Free Republic

Technically, nothing prevents Warren Buffett and other “Patriotic Millionaires” from donating money to the federal government right now, but, as they continue to clamor for a higher tax rate for themselves and others, it’s easy to assume they don’t know that. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) have introduced legislation to ensure they do: Dubbed “The Buffett Rule Act of 2011,” the names of the bills take a mocking swipe at President Barack Obama’s own proposed “Buffet Rule,” which conversely would close tax code loopholes to ensure that Warren Buffett and those like him no longer pay...

Fox: Would New Taxes Help or Hurt the Economy? Help. It would bring down the federal debt. Hurt. It would take money away from the people creating jobs. Not sure. The economy is still fragile but may rebound regardless of taxes. Other (post a comment) and: KQV: Do you agree with the President that the most fortunate among us can afford to pay higher taxes to help reduce the deficit? Yes No

About two-thirds of United States senators were millionaires in 2008, according to a recent analysis of politicians’ fortunes conducted by the Center for Responsive Politics. The research organization, which also tracks political donations, recently analyzed the assets and liabilities of lawmakers based on 2008’s required annual financial disclosures. The center estimated each politician’s net worth by adding together the lawmaker’s range of assets and then subtracted the range of liabilities. The midpoint of that resulting range was used to rank the politicians. In the Senate, 68 legislators were estimated to be worth at least $1 million, led by Herb Kohl,...

"It is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need." So wrote Paul to the Corinthians when they had lost their enthusiasm for giving money to help the poor of the Jerusalem church. It is the very same issue we face today in the United States: will we work for a fair balance between those who currently have an abundance of riches and those who are in dire need? New data released from the 2000 Census document the shameful number of poor children in desperate need all across our country. In some counties, an astounding...

The Rich Are In Control Now The $10,000 grill is back in. Actually, it never went out. In the economic shock wave that struck after the terrorists did, sales of $400 to $800 barbecue grills - trade-up types popular with the middle class - dropped. Super grills equipped with built-in smoker boxes, cocktail carts, plate warmers, digital temperature probes - all meant for your custom "outdoor room" (with refrigerator, wet bar, pizza oven) - never slumped. "High-end sales held up," said Donna H. Myers, spokeswoman for the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. Also back is the $11,750 case of wine,...

From Russia, one-steppe taxationSoldiers who refuse duty in territories show Americans the wayBy DANIEL J. MITCHELL, Knight Ridder/Tribune WASHINGTON - Eleven years ago, the Soviet Union was a communist dictatorship, an "evil empire," in the words of President Reagan. But today, the Cold War is a fading memory, and the nation that used to represent international socialism has junked its "progressive" income tax for a simple and fair 13 percent flat tax. What's more -- in a plot twist even novelist Tom Clancy might have scoffed at -- the idea came from President Vladimir Putin, a former head of the...