Uh, probably not, because those taxes were probably too high in the first place. How is it socialist to want to keep what you worked for, huh?

Tax deductions are not socialist, but government benefits paid for by taxes are.

in the middle - comment 1.1 - well, duh . . . . . those tax deductions ARE government benefits that must be made up by other tax payers.

Obviously, it's only socialism if it doesn't directly benefit you... duh! /s

The gas station owner should just put up a sign pointing to that billboard that says:

" <---- I didn't build that."

and that should solve the problem.

No, deductions are an opportunity to keep your own money, not a benefit from the government.

There is a huge difference between a DEDUCTION (my earned money) and a CREDIT (someone else's taxed money). And since I know the distinction, I am assuming that I claim deductions while you claim credits. Please learn some more about taxation before you pass along incorrect info to people.

in the middle-2260511, you obviously, then, don't support the military, police department, or fire department. And you would never, ever think of using tap water (so you probably stink) or using an interstate freeway, or any other public roads, because all socialism is bad, bad, bad!

Wow truth hurts. Seems like an awful lot of "poor sports" out there in Connecticut.

A deduction is an amount you subtract from your total income, thereby reducing your taxable income amount. A tax credit is an amount you subtract from the tax you owe, which also reduces the amount of tax you owe. The only difference is that they are calculated in different ways, but both reduce the amount of tax you pay. Both allow a taxpayer to pay less tax on the same pre-tax income. Neither one is more socialist than the other and both reduce the amount of tax you pay out of your total income. Obviously you get the benefit of deductions, not tax credits, as you seem to feel that deductions are somehow morally superior.

How about old scum bag Bill Clinton? He took a write off for donating used underware and socks.

Tax deductions are written in to the tax code to help keep money out in the American publics hands. Both parties have written the tax code but the majority of tax code has been written by the majority party in Congress which the dems have controlled for the most amount of time in the past 60 years.

To turn this mans political view into a tax code issue is pathetic. But that is what I have come to expect from the left since Obama was elected. Pathetic responses to real issues.

In the middle - I had no problem understanding what you said. You pay your fair share of taxes, and would like to quit supporting other people who are not providing a service or a product, through your taxes.

And I agree.

I wonder how upset he was when Ronald Reagan introduced the country to the idea of the massive federal deficit. Or when HW Bush continued it. Was he a fan of Clinton's for running a surplus? Of course not. Nobody wants socialism, it has failed. To put up a sign like this, there's only one thing behind it. Hate. That's no way to win an election. You can give us a choice, and you gave us Romney. Don't blame Obama for the right wing's lack of leadership.

It's spelled underwear, not underware. Please stop commenting until you have an education.

The public education system is a socialist element. Clearly it's evil.

Jon - Pathetic argument from you. Sorry, scum bag Bill Clinton took a deduction for used UNDERWEAR.

Does that make it better? He's still a scum bag who dogdes taxes.

Xabre - I went to private schools. Yet still supported public schools with tax dollars. It is a necessity.

everyone's getting distracted by the tax deductions and not appreciating the amazing irony that these guys could care less about a business being hurt by their billboard

Another moron who has bought into the right-wing BS. The idiots love that rhetoric. "Destroying the country with uncontrolled spending." Like it's any worse than it ever was. "The country is sooo far in debt we are about to go bankrupt." Like they can comprehend what that means. "Socialism." Because we have a government? Give it to the Kochheads and Rove-ing minds, they have done a good job of brainwashing the brainwashables.

We MUST not only get Obama elected, we must take back the house and senate too. Without a Democratic majority, the Repubics will continue to block progress and "take their ball and go home" like they have since Obama was elected. With control, we can have this country back on track with right-minded tax rates, more money in the hands of the middle class, and a vibrant economy again. And we can CRUSH this recent Facist powerplay (Americans for Prosperity (Koch), American Crossroads (Rove), Christian Coalition (Reed)) that has been perpetrated on America, with results. It's the only way to get this hate-minded, selfish, greedy, religion-clouded infection under control.

Because rhetoric and no specifics is a Republican thing, the specifics about the Democratic plan is:

Tax the ones who can afford it. And tax them much harder. They'll still do just fine....they did before.

The deficit equation is Income - Spending . The deficit can be improved with more income. IF we spend less, we will only be hurting the economy more.

Xabre - I went to private schools. Yet still supported public schools with tax dollars. It is a necessity.

A necessity is merely an opinion. Some feel Social Security is a necessity, or Medicare. The fact of the matter is public education is a socialist element to our society.

Its funny how the libs were complaining that people werent eating in that pizza joint, after learning the owner hugged Obama. Yet have no problem boycotting a gas station because of some sign across the street or boycotting a diner because the owner refused to put up recall Walker signs..

There is a difference between "Socialism" and "Pure Socialism". Pure Socialism is when the government takes all the private wealth and equally distributes it. Why is that bad? Because people who have a high education and a hard job will get payed the same amount as a person who has a very easy job.

Call your lawyer. If that doen't work get a quart of cheap black paint. Problem solved.

Its probably easier to fill balloons with paint and throw them, that way no one sees you (at night) and you don't have to worry about falling. Problem solved!

The past 30 years of Fascism has been the problem.

The past 30 years of GOP UNFUNDED WARS.

The past 30 years of GOP DEREGULATION ON WALL STREET.

Socialism is a blessing compared to what's happened.

.

If "socialism" is so bad, how can you explain Germany with heavy socialism? They control corporation with laws and they have one of the strongest economic in the world with one of the lowest unemployment.

We however boast about "capitalist", but look at us now. What we have in the last 30 years is not capitalist, but "crony" and "vulture" capitalist. They are the one that drives this country to this state.

FASCISM - GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER PRIVATE ENTERPRISE

You liberals throw words around and you don't even know the meaning of them. How so not surprising. Now, who does that sound more like, Republicans....or DEMOCRATS???? Uh huh. That's what I thought. In any event, this guy is correct (as is Romney).

Nearly half the US households in America pay ZERO income taxes to the IRS after deductions like the EIC, child deductions, etc. HALF! And a good portion of that half are negative income earners, meaning that they take in money from the government (that's welfare recipients specifically). When that point tips to a majority of Americans paying nothing yet receiving everything, then America will be lost into pure socialism, as Obama and the radical fringe left wing liberals which have grabbed the Democrat party by the short hairs.

Many smart Americans like myself have already planned their exit strategy to retire outside of America and take our money with us should that tipping point be reached. I, and a lot of people I know, refuse to be a part of the destruction of America as we once knew it - land of opportunity to succeed through free market capitalism. You libs can have it. Good luck...and don't come asking us for money either.

Bravo Hole122000, Best post I've read in days !! Once we get a jobs bill passed and a few thousand jobs back home people will be working and spending again AND paying more taxes in . It all makes the system work .. Blocking jobs and calling names isn't getting anything done lets get Obama elected and get America back on track again ..Romney needs to go back to ruining other peoples lives with Bain ,right where he belongs ( till someone wises up to that theft ring and jails them all) Lets get moving forward OBAMA 2012

JHawke, Wow great patriotic American in your house huh ! Crying about "those" people who don't pay as much as you , you know the type don't you: single moms , the elderly , retired people who lost a good portion of their retirement money to those greedy bankers, veterans (disabled from defending YOUR rights ) and now that your gonna retire you want to take you money and run away to some other country ...Well surprise they may not be as nice as it is here , watch out for the cops in some places their worse than the crooks ! When you get sick and can't find a clean hospital I'll bet you come back in a hurry ! Or better yet how about a revolution , better be able to duck and cover ..no help for you foreigners ....

UnitedStates1776

The past 30 years of Fascism has been the problem.

no, government has been the problem, both sides, nothing close to fascism.

fascism

noun (Concise Encyclopedia)

Philosophy of government that stresses the primacy and glory of the state, unquestioning obedience to its leader, subordination of the individual will to the state's authority, and harsh suppression of dissent. Martial virtues are celebrated, while liberal and democratic values are disparaged. Fascism arose during the 1920s and '30s partly out of fear of the rising power of the working classes; it differed from contemporary communism (as practiced under Joseph Stalin) by its protection of business and landowning elites and its preservation of class systems. The leaders of the fascist governments of Italy (1922–43), Germany (1933–45), and Spain (1939–75)—Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, and Francisco Franco—were portrayed to their publics as embodiments of the strength and resolve necessary to rescue their nations from political and economic chaos. Japanese fascists (1936–45) fostered belief in the uniqueness of the Japanese spirit and taught subordination to the state and personal sacrifice. See also totalitarianism; neofascism.

The past 30 years of GOP UNFUNDED WARS.

this is just a lie, you can not, not fund a war and wage that war, that an impossibility. you can put the war on credit but its still paid for. our soldiers get paid through DoD 24/7 365 regardless of war. so you telling us that soldiers never get paid in wartime?

The past 30 years of GOP DEREGULATION ON WALL STREET.

no, that was both sides and deregulation had nothing to do with anything. it was government manipulation.

Socialism is a blessing compared to what's happened.

socialism has failed in every country it has took hold, the only way it could work is if you have some form of capitalism involved and you have a very small population and not alot of expenses. eventually you run out of money and no one wants to work anymore or produce anything. socialism rewards laziness.

wow, call the doctors i think this guy is certifiable. everything you just wrote is a flat out lie and it makes you look crazy.

