U
Obama's Fuzzy Math
- Thread starter MeeMie
- Start date
koalabear
~Armed and Fuzzy~
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2001
- Posts
- 101,964
more Fed Taxes to come......but he won't touch your Income Tax.
Ulaven_Demorte
Non-Prophet Organization
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2006
- Posts
- 30,016
I've read it, and the BS accusations surrounding it. Last week it was going to "outlaw organic farming", which turned out to be far from the truth. Now it's going to put poor direct to consumer farmers out of business by requiring licenses and inspections and now home gardens are to be outlawed as well?
I covered this in another thread. Even the NRA of Organic food growers only had issues with the bill because of what I mentioned. Even they were trying to calm their own readership about the misinformation put out over this bill.
koalabear
~Armed and Fuzzy~
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2001
- Posts
- 101,964
I don't read your threads. Where does it say gardens will be outlawed.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
Shane said...
Sometimes I wonder if my ancestors are whispering in my ear - About two months ago I got the urge to read "Atlas Shrugged" even though I knew nothing about it and knew very little about Ayn Rand and her philosophy. I am almost done with the book and I must admit that it haunts me - all day I ponder the sights and sounds of America in the throes of a tantrum, and see the tell tale signs of an economic breakdown at our most fundamental levels. If this nation cannot understand the system that has made it so unbelievably successful - so successful that it has lulled us into a decadent stupor - then only a deep correction will reveal the folly that plays so rampant throughout all groups in our society.
Ron said...
When I was a kid, we burned coal and wood in our fire place. We often couldn't afford the oil for our heater. With this new classification from Obama, the price of heating our homes will sky rocket. The unintended consequence will be that very many more people will heat their homes with coal and wood in their fire places and wood burning stoves.
Do you know how many pollutants AND CO2 are released by individuals burning as opposed to coal plants, which scrub the exhausts, before they are released? It's much more efficient for power plants to do so. Apparently liberals don't think, logic escapes them. Economics is way over their head.
Hold your breath, or you may be breaking the law. Any scientist knows that CO2 is not pollution, nor can it be classified as a pollutant.
Sometimes I wonder if my ancestors are whispering in my ear - About two months ago I got the urge to read "Atlas Shrugged" even though I knew nothing about it and knew very little about Ayn Rand and her philosophy. I am almost done with the book and I must admit that it haunts me - all day I ponder the sights and sounds of America in the throes of a tantrum, and see the tell tale signs of an economic breakdown at our most fundamental levels. If this nation cannot understand the system that has made it so unbelievably successful - so successful that it has lulled us into a decadent stupor - then only a deep correction will reveal the folly that plays so rampant throughout all groups in our society.
Ron said...
When I was a kid, we burned coal and wood in our fire place. We often couldn't afford the oil for our heater. With this new classification from Obama, the price of heating our homes will sky rocket. The unintended consequence will be that very many more people will heat their homes with coal and wood in their fire places and wood burning stoves.
Do you know how many pollutants AND CO2 are released by individuals burning as opposed to coal plants, which scrub the exhausts, before they are released? It's much more efficient for power plants to do so. Apparently liberals don't think, logic escapes them. Economics is way over their head.
Hold your breath, or you may be breaking the law. Any scientist knows that CO2 is not pollution, nor can it be classified as a pollutant.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
gypsylady said...
I was a public schools teacher for 8 years. I have quit this year to homeschool my children.
Why? One main reason: Public Education is not working. Why?
Brief Run-down: we have illegal students here who are costing two to three times as much as children who are legal citizens. They must have free lunch, English as a Second Language teachers and classes, an interpreter for the parents and students. They refuse to remove or report these illegals. I was being forced to treat them better than regular students because it was politically "good" to do so. If they could not understand and spit in another child's eye--it was deemed Okay because maybe that is their culture. We must be sensitive to them and insensitive to those children they were hurting.
I also had to work with spanish speaking teachers who did not understand or could not teach language, writing, or reading. Therefore, I was asked to re-write their notes, lesson plans, and more. I already had a full plate. But everyone is so SCARED of not being politically correct, that they are corrupting our system.
I quit and I am THRILLED. My children are learning , I'm spending less money on my classroom, and am spending WAY less on gas, clothes, and food. I am making my own food at home, and do not buy retail anymore.
I was buying WAY too much for children that did not have supplies, and supplies that the school insist I have, but would not give teachers ANY money for. They also put a freeze on our income for three years. Yes we stay at the same pitiful salary for three years--we would not receive any type of increase. Yet we were not allowed to ask the students to bring in pencil and paper, and were given no money to purchase any.
Guess what all of the teachers had to do? BUY it at Walmart out of our own pocket.
I have cut WAY back--I'm nolonger buying retail, driving out of a 10 mile radius, spending money on eating out, and am no longer putting my money in a savings account. I am using the money to pay off all of our debt.
