Today, I received a very nice letter from The Maverick™ asking for money. Looks like someone has finally gotten around to using the mailing lists shared by the other candidates. Lack of sleep has left me in a bit of……

If Obama wins it will be on that fool McCain and his koolaid drinking supporters who got him the nomination. That’s about it.

MB4 on June 20, 2008 at 3:07 PM

Well, that’s just great. Are you typical of the right-wing bloggers who want to blame rank and file Republicans for not wanting a fringe far-right candidate for President. If so, you make me happy about McCain, though I think McCain’s immigration is terrible. Here’s a message from reality for you. The vast majority of Republican and Democrat voters may not follow politics much, but they do know that want neither the far left nor the far right in power. It’s great that at least the Republican party was responsive to their desires this time around.

Oh well, that’s fine. I’ve already sworn that I wouldn’t vote for McCain if Satan was literally running against him.

Again, some of you are confusing Americans of Hispanic descent with radical, agenda driven groups such as La Raza. I know many Hispanics. I don’t know one who is in support of illegals, open borders, etc..

tomk59 on June 20, 2008 at 6:53 PM

Maybe it’s a generational thing. I know some 18-27 yr olds who were born and raised in the WA to: an American mother and an illegal father; and a legal immigrant and an illegal immigrant who got amnesty in 1986.

In spite of my frequent attempts to explain to them that they were Americans, and that illegal immigration affected them negatively also, they were pretty enthusiastic about reclaiming Mexican territory, illegals demanding their rights, etc.

As for Americans of hispanic descent, I’m friends with several here in Arizona, and I can tell you none of them are at all on board with amnesty, La Raza, open borders , or any other such thing. They’re Americans with the same concerns as you and I.

From your lips to God’s ears (however that goes…)

I just pray that you are right.

Decojonification of U.S.

So you’re defending McCain on the basis of his cojones? Will all his policy planks be in Spanish?

I read a proposal about this some time ago. You do it by declaring max exemptions. It was a good idea, but it didn’t really contend with the government reaction that would be sure to happen before the next check was cut.

DFCtomm on June 20, 2008 at 8:14 PM

I’m no accountant, but we have a large family. When I followed the instructions on the form, I received a note from HR stating that I had exceeded the number of exemptions allowed without paperwork justifying it.

It was easier to reduce the number to the max that wasn’t questioned.

I think you could reduce your withholding pretty easily (at least for Federal Income Tax, won’t touch Social Security, Medicare). Eliminating IRS would be hard unless your income is low, or you are willing to risk a fraud prosecution by coming up with documents to justify more exemptions than the IRS allows.

DFCtomm on June 20, 2008 at 8:34 PM

Oops – I didn’t mean to insinuate that she was doing it as any kind of protest of rebellion. I was just pointing out that it can be done without interference. I just don’t think it can be done by a LOT of people without interference.

Couple years ago I worked at a place where a lady changed her W-4 almost every 3-4 weeks. There was no reaction from the government, the payroll person said it was up to this person to make sure her correct amount of taxes were paid by 4/15 each year. I was told they have to allow it. The employee doing it would adjust according to her needs. She would readjust it later to take out more money when she was caught up.

If it’s true they have to allow it, a few people won’t be noticed. But I expect a lot of people doing it would attract a lot of attention.

Shay on June 20, 2008 at 8:29 PM

You’re example is one woman who apparently is very indecisive, and that is a completely different issue that a revenue threatening grassroots movement. The Republicans and the Democrats can’t agree on much, but if you mess with their cash flow, then I think they could come to a speedy agreement about how to deal with it, and the group that instigated it.

DFCtomm on June 20, 2008 at 8:14 PM

Couple years ago I worked at a place where a lady changed her W-4 almost every 3-4 weeks. There was no reaction from the government, the payroll person said it was up to this person to make sure her correct amount of taxes were paid by 4/15 each year. I was told they have to allow it. The employee doing it would adjust according to her needs. She would readjust it later to take out more money when she was caught up.

If it’s true they have to allow it, a few people won’t be noticed. But I expect a lot of people doing it would attract a lot of attention.

