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Donald Trump: Unlike other less “patriotic” business leaders, “I’d be willing” to pay more taxes
Hotair ^ | 08/17/2011 | Tina Korbe

Posted on 08/17/2011 12:14:58 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

Donald Trump would be willing to pay more in taxes, he said today in response to Warren Buffett’s news-making op-ed in The New York Times and to President Barack Obama’s exhortation to “put country first.” But, unlike Buffett, Trump doesn’t think all tax hikes are a good idea, economically speaking, because less “patriotic” business “machines” would be apt to take their business outside of the country. National Journal reports:

“I’d be willing [to pay higher taxes],” Trump said on Wednesday, responding to Buffett’s op-ed on ABC’s Good Morning America. “I put country first. A lot of people don’t necessarily put country first…. In many cases, they’re not patriotic. They’re business machines. And they’re going to say, ‘Thank you very much, I appreciate you letting us know. We’re moving to Switzerland.’”

Trump said there would be a “mass exodus” of business if the tax rates were raised. However, he did say that keeping tax breaks for big oil companies would be a mistake. “For us to be subsidizing oil companies is absolutely insane,” he said, breaking from many tea partiers and Republicans who do not want taxes raised on businesses or individuals.

“When [it’s] explained to the tea party, I can’t imagine anyone will stick up for Exxon Mobil or some of these big oil companies making a fortune and paying relatively little in taxes,” Trump said.

Obviously, the nation needs tax reform. The tax system shouldn’t be used to play political favorites. But, in the meantime, the demonization of the rich has got to stop — and presumably well-meaning men like Trump need to stop playing into the hands of those who buy the lie that the rich don’t deserve to keep what they earned solely because they’ve earned more than the rest of us. And, as has been said over and over again, nothing is stopping Warren Buffett or Donald Trump from voluntarily giving more money to the federal government. In fact, that gesture would mean far more anyway as it would signify an over-and-above abundant kind of generosity rather than the mere fulfillment of obligation.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: donaldtrump; taxes
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1 posted on 08/17/2011 12:15:00 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
Feel free to write the check.
2 posted on 08/17/2011 12:16:46 PM PDT by Pecos (Constitutionalist. Liberty and Honor will not die on my watch.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Man is Trump full of sh*&. It’s unpatriotic to move your business outside of the US based on taxes!? That’s wrong on about 300 levels.


3 posted on 08/17/2011 12:18:34 PM PDT by albie
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To: Pecos

Right - Whose stopping you, Donald??? If you think that is the best use of your $$$$$$$$$$$$$$, then go for it!


4 posted on 08/17/2011 12:19:14 PM PDT by Sioux-san
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To: Pecos

Its easier and cheaper to talk.


5 posted on 08/17/2011 12:19:24 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin)
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To: Pecos

Exactly. Dollars to doughnuts he pays the minimum possible, or none at all.


6 posted on 08/17/2011 12:19:36 PM PDT by HerrBlucher ("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged." G.K. Chesterton)
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To: SeekAndFind
“When [it’s] explained to the tea party, I can’t imagine anyone will stick up for Exxon Mobil or some of these big oil companies making a fortune and paying relatively little in taxes,” Trump said.

Isn't Exxon Mobil the largest single tax payer in the country? I believe I read that somewhere.

7 posted on 08/17/2011 12:20:30 PM PDT by CMAC51
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To: SeekAndFind

A leader goes first.

That’s the definition of a leader.

I don’t expect Donald to be writing any checks for a dime more than what his lawyers can wring out of the tax law.


8 posted on 08/17/2011 12:21:20 PM PDT by Westbrook
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To: SeekAndFind

RE: “For us to be subsidizing oil companies is absolutely insane,”

I really want to understand this word “SUBSIDY”. What do they really mean by this?

For me:

A) If I don’t take more of your money, it is NOT a subsidy. It is tax relief

B) If I use tax payer money to pay you for doing business, THAT is a subsidy.

So, when they (e.g. Donald Trump) talk about “subsidies” for the oil industry, which of the above two are they referring to?


9 posted on 08/17/2011 12:22:16 PM PDT by SeekAndFind (u)
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To: SeekAndFind
This guy's as lame and monotonous as Buffett.

Hey, Don, write 'em a check. It says right here they'll take it.

10 posted on 08/17/2011 12:22:57 PM PDT by stevem
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To: CMAC51

RE: “For us to be subsidizing oil companies is absolutely insane,”

I really want to understand this word “SUBSIDY”. What do they really mean by this?

For me:

A) If I don’t take more of your money, it is NOT a subsidy. It is tax relief

B) If I use tax payer money to pay you for doing business, THAT is a subsidy.

So, when they (e.g. Donald Trump) talk about “subsidies” for the oil industry, which of the above two are they referring to?


11 posted on 08/17/2011 12:22:59 PM PDT by SeekAndFind (u)
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To: SeekAndFind

Whose side is he on anyway? First he complains about taxation then he calls for it.


12 posted on 08/17/2011 12:23:30 PM PDT by jersey117
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To: SeekAndFind
Well why don't you and Buffett write out a check to the US Treasury? And next year when your accountant does your taxes tell him to lay off the exemptions
13 posted on 08/17/2011 12:25:27 PM PDT by Kartographer (".. we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.")
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To: SeekAndFind

***...nothing is stopping Warren Buffett or Donald Trump from voluntarily giving more money to the federal government.***

Very good point. I wish some media interviewer would ask point blank why don’t these guys stop talking and start writing. But I’m sure they have a ‘logical’ answer as to why they ‘just can’t’.


14 posted on 08/17/2011 12:27:54 PM PDT by MichaelCorleone (Those who love liberty love Sarah)
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To: SeekAndFind
All these so-called "Patriots" are so full of $%&#. They are using the political climate to stand lofty when all they are really doing is advocating for a tax structure that would put out of business all of their medium to small competitors and prevent new ones.

 Is that really the definition of "Patriotism"?

15 posted on 08/17/2011 12:28:44 PM PDT by txroadkill
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To: SeekAndFind
How about if the Donald ("Cur that didn't bark.") keeps his money and starts another business. He'll need employees. I'm available.

ML/NJ

16 posted on 08/17/2011 12:29:41 PM PDT by ml/nj
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To: SeekAndFind

You’ve accepted a lot of leftist premises when you say you’re willing to pay more taxes, here’s a few:

1.The government puts your money to good use.
2.The government doesn’t waste money.
3.The government doesn’t need to control their spending.
4.You have too much money.
6.The government doesn’t have enough money.
7.The government should determine how much of your money you can keep.


17 posted on 08/17/2011 12:29:59 PM PDT by Brett66 (Where government advances, and it advances relentlessly , freedom is imperiled -Janice Rogers Brown)
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To: Pecos

Exactly - I hereby officially offer Donald Trump the opportunity to pay my taxes. Donald? Get back with me, k?


18 posted on 08/17/2011 12:31:15 PM PDT by AD from SpringBay (We deserve the government we allow.)
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To: cripplecreek
Its easier and cheaper to talk.

Amen to that. Trump and Buffet are all hat and no cattle.

19 posted on 08/17/2011 12:31:29 PM PDT by mewzilla (Forget a third party. We need a second one.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I guess Donald is out of checks for the time being?

How is it patriotic to pay more in taxes?

How much is enough? What we pay right now is more than enough.

Stop spending, and start cutting!


20 posted on 08/17/2011 12:33:58 PM PDT by RexBeach (Mr. Obama can't count.)
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