Misconception: Since Mitt Romney held investments in offshore funds, he must have been trying to hide money from the IRS.

Reality: There is nothing illegal about investing or holding money in banks that are located in other countries. If he was trying to hide money, why would he disclose it to the IRS?

Misconception: Mitt Romney’s effective tax rate was only 14%. This goes to show that the richest American’s who run the biggest companies continue to pay the lowest tax rate.

Reality: While Romney’s effective tax rate of 14% is low, people need to remember that he didn’t earn this off of wages. His income in 2010 was mainly from capital gains through his various investments. However, in the interest of discussion, even if his effective tax rate was 14%, and wage based, there is still an angry, greedy, vile, and capitalistic group of Americans paying a lower tax rate.

Is it big oil? No. Big Tobacco? No.

Those greedy jerks that pay less in taxes than Mitt Romney… small business owners, specifically sole proprietors. That’s right, according to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), the average effective tax rate for a sole proprietor is 13.3%:

The effective federal income tax rate faced by small businesses varies by the legal form of organization, according to a report issued today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Average rates range from 13.3 percent for sole proprietorships to 26.9 percent for S corporations. The effective federal income tax rate is the actual amount of taxes paid by a firm as a percent of its net income.

If you’re thinking to yourself, “well, business owners are still a small segment of the population… the majority have to pay a much higher tax rate,” you’re wrong. Even at 14%, Romney still pays a higher rate than 97% of Americans.

From the Tax Foundation:

“Based on the most recent IRS data for 2009, the average tax rate (after deductions) paid by all Americans is 11 percent. It is also clear that millionaires pay an average of 25 percent, while virtually every taxpayer earning under $100,000 pays an average rate of no more than 8 percent of their income in taxes.”

If anything, it’s the “1%” that should be angry at Romney, not the average voter.

Jobs:

As Republicans our first concern is for those waiting tonight to begin or resume the climb up life’s ladder. We do not accept that ours will ever be a nation of haves and have nots; we must always be a nation of haves and soon to haves.

Energy and Jobs:

The extremism that stifles the development of homegrown energy, or cancels a perfectly safe pipeline that would employ tens of thousands, or jacks up consumer utility bills for no improvement in either human health or world temperature, is a pro-poverty policy. It must be replaced by a passionate pro-growth approach that breaks all ties and calls all close ones in favor of private sector jobs that restore opportunity for all and generate the public revenues to pay our bills.

Tax Reform:

That means a dramatically simpler tax system of fewer loopholes and lower rates. A pause in the mindless piling on of expensive new regulations that devour dollars that otherwise could be used to hire somebody. It means maximizing on the new domestic energy technologies that are the best break our economy has gotten in years.

Congressional Gridlock:

It’s not fair and it’s not true for the President to attack Republicans in Congress as obstacles on these questions. They and they alone have passed bills to reduce borrowing, reform entitlements, and encourage new job creation, only to be shot down nearly time and again by the President and his Democrat Senate allies.

General Change in Direction:

No feature of the Obama Presidency has been sadder than its constant efforts to divide us, to curry favor with some Americans by castigating others. As in previous moments of national danger, we Americans are all in the same boat. If we drift, quarreling and paralyzed, over a Niagara of debt, we will all suffer, regardless of income, race, gender, or other category. If we fail to shift to a pro-jobs, pro-growth economic policy, there will never be enough public revenue to pay for our safety net, national security, or whatever size government we decide to have.

Rally Call:

2012 must be the year we prove the doubters wrong. The year we strike out boldly not merely to avert national bankruptcy but to say to a new generation that America is still the world’s premier land of opportunity. Republicans will speak for those who believe in the dignity and capacity of the individual citizen; who believe that government is meant to serve the people rather than supervise them; who trust Americans enough to tell them the plain truth about the fix we are in, and to lay before them a specific, credible program of change big enough to meet the emergency we are facing.

Source: House Speaker, John Boehner

Let’s just hope we  don’t have another Bobby Jindal moment. Mitch Daniels has the potential to go on to bigger things in politics, and I would hate to see it ruined by a bad speech delivery.

To make it even easier, I’ve sorted the gifts by category.

Check back soon, as I will be adding more to this page soon.

Christmas Items

Books

Clothing

Jewelry

Miscellaneous Gifts

Click here to view the embedded video.

