D. Do you back the Pope's visit?

Michael Jeans: The Pope is making an official state visit to Britain in September, will you disassociate your party from his protection of Catholic priests and his opposition to all contraception, embryonic stem cell research, treatment for childless couples, gay equality and the use of condoms?

David Cameron's Closing Statement (First Debate)

Well I think it has been a great opportunity to have this debate. And I think one of the things I've heard during this debate is just repeated attempts to try and frighten you about a Conservative government.

David Cameron's Opening Statement (First Debate)

I think it's great we're having these debates, and I hope they go some way to restore some of the faith and some of the trust into our politics, because we badly need that once again in this country.

David Cameron's Opening Statement (Second Debate)

Thank you. It's clear from last week's debate that the country wants change. But the question is, what sort of change and who's best placed to lead that change? If you vote Conservative, you will get a new team running the country from May 7th. And you won't be stuck with what you've got now.

DC: Tax has risen because government has spent more and wastefully

DC: We should try and work together when we can

NC: I'm acutely aware that I don't do enough on climate change

NC: Our tax system is grossly unfair

Nick Clegg's Opening Statement (First Debate)

I believe the way things are is not the way things have to be. You're going to be told tonight by these two that the only choice you can make is between two old parties who've been running things for years.

6 million people in this country receive tax credits

Big tax switch for ordinary people - £750 back on pockets

Brought down the basic rate of tax from 23% to 20%

Can't afford tax give-aways—but you can switch to a fairer tax system

Don't pay tax on the first £10,000

Fair tax rises

Get economy going via efficiency savings - avoid Labour's job tax

Half a million people have had tax credits when on short time

Inheritance tax threshold for couples is £650k—pay not tax below this

Irrational to tax air passengers rather than planes

Not fair that tax credits go so far up the income scale

Not possible to make great big tax give-away promises

Provide tax credits

Raised top rate of tax for incomes above £150k to 50%

Retain tax credits

Rise in the top rate of tax for those above £100k per year

Should target tax credits at the people who most need them

Shouldn't have to give your home to the tax-man when you die

Taking away pension tax relief for those above £100k per year

Target tax credits elsewhere

Top 20% of recipients of tax credits shouldn't receive tax credits

Will stop National Insurance tax that hits the lowest paid hardest

Won't keep child tax credit for families earning over £50k

Bottom 20% pay more in tax proportionately than top 20%

Millionaire pays lower tax on capital gains than cleaner on wages

Need to roll up our sleeves and make savings this year to stop job tax

Passenger tax doesn't apply to planes carrying only freight

Tax per plane would cut down on unnecessary pollution

Worst thing for a recovering economy is put a tax on every job

David Cameron

Leader of the Conservative Party

Gordon Brown

Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party

Nick Clegg

Leader of the Liberal Democrats

UIU SOC 384 2009 Term 2

Illegal immigration; good or bad for America

I like many Americans thought that illegal immigrants were harming the economy

Proposed reform not "government run" program

Neither the proposal in the House of Representatives or in the Senate do any of what you are suggesting they do - not government run, actually saves money, not for those with high incomes.

torn

Either way we (tax payers) are going to pay. If we require drug testing and treatment there is a hefty cost. If we don't have those requirements then we are not really fixing any problems.

Gay marriage is a civil and federal right and has personal effects

Gay marriage is no different then heterosexual marriage and therefore is a civil right and a federal right that should be applied to same-sex couples as well. Futher, gay marriage can benefit many because of the personal effects that will take place as well.

Government run Healthcare is too expensive

A universal health careprogram run by the government could end up costing the tax payers $848 billiondollars (pbs.org....).

Government run healthcare is too expensive.

A universal health care program run by the government could end up costing the tax payers $848 billion dollars (pbs.org....)

If welfare required work, poverty would drop substantially.

Despite welfare reform, major programs such as food stamps, public housing and Medicaid continue to reward individuals that do not work or only work a minimum of hours.

No Child Left Behind Act is not benefiting all children

The NCLBA was put into place so that all children benefited from their education so that no child was just passed from grade to grade without actually learning their math, grammar, how to read and write.

No Child Left Behind Act is not benefiting all children

The NCLBA was put into place so that all children benefited from their education so that no child was just passed from grade to grade without actually learning their math, grammar, how to read and write.

No competition, parenting, and teachers are failing public education

John Strossel completed a report on public schools in America here is what he uncovered

Parents Should Pay Child Support

Parents do have an obligation to pay child support for the wellbeing of their children. Government intervention in the child support process can be convenient and help reduce the families' needs for public assistance.

Poverty is not self induced

Being poverty stricken or under the poverty levels is not something most people strive for in life. I do not think that it is a choice or self induced.

Social insurance programs could bankrupt the nation

We have an imminent threat to our fiscal status if we allow the unprecedented growth and health care entitlement programs to continue as is.

Spending $848 Billion Will Not Solve Healthcare Reform

Healthcare reform has been a heated debate since the turn of the 20th century.

Strictness should apply for TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) should continue with strict stipulations in providing families with temporary assistance.

The US needs to provide affordable health insurance to all

Health Care Reform is a very important piece of legislature that needs to be passed. It needs to cover the uninsured yet not raise costs on the currently insured.

We Should Act Before OASDI Becomes Exhausted

The largest part of OASDI is the payment of retirement benefits. Throughout a worker's career, the Social Security Administration keeps track of his or her earnings.

A nationwide group health insurance plan could benefit everyone.

I agree with you whole heartedly. I think that a group health insurance plan could benefit everyone and be the answer to rising health care costs.

