I'm not sure why, but the "Tea Party" Tax Protests really rub me the wrong way.

[chacoguy]

@Rand_Rover

I don’t think the complexity can be effectively combatted. Rather, it’s an inherent feature of any tax system with any semblence of fairness (i.e., a system where the government determines your tax bill sure would be simple but wouldn’t be fair at all).

The reason that taxes are so complex is that businesses will do whatever they can to cut their expenses. So they take aggressive positions. The IRS then takes measures to combate those positions. Taxpayers then take different positions designed to sidestep those measures, and the dance goes on.

Thus sayeth the fake tax lawyer.

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

@Linear_Crack

Secondly, the obsessive need to use the term over and over and over again in an attempt minimize the positive impact these protests have had on hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Americans. I mean look, it’s OK to be afraid, but do the world a favor and check your sexual habits at the door.

What positive effect? Giving the unemployed something to do?

I have to say that I’m beside myself with joy that you think this was only about taxes. It just goes to show that your ignorance as to why these Tea Parties took place is on par with the UhbamUh AdminUHstration’s denial of their existance. Your blindness is exactly what the opposers of this out-of-control goverment spending is counting on.

So it is just about the President being a darkie, then?

[Frostillicus]

@Crafter_Man

I attended one in Springfield, OH. I held up a sign that said, “Socialism is Evil.”

Did you write it in crayon?

[Squink]

@Linear_Crack

Your blindness is exactly what the opposers of this out-of-control goverment spending is counting on.

So this is some sort of triple reverse Immelman kung-fu jiu-jitsu move?
Like the deregulation of the banking system or the conquest of Iraq?
OK, I am officially shaking in my boots.

No one can beat fists which are as fast as lightning!

[elelle]

No no no, it’s because he’s a communist fascist socialiist inexperienced foreigner darkie, well, half darkie… who pauses in his speeches, uh… because there’s a time lag while Nancy Pelosi, the true President, feeds him lines via teleprompter.

It’s a sad day for America.

[Crafter_Man]

@Lobohan

Do you know that you’re stupid? I mean, do you think that most people are no smarter than you? I’ve always wondered how persons like yourself see the world.

Do you ever get the impulse to educate yourself before you decide to hate something? It must be hard to stomp that feeling down every time.

I disagree with your political beliefs. Therefore I must be uneducated, ignorant, and stupid. Got it.

@MaxTheVool

I’ve engaged Crafter Man in discussion on more than one occasion on the SDMB, and I do not think he is stupid, although I disagree with him on innumerable issues.

I am a bit curious about what, precisely, he thought the point of his sign was…

On the face of it I was simply conveying my belief that socialism is an evil system. But I assume you’re referring to the implicitness of the statement. I do not think we currently have a socialistic system, but I believe we’re headed in that direction. Hence the reason for the sign.

Here are some photos of me and some buddies at the rally. I’m holding the sign that says, “I prefer dangerous freedom to peaceful slavery.” On the other side it says, “Socialism is Evil.” My friend is holding the sign that says, “Ron Paul was Right.”

Yes, I’m one of those whack jobs who is a strong proponent of state rights, limited government, free-market capitalism, low taxes, inalienable rights, property rights, and individual sovereignty & liberty. Rare attributes for an SDMB member, apparently.

[Camus]

@Crafter_Man

I disagree with your political beliefs. Therefore I must be uneducated, ignorant, and stupid. Got it.
On the face of it I was simply conveying my belief that socialism is an evil system. But I assume you’re referring to the implicitness of the statement. I do not think we currently have a socialistic system, but I believe we’re headed in that direction. Hence the reason for the sign.

You’ve piqued my curiosity. Please define socialism. And then please define evil.

[Princhester]

@sleestak

Taxes are too complex, with too many loopholes and too many politicans playing to contradictory special interests.

Is this accurate? In Australia the laws used to be simpler, and anyone with decent tax advice and sufficient lack of scruples could pay little or nothing, because simple laws leave a lot of gaps in a complex financial world. Much of the current complexity derives from tortuous loophole blocking provisions.

