Ames GOP debate and straw poll thread

Well, for those of us following the tragedy that is US politics, the 3rd GOP primary debate, 2 days before the Ames "candidate killer" straw poll, in Ames itself, is tonight.

Who will win, who will lose, and who cares!

I for one will be very interested to see if there's any questions that aren't repeats from last time, other than questions about Perry entering the race.

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I heard the tail end of this clip on the radio this evening. Damn, it sounded chaotic as hell.

The guy with the hat was being unruly. I'd say Romney handled it pretty well.

"If you don't like my answer you can vote for someone else!" I don't usually expect politicians to be so candid.

Bravo.

Romney is actually a guy I like.

Too bad he's probably more of the same. Just with a 'R' beside his name this time.

Bachmann: "I may not understand what I'm talking about, but I can yell! Real! Loud!"

That was very nearly a Howard Dean moment for her. Too bad she didn't follow through.

Can anyone tell me why the capital gains tax rate should be zero? I'm not necessarily for it being any different from the income tax rate, but why zero? (Re: Herman Cain.)

So far, Huntsman, Gingrich and Pawlenty are coming off as the grownups in the room.

Should it be? It SHOULD be reduced to lower than 20% if possible, but I don't have a problem with it being in place.

I'd say make it the same as the income tax rate.

Pawlenty? I think not.

Just curious.

How many times you want to tax the same money? Two? Three?

Once when it's earned. Again on whatever it earns if you don't put it under the mattress. Again if you spend it or give it away or die?

I could go for an income tax rate of 20%. Heh.

Here in Canada the individual is taxed 50% on 50% of his 'gain.' So if you make $100, you're taxed on $50. And 50% of that is $25. The actual numbers are a bit different but its more or less 20-25% in the end.

I'm not sure how the US capital gains tax works. It looks pretty complicated and stupid if you ask me so I'm not even going to bother figuring it out.

Pawlenty's attacks were uncalled for. Bachman's were correct, but not necessary. Quite vicious.

Income is income. The income I'm taxed on is paid to me by a company that pays taxes on its income; that company's revenue comes from people who pay taxes on their income. Money is taxed when it changes hands. I don't think capital gains should be taxed at a ludicrously high rate on the grounds that anyone who's successful enough to have capital gains must be evil and should be punished; I just think it's income and should be treated like any other income.

Gingrich got feisty with the moderator, and he had a good point about the media obsessing about "process stories" and the horse race crap.

"Mr. Cain, how do you reassure people that you're not a total dumbass?"

The "moderator" was being a dick. Asking someone why some of their staff resigned is not a "question about their record." What a douche.

"How are you going to save Social Security?"
"How am I going to save Social Security? I'm not going to raise taxes. If you want higher taxes, vote for Barack Obama!"

Yep, he's mastered the art of the non-answer.

But he does have Perfect Hair.

Has Paul had more than one question?

Nope.

You can't save Social Security without raising its 'tax.' That and leaving the fund alone.

Gingrich gets points for actually stopping when the bell rings. Bachmann's just been ignoring it...

I'm watching the Ravens and Eagles. Much more intellectual.

MUCH better response from Paul on that question.

Romney is a lying liar, and he just hopes no one will notice. Given his ratings so far, it seems to be working.

Pawlenty and Santorum are both painting Bachmann as a toddler stomping her feet, and she's making it pretty easy for them.

I get it, you want them take as many bites from the same apple as they can stuff.

The income was already taxed when the corporation earned it. When it's paid out as dividends it's taxed again. It's called double taxation. So in the US it's taxed at 15% (but should be zero) and in Canada it's taxed at 14.5% (but still should be zero).

You wanted to know why it should be zero. It's because it's already been taxed. Sorry to be obscure.

Gingrich calls the supercongress the "dumbest idea he's every seen out of Washington." Good for him.