It has made our family closer, more appreciative, and I am proud to say that I believe MORALS are IMPORTANT regardless of what ethnicity you are.
I was a public schools teacher for 8 years. I have quit this year to homeschool my children.
Why? One main reason: Public Education is not working. Why?
Brief Run-down: we have illegal students here who are costing two to three times as much as children who are legal citizens. They must have free lunch, English as a Second Language teachers and classes, an interpreter for the parents and students. They refuse to remove or report these illegals. I was being forced to treat them better than regular students because it was politically "good" to do so. If they could not understand and spit in another child's eye--it was deemed Okay because maybe that is their culture. We must be sensitive to them and insensitive to those children they were hurting.
I also had to work with spanish speaking teachers who did not understand or could not teach language, writing, or reading. Therefore, I was asked to re-write their notes, lesson plans, and more. I already had a full plate. But everyone is so SCARED of not being politically correct, that they are corrupting our system.
I quit and I am THRILLED. My children are learning , I'm spending less money on my classroom, and am spending WAY less on gas, clothes, and food. I am making my own food at home, and do not buy retail anymore.
I was buying WAY too much for children that did not have supplies, and supplies that the school insist I have, but would not give teachers ANY money for. They also put a freeze on our income for three years. Yes we stay at the same pitiful salary for three years--we would not receive any type of increase. Yet we were not allowed to ask the students to bring in pencil and paper, and were given no money to purchase any.
Guess what all of the teachers had to do? BUY it at Walmart out of our own pocket.
I have cut WAY back--I'm nolonger buying retail, driving out of a 10 mile radius, spending money on eating out, and am no longer putting my money in a savings account. I am using the money to pay off all of our debt.
It has made our family closer, more appreciative, and I am proud to say that I believe MORALS are IMPORTANT regardless of what ethnicity you are.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
sandy said...
My husband and I are in our late 30's and among those who are supporting the exploiters by working full-time, paying our bills and mortgage ON TIME (with extra payments each month, whenever possible), and we pay our taxes. Between the two of us our income makes us comfortable, but we still curb our spending and live within our means. I would love to be able to take a couple of grand vacations every year, or buy filet mignon on a weekly basis, but I realize that I have responsibilities that preclude such frivolity. HOWEVER, we are seriously considering buying a cheapo camper and quitting our jobs to travel around the Americas. We can live off of our savings and sell whatever we can across the continent and continue to use our cash-back credit card to make a small profit off of the banks. NO TAXES, well, except for gas and other required purchases, but we can say goodbye to property tax, school tax, income tax, and any other tax that takes money out of our pocket for the benefit of those who don't deserve it.
My husband and I are in our late 30's and among those who are supporting the exploiters by working full-time, paying our bills and mortgage ON TIME (with extra payments each month, whenever possible), and we pay our taxes. Between the two of us our income makes us comfortable, but we still curb our spending and live within our means. I would love to be able to take a couple of grand vacations every year, or buy filet mignon on a weekly basis, but I realize that I have responsibilities that preclude such frivolity. HOWEVER, we are seriously considering buying a cheapo camper and quitting our jobs to travel around the Americas. We can live off of our savings and sell whatever we can across the continent and continue to use our cash-back credit card to make a small profit off of the banks. NO TAXES, well, except for gas and other required purchases, but we can say goodbye to property tax, school tax, income tax, and any other tax that takes money out of our pocket for the benefit of those who don't deserve it.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
Hank Reardon said...
To Do:
I have frozen hiring in my firm.
Kids educated via private school.
No investments will be made in taxable accounts.
I am buying silver and gold instead of CD's or stocks with non-qualified money/savings.
I have stopped taking new clients (thus freezing my income).
I barter more and more.
Spend Less.
I Stopped Leveraging assets (don't borrow).
Give money to anti-tax campaigns.
Once the kids are out of the house I will move to a ranch and live off the land.
Take payments for work in cash or coins (silver/gold)
Spread Rand's work.
To Do:
I have frozen hiring in my firm.
Kids educated via private school.
No investments will be made in taxable accounts.
I am buying silver and gold instead of CD's or stocks with non-qualified money/savings.
I have stopped taking new clients (thus freezing my income).
I barter more and more.
Spend Less.
I Stopped Leveraging assets (don't borrow).
Give money to anti-tax campaigns.
Once the kids are out of the house I will move to a ranch and live off the land.
Take payments for work in cash or coins (silver/gold)
Spread Rand's work.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
doubletrouble said...
Well, a statement? No, not really. But, I have retired from productive employment for a spell to see what will happen. Not everyone is in a position to do this, but I made it a goal in life to be, by age 50, in a position in which I could be financially self-secure; i.e. I only owe what I spend. Having accomplished this goal, it is my intent to "John Galt" this temporary economic (& possibly political) set of circumstances to see where my next efforts should be applied.
Life is finer when unencumbered with the need to spend 'till it hurts.