Xabre

you have not idea what socialism is do you? you just scream it because you are against the "right". socialism is the government taking earners monies and wealth and distributing it to the non tax payers/poor/loyalists through social services. social security is socialism because it takes from multiple earners to give to a single individual, medicare is the same (it wouldnt be bad if the money you put in you get out but not one penny more than what you put in) schools are not socialism even though the way its funded is quasi socialist (property taxes). tax reductions, credits and rebates are not socialist but the government giving more money back that what you paid in is socialist.

socialism

noun (Concise Encyclopedia)

System of social organization in which private property and the distribution of income are subject to social control; also, the political movements aimed at putting that system into practice. Because “social control” may be interpreted in widely diverging ways, socialism ranges from statist to libertarian, from Marxist to liberal. The term was first used to describe the doctrines of Charles Fourier, Henri de Saint-Simon, and Robert Owen, who emphasized non coercive communities of people working non competitively for the spiritual and physical well-being of all (see utopian socialism). Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, seeing socialism as a transition state between capitalism and communism, appropriated what they found useful in socialist movements to develop their “scientific socialism.” In the 20th century, the Soviet Union was the principal model of strictly centralized socialism, while Sweden and Denmark were well-known for their non communist socialism. See also collectivism, communitarianism, social democracy.

now on to the story. this is the problem in america. people are so stubborn on politics that they cannot accept others differing views so instead of maybe ignoring it, they yell and they kick and they throw tantrums till they get their way. they will hurt anyone in their way just so they dont have to hear or see anyone opposing opinions. they are hurting this guys gas station, not because they dont like the owner or the service, they dont like a billboard with an opposing political view that has nothing to do with the gas station owner but because its next to the station they assume that the station owner shares the same view. so to sum it up, these people are hurting american businesses because the are assuming something, and these people vote.

UnitesStates1776 - SOCIALISM WOULD BE AN IMPROVEMENT!!!!!!! Are you high? Do you have any idea wha you are saying? Your political belief is in stark contrast to your sreen name. You should change it. It is the most disgusting form of false advertisment!!!! Really???!!!! You ahve to be joking! P.S. You forget 45 years of Demcratic control in the Congress and the President who gave us 22% inflation = Jimmy "the Peanut Picker" Carter.

Because rhetoric and no specifics is a Republican thing, the specifics about the Democratic plan is:

Tax the ones who can afford it. And tax them much harder. They'll still do just fine....they did before.

Hole- ALL politicians lie, steal, and cheat. Your post just proves that point. If you were the one with all the extra $$$$$ you wouldn't be singing the same tune, and I know blah blah blah "I'd be different!" Blah Blah Blah. And no, I'm not rich in a monetary sense, not even close, but I'm happy with what I have and I pay my taxes as I should because the country cannot run any other way. If you (people in general) would budget for what you get post-taxes (you know, what your paycheck says) then life wouldn't be so debt ridden. No politician is the answer to our prayers, they aren't public servants, even if that's what they are supposed to be. A public servant is supposed to have the public's best interest at heart, not their own.

Since 1990, congressional pay has increased from $98,400 to $154,700 in 2003.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/agencies/a/raise4congress.htm

When was congress last pay raise?

The last pay raise for Congress was in 2009 bringing the minimum pay to $174,000 per year. Committee leaders, minority leader, and speaker of the house earn more. A yearly automatic pay raise was voted into law in 1989

Sound like public servant to you? I don't know any public servants (i.e. firemen, police officers, teachers etc) that make that kind of money.

At any rate, whine all you want about republicans b/c they're right there to point the finger back. Maybe when everyone in this country opens their eyes or take off their rose-tinted glasses they will see that politicians are just taking the general public for fools and wreaking havoc on our country. Until then, commence the 4 yr old blame game.

Reagan had a Democratically controlled House/Senate during his 8 years; the debt rose due to negotiations between Reagan and Tip. Reagan needed military buildup (due to Carter policies dismantling it) and Tip wanted more money for our entitlement programs. Our economy grew, unemployment decreased and America was on the fast track to full recovery. Clinton dealt with a House of Republicans (Newt) and was bound by their fiscal policies. There was not a true surplus, we still had an excessive deficit, it did not go down it still increased. Obama was elected with Democrats in control of House/Senate, Republicans took over the house in 2010.

I would suggest, all the people of Milford and all surrounding cities and towns, immediately cease and desist, any and all business dealings with DeForest Smith of George J. Smith and Son Real Estate and give them a little taste of true bankruptcy. And Mr Ghaly, put up your big sign, saying the Smith Nazis speak, with a big red arrow pointing to that sign

FROM THE "WHO'D A THUNK IT?" FILES:

"He (DeForest Smith) said he would be willing to discuss the sign with Ghaly, but hasn't heard from him. Ghaly, however, said he contacted Smith and Smith told him the billboard will stay up through Election Day."

Imagine that, a wealthy Romney supporter who lies!

WHO'D A THUNK IT?

@jhawke. Good riddance!

WRONG. Reagan "trickle-down" economics never trickled down to anyone but the very wealthy. Reagan spent ENORMOUS amounts on the Strategic Defense Initiative (translation: Billions to nowhere). The only people who wanted that were the upper echelons at the Pentagon. We the people never saw ANY benefit from it. Carter did NOT dismantle the military--keep in mind he was a former military man; Reagan made movies. You are wrong, the deficit DID decrease under Clinton--the decrease was displayed daily in NYC. Reagan's deficit was a record, Bush #1's was a record, Bush #2's was a record, and he fudged even on that because he refused to put in the deficit spending for the Iraq War into the budget; --remember weapons of mass destruction? There were none. Another Republican fabrication that caused the deaths and maiming of thousands of young U.S. men and women and trillions of dollars wasted. Blame that on Bush's stupidity and the cunning of Cheney and Paul Wolfowitz, along with Rumsfeld bumbling along behind. Tragic.

The store has dropped gas prices to try and lure customers back.

Did Amanda Raus, the person who wrote this little article graduate from High School?

You don't try and lure customers back, you try TO lure customers back.

If MSNBC hired this person what calibre of applicants are they required to field.

pathetic and embarrassing not only for MSNBC but for me as an American.

No wonder we continue to slip down the education ladder. People in a field that relies upon words can no longer use the English language or construct a grammatical sentence.

DeForest Smith is an ignorant @!$%# head who would benefit from of the PUBLICLY PAID-FOR FREE education, which he clearly has avoided taking advantage of. What a supreme dick.

Wow. Mr. Smith is in the real estate business and can find no other area to put up that billboard? He of course has a right to express his opinion, but sticking it to a gas station owner? Really? Hmm...maybe he's trying to force the gas station out of business so he can buy it up? Doubter222, that really is kind of dickish move.

Ok, everybody man their three cornered, tin foil hat. The socialist is going to win this election. America doesn't really want to turn into a fascist state. Romney is a goof, heck 5 months ago republicans didn't even like him. Many republicans would have rather had Ron Paul. Still want him, might even write him in. The debates can't happen to soon, Romney will have to out his fascist plan of giving even more to the very rich like him self. Romney is for the 1% and Obama is for everyone. Some of you need to live pay check to pay check, or have illness in your family, or get sick enough yourself that you can't work. I don't wish any bad luck on anybody but to experience the things I have you would have to put your big boy shorts on to do 70 hours in 8 days. Today I am a burden on society. I am retired and taking that stuff, Oh SOCIAL SECURITY. Yes socialism is just fine. Mitt where are those tax forms?

@SRMcMahon, you hit the nail on the head. These me, me people don't care about anyone else.

Being an anti-socialist does seem to make Smith anti-social

MJ got to agree with you about the quality of education . Shouldn't relies be singular because it modifies "field" not "people"? Maybe she didn't borrow enough money from her parents to get a Harvard education as suggested by Willard, pity.

BEACH SAIL - Okay you mentioned Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Clinton. Lets get to the real issue. What has Obama left us? What exactly has he done to fix the problems of the Republicans that you speak of? I remember a lot of promises, a promise for HOPE and CHANGE among other promises. What has he fixed? Tell us please what he has fixed. He has blamed George W. Bush for nearly four years for his problems yet he has fixed nothing. He has done nothing to change the "disasters" caused by these Republican presidents you mentioned. He cannot even get the unemployment numbers below 8%.....really the real number is like 16%. The main thing he seems to enjoy doing other than bowing, scraping and apologizing to every dictator around the world is to lend $500 million dollars to a bankrupt company only months away from locking their doors. If you can tell us what he has done I would be appreciative. Oh Yeah......the stimulus....what a booming success that way!!

So much for freedom of speech, when is the liberal judge going to step in and declare the sign be taken down. Or, they could just deffer to the usual and burn it down. This is the normal enlightened approach. The dude is spending his own money and if there is no law against it let it alone. Those that assumed it belonged to the gas station owner owe him an apology.

Hole....You are seriously clueless. If you think taxing the wealthy more is going to be the answer, good luck. While these wealthy employ many American's, you can assure you they will still meet their business margins by cutting staff, new staff and cutting wages or laying off higher paid employees, or whatever business strategy it may take to make their profits. You may want to research how many fulltime employees WalMart, Marshalls, and a few other big companies have. 9% or so! Why? If your a businessman, you know why! Good luck Hole. When there are not many full time jobs out there, you think Obama going to tell a businessman what he is going to do? Wrong!

These Republicans just don't get it, they are the reason for their own demise, they are just getting Obama more votes and We Democrats are LOAO, Obama does not have to lift a finger to defeat them they'll do it on their own. They've thrown so much money into this election and even are suppressing the votes and they still can't Win, must be really depressing ..... LOL >>>>>>>> OBAMA 2012/CLINTON 2016

Many smart Americans like myself have already planned their exit strategy to retire outside of America and take our money with us should that tipping point be reached. I, and a lot of people I know, refuse to be a part of the destruction of America as we once knew it -

BYE!! Don't let the door hit ya!!!!

