Why does a church own an apartment building in the first place, other than to make money? If profit is the goal, than they should absolutely be paying taxes. I hope the FFRF wins their case but the expectation of Christian privilege is deeply entrenched in this country. The older I get the less inclined I am to believe this country will ever again do the right thing.
I would send Elon Musk (codename: Minidick) into a black hole, just to see him be compress and stretched like spaghetti. I bet even the black hole wouldn’t suck him (the black hole has standards) up.
If you visited Marquette U in Milwaukee, you'd find both apartment buildings and dormitories. BITD the school owned, on campus apt bldgs to accommodate older students, perhaps ones who were married and even had children. Grad students rented them, and a reduced rent might have been part of a financial aid package. There are off-campus apt bldgs as well, not all owned by the university. I could see a uni building affordable housing for low-level faculty who don't make much money, yet.
The Benjamin Franklin quote about good churches and bad ones comes to mind yet again. It seems as though there are churches out there who will go for any dodge they can NOT to pay taxes or be beholden in any way to anything outside of their insular community. To me, this is clearly the case here, and that they were able to finagle a law enabling their scheme only makes it worse.
And Hemant's last paragraph says it all. Either grant an exemption for EVERYONE or for NO ONE. Playing favorites strikes me as highly undemocratic.
I think we need a recurrent mass mailing to every legislator in the country, containing nothing but the Franklin quote. We only stop when they get the message.
Agreed, actually in my opinion the United States has always been some sort of twisted theocracy. With the special exemptions and protections religions enjoy. Not until recently with the MAGA cult has of democracy and theocracy become an issue again.
If the MAGA cult and Trump really wanted to balance the budget for the United States. Forget the tariffs, etc.. Tax the churches and remove their special privileges and exemptions.
Far to long have people like Kenneth Copeland and others enjoyed the wealth and privileges their scam brings with little in return.
Maybe if your country survive the next (or eight) years, it would be time to examine how more secular countries do it. Strangely enough, there is still religious institutions, and quite wealthy qui plus est.
If any serious change comes to the US, it'll be slow and laborious and likely driven by the nones, the religiously non-affiliated, who FINALLY will decide to become more politically active as regards religion in government.
Frankly, I think our culture is STUCK, and unsticking it will be no small matter.
Not going to happen. The reason is a lot of Americans (especially Republican Americans) think that the United States is the pinnacle of human civilization. Americans see any criticism or questioning of their country as anti-American and unpatriotic. Any country that doesn’t see the need to change or make improvements is a country that is in decline. Those countries that see that their country needs improvements or changes will be able to do what is necessary to remedy the problems that they face. This will boost the standard of living and strengthen that country Civil Liberties for everyone. I believe a true Patriot is someone who sees the problems and gaps in their country, and wants to strive to solve these issues to the benefit of all citizens. On the other hand I might not know what I am talking about.
I think you have at least something of a grasp on things. I just hope that those of us who actually give a damn can power ourselves and the US out of this mess.
I thought mine was too, in women's rights anyway, et paf, your corrupt sc fucked up, allowing abortion rights to be enshrined in our Constitution before the next century knock on the door.
This emphasizes yet again that religion is a business, just like any other business. Although I disagree with the idea that religion should be tax exempt, I can see where it might apply to their own building, but not to business Enterprises. The owning of apartment buildings for which they charge market rate is simply a business enterprise.
Didn’t they form a committee to investigate the options for considering starting a working group to analyse the potential for possibly opening a forum to discuss this?
No that was management at Tesla, then the deadline came and one disgruntled employee gave them the Cybertruck, thinking that would surely tank the fascist's stock.
My bride and I have been using “the concept of” as a joke ever since Felon 47 said that. Our most common usage is “the concept of a walk” with reference to our dog when it is single digits outside and she is jonesings for a walk. We take her out, walk about 1-2 houses, and return home, she thinks she got a walk.
I swear, we walk our dog more than anyone else we know. Putting her into the backyard for as long as she wants doesn’t count. She must have her goddamn WALK!