Is the US different?

[Lobohan]

@Crafter_Man

I disagree with your political beliefs. Therefore I must be uneducated, ignorant, and stupid. Got it.

No many people smarter and more educated than me disagree with me. Most of them look into the definition of something before they call it evil.

You disagree with me and you can’t be bothered to know anything about what you’re talking about. America need’s a two party system to be strong and vital. Bullshit knuckle-draggers like you are making the conservatives look like stupid children. For fuck sake, learn what you’re talking about before you protest.

[Sampiro]

@elelle

No no no, it’s because he’s a communist fascist socialiist inexperienced foreigner darkie, well, half darkie… who pauses in his speeches, uh… because there’s a time lag while Nancy Pelosi, the true President, feeds him lines via teleprompter.

SHHHOOOOOOOSH ALREADY! They already know the rich taxpayers are going into the oven, now thanks to you they know about Goddess Pelosi. Keep feeding them info and they’re gonna know those FEMA camps aren’t going to be used by refugees…

[Guinastasia]

@Equipoise

Unclear on the concept (especially the woman holding the anti-foreign creditors sign while driving a…foreign car. However, it’s nice to see the pro-choice, pro-gay marriage person with the “Keep the government out of…our business, our bedrooms” sign. Go lady, yay! Oh and, love the oversize underpants).

Wrong url

Last but not least, my “favorite” picture of the day (“favorite” as in, favorite loonball).

@Argent_Towers

Doesn’t that sign look blatantly Photoshopped? Look at the edges around all the text.

Seeing the links above, apparently it’s not.

@Jack_Batty

My favorite was somewhere in that montage there was a young man holding up a sign that said, “I shaved my balls for this?”

I didn’t watch the whole thing. I’d say that’s an obvious joker, but considering somem of the nutbars that are coming up…(of course, considering that it’s “teabagging…”)
Meh, I’d rather hear about some of the nutjobs that Crafter_Man probably spotted-any good ones?

[Kalhoun]

@Merijeek

Really? Because ChefGuy is in Alaska. Assuming he was looking at a local newscast, that person might believe that because THEIR GOVERNOR SPENT SIX WEEKS TELLING THEM THAT.

-Joe

Surprised? Not in the slightest. Frightened? Youbetchya.

[Kalhoun]

@Linear_Crack

First off, I find it interesting that the liberals on this message board are so familiar with the act of teabagging :eek:. Secondly, the obsessive need to use the term over and over and over again in an attempt minimize the positive impact these protests have had on hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Americans. I mean look, it’s OK to be afraid, but do the world a favor and check your sexual habits at the door.

I have to say that I’m beside myself with joy that you think this was only about taxes. It just goes to show that your ignorance as to why these Tea Parties took place is on par with the UhbamUh AdminUHstration’s denial of their existance. Your blindness is exactly what the opposers of this out-of-control goverment spending is counting on.

I hear these “yahoos” are planning another silly get-together. Your continued dismissal of this “right wing media publicity stunt” is most welcome.

-LC

If it was going to be a multi-purpose bitch-fest, they could have called it a “rally” or a “protest” rather than labeling their little get-together as something it most decidedly wasn’t.

I don’t believe the majority of the republican/conservative population is as stupid as those who attended these tea parties. I think the turnout numbers support this. Those who have an understanding of the issues they’re dissatisfied with are out there looking under every rock for a party leader that gets it. Fox News, Hannity, Limbaugh and their ilk ain’t it. Governor Perry ain’t it. John Boehner (or do you say “BONER”) ain’t it. Sarah Palin ain’t it. Bobby Jindal ain’t it. The Party is fragmented and hysterical because they know they got nuthin’ so they’re playing the fear card. And there are enough of them to make noise, but not nearly enough of them to make us go back to the Dark Ages of the Bush administration.