Well, a statement? No, not really. But, I have retired from productive employment for a spell to see what will happen. Not everyone is in a position to do this, but I made it a goal in life to be, by age 50, in a position in which I could be financially self-secure; i.e. I only owe what I spend. Having accomplished this goal, it is my intent to "John Galt" this temporary economic (& possibly political) set of circumstances to see where my next efforts should be applied.
Life is finer when unencumbered with the need to spend 'till it hurts.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
Karen said...
I am heartened to see others taking part in "the silent revolt".
I immigrated to the US from Canada. When the government started "clawing back" income physicians earned that was deemed to be "excessive", the physicians I worked for just stopped working. Canceling elective surgery, etc.
Likewise, a few years ago we had a very bad experience with the public school when our special needs son was continually physically threatened and harmed, and the school refused to provide him a safe place to learn. We withdrew from the public school system and did a combination of home schooling and private school.
Since public school levies were the largest portion of our real estate taxes, we sold all of our rental property at the height of the market in 2005 and following the examples of the tax hypocrites, we stashed the proceeds in tax-exempt accounts and downsized tremendously. I refuse to support a school system that I can not use.
My husband is near the end of his active duty military career. We are currently stationed in California. I have a small business and looked into opening a business here but the withholding and onerous redtape, I passed.
We are continuing to wind down and try to avoid paying taxes and supporting the nanny state of California whereever possible.
I shop online via the Exchange system to avoid paying sales taxes, and it includes free shipping. Likewise, I online shop for groceries via Amazon and other purveyors -- no tax and it cuts down on the fuel tax surcharges.
We have a small garden, which is therapeutic and a hobby, as well as significantly reducing our grocery bill. We still drive our 2000, well maintained, paid for, vehicle.
I am laying off people and gradually winding down my business. At this point, I draw enough in salary to fully fund my retirement funds to the max allowable (including a ROTH IRA) and pay for supplemental health and dental insurance.
My husband was approached by the local university and teaches a class part-time, but he has told them he is not going to renew his contract after this semester.
After he retires we plan on traveling and enjoying life. The original plan was to launch a second career, but I think enjoying life to the fullest while we have the health and mobility is a gift we deserve to give ourselves.
The Obama plan sounds an awful lot like the "Little Red Hen" to me.
I'm not interesting in growing, thrashing and baking just to have others cruise by to eat the bread.
More and more small business people I know feel the same -- when the well is empty, maybe those who aren't productive will get the hint that if you want to eat, work.
I am heartened to see others taking part in "the silent revolt".
I immigrated to the US from Canada. When the government started "clawing back" income physicians earned that was deemed to be "excessive", the physicians I worked for just stopped working. Canceling elective surgery, etc.
Likewise, a few years ago we had a very bad experience with the public school when our special needs son was continually physically threatened and harmed, and the school refused to provide him a safe place to learn. We withdrew from the public school system and did a combination of home schooling and private school.
Since public school levies were the largest portion of our real estate taxes, we sold all of our rental property at the height of the market in 2005 and following the examples of the tax hypocrites, we stashed the proceeds in tax-exempt accounts and downsized tremendously. I refuse to support a school system that I can not use.
My husband is near the end of his active duty military career. We are currently stationed in California. I have a small business and looked into opening a business here but the withholding and onerous redtape, I passed.
We are continuing to wind down and try to avoid paying taxes and supporting the nanny state of California whereever possible.
I shop online via the Exchange system to avoid paying sales taxes, and it includes free shipping. Likewise, I online shop for groceries via Amazon and other purveyors -- no tax and it cuts down on the fuel tax surcharges.
We have a small garden, which is therapeutic and a hobby, as well as significantly reducing our grocery bill. We still drive our 2000, well maintained, paid for, vehicle.
I am laying off people and gradually winding down my business. At this point, I draw enough in salary to fully fund my retirement funds to the max allowable (including a ROTH IRA) and pay for supplemental health and dental insurance.
My husband was approached by the local university and teaches a class part-time, but he has told them he is not going to renew his contract after this semester.
After he retires we plan on traveling and enjoying life. The original plan was to launch a second career, but I think enjoying life to the fullest while we have the health and mobility is a gift we deserve to give ourselves.
The Obama plan sounds an awful lot like the "Little Red Hen" to me.
I'm not interesting in growing, thrashing and baking just to have others cruise by to eat the bread.
More and more small business people I know feel the same -- when the well is empty, maybe those who aren't productive will get the hint that if you want to eat, work.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
bmayer said...
To go "John Galt" you are looking at doing one of two things.
1. Stop producing
2. Stop giving up your production to free loaders.
If you do 1 you are useless, 2 is your only option unless you are going to retire. So how can you do that?
1. Run for office yourself.
2. The easiest way, vote for people that won't tax you more. If they do tax you more, vote them out of office.
3. Join something like the Free State Project http://www.freestateproject.org/ Once that is in effect tell the feds that you are not putting up with their over taxation, Constitution stomping crap any more.
