It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Originally posted by vBreezo
#1 STOP FILING TAX RETURNS. You will still be paying taxes - the compulsory deduction from your paycheck will continue. But change your filing status to 6 or more dependents and DO NOT file a federal or state return.
Millions of people already do this. IF the non-filers increase to a substantial number, say 10's of millions, it would be the most effective protest movement ever organized. No need for street protests, petitions, letters to the editor, etc. Just do not cooperate with the collection agency - the IRS.
Originally posted by mrpotatohead
Our form of government has slippped out of our hands, bribed out from under us by a endless stream of entitlements to the masses.
Americans are too gutless for something like that. In all honsest they don't give a crap they're too busy living thier self indulgant cunsumer life style. The rich give them just enough toys so that they don't question the system.
But I think the house of cards is tumbling, and the Corps. and their lobbyist/pet politicians are making grabs to protect their unseemly wealth that we have donated in our credit fueled daze. This will be the coffin nails in our so-called "rights" and "freedoms.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Southern California Assemblyman Mike Duvall has resigned after he was recorded bragging about sex prior to a committee meeting.
Duvall, 54, could be heard boasting about having sex with female lobbyists.
He was removed from two key leadership posts and faced an ethics investigation after the recordings were heard.
Duvall said via his campaign Web site it would not be fair to his family, constituents or friends to remain on the job.
According to Duvall's Assembly Web site, Chapman University awarded him the Ethics in America Award in 2000 for his "demonstration of the highest standards of ethical integrity" while a member of the Chamber of Commerce team.
He was also named Legislator of the Year in 2008 by the California Attractions and Parks Association, according to his campaign Web site.
www.kcra.com...
....America's becoming the world's first "Capitalist Anarchy," thanks to the explosion of lobbyists running government. This trend shows no sign of abating. Imagine: 42,000 Washington lobbyists today, versus a handful in 1975. Other experts estimate 261,000 of these selfish special-interest "influence peddlers" throughout our nation. And it's so bad the Center for Public Integrity just reported that "more than 1,750 companies and organizations hired about 4,525 lobbyists, eight for each member of Congress, to influence health-reform bills in 2009." Worse: this emerging "Capitalist Anarchy" is draining the Treasury with endless deficits piling up more killer debt that will negatively impact future market returns.
Originally posted by whaaa
This sort of nullifies the "America is sliding into Socialism" rant by the Right wing doesn't it?
A Corpratracy perhaps........
The Left Right Paradigm is Over: Its You vs. Corporations
By Barry Ritholtz - September 27th, 2010, 9:30A
Excerpt:
The Individual has been supplanted in the political process nearly entirely by corporate money, legislative influence, campaign contributions, even free speech rights.
This may not be a brilliant insight, but it is surely an overlooked one. It is now an Individual vs. Corporate debate – and the Humans are losing.
Consider:
• Many of the regulations that govern energy and banking sector were written by Corporations;
• The biggest influence on legislative votes is often Corporate Lobbying;
• Corporate ability to extend copyright far beyond what original protections amounts to a taking of public works for private corporate usage;
• PAC and campaign finance by Corporations has supplanted individual donations to elections;
• The individuals’ right to seek redress in court has been under attack for decades, limiting their options.
• DRM and content protection undercuts the individual’s ability to use purchased content as they see fit;
• Patent protections are continually weakened. Deep pocketed corporations can usurp inventions almost at will;
• The Supreme Court has ruled that Corporations have Free Speech rights equivalent to people; (So much for original intent!)
None of these are Democrat/Republican conflicts, but rather, are corporate vs. individual issues.