Your single most important issue and why

[Chloe]

Basic poll question but please also add an explanation as to why you chose what you chose.

[IMPress Polly]

Poverty because it is the biggest and most immediate problem in the world. Some 80% of the world's population lives at or below a subsistence income level. It's also a growing problem in some respects: the poorest 20% of the world's population appears to actually be getting poorer. Also, many other social problems ranging from crime to war are directly or indirectly consequential of poverty on some level.

[AZ Jim]

Your poll leave me out. Older Americans are concerned about the cavalier attitude of Republicans on Social Security and Medicare. When one reaches old age, priorities change.

[Chloe]

My choice is probably pretty obvious to most of you but the reason I feel that way is because without a healthy planet we have nothing else. Without healthy ecosystems we have no food, without healthy ecosystems we have no safe drinking water, without healthy ecosystems we have no safe air to breathe, without healthy ecosystems we have no future as a species. Taxes, guns, politics, education, terrorism is all on the outside to me since it all doesn't matter if our planet is unhealthy, in fact you could argue that an unhealthy planet will actually cause all of our worst concerns and domestic/foreign issues to only get worse.

[Chloe]

aw nuts I did forget healthcare, I'm sorry

[IMPress Polly]

AZ Jim wrote:
Your poll leave me out. Older Americans are concerned about the cavalier attitude of Republicans on Social Security and Medicare. When one reaches old age, priorities change.

Doesn't that qualify under "Political Party Success", AZ Jim?

[Subdermal]

I chose taxes.

I did so because I believe that the only way that Government has situated itself into the level of authoritarianism from which we now suffer is through punitive levels of taxation.

We didn't even have a Federal Income Tax 115 years ago.

Without feeding the hogs in Washington, nearly every other problem either goes away entirely, or is greatly reduced.

[Docthehun]

Education - The key to solving most issues.

[Subdermal]

Your poll leave me out. Older Americans are concerned about the cavalier attitude of Republicans on Social Security and Medicare. When one reaches old age, priorities change.

As a Conservative with strong libertarian leanings, our attitudes are viewed by you as 'cavalier' because you either

a] don't understand our views, or;

b] disagree that our suggestions for improving both will work, or;

b] don't care, and just want to push a talking point

[Subdermal]

Education - The key to solving most issues.

How do you know if you're educating, or indoctrinating?

[AZ Jim]

Doesn't that qualify under "Political Party Success", AZ Jim?No. I don't think it specific enough.

[AZ Jim]

As a Conservative with strong libertarian leanings, our attitudes are viewed by you as 'cavalier' because you either

a] don't understand our views, or;

b] disagree that our suggestions for improving both will work, or;

b] don't care, and just want to push a talking pointI reject your subjective opinions.

[Peter1469]

Government size. Cut it down and all the other problems will fix themselves.

[Chris]

Government size because the government, if we must have one, should be limited to protecting the rights of the people--and I would argue only the natural rights of the people that led to its creation--and to regulating itself to treat everyone equally with universalizable rules.

[Newpublius]

Taxes. Today as I write this taxes at all levels, local, state and federal, constitute my single largest expense. Currently in the aggregate slightly exceeding 50% of income. That needs to stop.

[Common]

aw nuts I did forget healthcare, I'm sorry

You also forgot my big issue Illegal Immigration

[Chloe]

You also forgot my big issue Illegal Immigration

Im a failure

[Common]

Im a failure

lol no yourre not, no one can think of everything. You picked a topic with a possible 3 dozen choices :) Not to worry the thread im sure will survive without my choice. Tell ya what Ill go pick one of the othes :)

[kilgram]

I am not American, but I guess I can vote as well :)

For me, the most important topic is education. Without a good education the rest of topics are useless. Without a good education, environment has no possibility to success. Education includes everything. A good education, creates a caring society and a good education makes a society that understands better the problems that surround that society, so they can create better solutions to solve the problems that surround the society and the world.

[Common]

I chose poverty but my worry is in a broader sense. There are too many deeply poor in this country and many that are far poorer than they were 16 yrs ago.

Some people like to say no one in america is poor, you need to look at really poor countries to see poverty.
Errr no, poverty as related to America is very real american poverty.

There is no more middle class for all intents, there is the haves and have nots. They haves have proven they are not willing to share one red cent more than they are forced too.

