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Author: knighttof3   😊 😞
Number: of 1018 
Subject: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 7:40 AM
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Is that Democrats think my money is theirs to use as they see fit. It really is not, it's mainly to feed and house my family, educate my kids, save for retirement, maybe go on a vacation with the wife, and so on. But Democrats make it impossible because they want to spend spend spend spend spend spend. The road to Hell is paved with Dems' good intentions.

This is why I have mixed feelings about Trump. It's all about the pocketbook. Of course he is a racist Fascist lying pig. But he gave me a tax cut. Biden instead gave "free" money to elite college-educated liberals too dumb or too privileged to know that you have to pay out of your own damn pockets for nice things. Not me. What is so hard to understand? Can't afford college? Get grades good enough for a scholarship or don't go. That is real life. Sorry.

Other than that I would totally be a Democrat. Every Republican who wants to deny a woman an abortion, should be forced to carry a watermelon in their stomach for 9 months and then "deliver" it through you know what without anesthetic.
Homosexuality is natural. Animals do it, and we are animals. Absolutely irrelevant to heterosexuals' life experience or to morality or to propagation of species. If the Bible had not condemned it, nobody would care.

All in all, Dems are kind caring people. Republicans are fearful angry hate mongers. And yet. Every government throughout history has had to do a balancing act between Ayn Rand and Karl Marx (even before they existed and crystallized the two extremes) and Dems definitely are too far towards Mr Marx than I, or any normal person, would like (generalizing a little).

Pay your bills, adults. No society can survive long with a permanent moocher class, be the moochers rich or poor.

(I realize that Bush Jr's crony capitalism gave a trillion dollars to rich bankers so they could keep their four houses and five mistresses, I am not happy about that either. Or the carried interest loophole that both parties somehow cannot get completely rid of. Mysterious how that happens, while I pay taxes on taxes since SALT is limited to 10K.)
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Author: UpNorthJoe 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 1018 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 9:01 AM
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"This is why I have mixed feelings about Trump. It's all about the pocketbook. Of course he is a racist Fascist lying pig. But he gave me a tax cut. Biden instead gave "free" money to elite college-educated liberals too dumb or too privileged to know that you have to pay out of your own damn pockets for nice things. Not me. What is so hard to understand? Can't afford college? Get grades good enough for a scholarship or don't go. That is real life. Sorry."

------------------------------------------

I hear ya with the out of control spending. Take a look at the graph of the national debt, and it sure does seem to explode under Republican control, too. Do you give the GOP a free pass for their pathetic handling of taxpayer funds ? I most definitely do not. And when the GOP talks their BS about how they are "fiscally responsible", it pisses me off immensely.

I am not for all of the handouts, but these handouts are given on a much larger scale to the wealthy. The tax code is basically written by lobbyists for the wealthy, so it is naturally skewed in their favor.

I do willingly pay taxes. I want good public schools, good roads, clean water and air, and want
regulations and standards that corporate America has to live up to, as I do not trust that these corporations willingly will do this on their own. It does not take much effort to look into American history and see capitalists and monopolists stomping on the rights of working class Americans. I don't want to go back to that. You elect Trump, and you're taking a large step back in time, but hey, you do you.
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Author: weatherman   😊 😞
Number: of 1018 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 10:08 AM
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the GOP brand of fiscal conservatism and low taxes has somehow outlasted reality at least since reagan. it has become orwellian in the economy, and not limited to trump nor MAGA.

out of thousands of anecdotes, my favorite is regards to cannabis.
long addicted themselves to state revenue from 'sinful' tobacco and alcohol, it is the tardy GOP support for cannabis revenue that has finally pushed it into legality for many states. and the pressure on GOP 'ethics' brand ramps up as more state tax revenue leaks to legal adjacent states.
to simplify for MAGA, this is MORE taxes on small business that has a unique ~90% level of public approval. the illegal vendors under-report or pay NO taxes.

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Author: Lambo   😊 😞
Number: of 1018 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 10:41 AM
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What isn't mentioned are the huge out-of-place tax cuts made under Trump. The idea was to starve the beast so it would get small enough to drown in a bath tub, eh? We need to back off a good hefty chunk of those tax cuts. The USA is a huge market and if corporations, businesses, want access to this huge market, they can pay the freight.

Ayn Rand exists essentially only in America and Europe kinda considers her a Neitzche for beginners or Americans.

I got my medical marijuana card here in Florida so I could buy gummies for my brother's wife, who is a sweet dear. At 75 she fell, broke some ribs and is recovering well. You pay for the card and then pay every six months to keep the card and the Doctor want to be paid in cash.. I mentioned you need no card in California and he said, "Republikan state, it's all about control."
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Author: Banksy 🐝🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 1018 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 10:48 AM
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This is stuck in my gullet...