I like donating my wealth to those that are less fortunate then myself. What I don't like is being forced to give my money, and then have someone else administer it.
Having a friends wife, who worked in the local social security office, tell stories convinced me that gov't is not a good decider of who should or should not receive my hard earned money.
To go "John Galt" you are looking at doing one of two things.
1. Stop producing
2. Stop giving up your production to free loaders.
If you do 1 you are useless, 2 is your only option unless you are going to retire. So how can you do that?
1. Run for office yourself.
2. The easiest way, vote for people that won't tax you more. If they do tax you more, vote them out of office.
3. Join something like the Free State Project http://www.freestateproject.org/ Once that is in effect tell the feds that you are not putting up with their over taxation, Constitution stomping crap any more.
I like donating my wealth to those that are less fortunate then myself. What I don't like is being forced to give my money, and then have someone else administer it.
Having a friends wife, who worked in the local social security office, tell stories convinced me that gov't is not a good decider of who should or should not receive my hard earned money.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
nehpets said...
I am only pulling a semi-gault. Here are a couple of things I will do in the next months. I own a company with 30 employees.
I am eliminating the majority of non-value added (NVA) positions in my company.
I have several employees whose main job is to learn their profession and assist others. Not on my expense anymore. Also, having a secretary with an assistant is a luxury I no longer need.
I will reduce the size and scope of my business. I started and built the company and can do so again if I wish. I can make the same profit by working harder myself. Yes, I have gotten lazy.
Personally, I will never buy an American car again. Detroit and the labor unions are our next bailout. Then the airlines. I will attempt to eliminate the excess spending in my life - less going out for dinner, less on holiday spending. Little things that add up.
I am only pulling a semi-gault. Here are a couple of things I will do in the next months. I own a company with 30 employees.
I am eliminating the majority of non-value added (NVA) positions in my company.
I have several employees whose main job is to learn their profession and assist others. Not on my expense anymore. Also, having a secretary with an assistant is a luxury I no longer need.
I will reduce the size and scope of my business. I started and built the company and can do so again if I wish. I can make the same profit by working harder myself. Yes, I have gotten lazy.
Personally, I will never buy an American car again. Detroit and the labor unions are our next bailout. Then the airlines. I will attempt to eliminate the excess spending in my life - less going out for dinner, less on holiday spending. Little things that add up.
Ulaven_Demorte
Non-Prophet Organization
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2006
- Posts
- 30,016
It wasn't my thread. It was a response to someone else pushing the same misinformation about the Food Modernization Act as you have been here.
URGENT: Bill Pending to OUTLAW ORGANIC FARMING
My response with a link to Organicconsumers.org myth of the week page.
Last edited:
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
Mom At 35 said...
We live in southern California and did all the responsible. I have a doctorate, my husband a masters degree, and since 2005 our combined household income was over $350K. We bought the house. This year, I had the fortune of deciding to cut back my biz to the point of keeping it in maintenance mode only to stay home with the baby. Now in a Obama-Biden administration, I hope to look less rich. It's tough for a type A personality like me to aim to make less $, yet that is exactly what I'm planning to do. That, and cashing out a % of our savings to buy gold, and put the rest toward the principle of our once-ridiculously overpriced house (that has since lost $200K+ of its value post 2005).
Ed said...
The barter system of economy will certainly starve the government of funds if a critical mass of people participate. The problem is that the government will only take more as it's needed. They will never do with less like the rest of us. Falling off the grid, as satisfying as that sounds, is pretty implausible. I think the productive class has to make sure we are as debt-free as possible. That way we can "hide" as much of our earnings as we can afford, from The One when he comes to seize it.
We live in southern California and did all the responsible. I have a doctorate, my husband a masters degree, and since 2005 our combined household income was over $350K. We bought the house. This year, I had the fortune of deciding to cut back my biz to the point of keeping it in maintenance mode only to stay home with the baby. Now in a Obama-Biden administration, I hope to look less rich. It's tough for a type A personality like me to aim to make less $, yet that is exactly what I'm planning to do. That, and cashing out a % of our savings to buy gold, and put the rest toward the principle of our once-ridiculously overpriced house (that has since lost $200K+ of its value post 2005).
Ed said...
The barter system of economy will certainly starve the government of funds if a critical mass of people participate. The problem is that the government will only take more as it's needed. They will never do with less like the rest of us. Falling off the grid, as satisfying as that sounds, is pretty implausible. I think the productive class has to make sure we are as debt-free as possible. That way we can "hide" as much of our earnings as we can afford, from The One when he comes to seize it.
Ulaven_Demorte
Non-Prophet Organization
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2006
- Posts
- 30,016
The_Trouvere
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2008
- Posts
- 11,189
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
Rick said...
