World Politics

[Bala Verde]

I don't have a problem with your point on cap gains. If ordinary income tax rates are kept reasonable then I see no real reason not to have cap gains taxed at that rate. The way right will point out that the invested money has already been taxed (which is true) but the way forward (imo) is to simplify. Cap Gains taxed at the same rate as income would certainly be simple.

I'm not a big fan of cap and tax.

I used it a working example to show a way to internalize negative externalities, in other words, to level the playing field in an attempt to achieve a more functional/less distorted market. I am trying to think of other ways to disincentivize certain behavior, or at least have those who shift certain costs on to society, pay for that, currently, "free riding" behavior. I wasn't saying that is the only and best way to do so, but I used it because most people are familiar with it. Do you have any idea what could serve a similar function, if you believe that such behavior/the cost associated with such behavior is undesirable for the larger society.

I know Alpe was a big fan of nuclear energy, but I recently read that nuclear energy, (also coal) can basically only be used for base loading the grid. For peak power, you have to rely on gas/oil/renewables (?) to serve the surplus in energy demand at peak hours, because they are easier/faster to adjust, or tap from. That's why in France it doesn't make sense to go beyond their current 70% nuclear energy coverage, because anything above that, will not be 'absorbed' by their grid. For the remaining 30%, they need to rely on different sources, such as gas (from Russia i guess) to meet peak demand.

So more nuclear power in the US would mainly serve to displace coal as an energy source (not taking a position, just mentioning it). Shale gas (just as Tar sans from Canada) has become competitive, only due to high oil prices (which have nearly doubled since 2004, and which make it profitable to exploit difficult to extract/costly energy sources) and, for shale gas, certain exemptions from regulatory oversight that were carved out specifically for their business activities.

Oil prices have mainly gone up after China's admission to the WTO, after which they had to scrap certain domestic programs/policies (barriers to trade), one of which was, that they, before admission, they were basically forced to exclusively use domestic energy sources.

Another issue in the US is that it has a very cumbersome, inefficient grid, because it consists of three grids (TX, East and West Coast) with many states which have their own rules and regulations. All of this makes it extremely difficult (costly) to transfer energy around, and the only solution is, to harmonize (federalize?) these grids and state regulations.

If you have a wind farm in Texas, and opportunities to sell energy in the North East exist, but you can't deliver it quickly, there seems to be a market failure. The system that is currently in place serves certain interests (oil/coal?), and I think it is difficult for green tech to get a foot in the door. And if they don't have access, or only very limited access, to the market, they can't achieve economies of scale, and/or reduce prices through effective competition. Who is going to buy expensive stuff, if they can get the exact same stuff for less, although that stuff does not pay for pollution. So how to pry that door open, I don't know.

 

[redtreviso]

I don't have a problem with your point on cap gains. If ordinary income tax rates are kept reasonable then I see no real reason not to have cap gains taxed at that rate. The way right will point out that the invested money has already been taxed (which is true) but the way forward (imo) is to simplify. Cap Gains taxed at the same rate as income would certainly be simple.

I'm not a big fan of cap and tax.

""the invested money has already been taxed (which is true)""

For the ones who care most about this issue it is not true. Gains on untaxed gains..Carried Interest etc

 

[Anonymous]

""the invested money has already been taxed (which is true)""

For the ones who care most about this issue it is not true. Gains on untaxed gains..Carried Interest etc

Income has never been taxed.

Take home pay has been taxed.

Investment gain from take home dollars has not been taxed but there are those who will argue that it shouldn't due to the origins of the capital (after tax dollars).

Proponents of cutting the capital gains tax rate cite economic studies showing increases in economic growth and realizations of gains, and even higher revenue for government. Opponents argue that a capital gains tax cut is unfair because it only benefits the rich. But neither side argues from a position of principle. The real question is: Are gains in the value of assets income like any other form of income — such as wages, dividends, rent and interest? Or are they not income?