Trump added $8 trillion to the national debt in just 4 years. More than any President in history.
We are paying an average of 3% interest annually on Trump's $8 trillion, about $240 Billion per year in interest thanks to Trump.

"The amount he's added to the national debt is indecent." ~Mike Pompeo

Nearly 90% of the benefits of the Biden Administration’s student loan debt relief will go to borrowers earning less than $75,000.
Meanwhile, 85% of the benefits of Trump's tax cuts went to taxpayers earning more than $75,000.

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Author: g0177325 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 1018 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 10:59 AM
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And when the GOP talks their BS about how they are "fiscally responsible", it pisses me off immensely.

Democrats: "Tax (the rich) and Spend"
Republicans: "Tax cuts (for the rich) and Spend"

This is why the economy always improves under Democratic administrations and doesn't under Republican ones.

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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 1018 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 11:24 AM
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Meanwhile, 85% of the benefits of Trump's tax cuts went to taxpayers earning more than $75,000. - Bansky

---------------

That 10% of the taxpayers pay 90% of the taxes and half the population pays no taxes at all distorts the favoritism implied by such statements.

Let's take Trumps thumb off the scale and cut taxes by for example a flat 10% for every taxpayer. The math results in, oh the horror, 90% of the savings going to those rich guys paying the majority of taxes in the first place.

You know what, evil Trump is at it again. When elected, he promises to eliminate taxes on tips which of course only benefits his millionaire-on-a-tip-income buddies.
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Author: commonone 🐝 HONORARY
SHREWD
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Number: of 1018 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 11:55 AM
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knighttof3: This is why I have mixed feelings about Trump. It's all about the pocketbook. Of course he is a racist Fascist lying pig. But he gave me a tax cut. Biden instead gave "free" money to elite college-educated liberals too dumb or too privileged to know that you have to pay out of your own damn pockets for nice things. Not me. What is so hard to understand?

It's so hard to understand because basically, it's wrong.

The huge run-up in loans and the subsequent spike in defaults have not been driven by "elite college-educated liberals" at expensive private colleges. They are driven by $8,000 loans at for-profit colleges and, to a some extent, community colleges. A decade ago, the typical borrower was a traditional student at a four-year college. And then came the Great Recession and job hunters headed back to school, states which had cut back funding of state colleges and universities over the years cut their funding even more, and wham bam, one year at a state college or university that used to cost $500-600 for tuition and books (about $3,500 in today's dollars) in the 1970s now costs $16,000 or more.

But even those state college graduates were still in a position to repay their student loans after graduation. In fact, 75 percent of the increase in default between 2004 and 2011 was attributable to borrowers at for-profit and community colleges, many of whom earn less than $40,000 a year.

Also, there are specific requirements in order to qualify for loan forgiveness, too many to list. For example, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) requires 10 years’ worth of on-time monthly loan payments, for a total of 120 payments, while working for the government or a nonprofit organization.

More here: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/student-l...

knighttof3: Mysterious how that happens, while I pay taxes on taxes since SALT is limited to 10K.

Okay, you've got me there. If your beef is with the $10,000 SALT cap, why in the Wide World of Sports would you support DonOld, the guy who capped SALT in the first place and who -- along with the GOP House -- has said he ain't lifting the cap?



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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 12:07 PM
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This is why the economy always improves under Democratic administrations and doesn't under Republican ones.

-----------------

The real problem is that both sides just love to spend, spend, spend. They are just doing it for different reasons, but they do agree the other sides spending is wasteful and unnecessary.

It seems Congress often allocates a big pot of money for a great cause. Then the bureaucrats slowly nibble on that pot over a period of years. After five years, the objective has not been accomplished and no one is quite sure where all the money went.

All those unspent COVID dollars could have been clawed back but no, let the schools just use it for a new parking lot or band uniforms, or whatever.

Same with that $6B infrastructure bill passed a couple years ago, gonna roll out the EV charging infrastructure, gonna save Gaia by golly, and green jobs for everybody. So far nothing tangible but I am sure the pot is being nibbled on via grants to entities who think right.

Rural broadband is another program that has gone missing.


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Author: ptheland 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 12:18 PM
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No. of Recommendations: 15
You know what sticks in my gullet? Someone that can rattle off a long list of real and serious problems with Trump, and then claim that it’s this one little spending issue that will keep them from voting for the person running against Trump.

—Peter
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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 12:21 PM
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Okay, you've got me there. If your beef is with the $10,000 SALT cap, why in the Wide World of Sports would you support DonOld, the guy who capped SALT in the first place and who -- along with the GOP House -- has said he ain't lifting the cap?