I am a senior citizen. I don't have any children-- or grandchildren-- or great-grandchildren-- in this school system. Never did. Yet I have to pay school taxes so that other peoples' brats can go to schoool-- and that isn't fair.

Poor little demos....the truth hurts!

Lets get to the real issue. What has Obama left us? What exactly has he done to fix the problems of the Republicans that you speak of?

Well for a start, better off than I was 4 years ago....... My 401k is almost back to where it was when it tanked in the fall of 2008.

Hope and Changed the heck out of my tanked retirement plan!! I cried and was planning to stay here in 08', now it looks like I can continue on....... Yipeee!!

Once again I see that libs just want "freedom of speech" for themselves! If they make snide, rude, or even untrue statements, they cover themselves with "freedom of speech", but, if anyone else make a comment they do not like they get insulting and just plain ignorant! Just remember: Freedom of Speech does not equal Freedom FROM Speech! (Much like Freedom of Religion does not equal Freedom FROM Religion)! Just because you do not like what somebody else says they still have the right to say it!

Nearly half the US households in America pay ZERO income taxes to the IRS after deductions like the EIC, child deductions, etc. HALF! And a good portion of that half are negative income earners, meaning that they take in money from the government (that's welfare recipients specifically). When that point tips to a majority of Americans paying nothing yet receiving everything, then America will be lost into pure socialism, as Obama and the radical fringe left wing liberals which have grabbed the Democrat party by the short hairs.

Get some Facts and Please Step away from the Kool-Aid........ It's dangerous!!

Some senior citizen had to pay for your school taxes when you were in K-12 - so stop complaining. Also, most states have senior citizen exemptions. If that is not good enough for you then move into an apartment.

It is my duty as a citizen and patriot of this country to provide fundamental services to those that need them - to do otherwise would undermine the progress of this nation.

The cons have become the whiny brats complaining about that kid who got an extra milk. Shut up and enjoy the milk you have and you will live a much happier life.

Ironically, several cons have used social security disability - but they justify it because their claim was legitimate while everyone else's claim is a fraud.

So this @!$%# puts up a sign saying Obama is going to bankrupt the country, yet he has no problem causing the gas station owner to lose customers.

Typical.

Far right wing conservatives are dangerous people because they spout the same crap that the Nazi party spouted that got them and Hitler elected. You can watch any Nazi propaganda film and translate it into English and they are saying the same bs that the tea party and conservatives are saying today! I seen a wanted poster that was taken out in 1961 with JFK on it and it said that he was a socialist, that he was betraying the constitution, and that he invaded a sovereign state with federal troops to force a school to allow black students. He appointed Anti-Christians to federal office! I mean the same bs that they are saying today about Obama. These nutcases only recycle the same crap that's been going on for the last 80yrs nothing has changed except for the fact that the media lets them get away with it. The founding fathers are rolling over in their graves.

Signs like that have the opposite affect of there intention - and ranters wonder why they get no respect.

I'd use the old "Due Unto Others" line - but the ones who preach that BS, never follow their own message.

The newest line I keep seeing at Newsvine; I wondered who the first anti...fill in the topic of choice. Why do people cling to whatever they heard that week? You didn't wonder anything - auto pilot fully engaged.

Unbelievable////I suggest that YOU learn the facts before running off your mouth. Half do not pay any income taxes. Fact And it is the fanatical, idiotic sheep of the left who drink the Kool-aid and bow down to the great Muslim divider who has added 15,000,000 people to the food stamp programs. He even had an advertising campaign to get more to sign up. That is buying votes. He has duped you poor fools and you are so dumb you cannot even see it. You can check the figures with the government, that is where they came from. Unless you are too busy with your drugs and smoke.

The man is loosing business. Data input=Results Output.

People love Obama=People hate the sign.

Let me see if I got this right. Realtor puts up sign on his property which is next to a gas station stating Obama is a socialist and the gas station loses business so Realtor is excoriated for his views. However, if Realtor had put up a sign that sang the praises of Obama, it appears that gas station would have increased its business and everyone would have been happy with Realtor. I guess freedom of speech is a good thing only when one's political views are espoused.

Abby, you didn't get it right at all. The point people are trying to make is not about what the sign says. It is about the manner in which it is presented. The point is that the sign appears to belong to someone other than the actual owner.

If I put up a "Romney" sign in my yard and people don't like it, they can stay off my property and I am fine with that. However, if I put my sign in a location so it appears to belong to my neighbor and he loses friends as a result, that is nothing more than cowardice on my part. It is the presentation that is objectionable, not the view that is expressed. Freedom of speech is not the issue, it is actually more like a false advertising matter.

Connecticut gas station owner says anti-Obama billboard hurting business?

Hahaha...Not nearly as much as Obama has HURT businesses!

John of Battle Creek,

Fascism is not an economic system. Socialist fascist governments are not uncommon. Nazi Germnay, Soviet Russia (they were never communists but only "on the way" to communism), Franco's Spain, Mussolini's Italy. Socialism lends itself very readily to dictatorship and fascism.

USMC,

Your "jarhead" is on too tightly. Oh, and the "word is "barely" not "barley". Maybe YOU need to go back and get more of your public "edukashun" before you spew.

NC, fascism was founded by Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini and this is what he said about it: "Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism, as it is the merger of corporate and government power". So it is an economic system. It's a system based on granting the rich all the favors they need while depriving the rest of the country much needed help from the government.

The Nazis were not socialists but rather "national socialists" and practiced their own form of fascism. The Nazis are no more "socialists" than Saddam Hussein's Republican Guards are Republican.

Most of the world practices one form or another of socialism and hardly any of them is a "dictatorship".

It's called "FREEDOM OF SPEECH" for all of you morons that don't get it.......and if you don't like it, go live in Egypt.........I hear they have all of the Freebies that you all like.....and I hear the living conditions are great also......SO DON"T LET ANYTHING STOP YOU......LEAVE.......

JH: Does that make it better? He's still a scum bag who dogdes taxes.

==========================================

.......Ummmm, I think you just made it worse, typical for people who argue out of anger and not logic, I suggest you quit before that hole you're digging gets any deeper.

Americafirst, You cannot possibly believe what you are posting! Before you assign poitical motives to EVERY act, you should try getting a little more knowledge. An uncomfortable truth of the last five or six years is that many Americans are struggling to maintain their households. Wages have been depressed while costs for food and energy have risen. Many areas of the country, including inner cities, lack supermarkets. The choices for food offer lots of high fat, high sodium, high sugar but little nutitional content. It is why obesity is a problem despite poverty. Many Americans that qualify for SNAP were not aware of it or are too ashamed to apply. Promoting the availability of programs that ultimately gets decent food onto
American tables, that drives sales in PRIVATE businesses and promotes healthier eating is a win for everyone. (Except for reality challenged hate consumed fools who see political motives in everything...)

Jhawk:

America is not broke, yet. But she is being robbed by big corporations and businesses that won't contribute anything to the country.

You see, we let you write off the cost of your Escalades and hummers. We allow you to deduct the wages you pay your worker, if you have some. We let you depreciate your business property, some for 30 years. We let you deduct all of your expenses incurred to run your business. We only asked that you support the country with decent jobs and pay for the workers that will help sustain and grow your business. We have kept our promise; we still let you do all those things. You, on the other hand, has reneged on your part of the contract--you have not created the jobs! You have decided to be greedy bastards and go back on your words. If we don't give you more preferential tax treatments for nothing in return, you will suffer the country. And if we still don't give you what you want, you will ship your jobs to overseas jokers, even to America's enemies and adversaries. And, now you want to take all the riches we have bestowed up on you and run???? Please, be our guest, and don't let the ocean's water wash your nasty behinds on your way out. By the way: when your new found country decide to take all of your wealth away, don't call us for help, and no, you are not welcome back!!!

Put that in your pipe and smoke that, Buster!!!!

Beach Sail,

I blame Obama for his lack of leadership, by giving us socialism.

Charles,

You seem to be very confused how things work. Companies wouldn't need those "write offs" if the government wasn't taking their money. It simply means that they take less.

Perhaps you think that those "write offs" don't yield jobs, but perhaps you just aren't thinking very clearly. Let's take the petroleum industry, for example. They get to "write off" money because of exploration. Do you think there are jobs involved in exploring for oil? Do you think that the wells that result from that exploration create jobs? Do you think that the additional oil results in additional jobs at the refineries? How about more jobs at the shipyard to build the tankers that transport the oil? Furthermore, you might want to ask the local store owner whether they would have as many jobs if the retirees who depend on the dividends from their oil company stock suddenly quit spending.

And, finally, without the credits for exploration, that leads to greater availability, there wouldn't be enough oil to make the plastic mouthpiece for that pipe........

""I’d never, ever would intentionally hurt a small business person," said Smith"

uh huh. except this one, with your ignorant ass sign.

yup, we're socialists now, because you say so, but if romney wins (he wont) we wil immediately not be socialists anymore.. how much y'all wanna bet? another rich white billionaire to save us.. uh huh

another rich white billionaire

He's not a billionaire and why does the color of his skin matter to you?

Xabre

The gas station owner should just put up a sign pointing to that billboard that says:

" <---- I didn't build that."

and that should solve the problem.

^^^^^

-but Rick Santorum said “The Smart People Will Never Be On Our Side”

If that doen't work get a quart of cheap black paint. Problem solved.

Except for 2 small little details.

1. You are advocating a criminal act.

2. If it was my sign and I caught you doing it, you would have a really really bad day. Whatever money you thought you had been losing, you would be losing a whole lot more due to medical bills. I love it how you Political people always thinks it's okay to do a criminal act to further your cause, but you suuuure have a problem with it when the other side does it.

