Harry Reid says Paying Taxes in America is VOLUNTARY

[Greg]

Are we at least all agreed that he means "voluntary" in the sense of "the individual must decide to perform certain actions in order to fulfill their tax burden" and not "optional"?

[swampy]

"Too complicated / nuanced for swampy to understand."

So just what were you inferring, Kiva?

[Mac1337]

I think he meant that our tax collection is an honor system. Instead he got caught up in voluntary/involuntary tangle. I agree that it is an honor system to the extent that if you are in business for yourself you tell the government how much you owe. 99 out of 100 nobody comes back to ask you for proof. It is certainly not voluntary.

[swampy]

According to my Apple dictionary

Optional
adjective
in senior year, phys ed is optional, voluntary,, discretionary, not required, elective, noncompulsory, nonmandatory; Law permissive; rare discretional.
antonym compulsory, mandatory, required.

Take your pick, but Reid used voluntary. There's no arguing what he said or what he meant.

[Dennis S]

swampy wrote:
"Too complicated / nuanced for swampy to understand."

So just what were you inferring, Kiva?

Implying, swampy, implying. Didn't you learn from the last time you misused the word? Preciseness is not your thing, is it, swampy? Your MO is just to come in and start slinging.

[Greg]

I don't think a dictionary is necessary to re-emphasize the following point: That "voluntary" is not synonymous with "optional."

Obeying the speed limit is voluntary; you don't have to do it. After I finish this post, I can exercise my free will and drive 120 miles per hour around city streets, and then come back here and post about it. There is not a governor on my car which prohibits this; it is something I can voluntarily do.

As with most of my posts here, I really don't consider myself capable of arguing fine political points, so I don't. I like discussing language and meaning and whether arguments can be supported. That's my schtick.

A voluntary muscle movement is one over which you have control. It's clear that Mr. Reid is using the term in the same way. I know this for two reasons:

First, anyone who claims that paying of taxes in the United States is truly delusional, so I set that one aside.

Two, he explained himself clearly enough.

[davester]

Swampy, all you've proven in this thread is that either a) your english comprehension skills are not up to snuff or b) you are intentionally pretending that voluntary means something that it doesn't in order to paint Harry Reid in a bad light. I'd understand it if "a" is the case, but then why do you keep coming back to emphasize your misunderstanding? If "b" is the case, then you're simply trolling for reaction, which is a hobby that floats some folks' boats but not mine. There is no "c".

[Kiva]

swampy wrote:
"Too complicated / nuanced for swampy to understand."

So just what were you inferring, Kiva?

looks like it was done for me

you are just trying to paint Reid in a bad light and, therefore, fulfill your inner desire to make all people who think different than you "bad". It's the black and white world you live in coming forth again. Sorry, swampy, the world is mostly gray...

it is clear what Reid meant. move on to something valid...like attacking obama's nominations of Daschle and, more importantly, Geither (sp?)...particularly Geither's tax issues. Much more mileage for you there..

kiva

[swampy]

Kiva, What do I owe you for the psycho analysis?

[OWC Jamie]

Greg wrote:


I like discussing language and meaning and whether arguments can be supported. That's my schtick.



First, anyone who claims that paying of taxes in the United States is truly delusional, so I set that one aside.
.

delusional = voluntary ?

:-)