Our "Fair Share"

[Darrell C]

Okay, so two monkeys walk onto a jobsite...

But seriously folks...

Things have been busy but felt compelled to share this with someone, and couldn't think of a better group than the BB. While on a jobsite the other day I asked one of the workers what he thought of Trump (which, by the way, is a great way to start a conversation and then lead into Biblical issues), and his reaction was he hates the (expletive omitted). This led to the issue of Obamacare, which I will just say led to making a great policy I had obsolete with an offer of a lesser policy that costs twice as much. When asked his views on that he shrugged and said it was irrelevant because he filed for religious exemption. Not aware this option was there, I was surprised about it, and asked what religion he was. Again he shrugs, and says none, he just files that to avoid being taxed.

So my new employee, who happens to be Native American, also gets in on the discussion, and between the two of them, they begin railing about Trump not paying any taxes. I ask, "What is the source of your belief he doesn't pay taxes?" Their response, "He has said so on TV. So I ask, "Let me get this straight, a billionaire publicly announces he doesn't pay taxes and...

...the IRS is doing nothing about it?"

They then say its because he uses "loopholes." They demand he pay his fair share. I ask the one fellow in regards to loopholes, "You mean like falsely filing a religious exemption?" He kind of slinked off a little after that.

I tried to explain that the guy this fellow worked for (our religious fraud) also benefited from "loopholes." The city gives incentives for developers to spend money by giving tax breaks and exemptions for rehabilitation work in run down neighborhoods. I actually asked a builder this afternoon, while I was sharing this story (which I am still laughing about) if he thought he would be renovating the house I am working on now if those incentives were not in place, to which he said probably not. This one house will give work to numerous people and companies, and in part we have those "loopholes" to thank.

Now to swing back to the OP, would someone like to tell me why someone taking advantage of "loopholes" that are legal can seriously be maligned by people who are falsifying tax filings?

Who is it that needs to pay their "fair share?"

And just another note concerning my new employee: our discussion went from discussing these issues to the astounding declaration that "Christians are taking land from Indians."

Did you guys know you were doing that? Hey, me neither. But wait, I asked him to explain that, lol, and apparently we, that is you and I, Christian brother and sister...want a pipeline to run through their land, thus perpetuating the oppression of the Native American.

I just don't know how we can sleep at night...

Something else that was humorous was that my view of Obama as a Muslim sympathizer and benefactor of Radical Islam was countered with the White Man stealing this land from the Indians. I simply asked him...where did they get the land from? He then admitted that in this area one tribe basically subjugated about thirty others. Guess its not just the white man that likes to conquer other people after all.


God bless.

 

[Revmitchell]

So they want someone else to work and earn a living and then out of that earned living they want to take "their fair share" from them? The epitome of an entitlement mind.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Why doesn't Trump just release his income tax returns and quiet all the speculation? Is he hiding somethning?

 

[Salty]

because it might show, how much he actually pays in taxes ( Federal, NY State, & NY City)
he should also include the property tax he pays as well to NY City!

 

[Darrell C]

Why doesn't Trump just release his income tax returns and quiet all the speculation? Is he hiding somethning?

The two fellows I spoke to declared a media inspired "Trump pays no taxes!" Do you really think that is possible? They seemed to be under the impression that rich folk can get away with murder with the IRS. I asked them if they really thought that the IRS spends its time only going after poor folk and they said yes.

What do you think?

Can you think of any reason why Trump should release his tax returns? Don't you think that those who have a hatred for anyone doing better than they are already are going to be appeased by finding out this information?


God bless.

 

[InTheLight]

"Trump pays no taxes!" Do you really think that is possible?

Yes, with accrued losses it is possible to pay no income taxes for years and years, until the losses are surpassed by profits. Remember, Trump lost $916 million in 1995 and therefore has at least that much to overcome with profits before he starts paying taxes. This is called a Net Operating Loss, or NOL.

Can you think of any reason why Trump should release his tax returns?