Most non rich americans work for a wage that they are unable to subist on and many work and still need food stamps and other forms of govt assistance. THINK about that. On top of that they have no place to move up to those jobs were outsourced. So these poor workers are left to a lifeftime of poverty

Obama has made this far worse than ever before and sped up the divide far greater than the bush years. Hes done nothing for working people. He has hurt working americans worse than any president before him. He has forced and encouraged id bet in the millions of illegal migrants to this country. That are mostly unskilled and assure employers will never have to raise wages or give benefits.

On top of that he pushes through another Nafta to finish the working class off. Its both parties fault over the years for sure but right now today Obama has done us in. There fore my vote will not go to the next Obama, Hillary Clinton.

[Crepitus]

All of those are important issues, plus a few more. But if you held my feet to the fire I'd have to say poverty. It's a huge problem world wide but I'm talking specifically about here. This is the greatest country in the world. There is absolutely no excuse for us to allow anyone to be homeless, hungry, or sick due to financial problems.

[Crepitus]

Taxes. Today as I write this taxes at all levels, local, state and federal, constitute my single largest expense. Currently in the aggregate slightly exceeding 50% of income. That needs to stop.
What is your income bracket?

[pragmatic]

Basic poll question but please also add an explanation as to why you chose what you chose.


Supreme Court appointments.

[pragmatic]

Im a failure


Well dang.

[Peter1469]

All of those are important issues, plus a few more. But if you held my feet to the fire I'd have to say poverty. It's a huge problem world wide but I'm talking specifically about here. This is the greatest country in the world. There is absolutely no excuse for us to allow anyone to be homeless, hungry, or sick due to financial problems.

How can the government mandate people to apply themselves?

End welfare?

[decedent]

Society's problems are often linked to poverty, including ignorance, poor health and crime.

[wonderdog]

Basic poll question but please also add an explanation as to why you chose what you chose.

Keeping Trump out of office. The reason is obvious.

[Peter1469]

Get the government out of the way. Many of the poor would have a chance to achieve.

We have had 7 years of flaccid growth because the government has its boot on the neck of the free market.

[The Xl]

Foreign policy. It permeates every aspect of our society, from safety, to finances, to morality and oppression, etc.

[IMPress Polly]

Chloe wrote:
Im a failure

How could you??! You know I wanted to pick that one too! :wink:

[Archer0915]

Voted Poverty! Getting jobs back in this country will do much to help out in every other item mentioned in the poll.

[Newpublius]

What is your income bracket?

I just changed circumstances and I sold my business and now am a temp. My wife and I are two income professional family.

I pay $11k in property taxes on a nice home, but by no means a fantastic home by NJ standards. I live in a 'bilevel on a 1/4 acre plot' which describes the suburbs where I live.

That's local, now when I had the business I owned a commercial property and the property taxes there were 20k, which wasnt high end 5th Avenue property. It was a a smallish warehouse in a flood zone with a storefront.

Then we have to deal with taxes on things I buy, sales tax for instance, gas tax, I used to smoke, tolls (not to be ignored in Northeast, George Washington Bridge is $14 to cross)

Then we get to the state and I had income from NY and NJ and I would pay state income tax on these amounts. Income earned in NY would be taxed in NY and would also be subject to tax in NJ (though NJ had a credit that eliminate much, though not all of that burden).

And then there's federal of course and my wife earns a fair penny too. Self employed, I had to pay self employment tax which is social security, employer/employee share. As an employee temp, what's happening is that my wife and I are making money and they're withholding based on what each of us are individually making but collectively it pushes those dollars up the brackets.

Right now, as a temp with my wife working, we earn a dollar and get to keep $.69.....of course that amount does NOT include the employer'share share of social security, which is hidden from.you. From there, those dollars are then subject to sales tax, gas tax, tolls and of course property tax.

This is calculated to get a smallish federal refund and to either have a small state refund or to owe a small amount once it's all said and done.

[AZ Jim]

I just changed circumstances and I sold my business and now am a temp. My wife and I are two income professional family.

I pay $11k in property taxes on a nice home, but by no means a fantastic home by NJ standards. I live in a 'bilevel on a 1/4 acre plot' which describes the suburbs where I live.

That's local, now when I had the business I owned a commercial property and the property taxes there were 20k, which wasnt high end 5th Avenue property. It was a a smallish warehouse in a flood zone with a storefront.