Can we Really Mandate that all States and Territories Require this

I will concur that especially in this tough economic time there are people in need. But I will also say that the people that pay for these programs; the taxpayers, are subject ot the same harmful effects. The federal governments job is not to tell us how to live or what we are to support.

Government intervention is needed

When I think of government intervetion in the business sector, I think of white-collar crime.  

I Agree With the Lack of Social Responsibility

It seems that as time has gone on in this country, more and more people have become dependent on the government.

I support the mandatory minimum wage

However, this needs to be within reason and scope of the industry

If reform is the answer, we should look at other countries for ideas.

The more I think about it, the more I tend to believe that everyone should have the right to healthcare. When I think about our system, it seems like a system that is out for profit. It is not really designed for the benefit of citizens. If reform is it , maybe we should look at other countries.

Living in poverty for a lengthy period of time is a matter of choice.

Do people have rough spots in their lives? Absolutely. Is it fair to help these people out? Absolutely. Is it fair to have to spend millions of tax dollars on the very capable people that are crying poor me everyday? Absolutely not.

Some public schools do need help

Children attend school within the school district in which they reside. Schools in wealthy cities will have better support than schools that are less supported by a strong tax base.

This could force recipients to be sober

I also support this mandatory requirement be enforced, but it should not just be limited to TANF funds, it should be system wide that any state or federal welfare program should adopt.

Welfare does need reformed and new solutions looked at.

I would agree that the welfare system in the United States does need to be reformed and new solutions added to fix the problem. Over the years, the welfare system has been overused and abused. This has placed a huge burden on society and the taxpayers.

Globalization is a good thing but needs better regulations

Many large corporations have moved their businesses and jobs overseas where not only are there less regulations to follow but also more workers available

Health Care reform needs to happen quick.

With the health care costs increasing as we speak, there needs to be some solutions to fix the problem. Many feel a total overhaul of the system is the best solution to a big problem in the United States. Controlling health care costs and reform needs to happen now.

Minimum wage needs to increased

Raising minimum wage would not be a correct-all step for the war on poverty, but it is a step in the right direction.

Minimum Wage Should be Adjusted Yearly to Keep up With Cost of Living

While the federal minimum wage may be set at $7.25/hour, this does not mean that all states are required to have this as their minimum wage.

Obama has identified savings to pay for healthcare

According to CNN.com Obama identified "hundreds of billions" of dollars worth of savings in the federal budget that would help finance the health care reform.

Pay for drug treatment and save tax dollars.

Numerous studies can be found to support the economic sense of paying for drug treatment. If taxpayers don't pay for it, then the they end up paying more for treating individuals who have advanced further in their addiction and have numerous medical needs due to their addiction.

Personal Experience was Easy

From my personal experience, filing for and receiving food stamps was relatively easy.

Tax Dollars should not be allocated or spent on drug abusers

I have to disagree with your position on the basis that my tax dollars are not to be spent on a person, family or anyperson that is abusing an illegal drug.

The children will suffer either way.

If a child is being raised by somebody who is abusing drugs, presumably spending our tax money that they receive in the form of TANF on getting high, then the child is suffering anyway. Which is the worse of two evils?

The Time for Reform is Now

"In recent years the U.S. has made little progress in reducing what has been called the 'uninsurance' rate. The number of uninsured fluctuates, primarily due to changes in unemployment." (DiNitto, 297)

We Should Fix the Current Programs First

Medicare and Medicaid were established to provide health assistance to the elderly, poor and disabled.

Who pays?

I belive that this program should be mandated, yes the tax payers are the ones to pay the bill but right now... those same tax payers are the ones coming for the assistance.

UIU SOC 384 TERM 6 Social Welfare Programs Policies

This is a project of the Upper Iowa University SOC 384 course students, Term 6 2009 on Social Welfare Programs and Policies.

Obama's universal health care plan to vague to agree with-SN

I am more 'moderate' than republican or democrat, but I do not agree with Obama's universal health care reform. Under my father's insurance he only pays 10 as a co pay for certain prescriptions. His insurance could not be any better.

Then what about child dependents?

So, should we also then do away with the child dependent tax credits as that also costs us money -- including those of us without children?

A positive effect of welfare reform

We hear different aspects of welfare reform, this study I reviewed seems to show one positive outcome.

A Theory of Justice? Stacy Davies

In my opinion a nation can never agree on a theory of justice in order to make everyone happy. To view more click on the expanded text.

Boosting the Sluggish Economy

I thought that getting a child tax would help me but I only hurt me

Child support payments not always enough

A parent paying child support should be held equally accountable for supporting their child as does the other parent.

Economic inequality due to consumer debt/credit

The inequality in our economy is due to the rich getting richer and the large amount of consumer debt we carry.

Flat tax will benefit us in the long run Myriah B

In my opinion we are still feeling the "Reagan-Bush Finale" to where the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. The biggest issue is taxes; who should get taxed, who should get the taxes, and what should be taxed? Dinitto, author of Social Welfare

Food industry not helping to eat healthier

The five a day for better health program encourages Americans to eat at least five serving of fruits and vegetable every day to improve health

Has the TANF program worked

Since the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) was created as a block grant in 1996 has it worked toward "ending welfare as we know it."

Mass Media Role on America's Perception of the Poor.

The influence of Mass Media on society can be found in what we wear, how we vote,what we eat, where we live, what is socially acceptable, and the list goes on. Moreover its effect has been extremely powerful over the poor.

Smoking Ban should be countrywide MB

In the Spring of 2008 Iowa's governer Chet Culver placed a nosmoking ban throughout the whole state. What this meant for smokers is that all places of business were going nonsmoking which also included state government vehicles.

