Be nice to people. This changes the whole environment.
- Manlobbi
Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy❤
No. of Recommendations: 10
There has been discussion of how shifting government revenue from the income tax, to tariffs, shifts the burden away from the rich, and onto the Proles ("1984" reference)
Consider the legalization of gambling. Michigan has had limited casino gambling for a number of years, but now on-line casino and sports book gambling is also legal, and TV broadcasts are overrun with gambling ads.
Consider the legalization of pot. In Michigan, "medical" was legal some years ago. "Recreational" is now legal.
What do gambling and weed have in common? Flat rate taxes, that fall more heavily on Proles.
What else has a flat rate tax, that will fall more heavily on Proles?
Ready for the conspiracy theory?
The Trump regime has suppressed a report on the link between alcohol consumption and several cancers. People are drinking less as it is. Don't want to release a report that may accelerate that trend, because it might reduce the amount of money being taken off Proles with alcohol taxes.
Exclusive: RFK Jr. and the White House buried a major study on alcohol and cancer. Here’s what it shows.https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news/articles/excl...Steve
No. of Recommendations: 3
****ripped from the headlines****
The local news at noon just ran a piece promoting a proposal for the city of Detroit to introduce another flat rate tax, this time on concerts and sports events. Every "man on the street" asked, in the piece, was all for it, and the "report" showed other cities and states that levy a similar tax.
So, again, the trend is to flat taxes, that will hit lower income people the hardest.
Detroit could raise up to $47M with new tax on concerts and sporting events, report sayshttps://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-could-raise-up-t...And, what would the city do with the money?
The study outlined several potential uses for the revenue, including creating a fund to attract more events, helping pay for city services or reducing Detroit property taxes by as much as 25%.So, a guy pays a flat rate tax, to watch a Lions game, and the benefit is skewed to favor the people who own the most expensive properties in the city?
Steve
No. of Recommendations: 2
Just to add to your gambling comment: state lotteries.
The E-Trade Baby once said "you know, the odds of winning the lottery are the same as mauled by a polar bear and a regular bear in the same day". (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGTtnMFUSrA) The Proles buy the tickets, get nothing (usually), and the state rakes in the money. This is a few years old, but likely not much has changed:
https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/09/new-researc...A recent report found that state lotteries around the country are supported in large part by people who are least able to afford it. One reason rich people are rich (and, on average, getting richer) is that they don't do stupid things with their money.
No. of Recommendations: 1
A recent report found that state lotteries around the country are supported in large part by people who are least able to afford it.
Ayup. My podmates at the day job were constantly crying "I'm so broke". From time to time, I would be working, and hear a scratching noise. I would turn around, and see one of those "broke" coworkers, scratching lottery tickets. The other "broke" coworker was crying about paying $300 each for "Hanna Montana" concert tix for herself and her daughter.
Steve
No. of Recommendations: 5
Up here in Traffic City, wish they'd do something similar. Disincentivize the tourists,
maybe go visit somewhere else. But the people makin bank ain't gonna have none of that.
I got a laugh after last big summer fiesta, got an email from the trails group asking for
volunteers to go pick up all the trash that the festival goers left on the city beaches.
My first thought was the businesses that made humongous money can go clean it up.
I do help on causes that I care about, but not going to be played for a sucker.
No. of Recommendations: 6
Up here in Traffic City, wish they'd do something similar. Disincentivize the tourists,
maybe go visit somewhere else.
The "report" was skewed to make it appear that people would be perfectly fine paying even more for tickets. (the report said Lions tix are now $300) I'm pretty sure that the end result would be working people paying another $20 each for their tix to see a ball game, so that Dan Gilbert and the Ilitch family get a big tax cut on the marquee properties they own around town. Dan Gilbert is only worth $26.7B, so, surely, he is more deserving of that $20, than the guy who earned it working in a factory?
/sarcasm
Steve
No. of Recommendations: 3
"The "report" was skewed to make it appear that people would be perfectly fine paying even more for tickets. (the report said Lions tix are now $300)"
It's weird, but despite a lot of people saying how strapped they are, the entertainment
cost does not seem to deter them going to the shows. I went to a couple of concerts locally this summer, at a great venue on a lake, and they were both sold out. Money was flowing,
the beer&wine tent had lines formed to get the overpriced drinks. Going to a concert
down in Ann Arbor in November, my friend who organized the trip said anybody who wanted to go had to confirm immediately, as it was going to be sold out quickly ( smaller venue ).
So a lot of us old baby boomers don't appear to be too pinched, yet.
I'd rather watch the Lions on TV than make the trek down there. I do like heading
into the city for a Tigers day game, I like Detroit. Wouldn't want to live in the hustle
and bustle, but it's a fun visit. They've ( Gilbert, Ilitch,etc ) done a good job
rebuilding that area. But you're right, it is expensive. But in my experience, it's
noticeably less expensive than NYC, Boston, Chicago, LA, and SF. The best place I've seen a game was Pittsburgh, great stadium ( nicer than Comerica ) and "reasonable" prices.
No. of Recommendations: 1
It's weird, but despite a lot of people saying how strapped they are, the entertainment
cost does not seem to deter them going to the shows.
Yes, people do seem to be idiots. The aviation museum at Willow Run sponsors an air show every summer. The prices are exorbitant, with most of the viewing area being "premium", at even higher cost. They don't seem to have a general admission area anymore. You can drive into the "tailgate" area, with all the people and food you can pack into your car, for $245. Individual admission to the "bomber club", including parking, a chair, and non-alcoholic drinks, is $75. "Fighter Club" adds a catered lunch and beer, for $195. "Officers Club" adds a tent, to get out of the sun between acts, full bar, and an ice cream sundae, for $285. They claim every ticket is sold out, every year. Battle Creek puts on a very good aerobatic show too, with the traditional air show experience (sit on the ground, or bring a chair, bring food and water, or buy from vendors on site). Parking is $5/car, and admission to the show is $15/person.
I used to hold DIS. I was increasingly uncomfortable with the company's attitude that, whenever they want to juice profits, all they need to do is increase prices in the parks. Not very "family friendly". There was an article, recently, about a woman who had been saving for a trip to Disney World, for years. Putting aside as much money as she could each year. Asking people to give her Disney gift cards for Christmas and birthdays. She finally thought she had enough money, and went on line to make reservations for the venues she wanted to take the family to. She didn't have a chance, because so many people had paid even more, for advance placement in the queue.
They've ( Gilbert, Ilitch,etc ) done a good job rebuilding that area.
Yes they have. With a net worth of $26.7B, I submit that Dan Gilbert has been well compensated for what he has done.
Steve