Yes, debate prep is very important.

To make it even easier, I’ve sorted the gifts by category.

Books

Decision Points, by George W. Bush

Price: $18.99

Note: If the person you are shopping for leans more on the libertarian side, this probably isn’t the book you want to get them. However, if the person you are shopping for is a conservative, Republican, Conservative Republican, or anything in between, this is a safe bet.

Note 2: If the person you are shopping for travels frequently, or doesn’t have as much time as he or she would like to read, consider purchasing the audio CD version of this book, or the audio from Audible, which they can simply play on their iPod or other MP3 player.

Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto, by Dick Armey & Matt Kibbe.

Price: $13.59

Note: This is a great book for anyone who is interested in or considers themselves a part of the Tea Party movement. This book is written by the heads of FreedomWorks, which played a key role in the maturation of this movement. This book chronicles the history of the Tea Party, and provides the reader with detailed guide for organizing in their communities.

This book is also available on CD.

Broke, by Glenn Beck

Price: $14.98

Note: This is a great book for those who know who Glenn Beck is. If they hate Glenn Beck, they’ll want to read this book. If they love Glenn Beck, they’ll want to read this book. It’s a win/win.

This book is also available on CD.

For other books by Glenn Beck, please click here.

End the Fed, by Dr. Ron Paul

Price: $9.73

Note: This is an excellent book for anyone on your list who has libertarian leanings, or simply would like to learn more about the problems facing American monetary policy, specifically those created by the Federal Reserve. With the new Congress taking over in a few weeks, this book will become more relevant than ever, as the Federal Reserve will become an even hotter topic.

This book is also available on CD.

Dismantling America, by Thomas Sowell

Price: $18.45

Note: I haven’t read this book yet, however it has been recommended to me by numerous people. Since I have no notes, check out the reviews section to make sure it’s the best fit for the person you are shopping for.

This book is also available on something called preloaded digital audio, which is simply a small device that has the audio of the book loaded on it. I have only seen this on a few books, and so far this is the only political book I’ve seen it on. You can check it out here.

Don’t Vote It Just Encourages the Bastards, by P.J. O’Rourke

Price: $16.50

Note: If you aren’t sure why type of books the conservative, Republican, libertarian, independent, etc. likes, anything by P.J. O’Rourke is a safe bet. Not only is this book informative, in terms of discussing the true nature of politics and politicians, it’s also extremely funny.

This book is also available on CD.

Clothing

“Miss Me  Yet” George W. Bush T-Shirt

Price: $14.99

Available in sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large

Additional colors include: Slate Blue.

*Similar shirts are also available in different styles and colors by other vendors.

Old School Conservative Ronald Reagan T-Shirt

Price: $22.00

Available in sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, and XXX-Large

Available in colors: Ash grey, light blue, and natural (tan)

Similar Reagan shirts are available here.

Christmas Items

Price: $8.99

Note: This is a great gift for under $10. If your office does a secret Santa draw every year and sets price limits, this might be a good solution. This ornament is also available for Democrats, if  you’re looking for a unique and affordable gift for one of those politically-divided couples.

The Democrat Glass Donkey Ornament is available here for the same price.

Republican Party Elephant Ornament
Price: $6.50

Note: This is another affordable Christmas ornament for the proud Republican.

It’s 2 3/4″ x 1 3/4″, making it an ideal stocking stuffer, or a pleasant surprise to put on someones Christmas tree.

Display Items

Price: $19.09

This flag measures 3′ x 5′, and is made of Nylon. This would be great for someone to display outside of their home, or put it on the wall of their garage, office, dorm room, apartment, doomsday bunker, etc.

There are a wide variety of Gadsden Flags available, with over 200 different options being available here.

Price: $20.00

This coin commemorates the 100th Birthday of Ronald Reagan, which will take place on February 6, 2011. This coin is clad in .999 pure silver, containing 71mg. This coin is a great display item for anyone who grew up during the Reagan era.

If you’re able to spend a little more money, and want a coin that is pure silver (not just plated), consider this Ronald Reagan Illinois Seal coin, which is one Troy ounce of .999 pure silver, and comes with a sealed display case and box.

(13 more updates coming very soon).

