Discussion | 27 comments

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• James E.February 04, 2013 - 8:30 am

  The Mt.Democrat put the wrong title on my letter. Should have been: "Please, Mr. Alger, just one $1 in taxes." The Mt.Democrat title implies that I believe that our deficit/debt can only be addressed by taxes, when, in fact, I advocate that it must be both cuts and revenue. The false Mt.Democrat title will now inflame Mr. Alger to roar back with a diatribe about how you cannot solve the deficit/debt by increasing taxes. Wonder if this was the intent of the Mt.Democrat false title? I do get weary of the deceitful arguments.

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• Marcia KernanFebruary 04, 2013 - 10:10 am

  Mr. Longhofer, As a conservative (remember, I lost it all in this last economic free fall), I cannot willingly give one more dime to this government. Beyond personal observations, the following exemplifies my reasoning. Please read on: From a friend of a relative (West Point grad and green beret/lifer): Recently, our good friend Michael (a local realtor) shared his experience with Leisa and I about an "Obama supporter" he encountered while showing homes to a low income, working family in Pontiac, MI.. We asked him to please write it down so we could share it with you. YOU SHOULD BE SITTING DOWN WHILE READING THIS: As a Realtor for the past 28 years I thought I’d seen or heard it all… Until now. I was showing homes in Pontiac, MI. one afternoon recently and showed up at a home at the 4:00 pm time my appointment was scheduled for. After I woke up the homeowner, she let us in and then proceeded to tell my buyers and I that she has already entered into a contract to sell the home on a short-sale. (A short-sale is a sale where the banks accepts less money than is owed on the home). After some chit-chat, she proceeded to tell us that she and her sister (who also lived in the area) were buying each other’s homes via the short-sale process. I mentioned to her that I thought relatives could not be involved in those transactions. She smiled and said "We have two different last names so no one knows the difference". She went on to tell us that each of them owed over 100K on their homes and were in the process of buying each other’s homes for about 10-15K cash. To top it off, they were each receiving $3,000.00 in government provided relocation assistance at the closing. My buyers and I were amazed that she was outright admitting to fraud and yet, she continued. She began to tell us that the best part of her scheme was that because they currently were not working that they (both) are now receiving Section 8 Vouchers. I said I thought those were for renters and she said “That’s the best part; me and my sister are going to be renting each other’s homes so we don’t even have to move, and Obama is going to give us each $800.00 a month to pay the rent!” She then picked up a picture she had framed of Obama and did a little happy dance around her living room and while she kissed the picture she was singing "Thank you Obama.... thank you Obama." So here is the bottom line… Both of these scammers got at least $80,000.00 in debt forgiven, $3,000.00 in cash for relocation (when in fact they did not relocate) and to boot, you and I will now be paying (through our taxes) $1,600.00 in rent for each them each and every month.... perhaps forever! Is it any wonder why so many people have decided that all they have to do is VOTE for the Democrats and they will be taken care of for life at the expense of the taxpayers? I would not be at all surprised if they are receiving food stamps and whatever other programs are available for anyone who is willing to lie to get assistance. These women went from working and paying about $900.00 each in mortgage payments to staying home and getting paid $800.00 each per month to live in the same home they had been living in and all they had to do was lie on a few papers. This craziness has to stop! I’m sure this kind of fraud is going on each and every day all across the country and no one wants to touch the subject of entitlements because they might OFFEND someone or lose a vote or two. By the way... she had an almost new SUV in the driveway, three flat screen TV's and a very nice computer set up in her living room which was furnished entirely with nice leather furniture. IT'S THE NEW 'AMERICAN WAY'..... For all of the "do-gooder's" who voted for Obama to help the "less fortunate"....CHEERS.....they are now the "most fortunate!" How're things working out for you?? END OF LETTER FROM REALTOR/FRIEND Here is a link to some of the government assistance programs available today: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Benefits.shtml#Homes_and_Housing_Assistance>http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Benefits.shtml#Homes_and_Housing_Assistance PS today it was announced that there are 8,800,000 collecting social security disability because they could not work …

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• James E.February 04, 2013 - 11:01 am

  Ms. Kernan, I want to congratulate you on the finest Welfare Queen letter I have ever read. Everything is in there -- fraud, new SUV, new TVs, computer, new furniture, you name it. Only thing missing was her chewing on a filet (medium rare) as she did her happy dance while kissing the photo of President Obama. I see a big flaw in this story, do you? The realtor didn't prepare a sworn affidavit of the events, complete with the perps names and addresses, and file a criminal complaint with the District Attorney and the Attorney General. Why, because one doesn't do a sworn affidavit when something didn't happen. Will the Welfare Queen BS ever end?

