Author Topic: Why Congress is broken (Read 307 times)

Mickey1992 · « **on:** July 28, 2006, 01:15:34 PM »

Another example of why Congress is broken. Lazs' idea of one-idea-only legislation is making more sense.

Congressional leadership is amending the raise in the minimum wage measure with all sorts of tax cuts. I have removed the words "Republican" and "Democrat" from the article because this goes beyond partisan politics (both sides have historically done it). It highlights what is wrong with the US Congress and why so little gets done.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060728/ap_on_go_co/minimum_wage

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer 32 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Congress would pass an increase in the minimum wage before leaving Washington for vacation, but only as part of a package rolling back taxes on the heirs of multimillionaires, a Senate leadership aide said Friday.

The [congressional majority's] package would also contain a popular package of expiring tax breaks, including a research and development credit for businesses, and deductions for college tuition and state sales taxes.

The wage would increase from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour, phased in over the next two years, the aide said.

The maneuver is aimed at defusing the wage hike as a campaign issue for [the congressional minority] while using its popularity to spur enactment of the [congressional majority's] long-sought goal of permanently cutting taxes on millionaires' estates.

But it seemed certain to provoke outrage from [the congressional minority] clamoring for a measure devoted solely to raising the minimum wage.

"Its political blackmail to say the only way that minimum wage workers can get a raise is to give a tax giveaways to the wealthiest Americans," said Sen. Edward Kennedy [a member of the congressional minority]. "Members of Congress raised their own pay — no strings attached. Surely, common decency suggests that minimum wage workers deserve the same respect."

"It's outrageous the [congressional majority] can't simply help poor people without doing something for their wealthy contributors," said Rep. Tim Ryan [a member of the congressional minority].

House lawmakers were to discuss the package at an early afternoon session, while the Senate aide professed confidence the bill could advance through the chamber next week.

The aide asked not to be identified publicly because of the ongoing closed strategy sessions on the bill.

"It's the one chance for [the congressional minority] who want to get a minimum wage increase," the aide said.

The move comes after almost 50 rank-and-file [congressional majority] lawmakers pressed House leaders — who strongly oppose the wage hike and have thus far prevented a vote — to schedule the measure for debate. [The congressional minority] have been hammering away on the wage hike issue and have public opinion behind them.

"We weren't going to be denied," said Rep. Steve LaTourette, [Majority]-Ohio, a leader in the effort. "How can you defend $5.15 an hour in today's economy?"

It was a decade ago, during the hotly contested campaign year of 1996, that Congress voted to increase the minimum wage. A person working 40 hours per week at minimum wage makes $10,700, which is below the poverty line for workers with families.

eagl · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:24:08 PM »

So, what's wrong with not unfairly taxing heirs of multimillionairse?

My grandfather grew up during the depression, so he doesn't buy anything he doesn't absolutely need. As a result, he owns a house in the SF bay area worth about a mil and his net worth is around 3 mil. When he dies, under the old rules, my dad and my uncle/aunt would have to sell the house he owned for 70 years in order to be able to afford the estate taxes.

How the hell is that fair? Because a man saved his pennies his whole life, his children should be forced to sell the family home when he dies just to pay taxes on his life savings?

Sounds like outright communism and re-distribution of wealth to me. It's not fair, and only the stupid greedy with their grubby hands out for free govt handouts that want to loot my grandfather's house for their personal gain. My grandfather worked until he was 65 to get that house and to ensure that he saved enough so he would never be a burden on society, and in return the govt will take about 50% of his estate, including the house, when he dies.

That's communism, pure and simple. Anyone and any group who gets ahead must be knocked down to the crappy average because people who get ahead must never be allowed to benefit from their hard work.

Bugger that. Repeal the inheritance tax entirely.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:31:57 PM »

HERE is why congress is broken

Take that out of the equasion and see how fast things get done for the good of the country

Mickey1992 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:34:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eagl
So, what's wrong with not unfairly taxing heirs of ultimillionairse?

Nothing is wrong with it, but why piggy-back it on a minimum wage bill?

Why can't the Congressional majority simply introduce a bill to repeal the estate tax?

Gunslinger · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:57:06 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mickey1992
Nothing is wrong with it, but why piggy-back it on a minimum wage bill?

Why can't the Congressional majority simply introduce a bill to repeal the estate tax?

I have to agree there. One law, one idea per bill. It reminds me of that simpson's episode where they are trying to get a law passed and right before the vote a congressmen adds an appropration of money for pornographic art and no one votes for it and they where like "well time to move on".

I'm against raising the minimum wage personally. Places that need good skilled labor don't pay minimum wage, they'd never get people to work for them. The wage should fit the work being done IMHO. It seems everytime the wage is risen the price on all goods and services seems to rise with it so what's the point if we all end up paying more.

eagl · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2006, 02:00:59 PM »

Solution - 2 prong attack.

1. Line item veto. Anything that makes it harder for our govt to pass controversial laws is a good thing IMHO. Let the states run anything that doesn't NEED federal intervention.
2. Term limits. Congress should be focused on running the country, not getting re-elected and raising money for their personal campaigns.

Seagoon · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2006, 02:13:14 PM »

Ya know,

I can't believe they didn't see the simple solution to dealing with both these issues at once. Simply raise the minimum wage to $28,575 dollars an hour!

Within a month, even a 35 hour a week part-time worker would be a multi-millionaire.

No more worrying about how taxation unfairly targets the wealthy since we'd all be in the top bracket.

Now if someone who knows nothing about economics can figure that out, you'd think all them high-fallutin' politicos could too.

- SEAGOON

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2006, 03:39:58 PM »

I agree with repealing estate taxes.

I disagree with raising minimum wage. I disagree with even having a "minimum wage". Creating such a thing endorses the idea that you should be able to live on those wages. Get rid of it, let businesses pay what people will take. If they want good workers, they'll pay more money for them.

ASTAC · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2006, 04:25:20 PM »

Down with the estate tax..

As you guys know, I just recently got stationed in Jacksonville,Florida...Happens that is also my home town (well Orange Park really). ANyway after being gone for 8 years I didn't realize how much a place can change...one of the most dissappointing was this morning.

Decided to pack up the family and go to "Strickland's Landing"

This is a local swimming hole type place..It's on a large lake and they have built a three sided pier enclosing a large swimming area.There's picnic area, beach area camping water slides etc.

Imagine my suprise that when we got there, we found out it was closed. T

Turns out that old man strickland died a few years ago. Soon afterwards the family got the estate tax bill. It was so hight that they had no choice but to sell. The park itself always made a good profit. But the family just didn't have the money to pay the bill.

So now a place that many of us locals used to go to almost every weekend since we were small kids is gone forever...because of the good ole US Government and it's UNNECCESARY greed.

Mini D · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2006, 11:42:43 PM »

From this thread titled "Just 3 things and the government is ours again":

Quote

I'd add a 4th:

Any bill brought before congress can only have one item on it.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2006, 11:50:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mickey1992
Nothing is wrong with it, but why piggy-back it on a minimum wage bill?

Why can't the Congressional majority simply introduce a bill to repeal the estate tax?

As conservative as any member of congress would claim to be, I would sooner chop off my nuts with a rusty pair of shears then believe that congress would cut off their best and easiest way to make money.