In my front yard, there are currently 2 signs posted. One is Anti-Obama and one is Anti-Romney. They've both been up for roughly three weeks. I've had eggs thrown at one (Romney. The yolk actually makes him look hilarious and I left it for effect.) and Obama was both lit on fire and...well, had @!$%# thrown on him. (I've left that one too.) Both signs are inside my yard behind my fence, not even close to the street. Both times they got lucky, because I wan't home.

There is now a third sign right next to these two and it says it clear bold letters, "No Warning Shots: Protected by Glock". It's shaped just like the ADT signs too! I mean just what the sign says. I am so sick and tired of peoples disrespect due to Politics and I will deal with any @!$%# who decides my sign is his/hers to @!$%# with, if I can catch them. I've even rearranged my cameras so I can catch them on video. Not for the Police, but for myself.

I hope their candidate is worth their health and I hope they have Obamacare insurance, because they will need it. Bare minimum, i'm siccing my 3 Pits on them. And my doggies just love strangers.

I'm assuming none of you have a problem with this, as it's on my property behind fences.....

Actually there is ample precedent for a suit in this case.

True - and also the billboard owner's right to hypocrisy - no doubt the billboard owner believes that Obama's policies are hurting small businesses.

That's bad if Obama does it (hint, check out the policies, small businesses aren't being hurt), but hurting a small business and driving their customers away is a perfectly acceptable practice as long as we can say something (or lie) about Obama?

Feh.

The gas station owner should put us his own sign next to it with an arrow saying, "This is not our sign." Would take the message away from the Obama sign completely.

Under what claim Xabre? Offending Obama supporters is not a crime, yet.

Under the same claim that my neighbor can sue me if I paint my garage door bright orange so guests can easily pick it out in the line of townhouses. The sign is hurting their business, in the same way my would-be ugly garage would hurt my neighbors' housing values.

Actually, as a practicing attorney, I can unequivocally say there are absolute limits to freedom of speech. If your speech is infringing on another's right to earn a living, it may be unprotected speech. The government doesn't like to prohibit speech, but it will set time, place and manner regulations. First Amendment law, look in to it ;)

Aside from community restrictions on such behavior, you would win, so it's really a non-issue.

Crazy Republicans are the same people that feel fine stirring up a hornet's nest in the mid east under the guise of free speech.

Yes free speech should be defended, but people should have some personal culpability. Drive a local small business into the ground, start a few riots that result in Americans dying over seas... at least we still have that free speech!

So, do you people that think this sign is wrong support what OWS people did to local businessin New York fro several weeks last year? Entire businesses closed. Was that ok while this is not?

Right on, in the middle!! The usual Republican answer - deflect, deflect and derail from the topic at hand.

in the middle: I don't see anyone supporting anyone's obnoxious signs, OWS or otherwise. Now that's a derail.

this sign impinges on a neighbor's legitimate use of his own property. this is a familiar common law cause of action. the thing about conservatives is becuase they're used to having everything given to them by daddy. that is why they think they can just take other people's property. like their constant illegal use of musicians' intellectual property.

EDNYLaw, you Attorney's are the problem in this country! Including Heathcare! You pigs will go to any extremes to assure job security won't you? Scumbags.

They should put up more of these, because what it will do is back fire like everything they CAN'T FIX STUPID. LMAO

I would really like to know how this small business owner knows that that sign is actually causing him to lose business? I would argue that the sign is actually helping his business. I would rather buy gas from a gas station that had a sign like that over it, especially if the gas is now cheaper.

It is a shame that my son will have to grow up in a society dominated by liberal limp wristers and gutless politically correct morons.

Maybe because it says that the people were upset about it as it states in the article. I like the idea regarding the sign next to it with the arrow pointing to the other sign with "This is not our sign".

Duh Retired Navy, it's called 'counting your money'. The gutless limp wristers are the Smiths who did not have the balls to place the sign where everyone could tell it belonged to them. Pussies.

Haha!

So much for Republicans CARING about small business!!!

in the mid: Tell that to the business man who is losing business due to this Republican!

How do you know that person's a republican. Could be an independent or a disgruntled dem. Whiners are not winners.

Please explain that concept Bob.

"Rightwinger"?

Grow up Bob. Constitutional rights do not belong to a party or leaning. They belong to all citizens.

Aren't you glad?

Maxwell's Silver Hammer

in the mid: Tell that to the business man who is losing business due to this Republican!

Like you have the facts huh? You sure this guy is REALLY losing business or using this EXCUSE to gain publicity in a cheap stunt and fueled by the NBC liberal propaganda machine??

This article is biased and smells of seriously bad reporting and poorly titled headlines to garner ad dollars...

you my friend drink the kool-aid to much...instead of solutions you point fingers all day every day...by the way united we stand, divided we fall... so keep towing that liberal party line...

I tow no ones line and that sign is FREE SPEECH so screw off with any other point...

Shosyn if this story was about an Obama Sign driving away business you would be all over this story supporting this as 100% the truth.

Me personally I don't have an issue either way. He says the sign if effecting business, if he is doing it to get more people through on the publicity stunt then maybe he needs the money. Most people do, according to Washington in serious need of jobs?

If this is true then the guy needs to either move the sign, or add to it stating it is not the view of the gas station.

um, it seems to me the democrats are the ones who are not giving this guy their business they gave him before the sign was up. so its their blind party loyalty that is hurting this mans gas station, not a inanimate object not republicans.

Putting Obama back in office is like taking the Titanic and hitting the Iceberg... then backing up and hitting it again. The Libs say move forward....right off the cliff like a bunch of sheep. Obama has screwed the country hard and the socialists want him to screw it harder.

Capitalism has made this country what it is...socialism has failed everywhere else.

The number stated that receive any portion of their support from from welfare assistance--including food stamps--it is 29,900,000 or roughly 8% of the total population in the United States.

This breaks down to:
39% white 11,661,000 of 29,900,000 recipients
38% black 11,362,000 of 29,900,000
17% Hispanic 5,083,000 of 29,900,000

Now, let's try some other numbers. If 47% of people in the US (notice that this figure was "people" and not "voters") do not pay any taxes, this probably has a little something to do with the following:

In 2010, there were about 307 million people in the US
About 60 million were under the age of 14
About 16 million were between 15 and 18
About 40 million were over the age of 65
About 5 million were stay-at-home parents
About 9% were unemployed--which would be about 28 million

That's a total of 149 million people--or, guess what, about 48% of Americans. Now, some of those people have jobs, and pay taxes, but there is that 9% or so on welfare (who might be represented in that 9% of people who are unemployed--so I won't count them twice). But, yes, around 47% of Americans do not pay income tax (they have to be paying other taxes, sweetie, as you can't even buy bread without paying taxes)--which is the figure you are using.

So, 47% of people don't pay income tax because . . . 47% of people don't have an income. They are too young, too old, stay-at-home moms, unemployed, or too injured to work.

This whole article is a metaphor for the republican party.......Don't want to hurt you but we will.....until after the election.......LOLZ

Obama 2012 / Romney 1020

article..."He said he would be willing to discuss the sign with Ghaly, but hasn't heard from him. Ghaly, however, said he contacted Smith and Smith told him the billboard will stay up through Election Day."

Ask Deforest Smith....

website: georgejsmith dot com
George J Smith & Son Real Estate 247 Broad St Milford, CT 06460
203-783-9999

first of all, it would be amazingly helpful if people knew what "socialism" really was. They live and benefit from it every day, in the measure of medicare, social security, the Postal Service, their local power company, their municipal water authority, waste removal and many of us rural residents enjoy having fast internet supplied by a single provider who receives subsidies from the state/fed gov't. President Obama has had more lies spun about him from haters who admit to "not concerning themselves with fact checkers". I suppose it didn't bother those people one iota whenever George W Bush awarded practically every single military contract to the Haliburton Corp? Selective memory and judgement rules the day with the people living in their bubble. But there is little doubt in my mind that a sad-sack republican wasted his money on the bulletin board, and if it's costing some small business income... well, just another instance of hypocrisy on the "party of no's" part.

JH-479998 The scum bag you're bitching about left this country with a surplus which took George only six months to waste and have the debt counter right back on. if you want to complain about a scum bag try Reagan,either Bush you want or Nixon. That scum bag Reagan and his gun running buddy Oliver North are two of my favorites.It's obvious you wouldn't know a scum bag if one kicked you square in the ass.

P Roberson, You simply don't know what you are talking about. There are hundreds of companies that are 'frequent fliers' of government military contracts. When a sole source contract is done, it is for very real and well documented reason. Reasons do NOT include political patronage. At least not until the 0 took office. It is about time Americans stood up and demanded what is right instead of being cowed by community organizer types. Bosses have allowed Equal Opportunity Employees to get away with poor performance out of fear. They have hired less than the best just to check the box. I had a trainee that a coworker warned would have me doing her job. First day, Sharon tried. Second day, she threatened, and I responded that if she truly believed I wasn't training her fairly, she should take her complaint to the front office. She backed down and started working. Too many are afraid to stand up to them. It is time.

HAHAHAHAHAHA! That sign is soooooo true!!!!!!!

If it was hurting my business I'd just show up at 3 in the morning with a bucket of paint...problem solved !

The word Fascism comes from the Roman Fasces which was a battleax surrounded by supporting wood that strengthened it. It was a metaphor for Mussolini's philosphy where the battleax represented the state and the supporting wood was industry and the commercial section to support each other. The people be damned.

Sounds like Republicans to me!

yea vandalism is the answer sparkncarl

Ever notice Obama has never denied being a socialist?

ever notice they"NEVER" accuse him of being a muslim?...honkies are evil!!!!!!!!

PRoberson - Hows Medicare, SS, And the Post Office doing? How many BILLIONS are they in debt? Yeah, socialism works just fine!

