A certain freshman congresswoman

[Adam]

The world is ending in 12 years

[Adam]

People will die because of orange man 

[Blarg]

9 minutes ago, Adam said:

The world is ending in 12 years

That's really messing with my fishing plans. 

[UndertheHalo]

3 hours ago, AngelsLakersFan said:

It's complicated. I am philosophically against increases in taxes but I recognize the basic need for them. I am a firm believer that since there is no avoiding those taxes they should be highly progressive and as limited as possible. I think, in this case, most of AOC proposal reeks of class warfare and this fantasy that rich people have a bunch of money wasting away in the bank that can be used to run the government in place of money from us plebs. 

That said we live in a system of compromise that is a mix of free market, socialist programs and a economic factors that give a leg up to rich people and corporations. The 'right' course is always relative to all of the rest of the factors present in the current economy, so perhaps now is the time to support such an idea?

There is another problem though, and it is something I don't think anyone has an answer for. Technology is rapidly taking wealth from the lower class and moving it to those with the power to harness it. Plans to redistribute it back down are only going to keep popping up and be implemented - it is an unstoppable force of nature. The problem (among many) is that government mandated redistribution is inherently inefficient - it won't work, government handouts will never be a replacement for a real job. Solutions to this inequality are going to have to come from a reimagining of how our economy runs, and government intervention generally only makes things worse.

So I don't know if this is good policy, but I understand where it comes from. I have yet to hear someone talk about the real structural problems at play and how we address those. The 70% tax proposal is an attempt to treat a symptom, which could have unwanted side effects.

Ya, I think the issue with technology and automation is the single biggest challenge that well developed economies face.  Fundamentally something has to change with how people go about making their livings.  Because we’ll continue to see jobs eliminated or grossly undervalued in basically all sectors of the economy.  I agree with you 100% that it seems there’s no clear solution. That’s why we’re starting stuff like guaranteed minimum income.  They’ve toyed with that in Finland I believe.  I think that program ended however.  I’m not sure how that’s something that’s workable broadly however. 

A lot of tough stuff to deal with.  Without even talking about other catastrophes like climate change.  Which is another thing that economies have to contend with. 

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by UndertheHalo

[Stradling]

5 hours ago, UndertheHalo said:

That’s fine.  But, respectfully l think you’re looking at this wrong.  It’s not about punishing someone for being wealthy.  There’s this worship of wealth in this country and those who have it.   The very wealthy don’t work harder then you and I.  They often don’t even produce much more then a laborer.  Wealth begets wealth.  And when you have small numbers of people who are hoarding it.  That’s a problem when large *working* portions of society can barely scrape by.  Feel free to disagree.  I’m sure you will.  But imo this becomes an ethical issue.   Most rich people are not like Bill Gates.  Who, at least actually created something.  Even he, has far.  far too much. Anyway, this is a complex problem.  And as I said, AOC marginal tax rate is not a silver bullet.  But I think she’s done a great service bringing these issues to the discussion.  It’s excellent that we’re talking about it.  Even if you don’t necessarily buy in.  The status quo is unsustainable. 

I mean look at all these government workers not getting paid.  These are solidly “middle class” jobs.  And shit tons of these people can’t afford to miss one pay check.  That’s fu*cked man.  There is something broken in our system. 

Also, I find it utterly remarkable that so many of these people are still showing up to work.  It’s heart breaking really.  That we’re so house broken as a society.  That we still dutifully show up to work UNPAID.  It’s just terrible.  All of these people should be striking. 

Hoarding it?  Fuck off.  

[Stradling]

I am far from rich, but I do make a good living.  I pay in federal taxes a ton each year.  Then when I do my taxes, it is never enough, so I pay more taxes.  This is with filing single and 0, while being married.  This is with having a large mortgage on a nice home.  This is with donating upwards to $20k a year to charity, maxing out my 401k and putting extra money into my NQD.  Hell I even pay a pretty big amount each month in alimony, which is actually my best write off.   I have never once, not once in my life thought, “well my tax dollars are being well spent”.  Never.  Not a single fucking time.  So no, I don’t agree with the Uber rich being taxed more.  Start by taxing the 50% that aren’t currently paying much if any income tax.  

[UndertheHalo]

23 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Hoarding it?  F*ck off.  

Nice.  Are you offended for the billionaires ? I dont really give a shit how much you respect their philanthropy or whatever.  Nobody deserves that kind of money and the possession of it can be described as nothing other then hoarding as far as I’m concerned.   You are entitled to your opinion and and I’m entitled to mine.   

The richest 3 Americans possess more wealth then 50% of the American population.  That is a system that is broken.  

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by UndertheHalo

[jessecrall]

Conservatives who want to Make America Great Again sure get quiet when you show them corporate and income tax rates under Eisenhower. Or Nixon. Or even Reagan.

Also, when a 29-year-old congresswoman two weeks on the job has guys comparing her to a neighing horse, she's obviously gotten under their skin.

[UndertheHalo]

I don’t understand why people who do well imagine themselves threatened by talk like this . 

There is no one that believes you and your good salary.  Bonuses and all.  Is undeserved or a threat to a just economic structure Strad. 

The richest people don’t make money like we do man. 

Edited January 24, 2019 by UndertheHalo

[Stradling]

4 minutes ago, UndertheHalo said:

Nice.  Are you offended for the billionaires ? I dont really give a shit how much you respect their philanthropy or whatever.  Nobody deserves that kind of money and the possession of it can be described as nothing other then hoarding as far as I’m concerned.   You are entitled to your opinion and and I’m entitled to mine.   

