One Nation Under God

[Ibanez]

Income.

Should we do the same for United Way?

I'm fine with no taxes in charitable donations, or however it's worded, but it's not uncommon for churches to have income. There are some around here with coffee shops and bookstores and they boast about being tax exempt. Same with land sales. My high school was built in with money from the sale of our campus in downtown Charleston (and fundraising) and no taxes were paid. My father was on the financial committe for the diocese.

[CAA Flagship]

Should we do the same for United Way?

Are you suggesting that churches are strictly charities?

No. I am suggesting that a large amount of "income" of many churches is used for charitable purposes. I just don't think anyone can make a blanket statement that all churches should not be tax exempt. I'm OK if a line is drawn within the financial statements of churches that fairly (consistent with other charities) separates the tax exempt and taxable activities.

[Baldy]

Exactly. I first read your post last night after a few (lots of) drinks. It made more sense then.

Let me know if you still need it explained to you. I'm here to help.

Please do...and try using proper English and context this time.

[kalm]

Let me know if you still need it explained to you. I'm here to help.

Please do...and try using proper English and context this time.

Well a picture speaks a thousand words...



I think I've told the story before how the Cheney Parks and Rec department took a massive funding hit with the passing of I-695 (drastically cut license plate tabs). It blew a hole in many small town budgets across the state. The city put up a referendum the following year that would have raised property taxes somewhere in the neighborhood of $140/year on average. City officials used the scare tactic that without the tax, the multi-million dollar Parks and Rec department could be shut down. I had conk friends who laughed at the threat while the tax increase was voted down. "Government has tons of other money." Next year no city pool, no youth sports programs, no senior programs, virtually no upkeep on the parks.

I had friend's kids who literally said "thanks for closing the pool, dad". The following year, the tax was approved by the voters.

But I agree with you that the framing of questions can skew poll results so I took your first statement that "most Americans are opposed to raising taxes, period" and found a Gallup Poll that speaks to that from a number of different perspectives.

In two different questions a majority of Americans felt the income tax they pay is too high while an even greater majority felt the income tax they will have to pay this year is fair. (Again this supports my point that you struggled to understand.)

A majority of Americans support higher taxes on the wealthy as well as income redistribution so please remove the "period" from your statement.

The good news for you is that a majority would prefer to pay less in taxes and take a reduction in government services (not the anecdote above and be careful of what you wish for) and they also favor debt reduction over tax increases on the rich.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/1714/taxes.aspx

[Baldy]

Please do...and try using proper English and context this time.

Well a picture speaks a thousand words...



I think I've told the story before how the Cheney Parks and Rec department took a massive funding hit with the passing of I-695 (drastically cut license plate tabs). It blew a hole in many small town budgets across the state. The city put up a referendum the following year that would have raised property taxes somewhere in the neighborhood of $140/year on average. City officials used the scare tactic that without the tax, the multi-million dollar Parks and Rec department could be shut down. I had conk friends who laughed at the threat while the tax increase was voted down. "Government has tons of other money." Next year no city pool, no youth sports programs, no senior programs, virtually no upkeep on the parks.

I had friend's kids who literally said "thanks for closing the pool, dad". The following year, the tax was approved by the voters.

But I agree with you that the framing of questions can skew poll results so I took your first statement that "most Americans are opposed to raising taxes, period" and found a Gallup Poll that speaks to that from a number of different perspectives.

In two different questions a majority of Americans felt the income tax they pay is too high while an even greater majority felt the income tax they will have to pay this year is fair. (Again this supports my point that you struggled to understand.)

A majority of Americans support higher taxes on the wealthy as well as income redistribution so please remove the "period" from your statement.

The good news for you is that a majority would prefer to pay less in taxes and take a reduction in government services (not the anecdote above and be careful of what you wish for) and they also favor debt reduction over tax increases on the rich.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/1714/taxes.aspx

Cool story, Bro.

Most Americans also believe (by a wide margin) that the US would be more safe if more private citizens carried concealed weapons.



Polls are fun.