To answer your question re: legal ways to go John Galt - - -
- - - To some degree, the ‘problem’ is generational and to the extent it is, going John Galt is a natural evolution.
Beyond the cliché, life has become amazingly easy for mainstream Americans, one generation to the next. My parents were depression era adolescents, and they taught my siblings and me an almost religious respect for personal gain through personal effort. The ultimate compliment to a man’s value among my Mainer uncles was, “He’s a workah!” - - - . Conversely, the ultimate expression of disdain was, “Not much of a workah, that one.”
So, for the nest of vipers who reward non-productivity to get in office, and the idiot masses who send them to Washington, I suggest we are three generations away from any hope at all - - - . The current generation, to squander what the country has spent two hundred years developing, the next generation to whine about the loss, and the subsequent generation to begin rebuilding.
To answer your question re: legal ways to go John Galt - - -
- - - To some degree, the ‘problem’ is generational and to the extent it is, going John Galt is a natural evolution.
Beyond the cliché, life has become amazingly easy for mainstream Americans, one generation to the next. My parents were depression era adolescents, and they taught my siblings and me an almost religious respect for personal gain through personal effort. The ultimate compliment to a man’s value among my Mainer uncles was, “He’s a workah!” - - - . Conversely, the ultimate expression of disdain was, “Not much of a workah, that one.”
So, for the nest of vipers who reward non-productivity to get in office, and the idiot masses who send them to Washington, I suggest we are three generations away from any hope at all - - - . The current generation, to squander what the country has spent two hundred years developing, the next generation to whine about the loss, and the subsequent generation to begin rebuilding.
akatrex
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2005
- Posts
- 2,805
Watch Out for OBAMA's Predator Drones.
You might be the recipient of an Air Strike on your Backyard Garden.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
Rambler said...
How ironic it is to see those that support Obama the most are losing their jobs first. They've scared the crap out of the people that make the country work and create the jobs and then wonder why they are setting on their hands, stopping all expansion plans, in fact cutting back.
Nathan Hale said...
How about a Vacation for Freedom?
I propos a figurative shot across the bow from those of us on whom the President's Generational Theft Act depends.
The Shot? I suggest that we all take a Month off from working (or, at least, getting paid to work), a Month off from buying and from hiring. I suggest we don't travel, buy or sell stocks, make phone calls except for Skype and in every possible way refuse to participate in the economy.
How ironic it is to see those that support Obama the most are losing their jobs first. They've scared the crap out of the people that make the country work and create the jobs and then wonder why they are setting on their hands, stopping all expansion plans, in fact cutting back.
Nathan Hale said...
How about a Vacation for Freedom?
I propos a figurative shot across the bow from those of us on whom the President's Generational Theft Act depends.
The Shot? I suggest that we all take a Month off from working (or, at least, getting paid to work), a Month off from buying and from hiring. I suggest we don't travel, buy or sell stocks, make phone calls except for Skype and in every possible way refuse to participate in the economy.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
T.H. said...
Going Galt can be simple! Galt's Gulch is a state of mind, not a place. I am 'going Galt' even though I make less than $250k; I refuse to support looters on principle.
I work in biotech - work that supports cancer research and drug development, among other things. I left work when I got pregnant. I was planning on returning this year, but I decided to stay at home for a few years in light of Obama's oppressive tax policies. My family will cut back on expenses and spend more time enjoying each other's company; the looter-in-chief will be deprived of $10,000 in tax receipts because of my decision.
Going Galt can be simple! Galt's Gulch is a state of mind, not a place. I am 'going Galt' even though I make less than $250k; I refuse to support looters on principle.
I work in biotech - work that supports cancer research and drug development, among other things. I left work when I got pregnant. I was planning on returning this year, but I decided to stay at home for a few years in light of Obama's oppressive tax policies. My family will cut back on expenses and spend more time enjoying each other's company; the looter-in-chief will be deprived of $10,000 in tax receipts because of my decision.
koalabear
~Armed and Fuzzy~
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2001
- Posts
- 101,964
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
This one is very good:
KCJohnGalt said...
I am retired (52), paid off my mortgage in 2001 and am 100% in cash - the reason I was able to retire 6 years ago was because I was already saving heavily for many years. Even though we are deflationary right now, I cannot see how we're going to avoid inflation. Cutting back expenses like other commenters have mentioned is an excellent way to avoid sales taxes as well as building savings that you'll need for the future problems.
We will be facing higher sales taxes, property taxes, fees for services, federal and state income taxes and other taxes like sin taxes. If you enjoy wine or alcohol, you may wish to avoid future sales tax and sin tax increases by doing what I did - I determined a reasonable life expectancy and bought a lifetime supply of hard alcohol like bourbon that will last indefinitely in sealed bottoms in my basement - if you do this, buy only liquor in glass, buy the 1.75 liter size for more savings and wait for sales at a store that will give you an additional 10% off per case. In my case, the store owner pointed out that several well-known brands have ALREADY increased their bottle prices because of THEIR additional costs.