Tax system needs to change for Economic equality

The "War on Poverty" officially began when Lyndon Baines JOhnson inacted the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. (Dinitto, 2005, page 41). The goals of this program were to allow poor communities to develop their own programs to fight the war on poverty.

The federal government is costing us money

Since 1990, the federal government has instituted programs to help pay for childcare. The child care programs have become a costly program for the government and tax payers.

Two looks at tax overhaul

There has been and continues to be quite a bit of discussion about tax reform. One of the two major tax reform issues is the Fair Tax and the Flat Tax which

Flat Tax

Flat tax is the way to go. It appears fair and equal for everyone. This tax is simple, encourages investment, less bureaucracy, more money for the people and no more loopholes (Ryan, 2008, p. 1).

Flat tax is crutial to changing our society.

The flat tax idea would greatly benefit all members of our society, regardless of socioeconomic status. This would help persons who are poor to "get ahead."

Flat Tax will benefit and is fair

A flat tax percentage is fair, but many believe that the wealthy should pay a larger tax because they can "afford" it. This is wrong. Why should a person that has made their way and achieved success be punished, in a sense, for being wealthy, and having to pay a higher tax?

Overall cost to prohibit marijuana is staggering

The cost of keeping marijuana illegal does not stop at the cost of active law enforcement.

Welfare should have a time limit

I believe that welfare should have a time limit on how long a person is able to receive welfare.

Come to a comprosmise between Flat vs. Fair Tax

I believe both taxes have their good and bad points, therefore, I feel both theories’ need to be analyzed side by side and come to one conclusion.

Disagree Fair Tax would be more comprehensive

I would like to see any type of tax reform but I think the national sales tax also known as the fair tax would be more comprehensive than the flat tax.

Fate of Social Security

The United States has been talking about the fate of Social Security for many years. Social Security does exist for those that need it in the future, but it was never intended to be a person's sole source of income in their retirement years.

Flat Tax not beneficial to working Americans

I disagree that the Flat Tax would be the way to go. It is a way of penalizing our work.

Government run health care would lead to lack of confidentiality-Stacy

Eventually, the government knows everything when it funds a program and it is up to them what they allow people to know about others around them.

Govt. needs to do more for the mentally ill. MB

I don't feel that the government's current program (ecspecially on a state level) assits the mentall ill to its full potential. For example, my uncle was diagnosed 3 years ago with a mental illness. My father helped my uncle apply for aide for meds and housing.

I disagree with Flat Tax- Destiny Cooper

Overall the flat tax sounds good but i disagree with it for one reason.

The needy should never be given the same quality coverage-SN

I have always wondered about how the government can afford to help all those who need assistance with health insurance, and then the economy took a drop.

Underpaid teachers depends on location

Inner-city public schools are often left with little money to fund their schools and teachers and therefore leaving teachers to be underpaid.

Autobio Rance Duffy

Hello everyone I am Rance Duffy, I live in Nixa, Missouri located in the southwest part of Missouri between Springfield and Branson. If you have heard of the Ozarks of Missouri this is the location and if you have heard

The Coalition: Our programme for government

"This is an historic document in British politics: the first time in over half a century two parties have come together to put forward a programme for partnership government." Explore, rate, comment and build on this interactive, collaboratively editable map of the mind of the Coalition government.

14. Families and Children

The Government believes that strong and stable families of all kinds are the bedrock of a strong and stable society. That is why we need to make our society more family friendly, and to take action to protect children from excessive commercialisation and premature sexualisation.

2. Business

Business is the driver of economic growth and innovation, and that we need to take urgent action to boost enterprise, support green growth and build a new and more responsible economic model.

24. Political Reform

The Government believes that our political system is broken. We urgently need fundamental political reform, including a referendum on electoral reform, much greater co-operation across party lines, and changes to our political system to make it far more transparent and accountable.

29. Taxation

The Government believes that the tax system needs to be reformed to make it more competitive, simpler, greener and fairer. We need to take action to ensure that the tax framework better reflects the values of this Government.

4. Communities and Local Government

The Government believes that it is time for a fundamental shift of power from Westminster to people. We will promote decentralisation and democratic engagement, and we will end the era of top-down government by giving new powers to local councils, communities, neighbourhoods and individuals.

7. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport

The Government believes that a vibrant cultural, media and sporting sector is crucial for our well-being and quality of life. We need to promote excellence in these fields, with government funding used where appropriate to encourage philanthropic and corporate investment.

9. Deficit Reduction

The Government believes that it is the most vulnerable who are most at risk from the debt crisis, and that it is deeply unfair that the Government could have to spend more on debt interest payments than on schools.

Create the most competitive corporate tax regime in the G20

We will reform the corporate tax system by simplifying reliefs and allowances, and tackling avoidance, in order to reduce headline rates. Our aim is to create the most competitive corporate tax regime in the G20, while protecting manufacturing industries.

Examine a ‘gross profits tax’ system for the National Lottery

We will examine the case for moving to a ‘gross profits tax’ system for the National Lottery, and reform the National Lottery so that more money goes into sport, the arts and heritage.

Freeze Council Tax in England for at least one year

We will freeze Council Tax in England for at least one year, and seek to freeze it for a further year, in partnership with local authorities.

Increase % tax revenue accounted for by environmental taxes

We will increase the proportion of tax revenue accounted for by environmental taxes.

Increase employer National Insurance thresholds

The increase in employer National Insurance thresholds proposed by the Conservatives will go ahead in order to stop the planned jobs tax.