================

If a state or city has all sorts of expensive programs and has to tax the crap out of its citizens to pay for them, that is fine, so long as that cost is not propagated through the tax code to other less generous states.

The SALT cap rules, and I live in Texas, a high Property Tax/Sales Tax state.
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Author: Dope1   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 12:31 PM
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The SALT cap rules, and I live in Texas, a high Property Tax/Sales Tax state.

While WA state doesn't have an income tax, we still pay exorbitant state and local sales taxes. I applaud the SALT limit. Make the blue moochers pay their fair share.
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Author: onepoorguy 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 12:48 PM
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The "blue moochers"??

You do realize that the Blue states support the Red states by a landslide (in terms of taxes/benefits). Without that, the red states (especially in the South) would be hell-holes.

Red states receive more fed monies than blue states compared to what they pay-in. That's been true for a long time.
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Author: Banksy 🐝🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 12:59 PM
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Dope:"blue moochers"

OPG:"You do realize that the Blue states support the Red states by a landslide...Without that, the red states would be hell-holes.
Red states receive more fed monies than blue states compared to what they pay-in. That's been true for a long time."

100% true.

Another MAGA conspiracy theory shot to hell. On to the next one!

SSDD


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Author: Dope1   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 1:03 PM
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You do realize that the Blue states support the Red states by a landslide (in terms of taxes/benefits). Without that, the red states (especially in the South) would be hell-holes.

Red states receive more fed monies than blue states compared to what they pay-in. That's been true for a long time.


Blue state virtue signalers are the one talking about 'paying their fair share'.

I've put my money where my mouth is...and I support the SALT caps! Why don't more board liberals? (This insistence on repealing the cap is what gives the game away).

https://www.moneygeek.com/living/states-most-relia...

MoneyGeek analysis shows that states with higher per capita GDP are less dependent on the federal government.

"Higher-income states produce the majority of the tax dollars that go into the federal government's pocket," states Kathy Fallon, a human services practice area director at Public Consulting Group. Because of the higher income, states and their residents need less support and use fewer federal dollars.

Fallon noted that tax code changes have made wealthy states' contributions more pronounced.

"Before, people who paid large state income taxes would deduct those from their federal tax payments," she says. Now, state tax deductions are capped. "Ironically, it means the wealthier states' populations are paying even more."


As with most things, this discussion is nuanced. libs like to crow and point out blue states have higher GDP than red ones but that ignores some things:

1. Red states in the interior are highly agricultural or sparsely populated, often due to terrain.
2. Some blue states derive income owing to their history and geography...not due to liberalism.

Tell me.

Was it famous progressives who founded the NYSE? Or struck gold in California?
Did liberalism build the port of Long Beach and place it on the US west coast?

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Author: Lambo   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 2:13 PM
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But he gave me a tax cut.

Unless I'm mistaken, someone who is complaining about a SALT cap should know that any tax cut he got from Trump is gone. Taxes were ratcheted back up on the lower 90% so you now have NO TAX CUT, NONE, ZERO, BUPKISS. But you do have the SALT cap still due to - Guess Who?

But you'll miss that Trump screwed you, gave YOUR MONEY to the elites, and focus on reductions on student loan debt as evil.
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Author: sano 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 4:54 PM
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That 10% of the taxpayers pay 90% of the taxes and half the population pays no taxes at all distorts the favoritism implied by such statements.

That 'half the population pays no taxes at all distorts the reality that they pay a buttload of taxes that amount to a major percentage of their income.

Conversely, the income and cap gains taxes paid by the wealthiest % are not so impactful.
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Author: ges 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 4:56 PM
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half the population pays no taxes at all distorts the favoritism implied by such statements.


Payroll taxes, Medicare, SS.
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Author: ptheland 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 5:39 PM
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Payroll taxes, Medicare, SS.

Sales tax. One of the most regressive taxes out there.
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Author: Goofyhoofy 🐝 HONORARY
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Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 7:07 PM
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it is the tardy GOP support for cannabis revenue that has finally pushed it into legality for many states

Hrsly a surprise, conservatives are “tardy” on most everything.

Civil rights for minorities, for instance.

Equal rights for women.

Universal health care (still fighting that one)

Opposition to the vietnam war

Birth control and abortion (still fighting that one too)

Medicare and Social Security although for their commonfolk voters that’s a bridge too far

Heck they were against the Interstate Highway System until Ike said it was necessary for the military (it never was and never will be)

Well the list is long: much regulation including the EPA, SEC, and lots more. Our conservative friends at Heritage want to do away with the FDIC, fer cryin out loud.

Unions? Don’t make me laugh. Food safety? Who needs it?