For most of American history, the question was moot, because the definition of income is important only if income is taxed. However, during the Civil War, Congress instituted an income tax and the question of taxing capital gains arose. In the case of Gray v. Darlington, the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled that capital gains are not income:

The advance in the value of property during a series of years can, in no sense, be considered the gains, profits, or income of any particular year of the series, although the entire amount of the advance be at one time turned into money by sale of the property....
It constitutes and can be treated merely as increase of capital. Even after the 16th Amendment authorized an income tax, several Supreme Court decisions indicated that capital gains are not income.

But then, in a series of decisions beginning in 1921, the Court stated definitively that capital gains are taxable as income. Since capital losses were fully deductible against gains, taxation of capital gains netted little revenue for the federal government, and may even have lost it money. Because income taxrates were so high, up to 73 percent in 1921, there was a lock-in effect as investors held on to appreciatingassets until they had losses to offset the income tax. So in 1921 Congress created a preferential tax rate on capital gains of 12.5 percent.

Interesting argument that I'm confident you won't read;

http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/st245.pdf

 

[redtreviso]

Income has never been taxed.

Take home pay has been taxed.

Investment gain from take home dollars has not been taxed but there are those who will argue that it shouldn't due to the origins of the capital (after tax dollars).








Interesting argument that I'm confident you won't read;

http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/st245.pdf

As always you take up the argument as your own interests which may or may not amount to much but is of great importance to the "hedge fund manager"..I know your kind that sh-- their pants about taxes on stock dividends when their income from such couldn't possibly be much. In most cases your argument has to do with estate taxes and how people can inherit a permanent tax deferment. Its been taxed already..pffft ...You are just a pom pom girl for Paris Hilton's trust fund.

 

[Anonymous]

As always you take up the argument as your own interests which may or may not amount to much but is of great importance to the "hedge fund manager"..I know your kind that sh-- their pants about taxes on stock dividends when their income from such couldn't possibly be much. In most cases your argument has to do with estate taxes and how people can inherit a permanent tax deferment. Its been taxed already..pffft ...You are just a pom pom girl for Paris Hilton's trust fund.

It's so nice we have finally reached a point where we can have a reasonable discussion.

 

[redtreviso]

It's so nice we have finally reached a point where we can have a reasonable discussion.

You ought to buy a gold plated toilet seat and then complain about how cold it is on your **** to anyone unfortunate enough to around you..

 

[redtreviso]

""Leftie Hero Scott Olsen Is Founder of “I Hate the Marines Corps.com” & Is a Jew-Basher”.""

http://www.politicususa.com/en/right-smear-scott-olsen

 

[Anonymous]

You ought to buy a gold plated toilet seat and then complain about how cold it is on your **** to anyone unfortunate enough to around you..

Yep.

You any good at mowing lawns? My lawn service raised their price $5 a month so I'm shopping for someone new. $50 a month, you supply all your own tools and haul off the clippings. There's an extra 10er in it if you'll trim the hedges.

And before you start whining the yard is only about 1/4 acre.

You interested?

 

[usedtobefast]

if you want to jump start all industries, we probably should stop planning and producing F35's, aircraft carriers and armored vehicles. All have become obsolete
to date and the cash kicked into everything surrounding them would be a good jump start for a nonmilitary future, maybe some non bullet bomb industry we can all agree on.

we have 11 carrier strike groups. each one is a huge,huge expense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_strike_group

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Here is the Occupy movement in my city. Granted, this video is negative satire, but it's also accurate, and not FoxNews crap either. I've walked by it, friends have walked through it. It's quite accurate and true. From watching various news clips from other towns, it seems other cities occupiers are pretty similar.

This hardly has anything to do with protests of Wall Street excesses or anything of the sort. What's left of this movement is dominated by squatters, hipsters, stoners and anarchists many of whom haven't bathed in weeks, thinking they have their own little Utopian burning man.

 

[redtreviso]

Here is the Occupy movement in my city. Granted, this video is negative satire, but it's also accurate, and not FoxNews crap either. I've walked by it, friends have walked through it. It's quite accurate and true. From watching various news clips from other towns, it seems other cities occupiers are pretty similar.