Increase the personal allowance for income tax

We will increase the personal allowance for income tax to help lower and middle income earners. We will announce in the first Budget a substantial increase in the personal allowance from April 2011, with the benefits focused on those with lower and middle incomes.

Introduce transferable tax allowances for married couples

We will also ensure that provision is made for Liberal Democrat MPs to abstain on budget resolutions to introduce transferable tax allowances for married couples without prejudice to the coalition agreement.

Peace, stability and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland

We will continue to promote peace, stability and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland, standing firmly behind the agreements negotiated and institutions they establish.

Power to veto excessive council tax increases

We will give residents the power to veto excessive council tax increases.

Protect jobs by stopping the proposed jobs tax

We will protect jobs by stopping the proposed jobs tax.

Reduce spending on the Child Trust Fund for higher earners

We will reduce spending on the Child Trust Fund and tax credits for higher earners.

Reduce the couple penalty in the tax credit system

We will bring forward plans to reduce the couple penalty in the tax credit system as we make savings from our welfare reform plans.

Refocus R&D tax credit on hi-tech and small firms, and start-ups

We will consider the implementation of the Dyson Review to make the UK the leading hi-tech exporter in Europe, and refocus the research and development tax credit on hi-tech companies, small firms and start-ups.

Reform the administration of tax credits

We will reform the administration of tax credits to reduce fraud and overpayments.

Review IR 35 and all small business taxation

We will review IR 35, as part of a wholesale review of all small business taxation, and seek to replace it with simpler measures that prevent tax avoidance but do not place undue administrative burdens or uncertainty on the self-employed, or restrict labour market flexibility.

Tackle tax avoidance

We will make every effort to tackle tax avoidance, including detailed development of Liberal Democrat proposals.

Tax non-business capital gains at similar rates to income

We will seek ways of taxing non-business capital gains at rates similar or close to those applied to income, with generous exemptions for entrepreneurial business activities.

Increase the personal allowance to £10,000

We will further increase the personal allowance to £10,000, making real terms steps each year towards meeting this as a longer-term policy objective. We will prioritise this over other tax cuts, including cuts to Inheritance Tax.

Decentralism and Localism Bill

A Bill will be introduced to devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods and give local communities control over housing and planning decisions.

National Insurance Contributions Bill

Changes to National Insurance will save jobs and support the economy.

Queen's Speech 2010

The Queen outlined the Government’s priorities for the coming Parliamentary year in her Queen’s Speech following the official state opening of Parliament on 25 May 2010.

Tax and benefits system

The tax and benefits system will be made fairer and simpler.

Welfare Reform Bill

The tax and benefits system will be made fairer and simpler.

What should Obama do next?

A series of debate maps for The Independent exploring the question of what Obama and America should do next on the main policy issues facing the new administration after the inauguraton on 20 January 2009.

Tax incentive for companies that hire displaced workers

President Obama should offer tax breaks to companies that hire unemployed workers.

American Opportunity Tax Credit

Make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit.

Extend the first time homebuyers tax credit

Public investment driven economic recovery plan

The Obama administration should launch a significant public investment plan to help drive economic recovery.

Retaining the estate tax at its 2009 level

Retaining the estate tax at its 2009 level.

Rolling back Bush tax cuts

Rolling back the Bush tax cuts for Americans earning more than $250,000 per year.

Shine the Light on Federal Contracts, Tax Breaks and Earmarks

Tax breaks to encourage adoption of renewable energy sources

Tax breaks to encourage wind, solar and other renewable energies.

Tax CO2

Obama should introduce a tax on carbon dioxide.

Tax Policy Incentives for Growth and Job Creation

Tax Policy Incentives for Growth and Job Creation.

Apply via a check box on tax form

Enable families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used.

Implement the Stern review goals via carbon tax

Implement the Stern review goals via carbon tax.

Insitute a tiny tax that doubles every year

Institute a tiny tax (e.g. penny a gallon)—linked to negative impact—to double every year.

Small Business Health Tax Credit

Create a new Small Business Health Tax Credit to help small businesses provide affordable health insurance to their employees

Tax credits for premiums for all who need it

Ensure everyone who needs it will receive a tax credit for their premiums.

Tax penalites for companies exporting jobs

Tax penalties and disencentives for companies exporting jobs.

Avoid health care options that use tax dollars to fund abortions

Decreases the number of foreclosures

The tax credit often goes to buyers who would have bought anyway

There is evidence of fraud in the program

Increase in house prices is artificial and temporary

May increase foreclosures later

The tax credit is an unfair redistribution of wealth

The tax credit is not cost effective

UIU SOC384 Term 1

Economic Inequality

The economic inequality in American has increased dramatically over the past few decades. One factor for economic inequality is a biased social class system; such as a defective tax administration and exemptions for the wealthy (Begovic, n.d.).

Food Stamp Programs need to be revamped TC

I believe that the Food Stamp Program needs to be revamped and what is purchased should be limited to items that are necessary to maintain daily nutritional values.

Food Stamps are a great idea!

Food Stamps help those who are, working for low wages or working part-time, Unemployed, Receiving welfare or other public assistance payments, Elderly or disabled and are low-income, or Homeless.

I do not see that the EZs and ECs have made much of a difference- RS

I find that the enterprise and empowerment zones have not really resulted in much change.

Position Statement-Kerry Conrad

The role of government should be limited to what is necessary to ensure good health.

Same-Sex Marriage should be recognized

Whether it is homosexual or heterosexual marriage, the meaning is the same.

The American poor are misrepresented based on the Poverty Guideline.

For most Americans, the word "poverty" suggests destitution.