Yep, some people enjoy the hard won fruits of progress, then complain that it might cost them a dollar. Weird.
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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 7:21 PM
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Payroll taxes, Medicare, SS.

Sales tax. One of the most regressive taxes out there.


------------

We were talking about federal taxes and I think you know that. But my generalization made for an opening to seize on a different topic than the effect of "Federal Tax Cuts". I realize there is no hope of returning to the original issue.
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Author: ptheland 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 8:14 PM
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We were talking about federal taxes

On the other hand, claiming that half of the population pays no federal income taxes deliberately ignores all of the other taxes they do pay, including state and local taxes.

—Peter

PS - gasoline taxes
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Author: onepoorguy 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 9:49 PM
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Yep, some people enjoy the hard won fruits of progress, then complain that it might cost them a dollar. Weird.

No. They just don't want anyone else to have them.
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Author: sano 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/03/2024 11:17 PM
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We were talking about federal taxes and I think you know that.

Federal taxes do not exist in a vacuum.... and I think you know, but willfully ignore, that for arguments sake.
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Author: Lapsody 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/04/2024 9:28 AM
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Red states receive more fed monies than blue states compared to what they pay-in. That's been true for a long time.

Blue state virtue signalers are the one talking about 'paying their fair share'.


But I talk about corporations paying their fare share. :) Who doesn't know y'all are sparsely populated and mostly Ag? Do you think that's some grand revelation? Enjoy firing those guns out of the great plains (actually it's a good hobby out there). We also know you have the suicide belt, which has been tied to altitude, and would like to see y'all get some help with that.

We don't mind helping y'all out under the spirit that it's one of our civic duties. Now as I remember it giving back to your community was a New England concept and you ridicule that by lumping it in with virtue signalling. You have to still be the hero in your mind right?

History shows us that Alexander Hamilton pushed the banking system and convinced Washington to start a bank. Hamilton was an aristocratic wannabe who kept some relative around because he had blue blood. The first banking schools would be elitist in your view, but it was run by mostly East Coast boys (the people you've been told not to trust).

But somehow Trump did you a great favor by giving you $600, then ratcheting your taxes back up while making the elitist tax cut permanent.
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Author: Lapsody 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/04/2024 10:09 AM
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That 10% of the taxpayers pay 90% of the taxes and half the population pays no taxes at all distorts the favoritism implied by such statements.


That's not true because a sales tax is a regressive tax that sits heavily on the poor, they've done studies on it. So you have to find a site that takes into account all taxes of any kind.
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Author: MisterFungi   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/04/2024 3:23 PM
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That 10% of the taxpayers pay 90% of the taxes and half the population pays no taxes at all ...

First, the stat is wrong. The top 10% (by income) pay 76% of (income) taxes, not 90%. (source: https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/latest-...)

Second, a big part of the reason why they pay a large share of income taxes is because they enjoy a large share of the income!--about 53%. (same source)

Third, as others here have noted, the notion that "half the population pays no taxes at all" ignores federal payroll taxes (Social Security, Medicare), which are regressive and capped for upper earners, as well as a host of state and local taxes (sales, gasoline, property, etc., etc.) that are typically even more regressive.

I'm honestly not trying to play "gotcha". As someone who taught this stuff for more than 40 years, I'm doing my bit to keep the facts on the table.

You know what, evil Trump is at it again. When elected, he promises to eliminate taxes on tips which of course only benefits his millionaire-on-a-tip-income buddies.

Trump will promise anyone anything to get elected. He also promised oil company CEOs a giant windfall of goodies "on day one" if they would donate $1 billion to his campaign. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09...)
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Author: sheila727   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/04/2024 3:32 PM
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<But he gave me a tax cut. >
====

Not remotely like the enormous ... and not needed ... tax cut he gave huge companies, creating an historic increase in the debt and grievously reducing funds needed to benefit the REAL needs of our country.
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Author: ges 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/04/2024 3:53 PM
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Trump will promise anyone anything to get elected. He also promised oil company CEOs a giant windfall of goodies "on day one" if they would donate $1 billion to his campaign

A corrupt grifter for whom everything is transactional.
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Author: knighttof3   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/05/2024 2:54 AM
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You know what sticks in my gullet? Someone that can rattle off a long list of real and serious problems with Trump, and then claim that it’s this one little spending issue that will keep them from voting for the person running against Trump.

Fair enough. I AM a one issue narrow minded selfish voter who absolutely only cares about themselves and the greater good be damned. (Except for other people's kids and mine, obviously they are too dumb to care for themselves so I am forced to 😀. But the adults, take care of yourself and stop panhandling for UBI.)