I fundamentally don’t get the Hispanic support of illegal immigration. I am Russian, I have lots of Russian friends here. I have no intention to abandon my culture. My kid will not be allowed to speak English AT HOME. So it’s not like I hate “my people”. I also support increased legal immigration. But having borders under no control can’t be good for many reasons.

I absolutely think there’s gotta be SOME kind of flexibility. It’s cruel to send “back” someone in his/her twenties if they were brought here illegally when they were 2. But you still need to go back for a working visa, get a legitimate employment in the private sector, insurance etc.

In other words, a path to legalization should be truly an opportunity, not a handout. If you’re strict to the point of “go back, i don’t give a shit” then it’s not gonna work (among other things). But a reasonable approach would.

Of course, the Republicans are jut as complicit in raising these ethnic lobbies into prominence. Look at how Miami controls the Federal policy towards Cuba.

freevillage on June 20, 2008 at 6:48 PM

I can understand how culture is important to you, but if it is then why are you here instead of in Russia where you obviously would be more comfortable? Are you here for purely mercenary reason? If your culture is so important that you won’t allow your children to speak English at home, then why is it so confusing to you that we would wish to protect our culture in the same way.

Just curious. Since taxes are taken out of your check before you get it, how, other than not going to work, do you not pay your taxes?

tomk59 on June 20, 2008 at 2:21 PM

I read a proposal about this some time ago. You do it by declaring max exemptions. It was a good idea, but it didn’t really contend with the government reaction that would be sure to happen before the next check was cut.

McCain cannot institute comprehensive immigration reform on his own. He needs a willing Congress to legislate reform that allows for amnesty. The grassroots prevented that travesty with all of its loopholes once; the grassroots can foil another such effort.

onlineanalyst on June 20, 2008 at 7:47 PM

This is an argument against a McCain presidency, it seems to me.

The Democrats are going to vote for amnesty. Are more Republicans going to vote for amnesty with President McCain giving them cover, or with President Obama to oppose?

freevillage on June 20, 2008 at 6:48 PM

Then please go back to where you wish to be.

If you do not wish to join the AMERICAN culture, then what the HELL are you doin here?

YOUR culture made your country a PIT. Mexico’s CULTURE made it a pit… and now you wish to bring it here?

You want all of the benefits, but don’t understand how this country came to be great in the first place….

God, makes me sick.

My forefathers came to this country and JOINED with it… did not set themselves apart. Fought for it, died for it, and JOINED with it….

McCain cannot institute comprehensive immigration reform on his own. He needs a willing Congress to legislate reform that allows for amnesty. The grassroots prevented that travesty with all of its loopholes once; the grassroots can foil another such effort. The key is to elect enough senators and respresentatives that reflect our views and to inundate those in office who are wishy-washy.

That said, in a townhall setting McCain needs to be called out and questioned specifically about such private meetings with select groups and the provocative remarks or promises that he has made to them.

Thank you for confirming my long held suspicions.

LegendHasIt on June 20, 2008 at 7:28 PM

Heh. Our very own anti-Ayn.

Да, мы можем

I am Russian, I have lots of Russian friends here. I have no intention to abandon my culture. My kid will not be allowed to speak English AT HOME.
freevillage on June 20, 2008 at 6:48 PM

Thank you for confirming my long held suspicions.

I absolutely think there’s gotta be SOME kind of flexibility. It’s cruel to send “back” someone in his/her twenties if they were brought here illegally when they were 2. But you still need to go back for a working visa, get a legitimate employment in the private sector, insurance etc.

In other words, a path to legalization should be truly an opportunity, not a handout. If you’re strict to the point of “go back, i don’t give a shit” then it’s not gonna work (among other things). But a reasonable approach would.

Of course, the Republicans are jut as complicit in raising these ethnic lobbies into prominence. Look at how Miami controls the Federal policy towards Cuba.

I imagine there’s some therapeutic value in being able to point at everyone else and sneer.

Well, you would know.

I imagine you shaking your fists at the incoming tidal floodwater.

I’m the one warning people of the incoming tidal wave and urging them to seek higher ground. You’re the one who imagines he can come to some accomodation with it.

I also suspect you’ll cast your vote for McCain.

I’ve learned never to say never. But barring some new development, I won’t be voting for Mcain.