]]> http://dcrepublican.com/2010/12/11/25-christmas-gifts-for-conservatives-or-republicans-for-under-25/feed/ 0 http://dcrepublican.com/2010/01/18/one-way-to-ensure-a-short-lived-democrat-majority-rush-healthcare-stall-brown/ http://dcrepublican.com/2010/01/18/one-way-to-ensure-a-short-lived-democrat-majority-rush-healthcare-stall-brown/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:34:59 +0000 admin http://dcrepublican.com/?p=1036 I read a startling article yesterday regarding various contingency plans being tossed around Democrat circles in Washington and Massachusetts, preparing for the prospects of Scott Brown defeating Martha Coakley, in what could be one of the greatest political upsets of the 21^st Century.

From the Wall Street Journal:

WASHINGTON—With the Massachusetts Senate seat unexpectedly in play, Democrats are weighing alternative scenarios for passing a health bill without their filibuster-proof majority.

Congressional Democrats and the White House have rapidly stepped up the pace of negotiations on a final bill in the last 48 hours as polls showed a tightening race in Tuesday’s special election.

But Senate leaders need every one of the 60 votes they can call on—including two independents—to pass the bill. A Republican victory in Tuesday’s special Senate election would deprive them of that margin.

It’s also possible that vulnerable Democrats could bolt after a defeat, leaving more votes to make up. Even a narrow victory for Democratic contender Martha Coakley—in one of the nation’s bluest states—could unnerve fellow party members.

Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Democratic leadership circle in the House, acknowledged Friday the Massachusetts race would “complicate things if we lose.”

While we’ve known for awhile what was at stake with this special election, it’s disgusting to see what “nuclear options” are being proposed and considered by the various Democrat caucuses.

So far, four options have come to light: Move Quickly, Pass the Senate Bill, Use Reconciliation, or simply Give Up.

This obviously poses a challenge for the Democrats.

Should Scott Brown win, they’re going to have to select one of the four options mentioned above if they want to get their health care bill passed. Unfortunately for them, no matter which option they go with (other than waiting it out and hoping for a miracle), the current Democrat majority is going to lose a huge chunk of their base, those who lean more towards identifying themselves as conservative or moderate Democrats.

Not only will the Democrats lose popularity amongst there base, but they’ll also lose a significant amount of political capital, which is essential during an election year.

Unfortunately for the Democrats, they’ve set up a legislative agenda that will fracture them even more should they not maintain a safe number of reliable votes. After all, this Congress still hasn’t been able to come up with a cap and trade policy that is popular with the American electorate.

Luckily for the GOP, if the Democrats aren’t able to hold Ted Kennedy’s seat, and their filibuster-proof majority, I think it’s safe to say that the Dem’s are going to into a tailspin between now and November, essentially writing their own attack ads, paving the way for a Republican victory.

Links:

Politico: Tea Partiers rally: ‘Kill the bill’

Dakota Voice: Code Red Rally Today Against Gov’t Health Care

The Washington Independent: Nervous About Health Care, Tea Parties Look to 2010

Christian News Wire: Concerned Women for America Joins ‘Code Red’ Rally on Capitol Hill

Courthouse News Service: Right Wingers Dress in Red to Protest Bill

CNN Political Ticker: Dean: Time to ‘kill the Senate bill’

CBS News: Conservatives Rally to “Kill the Bill”

CNN Political Ticker: Conservative ‘Code Red rally’ hits the Hill

The Hill: Tea Party supporters, conservative groups rally outside Capitol

Video Coverage:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photo Coverage:

Congressman Kingston Speaks at Code Red Rally

Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) looks on as Mr. William Temple of Brunswick, GA is interviewed by a correspondent from National Public Radio in Washington.

Code Red Protest in DC

Code Red Protest in DC

Code Red Protest in DC

Conservatives rallied in Washington Tuesday to show their opposition to Democrats' plans for health care reform. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

(AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Connecticut resident Tom Hill poses with a homemade sign. The other side featured a health care message for Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.). (Photo by David Weigel)

Who was Russell Kirk?

From Wikipedia:

Russell Kirk (October 19, 1918 – April 29, 1994) was an American political theorist, historian, social critic, literary critic, and fiction author known for his influence on 20th century American conservatism. His 1953 book, The Conservative Mind, gave shape to the amorphous post-World War II conservative movement. It traced the development of conservative thought in the Anglo-American tradition, giving special importance to the ideas of Edmund Burke.