Yes, because then we would know whether or not he pays income taxes.

Yes, because he has businesses all over the world and therefore might be influenced to create public tax policies based on his business interests.

Yes, because citizens should know the foreign entities that may be stockholders in his businesses.

Yes, because he will be proposing tax policies for US citizens.

Yes, because he says he gives millions to charity, yet a year long investigation by the Washington Post failed to find anything in the past 13 years or so.

Yes, because all presidents since Nixon have released their taxes.

 

[Darrell C]

Darrell C said: ↑

"Trump pays no taxes!" Do you really think that is possible?
Yes, with accrued losses it is possible to pay no income taxes for years and years, until the losses are surpassed by profits. Remember, Trump lost $916 million in 1995 and therefore has at least that much to overcome with profits before he starts paying taxes. This is called a Net Operating Loss, or NOL.

So you want to know if this is the case and demand he pay taxes if it is?

That is not what the Liberals are implying, but that he is cheating and not paying his fair share.

As I said in the OP, the difference between what Trump is doing and what this fellow falsely filing religious exemption is that what Trump is doing is legal.

But thanks for helping to illustrate the insanity of the Liberals' fascination with Trump's taxes.

Can you think of any reason why Trump should release his tax returns?
Yes, because then we would know whether or not he pays income taxes.

Who is we?

I could care less about Trump's financial situation. What I care about is that he maintains the historical approach to being a US President and makes good on what he campaigned on.

That is going to benefit Christians all over the world.

Yet you seem to think it more important to slander the fellow. Go figure.

Yes, because he has businesses all over the world and therefore might be influenced to create public tax policies based on his business interests.

I hope so.

And that comes as a statement from a Christian Businessman.

The two fellows I spoke to did not have the first clue that both of them were on jobs that were going on because the builder and investor take advantage of "loopholes" designed to motivate spending and growth.

And I'll just guess that Trump knows a little bit more about business than you do. So sit around and think of reasons to hate Trump and cast him in a bad light, and I'll wait to see what happens.

Yes, because citizens should know the foreign entities that may be stockholders in his businesses.

What has that to do with his tax return?

If I were Trump I wouldn't tell the liberal "darned if you do darned if you don't" goofballs anything.

Yes, because he will be proposing tax policies for US citizens.

I am looking forward to that.



It's time businesses get a break, especially in my own trade where the global warming charlatans have done more harm to my trade than can be imagined. Thanks to regulations by the EPA the equipment that is being built today is a far inferior quality than it was even eight years ago. Thinner metals to support a higher pressure system, yeah...

...that adds up.

Yes, because he says he gives millions to charity, yet a year long investigation by the Washington Post failed to find anything in the past 13 years or so.

So the guy lied?

Wow.

Is anyone really surprised? So what are you going to do with that ITL? Have you prayed for him yet?

Yes, because all presidents since Nixon have released their taxes.

Okay, so that means they are above board? lol

Honestly, ITL, you have some strange priorities.


God bless.

 

[InTheLight]

So you want to know if this is the case and demand he pay taxes if it is?

No. You asked if it was possible for Trump to not pay income taxes and I answered your question.

That is not what the Liberals are implying, but that he is cheating and not paying his fair share.

That's what happens when people ignorant of tax laws think when they hear a (alleged) billionaire doesn't pay income taxes.

Who is we?

American citizens. Joe the Plumber.

Yet you seem to think it more important to slander the fellow. Go figure.

Curiosity about his tax returns is now slander? Who knew. Ha ha.

I hope so.

You hope that the president of the United States creates tax policy for the nation based on his particular business interests? Do the business interests of billionaires align with blue collar workers? Middle class taxpayers? I don't think so.

And that comes as a statement from a Christian Businessman.

An apparently uniformed Christian businessman when it comes to tax regulations.

And I'll just guess that Trump knows a little bit more about business than you do

.

No doubt.

So sit around and think of reasons to hate Trump and cast him in a bad light, and I'll wait to see what happens.