Then we have to deal with taxes on things I buy, sales tax for instance, gas tax, I used to smoke, tolls (not to be ignored in Northeast, George Washington Bridge is $14 to cross)

Then we get to the state and I had income from NY and NJ and I would pay state income tax on these amounts. Income earned in NY would be taxed in NY and would also be subject to tax in NJ (though NJ had a credit that eliminate much, though not all of that burden).

And then there's federal of course and my wife earns a fair penny too. Self employed, I had to pay self employment tax which is social security, employer/employee share. As an employee temp, what's happening is that my wife and I are making money and they're withholding based on what each of us are individually making but collectively it pushes those dollars up the brackets.Awwwwwww

[Chris]

I just changed circumstances and I sold my business and now am a temp. My wife and I are two income professional family.

I pay $11k in property taxes on a nice home, but by no means a fantastic home by NJ standards. I live in a 'bilevel on a 1/4 acre plot' which describes the suburbs where I live.

That's local, now when I had the business I owned a commercial property and the property taxes there were 20k, which wasnt high end 5th Avenue property. It was a a smallish warehouse in a flood zone with a storefront.

Then we have to deal with taxes on things I buy, sales tax for instance, gas tax, I used to smoke, tolls (not to be ignored in Northeast, George Washington Bridge is $14 to cross)

Then we get to the state and I had income from NY and NJ and I would pay state income tax on these amounts. Income earned in NY would be taxed in NY and would also be subject to tax in NJ (though NJ had a credit that eliminate much, though not all of that burden).

And then there's federal of course and my wife earns a fair penny too. Self employed, I had to pay self employment tax which is social security, employer/employee share. As an employee temp, what's happening is that my wife and I are making money and they're withholding based on what each of us are individually making but collectively it pushes those dollars up the brackets.

Right now, as a temp with my wife working, we earn a dollar and get to keep $.69.....of course that amount does NOT include the employer'share share of social security, which is hidden from.you. From there, those dollars are then subject to sales tax, gas tax, tolls and of course property tax.

This is calculated to get a smallish federal refund and to either have a small state refund or to owe a small amount once it's all said and done.



People generally just don't think of all the taxes they pay, even direct taxes. There are many indirect taxes, like the inflation resulting from printing fiat money. And just as taxation is regulation, regulation is taxation, it all comes at transaction cost.

[Newpublius]

People generally just don't think of all the taxes they pay, even direct taxes. There are many indirect taxes, like the inflation resulting from printing fiat money. And just as taxation is regulation, regulation is taxation, it all comes at transaction cost.

They don't and I would add that for most people they see a gross, they see a net, they understand THAT.....no question......they never SEE employer's share of social security at all but that really should count. And you're right, the other ones turn out not to be so small when you add it all up......

[Crepitus]

I just changed circumstances and I sold my business and now am a temp. My wife and I are two income professional family.

I pay $11k in property taxes on a nice home, but by no means a fantastic home by NJ standards. I live in a 'bilevel on a 1/4 acre plot' which describes the suburbs where I live.

That's local, now when I had the business I owned a commercial property and the property taxes there were 20k, which wasnt high end 5th Avenue property. It was a a smallish warehouse in a flood zone with a storefront.

Then we have to deal with taxes on things I buy, sales tax for instance, gas tax, I used to smoke, tolls (not to be ignored in Northeast, George Washington Bridge is $14 to cross)

Then we get to the state and I had income from NY and NJ and I would pay state income tax on these amounts. Income earned in NY would be taxed in NY and would also be subject to tax in NJ (though NJ had a credit that eliminate much, though not all of that burden).

And then there's federal of course and my wife earns a fair penny too. Self employed, I had to pay self employment tax which is social security, employer/employee share. As an employee temp, what's happening is that my wife and I are making money and they're withholding based on what each of us are individually making but collectively it pushes those dollars up the brackets.

Right now, as a temp with my wife working, we earn a dollar and get to keep $.69.....of course that amount does NOT include the employer'share share of social security, which is hidden from.you. From there, those dollars are then subject to sales tax, gas tax, tolls and of course property tax.

This is calculated to get a smallish federal refund and to either have a small state refund or to owe a small amount once it's all said and done.
I ask because I am in just about the same state. out of every dollar I earn I get to keep less than $.70, and then pay sales tax and such when I spend it.

[Subdermal]

I reject your subjective opinions.

b] it is.