I have also been buying durable goods in bulk that I know I will use - furnace filters, FoodSaver bags, etc, and get the best prices usually on EBay but also from various other Internet stores. You can only store so much food which you can't store for a lifetime (no thanks on the powdered eggs and other survivalist food!), but I bought plastic shelving units, set them up in my basement and have stocked them with about a 2 year supply of staples, including canned soup, vacuum-packed mason jars of rice and pasta, canned fruit, etc - all of which are bought on loss-leader sales at grocery stores. I also have 2 freezers which are kept full, the contents of which were all bought on sale.
My intent here is to avoid future sales tax increases as long as possible, and to mitigate the sales taxes I must pay by always buying EVERYTHING on sale.
I also live frugally, which is the best revenge, and since a large part of my cash is in long-term IRA CDs, I keep my income as low as possible and stay out of higher brackets, and contribute the maximum allowed (3K) to my Health Savings Account which this year will save me about $400 on my federal and state taxes since it is an above-the-line deduction. That's the same as earning a 13.3% return on that money, and the beauty is that the interest accumulates tax-free.
Past that, I intend to barter as much as possible when the opportunity arises. I am cutting firewood on a neighbor's country property in return for giving him some. I am sharing some bulk purchases with neighbors, getting better prices. I am refusing to go to parks (usually national) that charge a fee to enter.
Most importantly, unless I am in serious danger of starving, I will never get another job and allow the government to confiscate my production for their use.
Who is John Galt? We ALL are.
KCJohnGalt said...
I am retired (52), paid off my mortgage in 2001 and am 100% in cash - the reason I was able to retire 6 years ago was because I was already saving heavily for many years. Even though we are deflationary right now, I cannot see how we're going to avoid inflation. Cutting back expenses like other commenters have mentioned is an excellent way to avoid sales taxes as well as building savings that you'll need for the future problems.
We will be facing higher sales taxes, property taxes, fees for services, federal and state income taxes and other taxes like sin taxes. If you enjoy wine or alcohol, you may wish to avoid future sales tax and sin tax increases by doing what I did - I determined a reasonable life expectancy and bought a lifetime supply of hard alcohol like bourbon that will last indefinitely in sealed bottoms in my basement - if you do this, buy only liquor in glass, buy the 1.75 liter size for more savings and wait for sales at a store that will give you an additional 10% off per case. In my case, the store owner pointed out that several well-known brands have ALREADY increased their bottle prices because of THEIR additional costs.
I have also been buying durable goods in bulk that I know I will use - furnace filters, FoodSaver bags, etc, and get the best prices usually on EBay but also from various other Internet stores. You can only store so much food which you can't store for a lifetime (no thanks on the powdered eggs and other survivalist food!), but I bought plastic shelving units, set them up in my basement and have stocked them with about a 2 year supply of staples, including canned soup, vacuum-packed mason jars of rice and pasta, canned fruit, etc - all of which are bought on loss-leader sales at grocery stores. I also have 2 freezers which are kept full, the contents of which were all bought on sale.
My intent here is to avoid future sales tax increases as long as possible, and to mitigate the sales taxes I must pay by always buying EVERYTHING on sale.
I also live frugally, which is the best revenge, and since a large part of my cash is in long-term IRA CDs, I keep my income as low as possible and stay out of higher brackets, and contribute the maximum allowed (3K) to my Health Savings Account which this year will save me about $400 on my federal and state taxes since it is an above-the-line deduction. That's the same as earning a 13.3% return on that money, and the beauty is that the interest accumulates tax-free.
Past that, I intend to barter as much as possible when the opportunity arises. I am cutting firewood on a neighbor's country property in return for giving him some. I am sharing some bulk purchases with neighbors, getting better prices. I am refusing to go to parks (usually national) that charge a fee to enter.
Most importantly, unless I am in serious danger of starving, I will never get another job and allow the government to confiscate my production for their use.
Who is John Galt? We ALL are.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
Rick said...
It seems those who tried the 'Society responsible for every individual's needs' crowd (Communists), didn't do too well - - .The "leaders" destroyed the country's ability to produce, and then stole the crumbs that were left. If productive people are concerned that the good 'ol USofA is heading in the same direction then you shouldn't be surprised.
Go visiting around the world, and you will see that the poor (and not-so-poor) in this country are better off than just about anywhere. Why is that, do you suppose? Because of government?
Could it be that the wealth created by the free market system created enough so generous-minded people could afford to support legitimate charities? It is not supporting charity that motivated Atlas Shrugged - - - it is being forced to give to government-designated "charities" at the point of a gun (which is bad enough), BUT:
1. Government give-aways are invariable poorly conceived, poorly executed, and ineffective,
2. are motivated by power lust, rather than humanitarian considerations, and
3. create long-term dependency.