However, Biden vs Trump was a tough choice. Harris vs Trump is not. Speaking for myself only.
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Author: weatherman   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/05/2024 10:41 AM
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"I AM a one issue narrow minded selfish voter"

this makes no sense.
if you are single issue, why care kids are dumb? doesn't affect your pocketbook.

next, a good economy put on by Dems probably affects your sustainable net worth more than trump's (temp?) tax cut. but why need count things done by the other side? or things more impactful. keep it simple.

lastly, all parties have made the debt worse since clinton. but it just affects all those dumb kids someday in the future, so its ok.
zero chance whoever is elected will not again break the record for debts&deficits. but we can still pretend the GOP are fiscal conservatives.
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Author: MisterFungi   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/05/2024 9:36 PM
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Is that Democrats think my money is theirs to use as they see fit. It really is not, it's mainly to feed and house my family, educate my kids, save for retirement, maybe go on a vacation with the wife, and so on.

I see. So you intend not to take your Social Security and Medicare benefits, correct? And you want to freeload off national defense that the rest of us should pay for, right?

You may want to take a moment to look at a breakdown of where federal spending goes. The federal government is basically an insurance company with an armed forces. Those items plus paying mandatory interest on the national debt account for nearly 80% of the federal budget. That's true whether Republicans or Democrats are running the place. It doesn't matter.

Add in a bit for things like veterans' benefits, border security, national parks, the federal judiciary and law enforcement, and infrastructure, and the rest is peanuts.

https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-budget/where...


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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/05/2024 10:49 PM
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And you want to freeload off national defense that the rest of us should pay for, right? - Mr Fungi

-----------

Good example, forcibly taking taxes to pay for shared infrastructure is generally OK.

However, taking hard earned money from a single mom working two jobs to make ends meet only to give it some other person, as guaranteed income, or as a bribe to stay off drugs, or to forgive loans to college grads who obtained a degree with no commercial value, to provide food, housing, medical care, and free plane tickets to thousands of illegal immigrants who should not be here in the first place, not so much. Yep, I used it again.
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Author: knighttof3   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 12:01 AM
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I see. So you intend not to take your Social Security and Medicare benefits, correct? And you want to freeload off national defense that the rest of us should pay for, right?

No taxes is clearly untenable. I am dumb but not that dumb.

Some Republicans are at least talking about lowering my taxes. No Democrat is, because they love stiffing the working man, poor middle-class rich, doesn't matter; and give the money to those who don't work. Otherwise they would not float harebrained ideas like UBI.

Let's talk about SS and Medicare too. Mathematically, it was clear that the tax base was going to grow slower than the benefits that will be paid out, because Americans were not having four and five kids that could sustain COLA and medical care expense increases. Life expectancy was not going to go down. This should have been clear even in the 30s and 60s. And now these programs are beasts burdening me and my children.
But of course, free bread for Romans trumped common sense even in that ancient Republic. Nothing is free.
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Author: MisterFungi   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 7:33 AM
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However, taking hard earned money from a single mom working two jobs to make ends meet...

If she's a single mom working to make ends meet, she's very likely not only paying little to no income taxes (i.e., one of the ones you complained about a few minutes ago), she's also likely getting an earned income tax credit (EITC) back. This is different from an ordinary refund: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals...

I grew up in deep, mean poverty--way worse than huckster JD. I worked pro bono with impoverished Detroiters for many years. Among other things, we helped them file their taxes so that they could get their EITC.

If you truly think that MAGA cares about this single mom, someone is lying to you.
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Author: MisterFungi   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 8:33 AM
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And now these programs are beasts burdening me and my children.

I see. So you'd like to eliminate Social Security and Medicare? Or cut them back? MAGA!
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Author: UpNorthJoe 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 9:28 AM
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"If you truly think that MAGA cares about this single mom, someone is lying to you."

---------------------------------------------------

don't have the link in front of me, but I read a review of Trump's "no tax on tips"
pitch. It was said that the average waitress is not paying any Fed tax currently, and
Trump's "no tax on tips" policy would have no effect on the waitress/waiter tax burden.

However, financial hedge fund gurus, under Trump's "no tax on tips" policy, would be
able to declare some of their income as tip-income. That is just so typical of all
the BS that Trump sells.

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Author: ges 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 9:40 AM
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If you truly think that MAGA cares about this single mom, someone is lying to you.

The MAGA faithful that fill DonOlds rallies may very well care about the struggling single mom, but their oligarch masters surely do NOT.

You think DonOld cares about the 'little people'? No, he despises them, grifts from them and tells them nothing but lies.
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Author: sano 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 9:48 AM
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I am dumb but not that dumb.

Some Republicans are at least talking about lowering my taxes.