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• cookie65February 04, 2013 - 11:28 am

  James, how is it that money has more value in the hands of government than it does in the hands of those who earn it? Raising taxes takes even more money from the private sector and puts government in charge of it where they have no reputation for having any responsibility in how they spend it. They only way that will solve anything is if it somehow has more value in the hands of politicians. They way government wastes other peoples money we get less for it when they spend it.

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• Marcia KernanFebruary 04, 2013 - 11:49 am

  Mr. Longhofer, Remember that this "queen" didn't file an affidavit when I witnessed welfare fraud (on multiple occasions). Why? They (the government) blow you off. I am trying to get government support for my daughter as her SSN has been stolen, I know where the chick lives, etc. The run around is exhausting. The only hope I have is to go there myself and handle it myself. You see, the government is too big to deal with this stuff. I would like to think our dearly beloved Senators, etc would get off their **** and do something. But they're just as fraudulent as far as I am concerned. They are stealing from us as well. BTW, how do you know this realtor didn't file an affidavit?

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• James E. LonghoferFebruary 04, 2013 - 12:11 pm

  Oh, Ms. Kernan, I'm going to be late to the Dentist -- but, I once detected fraud in a company in New York City while living here in Placerville. I provided a sworn affidavit to the New York DA and was blown off -- I sent his response and my affidavit to the NY Attorney General. Suddenly the DA got interested and the company was charged. Takes tenacity. And, if the realtor did proceed with law enforcement over this fraud, it would have made a nice ending to his letter. Actually, I know a little about realtors and they don't like to rock the real estate boat so not surprising. Instead, just silence which allows the perps to get away with it.

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• Marcia KernanFebruary 04, 2013 - 2:54 pm

  Exactly! That's why I don't want to give another nickel. If, by chance, the "government wallet" hurts a bit too much, maybe, just maybe, they will get more serious about addressing these kinds of "perps" (as well as the white collar). There are too many of them out there. If only these scammers spent as much time applying positive energy in supporting our country as they do negative energies trying to con our country....whoa, can you imagine? At my age, maybe my husband and I wouldn't have had to start all over.

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• Paddy O'furnitureFebruary 04, 2013 - 2:57 pm

  Marcia, the account of the realtor is both unbelievable and completely believable at the same time. The problem James has is not with possibility of it, but with the mention of Obama in association. Others will come out like has and cry BS! for this reason also. Anytime you say anything to denigrate their Lord and Savior you can expect a backlash.

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• Marcia KernanFebruary 04, 2013 - 3:05 pm

  I fully understand. I have dear friends of similar "difficulties". They refuse to read/look/listen deep enough into my presentation to be willing to consider the possibility that this sort of thing is going on. I call my one friend "ostrich". BTW, your name cracks me up.

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• James E.February 04, 2013 - 3:04 pm

  Paddy, I didn't mind her kissing Obama's picture, but it just seemed a bit over the top. Just a bit too must frosting on the cake. Survived my visit to the dentist -- darn, I have a good dentist. Good ones are hard to find.

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• Marcia KernanFebruary 04, 2013 - 8:46 pm

  Who's your dentist?

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• Dink LaneFebruary 04, 2013 - 3:20 pm

  Steven Rattner who worked at U.S. Treasury Department said: The Obama Administration is NOT raising tax RATES (already done--no more) now looking to close loopholes. ...... GOP wants to close loopholes & use that savings to LOWER TAX RATES.... Now .... Who is serious about the Deficit? and Who is serious about PADDING the good-ol-boy's pockets?

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• cookie65February 04, 2013 - 3:39 pm

  Dink, if obama hadn't spent nearly 6trillion in 4 years he may get people other those who worship him to believe anything he says regarding the deficit. Have you seen the increase in wealth of the evil rich during obama's first term? Talk about paddin the pockets of the good ol' boys. In fact the only group to shrink under obama is the middle class. I sure wish some of you had just the slightest attachment with reality. Quit listening to the endless lies coming from his mouth and pay attention to what he does.

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• Dink LaneFebruary 04, 2013 - 4:18 pm

  COOKIE65: According to CBO & Harper Analysis --> Obama 'Increased' Federal spending 1.4% -- Lowest % since 1982 when Reagan increased by 8.7%..... but then that is a percentage.... let's look at ACTUAL #s..... $3.5 Trillion (but that's taking over the war + Medicare D -- passed by Republican Tom Delay's gang) .... OK, Cookie...look at what Bush did .... He had the Defense Budget SEPARATE the '02 to '09 Budgets..... Obama put them together (So that's where the MORE spending appears) ... and the Senate GOP has FILIBUSTERED every Budget submitted since... Then NON-Readers regurgitate FOX-NEWS propaganda ....