Gee whiz. Just like his plan to replace the Affordable Care Act and his plan to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it and his plan to get EXPORTERS to pay tariffs and his plan to end the Ukraine War his first day in office and ... and ... and ...
I can't see why a church should build halls of residence for a university unless they own a university. And charging market rates isn't charitable. So it simply a moneymaking exercise with a few bits extra tacked on to make it look good. I didn't think it would make a huge difference to others' taxes, but obviously it does – so tax them!
This is about religious parents wanting their little darlings to live in a religious bubble while not having to pay the higher tuition at a religious university, compared to what an in-state student.gets charged at a state-owned school. Plus, the kids want to go to football games at Camp Randall. Whether the kids avail themselves of religious activities at those 2 complexes, I don't know. When I lived at a dorm at a religious college, by about the end of my junior year I stopped attending mass and going to confession. Philosophy, history and theology classes were turning me atheist.
Romans 13:1-5 tells believers to obey all earthly laws and authorities and WHY (has to do with their god). Guess what Verses 6-7 tells them?
"Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority."
Bet this is one bit of scripture that never makes it into bible study.
It is way past time to stop making those of us who work and pay taxes from subsidizing this crap. We are subsidizing a fantasy people participate in. How idiotic is that?!
Religions are the worlds most widely accepted mental illness. Or as I like to say religions is a puss oozing sore on the ass of humanity, that needs to be cleansed before humanity can progress to a better and brighter future.
That is absurd. These kinds of hand outs to groups or corporations or people who can afford them are ALWAYS what you get when you let Republicans govern.
You also see the "change-in-position" type of deal with law enforcement. From "back the blue!" and "support your local police!" to dismissing the police officers on January 6th as "fucking mall cops, lol."
Why does a church own an apartment building in the first place, other than to make money? If profit is the goal, than they should absolutely be paying taxes. I hope the FFRF wins their case but the expectation of Christian privilege is deeply entrenched in this country. The older I get the less inclined I am to believe this country will ever again do the right thing.
Why does a church do anything, really? Power, control, and service to the grift.
What does a god need with a starship?
To send Elon to the center of Sol?
I would send Elon Musk (codename: Minidick) into a black hole, just to see him be compress and stretched like spaghetti. I bet even the black hole wouldn’t suck him (the black hole has standards) up.
I can confirm it, mine sure had standards.
Yup!
If you visited Marquette U in Milwaukee, you'd find both apartment buildings and dormitories. BITD the school owned, on campus apt bldgs to accommodate older students, perhaps ones who were married and even had children. Grad students rented them, and a reduced rent might have been part of a financial aid package. There are off-campus apt bldgs as well, not all owned by the university. I could see a uni building affordable housing for low-level faculty who don't make much money, yet.
The Benjamin Franklin quote about good churches and bad ones comes to mind yet again. It seems as though there are churches out there who will go for any dodge they can NOT to pay taxes or be beholden in any way to anything outside of their insular community. To me, this is clearly the case here, and that they were able to finagle a law enabling their scheme only makes it worse.
And Hemant's last paragraph says it all. Either grant an exemption for EVERYONE or for NO ONE. Playing favorites strikes me as highly undemocratic.
I think we need a recurrent mass mailing to every legislator in the country, containing nothing but the Franklin quote. We only stop when they get the message.
Wouldn't it be interesting to have George Carlin and Ben Franklin together discussing the MAGA cult and lord Trump.
Pure Entertainment
I'd like to add more to that, but the quote is at least a good start.
One lesson at a time, they are slow learners.
Presuming they can and are willing to learn at all. These days, I'm not so certain.
We probably won't move onto the second lesson until our grandchildren are grandparents, if then.
Who said we are a democracy (anymore)/
Agreed, actually in my opinion the United States has always been some sort of twisted theocracy. With the special exemptions and protections religions enjoy. Not until recently with the MAGA cult has of democracy and theocracy become an issue again.
In MAGA We Trust?
In a few words, tRump has
https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/475403734_908790598086829_4148493122796014790_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=pfQYQuG1OCIQ7kNvgFmDbq9&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqsJFkiveL4j24t8TXMCJ6D&oh=00_AYBZnrryQuvvPAHQLphsRi6qEQq4srL1L4GkhgnBSmbSqg&oe=679F2FE1
Well-chosen words! 👍
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
-- Lord Acton (to Bishop Creighton) 1887
Those who seek out power do not deserve any.