The gap between rich schools and poor schools

There is a higher risk for school drop out in poor neighborhoods when the funding is not available.

Will there be any money left for use?

The United States “spends more for healthcare than other…nations, yet fewer Americans have health insurance” (DiNitto, 2005 p. 343).

Early educational programs are important

Early education programs benifit more than just the student. It's also good for our economy.

I agree American has a stereotypical view of the poor-Katie Bright

I agree that people do get a very stereotypical idea of what it means to be poor from the media. I think that this does make some people feel ashamed to get the help that they need, because they don't want to be associated with that stereotype.

Immigration Costs Tax Payers in Texas Substantially - KC

Many states have a higher number of immigrants. “In the largest states where most undocumented immigrants actually live -- California, Illinois, New York, Texas and Florida -- no significant anti-immigrant legislation was enacted this session or last” (Progressive States Network, 2008).

Is it Hola or Hello?

Over the last decade we have seen an increase in the number of illegal immigrants coming to the United States...

Tax policy contributes to discrepancies

As mentioned by Karyl, our recent moves in regards to tax policy have contributed to widening the gap between the rich and the poor. While the progressive tax system of our nation may seem unfair to some, creating tax cuts for the wealthy only puts additional strain on the lower social classes.

The Gap In School Funding is Distressing! - KC

Texas has a "Robin Hood" law pertaining to this very issue. The state takes funds from the taxes of wealthier school districts and distributes the funds to the school that lack funding.

Don’t judge a school by its cover.

I would say driving by different schools from town to town or state to state we can see differences in school buildings, roofs, and playground equipment...

Jobs are on the decline

Just because you have a degree, doesn't mean that you have job security, if you can find a job to begin with.

Opposing Argument Heather Balk

Although a strong government is important to be a power-holding nation, how much government control is too much?

Placement is important, but potentially temporary

While workfare policies as a whole, including the JOBS program, aim to increase the stability of employment for needy families, they focus primarily on immediate employment instead of long-term stability.

Anthropogenic Climate Change?

Mapping the causes, consequences and potential responses to climate change—in collaboration with the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence, the Open University's Knowledge Media Institute, the IQ2 Green Festival on Climate Change, and The Independent.

Carbon tax

Introduce various forms of carbon tax.

Kyoto Protocol goals

The Kyoto Protocol proposes a greenhouse gas emission scenario aimed at avoiding the worse effects of climate change (see description in Details text).

Stern Review goals

The Stern Review on the economics of climate change offered a proposed scenario for reducing greenhouse gas emissions sufficient to avoid the worse impacts of climate change (see description in Details text).

Congestion Tax

Cities can charge a fee for vehicles that enter city cores during congested times of day, to encourage substitution to public transport services that have a better greenhouse gas footprint.

Income tax rebates

Structure carbon taxes as income tax rebates.

Offset CO2 tax by equal reductions in other taxes

Tax write-offs for research and development

Tax write-offs for research and development into greenhouse gas reduction.

Tobacco tax

Tobacco tax.

Electricity producers seek lower-carbon alternatives

Electricity producers would seek lower-carbon alternatives.

A right to pollute

A carbon tax gives the right to pollute to the rich.

Governments do not look for ways to tax people

The purpose of government is to provide for society. It is people agreeing on how they want to live and share resources. We make up and decide our government. We use the police and judicial system for things we do not agree with. "Sins" is a religious term and has no meaning here.

Increase inequality between North and South

A carbon tax could increase inequality between northern (who can afford to pay to pollute) and southern countries (who can't afford to pay to pollute).

Long term price elasticity of gasoline is high

The low (10% or less) price-sensitivity for gasoline Dan Sperling cites is short-run only.

Low-price elasticity in transport sector

A carbon tax wouldn't induce drivers to switch to low-carbon alternative fuels because virtually none are available.

Global warming is a government tax scam

Governments have run out of ways to tax us. So, using statistics and psuedo-science, they have figured out another way to make us pay for our sins.

Amanpour CNN

Christiane Amanpour's live global interview program ran on CNN from September 2009 to April 2010 with the aim of setting the agenda for a new global conversation. Debategraph worked with Amanpour to map this conversation online – producing a map of around 3,000 ideas.

Objectives of Obama's Afghanistan Strategy?

General McChrystal talks to Christiane about the Mission in Afghanistan (See the Details text for video on transcript (Aired December 13, 2009 - 00:00:00 ET).

Sharp reduction in tax evasion

Collect carbon tax at the mine, well-head or port of entry

Greece has introduced a gas tax

Greek government has just tabled a tax reform

Return tax revenue to public as monthly green check or tax reduction

High levels of tax evasion

Insurgents needs to be able to tax the population

Middle Way is less risky than either extreme option

The Middle Way avoids the risks of both trying to do too much and doing too little.

Tax reductions will help to bring the Republicans on board

Program Transcript - 15 February 2010

Greek PM George Papandreou Discusses Plan to Save Greece from Debt

Program Transcript – February 24

A New Look at the Climate Change Debate

Climate Change, Fact or Fiction?

Any changes to aviation industry?

I would be happy to pay more tax if the money went to the environment.

Need more citizen based incentives

Give tax breaks or council tax reductions to those contributing to reducing CO2

Poorer air quality

Especially with long hot summers

Can we trust complex science?

carbon tax will pay for plans to tackle climate change

Con's and Libs agreed to a floor price on Carbon.

Reducing/avoiding emission activities

Tax breaks

Tax breaks are on offer as an incentive to encourage people to adopt certain environmentally friendly practices.

Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)

This is a tax imposed primarily on energy-intensive industries, and will have particularly adverse consequences for export industries and import-competing industries. Many rural and urban enterprises will collapse.

New green building manifesto

"We know how to reduce the emissions cost-effectively from almost any given home or building by 50%", say the UK Green Building Council in their recently released Green Building Manifesto.

"European Commission favours dirty energy over renewables"

Friends of the Earth - European Commission favours dirty energy over renewables, contradicting its own findings on the best way forward

Poverty and Welfare Politics and Policy in U.S.

This is a project of the students of POLS 275 at Western Illinois University. Faculty sponsor: Sharon Chanley, Ph.D.

Does both age and race play a role in discrimination of civil rights?

Poverty among children and immigrants in the United States significantly increased from 2006 to 2007, according to the Census Bureau's annual report on income, earnings, and poverty, released on August 26.

Investing tax payer $

Should federal aide go to programs that are targeted to prevent poverty (education, mental health, jobs)?

New provisions for states required under stimulus package.

During a recession is it right for the Government to spend over a trillion dollars of tax payer money? From: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/statutory/stabilization-fund.pdf View expanded text for full documentation.

Unemployment Benefits are Taxed

From The Nation "Jobless in America" January 28, 2009.

What exactly is hunger?

Then hunger is ceaseless discomfort, weakness, and pain. The term as used here means a continuous lack of the nutrients necessary to achieve and maintain optimum health, well-being, and protection from disease.

Who gets counted as unemployed?

esd.wa.gov gives several factors that decide whether people are eligable for unemployment.

Current Goverment expenditure would actually be reduced.

Two things should happen

Although poverty can never be totally eliminated in a capitalist economy, according to www.bread.org, two things need to happen to reduce poverty, more jobs need to be created, and the jobs that recieve low hourly wage need to be raised.

Getting to the poverty line means nothing

Once you are at the poverty line you are still working poor it take 2-3 times the hourly minimum wage to get out of poverty.

Welfare costs money.

Michael D. Tanner said in his article More Welfare, More Poverty, "Yet, last year, the federal government spent more than $477 billion on some 50 different programs to fight poverty." That money must come from the tax payers pocket. Why should a good citizen have to share his or her money?

Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement

This agreements reached between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on 11 May 2010 on the range of issues that needed to be resolved between us in order to work together as a strong and stable government.

Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement

This agreements reached between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on 11 May 2010 on the range of issues that needed to be resolved between us in order to work together as a strong and stable government.

Deficit Reduction

Tax Measures

Increase Employer National Insurance thresholds

The increase in Employer National Insurance thresholds proposed by the Conservatives will go ahead in order to stop Labour’s jobs tax.

Increase personal income tax allowance for lower / middle earners

The parties agree that the personal allowance for income tax should be increased to help lower and middle income earners. We agree to announce in the first Budget a substantial increase in the personal allowance from April 2011, with the benefits focused on those with lower and middle incomes.

Protection of jobs by stopping Labour’s proposed jobs tax

Reductions to the Child Trust Fund and tax credits for higher earners

The parties agree that reductions can be made to the Child Trust Fund and tax credits for higher earners.

Tackling tax avoidance is essential

The parties agree that tackling tax avoidance is essential for the new government, and that all efforts will be made to do so, including detailed development of Liberal Democrat proposals.

Tax non-business capital gains at rates similar to income

We further agree to seek a detailed agreement on taxing non-business capital gains at rates similar or close to those applied to income, with generous exemptions for entrepreneurial business activities.

US Presidential Election 2008

A debate map exploring the issues around the US Presidential Election in 2008.

Data from the Tax Policy Center

Data from the Tax Policy Center suggests that Obama's policy platform would increase the national debt by $3.5 trillion over 10 years versus $5 trillion for John McCain.

Data from the Tax Policy Center

Data from the Tax Policy Center suggests that Obama's policy platform would increase the national debt by $3.5 trillion over 10 years versus $5 trillion for John McCain.

McCain's principal economic proposal will hurt economy

McCain's principal economic proposal—doubling down on the Bush tax cuts—would exacerbate the fiscal wreckage and the inequality simultaneously.

Obama favours increasing tax on guns and ammunition by 500%

Obama favours increasing federal excise taxes on guns and ammunition by 500%.

Obama favours letting the Bush tax cuts expire

Obama favours letting the Bush tax cuts expire (which will mean a de facto tax increase for all).

Offers tax cuts for citizens and businesses

Offers tax cuts for citizens and businesses.

Klimaforum09 – People's Climate Summit

Klimaforum09 is the global civil society counterpart of the official UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 7–18 December 2009.

(3) The causes as we see them

The immediate and primary cause of human-induced climate change is an unprecedented emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere originating from the increasing burning of fossil fuels for industrial, commercial, transportation and military purposes, to mention a few but significant sources.

(5) Paths to transition

Many people are involved in the practical creation of more sustainable industry, agriculture, forestry, and fishery as well as in the renewable energy sector.

2. Reparations and compensation for Climate Debt and crimes

We demand full reparations for southern countries and those impoverished by northern states, TNCs, and tax-haven institutions.

5. Equitable tax on carbon emissions

Instead of the regime of tradable emission quotas we demand an equitable tax on carbon emissions. Revenues from this carbon tax should be returned equitably to people, and a portion should be used to compensate and contribute to finance adaptation and mitigation.

A global tax on Carbon Dioxide?

Wednesday 16th December

Uneven control and ownership over resources

Irish Budget 2010

Broadening the tax base

Carbon tax

Property Tax

Relaxing of tax relief

Retaining low corporation tax levels

Tax Reform

Which way are the UK newspapers voting and why?

