Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:05 PM

Anyone watch Dr. Ben Carson on FOX??

Is he the RW answer to President Obama? Is he Herman Cain with a brain? There is much to be admired about Ben Carson's life and the role model he has become for poor children of single black moms. I watched him at the Prayer Breakfast (he was invited by the RW organizers). His message was seemingly inspiring and balanced from the political aspect...except it was very nuanced and anti- Dem/Obama. He doesn't like Obamacare and prefers insurance savings accounts from birth (like everyone could afford this) he wants a flat tax for everyone (not a really bad idea if it means tested so that the flat rate is higher for the wealthy than for the middle class and working poor. Don't know what his details would be.)

At any rate, it seemed like the President was rather cool to his speech (as was I) while Michelle seemed to love it.
Be prepared to do careful vetting on who is sponsoring Mr. Carson. I think his hat will be in the ring come 2016 as GOP contender in case Rubio can't cut it.

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13 replies	Author	Time	Post
Anyone watch Dr. Ben Carson on FOX?? (Original post)	kelliekat44	Feb 18	OP
You can watch the prayer breakfast o You Tube.	kelliekat44	Feb 18	#1
The point of a flat tax is that it isn't graduated.	Jackpine Radical	Feb 18	#2
Dead on Dude - nailed it! n/t	Ligyron	Feb 18	#7
You're very smart, and I appreciate your clear explanation	appacom	Feb 18	#9
Experience?	sadbear	Feb 18	#3
yes, but they are desperate!! nt	kelliekat44	Feb 18	#4
Carson is a religious nut.	Dawson Leery	Feb 18	#5
It's Fox, so I haven't seen it.	Tommy_Carcetti	Feb 18	#6
Totally agree	appacom	Feb 18	#10
He says he doesn't believe in evolution.	sadbear	Feb 18	#11
Certainly it does.	Dawson Leery	Feb 18	#13
Carson is currently the right-wing's Negro du jour	Tom Ripley	Feb 18	#8
Hannity shorted out his radio mic the other night while salivating about Ben Carson	Orrex	Feb 18	#12

Response to kelliekat44 (Original post)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:10 PM

kelliekat44 (1,243 posts)

1. You can watch the prayer breakfast o You Tube.

Last edited Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:11 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

forgot the link

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Response to kelliekat44 (Original post)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:13 PM

Jackpine Radical (36,565 posts)

2. The point of a flat tax is that it isn't graduated.

It wouldn't be "means tested so that the flat rate is higher for the wealthy than for the middle class and working poor."

It's 17% (or whatever) off the top of everyone's income.

Some proponents do propose that the first $20k (or whatever) be exempted, so to that extent it resembles a graduated tax.

However, the problem always comes in the form of defining "income."

If I buy 1000 widgets for $10K total & sell them for $20k, my gross intake is $20k, but my gain is only $10K, so surely I should only be taxed on the $10K

If I have to buy a truck to haul the widgets around, the payment will come off my profits, but how should I amortize it?

If I take someone to lunch in an effort to persuade her to buy my widgets, is that a business deduction?

Etc.

Pretty soon you're back in the same mess, but with a lower nominal rate on the rich & a higher real rate on the poor.

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Response to Jackpine Radical (Reply #2)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:34 PM

Ligyron (169 posts)

7. Dead on Dude - nailed it! n/t

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Response to Jackpine Radical (Reply #2)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:39 PM

appacom (168 posts)

9. You're very smart, and I appreciate your clear explanation

Thank you. You helped me.

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Response to kelliekat44 (Original post)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:16 PM

sadbear (4,218 posts)

3. Experience?

Are republicans willing to admit all their criticisms of President Obama have been utter bullshit?

Yeah, I know they're steeped in hypocrisy, but this is pushing it.

Plus, deep down, I don't think they'll be able to find enough teabaggers to support a black candidate. And this guy would probably not be an establishment pick either (he hasn't earned that yet.)

Long shot.

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Response to sadbear (Reply #3)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:18 PM

kelliekat44 (1,243 posts)

4. yes, but they are desperate!! nt

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Response to kelliekat44 (Original post)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:30 PM

Dawson Leery (8,331 posts)

5. Carson is a religious nut.

Remember that!

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Response to kelliekat44 (Original post)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:32 PM

Tommy_Carcetti (16,436 posts)

6. It's Fox, so I haven't seen it.

Last edited Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:33 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

That said, I have heard about Carson's comments at the prayer breakfast and it just goes to show that someone could seemingly be accomplished and well-educated in certain areas and still come off as a total moron in other areas.

It's a sad, unfortunate truth.

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Response to Tommy_Carcetti (Reply #6)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:40 PM

appacom (168 posts)

10. Totally agree

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Response to Tommy_Carcetti (Reply #6)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:45 PM

sadbear (4,218 posts)

11. He says he doesn't believe in evolution.

How a world-renowned neurosurgeon cannot believe in evolution blows my mind.

Being a republican is one thing, but this is totally another. This guy has been exposed to so much evidence in regard to the reality of evolution, but chooses to believe in something that has zero evidence. That speaks more about him than anything else, IMO.

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Response to sadbear (Reply #11)

Mon Feb 18, 2013, 12:51 PM

Dawson Leery (8,331 posts)