Democrats: Help me find common ground.

[Saul Good]

The people have spoken. Obama gets four more years. Congress remains split. It's compromise or gridlock, but is compromise possible? Everyone talks about bipartisanship, but they usually mean unconditional surrender by the other side.

It's pretty well known around here that I am a conservative. Liberals out there, let's pretend we're in congress. Pick an issue that you would like to address, and let's see if we can really agree to meet somewhere in the middle.

Tax rates, abortion, drug legalization...whatcha got?

[tiptap]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

You mean central planning of the economy? Yeah, that'll work.

Good people more likely good results. I don't care what system is used.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Partisan or not true? Anyway, I said "MUCH," but "MOST" may be true.

Whether or not I believe it to be true is irrelevant.

It was ridiculously partisan and completely unnecessary in a thread in which you were sincerely asked to help find a middle ground.

[tiptap]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

No thanks. We have thousands of them and they've done nothing to offset raising energy rates.

Furthermore, we build them here and they are god awful places to work. Closer to 19th century sweat shops than 21st century nirvana.

Try a coal miners job?

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by tiptap

Use the Clinton template. Raise the taxes at the top of income. This can be by removing tax shelters or just raising rate. We would really like your input. Stop Afghan war and hold military spending absolutely steady. Tell us what you would prioritize to keep US military strong. We prefer investment in people.

We still need to see growth industry. We suggest Natural Gas, Solar/wind, Greening of buildings and growth of electrical intrastructure for distribution and transportation.

I would be willing to consider increases to the top marginal rates, but I would prefer to address loopholes. What loopholes did you have in mind?

[dirk digler]

How about comprehensive immigration reform? This should be doable.

You can't deport or self deport 12 million illegals.

Also if House Republicans want to extend the hand they need to pass the DREAM act tomorrow.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by tiptap

Try a coal miners job?

Again, ad hominem attacks and snarky 1-ups aren't the purpose.

Coal mines being mind-numbing shitholes doesn't change the fact that the companies building windmills are awful, awful places to work. I won't even get into the irony surrounding what they've done to the labor unions in this area, with the governments help.

You'll notice that I didn't include natural gas - I find natural gas to be an acceptable alternative.

I also support ardently an increase in bio-fuels, but only if we reduce our dependence on corn and soybeans. The use of industrial hemp for fuel should be a top priority for anybody truly interested in both reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and improving our economy.

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by Saul Too

I would be willing to consider increases to the top marginal rates, but I would prefer to address loopholes. What loopholes did you have in mind?

Loop holes are trick because I don't really know which one's are out there and the costs/abuse associated with them.

They're probably a good place to start though.

On entitlements I'd be open to small increases in the eligibility age along with the means testing that Romney was pushing.

[tiptap]

Originally Posted by Saul Too

I would be willing to consider increases to the top marginal rates, but I would prefer to address loopholes. What loopholes did you have in mind?

Capital Gains outside of retirement loopholes for middle class. But I would offset this by tax benefits related to job creation. In some sense very good rich business people will be buying smart employees and gaining income from their effort and tax benefit (and ultimately their votes as they succeed) vs tax relief over passive investments.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

Loop holes are trick because I don't really know which one's are out there and the costs/abuse associated with them.

They're probably a good place to start though.

On entitlements I'd be open to small increases in the eligibility age along with the means testing that Romney was pushing.

Yeah it's kind of hard to identify loopholes when none of us are wealthy enough to use them so we don't know they exist.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by tiptap

Capital Gains outside of retirement loopholes for middle class. But I would offset this by tax benefits related to job creation. In some sense very good rich business people will be buying smart employees and gaining income from their effort and tax benefit (and ultimately their votes as they succeed) vs tax relief over passive investments.

I like that idea.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Again, ad hominem attacks and snarky 1-ups aren't the purpose.

Coal mines being mind-numbing shitholes doesn't change the fact that the companies building windmills are awful, awful places to work. I won't even get into the irony surrounding what they've done to the labor unions in this area, with the governments help.

You'll notice that I didn't include natural gas - I find natural gas to be an acceptable alternative.

I also support ardently an increase in bio-fuels, but only if we reduce our dependence on corn and soybeans. The use of industrial hemp for fuel should be a top priority for anybody truly interested in both reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and improving our economy.

I hadn't heard anything like that about turbine producers. You mean like Vestas and GE?

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

How about comprehensive immigration reform? This should be doable.

You can't deport or self deport 12 million illegals.

Also if House Republicans want to extend the hand they need to pass the DREAM act tomorrow.

I agree with you regarding deportation to an extent. I would propose amnesty to anyone currently here if they have a clean record. For those who have been working here using fraudulent ID, I would assess them a nominal fine (mostly symbolic).

I would also like to implement a national ID card for all workers.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by tiptap

Capital Gains outside of retirement loopholes for middle class. But I would offset this by tax benefits related to job creation. In some sense very good rich business people will be buying smart employees and gaining income from their effort and tax benefit (and ultimately their votes as they succeed) vs tax relief over passive investments.

I'd like to hear you (or anyone) expand upon this. I like the idea on it's face.

[Detoxing]

I have no faith no faith in politics of politicians. Like you what was said the OP, it's not about working together, it's about one side winning over the other now.

Vail mentions it all the time: If Obama is president, then large business owners will continue to not invest and spend their money.

That says all i need to know about Republicans, and All i need to know about Politics in general.

It's not about making the country better. It's about getting what THEY want and making more money.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Saul Too

I agree with you regarding deportation to an extent. I would propose amnesty to anyone currently here if they have a clean record. For those who have been working here using fraudulent ID, I would assess them a nominal fine (mostly symbolic).

I would also like to implement a national ID card for all workers.

I would go for that.

We also need to beef up border security, I don't know if a fence is the best idea maybe something more advanced like smart borders.

I have been a firm supporter of using the military but that will never happen with Obama.