This hardly has anything to do with protests of Wall Street excesses or anything of the sort. What's left of this movement is dominated by squatters, hipsters, stoners and anarchists many of whom haven't bathed in weeks, thinking they have their own little Utopian burning man.

I'm sure scott and ann coulter appreciate you doing your part.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Nothing to do with either of those two. I'm actually trying to help the labor movement. What's happening now is that what was once a good cause - protesting a system rigged by greed against workers, has become overrun by a group of undesirables in many tows, thus making the entire movement look diminished and reducing any potential credibility it had to the masses. The 99% has turned into 1% of it's own. 1% of the country who are squatters, hipsters, most of whom are lazy and obstinate, etc.

I think the worker faction of the so-called left should join me in this criticism if they wish to maintain any credibility to their cause, lest they end up worse than the low approval rating of the Tea Party, which through it's perseverance has both been manipulated by outside forces, and has turned much of the core of the Republican party into a bunch of extremists and nuts.

 

[redtreviso]

Nothing to do with either of those two. I'm actually trying to help the labor movement. What's happening now is that what was once a good cause - protesting a system rigged by greed against workers, has become overrun by a group of undesirables in many tows, thus making the entire movement look diminished and reducing any potential credibility it had to the masses. The 99% has turned into 1% of it's own. 1% of the country who are squatters, hipsters, most of whom are lazy and obstinate, etc.

I think the worker faction of the so-called left should join me in this criticism if they wish to maintain any credibility to their cause, lest they end up worse than the low approval rating of the Tea Party, which through it's perseverance has both been manipulated by outside forces, and has turned much of the core of the Republican party into a bunch of extremists and nuts.

Yes we know.. fox and rush and the msm as a whole tells us every day..

 

[Anonymous]

Here is the Occupy movement in my city. Granted, this video is negative satire, but it's also accurate, and not FoxNews crap either. I've walked by it, friends have walked through it. It's quite accurate and true. From watching various news clips from other towns, it seems other cities occupiers are pretty similar.

This hardly has anything to do with protests of Wall Street excesses or anything of the sort. What's left of this movement is dominated by squatters, hipsters, stoners and anarchists many of whom haven't bathed in weeks, thinking they have their own little Utopian burning man.

To make matters worse the OWS has now picked up the support of David Duke. No kidding.

Note to VeloCity: David Duke is in fact a racist (just so there's no misunderstanding).

 

[redtreviso]

To make matters worse the OWS has now picked up the support of David Duke. No kidding.

Note to VeloCity: David Duke is in fact a racist (just so there's no misunderstanding).

I thought david duke wasn't a racist ,. he is just pro-white people.. That's what all of your kind say about him..

Speaking of your kind.. After may 4th 1970 southern whiskey tango Republicans held up 3 fingers.."We Got three" Northern Republicans held up 4 "We got 4"

Impressive idols you and your kind have,.

 

[VeloCity]

Note to VeloCity: David Duke is in fact a racist (just so there's no misunderstanding).

He's also a conservative (just so there's no misunderstanding).

btw, Malkin's buddy Brimelow would get along just fine with Duke.

 

[Ferminal]

A flashpoint for 99 vs 1:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15504838

Not many winners in this situation, 99 or 1 (except for the CEO who got a pay rise of over 50% yesterday) long live liberalisation, deregulation and privatisation

We could just blame the unions though.

 

[oldborn]

I do not know if anyone seen this before. Wahhabi muslim from Sanđak (Serbia) shooting at Embassy of the US in Sarajevo two days before.

I think he wound some security guys. Before war there was no such muslim movement in Bosnia (they were and still are friendly), but during 90 s lot of Mujahedin came along with this movement, so there is couple of thousands Wahhabi s in Bosnia. Also Police take some raids in Sanđak today.