You democrats have to stop getting so butt hurt.

I agree with the sign theres audio/video of dear leader expressing how he would search out the communist professors radicals etc but that being said I wouldnt stop going to a business because of a persons political veiws. I buy plenty of music and watch movies of people with political views far off of my own. If I like the business Ill still go there no matter how the person thinks

F You DeForest Smith!

If President Obama is a socialist, I am Walt Disney! I voted for the man, but I have no truck with saying he is a flat out corporatists, enabler of the banksters and extender of drone attacks and military operations all over the world. Tell me which socialist agenda would encourage banks gouging Americans, and extension of military operations? Anyone who calls President obama a socialist has ZERO understanding of what socilaism, or democracy or republicanism (small r) is all about.

FZknew - here the answer to your question (from Forbes):

Democrat strategists know that the American electorate reacts strongly negative to “socialism” and are doing their best to discredit any and all who call Obama a socialist. There can be no doubt that Obama is a socialist in the European reform-Marxism tradition. In France, Obama would be the candidate of the French socialist party. In Spain, he would be at home in the Socialist Worker’s Party. In Germany, Obama would be torn between the Social Democrats and Die Linke. In “Old Europe,” the welfare state is well entrenched. Elections are about tinkering at the margin. The United States has still to decide whether it wants the European welfare state or not. Obama does. Romney does not.

Democrat strategists discredit Obama-is-a-socialist claims by equating them with the ludicrous charge that Obama is a card-carrying communist of the cold war tradition. That is not what is being said. European socialists are proud of their rich tradition and heritage that date back to the split with revolutionary Marxism at the turn of the last century. In the United States, however, candidates must conceal rather than openly proclaim their socialist beliefs.

The upcoming November election offers American voters a choice that is starker than they understand. Obama brings to the table a deep distrust of free enterprise and a belief in government as the solution to most problems. Romney offers a vision of faith in private enterprise and a distrust of government intervention. Obama will disguise his views with “fair share” slogans and weak protestations of faith in private enterprise.

Both sides might as well come clean. Obama should make his health care reform a centerpiece of his campaign rather than pretend it does not exist. Romney should explain the insights into American capitalism he gained at Bain Capital and why that qualifies him for the Presidency. Both should state their positions clearly and let the electorate decide. The winner will have a mandate for action.

#3.31; Forbes, the champion of capitalism, is a reference for commenting on socialism?Cognitive dissonance is what that is.

If you actually believe President Obama is anything close to a European socialist, then I can't change your mind; merely point out that you REALLY do not understand socialism, European or not.

How about some thoughts from REAL socialists regarding President Obama?:

FROM: www.wsws.org/articles/2012/sep2012/obam-s08.shtml

Barack Obama’s speech Thursday night accepting the Democratic Party's nomination for reelection provided a fittingly cynical and demagogic conclusion to two weeks of media-scripted conventions staged by the two official parties.

The speech was at once hollow and dishonest. This was in keeping not only with the debased and anti-democratic character of US politics as a whole, but also with the particular role assigned by the ruling class to the Democratic Party. Its job is to create the illusion that it represents a more progressive and “pro-people” alternative to the unvarnished reaction espoused by the Republicans, thereby maintaining the political monopoly of the corporate-financial elite.

..............

And there were the corporate oligarchs, to whom Obama had to provide assurances that his demagogy was not to be taken seriously, and their interests would continue to be secured in a second Obama term.

The core conceit of the speech—and of the entire Democratic Party campaign—was Obama’s assertion early on that the American people face a stark choice in November “between two different paths… between two fundamentally different visions for the future.”

..................................

Obama’s presidency has from day one been devoted to protecting the wealth and power of the Wall Street elite. He has opposed any public works programs to directly hire laid off workers, or any other measures that might threaten the profits of the corporations. He intervened to block bills in Congress that would have limited executive pay at bailed out firms. Not a single top bank executive has been criminally prosecuted, let alone jailed, and just last month the Justice Department announced it would file no charges against Goldman Sachs.

Fearful of offending Wall Street, Obama immediately followed his allusion to Roosevelt with an assurance that he had no intention of implementing social programs to create jobs or alleviate the social distress spreading across the country. “And by the way,” he said, “those of us who carry on his [Roosevelt’s] party’s legacy should remember that not every problem can be remedied with another government program of dictate from Washington.”

Unfortunately for you, you have been fed a bunch of propaganda which is created to have the 98% of Americans who earn less than $250,000 per year prop up those 2% who earn more, lots more! Anyone who believes in the two party system has been fooled.

As Gore Vidal famously said: "There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party ... and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit stupider, more rigid, more doctrinaire in their laissez-faire capitalism than the Democrats, who are cuter, prettier, a bit more corrupt — until recently ... and more willing than the Republicans to make small adjustments when the poor, the black, the anti-imperialists get out of hand. But, essentially, there is no difference between the two parties"

Maybe Fayez Ghaly from USA Fuel in Milford, CT should turn on the TV. Could it be that customers are not using his gas station because of all the anti-American protests going on in the mid-east? It is the only way intelligent Americans have to protest. When I know for a fact that a country is doing something that is against my religious or moral beliefs, I simply protest by not buying their imports. Does that hurt the American small business? Probably, but maybe they will get the hint and stop selling products manufactured in that country.

I saw a billboard on RTE 95 in Providence, RI a few years back. The billboard was huge and had a picture of GWB that read "IMPEACH BUSH". Not one article in the national news, nor the national television media that I ever saw. No articles about whining business owners complaining about losing business due to it.

It seems that President Obama's supporters are the folks who are, for lack of a better word, boycotting the gas station and are the one's responsible for the drop in business. This article is another BS, non story.

Douglas Oates' honky reference is a biggoted response and only proves the point that he refuses to accept the simple fact that this is politics, President Obama has been accused of being a Muslim, he, himself admitted this fact by saying he attended Muslim school, but no longer follows that faith. But Douglas Oates decides to sling biggoted mud and bury his head in the sand.

Independent inSD - Great post. I was awake all night trying to figure out who the 47% really represented. Knew it would be a large portion of elderly and not that many unemployed. Wouldn't it be nice if Romney included Exxon and GE, etc among those 47% who don't pay FIT and are comfortable with the government taking care of them?

P Roberson - good reminder about all the socialist programs we do have.

And to Geo - SSA and Medicare are doing just fine if they were kept separately from general government use, and yes, with some sensible corrections will do fine for decades. And the PO would be doing fine if they hadn't been required to prefund insurance for the next billion years.

in the mid: Tell that to the business man who is losing business due to this Republican!

Oh please. waaa effin waaaa. When an Obama ad comes on tv I generally change the channel. Who knows how many ads for other things I've missed because I changed the channel. How much possible business did other companies lose because Obama chose to air his Romney-hate-ad? Should they demand that he stop running ads?

People get pissed off about politics. Any ad for or against one side or the other is going to piss people off.

That's a total of 149 million people--or, guess what, about 48% of Americans. Now, some of those people have jobs, and pay taxes, but there is that 9% or so on welfare (who might be represented in that 9% of people who are unemployed--so I won't count them twice). But, yes, around 47% of Americans do not pay income tax (they have to be paying other taxes, sweetie, as you can't even buy bread without paying taxes)--which is the figure you are using.

Uhm, maybe in SD you can't buy a loaf of bread without paying taxes, but there are many states that have no sales tax (Delaware is one) or have limited sales tax, not charging on necessities, such as food and clothing (for example, Minnesota).

So, 47% of people don't pay income tax because . . . 47% of people don't have an income. They are too young, too old, stay-at-home moms, unemployed, or too injured to work.

It isn't 47% of Americans who pay no federal income tax, it is 47% of people who file a federal income tax return who pay no federal income tax. If you have no income, you wouldn't file an income tax return, and you aren't included in that number. So, using your number of 48% of Amerians who have no income, and the 47% of the remaining population who file income tax returns (24% of the population), I guess it is actually 72% of Americans who pay no federal income taxes.

Okay, Natedom, we will agree that approximately 47% of people do not pay federal income tax. However, it is true that around 12% are seniors on Social Security. If their total income is below a certain level then they will owe no federal income tax, but they probably still have to pay state taxes, and then there is also their property tax, etc. And please let us agree that they are not lazy, freeloaders who have never paid federal income tax. They worked the majority of their lives and then now, in their retirement, are getting their meager Social Security check. Be assured they are not out buying fur coats and Mercedes with those whopping Social Security checks. And, yes, it is true, that if you have a job, a percentage is taken out of your check to help out all those pesky old people and those freeloading disabled veterans, or just the average disabled person. You know some people just want to get sick, right? Some people just love it when they can't work anymore, or can't drive anymore, or can't really "live" anymore. They do it on purpose just to steal your money, right?

Isn't it the Christian thing to...care for the elderly, the disabled, the hungry, the poor? Oh no, that is called...dum, dum, dum...Socialism!

Okay, let's talk about some of those other supposed "freeloaders"--the people who work one or more jobs, but make minimum wage. First off, they don't make much money to begin with. Then a few years back a kind and compassionate Republican president, (Reagan), decided to give some tax breaks to the average family, to try to help them, in the form of the child tax credit. As we all know, he also bravely said that a bus driver should not have to pay a higher tax rate than his boss and called for a "fair tax" system for all. How dare he ask a businessowner or CEO to pay his fair share? This compassionate man would be voted out of the country club. And, although this hardworking mom or dad, or both, end up paying no federal income tax they still pay payroll taxes, most likely state taxes, property taxes, etc.

