Sometimes I entertain the idea of becoming a fiscal conservative

[MechaBlade]

I wish I was paying less in taxes. They offered me XX thou for the job, but after taxes (though I know I'll get some back) it's closer to 2/3 of that.

It's a pretty good job and I live comfortably but it's really not enough for me, a guy who can't purchase stuff until he's sure he's saved up some "in case shit happens" money. I've got a list of major purchases I'd like to make in a year or so that I could probably start paying for now if I was reckless. If I was paying little to no income tax, I could buy stuff NOW and start living the life I planned to live when I was a college student who forgot to figure in taxes to his future budget. Caviar dreams and champagne wishes. Or something.

Two things keep me from being too bitter about things. One is that I know my money goes to help people in need. I easily ignore this. I'm not poor anymore and most of my friends are doing alright as well. Why should I care about the immigrants, the stupid, the lazy, and the sick? I got a shitty job, a mediocre life and everyone owes me.

The other thing is basic economics and knowing that the poor would pretty much eat the rich and middle class without some government programs. For someone in an urban area, that wouldn't go too well for me. And whereas I can occasionally tell others to fuck off, I really like watching out for myself.

Damn you, Ron Paul, for not being socially liberal. Or having a chance in hell.


Too long; didn't read: Taxes! Arrrgh!

 

[great lover]

Poor eating the rich is happening in a few places Mecha!

 

[MechaBlade]

Poor eating the rich is happening in a few places Mecha!

Not in America. Not often.

 

[great lover]

Not in America. Not often.

Be glad it doesn't!

 

[Odd_ball]

Poor eating the rich is happening in a few places Mecha!

Your sig and gerenal comments about welfare and the poor are off-base and wrong.

Individual welfare accounts for LESS than 1% of the entire federal budget. It's so small it's really a non-issue.

Compare that with Coporate welfare, tax breaks for business, grants, loans, etc.

Not to mention things like the feds bailing out failed companies.

 

[naughtycakes]

Paying taxes sucks, but the alternative is worst. You could live in a country that had no infrastructure and you wouldn't have to pay taxes. No public transportation, postal system, emergency rooms, etc.

That's not to say the system's perfect or even good, but what else is out there?

 

[MechaBlade]

Paying taxes sucks, but the alternative is worst. You could live in a country that had no infrastructure and you wouldn't have to pay taxes. No public transportation, postal system, emergency rooms, etc.

That's not to say the system's perfect or even good, but what else is out there?

Before the advent of income tax, stuff was paid for through sales tax.

But I suppose I'd use my car, fed ex, and my health insurance.

 

[ThinkFast]

Paying taxes sucks, but the alternative is worst. You could live in a country that had no infrastructure and you wouldn't have to pay taxes. No public transportation, postal system, emergency rooms, etc.

That's not to say the system's perfect or even good, but what else is out there?

Exactly.


Just b/c taxes don't just go to fund the homeless/hungry/sick doesn't mean that they don't have a purpose. It is a fair system that we have to pay for what we get to enjoy or use. That doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt to see that money going away, but we'd certainly all be complaining if the things that are paid for with taxes went away. No one is going to use that money perfectly, and someone will always be unhappy. But there are worse things in life than having to wait a year to buy a new toy. You should be proud of yourself that you have the presence of mind to wait until you can actually afford something.

 

[Odd_ball]

Before the advent of income tax, stuff was paid for through sales tax.

But I suppose I'd use my car, fed ex, and my health insurance.

True, sales tax is much better than income tax. None of the aforementioned things would go away.

 

[desertslave]

If you haven't already, do please read the Fair Tax books. Tons of information and a very sensible concept, IMO. I have concerns about the transitional period, but I still think it's an excellent alternative.

 

[Karen Kraft]

I wish I was paying less in taxes. They offered me XX thou for the job, but after taxes (though I know I'll get some back) it's closer to 2/3 of that.

It's a pretty good job and I live comfortably but it's really not enough for me, a guy who can't purchase stuff until he's sure he's saved up some "in case shit happens" money. I've got a list of major purchases I'd like to make in a year or so that I could probably start paying for now if I was reckless. If I was paying little to no income tax, I could buy stuff NOW and start living the life I planned to live when I was a college student who forgot to figure in taxes to his future budget. Caviar dreams and champagne wishes. Or something.