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• robertdnollFebruary 04, 2013 - 4:34 pm

  some commentors and letter writers don't care about issues,just lonely and needing attention

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• cookie65February 04, 2013 - 4:42 pm

  Dink, I understand how difficult it is to be anything but a low information voter depending on the national media but even USA Today, an endorser of obama has to print the truth once in a while. http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/01/14/debt-deficit-obama-congress/1830363/

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• cookie65February 04, 2013 - 4:45 pm

  Even CBS news. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57400369-503544/national-debt-has-increased-more-under-obama-than-under-bush/

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• Ken SteersFebruary 04, 2013 - 6:53 pm

  Looking at my W-2's this week with the combined increase from both state and fed income taxes I must say that yes I did give more than a dollar. I was told that it was for me to pay my fair share. I had no idea that I wasn't being fair. So I was singled out and punished. The strange thing is that the tax increase on me didn't reduce the deficit. It's still rising faster than it ever has. The democrat socialist are now saying, for fairness sake to get rid of all those nasty unfair "loopholes" they call them. Evil things like marriage tax credits. Children credits and interest deduction from your home. When they are done I'm not sure I will have any dollars left. Regarding the real estate market here in our area. Try to purchase a home in the $350,000 range. There will already be 10 offers on it. Might be time to become a real estate agent again.

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• 1036-FrankFebruary 04, 2013 - 7:03 pm

  This story seems to me to be 100% accurate, people who know how to rip off the system do it with these same tactics, section 8 housing is one of the biggest frauds in history, followed by SSI, food stamps and welfare. The ability of these people to short-sale and have the banks write off half their mortgage then insert a straw buyer is a well known scam and fraud as well.

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• James E.February 04, 2013 - 10:10 pm

  Ms. Kernan, my dentist is Dr. Davidson, Above the Gate, Diamond Springs. Been my dentist for 15 years or so. Not only superb dental skills, but has always been honest with me. As I'm 75, my only hope is that he continues his practice for at least another 25 years to carry me to 100.

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• Dink LaneFebruary 05, 2013 - 2:43 pm

  Cookie65: I looked up your link to US Today article. I wondered how did this article get the writer Mr. Reynolds come up with 60% when so many other articles have different stats? .... So the research side of me looked into the sources sighted .. It says, "White House OMB" ..... I looked through their 54 charts and couldn't find the stats that Mr. Reynolds cited -- nothing to prove the US Today article....... Went back to Mr. Reynolds's article and looked closer... Cited from the REASON MAGAZINE.... A libertarian magazine. That's OK, Libertarians have good arguments too. Searched 'Federal receipts' --> A 3 sentence statement saying "U.S. Budget Tops $1 Trillion for 4th year in a row." popped up ..... NO sources, No facts..... back to WH page...found the Historical Table, Budget.gov.... and looked at page 27 (of the 360 pages) ..... I think you will find that story quite different than Mr. Reynolds.... But then, if I wanted to go around saying "Obama's bad, Obama's bad"... Mr. Reynold's article is enough ....... BUT if you wanted to have a REAL discussion.... and look at the REAL facts.... You could....Well no, that's no fun. .. Right?

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• Tom HunertsFebruary 05, 2013 - 5:03 pm

  Marcia Kernan is a liar, straight up. And you all should be smarter than to believe any "friend of a relative" story. This apocryphal tale has been posted on hundreds of different Internet sites.

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• Paddy O'furnitureFebruary 05, 2013 - 8:36 pm

  Uh oh, somebody's Lord and Savior has been besmirched and now they're mad.

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• Red BirkensFebruary 05, 2013 - 9:56 pm

  paddy furniture believes the story should be true and therefore it is true. we don't need no stinkin evidence.

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• Kenneth HurwitzFebruary 05, 2013 - 9:59 pm

  Ken Smeers thinks his w-2 withholding statement is the same as his actual taxes. Ken doesn't know much about taxes, does he?

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• Phil VeerkampFebruary 05, 2013 - 10:52 pm

  Goon night, Colonel. - LINK - Largest known prime number - 17M digits long - discovered

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• Ken SteersFebruary 06, 2013 - 9:11 am

  Kenneth Hurwitz, I don't know you. Have we ever met? Do you live in our county? Why do you think that someone like myself would not know much about taxes?

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