I will certainly acknowledge there are those who take advantage of "us" collectively through our government and that really sucks, but it is not just certain individuals on the lower end of the income scale, there are plenty of people at the top end in our collective America that do everything they can to get every dime out of everyone else around them, but put nothing back into the society that they take full advantage of.

Let us not forget there are the corporations that are people, too, that fall into this category of paying no federal income tax; Exxon Mobil, GE, and many of the Wall Street firms. On top of paying no federal income tax, you give them part of your paycheck in subsidies or "corporate welfare". I guess they deserve it, right?

I dont really know the definition of Socialism, but I know this.

I do not want one solitary penny of mine to be redirected to anybody else, just because the Government says I have to do it for "the betterment of all". I am not responsible for the health and wefare of "all". Nor is the "all" responsible for me.

All I know is this. Although I cant help but pay taxes for my food and what-have-you, I know that the Government will never see another dime of Income Tax from me. I have systematically done what I have to do in order to achieve this goal and it is 100% legal.

It's amazing what you can do if you actually read the Tax codes. It's even more amazing if you dont give a @!$%#, which I dont. @!$%# Obama and @!$%# Romney.

Mickey Mouse 2012.....

Dearest SFV:

So you get away "scott-free" with driving on the roads and highways that everyone else pays for? And, if you call the police or the fire department you get them for free, too, huh? Also, you are so financially well-to-do that you will never need Social Security? Or, God forbid, if you get really sick or injured and are permanently disabled, you will have money to last you the rest of your life? Wow!...that's really great. You sound like such a caring individual...you fit right in with the new American way of thinking.

Not really EngEsq. For example I cannot paint my house 'hot pink' because it would be a detriment to my neighbors' housing values. When your rights infringe upon the rights of others there are grounds for suit.

Xabre, a billboard is already zoned in. The speech is not outside of typical usage of the billboard (obscene, etc) and political discourse is usually given even higher constitutional protection.

It's tacky, but not illegal.

Xabre, a billboard is already zoned in. The speech is not outside of typical usage of the billboard (obscene, etc) and political discourse is usually given even higher constitutional protection.

It's tacky, but not illegal.

Ehhh the suit would probably go to verdict, I'm not sure if it would be successful.

He isn't saying that he disagrees with the content, it is just driving away potential customers. Doesn't matter who buys your gas if you are trying to sell it, or the snacks inside.

In the words of Michael Jordan during his playing career: "Republicans buy shoes too."

Maybe, but I highly doubt it. But that really isn't my specialty, so I could be mistaken.

When expressing an opinion infringes on someone else's rights, we've got a problem. People have equal opportunity to hate any candidate they chose in this country. You're wanting to control his opinions only supports his statement about Obama and his supporters.

Xabre: I think you are confusing Home owners association rules with State and Local laws. Not the same thing pal.

If I dont live in a home owners assosiation I can paint my house hot pink if I want to. Want to know why ITS MY HOME.

Show me a State LAW, not a Rule that says I cant paint my home hot pink if I want too.

@EngEsq, I hope you're not a practicing lawyer in the US. Any lawyer who took a basic Con Law course and passed the MBE section of the bar would know that the government can easily impose time, place and manner restrictions on speech. Especially where said speech is infringing on another's ability to earn a living.

Xabre: I think you are confusing Home owners association rules with State and Local laws. Not the same thing pal.

If I dont live in a home owners assosiation I can paint my house hot pink if I want to. Want to know why ITS MY HOME.

Show me a State LAW, not a Rule that says I cant paint my home hot pink if I want too.

Nope. There's cases dealing with this very matter. It's the same reason the city can come mow your lawn for you and send you the (inflated) bill when you neglect your grass. There are some elements of free speech (like my desire to have knee deep weeds for a lawn) that are detrimental to the rights of others and thus are restricted.

But on the topic of homeowners' associations, they can have even tighter restrictions. For example, only residents living adjacent to the county road can have fences, and only wooden ones at that.

In the mid: "When expressing an opinion infringes on someone else's rights, we've got a problem."

But there's no problem with infringing on a small business man's profits! Oh What a GIVEAWAY!!!

Xabre: Really, I still do not see a State Statutes, code or other showing a State Law describing what you claim.

Sorry to say but no anyone even a city worker who enters my property without permission or has a warrant is by law Trespassing.

Leatherneck: Then your Google is broken. Here is but one example:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/massapequa-lawn-mowing-fine_n_1590964.html

And FYI, that's a local ordinance, not a homeowners' association.

@Leatherneck - that's because it's usually city ordinances that set those codes, and it's the city that enforces them. I'm sure not every city has these rules in place, but when I was growing up in New England many towns had rules where all the houses in the center of town had to be painted white and could only have white lights at christmas, etc..

I agree -- a block over from where I live someone painted their house an "electric lime green". Neighbors didn't like it but they couldn't do anything about it. I was at our neighborhood meeting and several people were grumbling but the city atty said......not a thing they can do. "Infringing on a small business -- only if he was blocking the driveway. It's free speech fair and square. Would we be having this conversation if the billboard was a slam against Mitt, no I didn't think so. You can't have it both ways, it's called hypocritical.

Oh, but we would be having this conversation if it WAS a slam against Romney. You people would be doing the same exact thing, so don't even try and play innocent.

Sorry Dottie, but I think you would be having the same conversation if it was slamming Mitt. Hypocrisy goes both ways.

Alaska -

You ASSume too much.

I support 1st amendment (and 2nd, etc) regardless of who is involved.

What do you mean by "You people"? Sounds like some sort of "ism"!

It all depends on whether you think an anti-Romney sign would drive potential customers away. I'm betting that in Connecticut it would not, and therefore would not be an issue.

that's because it's usually city ordinances that set those codes

All the more reason to live in the country.

Oh, Larry, you are just so humorous with your "ASS" comment. I also support the first amendment. Not the issue. The issue is trying to say that if it were Romney's name up there "you people" wouldn't take any issue with it at all. I call total bull$hit on you and the rest of your kind. Oh, and the "you people"? That is an Annieism. You know, the country club trophy wife who wants to redecorate the WH in a dressage theme. The same one who refers to those not of her wealth and stature as "you people". You know, people like you.

Typical dumb fk Obama voter. Don't even know why or who they don't like because they are so fuggin uneducated in the first place. Read up on this awipes associations while he grew up and in college. Than you'll understand the sign. Readup on Acorn. Know facts.

Xabre, if you were stupid enough to elect someone into office, city council, whatever, then you deserve to have to mow your grass. That ordinance did not just show up on its own, someone put it in place. In most places, home owners associations deal with that. I am fortunate enough that I could paint my house bright pink and get away with it. I could also not cut my grass, but I have never been that rude to subject my neighbors to that. There were obviously self absorbed people which led others to want a change. Get over yourself and your stupid mundane issues. The sign is legit, just as it would be if it was anti-Romney. You just wouldn't be spouting your nonsense if that was the case.

OTE...I never knew the $200,000 crowd all fit into the 1%'ers. I rest my case on how entirely stupid you folks are. You actually believe the bullchit coming out of that socialists mouth.

I'm not sure how the conversation moved from a billboard with a political message to whether you can let your lawn get out of hand. I also don't get why people have to slam one another. This isn't about republicans hating on small businesses. It might be about democrats avoiding doing business with someone who has an opposing political view, but they are free to do that as well. And, yes, I know the sign isn't the property of the business complaining about it driving customers away, but the claim is that customers think it is.

Which brings up two simple questions. Why NBC reporters never seem to ask basic questions is beyond me. First, is the sign legitimately placed, not according to the property owner or the gas station owner, but according to the city. Second, how do we know that any customers have actually stopped doing business with this gas station over the sign? NBC seems incompetent at producing valuable information.

Rich the reason it seems that way is because it is not their job to present facts, their job is to keep the divisive line drawing going on because if we the people ever do come together to overthrow our oppressors they will have zero chance of stopping us. they will continue to foster the separation because it has thus far been very profitable.

On the edge; You sound like a smart guy. What is an "orfice." Oh, and "you' is spelled as such. When insulting someones intellect you may want to use spell check.

Sorry, but unless the sign is blocking customers from entering the business it's considered "Freedom of Speech"

It's just what you liberals say when that fanatic church in FL goes around to funerals of Servicemen and curses the soldier and his/her family.

We may not like it,,but that's the way it is.

EngEsq

Xabre, a billboard is already zoned in. The speech is not outside of typical usage of the billboard (obscene, etc) and political discourse is usually given even higher constitutional protection.

It's tacky, but not illegal.

I see a potential civil suit. Does the 1st ammendment protect the person who put the billboard up? yes. Can he be sued for lost income due to the billboard? Absolutely.

I would round up the biggest bunch of shark lawyers and sue the hell out of the guy.

Free speech is free speech. But words have consequences.

The truth hurts, I guess!

EDNY,

"Especially where said speech is infringing on another's ability to earn a living."

I do agree with you, but the sign is not infringing on the station owner's ability to eanr a living. He just isn't doing as well as before the billboard went up. Or so he (the article) says.

Are we sure that the reason sales have dropped is because of the sign? Perhaps it has more to do with the rising gas prices...... they are, after all, twice as high now as they were when the President took office......

what a load of crap.

The sign was a socialist Obama "Job Paid for by your Federal Government" sign. Not a creates private business sign. That is your trickle up Obama plan.

Is there no end to Right-wing hate and NASTINESS?

