Warren Buffett has been on my last nerve for a while. Now he's really pushed me over the edge.
The billionaire investor has been whining for years that he doesn't pay enough in taxes, that he and his big rich pals would pay more to the government if tax rates were raised and that his secretary pays a higher marginal rate than he does.
I'm exhausted from having to point out to the man that if he feels so guilty about his small tax burden, nothing is stopping him from writing an additional check or two to the Treasury. I'm sure Tim Geithner isn't going to reject a billion dollar check signed by Warren Buffett. Next, Buffett takes a relatively small salary but makes most of his money on capital gains and dividends, which are taxed at a lower rate than income. Further, it would be nice if before he preached the virtues of higher taxes, Buffett and his firm actually paid the taxes they already owe. Berkshire Hathaway has back taxes due from years ago. And Buffett retains a fleet of expensive lawyers to minimize that annual tax bill as much as possible.
This week, the hypocrite spoke again, this time to challenge Congressional Republicans to a money duel: for every $1 each of them donates to reduce the deficit, he would match it. See the story here: http://swampland.time.com/2012/01/11/warren-buffett-to-mitch-mcconnell-put-up-or-shut-up/
Why just limit the challenge to Republicans? They want to lower taxes to spur economic growth. If Buffett is truly interested in cutting the deficit, he'd offer to match any voluntary contribution from anybody. The vast majority of the richest members of Congress are Democrats, not Republicans (Rockefeller, Kerry, Pelosi...) so you might want to start with the other side of the aisle, Warren.
And once again: nothing is stopping you from doing this now, Big Mouth. But of course, you don't really want to pay more to the government, which is why you've got a gazillion tax shelters and why you're handing over the majority of your vast fortune to a PRIVATE organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, rather than let the government tax it.
Warren: instead of your Giving Pledge, in which you try to convince billionaires to pledge half of their fortunes to private philanthropy, why don't you push a Giving To The Government Pledge, in which you ask these same folks to give their big money to the government instead?
Let's see how many takers you get for that. My guess is none, particularly since that line starts with you, and you are nowhere to be found.
January 12, 2012
Conservatives Remain the Largest Ideological Group in U.S.
Overall, the nation has grown more polarized over the past decade
by Lydia Saad
==================================================
Barack Obama cannot win a fair election NEWT GINGRICH
Posted by: gringoman | January 13, 2012 at 09:14 AM
'CONSERVATIVES' GANGBANG GINGRICH
"Something that's come up in the last four or five days has been fascinating. How many of you think that all of the money that flowed from the Federal Reserve and the Treasury and slopped its way through New York--that we the taxpayers deserve some kind of accounting for where all of those billions and billions of dollars went? And how many think we deserve to know why the big banks got bailed out with big money, but folks who own mortgages and folks in small towns ... somehow couldn't?"
"So I've been asking some questions. And I am amazed at the intensity of the counterattack. It's almost as though, if you ask questions you're somehow challenging the whole system. But I want you to understand how I feel as a candidate for president. The American people have the right to know what has been happening to their economy, and they have the right to know where all the money went. We deserve an audit of the Federal Reserve and the Treasury to find out where every penny went and where every document is and why they got the money.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/gingrich-so-called-conservatives-are-attacking-me-because-i-want-accounting-wall-street-bailouts_616657.html
====================================================
Barack Obama cannot win a fair election NEWT GINGRICH
Posted by: gringoman | January 13, 2012 at 09:26 AM
Don Imus on Newt Gingrich: "A horrid, evil human being."
Congressman Peter King: "Gingrich is the most narcissistic politician I ever knew."
Arthur Laffer, father of Reagonomics: I endorse Newt Gingrich
Rudy Giuliani: Gingrich would be stronger than Romney against Obama
Karl Rove: Romney is our guy.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There used to be a better class of troll trash at Monicamemo. No raving Bible sodomite, no Potemkin Village idiot.
Posted by: gringoman | January 13, 2012 at 09:44 AM
Jeb Bush will endorse Mitt Romney.
George Bush endorses Mitt Romney
Karl Rove endorses Mitt Romney
John McCain endorses Mitt Romney
Bob Dole endorses Mitt Romney
==========================================
I still can’t get over the fact that we are about to nominate the godfather of market-distorting government-run healthcare in an election against government-run healthcare. This is insane.DANIEL HOROWITZ
Posted by: gringoman | January 13, 2012 at 09:53 AM
"Now this rattled a number of so-called conservatives who say to challenge where the money went and to challenge what deals were cut is to be anti-free enterprise. I think just the opposite. I think when you have crony capitalism of politicians taking care of their friends, that's not free enterprise. That's just back-door socialism, in which the rich get all the money and the rest of us get left with all the debt. I'm not going to back down or be afraid to say, we the American people have the right to know. And any candidate for president has an obligation to tell us. And I think the idea that the extraordinarily wealthy institutions are gonna somehow bring enough pressure to bear to say, 'You better shut up,' tells you just how bad off the system has gotten.