Asking to produce his tax returns like all previous president in the past 50 years is "sitting around and hating on Trump?"

What has that to do with his tax return?

If shareholders from a foreign country own a particular percentage of a domestic business, it must be declared on tax returns. Therefore, people could learn which businesspeople from which nations own portions of Trump's businesses. This could give people a clue as to what motivates Trump's tax policies--who gets a tax break? Why do they get tax breaks?

Which foreign banks does Trump owe money to? This would be useful information to know, as it could influence how he formulates banking policies.

If I were Trump I wouldn't tell the liberal "darned if you do darned if you don't" goofballs anything.

Transparency! Bah!

So the guy lied?

Don't know for sure. Looks like it. If he were to release his taxes we would know for sure.

Okay, so that means they are above board? lol

No, it means they were willing to release their taxes and at least let some light into their financial affairs.

Honestly, ITL, you have some strange priorities.

Honestly, giving the only guy in 50 years a pass on divulging his taxes is strange.

 

[Darrell C]

Darrell C said: ↑

So you want to know if this is the case and demand he pay taxes if it is?
No. You asked if it was possible for Trump to not pay income taxes and I answered your question.

That is not "not paying taxes," ITL, it is simply utilizing losses, and if you have a problem with the tax code fine, but don't use that as an excuse to vilify someone for taking advantage of it.

That is not what the Liberals are implying, but that he is cheating and not paying his fair share.
That's what happens when people ignorant of tax laws think when they hear a (alleged) billionaire doesn't pay income taxes.

And where do they hear it from? Who incites them?

More ignorant people...

Who is we?
American citizens.

You don't speak for me, ITL. The only ones really interested are those, like you, who are on a witch hunt, trying to find something to slander him for.

Joe the Plumber.

Darrell the Technician hasn't joined Joe the Plumber on a witch hunt, nor does he care about how many taxes Trump is paying.

Yet you seem to think it more important to slander the fellow. Go figure.
Curiosity about his tax returns is now slander? Who knew. Ha ha.

I hope so.
You hope that the president of the United States creates tax policy for the nation based on his particular business interests?

When we look at what I said we see you misrepresent the context:

InTheLight said: ↑

Yes, because he will be proposing tax policies for US citizens.

Again, I hope so.

Do the business interests of billionaires align with blue collar workers?

We are not talking about "business interests of billionaires," we are talking about trump proposing tax policy for US citizens, and yes...

...we cannot divorce billionaires or blue collar workers from the equation.

Its pretty simple math, when the people who have money invest that money it puts people in blue collar positions to work. I know this from experience. At least fifty percent of the homes I do are investment properties.

Middle class taxpayers?

Yep.

I don't think so.

So start thinking, and perhaps you might catch on.

And that comes as a statement from a Christian Businessman.
An apparently uniformed Christian businessman when it comes to tax regulations.

What I do know is why I am hopeful for tax reforms through Trump, a businessman that knows how the high taxation hurts business, which is why we have so many companies that pick up and go elsewhere. I've been in business for thirteen years now, how long have you been in business?

And I'll just guess that Trump knows a little bit more about business than you do.

No doubt.

Correct...no doubt whatsoever.

So sit around and think of reasons to hate Trump and cast him in a bad light, and I'll wait to see what happens.
Asking to produce his tax returns like all previous president in the past 50 years is "sitting around and hating on Trump?"

Its a witch hunt and you know it.

What has that to do with his tax return?

If shareholders from a foreign country own a particular percentage of a domestic business, it must be declared on tax returns. Therefore, people could learn which businesspeople from which nations own portions of Trump's businesses.

Still irrelevant. While you might assume that shareholders will influence Trump in policy...doesn't mean everyone else will.

This could give people a clue as to what motivates Trump's tax policies--who gets a tax break? Why do they get tax breaks?

No, ITL, its just slanderous speculation on your part in your witch hunt.

There aren't even any tax policies presented and you are already wanting to assume the worst.

Simply ridiculous.