Two things keep me from being too bitter about things. One is that I know my money goes to help people in need. I easily ignore this. I'm not poor anymore and most of my friends are doing alright as well. Why should I care about the immigrants, the stupid, the lazy, and the sick? I got a shitty job, a mediocre life and everyone owes me.

The other thing is basic economics and knowing that the poor would pretty much eat the rich and middle class without some government programs. For someone in an urban area, that wouldn't go too well for me. And whereas I can occasionally tell others to fuck off, I really like watching out for myself.

Damn you, Ron Paul, for not being socially liberal. Or having a chance in hell.


Too long; didn't read: Taxes! Arrrgh!

Careful, there.

You are starting to slide down the slippery slope to reality.

 

[Odd_ball]

If you haven't already, do please read the Fair Tax books. Tons of information and a very sensible concept, IMO. I have concerns about the transitional period, but I still think it's an excellent alternative.

That or NESARA, even better IMO, but close to the same thing:

http://www.nesara.us/

 

[alexandraaah]

Flat sales tax.

No income tax.

 

[naughtycakes]

Before the advent of income tax, stuff was paid for through sales tax.

But I suppose I'd use my car, fed ex, and my health insurance.

Well, you still need roads, zipcodes and hospitals.

 

[Odd_ball]

Flat sales tax.

No income tax.

Yes. Impossible for anyone to cheat on it or avoid paying. (Like companies who make all ther profits in the USA moving their HQ to Bermuda).

 

[alexandraaah]

Yes. Impossible for anyone to cheat on it or avoid paying. (Like companies who make all ther profits in the USA moving their HQ to Bermuda).

People should make their salaries, period. Never be penalized for work- it's bullshit.

Hike up that sales tax; I really don't care. I can use discretion when making purchases, but besides that- it is simpler and fairer.

This has nothing to do with my political leanings; I'm staunchly independent.

 

[Odd_ball]

People should make their salaries, period. Never be penalized for work- it's bullshit.

Hike up that sales tax; I really don't care. I can use discretion when making purchases, but besides that- it is simpler and fairer.

This has nothing to do with my political leanings; I'm staunchly independent.

Same here. I have conservative leanings when it comes to fiscal matters, such common sense things as "dont take out loans unless absolutely necessary, keep a balanced budget, big government is generally bad", etc.

But let's face it, income tax is one of the 10 planks of communism. The rest are slowly taking over the USA, it's crazy.

 

[Ham Murabi]

Where do your taxes go?
It might be instructive to take a look at your state's employment figures. Along with the numbers of people out of work, it also breaks down who is employed and where they work.
In Nevada, about 12 percent of the workforce is employed by local, state and federal governments. Local and state employees earn substantially more than their counterparts doing comparable work in the private sector, plus they get ALL the holidays off and a guaranteed income and medical benefits paid for when they retire after 30 years.
So you work for parks and rec fresh out of college, pull in $88,000 a year at age 53 and retire and still get the same salary.
What kind of solvent private company offers that kind of benefit?

 

[MechaBlade]

Well, you still need roads, zipcodes and hospitals.

Yes, sales tax.

This has nothing to do with my political leanings; I'm staunchly independent.

Means less than nothing.

Where do your taxes go?
It might be instructive to take a look at your state's employment figures. Along with the numbers of people out of work, it also breaks down who is employed and where they work.
In Nevada, about 12 percent of the workforce is employed by local, state and federal governments. Local and state employees earn substantially more than their counterparts doing comparable work in the private sector, plus they get ALL the holidays off and a guaranteed income and medical benefits paid for when they retire after 30 years.
So you work for parks and rec fresh out of college, pull in $88,000 a year at age 53 and retire and still get the same salary.
What kind of solvent private company offers that kind of benefit?

Depends on what you major in.

 

[just pet]

I have been accused of being fiscally conservative
I had no argument to oppose it
A disheartening discovery

 

[MechaBlade]

I have been accused of being fiscally conservative
I had no argument to oppose it
A disheartening discovery

As long as you're liberal where it counts.

 

[just pet]

As long as you're liberal where it counts.

Read my lips