People Todd is Following (8)



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Conversations Todd is Following (204)

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Conversations Todd has Started (140)

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Todd's Profile

Todd
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Todd
Joined:
Oct 8, 2010

Recent Comments

Todd

I think the principle is that of self defense. 

Todd

Colin B Lane

Let me see if I've got this straight: You're defending the superior morality of a guy who cheated on his wife, lied about it, totally abandoned his post as Governor to fly to South America to be with his lover, lied to his aides as to where he was, left absolutely no way for anyone to get in touch with him while he was absent, and then later returned and did a press conferences where he continued to lie.

 Try that "important distinction" on your wife. · 19 minutes ago

First of all, what "post" did he abandon.  The state of SC did not cease to function while he was gone. 

Second, we have no idea what was going on inside that house.  There are all sorts of possibilities. 

Todd

It's time to revisit Glenn Reynolds' proposed surtax on earnings after leaving a govt job.

http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/118348/

Todd

The Sanford story is a love story.  There is no comparison.  And I am not angry at him. I have no idea what was going on in his household. 

Todd

The original monopoly rules inevitably result in a vicious deflationary spiral. The bank hoards all of that money paid in fees and taxes.The made up free parking rule helps to recirculate some of those funds.

Todd

Franco: Yes, because they are more likely to be paying taxes.

You must mean, of the people who pay taxes, are conservatives and libertarians more likly to cheat?· 1 hour ago

Well, yes.  A proper study would control for a number of other variables.

Todd

Rob Long

Todd: Here is Veronica De Rugy on the subject.  http://reason.com/archives/2013/04/12/no-skills-no-problem · 10 hours ago

This is a pretty convincing argument.  My counter is this: no one is saying we shouldn't have unskilled immigrants.  We should.  (I'm removing from this discussion the notion that illegal immigration is anything other than a lawless disregard for borders and sovereignty.) But it's hard to argue -- and I don't think De Rugy does -- that highly-skilled engineer-level immigrants add more to the national bottom line.  Doesn't mean the other kind aren't valuable.  But we're an attractive and dynamic country that appeals to dynamic and entrepreneurial people.  We should be more inviting to them. 

Fair enough. And thanks for your comments Rob.  My only concern is that you are wrong when you say "no one is saying we shouldn't have unskilled immigrants".  I hear that argument being made all of the time by conservatives who are otherwise inclined to advocate free trade and open markets.   

Todd

Here is Veronica De Rugy on the subject.  http://reason.com/archives/2013/04/12/no-skills-no-problem

Todd

Jager

We do need more tax payers. We can get that by having new legal immigrants and as the economy grows, providing employment opportunities for the existing low skilled laborers who are unemployed. (12%)  If new low skilled employees are brought in at uncapped levels, unskilled unemployment will stay the same or increase. This is increased tax payer cost, not increased tax revenue.   · 4 minutes ago

The assumption is that low and unskilled workers are a net drain on our economy.  I don't see it that way.

If we don't have unskilled workers, that means that skilled workers have to spend more time doing things those things that unskilled workers could otherwise do.  The path to economic growth is division of labor and increased specialization and trade.  We don't want computer programmers spending time doing laundry and mowing lawns - we want them doing what they do best - programming!

Todd

I will defend Augusta's  right to do whatever they want in regard to their club and their membership and their tournament, and I will defend CBS's right to broadcast whatever and however they see fit - but they both deserve ridicule for how seriously they take themselves, which is the point of my post.

I'll take the US Open (and the British Open) any day over the Masters.

Todd

Jager

That said a country with high unskilled unemployment does not need to import more unskilled labor in general. What would they do? What is the benefit bringing in more labor just to have a higher unemployment rate?  · 1 hour ago

I don't know?  Perhaps the millions of employers out there can make their own decisions.  Why do we need politicians making that decision for them?

Todd

Jager

Your "voluntary arrangement" creates costs to tax payers through government programs and increased healthcare costs (those that can pay, pay extra to cover the losses on those who cannot pay). Why should you alone as a property owner be able to make a decision that effects costs to your fellow citizens or spends your fellow citizens tax money. 

If you have an absolute right to allow anyone on your property that you choose (regardless of immigration status or nationality), then you should be responsible for every cost. If your "right" to have them here trumps the societies right to set immigration policy then you, not the general public should bear the expense.  · 

I don't support benefits for new immigrants. 

But why don't we charge a surtax for new immigrants to help cover the costs?  The employer can pick up the tab if they wish.  It's far better than banning it all together. 

If the problem is really about budgetary issues, then we can solve it that way.

And thinking longer term, to solve our budgetary problems, particularly at the Federal level, we need more people, especially younger people, not fewer people in the US paying taxes.

Todd
Fake John Galt:  Where we as a country have a say on who gets in or not and you as a property owner can say who is allowed on your property. Very few have a problem with this system. But the illegal immigrant does not ask permission to enter the country but comes on in to take what they want knowing they do not have that permission. 

I am suggesting that as a property owner, I should have the say on who is allowed on my property.  Once a person is determined to not be a national security or public health threat, then one American should not be able to prevent another American from engaging in an otherwise peaceful, voluntary arrangement. 

And I would suggest that most illegals aren't coming it to "take what they want". They are coming in because Americans want to employ them!

Todd

That's ridiculous. If I want to bring in a Housekeeper from Latin America, why would that then require me to support all immigrants? How about I support that immigrant and then everyone can leave us alone.

Todd

I don't literally hate the Masters, but I much prefer the openness of the US open. And the tradition of watching the US Open on Father's Day weekend is terribly underrated.

Todd

Tax returns are not due until October.  And even then, as long as they owe you money and not the other way around, there is no penalty for filing after that 

So as long as you make payments, take your time.

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