Perhaps you are not that dumb, but you are not sufficiently informed as to the macroeconomic reality; the rich are still getting richer while the middle and lower economic brackets are treading water or sinking.

You may think that being concerned only about your personal finances is wise, but you is part of da system and you cannot change that. If you believe in the Reagan myth, the rising tide floats all boats myth, you will eventually founder in the wake of the world's oligarchs yachts.
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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 10:14 AM
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It was said that the average waitress is not paying any Fed tax currently, and Trump's "no tax on tips" policy would have no effect on the waitress/waiter tax burden. -UNJ

-----------------

The large numbers of tip earners cheering Trump when he announced this apparently think they do pay income taxes.

Suggestion, now move to claiming the cheering tip earners are typical Trump supporters who are too ignorant to know if they pay taxes or not.


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Author: UpNorthJoe 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 15054 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 10:23 AM
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Suggestion, now move to claiming the cheering tip earners are typical Trump supporters who are too ignorant to know if they pay taxes or not.

-------------------------------------------------------

Suggestion, dig into Trump's tax and tariff claims and see if they really benefit the
working class.
I don't think either me or you went to Trump University, so we both believe in actual
numbers and not fantasy land claims made by Trump
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Author: albaby1 🐝 HONORARY
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Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 10:46 AM
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It was said that the average waitress is not paying any Fed tax currently, and
Trump's "no tax on tips" policy would have no effect on the waitress/waiter tax burden.


It's worth pointing out that those two sentences don't both have to be true.

It is very likely that the average waitress pays no current Federal income tax. Waitressing is a fairly low-paying job, and most people who have very low incomes do not have any federal tax burden.

However, a major part of that is due to the EITC and other refundable tax credits. If you earn $25K as a waitress and have two kids, you'll have $3K in taxable income (with a $22K standard deduction) and have a tax liability of $300 or so - but you'll be eligible for a nearly $6K EITC. The first $300 would offset the tax liability, and the rest would come to you. So you won't actually pay any federal income taxes....

,,,,but having your tip income excluded from AGI can still help you. If we assume that $3K of our waitress' income was tips, and it was excluded from taxable income, that would bring her owed taxes down to zero. So now she gets 100% of the EITC - she has an extra $300 in her pocket.
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Author: Banksy 🐝🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 10:47 AM
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Trump also said, "Seniors should not pay taxes on social security." And vowed to cut taxes on SS. He offered no details on how that would work.

It's almost like he will say anything to get elected...

"I will build a big beautiful wall and Mexico will pay for, you'll see!" ~Trump

"Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing." -George Orwell, 1984

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2024-08-01/t...

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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 10:56 AM
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Suggestion, now move to claiming the cheering tip earners are typical Trump supporters who are too ignorant to know if they pay taxes or not.

-------------------------------------------------------

Suggestion, dig into Trump's tax and tariff claims and see if they really benefit the
working class.
I don't think either me or you went to Trump University, so we both believe in actual
numbers and not fantasy land claims made by Trump - UNJ

===========================

You guys are masters at steering a question away from the uncomfortable answer the actual question demands.

I was posting about future effect of Trumps proposal to cease taxing Tip Income.

You ignore that topic and suggest I dig into the past. I will stick with my own eyes seeing videos of the cheering tip earners as sufficient to justify supporting Trump's policy on tip income. Why is that not valid in your view?
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Author: UpNorthJoe 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 11:25 AM
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It's almost like he will say anything to get elected...


-----------------------------------------

A person has to still believe in fairy tales to believe in the BS that Trump spews.

I personally favor Aesop's Fables, much more realistic and entertaining than Trump
fairy tales.
Only problem is that I don't believe in fairy tales anymore, not even Santa or the Easter
Bunny, so I guess I'm not Don the Con's target audience.
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Author: UpNorthJoe 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 11:30 AM
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Why is that not valid in your view?

------------------------

Because Trump lies about everything. I do not believe 1 damn thing that Trump says.


As long as you're doing snark and insults, I'll return the favor and ask if
you still believe in fairy tales ? Does Santa still come down the chimney
in the BHM casa ?
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Author: Banksy 🐝🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 11:53 AM
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UNJ: "Because Trump lies about everything. I do not believe 1 damn thing that Trump says."

You are correct UpNorthJoe...

The rapiing, 34X convicted felon, draft dodging, charity stealing, bobby pin wearing Donald Trump lied a total of 30,573 times over his 4 year presidency.
Averaging about 21 erroneous claims a day. This is a Documented fact. Trump is a PROVEN LIAR. He's made a career of lying to dumb people.

How many times will he lie in his next term? Build a wall? Have Mexico pay for it? Pay off the national debt? He won the election? Repeal and replace Obamacare?
Show his taxes? Hire only the best people? Find Obama's "real" birth certificate?
All lies, and so many more I couldn't possibly list them all. 79% of Trump's tweets were rated False by politifact check.