Which foreign banks does Trump owe money to? This would be useful information to know, as it could influence how he formulates banking policies.

Witch hunt. Assumption.

Me, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, and when he does something untoward then I'll voice an opinion on it.

If I were Trump I wouldn't tell the liberal "darned if you do darned if you don't" goofballs anything.
Transparency! Bah!

"Transparency" is the lie of Liberals.

The fact is that there is much that the general public is never going to know about the inner workings of our government.

You're just looking for something to complain about.

So the guy lied?
Don't know for sure. Looks like it. If he were to release his taxes we would know for sure.

"Looks like it."

I don't need to know his financial situation to assess his ability as a president.

Okay, so that means they are above board? lol
No, it means they were willing to release their taxes and at least let some light into their financial affairs.

Great. When the investigation of the Clinton Foundation is through perhaps we will discuss how much their tax returns played a part in the grander scheme of things.

Honestly, ITL, you have some strange priorities.
Honestly, giving the only guy in 50 years a pass on divulging his taxes is strange.

And only a liberal would look at it like that.

Demanding something and not getting it is not "giving a pass" to anyone. Going on witch hunts is fruitless, and the irony is that it is usually liberals that decry witch hunts, claiming Christians do/did so. The truth is that Christians don't go on witch hunts.


God bless.

 

[just-want-peace]

Why doesn't Trump just release his income tax returns and quiet all the speculation? Is he hiding somethning?

Why doesn't Trump just release his income tax returns and quiet all the speculation? Is he hiding somethning?

WARNING!!!!!!!!! OFF TOPIC!!!!!!


Crabby, do not read any further: YOU-HAVE-BEEN-WARNED!!!!!

To all others; Why did the ZERO not do as Crabby suggests with his birth certificate????????? Crickets----------

 

[InTheLight]

That is not "not paying taxes," ITL, it is simply utilizing losses, and if you have a problem with the tax code fine, but don't use that as an excuse to vilify someone for taking advantage of it.

Earning income and not paying taxes on it is most certainly "not paying taxes". The method used was business losses.

Show me where I vilified him for it. I didn't. I merely stated a fact.

I've been in business for thirteen years now, how long have you been in business?

Twenty-nine years.

Going on witch hunts is fruitless, .

Asking the President to produce his taxes is now a witch hunt.


Sent from my Moto Droid Turbo.

 

[Darrell C]

Darrell C said: ↑

That is not "not paying taxes," ITL, it is simply utilizing losses, and if you have a problem with the tax code fine, but don't use that as an excuse to vilify someone for taking advantage of it.

Earning income and not paying taxes on it is most certainly "not paying taxes". The method used was business losses.

?

No, ITL, it is not "not paying taxes." "Not paying taxes" would be not paying taxes which are owed according to the law.

Show me where I vilified him for it. I didn't. I merely stated a fact.

Let's start with this: questioning whether he pays taxes or not.

Yes, because then we would know whether or not he pays income taxes.

Again, I ask...do you really think the IRS, who has recently been seen to target conservatives, would allow Trump to get away with not paying taxes he owes?

How about...

Yes, because he has businesses all over the world and therefore might be influenced to create public tax policies based on his business interests.

Yes, because citizens should know the foreign entities that may be stockholders in his businesses.

Yes, because he will be proposing tax policies for US citizens.

Yes, because he says he gives millions to charity, yet a year long investigation by the Washington Post failed to find anything in the past 13 years or so.

Yes, because all presidents since Nixon have released their taxes.

How about this:

That's what happens when people ignorant of tax laws think when they hear a (alleged) billionaire doesn't pay income taxes.

Here, you question whether he is even a billionaire, despite the fact that is what you have consistently called him to separate him from the blue collar and middle class.

Did they hear this from the Washington Post as well?

I've been in business for thirteen years now, how long have you been in business?
Twenty-nine years.

Good, so what kind of business do you have?

And can you tell me the percentage of your gross annual income you paid in taxes?

Then tell me whether your business is highly regulated by the Government.

