This week Dr. Ben Carson got himself into a little hot water when he made these comments on what he might have done during the Oregon Community College shooting:
“Not only would I probably not cooperate with him, I would not just stand there and let him shoot me,” Carson said. “I would say, ‘Hey guys, everybody attack him. He may shoot me, but he can’t get us all.'”
These actions seem similar to how the passengers of flight 93 reacted on 9-11. It’s also similar to the 3 American men who foiled a potential mass shooting on a Paris train earlier this year… heroically putting their own lives on the line to thwart an attacker.
Some people were not happy with Ben Carson’s remarks. Here is what one Oregon shooting survivor Matthew Downing told CNN:
“I’m fairly upset he said that. Nobody could truly understand what actions they would take like that in a situation unless they lived it,”
Surprisingly on Wednesday Donald Trump came to Ben Carson’s defense by saying he was, “speaking in general terms”.
For starters I’m happy to see Trump defend Ben Carson’s statement. This was a general statement it was not meant to be an attack on the victims or their character.
However, many in the liberal media are roasting Dr. Carson for it. Good for Trump for not attacking his fellow candidate.
With regards Dr. Carson’s comment and survivor Matthew Downing’s comment… I agree with them both.
Yes, people should stand up to attackers, especially if that means other lives can be saved. Matthew is right though as well, it’s easy to make a statement like this. It’s much harder to take action when your life is on the line.
What do you think? Were Dr. Carson’s comments reasonable, offensive, or perhaps a little bit of both?
Now let’s get to some reader feedback…
From our letter discussing Trumps comments on the scenario in which he would drop out of the race.
“Trump has NOT dropped out. Why do you have this for a headline? Unless this is what YOU WANT!!!”
-Glenda
My comment: In my initial version of my letter I had some commentary on how online publishers were using this headline as click bait. This letter was getting a bit long so I wound up cutting it. However in the 2nd line of the letter I made it very clear that Trump was NOT dropping out of the race.
“I have to agree with Trump on this too. The longer all these candidates fight with each other over who is going to run the stronger (campaign) the other party gets more ammunition and they get to use against whoever does come out on top. Right now the Dem’s have a socialist, a criminal, and a dumbass running for president, But the spin doctors are very busy, putting on a fresh coat of paint to try to hide all the dirt on their candidates. If the Republicans don’t get their collective heads out of their behinds, the dem’s might have a shot at pulling it off. Of course there will probably be a bunch of ballot box stuffing done just like the last election.
The conservative public needs to get off their asses and vote. Each vote counts. The liberals are counting on this, conservative’s complacency, for the dem’s to win.”
-Charlie
My comment: I definitely agree with trimming down the field. Let all voices be heard, but if it’s not resonating with voters step aside.
“I hope he does drop out (Trump). The sooner the better.
Why would I accept another egotistical jerk as president. His pitch is the same as Obama’s was in 2008. Gonna’ transform the country. Riiiiiiiight.
Rubio looks good. Carson might be OK. Trump would be an unmitigated disaster, just like Obama is.”
-Douglas
My comment: Hi Doug. I think you’re going to be disappointed. He’s not dropping out. It’s possible he does not win the nomination, but he will at the very least be among the final contenders. You’re Obama comparison is quite a stretch. They have completely different agendas on taxes, the economy, socialized healthcare, immigration, and countless other issues. Thanks for reading.
“Scott Walker and others have already dropped out. Only makes sense if you are low in the polls!
NO STORY HERE!”
-Gary
My comment: You’re right Gary. I hope others follow suit.
Here was a comment from one reader on my reply about corporate tax rates.
“In all your defense of zero corp tax, you failed to mention two things.
One, the federal level of government was created by a need to control such as interstate commerce, ie, corps/business, and the corps and coupon clipping rich were meant to pay for it.
But the rich took over government and in the dark of night, made the amendment that shifted the taxes to labor. I question its legitimacy.
While everyone says US corp taxes are highest in the world, they fail to acknowledge that every dime a corp spends is allowed as a deduction, so way too many corps and Romney type millionaires pay typically a 15% to ZERO tax.
Tax revenues would increase exponentially with a 15% flat tax with no deductions, which also eliminates corps spending billions in tax evasion plots and attorneys fees in dreaming up those plots, not to mention lobbying costs for custom loopholes.
Those making less than a living wage should be exempt, which if matched to income rates from the sixties would make the cutoff about $40,000.
As with the need to take the cap off social security contributions, so the rich also pay on 100% of income, there should be no ceiling on corp taxes. Truly, if the intent of our Founding Fathers was restored, this nation would prosper once again.
But today, rest assured that US corps pay very low taxes.”
-Roz
My comment: Roz, thank you for your comments. From this letter I can tell that you’ve never run a business before. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but you have a terribly misguided view on what most business deductions actually are. Now, I’m not naïve to the fact that some corporations abuse deductions. Whether those are private jets, country club memberships, vacations, and other perks for high level executives. I can certainly see where some reform should be made.
However, the overwhelming majority of deductions for businesses are perfectly legitimate. These include things like salaries, health care, rent, electric bills, supplies, cost of goods, shipping, advertising, software, I could go on and on. To eliminate these deductions would be a killer for businesses and the consumer as prices would have to be raised dramatically.
Should your boss not be allowed to deduct your salary? Or even the raw costs of goods? If you’re answer is no, I hope you enjoy paying a lot more for everything.
With your Romney comment, that’s different and yes something should be done. This relates to something called the carried interest loophole, which Trump has proposed eliminating. It primarily applies to people who run private investment firms. Now normally if you make an investment in a stock, real estate, or whatever you pay capital gains tax on money you make this way. This is a much lower amount than what you’d pay in income tax. It’s meant to encourage investment.
The problem with the hedge fund guys is they are paid a percentage of the gains they get for their clients, typically 20%. It’s how they make their income. This is not an investment they personally made. However, this income is treated as a long term capital gain so they pay the lower capital gains tax instead of the higher income tax.
As you can see this is a completely different animal. If the CEO of a major corporation is paid $2 million in salary and another $500k in bonuses he’s paying the highest level of income tax on most money earned.
For your last two comments… Trump has a plan to make sure families who earn under $50,000 a year are tax exempt. As for eliminating the cap on social security contributions I don’t think there is enough space in this letter for me to cover that properly. The short answer is maybe. I’ll try to cover this at a later time in greater detail. To get you thinking a little bit, we would need to address are these “contributions” or “taxes”.
Roz, thanks again for your letter and for taking the time to let us be a part of your day. I wish you the best.
Moving on let’s get into some hate mail.
(Bleep)hole, get it right;;;
-Dave
My comment: Dave, I’ve been wrong before. I wish I knew specifically what you want me to get right.
“Your full of (Bleep). Vote for Donald Trump”
-Ron
My comment: Perhaps a few hours after a large meal, and maybe I will.
I enjoy the hate mail, it keeps things interesting. I’ll never understand why someone chooses to hurl profanities like this at people they don’t even know.
Is this how Dave and Ron talk to people in real life? Yikes!!
We do have at least one subscriber who appreciates what we do.
“Thank you for your letters and comments. Very educational. Keep them coming. Thank you again.”
-Josef
My comment: Josef, it’s my pleasure. The thanks go out to you and all the subscribers in our little community.
That’s all for today. I hope you have an enjoyable and blessed weekend.
