to raise taxes. Bush should propose a Tsunami Disaster Relief Surtax for 2004 and 2005, with very simple components that everyone can understand.
Since Americans, like others, are now experiencing both deep compassion for the surviving family members of the Tsunami's victims and a sense of impotence at the sheer magnitude of the calamity, it is unlikely that there would be much opposition to such a proposal -- especially if it contains an invitation to the other developed nations to provide similar funds. I believe that Americans would overwhelmingly embrace the proposal.
So -- where is the imagination in our national leadership?
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PNS contributor Robert S. Rivkin is a San Francisco lawyer who has trained foreign judges and prosecutors on human rights and rule of law issues for international development projects.
I view this as an opportunity to lower taxes. If I had lower taxes, more money in my wallet, I would have more money to directly contribute to relief efforts.
That is what they just don't get. I heard that Amazon was accepting donations for the American Red Cross this afternoon. They had $1,000,000 dollars already. I just looked, and the total is up to $3 million just a few hours later. And that is just from Amazon. I am sure many others have donated to RC directly and other organizations over the past day or so.
Liberals view of compassion and morality is to do good with other people's money. I want to choose myself where to give the money. We don't need any stupid tax. Giving money without going through the government is so much more efficient. (Although I was fairly impressed listening to the guy from USAID talk on Special Report tonight.)
The game has been 'get Bush' since 2000. They've just gotten more skilled/practiced at the 'art'.....and a LOT more desperate.
Let us find out who the really stingy ones are. Maybe France will make these payments for us so we can give more disaster relief... since we are such close "allies."
HELL NO!!!
I saw the BEST IDEA OF THE CENTURY EARLIER!!! SINCE WE'VE BEEN CRITICIZED AS BEING SO "STINGY," THE UNITED STATES SHOULD SIMPLY SUGGEST THAT WE'LL GIVE 1/2 OF THE ANNUAL U.N. APPROPRIATION TO THE DISASTER RELIEF, THAT IS, UNLESS THE UNITED NATIONS IS THE ONE THAT'S GREEDY!!
GET THIS TAX TRASH OUT OF HERE YOU CRAZY LUNATIC -- AMERICANS ARE ALREADY TAXED NEAR 50% and need SERIOUS RELIEF!
Visit the ANTI-DNC Web Portal at --->
http://www.noDNC.com
Radical new changes coming in a few weeks!!
Billions per year. Actually we could give millions and use the rest to pay down the debt or give it back to the taxpayers. Or both.
"10:00 (AEDT) THE United Nations today appealed for $US130 million ($168.2 million) to jumpstart its relief effort after the Asian tsunami disaster and said more would be required soon."
And how much is the UN willing to give to this need?
"At the present time, I believe, as individuals, we are able to give as much money as we wish. Aren't we?"
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.
Yes we as individuals can give as much as we want, but that will not count towards the "stingy" yardstick of how generous we are.
Have former Presidents Clinton and H.W. Bush lead a private fund raising effort.
ROTFLOL!!
So, who do you think will win this competition and get their donor lists and the American people to pony up the most for the tsunami devastated countries relief effort?
Holy crap!! I didnt think that people could be this stupid.
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