Check Out This Gem

[CoasterMatt]

My workplace gave me pumpkin pie yesterday. Somebody from senior management even wished me a 'Merry Christmas'.

We get asked by management from time to time to donate to some of the charities that the company helps support, or to volunteer at same charities = totally appropriate

I agree with Prudence on this one, nothing illegal, but inappropriate.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Agreed on inappropriateness.

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

Well, then it's a poorly crafted letter. But reducing spendable income does hurt the economy.

So does cutting programs. Both are equally true and untrue, simultaneously, depending on the exact changes you're talking about. Both can make things better, both can make things worse. If you want to get into examples, we can...

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

He didn't technically say which way to vote. He encouraged you to consider certain issues.

Oh yes, the issues of "higher taxes are bad" and "those that talk about taxing the “rich” always end up taxing everyone". Yup, those are issues, all right.

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

So does cutting programs. Both are equally true and untrue, simultaneously, depending on the exact changes you're talking about. Both can make things better, both can make things worse. If you want to get into examples, we can...

Okay, I see what you mean now. My mind has been preoccupied with work things and I didn't give sufficient thought to what you had said. So, yeah, I can understand that and I do agree.

It's my opinion though that we all (everybody, lower-, middle-, upper-class) are way overtaxed at the moment anyway. I'm anti-"special tax" (cigarette tax, fuel tax, etc.) I'm anti-lottery. I think sales tax is too high (although I am enjoying living in a sales tax-free state). We're taxed on our phones, our utilities, our property. Even renters are paying the property tax for the landlords. The government dips its sticky fingers into my paycheck and takes out even more tax that's above and beyond income tax.

However, there are government sponsored programs that I am in favor of that do require tax dollars, and so taxes are a necessity. I just wish it could be done in a more favorable way. No nickel and diming us at every turn. Equitable across all incomes. And sufficient to efficiently fund a smaller government.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

It's my opinion though that we all (everybody, lower-, middle-, upper-class) are way overtaxed at the moment anyway. I'm anti-"special tax" (cigarette tax, fuel tax, etc.) I'm anti-lottery. I think sales tax is too high (although I am enjoying living in a sales tax-free state). We're taxed on our phones, our utilities, our property. Even renters are paying the property tax for the landlords. The government dips its sticky fingers into my paycheck and takes out even more tax that's above and beyond income tax.

However, there are government sponsored programs that I am in favor of that do require tax dollars, and so taxes are a necessity. I just wish it could be done in a more favorable way. No nickel and diming us at every turn. Equitable across all incomes. And sufficient to efficiently fund a smaller government.

See, now that is a decently written, pointful opinion piece. Even if the person reading it doesn't agree with all of it, it's worth engaging, and shows that you're an intelligent person with specific ideas.
That's all I ask in political discussions.

On another note - I don't think I'd ever have the guts to send the letter GD posted above, unless I were actively looking for another job.