Video of shooting, incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgPu-uG_zhY

Video on police sniper taking him down, one shoot one kill (he was shoot in leg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeUTWcmAENg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luYzo0gbckg

After that Guantanamo bay one way ticket for him Dude has balls.

 

[ramjambunath]

I do not know if anyone seen this before. Wahhabi muslim from Sanđak (Serbia) shooting at Embassy of the US in Sarajevo two days before.

I think he wound some security guys. Before war there was no such muslim movement in Bosnia (they were and still are friendly), but during 90 s lot of Mujahedin came along with this movement, so there is couple of thousands Wahhabi s in Bosnia. Also Police take some raids in Sanđak today.

Video of shooting, incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgPu-uG_zhY

Video on police sniper taking him down, one shoot one kill (he was shoot in leg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeUTWcmAENg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luYzo0gbckg

After that Guantanamo bay one way ticket for him Dude has balls.

Wow, brilliant video.

The second video doesn't seem to be like they shot his leg.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/29/us-serbia-bosnia-usa-idUSTRE79S0WQ20111029

Serbian police arrested 15 people in raids on suspected radical Islamists on Saturday after a lone gunman opened fire with an assault rifle on the U.S. embassy in neighboring Bosnia, Serbia's Interior Ministry said.

Friday's broad daylight attack in the Bosnian capital paralyzed central Sarajevo and had shopkeepers scrambling for cover as the gunman paced up and down firing on the embassy before a police sharpshooter wounded him and he was arrested.

 

[Anonymous]

I thought david duke wasn't a racist ,. he is just pro-white people.. That's what all of your kind say about him..

Speaking of your kind.. After may 4th 1970 southern whiskey tango Republicans held up 3 fingers.."We Got three" Northern Republicans held up 4 "We got 4"

Impressive idols you and your kind have,.

The box in which you do your thinking just keeps getting smaller.

 

[Anonymous]

He's also a conservative (just so there's no misunderstanding).

btw, Malkin's buddy Brimelow would get along just fine with Duke.

Not sure there's too many conservatives supporting OWS.

Duke is out there, no doubt about it.

 

[oldborn]

Wow, brilliant video.

The second video doesn't seem to be like they shot his leg.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/29/us-serbia-bosnia-usa-idUSTRE79S0WQ20111029

He was wounded press said, IMHO to precious for intel.
By some he was not alone and dude was trained which is clearly seen by carrying rifle style.

Here in Zagreb US Embassy was moved from downtown after 9/11, I mean new one is like Fort Knox. They build it for 3-4 years.
I spoke with people who build it, no one is really open mouth. But I know for sure Americans held a lottery for workers, main prize car

So FBI is on its way to Sarajevo cos Security issues. And dude is history Free vacation on Cuba

 

[ramjambunath]

He was wounded press said, IMHO to precious for intel.
By some he was not alone and dude was trained which is clearly seen by carrying rifle style.

Here in Zagreb US Embassy was moved from downtown after 9/11, I mean new one is like Fort Knox. They build it for 3-4 years.
I spoke with people who build it, no one is really open mouth. But I know for sure Americans held a lottery for workers, main prize car

So FBI is on its way to Sarajevo cos Security issues. And dude is history Free vacation on Cuba

Genius to build a super high security embassy in Zagreb and just allow a shooter to walk to it in Sarajevo. Any person in the world would know which city is safer.

Why I say, he wasn't shot in the leg is, precisely at the time of the shot and when the man gets wounded, the camera cuts away.

 

[oldborn]

Genius to build a super high security embassy in Zagreb and just allow a shooter to walk to it in Sarajevo. Any person in the world would know which city is safer.

Why I say, he wasn't shot in the leg is, precisely at the time of the shot and when the man gets wounded, the camera cuts away.

Well dude just collapse like hit by 0.50cal or something, anyway he is alive and well

 

[ramjambunath]

Well dude just collapse like hit by 0.50cal or something, anyway he is alive and well

Good job for not killing him and thankfully he didn't kill anyone else (I believe).