"No one tells the American people they don't have the right to learn what has happened in their very own country. And that's what's at stake." NEWT GINGRICH
=====================================================
Don Imus: "I back Romney. Gingrich is an evil, horrid human being."
Posted by: gringoman | January 13, 2012 at 09:58 AM
DJ,
On Newt vs El Mitt, we already know that I side with Todd Palin and you side with Karl Rove (not to mention troll Toilet X Mouth).
----
Oh Yeah!!!
Well then, I'll see your Todd Palin and raise you one Ann Coulter and one Pat Buchanan!
:-D
Posted by: DJ | January 13, 2012 at 09:59 AM
"What we need to know is what the DJ faction would do in a Gingrich vs Obama campaign."
------
I'd back Newt, of course!
Posted by: DJ | January 13, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Follow the money trail---Y'all better read this...
http://www.infowars.com/bain-capital-owns-clear-channel-rush-limbaugh-sean-hannity-glenn-beck-michael-savage-etc/
Posted by: LongRifle | January 13, 2012 at 09:03 AM
-----
LR,
From what I've heard so far, El Rushbo has been incredibly unkind to Willard. However, that article is enlightening nevertheless ... but not at all surprising.
Posted by: DJ | January 13, 2012 at 10:07 AM
"Don Imus on Newt Gingrich: "A horrid, evil human being."
----
ROTFLMAO!
Funny!
But in I-Man speak, that actually means he's neutral on the Gingrich campaign.
Posted by: DJ | January 13, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Because it's an exact OPPOSITE situation. Solyndra was a company with employees Obama tried to help and keep going and they failed on their own.
Bain is a company that purposely destroyed companies to make Romney richer than even Obama will likely ever be.
But that's a "Duh" to everyone with at least half a brain.
POSTED BY: XBJLLB | JANUARY 12, 2012 AT 03:56 PM
--
LOL LOL an dLOL again. WASTING HALF A BILLION ON A PHONY "green" company and now refusing to go after them for fraud is clear evidence that somethign is being covered up.
Namely, the connection between campaign donations in 2008 and the money flow ing to exactly those individuals and companies who donated the most.
The Satanic resirodent DNC Spinmeister aka X-lax just STRUCK OUT AGAIN.
Furthermore Mitt Romney, like him or not, has the right to make money in any amount he can without being vilified.
You DNC drones have no issues with the money George Soros makes nor with HOW he makes it!
So shut your hypocritical yap.
.
Posted by: Ummahgummah | January 13, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Monsanto gets to sell its GM corn, despite overwhelming criticism of its use. Bill Gates is a big investor.
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/realityzone/UFNmonsantoCornOpposition.html
POSTED BY: TRUTHER | JANUARY 12, 2012 AT 06:12 PM
--
Notice how they passed it during the Holidays to insure stealth. Notice that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Monsanto experiemented with GM corn crops in Africa under the guis of "doing good" when Bill Gates just purchsed a sh*tload of Monsanto stock.
Now connect the dots.. to the "Food Saftey Act" they passed this summer and the increased level of assaults, both via increased regulations and sometimes even at gun-point, on organic farmers and other ethical food purveyors.
These regulations are written by the likes of Monsanto and ADM who can afford all of them, whereas compliance and/or fines will drive small farmers out of business.
Nice to see you RATS, YOU FILTH, aligned with these CORPORATIONS, you PIGS!
I wish you DNC trolls all the nice cancers and diabetes and God only knows what else you get from eating this GM garbage!!!
.
Posted by: Ummahgummah | January 13, 2012 at 10:30 AM
DJ,
What worries me is that it all seems like a done deal. We may have opinions and the hacks spin the polls, but Romney has already won.
The funny part is that while Romney seems more like a Democrat; Obama is like a Republican now.
"Don't Piss down my back and tell me it's raining"...
Posted by: LongRifle | January 13, 2012 at 10:39 AM
When these millionaire "raise my taxes" liberals start writing those checks themselves, then I will give them a little credibility. If they believe so much that they should pay more, then why don't they?
POSTED BY: ME | JANUARY 12, 2012 AT 06:39 PM
--
That'll be the day! Buffet hasn't even paid his regualr back taxes.
So much for that.
.
.
