Off-Topic

The idea that we should have "fairness" in the tax code is not itself illegitimate. And while there is some support on the right for a flat tax, most serious tax reform proposals, including Ryan's budget, retain progressivity in the form of higher rates for higher earners (in a sense, even a flat tax is somewhat progressive in that higher earners will pay a larger share of the nation's tax burden than lower earners). My issues with the President making this a centerpiece of his campaign are twofold: (1) he doesn't seem to recognize, or at least his "fair share" rhetoric doesn't seem to, that we already have one of the most progressive tax systems in the developed world; and (2) when growth is slow, unemployment high, and deficits spiraling out of control, "fairness" should not be the dominant criteria for our tax system.

"Suspend?" Is that the same as dropping out? Or is this temporary due to his daughter's health issues?

and (3), we know the "fairness" argument isn't some principled and consistent argument anyway, because no one is even remotely suggesting that the tens of millions of American wage-earners who pay no federal income tax pay THEIR "fair share."

I've still never heard any argument properly articulating why there shouldn't be a minimum (hell, pick 1% if you want) tax for all wage-earners if your central point is that EVERYONE should pay their "fair share."

On another note, wtf is going on in China? Their party congress this fall could get ugly, and when that happens things tend not to end well for people who like to stand in front of tanks

Lame. I wanted my vote to mean something.

I don't know, many of Maury Povich's guests probably wish they pulled out.

Fixed.