[Bethere]

None of the above: civil rights.

[Peter1469]

None of the above: civil rights.

How does that rate at the top? People have lot of opportunity here- assuming they are not looking for government assistance from cradle to grave.

[Docthehun]

How do you know if you're educating, or indoctrinating?

The first is to teach people how to think, the other is to teach them what to think.

[Adelaide]

The economy. It was not an option so I chose government debt. The debt and spending is out of control.

[birddog]

Supreme Court appointments.

I agree, it has an important influence over most all of the choices.

We really need Trump to win!

[nathanbforrest45]

Government size. Cut it down and all the other problems will fix themselves.


Exactly. All of the other issues tie directly into the overreaching arm of the government.

[nathanbforrest45]

I am not American, but I guess I can vote as well :)

For me, the most important topic is education. Without a good education the rest of topics are useless. Without a good education, environment has no possibility to success. Education includes everything. A good education, creates a caring society and a good education makes a society that understands better the problems that surround that society, so they can create better solutions to solve the problems that surround the society and the world.


No you can't vote in our elections. So, just watch from the sidelines like a good little commie.

[Jets]

Taxes,

Any mechanism that allows me to take home more of my paycheck is paramount. Taking care of my family is first and foremost.

jmo

[Peter1469]

No you can't vote in our elections. So, just watch from the sidelines like a good little commie.

He isn't a commie.

[nathanbforrest45]

The first is to teach people how to think, the other is to teach them what to think.


OK then, Schools in this country are indoctrinating students. We get it.

[nathanbforrest45]

He isn't a commie.

Yes he is.

[IMPress Polly]

Nah, he's not as cool as me. :wink: A mere socialist!

[Mac-7]

Basic poll question but please also add an explanation as to why you chose what you chose.

I guess a liberal clinton supporter wrote the poll because they left out two important trump issues - the illegal alien question and anti globalism.

[Chloe]

I guess a liberal clinton supporter wrote the poll because they left out two important trump issues - the illegal alien question and anti globalism.

Oh for the love I hope you're joking....if not then bite me ok. There's a 10 topic limit for a poll. I can't please everybody and I can't know what's important to just you. Also unless you have significant memory loss, both short and long term, you should know by now that I'm not a Clintom supporter.

[nathanbforrest45]

Oh for the love I hope you're joking....if not then bite me ok. There's a 10 topic limit for a poll. I can't please everybody and I can't know what's important to just you. Also unless you have significant memory loss, both short and long term, you should know by now that I'm not a Clintom supporter.


Excuse me Chloe but why did you jump all over him but took the blame for others who said you left off topics? He may be a bit annoying but his statement is just as valid as those who wanted liberal agenda questions included as well.

[Chloe]

Excuse me Chloe but why did you jump all over him but took the blame for others who said you left off topics? He may be a bit annoying but his statement is just as valid as those who wanted liberal agenda questions included as well.

You really don't see the difference in the way he addressed it versus the others???

[nathanbforrest45]

You really don't see the difference in the way he addressed it versus the others???

Oh poor baby, his tone of voice must have really frightened you. Seriously, he had a valid point. You told others who questioned why you left topics that you were a failure. No, I am not giving you a pass on this. I said I thought he was annoying but then again I think 90% of the leftist posters are annoying as well.

[Cigar]

Why isn't the Economy or Infrastructure on the list?

[nic34]

I voted education. The other I would add is access to healthcare, which might be handled over all by the poverty issue.

Go ahead chloe, make your polls your way, I'm sure the cons will make theirs the way they want.

I see that some cons are also on the side of the left on some issues as well..... maybe we are not all so dissimilar...

[Chloe]

Oh poor baby, his tone of voice must have really frightened you. Seriously, he had a valid point. You told others who questioned why you left topics that you were a failure. No, I am not giving you a pass on this. I said I thought he was annoying but then again I think 90% of the leftist posters are annoying as well.

The "I'm a failure" comment was sarcasm, it was sarcasm because I cant fit every issue in this country into a 10 limit poll. Macs comments were ridiculous because he knows I'm not a Clinton supporter yet he felt the need to make my poll out to be biased, which it wasn't. if he would have just mentioned what I left out and then commented about his issue then that would have been fine, annoying like all of the other people complaining that I left something off, but fine.

[Chloe]

Why isn't the Economy or Infrastructure on the list?

