Quote: Originally Posted By rlahann on 4/15/2010Because I think it is...I don't think something as fundamentally civic as supporting the state by following the tax code should require anything more than a good-faith effort by a reasonably intelligent person. The idea that some people will contribute more to the government than they should...solely because they were unable to figure out all of the tax code...that's not democratic...it's not people equally participating in their roles as citizens.

But that's entirely different than thinking it's a threat to democracy or whatever reactionary BS you said

Undemocratic and threat to democracy are very different to you?

I want to simplify the tax code. I want to abolish the IRS.

Reality is except for the people in the block Commercials, most people are not missing huge deductions.

I just got back. Had to park about 1/2 mile away. I got there too late for the close parking. There was about 1000 to 1200 people there, which was smaller than last year (according to my friend who was at that one as well).

No Sarah Palin, but I saw a sign that said thanks to Sarah Palim. hehehehe

There were a couple of anarchists wandering through the crowd trying to pass out their lit without being caught.

A lot of younger people were speaking and non whites. There were no racial slurs. With all the talk here, I thought I might stick out because I don't own any white sheets.

Carla Howell spoke as well. The crowd was not wild or crazy at all. There even was a Catholic Priest and a Rabbi there. They were not hanging out together though. The priest really suprised me, since the Church is for universal healthcare, without the abortion crap, of course.

Quote: Originally Posted By swamphawk22 on 4/15/2010

Quote: Originally Posted By rlahann on 4/15/2010
Because I think it is...I don't think something as fundamentally civic as supporting the state by following the tax code should require anything more than a good-faith effort by a reasonably intelligent person. The idea that some people will contribute more to the government than they should...solely because they were unable to figure out all of the tax code...that's not democratic...it's not people equally participating in their roles as citizens.

But that's entirely different than thinking it's a threat to democracy or whatever reactionary BS you said.

Undemocratic and threat to democracy are very different to you?

I want to simplify the tax code. I want to abolish the IRS.

Reality is except for the people in the block Commercials, most people are not missing huge deductions.

And put hundreds of thousands of people out of work?

Beats the 2 million that Obamacare will cause to hit the bricks.

Why didn't you just go to the Tea Party in Boston with Palin yesterday?

I forgot to file a 1099. Suck it, government.

I always treat those as optional.

Quote: Originally Posted By rlahann on 4/15/2010Why didn't you just go to the Tea Party in Boston with Palin yesterday

Palin is a supporter of the status quo (Juan McSame).

I get the McSame part, but why "Juan"?

He wants to give amnesty to illegal aliens.

Oh, right. I should've thought about that.

Went to the Atlanta Tea Party yesterday. Looked like about 6 to 8 thousand people there. Took my 16 year old son and 2 of his friends. His black friend had a sign that drew alot of attention and got many photo opps from other protesters. It said "I am not at all a racist". He stopped in front of a camera crew and held up his sign. They looked at him, smiled and ignored him. They obviously did not want a picture of him with that sign.

There were some infiltrators there posing as Tea Party people with ignorant signs. One of the speakers said, "This is a country of freedom of speech. We invite you infiltrators to come up here on stage and show your signs to everyone." None of them had the balls to do that. My sign said, Karl Rove is a moderate. I wish they would have called me on stage. I would have proudly showed my colors.

The speakers called a few moderate Republicans out by name and critisized them. It seemed pretty obvious to me that the people at the Atlanta Tea Party are not going to be voting for any moderates. Candidates are probably going to have to move far right to get a vote from them. I will be trying to go to more events. Very positive protest.

How did your son's essay turn out?

The Tea Party people are making a clear effort to be nice.

I hope they act as nice as Code Pink, Earth First and Peta!

Yeah, I think you're right...at least that messaging is getting out publicly. Nice step forward.