No, sadly Edward as long as there's a black man in their White House, gonna be some heads exploding and mouths with diarrhea running. Name-calling, stereotyping and bible-thumping is what the right does best. They forget though... whenever one of their own digs us into a huge fiscal pit and, most of all that Jesus WAS NOT a republican

P Roberson - Seriously? Jesus was not a Democrat or a Republican! He cared about & loved all people, regardless of their ignorance! Jesus would not support abortion (what you do to the least of these...), Jesus would require hard work & dedication, going the extra mile to support yourself & help out others! Love is not self-seeking, greedy, etc... He would not expect a handout, he would be the one handing out & helping others. Not all of us so called Bible thumpers are name callers. In fact I love how you play the race card. In order to do so - you are implying and the one filled with hate or it would be a non-issue. I happen to be white, and voting Republican this round, because Obama failed in nearly every promise & commitment. Go back and watch his 2008 pre-election rhetoric filled promises! Lest I digress, I am white - happen to be voting Republican this time and guess what - I give lots of my hard earned (yes, I work hard)money to charity and guess what: I had 3 of my own children, could have rested on my laurels and lived a pretty decent cushy life, but I ADOPTED - BLACK, yes, BLACK children out of foster care, older children, who now have a good life filled with LOVE, COMPASSION and material things they would have never had before. So, it is NOT about RACE, it is about RECORD, and broken promises. What have you done outside of having diarrhea of the mouth?! Have you put yourself last? Have you stepped outside of your comfy life and not just talked a good talk, but actually ACTED? Oh, yeah many of us Bible thumping REPUBLICANS do!

If this sign were about Romney, people would simply giggle and there would not be this whiny mentality of my someone hurt my feelings - let's sue and name call!

"I’d never, ever would intentionally hurt a small business person," said Smith.

He said he would be willing to discuss the sign with Ghaly, but hasn't heard from him. Ghaly, however, said he contacted Smith and Smith told him the billboard will stay up through Election Day.

2 LIES:

1. 1st lie: Smith said he'd "never intentionally hurt a small business person"--he might have claimed ignorance before but now that he's been told -- he is INDEED "hurting a small business person!"

2. 2nd lie: Smith said "he hasn't heard from Ghaly." But Ghaly contacted Smith who told him the "billboard will stay up through Election Day.

Republicans = LIARS! So much for their claims to be PRO BUSINESS--huh? Here is a MAGNIFICENT example!

Oh yeah, and the dumbocraps are for small businesses as well, lol.

Republicans = Liars

Democrats = Liars

Libertarians = For Small Businesses

Dumbocraps? Seriously? How is anyone supposed to take your opinins seriously when you write asenine things like that...

Typical dumbocrap. Anyway, dumbocraps and republicants need to get their brain back in reality.

Trying to figure out the difference between Democrat politicians and Republican politicians is a lot like trying to figure out how to pick up a dog turd by the clean end.

denver bill 2 - okay that has me LMAO too funny but oh so true. But that being said, I will still vote for Romney/Ryan come November. We have hit bottom, the only way is up.

Oh ho ho ho, I wouldn't say that. Things can get a lot worse, and honest economists, scientists, and resource experts say it will get worse over the next 20 years.

Anyone who expects the necessary world hero to come from the oval office, from one of our two joke parties, has missed the boat...big time.

denver - I lol'd on that, but Obama 2012 - and no votes for any GOPers this year.

Hey Happytimes!

You can't be a Dem / Lib and theres no way you lol'd. Because Dems & Libs are misreable people w/no sense of humor and to busy thinlking up excuses for there dear leaders!

The truth hurts, I guess!

The truth hurts, I guess!

Actualy there ARE ordinances for things like this and Mr. Ghaly WOULD have a sound case-hands down!!

teresa -

So you are familiar with the ordinances of Milford, Conn? You should inform Mr. Ghaly right away!!

Right . . .

You mean that SS check that will not begin to offer a positive ROI for all the SS taxes he (and the business) paid in over the years?

Sorry, his 1st amendment right trumps your ignorance.

Theodore Cleveland, well now let's see. China has a sub in the Gulf, Libya says more protests to come and where is YOUR president well he is partying with Jay Z and Beyonce at a fund raiser. Yup he really cares about this country doesn't he. But on the other hand maybe he is partying 'cause he knows he is gonna lose come November? eh.........

That was not an argument, that was a talking sheet for a neo-con radio pundit. Learn the difference, because arguments and intellectual debate is what this country needs.

I'm not an Obama supporter, but I'm wondering how many hours he spent partying specifically with Beyonce and Jay-Z? I'm also wondering how many hours Republican candidates have spent at fundraisers with other celebrities? Is is the same? More? If Ted Nugent spent more time at a Romney fundraiser than Beyonce did Obama's, will you admit that you are wrong?

And don't give me nonsense about Obama being the President while Romney is not, yet. He has just as much a right to raise funds, and it is a necessary evil, I just don't like people peddling CNN and FOX News hypeutainment as personal insight.

Oops, your ignorance is showing.

Seems like Obama believes he has this election on lockdown so why not get off the campaign trail and tend to business. He needs to step up and do something about all this antiAmerican crap going on around the world!! Oops..forgot he has..in so many ways...starting with giving billions to the muslim brotherhood. What has he gotten back for this..his great friends calling out Obama, Obama, we are all Osama as they burn our flag, descreate our embassies, murder our citizens.... This is the man that should run our country??? NOT.

Muslim Brotherhod crap again? Lay of the teahad fascist propaganda BS drilled into your empty head 24/7 by Rush, Faux Noise and the Karl Rove COC backed Crossroads, Koch backed and funded Americans for Austerity/Freedomworks-ala Dick Armey, Family Research Council-Tony JERKINS led crappola, World Nut Daily, and Stormfront to find out the truth for a change. Tall order I know but with your kind and to quote the words of ytour illustrious candidate, Robme which the reich wing base will vote for even though they KNOW he's a fraud, liar and doesn't hide his contempt for ordinary people: " Our campaign does'nt NEED fact-checkers".
Too bad, because those fact-checkers have had plenty of job security just trying to keep UP with Robme's lies, let alone put the actual truth out there that clearly debunks his BS. Knock off the fascist CRAP already.

Where did he bring up race?

Is it true that total indoctrination is Bliss?

Dr Larry

You mean that SS check that will not begin to offer a positive ROI for all the SS taxes he (and the business) paid in over the years?

Sorry, his 1st amendment right trumps your ignorance.

But his 1st amendment rights dont trump someone elses rights genius.

The gas station owner should sue for lost income.

One short definition of Socialism is "...government controlling the economy." So right now, the republicans, conservatives, tea party, the racist, the Ku Klux Klan, etc. (one group do you belong in?) blames the Obama/Obama adm. for the so called bad economy for his so-called socialist type programs. I don't remember the last time when everyone was happy about the economy (some do better than others, in certain economy. Sometimes way better). Question: So when the economy was good, or becomes good, or better, whether it be a republican adm. or democrat adm., why do that particular adm. gets the credit for it, if supposedly they should not have any control over it. In other words, why would a republican adm. take credit for a good economy situation if they supposedly had no or should not have no control over it. What I am getting at if the truth be told, the present adm. just have different focuses and policies vs. the conservatives who would cut taxes to benefit the haves and relinquish or eliminate opportunities and help for the have nots.

Wonderful addition to the discussion and discourse, J. matthew... resorting to name-calling. It shows a total lack of maturity and that your "opinion" here is worth less than nothing.

J. matthew,dont forget the ones who suddenly died after being near ovomit also:) Seams to happen alot:)

+

Putting Obama back in office is like taking the Titanic and hitting the Iceberg... then backing up and hitting it again. The Libs say move forward....right off the cliff like a bunch of sheep. Obama has screwed the country hard and the socialists want him to screw it harder.

Capitalism has made this country what it is...socialism has failed everywhere else.

@ dottie girlalso show us a anti-romney billboard....turd!!!!

Why limit it to democrats going to the station? All reasonable and rational people should go. Lets not limit this to Dem vs. Rep. Its about common sense and one obnoxious man being unresonsable.

Do you have your name, address, and phone number on this post?? On any signs reagrding this election at your business or home??? YOu may not like his message but he has every right to say it...so stop bitchin' and go find a muslim to apologize to for your hero Obama.

Blind faith in your own intellect? Same effect.

We understand socialism as "the community over the individual". When the government imposes this concept, then it is the opposite of individual freedom. Obama is indeed for more government control "for the good of the community". Of course, he defines the "community" as those that agree with him.

Marxism says socialism leads to communism. Enough isms for you?

FREETHINKER??? Hardly. If you don't understand Obama is in fact a Communist, you must really be blind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge3aGJfDSg4&feature=player_embedded

Most people only parrot what they hear. Call them on their knowlege and they are hard pressed to come up with an answer. I love it when people get upset about the HCR calling it socialized medicine, I tell them we have had socialized medicine since 1965 and it is called Medicare.

Dr Larry, thank yu for your enlightment on the isms.

For all you people who don't know the difference, we have been a quasi-socialist state since the Constitution was ratified. How do you think things like our infrastructure are in place. Socialism. In a completely capitalist system the govt. would not provide these services. So stop complaining. I think the right is only pissed off we have a President who is half-black and they can't stand that.

Read earlier posts. A couple of them gave the definitions

Socialism. Let me think! Cuba, N. Korea, Vietnam, Venezuela, and lets not forget those that took it to the next ism step. The great Commies! Soviet Union & China. The only difference between Socialism and Communism is that one is forced upon you through the barrel of a gun. The other! with words like compassion and fair share. Words that Obama loves.

I agree with you up to voting for Obama. Why vote for the guy who made us 16 trillion plus in debt. Vote for Gary Johnson, who is proving that he is for the people, by the people.

$16 trillion is the total debt (i.e. all time). Recheck your figures.

I actually agree with you rerere! Vote for Gary Johnson! LOL Hey, why not vote for Mr. Goode(spelling). He is running as an independent or maybe the Green party? Anyway, go ahead and vote for either of these two.

