Board index › General Discussion › News and Current Events

The gummint screwed up again

Page 5 of 12 [ 191 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... 12  Next

Previous topic | Next topic

Thelibrarian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Aug 2012
Age: 64
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,948
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas

28 Oct 2013, 3:19 pm

sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
In fact, SS taxes were raised back up about a year ago, constituting one of the biggest tax increases in history, yet the silence was deafening.


Just to be perfectly clear, it was not a tax increase, just the end of a temporary tax break.


Call it what you want, but I paid more taxes after it was reinstated than I did before. In other words, I was paying more taxes.



sonofghandi
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,540
Location: Cleveland, OH (and not the nice part)

28 Oct 2013, 3:32 pm

Thelibrarian wrote:
sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
In fact, SS taxes were raised back up about a year ago, constituting one of the biggest tax increases in history, yet the silence was deafening.


Just to be perfectly clear, it was not a tax increase, just the end of a temporary tax break.


Call it what you want, but I paid more taxes after it was reinstated than I did before. In other words, I was paying more taxes.


And paying the same amount as 2 years before.


_________________
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently" -Nietzsche


Thelibrarian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Aug 2012
Age: 64
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,948
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas

28 Oct 2013, 3:36 pm

sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
In fact, SS taxes were raised back up about a year ago, constituting one of the biggest tax increases in history, yet the silence was deafening.


Just to be perfectly clear, it was not a tax increase, just the end of a temporary tax break.


Call it what you want, but I paid more taxes after it was reinstated than I did before. In other words, I was paying more taxes.


And paying the same amount as 2 years before.


That is correct. But it wasn't any more right two years ago than it is now.



sonofghandi
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,540
Location: Cleveland, OH (and not the nice part)

28 Oct 2013, 3:48 pm

Thelibrarian wrote:
Kraichgauer wrote:
That's because we'll all get something back from our social security taxation.


Bill, if you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, I'm willing to sell you everything stolen from by the SS Administration for a nickel on the dollar, meaning you pay me a nickel for every dollar I've paid in, and I will have all of those fat retirement checks sent you way. Deal?

I'd actually sell out cheaper than that. I'm 51, and would be willing to make a deal with government today: Unsubscribe me from this scheme, meaning take no more money out of my paychecks, and keep the "pension".


If you are serious about this, I would be willing and able. I am fairly certain that getting a contract like this drawn up is within the capability of someone I went to grad school with.


_________________
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently" -Nietzsche


Thelibrarian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Aug 2012
Age: 64
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,948
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas

28 Oct 2013, 3:50 pm

sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
Kraichgauer wrote:
That's because we'll all get something back from our social security taxation.


Bill, if you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, I'm willing to sell you everything stolen from by the SS Administration for a nickel on the dollar, meaning you pay me a nickel for every dollar I've paid in, and I will have all of those fat retirement checks sent you way. Deal?

I'd actually sell out cheaper than that. I'm 51, and would be willing to make a deal with government today: Unsubscribe me from this scheme, meaning take no more money out of my paychecks, and keep the "pension".


If you are serious about this, I would be willing and able. I am fairly certain that getting a contract like this drawn up is within the capability of someone I went to grad school with.


Then do it.



Kraichgauer
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Gender: Male
Posts: 49,751
Location: Spokane area, Washington state.

28 Oct 2013, 8:43 pm

Thelibrarian wrote:
Kraichgauer wrote:
That's because we'll all get something back from our social security taxation.


Bill, if you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, I'm willing to sell you everything stolen from by the SS Administration for a nickel on the dollar, meaning you pay me a nickel for every dollar I've paid in, and I will have all of those fat retirement checks sent you way. Deal?

I'd actually sell out cheaper than that. I'm 51, and would be willing to make a deal with government today: Unsubscribe me from this scheme, meaning take no more money out of my paychecks, and keep the "pension".


The rest of us are more than happy to wait for our pensions.


_________________
-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer


Thelibrarian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Aug 2012
Age: 64
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,948
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas

29 Oct 2013, 8:44 am

Kraichgauer wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
Kraichgauer wrote:
That's because we'll all get something back from our social security taxation.


Bill, if you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, I'm willing to sell you everything stolen from by the SS Administration for a nickel on the dollar, meaning you pay me a nickel for every dollar I've paid in, and I will have all of those fat retirement checks sent you way. Deal?

