Originally Posted by Can't Know

Slightly OT, I know a few people who are business owners, and by that I mean real businesses (a couple in construction/trades), not "investment" kinds of businesses.

I can't fault them for feeling personally burned when crap like Solyndra goes down. They worked really hard for a long time to build a successful business, then their tax dollars are taken and given to idiots that can't build a business, even with a handout.

Although I haven't specifically queried them, I'd bet they would feel better about perhaps paying more taxes if the government's conduct reflected some kind of fiscal responsibility with what they've already paid.

Perhaps the stupidest thing I've heard come out of BO's mouth was the nonsense about he could afford to pay a little more in taxes and he knew Romney could, too. Well, big deal. The question is not whether someone can afford to pay more taxes (or should be faulted for structuring their monetary life to take advantage of the tax code), but rather whether they should HAVE to pay more taxes.

Personally, I live pretty frugally and technically could afford to pay more, but until I see something that looks like less than a bunch of drunken sailors throwing around (borrowed) money, I'm not inclined to be all that thrilled about it. This BS of no budget and raising the debt ceiling continually is unbelievable to any thinking person.