What Could We Do With 71 Billion Dollars? It seems that every day someone posts something about the national debt and how much things like Medicare drains our resources. Well here's a...

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

It seems that every day someone posts something about the national debt and how much things like Medicare drains our resources. Well here's a quick and easy solution...eliminate the tax deduction (just like the Republicans want to do) without actually raising the tax rates....

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

RixPix wrote:

It seems that every day someone posts something about the national debt and how much things like Medicare drains our resources. Well here's a quick and easy solution...eliminate the tax deduction (just like the Republicans want to do) without actually raising the tax rates....

LOL that is 17 days of Obama's deficit spending or just about a weeks worth of overall federal spending...

Beyond the numbers is the community services that churches and their affiliated organizations provide to their local communities, I would say that the tax expenditures on these exemptions is some of the best local spending that the federal government does... Just think about the democratic support coming from many churches RixPix, I would think that alone would soften your objections.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

RixPix, you really do have a problem, don't you. You think about religion too much. Take a break, try not to think about it too much. Get a hobby like potography and find a nice forum to post your pictures and maybe make new friends.

God Blesses and Jesus Saves.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

RixPix wrote:

It seems that every day someone posts something about the national debt and how much things like Medicare drains our resources. Well here's a quick and easy solution...eliminate the tax deduction (just like the Republicans want to do) without actually raising the tax rates....

That's an interesting claim. To calculate the $71 billion, are they looking at church budgets or church receipts?

If most churches were taxed on profits similar to business taxes, they would deduct their expenses before calculating tax. And while I am sure there will be some mega-churches with remaining profit, most would have income equal to zero and tax liability equal to zero.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

PrairieSeasons wrote:

quote=RixPix It seems that every day someone post... (show quote)

This amount is supposed to be the value of the deductions claimed. In other words, the tax burden will be put on the taxpayer...if the Ryan proposals are enacted this will be true for all the closed loopholes and eliminated deductions. The proposed Ryan budget would see the end of deductions for many things possibly the mortgage interest deduction and the deduction for charitable contributions...the issue is since no details of the plan have been revealed we really don't know what will happen.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

Blurryeyed wrote:

quote=RixPix It seems that every day someone post... (show quote)

According the Republican proposals deductions (albeit unnamed at this point) are fair game. This is just an example of how much money could be redistributed by eliminating a simple deduction like the Republicans are proposing to balance the budget without changing the actual tax rates.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

RixPix wrote:

quote=Blurryeyed quote=RixPix It seems that ever... (show quote)

I haven't seen any details of a Republican proposal in this regard, but would be very surprised if it includes not changing the actual rates.

Every proposal that I have seen which calls for elimination of deductions also calls for lowering the present rates.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

Bangee5 wrote:

RixPix, you really do have a problem, don't you. You think about religion too much. Take a break, try not to think about it too much. Get a hobby like potography and find a nice forum to post your pictures and maybe make new friends.

God Blesses and Jesus Saves.

I think you misinterpret my postings...I don't think about religion at all...it never comes under my consideration for any reason. In this case it is cited as an example of how under the Republican proposed tax reforms a great sum of money can be redistributed without changing the tax rates. I don't know if this particular deduction is part of their plan as they have not deemed it necessary to provide us with the details and specifics contained therein.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

RixPix wrote:

quote=Bangee5 RixPix, you really do have a proble... (show quote)

Redistributed? In my mind saved would be a better word, but then again, I am not a progressive.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

PrairieSeasons wrote:

quote=RixPix quote=Blurryeyed quote=RixPix It s... (show quote)

I stand corrected. You are correct in stating their plan does contain reductions in rates along with the elimination of yet unnamed deductions. Thanks.

tschmath Loc: Los Angeles

I wonder how many of the 36,909 suicides in 2010 could have been prevented if everyone in this country had access to affordable health care. As the ACA becomes part of our culture I'll be curious to see if those numbers drop.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Let me think on this- hmmm - the church I attend on a not too regular of bassis has a few programs for the needy:
foof pantry
clothing - winter coats
gas cards
fire wood for the elderly & needy
just to mention what I am aware of - they give back what was given to them -No I don't think "All" the Churches need taxing.
But Isure think the big $$$ ones & televangalists could spare a few $$$ instead of buying privit planes & RR cars.
IMHO
Harvey

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

tschmath wrote:

I wonder how many of the 36,909 suicides in 2010 could have been prevented if everyone in this country had access to affordable health care. As the ACA becomes part of our culture I'll be curious to see if those numbers drop.

I read some article this weekend that attributed the increase in rates of suicide to our bleak economy. If that is the case, wouldn't you expect the rate of suicides to increase as Obamacare further stifles growth?

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

tschmath wrote:

I wonder how many of the 36,909 suicides in 2010 could have been prevented if everyone in this country had access to affordable health care. As the ACA becomes part of our culture I'll be curious to see if those numbers drop.

Or not.... it remains to be seen that the ACA is going to resolve many of the issues that it was intended to resolve, regardless of the fight over the fact that we would like to see everyone have access to healthcare it is very much uncertain that the ACA will accomplish its stated goals, there are many problems associated with the ACA and in fact it is very arguable that it may not have the anticipated impact in the numbers of insured in this country once it is fully implemented.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

Blurryeyed wrote:

quote=RixPix quote=Bangee5 RixPix, you really do... (show quote)

There is no new money only money that can be redistributed. Since the Republicans do not intend to essentially collect more money they are planning to redistribute the available funds. That's the arithmetic.