I'd actually sell out cheaper than that. I'm 51, and would be willing to make a deal with government today: Unsubscribe me from this scheme, meaning take no more money out of my paychecks, and keep the "pension".


The rest of us are more than happy to wait for our pensions.


Bill, since even the most optimistic SS supporters say that the system will be completely broke in 2033--four years before you are due to retire.

I would add that it is highly illegal to transfer SS benefits. This program is such a good deal that people have to be forced into it for their own good, proving the government knows better than the people--right?

Bill, I own a ranch that I paid cash for at age forty. I got the seed money by saving almost everything I made from my pathetically small paychecks when I served in the USN from 1980-84. That seed money was far less than what has been expropriated from me by our own government for SS. What's more, this ranch will provide a nice income for as long as I am alive--at least until the government decides that my land should be turned over to the "oppressed" the way it has happened in all leftwing countries.

Think about it: If the government knows how to spend my paycheck better than I do, it's not much of a leap for them to think they can utilize my land better than I can as well. This is the difference between us: I trust that citizens know best, while you believe that government knows best. Don't be surprised if your misplaced faith comes back to bite you.



ruveyn
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 21 Sep 2008
Age: 89
Gender: Male
Posts: 31,502
Location: New Jersey

29 Oct 2013, 8:51 am

At the policy and management level the U.S. government is run by screw-ups, incompetent, corrupt and base individuals. We are governed by the dregs of our culture. Isn't Democracy wonderful?

ruveyn



sonofghandi
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,540
Location: Cleveland, OH (and not the nice part)

29 Oct 2013, 8:55 am

Thelibrarian wrote:
I would add that it is highly illegal to transfer SS benefits.


Transfer, illegal. Setting up an annuity structure where you would payout an equal amount of your estimated SS payments starting when SS starts in exchange for an upfront set dollar amount now, legal.


_________________
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently" -Nietzsche


Thelibrarian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Aug 2012
Age: 64
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,948
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas

29 Oct 2013, 9:00 am

ruveyn wrote:
At the policy and management level the U.S. government is run by screw-ups, incompetent, corrupt and base individuals. We are governed by the dregs of our culture. Isn't Democracy wonderful?

ruveyn


The problem with our "democracy" and the universal franchise is that idiots are allowed to vote. As Winston Churchill noted, the best argument against democracy is spending five minutes talking with the average voter. Solution: Require a test to vote the same as a test is required for a professional license. Smarter voters will no doubt demand better candidates, and hence, better government.

Having said this, you are right that smarter citizens are much smarter than the average bureaucrat, especially those bureaucrats who have their positions by virtue of belonging to "oppressed" groups.

I would also take issue with this country being a democracy; it is a republic, which comes from two Latin words meaning thing of its citizens. In other words, this country belongs to its citizens--not the immigrants, not the world, and certainly not to a bunch of hostile liberal elites who hate it.

The way leftists justify their paternalistic governing style is that they rule according to what the people should want--not what they actually do want. They call it democracy, but history calls it tyranny.



Thelibrarian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Aug 2012
Age: 64
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,948
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas

29 Oct 2013, 9:03 am

sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
I would add that it is highly illegal to transfer SS benefits.


Transfer, illegal. Setting up an annuity structure where you would payout an equal amount of your estimated SS payments starting when SS starts in exchange for an upfront set dollar amount now, legal.


Clear it with the SS administration and we can talk. I have already provided you clear evidence that what you propose is illegal. I do NOT break the law, even bad laws. It sounds to me as if America is nothing more than something for you to milk for all it is worth, and the laws be damned. Is that the way good Americans really behave?



sonofghandi
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,540
Location: Cleveland, OH (and not the nice part)

29 Oct 2013, 9:43 am

Thelibrarian wrote:
Is that the way good Americans really behave?


I have difficulties with your contradictory and fragmented arguing style. You talk about how good Americans should behave as if you were THE moral authority, and then scorn everything about our democratic system and advocate taking the right to vote away from people that can't pass some sort of test. Just what is your definition of being an American?


_________________
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently" -Nietzsche


sonofghandi
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,540
Location: Cleveland, OH (and not the nice part)

29 Oct 2013, 9:46 am

Thelibrarian wrote:
sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
I would add that it is highly illegal to transfer SS benefits.


Transfer, illegal. Setting up an annuity structure where you would payout an equal amount of your estimated SS payments starting when SS starts in exchange for an upfront set dollar amount now, legal.


