http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/olney_buster/id/7486584/ryan-braun-offer-give-back-nl-mvp-award-mlb

I used it at a local gas station that had the kind of terminal. Worked perfectly.

Where did you use the transaction? Someone actually has terminals which accept it?

I really appreciate you taking the time to write that response. For the first time ever, I received some well thought out ideas.

I agree with you in that the GOP’s options are brutal at best. Mitt Romney has been running for President for 6-8 years and still can’t crack 40% in one of his “home states.”

Also appreciate you not delving into the social issues. I’m moderate when it comes to social issues and believe everyone’s private life is their private life. The government does not have the right to tell us who we can marry, how much salt we can eat, etc.

As I mentioned in my initial post, by far my biggest concern about the future of our country is the insane fiscal path we are on. Not only is it not sustainable, but the cliff is quickly approaching (in my opinion).

There definitely has to be compromise. Unfortunately there aren’t many moderates left in government. Both parties have moved right or left respectively. Both sides seem locked in on what they will and won’t do. Not sure where that leaves us, but its nowhere good.

Anyways, I do enjoy reading the posts on here and will continue to looking forward to many more.

Sorry that I hijacked the thread to talk politics!

1. Remove the cap on payroll taxes. Right now a person’s compensation is taxed on FICA up to $98,000 (approximately) so if you make $500K, you still only pay FICA on $98K. I don’t think people will miss it and I also think it would be a pretty big boost to the bottom line.

2. Remove the cap that goes into effect in 2013 on FSAs. This was just idiotic. Everyone insurance co-pays are going up because of this new plan, that got combated by DROPPING the amount you can put in an FSA? Stupid.

3. Defense spending is out of control. No one wants to cut it because of 9/11. I bet there are enough earmarks and stupid projects in there that could be completely outright eliminated — some programs the DoD doesn’t even WANT!

4. SS needs to be kept whole. I’m not sure how cutting the payroll tax to 4% does that. Again, makes no sense.

5. Medicare and Medicaid are apparently bad enough that the universal health care would not take it over. If the new plan is so good for anyone under 65, shouldn’t it apply to everyone over 65? It’s all or nothing if you ask me, instead we got a hybrid clusterfrick.

6. I do think we need to invest in our infrastructure. However you can charge the people that use it. Time is money, and if I can go somewhere faster by paying a toll, I’d do it if it’s reasonable.

I give Rep. Ryan credit for starting a discussion. I don’t agree with all of it, but you have to start somewhere and he did.

Now I am very liberal on social issues, but I won’t go there. I’m more like Ron Paul in that the gov’t has no business being in my house or bedroom. I applaud Ron Paul’s consistency.

I think Mitt Romney is a worse flip flopper than John Kerry. He has yet to give a good reason why he changed his mind on everything. Any GOPer that runs on an “economy is broken” platform as unemployment continues to decrease (whatever the reason, the number is still going down and it is the benchmark from year to year) is not going to win.

Be original. Be creative. I may not agree, but hell, even 9-9-9 got people talking. What is anyone saying about Romney aside from “he can beat Obama”? He’s come up with zero ideas. None. Paul has. Even Gingrich has a track record.

Am I a huge fan of Obama? Not at the moment. However I still think he’s better that what’s being offered, with the exception of Ron Paul. If he won, I’d really have to consider all options, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Thanks for your question.