Charity is not the business of government. Charity (start calling it what it is) is, and should be, granted at the discretion of the giver. If we could separate Charity and State as well as we separate Church and State, there would be no need for the Galts.
It seems those who tried the 'Society responsible for every individual's needs' crowd (Communists), didn't do too well - - .The "leaders" destroyed the country's ability to produce, and then stole the crumbs that were left. If productive people are concerned that the good 'ol USofA is heading in the same direction then you shouldn't be surprised.
Go visiting around the world, and you will see that the poor (and not-so-poor) in this country are better off than just about anywhere. Why is that, do you suppose? Because of government?
Could it be that the wealth created by the free market system created enough so generous-minded people could afford to support legitimate charities? It is not supporting charity that motivated Atlas Shrugged - - - it is being forced to give to government-designated "charities" at the point of a gun (which is bad enough), BUT:
1. Government give-aways are invariable poorly conceived, poorly executed, and ineffective,
2. are motivated by power lust, rather than humanitarian considerations, and
3. create long-term dependency.
Charity is not the business of government. Charity (start calling it what it is) is, and should be, granted at the discretion of the giver. If we could separate Charity and State as well as we separate Church and State, there would be no need for the Galts.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
Rick said...
In Scandinavia national wealth is considered property of ‘the state’. Anyone who has a little too much is taxed back to mediocrity. Healthcare, education, housing, and most aspects of life are controlled by the state, and the state decides who should get what. Is that your idea of Utopia? Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands - - all are being over-run by in influx of looters, and they are rapidly finding that their system just can’t handle it. I believe most people in the US, compared to the world population, are much better off. I believe there is greater opportunity for an individual rise to his/her full potential here, than in any country - - including the Scandinavian countries. For me, the idea of government as the administrator of one big adult day-care center is repugnant.
1a. Social Security -
Why would anyone invest in a pension fund whose prospectus reads ‘ we will take whatever we want to ease the burden of the massive debt we have accumulated, and maybe give some of what you have contributed back to you - - some day. We reserve the right to give you whatever we want, to increase the age at which you will receive it, and to tax anything else you may earn, or discontinue payments entirely if that suits us’.
Yes, yes. It has been beaten to death - - - beaten to death, but never answered - - . Why is it that the scoundrels who have foisted the SS boondoggle on the public don’t participate in it? Why have they set up their own little ‘sweetheart’ deal? If you were to ask the man on the street whether he would rather have a congressman’s retirement plan, or SS, what do you think he would say? On the other hand, if you were to ask a congressman which he would rather have - - - but wait! He could change in a heartbeat! After all, congress makes the laws - - - .
1b. Medicare -
You really think Medicare is efficiently run? Really? I don’t think I have ever seen those two terms in the same sentence. There was a time when people who needed a doctor got a doctor. Business paid for employees healthcare, not because they had a gun to their collective head, but because it was necessary to attract good employees. Blue Cross and Blue Shield administered benefits, no one ever considered suing a doctor. The AMA weeded-out the few (very few) who didn’t meet their standards. Government was NOT in the healthcare business.
We will probably agree that healthcare needs a great deal of work. Government intervention so far has set us back 40 years. More government intervention is NOT the answer.
2. Power Lust
I believe YOU believe power lust isn’t what this difference of opinion is all about. What I don’t understand is why anyone would want to steal my property, if not to exercise power over me. I don’t ask for (let alone demand) anything from anyone. Why would anyone feel that I “owe” them - - - something? Anything?
“Responsibility to Society!” Society? Ayn Rand wasn’t a tyrannical old witch. She was a pretty bright lady who saw well-intentioned idealists turn her native Russia over to a bunch of thugs in the name of ‘the greater good’. It didn’t turn out quite the way they had planned. Society is you and me. If you need something I have, all you have to do is ask. Ask for what I have, and if I can, I will give it to you (I’m a pretty generous guy) - - - but not without conditions - - - my conditions - - and if I don’t like the answers to my questions, I reserve the right to say “no”. My money – my right.
On the other hand, if you hire a band of thugs-in-suits to steal from me, you can’t be too surprised if I resist. You think it is about money? You think we can fix what is broken with money? Roosevelt’s “New Deal”, Johnson’s “Great Society” spending, Carter and Clinton putting people in houses they couldn’t afford - - - you really think putting more money in the hands of politicians is ‘the answer’? It is about power. One group imposing their will on another, and it runs contrary to everything this country is founded on.
Today, In the good ‘ol US ofA, the only difference between a Democrat and a Republican is the lies they tell to get elected.
It IS time for change, but not by stealing from the few who are keeping the economic boat afloat.
