There's also something that's been finessed deep in US public discourse. Well, I'll mention two connected things.
The concept of taxes floats from from talk about purchases/expenditures. There is no discussion of the value of government-provided infrastructure* purchased and provided by the government. Talk of taxes is always talked about as "redistribution" (as if commercial interactions did not redistribute types and quantities of value).
Thus in the stern daddy talk about Government Debt discourse is constantly and only about reducing expenditures (whose usefulness and under provision through market action is not discussed), while talk of requiring people to pay legally mandated taxes, let alone increasing any tax rates, is brushed off the table with a casual, cufflinked arm.
* Tangible and intangible: not just roads and bridges and railways and stop signs but the administration of law and justice, the states of health and education of the nation, the treasures of the unmarketed ambient environment.
I agree with Mary Ann. Apparently these idiots have no need of roads and bridges, fire or police personnel, and government itself. Let’s see who shows up to Congress without a paycheck!
I read that he and his wife don't have checking accounts, or any kind of bank accounts. I have to wonder where and how they are hiding their money, and where it comes from. She does some kind of "bible-based" psychotherapy involving medical theories from the 16th century.
I have a dim memory of hearing, maybe twenty years ago, about some group of conservative Christians who disapprove of banking institutions and their use, but I can't really dredge up enough memory to do any kind of web search. Susan and others, can you remember anything about this?
I really hope Americans are tuned in to the harsh realities we ALL face with the new American Taliban speaker and his worshipers?!? With the government shutdown looming along with the farm bill the stage is set for a disaster of biblical proportions - starch that one Mikey!!
They are not serious about governing, but they are deadly serious about their own agenda. Whenever I think, 'surely now, sanity will return,' I am proved wrong. Sigh.
Mike Johnson has his afterlife. The suffering he imposes on other people in this life doesn’t matter to him. Whenever I think of these people I’m reminded of the “Onion” headline after 9/11; “Terrorists surprised to be in Hell”. Mike should be careful what he wishes for.
But speaking as someone who once sat in a similar pew, your position in that afterlife is dictated by how you live in THIS life. Inflicting needless hurt and damage on others earns you a spot in the hot seat.
So many intriguing possibilities! Is he burying his silver in the back yard like misers of yore? Tithing it all to the church without bragging? Being blackmailed by his adopted black son for past conduct unbecoming a white cis hetero male? I'll be so disappointed if he is merely a common tax cheat.
Tangent:
There's also something that's been finessed deep in US public discourse. Well, I'll mention two connected things.
The concept of taxes floats from from talk about purchases/expenditures. There is no discussion of the value of government-provided infrastructure* purchased and provided by the government. Talk of taxes is always talked about as "redistribution" (as if commercial interactions did not redistribute types and quantities of value).
Thus in the stern daddy talk about Government Debt discourse is constantly and only about reducing expenditures (whose usefulness and under provision through market action is not discussed), while talk of requiring people to pay legally mandated taxes, let alone increasing any tax rates, is brushed off the table with a casual, cufflinked arm.
* Tangible and intangible: not just roads and bridges and railways and stop signs but the administration of law and justice, the states of health and education of the nation, the treasures of the unmarketed ambient environment.
These are great points. Taxes are represented as the guvmint taking your hard-earned cash. There IS no talk about what that cash goes toward.
Great points but it’s hard to argue with the “Government, keep your hands off my Medicare” crowd.
I agree with Mary Ann. Apparently these idiots have no need of roads and bridges, fire or police personnel, and government itself. Let’s see who shows up to Congress without a paycheck!
The man is downright dangerous. No other way to say it.
He believes he answers directly to God. I get the sentiment but this will be a bumpy ride.
I read that he and his wife don't have checking accounts, or any kind of bank accounts. I have to wonder where and how they are hiding their money, and where it comes from. She does some kind of "bible-based" psychotherapy involving medical theories from the 16th century.
I hear Trump’s checking account number is 666. Ruh Roh!
I have a dim memory of hearing, maybe twenty years ago, about some group of conservative Christians who disapprove of banking institutions and their use, but I can't really dredge up enough memory to do any kind of web search. Susan and others, can you remember anything about this?
I really hope Americans are tuned in to the harsh realities we ALL face with the new American Taliban speaker and his worshipers?!? With the government shutdown looming along with the farm bill the stage is set for a disaster of biblical proportions - starch that one Mikey!!
Mike threatens everything I hold dear in the way of social services and common decency.
Another bible thumper with a book that had the pages removed that include "The Beatitudes"!
They are not serious about governing, but they are deadly serious about their own agenda. Whenever I think, 'surely now, sanity will return,' I am proved wrong. Sigh.
The GOP is being run by the lowest common denominator.
Mike Johnson has his afterlife. The suffering he imposes on other people in this life doesn’t matter to him. Whenever I think of these people I’m reminded of the “Onion” headline after 9/11; “Terrorists surprised to be in Hell”. Mike should be careful what he wishes for.
But speaking as someone who once sat in a similar pew, your position in that afterlife is dictated by how you live in THIS life. Inflicting needless hurt and damage on others earns you a spot in the hot seat.
I suspect Mike thinks that needless hurt and damage will do the others some good. Men like him don’t think they’re just godly, they think they’re god.
So many intriguing possibilities! Is he burying his silver in the back yard like misers of yore? Tithing it all to the church without bragging? Being blackmailed by his adopted black son for past conduct unbecoming a white cis hetero male? I'll be so disappointed if he is merely a common tax cheat.
Yeah, I'd like a little backstory, as well. (And the juicier, the better.)