Analysing the editorial declarations by the Daily Express, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times, Evening Standard, Mail on Sunday, News of the World, Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Times, The Economist, The Guardian, The Independent on Sunday, The Observer, The Sun, and The Times.

Conservative tax polices are attractive

Conservatives will tax less than their opponents

Determination to lift the threshold on inheritance tax

Make affordable tax cuts to stimulate growth

Tax reforms redistribute wealth from high finance to ordinary people

Road Congestion

Analysing the issues around, and potential responses to, the projected increases in road congestion in the UK.

Incentivies employees to live closer to their workplace

Incentivies employees to live closer to their workplace via tax breaks

Fuel tax is not vulnerable to evasion

In contrast to road pricing, the fuel tax system is not vulnerable to evasion.

Fuel tax is a form of distance pricing

Fuel tax already provides a simple form of distance pricing

Drug Policy – A global perspective

A map exploring general—rather than country specific—drugs policy issues; starting with the debate around the legalisation of drugs.

Fuels tax evasion and money laundering

The illegal drugs trade is associated with tax evasion and money laundering on a grand scale.

Illegal drugs generate no tax revenue

Sales of illegal drugs, even though they run into hundreds of millions of pounds, go completely untaxed and therefore bring in no revenue.

Tax revenue could alleviate drug harms

Tax revenues could be used to alleviate the enormous harms that illegal drugs can cause.

The ID System Debate

Mapping the arguments around the planned introduction of a new biometric identity system in the UK in 2008/09.

Joint raids by BIA and HMRC

The raids should be joint BIA and HMRC exercises as often the rogue employers are evading tax payments as well.

Per person tax burden of £200+

The additional tax burden of setting up the scheme may be of the order of £200 per person [citation needed].

Tax evasion easier to prosecute than illegal employment

It is very difficult to get a prosecution for illegally employing people especially when compared to tax evasion.

The G-20 London Summit 2009

The Group of Twenty (G-20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, which was established in 1999, is gathering in London on 2nd and 3rd April 2009 to discuss and address the current global financial and economic crisis.

G-20 Summit Communiqué

The London Summit – Leaders’ Statement issued by the G-20 leaders, 2 April 2009 (Open the Expanded text for the full text of the communiqué). #LondonSummit2009

Take acton against non-cooperative jurisdictions

Take action against non-cooperative jurisdictions, including tax havens. We stand ready to deploy sanctions to protect our public finances and financial systems. The era of banking secrecy is over.

Exit strategies are not realistic

Most nations have "exit strategies" – tax rises and spending cuts – to reduce budget deficits, but few are credible. If launched too soon they could halt a fledgling recovery.

The Post-Bureaucratic Age

Mapping the PBAge.org Conference for the Post-Bureaucratic Age.

(6) Ownership

David Cameron's PBAge.org Speech

From Central Power to People Power – The Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party.

Introduce people to the benefits of tax efficient saving

The Global Financial Crisis

A debate map exploring the causes, consequences and responses to the emerging global financial crisis.

Household debt service ratio rose steeply

The household debt service ratio—i.e. debt payments on outstandiing mortgages and consumer debt versus disposable personal income—rose steeply; a trend exacerbated when car leases, health insurance and property tax payments are factored in as well.

If government price is too high, tax payer is ripped off

If government sets the price is too high, the tax payer is ripped off.

First Presidential Debate, 26th September 2008

A debate map exploring the issues around and arising from the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain at the University of Mississipi on 26th September 2008.

How did Obama answer the fundamental differences question?

How did Barack Obama answer to the fundamental differences question?

How did Obama answer the what will you give up question?

How did Barack Obama answer the what will you give up question?

Peace in the Middle East

Help The Independent and the Debategraph community map and evaluate the contentious issues and potential paths to long-term, sustainable peace in the Middle East.

Facilitate an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority

Entailing immediate prisoner exchange, mutual and comprehensive ceasefire, resumption of tax revenue transfers to the PA, a settlements freeze, implementation of the Agreement on Monitoring and Access, and gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Resume tax transfers to the Palestinian Authority

The Government of Israel should resume tax transfers to the Palestinian Authority.

Hard Start for U.S. Alternative Energy Industry?

What if, despite funding and various stimuli, the United States government is not able to jump start an alternative energy industry over the next ten years. See altenergy.txt

Carbon tax passes Congress and Senate

Goods and Service Tax Enacted

The Future of Newspapers?

The global financial crisis has brought the newspaper industry's structural problems to the fore as it responds to the changing competitive environment in the digital era. What does the future hold for newspapers and for the journalism they enable and support?

Tax internet access to pay for newspapers

Governments should introduce a tax on internet access and give the proceeds to newspapers.

Enable newspapers to receive tax benefits

As educational and literary organizations devoted to the “promotion of social welfare,” endowed newspapers would benefit from Section 501(c)(3) of the I.R.S. code, which provides exemption from taxes on income and allows tax deductions for people who make contributions to eligible organizations.

Εφαρμογή Κοινωνικού Τιμολογίου (ΚΟΤ) της ΔΕΗ Α.Ε

Η παρούσα συζήτηση πηγάζει από τη δημόσια ηλεκτρονική διαβούλευση για το σχέδιο Υπουργικής Απόφασης με τίτλο: «Εφαρμογή Κοινωνικού Τιμολογίου (ΚΟΤ) της ΔΕΗ Α.Ε.», το οποίο φιλοξενείται στον ηλεκτρονικό χώρο του Υπουργείου Περιβάλλοντος και Κλιματικής Αλλαγής.