Clear it with the SS administration and we can talk. I have already provided you clear evidence that what you propose is illegal. I do NOT break the law, even bad laws. It sounds to me as if America is nothing more than something for you to milk for all it is worth, and the laws be damned. Is that the way good Americans really behave?


I do not understand your argument that I am trying to milk America for all it is worth. I am merely trying to take you up on your offer. If anything, I am trying to milk you for all your SS is worth. And since it is worth nothing to you, I do not understand your accusations.


_________________
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently" -Nietzsche


Thelibrarian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Aug 2012
Age: 64
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,948
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas

29 Oct 2013, 10:29 am

sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
Is that the way good Americans really behave?


I have difficulties with your contradictory and fragmented arguing style. You talk about how good Americans should behave as if you were THE moral authority, and then scorn everything about our democratic system and advocate taking the right to vote away from people that can't pass some sort of test. Just what is your definition of being an American?


The fact that nobody is allowed to advance moral arguments is the way liberalism denies the legitimacy of all morality save PC. Then, liberals have NO problems being "moral authorities" or passing judgment. It seems to me this is a "contradictory and fragmented" arguing style, sir. But you are right; I do want Americans to behave. The alternative is the Third World that your ancestors left. Perhaps you could tell me why you want what your ancestors fled brought to these shores?

The only reason I advocate for a test for voting is to ensure that my country has the best leadership possible. It is also the case that you haven't convinced me that idiots can make decisions as wise as the intelligent can.

American is an ethnicity the same as being French or Chinese is. It is therefore a complicated thing. But for the purposes of this conversation, you can consider American to mean either of the two cultures that made this country the envy of immigrants all over the world, and that made this country the world's economic powerhouse, with the world's highest standard of living.



Thelibrarian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Aug 2012
Age: 64
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,948
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas

29 Oct 2013, 10:31 am

sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
sonofghandi wrote:
Thelibrarian wrote:
I would add that it is highly illegal to transfer SS benefits.


Transfer, illegal. Setting up an annuity structure where you would payout an equal amount of your estimated SS payments starting when SS starts in exchange for an upfront set dollar amount now, legal.


Clear it with the SS administration and we can talk. I have already provided you clear evidence that what you propose is illegal. I do NOT break the law, even bad laws. It sounds to me as if America is nothing more than something for you to milk for all it is worth, and the laws be damned. Is that the way good Americans really behave?


I do not understand your argument that I am trying to milk America for all it is worth. I am merely trying to take you up on your offer. If anything, I am trying to milk you for all your SS is worth. And since it is worth nothing to you, I do not understand your accusations.


Sir, people sell out their 401(k) retirement plans all the time. When was the last time you read of somebody doing that with their SS? It is ILLEGAL. And I'm well aware the concept does not register on you. Again, you clear what you want to do with the SS administration, and then we can talk. Right now, you leave me no choice but to conclude you have zero respect for my country's ways.



sonofghandi
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,540
Location: Cleveland, OH (and not the nice part)

29 Oct 2013, 10:40 am

Thelibrarian wrote:
The fact that nobody is allowed to advance moral arguments is the way liberalism denies the legitimacy of all morality save PC. Then, liberals have NO problems being "moral authorities" or passing judgment. It seems to me this is a "contradictory and fragmented" arguing style, sir. But you are right; I do want Americans to behave. The alternative is the Third World that your ancestors left. Perhaps you could tell me why you want what your ancestors fled brought to these shores?

The only reason I advocate for a test for voting is to ensure that my country has the best leadership possible. It is also the case that you haven't convinced me that idiots can make decisions as wise as the intelligent can.

American is an ethnicity the same as being French or Chinese is. It is therefore a complicated thing. But for the purposes of this conversation, you can consider American to mean either of the two cultures that made this country the envy of immigrants all over the world, and that made this country the world's economic powerhouse, with the world's highest standard of living.


I am not saying you can't argue on moral grounds. I am saying that if you do so, then you must accept that those you argue against should be extended the same courtesy. My problems is that you assume your personal sense of morality is the only possible one. Which two cultures are you talking about? It seems to me that "melting pot" doesn't mean chocolate or vanilla. I don't understand what SS has to do with where my ancestors came from. How were they fighting Social Security, exactly? And I also have trouble with your assumption that keeping the right to vote away from people you consider to be unworthy as a view that you consider "American."


_________________
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently" -Nietzsche