Why do MAGAs like being lied to and taken advantage of?

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Author: onepoorguy 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 1:00 PM
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Why do MAGAs like being lied to and taken advantage of?

He tells them what they want to hear. There is a lot of power in that.

Recall that when FOX called the election for Biden, they had a tremendous backlash from their audience. Some apparently switched to other outlets as a result. They didn't want to hear the truth, they wanted to hear what they wanted to hear.
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Author: sano 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 1:07 PM
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BHM I will stick with my own eyes seeing videos

Oh man.... it just gets better and better.

Why is that not valid in your view?

Abe Lincoln said it best: "If it's videoed, it must be true.
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Author: Banksy 🐝🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 1:52 PM
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BHM: "I will stick with my own eyes seeing videos."

Oh you like videos? Did you see this one from the January 6th MAGA led insurrection?
Five people died as a result of the attack, and over 140 Police Officers suffered injuries...
All because people like Mike lack the critical thinking skills necessary to recognize the difference between credible sources of information and right-wing propaganda.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iludfj6Pe7w

PS If you cheered when insurrectionist pieces of $%^T used flagpoles to beat cops on January 6th you are a crappy person and Jesus doesn't like you.
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Author: sano 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 3:06 PM
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PS If you cheered when insurrectionist pieces of $%^T used flagpoles to beat cops on January 6th you are a crappy person and Jesus doesn't like you.

Another burning bush popped up in my stream from J-man! I understand HE might even create HIS own custom-built content delivery network (“CDN”) to offer the Holy Truth.

Hi there, mortals!

It’s your favorite carpenter-turned-savior, Jesus Christ, checking in from Heaven. As thou art aware, soon Kamala Harris will announce her choice for Vice President, and I would like to officially throw My crown of thorns into the ring. Who better to assist our future Madame President of the United States than the Prince of Peace Himself? Harris/Christ 2024 FTW!!!

Think about it for a second: Donold Trump is a convicted felon, and Kamala Harris is a prosecutor. I love that contrast! It’s like poetic justice in action. Karma-la!

But verily, Donold doth pretend to be a super-duper mega Christian, right? Well, he’s obviously not. If anything, he’s the literal antichrist. And who better to deliver that message to Christians than Jesus Christ Himself?

Imagine us upon the campaign trail. We couldst do a good cop, bad cop routine. Kamala can continue to dance, laugh, and be her joyous self, while I take on the role of the attack Jesus. I’ll get out there and preach the bad word that Donold and JD Vance are a pair of morally bankrupt hypocrites. No Christian should ever vote for them. Jesus hath spoken!

So, Kamala, if you’re reading this, here’s why I’m the obvious choice for your VP:

1. I’ve Got Experience:
Let’s just say I’ve been around the block a few times. I’ve seen empires rise and fall, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and even walked on water—try finding another candidate with that on their résumé! When it comes to crisis management, I’m literally a miracle worker.

2. I Understand Sacrifice:
Who better to help guide tough decisions than someone who knows a thing or two about laying down His life for others? I’ve already made the ultimate sacrifice, so I’m well-equipped to handle the pressures of political life.

3. I Bring a Fresh Perspective:
Let’s face it—Washington could use a little divine intervention. While Dad has His own style, I’m more into flipping tables and calling out hypocrisy where I see it. I’m not afraid to shake things up, and I think that’s exactly what Kamala needeth in a VP.

4. I’m All About Justice:
Social justice is at the core of My teachings, and I know it’s something Kamala values deeply. Together, we could make serious strides in fighting for the marginalized, the poor, and the oppressed. With Me on board, we’d be a force for good that no one could ignore.

5. I’m a Healer:
In these divided times, America could use someone who knows how to bring people together. I’ve healed the blind, cured lepers, and even raised the dead—imagine what I could do for bipartisanship. My message of love and forgiveness might be just what the country needs right now.

6. I’m Not Afraid to Take a Stand:
Whether it’s standing up to the Pharisees or challenging the status quo, I’ve never been one to shy away from doing what’s right. As your VP, I’d bring that same fearless approach to Washington. If I can handle the Romans, I can handle the GOP.

7. I Have A Magic Act:
I know how to entertain. Water into wine? That was a classic! Plus, have you read the Beatitudes? Kamala, you need someone who can keep things light when the going gets tough, and I’m thy guy.

8. I’m An Excellent Communicator:
I’m so good at talking that people would come from miles away just to hear Me speak. I was preaching on mountains long before it was cool, and let’s be real—those were some pretty epic TED Talks.


