All-purpose news and politics thread: One Step Beyond!

[the4thpip]

European and US stock markets rose 2-3% after passage of the tax legislation.

If and when similar deals are struck on spending and the debt ceiling, expect more of the same.

Don't jinx it!
The last time you predict record highs for the stock markets (back on the YABS politics thread), I lost thousands!

[Nick Soapdish]

Well, I've seen some complaining that their (payroll) taxes have gone up - which is actually a temporary tax cut ending, as they do, and it's a cut the Obama administration brought in, but most people will see it as "I'm paying more than before".

Yep, but that's a tax "hike" that the Obama and Democrats were fighting (or at least making a token effort to do so) and the Republicans were in favor of. I'm in favor of ending it as well, but I'd rather do it in a few years and if you asked me in a few years, I'd probably say "in a few more years" again so I'm not too bothered by it.

[Charles RB]

Yep, but that's a tax "hike" that the Obama and Democrats were fighting (or at least making a token effort to do so) and the Republicans were in favor of.

Now watch Obama get blamed for it anyway!

[Deadman25]

Now watch Obama get blamed for it anyway!

Why snouldnt he be ? He supported the tax increase.

[Gryphon]

In the meantime canada's tax burden is at its lowest point in 50 years.

[Iangould]

Why snouldnt he be ? He supported the tax increase.

In 2011, the US government paid $100 billion to Social Security to compensate for the payroll tax cut.

Do you want the budget deficit reduced or not?

[Vibranium]

Aljazeera is purchasing Current TV

[king mob]

Vile racist and utter fucking cunt Jim Davidson has been nicked as part of the Savilegeddon investigation. All we need now is Piers Morgan to get nicked. That would be great.

[Nick Soapdish]

In the meantime canada's tax burden is at its lowest point in 50 years.

So was the US' until a few days ago - even lower than under Dubya. But that didn't stop people from complaining that their taxes had gone up under Obama.

[Nick Soapdish]

Why snouldnt he be ? He supported the tax increase.

He called for extending it in the opening salvo of negotiations.

The president's proposal calls for $1.6 trillion in increased revenue, some of it the result of higher tax rates for families making more than $250,000.

Obama also wants to close loopholes, limit deductions, raise the estate tax rate to 2009 levels and increase taxes on capital gains and dividend taxes.

The proposal also calls for additional spending, including a new $50 billion stimulus package, a home mortgage refinancing plan and an extension of unemployment insurance benefits. It would also extend the payroll tax cut passed early in Obama's administration to give taxpayers more money to spend.

[Vibranium]

Vile racist and utter fucking cunt Jim Davidson has been nicked as part of the Savilegeddon investigation. All we need now is Piers Morgan to get nicked. That would be great.

was he involved or do people think he was involved in what happened with Savile?

[king mob]

was he involved or do people think he was involved in what happened with Savile?

He's part of the wider investigation, so not directly linked with Savile but accused in this case of two cases of sexual abuse from the 80's.

[Vibranium]

He's part of the wider investigation, so not directly linked with Savile but accused in this case of two cases of sexual abuse from the 80's.

ok so it's looking like a pyramid scheme of molestation from Savile on down? Ive only gotten snippets of what is really happening so far

[Charles RB]

We don't know. He could be completely unrelated to anything Saville did, the alleged victims just came forward or evidence was found because of the police investigation.

[Charles RB]

Scotland plans to create a whole new type of marriage.

A new type of marriage could be introduced in Scotland to reflect the growing popularity of ceremonies such as humanist weddings.

The Scottish government wants to create a third category of marriage, called "belief" marriages, as an alternative to religious and civil ceremonies.

The plans are part of controversial proposed legislation which would also introduce same-sex marriage.

...

Since June 2005, celebrants belonging to the Humanist Society of Scotland have been authorised on a temporary basis to solemnise marriage.

Such marriages have been classed as "religious" under marriage law, despite the beliefs of such organisations being non-religious - a situation the draft bill aims to alter.

Under the proposals, the arrangements for authorising belief celebrants would be along the same lines as those for authorising religious celebrants.

Humanists believe, among other things, that people do not need a deity to determine what might be ethical or appropriate.

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "The Scottish government is committed to a Scotland that is fair and equal and that is why we intend to proceed with plans to allow same-sex marriage and religious ceremonies for civil partnerships.

"Humanist weddings are currently classed as religious. However, our current consultation on same-sex marriage proposes the establishment of a new form of marriage ceremony called 'belief', which would cover humanists.

"The Humanist Society Scotland are in favour of introducing same-sex marriage."