Posted on 11/23/2001 2:58:00 PM PST by Smogger
But you don't understand. How can the IRS really enforce all the new taxes on capital gains if it can't fully document your original purchase price? Even more, how can they prosecute you for violating an arcane and confusing government law when you purchased an item, if they don't enact such government laws in the first place?
It's really very simple.
But the observation is based on a false premise...you are misunderstanding the definition of "public"...perhaps intentionally to make your point.
I am saying PUBLIC...like Public...ie customers in the marketplace....You are saying PUBLIC like government.
We can never discuss this rationally using different definitions.
v. intr.
To conduct a thorough investigation; seek: were searching for clues.
n.
An act of searching.
Law. The exercise of right of search.
Idiom
How is it NOT a search? Are they not looking for something, in this case, evidence of a cash transaction in excess of $10K?
You are locking the barn door after the horse is out. This has been the law for years. They have only added merchants to the list of enterprises who already report cash transactions over $10,000. That tells me the criminals have adjusted to the prior system. They used to buy cars to launder the cash. Now they are buying other stuff. I know you know this stuff and I know you know the argument about locks on the trunks of cars is a red herring. And I think you just like to argue....so you really must be a lawyer...:) Although we do not agree on the "reasonableness" of this law, thanks for sharing your opinions. You have given me things to think about.
I pointed out what FR is about because it did not seem you knew this was a conservative forum.
I do like to argue. With FR, I get all the arguing I need or want.
This particular rule is not my biggest concern with the Patriot Act anyhow. There are some other search provisions that do truly offend the 4th Amendment. But I do think this starts getting close to the line. Here is my thinking:
If we all agree that it is reasonable for the Government to seek information on all cash purchases in excess of $10,000. What if they want to make it $1,000, do you have a problem with that? What about ALL cash transactions? What if they say all cash transactions over $10,000 require the seller to obtain a photo of the purchasor? Where does it stop? I am 100% for fighting terrorism and criminal behavior. What I see is solution which is not going to stop terrorism, but opens the door to futher monitoring of non-criminal tranactions by citizens. Also, in addition to those with an ulterior motive in spending cash there are many people who just plain like their privacy.
Fair enough. I was stunned by your answer. So I won't ask you anything else...:)
I pointed out what FR is about because it did not seem you knew this was a conservative forum.
I lurked for over a year before I posted anything so I knew it was a conservative forum. Also, I have had lots of responses from other posters who consider themselves conservative who have agreed with some of my ideas. You are the first person in my life who has ever considered me a liberal...
that's why I don't like labels....if you are to the right of me, I am a liberal to you and I don't like being defined by your position, whatever it is.
Thanks for the humor break. Some of these posters are downright serious. I'll admit I may not have specified the Patriot Act in the response you read....
since I was answering what seemed like hundreds of them...:) but in my defense...that is the subject of this thread. Thanks again for the levity.
That is none of your or the governments business.
"This is the law, maybe it shouldn't be the law....that is not the question."
Yes it is.
Really, Sir? Then tell us all about yourself. All the intimate details. Please leave nothing out.
What? We're not entitled to know? But gosh, we're just people here, and the people ARE the government. We really want to know. Especially if you spend more money on something than we think your income would "reasonably allow." You may have been stuffing a matress or a coffee-can for several years, but while you're probably a decent, honest person, we can't quite trust you, so come clean, pcl, right here, right now. Don't make us interrogate your family. This will be a very quick and clean process.
You wouldn't have anything to hide, would you? Then you have nothing to fear.
It's about the Children/Terrorists don't you know. You wouldn't want to be anti-child, or anti-terrorist, would you? Cough it up.
We mean you no harm. We have your best interests at heart. Always.
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