So there you have it. Believe in videos, but believe even more in messages from HIM!
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Author: Lambo   😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 3:08 PM
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Cash tips are subject to social security and medicare taxes, which would take legislation, I don't think an Executive Order would suffice. so exactly what is Trump talking about?
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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 4:11 PM
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Because Trump lies about everything. I do not believe 1 damn thing that Trump says.


As long as you're doing snark and insults, I'll return the favor and ask if
you still believe in fairy tales ? Does Santa still come down the chimney
in the BHM casa ? - UNJ


---------------

"You guys are masters at steering a question away from the uncomfortable answer the actual question demands." - bhm 08-05-24

Again, I remind you the question is whether eliminating tips from taxable income
would benefit workers who earn tip income. I say the enthusiasm shown by tip earners demonstrates they believe there is a benefit. Your reply, "Trump is a liar" in not responsive.

BTW, there is no chimney in my barn. Santa must leave packages at the front gate like everybody else.


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Author: bighairymike   😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 4:29 PM
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BHM: "I will stick with my own eyes seeing videos."

Oh you like videos? Did you see this one from the January 6th MAGA led insurrection?
Five people died as a result of the attack, and over 140 Police Officers suffered injuries...
All because people like Mike lack the critical thinking skills necessary to recognize the difference between credible sources of information and right-wing propaganda. - Bansky


--------------

So actual videos are not valid. The goes against a lot of ring camera videos, dash cam videos, security cameras and body cameras on police, civilian cell phone video of assassins on a roof are generally accepted as a record of a real event.

Are you suggesting the videos of the cheering tip earners were performed by actors on a Sound Stage like the moon landing? That's the topic, taxes on tip income. Comments on Trump being a doodie head are not responsive.
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Author: ptheland 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 4:39 PM
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Again, I remind you the question is whether eliminating tips from taxable income
would benefit workers who earn tip income.


As has been pointed out already, most tipped jobs have pretty low pay, even with the tips. Some tipped employees would see a benefit. Many would not.

I say the enthusiasm shown by tip earners demonstrates they believe there is a benefit.

Some believe there is a benefit. But beliefs are not facts.

Your reply, "Trump is a liar" in not responsive.

It doesn't directly answer the question, but it provides context for a non-answer. Trump is, in fact a liar. And he's probably lying about working to get a tax break on tips. It's just his MO of saying what people might want to hear, with zero intention of actually doing anything. So from that perspective, it doesn't matter whether eliminating tips from taxable income would be a benefit or not, because the odds of it actually happening are vanishingly small.

--Peter
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Author: ges 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 4:57 PM
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All lies, and so many more I couldn't possibly list them all.

And one his greatest lies of all time...he was going to drain the swamp. LMAO. Said by the foul, swamp gassing, swamp monster himself. Give him a second chance and you will see corruption at the highest levels of our government like we've never seen before.
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Author: ges 🐝  😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 5:06 PM
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Cash tips are subject to social security and medicare taxes, which would take legislation, I don't think an Executive Order would suffice. so exactly what is Trump talking about?

Since when does Donold have a clue as to what he's talking about. He spews whatever he thinks will gain him favor with whoever he is courting at the time.
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Author: albaby1 🐝 HONORARY
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Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 08/06/2024 5:14 PM
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As has been pointed out already, most tipped jobs have pretty low pay, even with the tips. Some tipped employees would see a benefit. Many would not.

I'm not so sure about that. Median annual income of a waiter/waitress in the U.S. is north of $29K (at least by one source - it varies somewhat) which is comfortably above the standard deduction. Many (most?) of those folks will qualify for the EITC, and many (most?) will have an EITC that's higher than the amount of taxes they owe - but exempting tipped income from taxation would still benefit them.

https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/waiter-...

I'm pushing back on this not to be pedantic, but because I think that Democrats are still reluctant to see the threat that Republican populism poses for their coalition. The corporate/fiscal conservative faction has lost most of its ascendancy that it enjoyed as part of the Reagan (and Thatcher) realignment. It was a nice forty years while it lasted (for them), but right-wing parties all over the West have moved away from austerity (or even faux austerity) programs into full on populism. Democrats don't want to believe that this new populism is real, because if the GOP can pivot away from the Grover Norquist/Paul Ryan "let's cut all the popular governmental services" wing of the party, it's hard to see how the Democrats win elections.
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Author: knighttof3   😊 😞
Number: of 48430 
Subject: Re: What sticks in my gullet
Date: 12/01/2024 8:59 PM
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I see. So you'd like to eliminate Social Security and Medicare? Or cut them back? MAGA!

I don't want to, we HAVE to.
Because exponential spending growth is unsustainable without a faster-growing tax base. "Math is hard" it seems.
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