:angry:

[Docthehun]

OK then, Schools in this country are indoctrinating students. We get it.

Apparently not. Your schooling comes from where?

[Peter1469]

The "I'm a failure" comment was sarcasm, it was sarcasm because I cant fit every issue in this country into a 10 limit poll. Macs comments were ridiculous because he knows I'm not a Clinton supporter yet he felt the need to make my poll out to be biased, which it wasn't. if he would have just mentioned what I left out and then commented about his issue then that would have been fine, annoying like all of the other people complaining that left something off, but fine.

Mac is a cartoon character. Don't let him bother you.

[nic34]

Apparently not. Your schooling comes from where?

He's still mad the south lost the war.... some take forever to get over stuff....

[Cigar]

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LWKY0dti3tI/V4BOjYay_RI/AAAAAAABd_Q/4NbTAsUKGwojudXtFtAMIY1gNUdHyqYMQCLcB/s640/unemployment%2Bindex.png

[Chloe]

FYI this is not a thread to bash political parties or to promote a partisan point of view. Take it elsewhere.

[Bethere]

How does that rate at the top? People have lot of opportunity here- assuming they are not looking for government assistance from cradle to grave.

Because it is MY single most important issue.

It didn't ask me what I thought YOUR single most important issue was.

I was prepared to tell everyone why that was my choice, but since you are in the business of thinking for me why don't you just cut to the chase?

[Peter1469]

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LWKY0dti3tI/V4BOjYay_RI/AAAAAAABd_Q/4NbTAsUKGwojudXtFtAMIY1gNUdHyqYMQCLcB/s640/unemployment%2Bindex.png

labor force participation rate.

[Cigar]

labor force participation rate.

Send in the Jack-Boots :laugh:

Didn't you use to call those people lazy?

[Mac-7]

Oh for the love I hope you're joking....if not then bite me ok. There's a 10 topic limit for a poll. I can't please everybody and I can't know what's important to just you. Also unless you have significant memory loss, both short and long term, you should know by now that I'm not a Clintom supporter.

How can even you overlook illial aliens and border security?

or nationalism vs globalism?

i think at least one would make the list.

And i'm not going to bite you.

ask Jim about that while he is coaching leg peeing

[Chloe]

How can even you overlook illial aliens and border security?

or nationalism vs globalism?

i think at least one would make the list.

And i'm not going to bite you.

ask Jim about that while he is coaching leg peeing

Because I didn't think of those issues. plain and simple. But next time I make a poll I'll try harder to think about what Mac considers to be super important. Deal?

Now how how about you stay on topic?

[Chris]

Because given all these issues and more you cannot solve them all but must prioritize. That in itself becomes a problem because different people want to prioritize different issues.

[NapRover]

Terrorism. Islamic fundmentalism/extremism. The world is on fire!

Only because Originalist Constitutionalist wasn't on the list.

[Mac-7]

Because I didn't think of those issues. plain and simple.

But next time I make a poll I'll try harder to think about what Mac considers to be super important. Deal?

Now how how about you stay on topic?

ok

thats the kind of honest answer I have come to expect from you.

nuff said on that

[Hal Jordan]

I chose government size, because it helps with many of the problems it doesn't outright solve.

The war on poverty hasn't worked. What we need to help with poverty is smaller scale initiatives. The communities should be working to solve their poverty issues.

War on drugs has been costly and ineffective. Smaller government would solve that.

National debt would be eventually eliminated by a smaller government.

Education is a mess right now, with much of the falling to the federal government's hand being where it shouldn't.

With smaller government and a smaller debt taxes could be reduced without issues.

In regards to terrorism, without being involved in costly and unnecessary wars, and reducing our military presence overseas, we could focus more on defending America.

While it is likely that unemployment would go up briefly, with the loss of government jobs, it would correct itself, as businesses would likely pick up the available labor and increase their output, thereby improving the economy.

I could go on, but I think that is sufficient for now.

[IMPress Polly]

Mac-7 wrote:
nuff said on that

For once we agree!

[Mac-7]

[/B]
For once we agree!

Lets hope there is never a 2nd time

[AeonPax]

`
`
I can't reply. I'm against WAR...and concept neither democrats nor republicans agree with. Considering the Bush/Obama legacy of war is being supported by both for-profit parties, no need to add that to a list of concerns. Blood baths of the innocent is good for our economy.