Posted by: Ummahgummah | January 13, 2012 at 10:42 AM
The funny part is that while Romney seems more like a Democrat; Obama is like a Republican now.
"Don't Piss down my back and tell me it's raining"...
Posted by: LongRifle | January 13, 2012 at 10:39 AM
-------
Indeed!
And Michele Bachmann -- a true conservative -- made it clear in the debates that there are no real differences between "Newt Romney" and Obama on the major issues.
---
Michele Bachmann Simultaneously Takes On The Two Frontrunners: "Newt Romney" (ABC News Debate)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX2nEx6gqFU
Posted by: DJ | January 13, 2012 at 11:50 AM
well, if Michelle got an appointment in the Romney adm. would she turn it down?
PART TIME CONGRESS, FULL TIME PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH, PERRY 2012
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | January 13, 2012 at 11:55 AM
"WOULD SANTORUM ANNUL TROLL COUPLINGS?" - Gringoman
Have NO idea. Why don't you tell us, you're obviously the EXPERT on such things.
Posted by: xbjllb | January 13, 2012 at 05:55 PM
"Question:
If Michelle Obama is NOT an angry black woman as she claims, why did she attend and angry black man's church for twenty years?" - DJ
Answer:
Why did Jesus Christ consort with sinners, lepers, and prostitutes?
Gotcha. Try again.
Posted by: xbjllb | January 13, 2012 at 05:56 PM
"There used to be a better class of troll trash at Monicamemo. No raving Bible sodomite, no Potemkin Village idiot." - Gringoman
True enough, you WERE here first.
But it's doubtful anyone takes your opinions seriously anymore.
Posted by: xbjllb | January 13, 2012 at 05:57 PM
"I still can’t get over the fact that we are about to nominate the godfather of market-distorting government-run healthcare in an election against government-run healthcare. This is insane.DANIEL HOROWITZ" - Gringoman
AMERICA. LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!!
Posted by: xbjllb | January 13, 2012 at 05:58 PM
"Namely, the connection between campaign donations in 2008 and the money flow ing to exactly those individuals and companies who donated the most." - UG
You really WANT to open that can of worms with how much offense contractor waste spoils went to the GOP during Iraqnam and Afhganinam?
You REALLY want to go there? At least Solyndra didn't do ANYTHING or make ANYTHING off INNOCENT BLOOD.
The bloodsucking GOP on the other hand?
No, my friend. YOU lose. In EVERY way.
Posted by: xbjllb | January 13, 2012 at 06:01 PM
"The funny part is that while Romney seems more like a Democrat; Obama is like a Republican now." - longrifle
Good, wonderful. We can then count on your vote for Obama then.
Let's see, longrifle, ug... two down, three to go.
Posted by: xbjllb | January 13, 2012 at 06:02 PM
BUFFET - THE COMPLETE A**HOLE NOT TO BE BELIEVED!
When the subprime crisis was starting to unravel companies in 2008, GE's chairman Jeff Immult made public statements telling investors NOT TO WORRY - in effect that GE's exposure to subprime credit defaults was insignificant.
THEN, in swoops moneybags BUFFET who cuts himself a sweet preferred stock deal with GE in exchange for his investment of capital in troubled GE. DON'T WORRY INVESTORS, BE HAPPY - IMPLICATION = Would BUFFET in vest in GE is GE and its' dividend were in jeopardy?
RAISE YOUR HANDS! How many investors fell for this SOB's ploy and lost money investing in GE for their then dividend during this period? I did! As we now know, GE stock plummeted, the dividend was reduced to next to crumbs worth next to nothing, GE Capital incurred substantial losses from dodgy loans on their books, but Moneybags BUFFET came out smelling like a rose profiting from his sweet Preferred Stock deal while other GE sharelolders were left holding the bag!
IT FIGURES this S.O.B. supports Obummer and his commie regime. NOW he's attacking private venture capitalists - the very companies that get much of their money they use to bail out and restore troubled companies from the pension funds of leftist unions, blueblood colleges like Harvard, PEW foundation....
WHAT A HYPOCRITE! If he only had a brain!
Posted by: WowZER | January 14, 2012 at 11:46 AM
"IT FIGURES this S.O.B. supports Obummer and his commie regime. NOW he's attacking private venture capitalists - the very companies that get much of their money they use to bail out and restore troubled companies from the pension funds of leftist unions, blueblood colleges like Harvard, PEW foundation....
WHAT A HYPOCRITE! If he only had a brain!" - Wowzer
Wow. Envy is a horrible thing, ain't it?
Posted by: xbjllb | January 14, 2012 at 04:57 PM