Re: teabagging. You don’t have to necessarily partake in teabagging to know what it means. This is the Straightdope. We’re fighting ignorance one scrotum at a time.

[Ocean_Annie]

@Linear_Crack

…Secondly, the obsessive need to use the term over and over and over again in an attempt minimize the positive impact these protests have had on hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Americans. I mean look, it’s OK to be afraid, but do the world a favor and check your sexual habits at the door.

I have to say that I’m beside myself with joy that you think this was only about taxes. It just goes to show that your ignorance as to why these Tea Parties took place is on par with the UhbamUh AdminUHstration’s denial of their existance. Your blindness is exactly what the opposers of this out-of-control goverment spending is counting on.

I hear these “yahoos” are planning another silly get-together. Your continued dismissal of this “right wing media publicity stunt” is most welcome.

-LC

No, there is no doubt in my mind that you were the victim of a deceptive marketing campaign created, planned, and in some states, implemented by a PR firm and corporate lobbyists. The tea parties were funded with corporate money and promoted by right wing media and GOP lawmakers.

The idea is being linked to Dick Armey, possibly Newt Gingrich and Grover Norquist. The tea party sites I visited use social networking and event organizing tools that look like a ripoff of President Barack Obama’s campaign website.

Clearly, the people who joined and went to the rallies were real, but they were manipulated into it. People were marketed an event and sold merchandise (protest signs, bumper stickers, commemorative posters, etc.) to promote a tax policy.
You were in a commercial.

[Equipoise]

@Guinastasia

Wrong url

Ah damn, sorry. Here it is.
Here’s another fun picture, showing the eeeevils of Socialism. Warning Crafter_Man, your head might explode if you view it.
Whiny conservative bitches about “teabagging” being linked to the loonball’s righteous cause. (that link’s a two-clicker, but no way am I linking directly to redstate)

One quick thought I had, the teabaggers should take a look at the Susan Boyle phenomenon to understand what TRUE grassroots passion is all about. President Obama inspires. Susan Boyle inspires. They got their millions of fervent followers because of a purity of soul and huge talent, and because they’re decent people. The teabaggers, so full of hate and bile and illogical thought, will never get that. And they’ll never win because of it. Not anymore. They’re done. They’re over. They’re relegated to the dustbin of history (ok, I hope, anyway). Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, good riddance.

[Merijeek]

@Kalhoun

Re: teabagging. You don’t have to necessarily partake in teabagging to know what it means. This is the Straightdope. We’re fighting ignorance one scrotum at a time.

Like pounding on a tiny little speedbag?

-Joe

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

@Crafter_Man

I’m holding the sign that says, “I prefer dangerous freedom to peaceful slavery.” On the other side it says, “Socialism is Evil.” My friend is holding the sign that says, “Ron Paul was Right.”

Yes, I’m one of those whack jobs who is a strong proponent of state rights, limited government, free-market capitalism, low taxes, inalienable rights, property rights, and individual sovereignty & liberty. Rare attributes for an SDMB member, apparently.

Presumably, you agree with your friend… do you have any idea what Ron Paul’s views on individual liberty are? He’s pro-gun and anti-everything else.

[Kalhoun]

@Merijeek

Like pounding on a tiny little speedbag?

-Joe

An image that shall remain tattooed on my brain forever.

Or maybe I should say :o

[Jack_Batty]

@Guinastasia

I didn’t watch the whole thing. I’d say that’s an obvious joker, but considering somem of the nutbars that are coming up…(of course, considering that it’s “teabagging…”)

Maybe you should have watched the whole thing. Yes, it was an obvious joker. His buddy next to him had a sign full of righteous indignation stating, “BRING BACK PEPSI CRYSTAL LITE!!!” or something like that.

That was kind of my point. The ignorant signs are funny in a “isn’t that sad” sort of way, but “I shaved my balls for this?” … hilarious. I’d love to see the looks those guys got just strolling amongst the “Socialism is Evil” signs.

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

What the hell is the “Uhbamuh AdminUhstration”, anyway?