Going on witch hunts is fruitless, .
Asking the President to produce his taxes is now a witch hunt.

It is when the purpose for doing so is to put him in a bad light, which you have already done even though you have no clue as to whether he has or has not paid taxes.

Funny that someone like Herman Caine can be drummed out as a Presidential Candidate for adultery but Trump has slipped through...without having paid taxes.

Now that is what I call a businessman!


God bless.

 

[StefanM]

If he didn't want to release his taxes, he shouldn't have lied about saying that he would.

He could have just said "I'm not going to release my tax returns," instead of lying his [radio edit] off. At least that would show some integrity, which is what we need in politics, not more . . . manure.

 

[Darrell C]

If he didn't want to release his taxes, he shouldn't have lied about saying that he would.

He could have just said "I'm not going to release my tax returns," instead of lying his [radio edit] off. At least that would show some integrity, which is what we need in politics, not more . . . manure.

So how about the integrity he has shown? No credit for that? He is making good on campaign promises and doing so in short order.

I'll be the first to agree if he said he would he should, but, again I ask...what is the big deal? Due to the fact that investors have been vilified heavily in the past I look at it as it is a no-win situation for him. Those who don't like him will whine if he does, and they will whine if he doesn't. Think about it: he is in the cross-hairs of many people, like most Presidents before him. Nothing he does will satisfy some of these people so I see no reason why he should cater to them. As I said before the election he will have, running as a Republican, a responsibility to the conservative voter, and as a conservative voter one of those responsibilities is not justifying his financial career.

Do you question the Clinton foundation as well?

Did you read the OP? What do you think of people demanding Trump pay his "fair share" yet are illegally filing religious exemption on their taxes?

And do you, like a number of people I have talked to, really think Trump is not paying taxes he owes? Is the IRS giving Donald Trump a pass?


God bless.

 

[InTheLight]

If he didn't want to release his taxes, he shouldn't have lied about saying that he would.

He could have just said "I'm not going to release my tax returns," instead of lying his [radio edit] off. At least that would show some integrity, which is what we need in politics, not more . . . manure.

Worse, he said that he was being targeted for an IRS audit because "I'm such a good Christian".

 

[StefanM]

I really don't think there's anything in the tax returns that would be problematic.

I'm not saying he's dodging taxes. He is using a legal process to reduce his income due to business losses. I don't fault him for that.

My point is on principle. If it's not that big of a deal, he should have just said so instead of lying about waiting for the audit to complete.

The point on the religious exemption is really not one I want to engage. I consider those kind of exemptions dubious anyway.

 

[carpro]

The two fellows I spoke to declared a media inspired "Trump pays no taxes!" Do you really think that is possible?

No. They're lying.

It's been proven many times over that Trump does, and always has, paid his taxes.

He is no AAl Sharpton.

 

[Darrell C]

Worse, he said that he was being targeted for an IRS audit because "I'm such a good Christian".

Do you have a source for Trump claiming to be a Christian?

That is the first I have heard of that.


God bless.

 

[StefanM]

Do you have a source for Trump claiming to be a Christian?

That is the first I have heard of that.


God bless.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ng-a-strong-christian/?utm_term=.34a46640a26b

 

[Darrell C]

I really don't think there's anything in the tax returns that would be problematic.

I'm not saying he's dodging taxes. He is using a legal process to reduce his income due to business losses. I don't fault him for that.

My point is on principle. If it's not that big of a deal, he should have just said so instead of lying about waiting for the audit to complete.

The point on the religious exemption is really not one I want to engage. I consider those kind of exemptions dubious anyway.

I don't. I was not aware, until that conversation, that one could exempt themselves for religious reasons. Had I known I may have filed myself, because my religious views are against a mandate for people to buy insurance, particularly when those funds are used to pay for contraception and abortions. I went for 6-7 years trusting God for my welfare and only purchased it because I wanted to supply an employee with insurance and a group plan was pretty reasonable, and really good insurance.


God bless.