In Scandinavia national wealth is considered property of ‘the state’. Anyone who has a little too much is taxed back to mediocrity. Healthcare, education, housing, and most aspects of life are controlled by the state, and the state decides who should get what. Is that your idea of Utopia? Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands - - all are being over-run by in influx of looters, and they are rapidly finding that their system just can’t handle it. I believe most people in the US, compared to the world population, are much better off. I believe there is greater opportunity for an individual rise to his/her full potential here, than in any country - - including the Scandinavian countries. For me, the idea of government as the administrator of one big adult day-care center is repugnant.
1a. Social Security -
Why would anyone invest in a pension fund whose prospectus reads ‘ we will take whatever we want to ease the burden of the massive debt we have accumulated, and maybe give some of what you have contributed back to you - - some day. We reserve the right to give you whatever we want, to increase the age at which you will receive it, and to tax anything else you may earn, or discontinue payments entirely if that suits us’.
Yes, yes. It has been beaten to death - - - beaten to death, but never answered - - . Why is it that the scoundrels who have foisted the SS boondoggle on the public don’t participate in it? Why have they set up their own little ‘sweetheart’ deal? If you were to ask the man on the street whether he would rather have a congressman’s retirement plan, or SS, what do you think he would say? On the other hand, if you were to ask a congressman which he would rather have - - - but wait! He could change in a heartbeat! After all, congress makes the laws - - - .
1b. Medicare -
You really think Medicare is efficiently run? Really? I don’t think I have ever seen those two terms in the same sentence. There was a time when people who needed a doctor got a doctor. Business paid for employees healthcare, not because they had a gun to their collective head, but because it was necessary to attract good employees. Blue Cross and Blue Shield administered benefits, no one ever considered suing a doctor. The AMA weeded-out the few (very few) who didn’t meet their standards. Government was NOT in the healthcare business.
We will probably agree that healthcare needs a great deal of work. Government intervention so far has set us back 40 years. More government intervention is NOT the answer.
2. Power Lust
I believe YOU believe power lust isn’t what this difference of opinion is all about. What I don’t understand is why anyone would want to steal my property, if not to exercise power over me. I don’t ask for (let alone demand) anything from anyone. Why would anyone feel that I “owe” them - - - something? Anything?
“Responsibility to Society!” Society? Ayn Rand wasn’t a tyrannical old witch. She was a pretty bright lady who saw well-intentioned idealists turn her native Russia over to a bunch of thugs in the name of ‘the greater good’. It didn’t turn out quite the way they had planned. Society is you and me. If you need something I have, all you have to do is ask. Ask for what I have, and if I can, I will give it to you (I’m a pretty generous guy) - - - but not without conditions - - - my conditions - - and if I don’t like the answers to my questions, I reserve the right to say “no”. My money – my right.
On the other hand, if you hire a band of thugs-in-suits to steal from me, you can’t be too surprised if I resist. You think it is about money? You think we can fix what is broken with money? Roosevelt’s “New Deal”, Johnson’s “Great Society” spending, Carter and Clinton putting people in houses they couldn’t afford - - - you really think putting more money in the hands of politicians is ‘the answer’? It is about power. One group imposing their will on another, and it runs contrary to everything this country is founded on.
Today, In the good ‘ol US ofA, the only difference between a Democrat and a Republican is the lies they tell to get elected.
It IS time for change, but not by stealing from the few who are keeping the economic boat afloat.
MeeMie
No Spam Here
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Posts
- 7,328
BRIAN said...
Why would you consider someone who peddled coffee to guys working on the railroad when he was 10, got up at 4am to peddle milk when he was 14, spent 4 years serving his country, saved a little money, founded a small business, lived on $5K/year to pay the business bills, and eventually provided work for 3 more people a "self centered scumbag"?
Because I am unreasonable enough to want to keep what I have earned?
Not that it is your business what I do with my money, but I support the charities I deem worthy - - my money, my choice. Government is NOT the charity I would pick. In fact they are the most incompetent administrators of wealth on the face of the earth! Not surprising - - they were never intended to be charity administrators. I resent it when people who have worked less than I have worked organize political thugs to steal money from me.
The "American Dream" I grew up with was/is based on hard work and individual effort - - not whining, and certainly not resenting people who had the drive, ambition and brains to make their way in the world.
Why would you consider someone who peddled coffee to guys working on the railroad when he was 10, got up at 4am to peddle milk when he was 14, spent 4 years serving his country, saved a little money, founded a small business, lived on $5K/year to pay the business bills, and eventually provided work for 3 more people a "self centered scumbag"?
Because I am unreasonable enough to want to keep what I have earned?
Not that it is your business what I do with my money, but I support the charities I deem worthy - - my money, my choice. Government is NOT the charity I would pick. In fact they are the most incompetent administrators of wealth on the face of the earth! Not surprising - - they were never intended to be charity administrators. I resent it when people who have worked less than I have worked organize political thugs to steal money from me.
The "American Dream" I grew up with was/is based on hard work and individual effort - - not whining, and certainly not resenting people who had the drive, ambition and brains to make their way in the world.