His works include:

• The Conservative mind: From Burke to Eliot
• American Cause
• Edmund Burke: A Genius Reconsidered
• Old house of Fear
• Ancestral Shadows: An Anthology of Ghostly Tales
• Economics: Work and Prosperity
• Roots of American Order
• Eliot and His Age
• The Portable Conservative Reader
• John Randolph of Roanoke

And many others

From the article:

In the first few months of his presidency, Obama has continued his full-court press for young voters, breaking protocol by giving Queen Elizabeth a loaded iPod, appearing on television and radio and expanding the White House’s Internet presence.

But the political loyalties of that coveted demographic are not yet decided. While they seem to lean to the left, they’re actually more libertarian than liberal, a fact that will reshape the way we think about liberalism and conservatism in decades to come.

America’s Generation Y (born between 1980 and 1995) is the first to have grown up with the Internet, which leaves it the most liberty-loving generation since the era of Andrew Jackson. Liberty, the root of what meant to the founders’ generation “liberal,” describes freedom from control and interference, particularly by government. And there is no domain so free from government as the Internet.

What does it mean to have been weaned in an environment – the Internet – virtually free of government interference? Millions of Gen-Yers have grown accustomed to making purchases online tax-free. They download movies and music (much of it pirated), read their news online for free (to the detriment of print media), find recipes online and network with friends and relatives online.

In short, they love their freedom.

While I agree with much of what he is saying there, I do have to point out some disagreement with the beginning of his op-ed:

If exit polls and surveys prove accurate, there will be one demographic deeply underrepresented in Wednesday’s conservative “taxpayer tea parties,” to be held at capitols across the country: Americans between the ages of 18 and 29.

While in the eyes of many Americans that might seem like a safe assumption, personally, I don’t think it could be further from the truth.

The fact of the matter is that if it wasn’t for this demographic (and those who come close to falling in it), the tea parties that have been (and will be) held around the country wouldn’t have been as successful.

It was the Internet (the tool that Burkee rightly points out as one that has given our generation a unique footing politically) that has led to these movements becoming what they are today.

Luckily, most of us “Gen-Y” folks haven’t been politically active enough to be completely indoctrinated by one party or another. This means that if anyone is going to be able to call bullshit on those in Washington and in our states, it’s going to be us.

We’re young and we’re not huge donors, so most politicians don’t give us the time of day (unless they want free labor or websites built). This inherent bias and neglect gives us a perspective that many older Americans simply aren’t able to see… at least without our help.

Simply put, we get to see politicians for who they really are, first hand, because so many of them still don’t take us seriously.

While every generation was once young and had similar experiences, with the Internet, we have the advantage of being able to share our frustrations with millions of people in seconds, and quickly organize to yield change.

Yes my friends, change is coming America, and it’s going to come from us, Generation Y. Yes we can.

Let the classical liberal revolution begin

For those who will be in the DC area tomorrow (April 15) between 11am – 3pm, I strongly urge you to attend the DC Tea Party, which will be staged at Lafayette Square and outside of the United States Treasury (yes, we’re talking belly of the beast here).

Here is a partial list of speakers scheduled to be in attendance:

Princella Smith, American Solutions
Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform
Tobin Smith, Fox News
Brian Johnson, Americans for Tax Reform
Alan Keyes, Activist
Mike Church, Mike Church Radio Show
Rachel Hoff, College Republicans
Tom Schatz, Citizens against Government Waste
Josh Bolin, Reagan.org

For those of you unfamiliar with Washington, DC, below is a simple GoogleMap that I put together to illustrate the area.



View DC Tea Party in a larger map


While there is ample parking in the area, I warn you, it’s never cheap, unless you get lucky and score a street spot (usually around the monuments).

Instead of risking a $20 parking tab, or ranging parking ticket fee, my suggestion would be to find parking somewhere in Northern Virginia and just take the Metro in.

The event (both Lafayette Square and the Treasury) are located within a few blocks of 5 different metro stations: Farragut North, Farragut West, McPherson Square, Metro Center and Federal Triangle.

If you’re coming from Northern Virginia, both the Orange Line and Blue Line will get you to the event without transferring. If you have to take the Yellow line, you’ll have to transfer at L’Enfant Plaza.

Don’t forget your signs!