What`s wrong and how would you fix it?

[Blacksandfarmer]

I think another problem with this country is its distorted view of what a hero is. A hero 50 years ago was a father that did what he could to put bread on the table, or the soldiers that fought overseas. Now the heroes are sports figures or celebrity making millions, usually to play kids games. Some fathers take pride in scamming the government for all its worth, and nobody even knows how many of our soldiers were killed last year. I think our forefathers and fallen soldiers would be ashamed of what we have become.

[kraft-t]

So Plaintiffs in a legal action are the problem instead of reckless people that injure them?

[kraft-t]

I share your opinion on our distorted definition of what defines a hero. I'm somewhat impressed by those that risk life or limb and are scared **bleep**less but go into harms way anyway. It kind of makes michael jordan's accomplishments rather mundane.

My grandaughter was an infant in a neonatal care system a the university hospital in Minneapolis. We hung around there for about 30 days while she clung to life. The dedication of the nursing staff at that hospital was simply amazing.  24/7  observation of frail little infants and observing their successes and failures and what a traumatic intense atmosphere they were committed to. Months after her survival she would receive calls from nurses inquiring into her progress. Sometimes following a failure in the treatment of one child and the need for positive reinforcement after a troubling loss

Our grandaughter is nearing graduation from nursing school. She to is dedicated to that profession and i wish that those that fought so valiantly in her interests would know of what she has become some 23 years later.

[farawayguy]

I don't see a flat tax having much effect on the employment of CPAs, attorneys, etc. I run several businesses and I can't think of how a flat tax would make the accounting any easier. Unless you're going to eliminate business deductions, but farmers could never survive that. Or if you think we'd simplify by eliminating something like depreciation. Now imagine when a farmer buys a combine, he has a huge negative income for the year and no write-off the following. In fact, in any of my business deals, it's hard for me to see how any reasonable flat tax would simplify my accounting at all.

Flip side, for the non-business folks - if you've ever helped out the average employed person with their taxes, you know it's ridiculously easy - takes about 20 minutes or so. And the ones that are a little harder (sold stocks, have a rental house, etc) still would require accounting at the same level as now. Unless of course we don't tax investments, but now you'd have Buffet and Romney's tax near zero, so you've just defeated your purpose. I guess we wouldn't have to put our mortgage deduction on the form, but seriously, does that really make taxes that hard? The banks provide the number for us - I doubt we're hiring accountants for that.

[Kay/NC]

A heartfelt letter from a proud Grandpa to the NICU unit at that hospital would be so meaningful. They may be different nurses caring for different infants, but their mission and dedication is the same. If you just printed what you just wrote out, and addressed it there, it would be a wonderful gesture of gratitude.

[jput]

The Flat Tax proposals I've seen typically exempt taxing the first $30,000 in earnings  (would allow low income folks covering their basic needs without Uncle IRS jaming his hands in their wallets.   That would be a pretty good "poverty program" instead of funnelling tax dollars down through a bunch of high paid govt. bureaucrats to get money to the low income folks.  Just let them keep that first $30,000 in the first place,  no bureaucrats needed).

As far as krafty's concerns,    Warren Buffetts paying 15% of his earnings is one heck of a bigger pile of money than what the most of us would pay in.   And the Flat Tax system works,   it is Singapores only tax.    Apparently the wealthy there pay in plenty.  So ol' krafty who really wants to "stick it to the rich",   the Flat Tax hits them. 

Presently the Kennedy clan trust fund heirs can hide their money overseas and live in high style without paying.  That 15% Flat Tax would make them pay.   And again 15% of a richer person's Flat Tax would be a bigger pile than a middle class income person would pay.   Now I'm simplifying this to make the explaination brief.   But if anyone is curious,  the Singapore and other Flat Tax nations details can be researched via the internet.

Of course congress-senate giving up their current power to grant tax exemptions in our current,  complex,  income tax system,  would be fought tooth and nail.    A whole lot of lobbyists would go unemployed because no one needs to hire them to lobby for special tax breaks.

[jput]

Many nations have "loser pays"   to discourage frivilous lawsuits.   That doesn't discourage legitimate ones.  

Now krafty,  who do you think pays for those lawsuits and settlements?    Yeah,  the consumer of that company's goods or services.  Sue the doctor,  his insurance company pays out,   then raises the premiums doctors pay,  and then those costs are reflected in the bill we pay for medical services.

Sue Mickey D's because you're stupid,  put a hot cup of coffee between your legs as you drive away from the drive thru,  it spills and burns you......the cost of the legal settlement/lawsuit is then reflected in higher prices at Mickey D's that customers pay. 

And somehow the sleezy John Edwards type ambulance chasers become multi-millionaires.   Who paid for his mansion?  We did.

[sw363535]

Crafty it is January 9th at 7:12 A.M.----------- Please explain what irks me today????

[sw363535]

We are a divided country in our alegience to our country.  There are obviously many who will honor and sacrafice for the US as a country.  

And on the other hand Many will cheat and steal from the US when presented the opportunity.

Those in the second group want to suck all the others into that group by claiming "human nature", and "if you get benefit from living here" etc etc etc.  That is just a play to make themselves feel better about their choices.

And frankly speaking,  I got an excellent example of the mindset when I was asked to look for wisdom from a voter who chose to pass up the opportunity to learn to read prior to voting age.

Sometimes we are drowning in our own empathy.  And our choice of the source of wisdom  is a point where the country is most divided.  We have allowed politics to divide us in areas they could not 50 years ago.

Dividing us is a political art form.  A perfect scheme because in the end the public gets blamed for the division.

[kraft-t]

I'm afraid you are seriously confused.

Many nations have loser pays to discourage frivolous lawsuits. That doesn't discourage legitimate ones.

How can you be so sure that legitimate suits may not be offered because lawyers don't want to assume the risk or plaintiffs cannot afford to hire them.

Secondly who do you think pays for those lawsuits and settlements? If that is the case then why would a company care if they get sued? They just pass the cost onto their customers. You are assuming that those companies aren't already at the limit they can charge according to competitive prices. Why aren't they already charging more if it is that easy.

The McDonalds suit was an older lady whos car was parked and she dropped the scalding coffee between her legs. How much did McDonalds raise their prices due to that lawsuit? You have no evidence that the suit raised their prices one penny per cup but it won't stop you from making outrageous claims. Did Wendy's or carl jr's raise their coffee prices or starbucks. The truth is you are assuming what you do not know. One thing you are certain of was the plaintiffs guilt. No matter that Mcdonalds have had episodes similar to that one time after time. Hot coffee is one thing scalding coffee is another.

Somehow John Edwards is sleezy because he was a successful representative for his clients. Of course the defendents in those case had lawyers as well. Do you suppose that doctors and insurance companies can afford high quality legal representatives/ So what made the difference. Possibly a better prepared case or punitive damages for trying to escape responsibilities.

John Edwards earned his money by being good at what he does. Most lawyers that lost to him were out of his league. Ironically, our republican congress chooses to select winners before they ever hear the evidence in even one case. They want to limit awards without even knowing how egregious the behavior of the defendents was. Lets limit the awards to the little guy the defendent that was injured. You can do that before you hear even one element of the case because you are absolutely cetain that the defendent is blameless and that plaintiffs do not have legitimate claims.