# Impeach Earl Warren **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 29, 2012, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658 "2012-06-29T03:41:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![mister\_nyx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@mister\_nyx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_nyx)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/81 "2012-06-30T00:40:13Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Isn’t a big part of the issue WRT government revenues that something like 46-48% of Americans don’t even pay taxes? That’s a huge problem if so. Do you spend all day listening to Rush Limbaugh or something? Because damn, have you ever memorized all the right-wing talking points. In answer, no. That’s a totally deceptive figure that was cooked up in order to make the uninformed angry about something stupid. The vast majority of Americans pay taxes. A significant percentage of American families don’t pay federal income taxes, because their incomes are low, or because the money they take in is not taxable income, as is sometimes the case for retirees and other people who aren’t working for wage income. Most of these people still pay plenty in federal taxes, however, and the few that don’t are deeply impoverished. > [@](#): > > I would have no problem with tax increases if it would help make the government solvent in x number of years, but…putting increased revenue into their hands makes me believe they will just spend it fruitlessly rather than pay down the debt. . . . Right. You have a problem with raising taxes to the level they were at the last time we were earning a surplus (under Clinton). Because you, apparently, like so many people, think we can cut taxes on the wealthy year after year (with those of us who aren’t wealthy only getting a few bucks a week in “tax relief”) and somehow still magically pay for all our responsibilities. By “cutting spending”. Let me guess: you don’t have any actual proposals for where these cuts are going to come from, do you? You’re just sure they have to happen! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/82 "2012-06-30T00:41:36Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > What’s wrong with nuking them _in_ 1945? Not enough nukes. Use too few and you just make them mad. Use enough and you can see them glowing in the dark. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/83 "2012-06-30T00:42:03Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > . . . putting increased revenue into their hands makes me believe they will just spend it fruitlessly rather than pay down the debt. But Clinton… (And LBJ) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/84 "2012-06-30T00:44:43Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Not enough nukes. Use too few and you just make them mad. Use enough and you can see them glowing in the dark. I would recommend two or three well-placed nukes – certainly one in Texas – and say it was a Manhattan-type experiment gone awry, like they had been afraid might happen with the real Manhattan experiment. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/85 "2012-06-30T00:44:48Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I’m not mad at Roberts. I don’t really care much about the Constitutionality (???) arguments. I just wonder how America is going to _pay_ for this. We cannot afford jack shit. We are deeply in debt as a nation and its only getting worse. Foisting this debt burden upon our children and grandchildren is downright criminal. > > There will be no good future for this country if we don’t reverse course WRT spending immediately. > > And before you get all “mouth breather” on me, its not just UHC…its \*everything \*we waste money on…wars, unnecessary regulation/studies/whatever, etc. Wouldn’t be any problem if we had a progressive/redistributive income-tax system like we had until the 1980s, but with no loopholes, if you’re in the 70% bracket you actually **pay** 70%. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/86 "2012-06-30T00:52:35Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I would recommend two or three well-placed nukes – certainly one in Texas – and say it was a Manhattan-type experiment gone awry, like they had been afraid might happen with the real Manhattan experiment. Texas needs at least a half-dozen just for itself: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Galveston, College Station, Dallas. We spare Lockhart, Elgin and San Antonio, because BBQ knows no enemies. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/87 "2012-06-30T00:53:40Z")
No, I would include Lockhart. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/88 "2012-06-30T00:54:37Z")
Barbarian. A world without Smitty’s is a sad place. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/89 "2012-06-30T01:08:27Z")
Well, maybe we should nuke Southern California too. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/90 "2012-06-30T01:09:44Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Perfectly reasonable views, really. > [@](#): > > John Roberts is an evil creature. He has cast the deciding vote to end his country and constitution. He has effectively made this a slave nation. > > Research and discovery will now die because there will no longer be purpose and profit in it. It is much more cost effective to kill off those who are no longer healthy. He has effectively financed murder through abortion and death panels. He has made a mockery of all those who fought and died for the freedom of this country. > > He has resigned millions to a life of poverty and government benefits at a cost to those of us who may still be able to tread water. Make no doubt this is a job killing business killing bill. This is death on many levels some of which we have not even begun to realize. > > Be prepared to have your appetites curbed as well because make no mistake that what you eat will be curtailed in the name of health. > > I could go on but am so furious there are no more presentable words that I have left. Well, that guy’s gonna be relieved in about four years when none of that shit has happened. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/91 "2012-06-30T01:10:54Z")
There will still be the fake moon landing for him to worry about. And Obama’s birth certificate. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/92 "2012-06-30T01:13:55Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Well, maybe we should nuke Southern California too. :dubious: You know it! Starting with Orange County. The Big A can be the aim point. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/93 "2012-06-30T01:15:27Z")
Deal! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/94 "2012-06-30T01:21:25Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You know it! Starting with Orange County. The Big A can be the aim point. Make sure you get Disneyland! “Happiest Place on Earth,” my ass! (That would be Walt Disney World, Florida, come **here** and spend your money! Please!) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/95 "2012-06-30T01:33:11Z")