If the MAGA cult and Trump really wanted to balance the budget for the United States. Forget the tariffs, etc.. Tax the churches and remove their special privileges and exemptions.
Far to long have people like Kenneth Copeland and others enjoyed the wealth and privileges their scam brings with little in return.
"Tax The Churches" Frank Zappa - 1980
Then they will demand the right to pick candidates and push laws. Oh, wait. Nevrr mind.
"Those out of state atheists coming in to force their views on our community!" Oh, wait.
Maybe if your country survive the next (or eight) years, it would be time to examine how more secular countries do it. Strangely enough, there is still religious institutions, and quite wealthy qui plus est.
If any serious change comes to the US, it'll be slow and laborious and likely driven by the nones, the religiously non-affiliated, who FINALLY will decide to become more politically active as regards religion in government.
Frankly, I think our culture is STUCK, and unsticking it will be no small matter.
Not going to happen. The reason is a lot of Americans (especially Republican Americans) think that the United States is the pinnacle of human civilization. Americans see any criticism or questioning of their country as anti-American and unpatriotic. Any country that doesn’t see the need to change or make improvements is a country that is in decline. Those countries that see that their country needs improvements or changes will be able to do what is necessary to remedy the problems that they face. This will boost the standard of living and strengthen that country Civil Liberties for everyone. I believe a true Patriot is someone who sees the problems and gaps in their country, and wants to strive to solve these issues to the benefit of all citizens. On the other hand I might not know what I am talking about.
I think you have at least something of a grasp on things. I just hope that those of us who actually give a damn can power ourselves and the US out of this mess.
I thought mine was too, in women's rights anyway, et paf, your corrupt sc fucked up, allowing abortion rights to be enshrined in our Constitution before the next century knock on the door.
Funny, since you returned I'm now getting spam in French again. Something to do with winning tools. A coincidence? I think not. 😇
French expression du jour : J'm'en tamponne le coquillard 😁
J'ai les portugaises ensablées pour tout chouinement qui ne vient pas de mes bestioles.
This emphasizes yet again that religion is a business, just like any other business. Although I disagree with the idea that religion should be tax exempt, I can see where it might apply to their own building, but not to business Enterprises. The owning of apartment buildings for which they charge market rate is simply a business enterprise.
And the rest of us have to pay for it.
A lying con man lying? who knew
https://www.mediaite.com/politics/fox-news-correspondent-reports-trumps-own-defense-department-just-shot-down-his-california-wildfire-claim/
> We shall see how this plays out in the next episode of “Former Fox News Hosts Try to Govern.” - linked article
Made me laugh. And cringe.
Cue late night firings at the Pentagon.
Cue late night firings at Fox News.
JD Vance Finally Admits What Trump’s Big Plan to Lower Food Prices Is. Spoiler alert: There is NO plan.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/jd-vance-finally-admits-trump-163940404.html
There's a concept of a plan...
There's not even a vague notion of a concept of a plan.
They 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 considered thinking about it once!
Didn’t they form a committee to investigate the options for considering starting a working group to analyse the potential for possibly opening a forum to discuss this?
No that was management at Tesla, then the deadline came and one disgruntled employee gave them the Cybertruck, thinking that would surely tank the fascist's stock.
My bride and I have been using “the concept of” as a joke ever since Felon 47 said that. Our most common usage is “the concept of a walk” with reference to our dog when it is single digits outside and she is jonesings for a walk. We take her out, walk about 1-2 houses, and return home, she thinks she got a walk.
I swear, we walk our dog more than anyone else we know. Putting her into the backyard for as long as she wants doesn’t count. She must have her goddamn WALK!
Gee whiz. Just like his plan to replace the Affordable Care Act and his plan to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it and his plan to get EXPORTERS to pay tariffs and his plan to end the Ukraine War his first day in office and ... and ... and ...
Am I seeing a pattern here? 🤪
The only plan he needs he got thanks to the Heritage Foundation(?), Project 2025.