US Supreme Court would disagree with you. And for your edification Romney is considered to be in that 47% based on his tax rate.

Sign looks great bama has had his butt covered by the news media for three and half years

I can't tell who he is voting for? It sounded to me like he was going to vote for Romney, please clarify :)

Correct that $16 trillion is total debt.

It was:

5.7 T in Jan 2001

7.6 T in Jan 2005

8.7 T in Jan 2007

10.6 T in Jan 2009

14.1 T in Jan 2011

16 T now.

Notice the trend?

5.1 T in 8 years, then 4.5 T in 3.5 years.

Since Congress "spends the money", note also that the Dems took over Congress Jan 2007.

Repubs took only the House on Jan 2011.

Deficit is the difference in debt each year, and has grown significantly in the past few years.

Numbers are available from the US Treasury (www.treasurydirect.gov).

What happened to the SIX of 8 years Bush had a REPUBLICAN CONGRESS and that's when all his crap policies were able to get passed since intimidating dems to "give in" by gop bullies is what got us the bank bailo-outs, MC D rammed through Congress and two friggin wars that our President DARED to show transparency by actually having to put those on the books. Spin it all you want LIAR but that the fact IS, Obama's so called "spending" the fascists shriek about is the lowest by any Administration in close to FORTY YEARS!!!!

teresa -

Dream on. Easily dispelled by the government web sites.

BTW: Do you remember Barry's promise to reduce the federal deficit? Thought not. How's that goin?

Even if the president was able to wipe out the $16 TRILLION in national debt, we are still a broke nation.

Yep. Sharriannie, you are right. However, chasing bad money with good doesn't help at all, does it?

You have not begun to think.

No...Obama himself has admitted to his socialist leanings. What you just wrote borders on slander.

The REAL welfare queens are the very wealthy who don't pay their share in taxes. My husband and I are taxed in the 30% range and we like our money, too. Romney is kicking in 13% of his and singing the national anthem...if we went by tax rates to measure patriotism, Romney looses. If people would get off FOX and think and read we would be, all of us, so much better off. We might even address climate change since that has been going on for 30 years now. You would think the FOX audience would consider that Rupert Murdoch is an Australian!! for goodness sake....like he has the best interest of our nation in his vile heart, not to mention the UK Parliament declared him unfit to run such a big media company. "UNFIT" that means of low character, folks. You are UN-informed....

David, why is it that the folks who support Obama refuse to do any research on him? The media is strictly extreme liberal so they are not going to tell the truth ! The assertion you are referring too is mild verses the truth! Obama's mother was a beatnik "traveler commie" her father was drinking buddies with Frank Marshal Davis "most wanted during cold war by the F.B.I." Frank by Obama himself refers to many times in "Dreams from my father" was his youthful mentor.The first job Barry ever received in Chicago was through Bill Ayer's father Tom Ayer's and boy what a rep these two have! And then we have Rev.White who Obama and Michelle prasied up until election time, offered him $150.000 to stop talking "that didn't work so Obama himself in a private meeting went to visit him? God Damn America Not God Bless America~everything I have said has names and timelines with it! Interviews with Stanley Anne Dunham's babysitter when Obama was only a few days old living in Seattle Wa. ! Her former highschool best girlfriend, who says she showed up on her doorstep with a newborn..her Mercer Island, Wa. school famous during the 60's for parent marches against the staff for giving marxist lectors and anti American books to the students. Anne herself hung out in the halls of anarchy. Obama born August 4, 1961 his mother enrolled and in attendance at WSU Washington not Ha. or Kenya on August 14, 1961. Honolulu all socialist marxist crowds and many of these co commie's have said that they knew Obama Sr. and Stanley Anne Dunham and no one can recall seeing the two of them together ever in Ha.? Obama was not born in Ha. and he wasn't born in Kenya! Frank Marshal Davis was visited by Barry as a young boy 2 -3 times a week per neighbor! Stanley Anne passed off her Anthropology for big banking corps all over the world,lived in a Hilton in Asia and Pakastan for years..with Barry visiting her..worst yet in Obama's own words her and Lolo Soetero's differences were he wanted to work for an American oil company and she was heard at night by Barry telling Lolo Americans are not my people "this is in Obama's book" supposely written by him but more than likely by Bill Ayer's . Too much to write but the information is out there..either Obama is purposely destroying our economy or he is a complete idiot! His mother was very intelligent and I am positive Barry Obama is filling her shoes "not his alcoholic wife beater paligamist father's shoes"

The word was "Lecture" :(

I laughed (and liked!) the billboard I saw in Austin, TX recently:

Obama: End of an error

There aren't many Republicans in Connecticut and certaily not enought to support a business. My guess is that Mr. Smith is venting because he is a lonely minority in Connecticut with noone to talk too. He's probably just hoping to find a friend or two that share his political views, because he certainly won't have any impact on whose getting the those electoral college votes from Connecticut.

You first. Start with Hayak's "The Road to Serfdom".

Yes - we agree with the truth. You should try it some time.

Spoken like a true Democrat spend, spend, spend. More money towards education solves nothing - how about restoring the family unit or teaching values to children at home.

Well then you need to talk to all the dumbocrat politicians who are cutting education programs for the last 4 years. In my area there have been 4 school closed and all the dumbocrats say is(as usual)its a republican problem. DUMBA$$!

Appraiser you have to have education to even have a family unit. Without education you cannot feed that family.It is also hard to have time for the family unit when you have to work two or three job's to support them. I guess when you are a rich republican then you have plenty of free time to do do all of what you are talking about. Having to work sixty to seventy hours a week does not allow it. You people with lots of money talk a lot of bs.

Maggie -

how many highschool drop outs do you know who are sterile? You have to have education to have a family unit? Really. Take Chicago as an example since the teachers are going to get a raise - 50% drop out rate - and the population is shrinking due to folks not having families?

You could have thought that one out a bit further.

Hybrids are a MUST!! YOU'RE the dinosaurs who insist we keep having to build gas guzzlers and crap all over fuel efficent cars. My family have more important things to spend our hard-earned money on then dumping $200-$300 into a big truck or SUV like so many I know do. It's ridiculous and as much as YOU deny it, KILLING our environment with our addiction to fossil fuels and YOUR insipid party who wants to make sure they'll be the ONLY game in town in the USA. THAT'S a dinosaur toots. I fill up about every 2 weeks and always bought gas misers. It is just now I can buy quality gas misers made in THIS country now thanks to auto industry restructuring. Hopefully YOU dunces won't ruin THAT for us who believe in conservation and the health of our environment.

Haven't noticed tk1966 calling you out for name calling, so I will.

BTW: Is it true that total indoctrination is BLISS?

Best comment in this whole thread!

Actually, he is exercising his 1st amendment right. As are you.

Do YOU run a "small business" so-called DR Larry? IF so, may I put up an anti-Robme sign in front of YOUR business and protect MY RIGHTS of "free speech"? Of course in rethug fantasyland, "small businesses" are NOT indpendent gas station owner, bookstore or bakery proprietor because THEY don't have millions of dollars to donate to the teahads and are able to cheat the system by saying they're a "small business". You trot out people who got LOADS of money in government loans to "start a small business like that liar on the "You Did'nt That" ad and the whiner at the RNC Convention who got 850,000 in loans from the government but cried that the ACA is "forcing him lay people off now". Your endless BS is so deep and Robme "steps in it" everytime he opens his lying mouth.
Obama/Biden 2012 AGAIN!!!!

I think NO, NO NO!!!! Obama not again!!! We are in a worst situation after Bush was taken out of office!! People are so ignorant. Tell me one thing that Obama did these 4 years???? The US is in a critical MESS!! Did you know that the UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WENT UP??? GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN VERY SKY HIGH WITH OBAMA IN OFFICE! THE ECONOMY IS HORRIBLE!! I have been struggling like you don't know how to make ends meet and I am not a business owner or anything just a low class office worker. We don't need to keep going backwards. There was 4 years of nothing being done and we truly need a change. I am not a political person and I don't take sides but I see the reality. Let's give this new person a chance and if not well, we will keep looking for someone else who can finally put an end to this economical mess!

Absolutely correct, as an Independent I didn't like McCain or Obama but after four years of dismal failure, it's time for a change and a new President who hopefully can make a real difference and not just failed promises and lies.

If I lived up there I'd like to put another sign just like this one on the other side of the station.

And they're not taking piles of money in government subsidies and hand-outs like the RED STATES are all the time since us "leftists believe in paying our taxes for the betterment of our communities", instead of driving up the deficit with wars and useless, endless tax cuts that have proven to do NOTHING to "create jobs" unless its OUT of the country.

P.S. Spare me "the USA has the highest corporate tax rate in the world" lie. I don't even want to hear the reich wing BS anymore. So glad my TVs can all be "muted" when the liars start their spew. RELIEF!!!!

teresa -

Alaska, Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico, Vermont, North Dakota, New York, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana. These are the top ten states, ranked in order, receiving federal dollars per capita.

-Source: US Census Bureau, 2010 (latest available).

Is total indoctrination really Bliss?

BTW: The US has the highest corporate tax rates of the developed/industrialized countries. You can do the research.

The US has the highest corporate tax rates of the developed/industrialized countries.

A rather pointless fact when over 60% of them zero out their tax liability or receive billions is corporate welfare.

What were you saying about bliss again? After all, you copy and paste it all over the place like it means something.

The US has the highest corporate tax rates of the developed/industrialized countries

I agree with NYMike.

Most large corporations pay little or no taxes. Some even get millions of dollars in refunds. Please also note that other developed/industrailized countries do not have the system of loop holes the US has.