_ahem_ Ours is the Most Magical Place on Earth ™. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/96 "2012-06-30T01:49:04Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I would recommend two or three well-placed nukes – certainly one in Texas – and say it was a Manhattan-type experiment gone awry, like they had been afraid might happen with the real Manhattan experiment. Negative on the nukes. I live far too close to Oak Ridge to be comfortable with that. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/97 "2012-06-30T02:07:44Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Texas needs at least a half-dozen just for itself: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Galveston, College Station, Dallas. > > We spare Lockhart, Elgin and San Antonio, because BBQ knows no enemies. You realize Dallas and Houston, along with Austin tend to be more Blue than Red, right? Fort Worth, Galveston and most of East Texas along the suburbs north of D-FW are pretty reactionary though. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/98 "2012-06-30T02:08:32Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Isn’t a big part of the issue WRT government revenues that something like 46-48% of Americans don’t even pay taxes? That’s a huge problem if so. I would have no problem with tax increases if it would help make the government solvent in x number of years, but…putting increased revenue into their hands makes me believe they will just spend it fruitlessly rather than pay down the debt. Here’s a handy checklist for people who are worried about ‘runaway spending’ and what we can do about it: [F-35 fighter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II#Procurement_and_international_participation)- Fuck it! > [@](#): > > Total development costs are estimated at more than US$40 billion (underwritten largely by the United States), while the purchase of an estimated 2,400 aircraft is expected to cost an additional US$200 billion. [Littoral Destroyer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumwalt_class_destroyer)- Fuck it! > [@](#): > > A 26 January 2009 memo from John Young, the US DoD’s top acquisition official, stated that the per ship price for the Zumwalt destroyers had reached $5.964 billion, 81 percent over the Navy’s original estimate used in proposing the program. [Ford class aircraft carrier](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_R._Ford_class_aircraft_carrier)- Fuck it! > [@](#): > > A 2009 report said that the Ford would cost $14 billion including research and development, and the actual cost of the carrier itself would be $9 billion. Give me some time and I can expand the checklist. While we’re at it, cut recruitment by 30%, and cut overseas deployments by at least 1.5x that (did you know we have over 1000 bases around the world? Wtf for?) Overall we could cut $500 billion from the annual defense budget without any increase to the chances of us or our allies being defeated. If you are concerned about spending, Always Start With The Military. Nothing wastes more of our money for less return. Not that I hate the military or military people, on the contrary. It simply has got way out of hand. For example, remember when slaughtering 100,000+ foreign civilians at a cost of over $3 trillion for no good reason seemed like a Very Patriotic thing to do? We still have to pay for that shit you know, and the pubbies would like to fool you into blaming the bill on something else. If anything on the whole planet needs reigning in, it is American military adventurism. Now, reorganizing health insurance so that free riders actually pay into the system? It doesn’t take a lot of research to see why that makes sense. But let’s face it, the South isn’t exactly famous for ‘a lot of research’ 😛 Impeach Earl Warren indeed. ---
**Author:** ![mister\_nyx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@mister\_nyx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_nyx)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/99 "2012-06-30T02:13:14Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > If you are concerned about spending, Always Start With The Military. There’s almost something sort of grimly humorous in the fact that all these GOP budget proposals that claim to “cut” spending inevitably are promising merely to continue raising military spending at a rate someone lower than the current rate of increase. But God knows we can’t afford to pay for health care for the poor, even if it means actually saving money. Think of how many GOP Congressmens’ districts make parts for the F-35. So that boondoggle sure as fuck isn’t ever going away. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658/100 "2012-06-30T02:14:17Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Only if you’re Sean Hannity. Everyone pays taxes. Only ~50% pay\* income\* taxes. Of course that’s what I meant. Everyone pays taxes on things, goods and services they buy…I meant federal income taxes. I have seen wildly varying reports as to what percentage of citizens actually pay taxes on their income. I don’t know what to believe. Apparently because I am just stupid, according to some. I have my moments…just like everyone else. This is certainly not my area of expertise. > [@mister\_nyx](#): > > Do you spend all day listening to Rush Limbaugh or something? Because damn, have you ever memorized all the right-wing talking points. > > In answer, no. That’s a totally deceptive figure that was cooked up in order to make the uninformed angry about something stupid. The vast majority of Americans pay taxes. A significant percentage of American families don’t pay federal income taxes, because their incomes are low, or because the money they take in is not taxable income, as is sometimes the case for retirees and other people who aren’t working for wage income. Most of these people still pay plenty in federal taxes, however, and the few that don’t are deeply impoverished. > . . . Right. You have a problem with raising taxes to the level they were at the last time we were earning a surplus (under Clinton). Because you, apparently, like so many people, think we can cut taxes on the wealthy year after year (with those of us who aren’t wealthy only getting a few bucks a week in “tax relief”) and somehow still magically pay for all our responsibilities. By “cutting spending”. > > Let me guess: you don’t have any actual proposals for where these cuts are going to come from, do you? You’re just sure they have to happen! WTF is wrong with you dude? Why do you assume I have a problem with raising taxes? Wait…I know. You think I am a Republican. Nice try. I never said any of the things you are saying about tax cuts. What I WAS saying is that there’s a large percentage of people in this country that don’t pay ANY income taxes. What the percentage is I do not know (and I don’t think anyone really does). This fact alone keeps money out of the federal coffers (although I maintain they would just waste it anyway). Dude, I don’t care who is in office. I don’t think there’s a huge difference between the Democrat and Republican parties, except for maybe the right courting the craziest part of religious people for votes. And yes, I have a proposal (as much as it pains me as I am from a deeply steeped military family): cut the military budget. In half. I cannot envision why we need to continually outstrip other Western nations in GDP on military spending the way we do…to fight what? Terrorists in Afghanistan? Drones are relatively cheap. Get more of those and shitcan programs like the F-22 (as awesome a toy as it is) because it isn’t necessary nor does it meet current threats, unless you are worried about an imminent war with China or Russia in the near future. Close bases overseas in countries like Germany now that there is no USSR. Save a fortune. What I WOULD do is keep the Navy strong as shit. Let them project our force if we must police the world. They can be just about anywhere. Raise taxes on the uppermost earners. It won’t hurt them. Go after non-payers. There’s a goldmine there. That’s my “proposal”, for starters. Why do you insist on insulting me? I am presenting a reasonable argument (well…now I am). Jeez dude…who pissed in your Cheerios? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-earl-warren/626658.md?page=6)