Άρθρο 2

[ΥΠΕΚΑ]: Έλεγχος στοιχείων αιτούντος από ΤΑΧΙΣ

The Future of Public Service Broadcasting in the UK

What role, if any, should public service broadcasting play in the UK in the 21st century?

Licence fee is a tax

Drugs Policy in the UK

Exploring and building on the RSA Commission on Illegal Drugs, Communities and Public Policy's review of UK policy on the use and abuse of illegal drugs.

Legalize most drugs

Legalize and tax drug use to reduce crime and the related costs of imprisonment. People should be free to acquire a regulated dose similar to alcohol or tobacco. Some tax revenue would be used for drug abuse education and prevention as well as addiction counseling.

Public Life and the Media

The debate arising from Tony Blair's final Our Nation's Future lecture as Prime Minister on the systemic problems between politics and the media in the 21st Century.

Redefine the role of media

We live in a media age. More public interest media networks should be funded by the 'licence tax' . The 'stalinist' model of the BBC, one culture one message, is so over, not to say we should not keep four BBC TV channels and 4 radio stations, just drop all the others.

Paris Hilton for President

Paris Hilton Campaign Video Evaluating Paris Hilton's competency as a delegate in the upcoming election.

Paris Hilton has a plan

"We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight, while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars."

Opium Production in Afghanistan

A map exploring the issues around the production of Opium in Afghanistan, seeded from The Independent's Big Question on 14th October 2008.

Taliban takes 10% tax on farm gate value of crops

The Taliban taxes the farmers 10 per cent of the farm gate value of their crops.

The Crisis in Gaza

A map beginning to explore issues arising from the Gaza crisis.

US and EU sanctions against the occupied not the occupier

Absurd situtation in which US and EU sanctions—withholding tax revenues and foreign aid—were being imposed not against the occupier but against the occupied, not against the oppressor but against the oppressed.

Contemporary Business Issues

Contemporary Business Issues

Increased business tax more expensive for small businesses to operate

Prison Architecture

Elements effecting the controversy.

Waste of tax payers money

Prison should be for really dangerous criminals. Incarcerating a person for minor offences is a ridiculous waste of tax payers money. Instead there should be an option of enforced community service that would actually give the person some new skills and save money.

What should Labour do next?

A collaboratively editable, interactive debate map for The Independent exploring what the Labour Party can do to improve its electoral prospects in the next General Election.

Inheritance tax changes

The Conservative proposals to introduce changes to inheritance tax designed to help a relatively small number of wealthy families and individuals.

Open Gov: Transparency (click 'i' below for help)

Redacted transparency proposals from the OSTP's Open Government Brainstorming on Transparency—drawn from the mindmap published on the OSTP's blog.

Make visual the cost per citizen of delivery of government services

Make visual the cost per citizen of the delivery of government services, i.e. cost of processing each citzen's tax returns.

Virtual First World Philippines

Website

REIT

White House Open Government Brainstorming

Redacted proposals from the White House's Open Government Brainstorming on Transparency, Participation and Collaboration led by OSTP's Open Government team.

Make visual the cost per citizen of delivery of government services

Make visual the cost per citizen of the delivery of government services, i.e. cost of processing each citzen's tax returns.

What If Filipinos Do Not Want to Fight Corruption?

Corruption seems systemic in the Philippines apparently due to wrong values. Are eradication efforts more lip service than real? What if Filipinos do not want to fight corruption?

REDUCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION

Through policy reforms and deregulation, noteworthy progress has been made in the last 10 years to reduce opportunities for corruption, but much more can be done.

Prosperity without Growth

Exploring the relationship between prosperity and economic growth: and seeking to develop a new vision of the capability of humanity to flourish within the ecological limits of a finite planet.

Mix public spending and tax cuts to stimulate consumer demand

Copenhagen: what's happening?

Help The Independent explore the current state of play in the build up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Tax revenue from the coal industry

Big Island Trash Disposal

Line-item property tax

Copenhagen Summit Map

Watch and help us map some of the COP15 sessions as they are being streamed live from the Bella Center in Copenhagen at: CopenhagenSummitMap.org.

Implement a global C02 tax

As suggested by Switzerland

Compression Thinking

Population growth squeezes all of us on a planet whose resources are finite. To not only survive, but improve quality of life, we must become much smarter using what we have. For practical, effective action, work organizations critical to Compression must greatly "compress" their learning cycles.

Bloat

Conjecture: The global financial system is trying to pump up consumption from dryer holes. Examples: Banks selling loans off balance sheets as CDOs. Governments can't tax to cover soaring debt. Companies like GM unable to pay old perks. The Greek government hiding deficits using methods like banks.

10,000,000 Solar Roofs and Water Heating Systems by 2019

(3) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.— 50%

of the remaining cost to the purchaser for the purchase and installation of the system (after consideration of all applicable Federal, State, and local incentives and tax credits).

The case for and against economic and social rights

imposes a positive obligation on the state, limits indiv freedom (tax)

Same-Gender Schools

con- tax payers will have to pay for twice as many schools.

Debategraph

Debategraph helps groups collaborate in thinking through complex issues by building and sharing interactive maps of domains of knowledge from multiple perspectives.

Paul Culmsee

Director, Seven Sigma Business Solutions

Same Gender Schooling svpabd

Con- Tax payers have to pay for another school

Εφαρμογή Κοινωνικού Τιμολογίου της ΔΕΗ Α.Ε.

Άρθρο 2

Ένταξη καταναλωτών στο Κοινωνικό Τιμολόγιο! Entaxi katanalwtwn sto Koinwniko Timologio!