Yup ... purdy much. 😝
The Democrats prevented the building of the wall and Mexico pirated drumpster' skull and stole his healthcare plan.
Oh, golly-gosh. What a shame! (and what a maroon! 🤣)
Unfortunately they didn’t finish the job.
There’s a wall between Mexico and Ukraine?
An IMPERCEPTIBLE wall ... the WORST KIND! 🤪
Trump and Vance simply don't care. Farron posted about this
youtu.be/CqZWjEepLc0
I can't see why a church should build halls of residence for a university unless they own a university. And charging market rates isn't charitable. So it simply a moneymaking exercise with a few bits extra tacked on to make it look good. I didn't think it would make a huge difference to others' taxes, but obviously it does – so tax them!
"Making Tax-Free money is my sincerely-held belief"
The ONLY one SKKKOTUS will not tolerated until you reach $1 Million income per year.
This is about religious parents wanting their little darlings to live in a religious bubble while not having to pay the higher tuition at a religious university, compared to what an in-state student.gets charged at a state-owned school. Plus, the kids want to go to football games at Camp Randall. Whether the kids avail themselves of religious activities at those 2 complexes, I don't know. When I lived at a dorm at a religious college, by about the end of my junior year I stopped attending mass and going to confession. Philosophy, history and theology classes were turning me atheist.
Romans 13:1-5 tells believers to obey all earthly laws and authorities and WHY (has to do with their god). Guess what Verses 6-7 tells them?
"Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority."
Bet this is one bit of scripture that never makes it into bible study.
Definitely no Emperors or Kings involved in the writing/translation/compilation of that.
Rules are for others. Tax breaks fr us only!!!
It is way past time to stop making those of us who work and pay taxes from subsidizing this crap. We are subsidizing a fantasy people participate in. How idiotic is that?!
Murka's most widely accepted mental illness
Religions are the worlds most widely accepted mental illness. Or as I like to say religions is a puss oozing sore on the ass of humanity, that needs to be cleansed before humanity can progress to a better and brighter future.
That is absurd. These kinds of hand outs to groups or corporations or people who can afford them are ALWAYS what you get when you let Republicans govern.
TRUMPCO FEUDING WITH BUDDE AND KKKATLIK BISHOPS. THIS IS GONNA NEED A TRUCKLOAD OF POPCORN.
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/jd-vance-clashes-catholic-bishops-gop-line-religion-evolves-rcna189404
*Plug her airfryer"
Salt ? Sugar ? Paprika ? Herbs ?
https://www.food.com/recipe/spicy-popcorn-seasoning-460961 I would try this.
It should be doable with sesame or sichuan corn pepper oil and gochujang.
Oil currently at home : sunflower seeds, olive, hazelnut, sesame, grilled/roasted sesame, sichuan corn pepper and spicy squash seeds.
Spiced popcorn? Gimme chocolate popcorn. :9----
how about popcorn with pineapple??? 😉
Salty and sweet? Works for me. :D
In that case, go for a sweet and sour soup with popcorn.
"TRUMPCO FEUDING WITH BUDDE AND KKATLIK BISHOPS."
The title of my favorite "grindhouse" exploitation movie from the '70s. I own it on DVD./s
LIMIT SHOULD BE 20 BUCKS.
https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/475646325_1860530571399963_2458418841479146714_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=bT0e8DGAjBoQ7kNvgFfX-y3&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&_nc_gid=ADZC9e2En9VsDmQ9foLFstm&oh=00_AYAVwSJzwaNxDPbiq3oaDdgehkAD_s9K5r3E-5SsG4xt2A&oe=679F4195
Loophole : give the money to a X number of people who will donate it.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7bfc0cf5482897cbe9d4dd6a1cc9d58336b62b9c056dec6cd6d221fe3858849c.jpg
You also see the "change-in-position" type of deal with law enforcement. From "back the blue!" and "support your local police!" to dismissing the police officers on January 6th as "fucking mall cops, lol."
You can't make a conspiracy without cracking a few MAGAts.
Convenient, then, that they were all cracked to begin with.