The richest 3 Americans possess more wealth then 50% of the American population.  That is a system that is broken.  

 

Hoarding it, yea, that is a crock of shit.  They earned the money.  If you want more money go out an earn it.  Don’t shit on people who did just that.  

[Stradling]

1 minute ago, UndertheHalo said:

I don’t understand why people who do well imagine themselves threatened by talk like this . 

There is no one that believes you and your good salary.  Bonuses and all.  Is undeserved or a threat to a just economic structure Strad. 

The richest people don’t make money like we do man. 

It has nothing to do with being threatened, I am already carrying more of the burden than is fair or just.  It’s fucking robbery.  I recently got a $7000 bonus, take home on it was $4000.  Why?  How is that right?  What does that do to make my life better?  It’s crap.  

[Blarg]

Well, it cuts down on your hookers and blow money which should make you a better husband. 

[UndertheHalo]

5 minutes ago, Stradling said:

It has nothing to do with being threatened, I am already carrying more of the burden than is fair or just.  It’s Facking robbery.  I recently got a $7000 bonus, take home on it was $4000.  Why?  How is that right?  What does that do to make my life better?  It’s crap.  

I’m 100% with you that the way that we tax  should be thrown out the window and completely restructured.  Taxes on bonuses and OT hurt middle class people more then anyone and it’s unjust. 

[Stradling]

5 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Well, it cuts down on your hookers and blow money which should make you a better husband. 

But it also cuts back on how much she can spend at Kirkland, Pier 1 and Home Goods.  Which makes me a worse husband.

[Blarg]

Not really, that's where fat chicks shop. 

[jessecrall]

12 minutes ago, Stradling said:

It has nothing to do with being threatened, I am already carrying more of the burden than is fair or just.  It’s Facking robbery.  I recently got a $7000 bonus, take home on it was $4000.  Why?  How is that right?  What does that do to make my life better?  It’s crap.  

It's right because of some combination of driving on roads, using public schools, supporting military interventions, flying on airlines that you absolutely did not want self-regulated, calling the police, having firefighters contain an inferno moving toward your neighborhood etc etc etc. If you want to complain about HOW your tax dollars are being spent, by all means do. But I feel ZERO sympathy that you only got 57% of your precious bonus. Most rich people got lucky. They didn't earn jack. I say this as someone who's made good money and been flat broke. It had nothing to do with me, my skills, my intellect or lack thereof. Mygyn Kylly made more money than everyone on this board put together for being terrible at her job so she can blow it on a luxe penthouse and pass more money onto her spoiled kids who will start life 6 steps ahead of the average person because Mommy insisted that Santa was black once and became a media rock star. If my sentiments sound like class warfare, that's only because they are.

[Blarg]

Sounds more like foolishness than anything else.

[Lou]

22 minutes ago, jessecrall said:

It's right because of some combination of driving on roads, using public schools, supporting military interventions, flying on airlines that you absolutely did not want self-regulated, calling the police, having firefighters contain an inferno moving toward your neighborhood etc etc etc. If you want to complain about HOW your tax dollars are being spent, by all means do. But I feel ZERO sympathy that you only got 57% of your precious bonus. Most rich people got lucky. They didn't earn jack. I say this as someone who's made good money and been flat broke. It had nothing to do with me, my skills, my intellect or lack thereof. Mygyn Kylly made more money than everyone on this board put together for being terrible at her job so she can blow it on a luxe penthouse and pass more money onto her spoiled kids who will start life 6 steps ahead of the average person because Mommy insisted that Santa was black once and became a media rock star. If my sentiments sound like class warfare, that's only because they are.

you should work harder and make better financial decisions. 

[Adam]

58 minutes ago, jessecrall said:

It's right because of some combination of driving on roads, using public schools, supporting military interventions, flying on airlines that you absolutely did not want self-regulated, calling the police, having firefighters contain an inferno moving toward your neighborhood etc etc etc. If you want to complain about HOW your tax dollars are being spent, by all means do. But I feel ZERO sympathy that you only got 57% of your precious bonus. Most rich people got lucky. They didn't earn jack. I say this as someone who's made good money and been flat broke. It had nothing to do with me, my skills, my intellect or lack thereof. Mygyn Kylly made more money than everyone on this board put together for being terrible at her job so she can blow it on a luxe penthouse and pass more money onto her spoiled kids who will start life 6 steps ahead of the average person because Mommy insisted that Santa was black once and became a media rock star. If my sentiments sound like class warfare, that's only because they are.

I see you’re taking Marxist Faggory 101 this semester. Do you have Dr. Rosenstein? He’s such a dick

[Schildog]

Bonuses are always taxed higher but are regular W2 income. It will even out at refund time.

[Lou]

1 hour ago, Adam said:

I see you’re taking Marxist Faggory 101 this semester. Do you have Dr. Rosenstein? He’s such a dick

I'm quoting this just so I can respond with a "HA!"

(I wanted to make sure nobody thought I was referring to Schil's tax post)

 

 

 

HA!

[jessecrall]

1 hour ago, Adam said:

I see you’re taking Marxist Faggory 101 this semester. Do you have Dr. Rosenstein? He’s such a dick

Oh, so you're a homophobe as well! Well, here's to the younger members of your family slowly ostracizing you because you're just too pathetic to deal with.

[jessecrall]

1 hour ago, Lou said:

you should work harder and make better financial decisions. 

Ben Shapiro, is that you? I thought you were still building that rage-shrine to AOC...

[Lou]

7 minutes ago, jessecrall said:

Ben Shapiro, is that you? I thought you were still building that rage-shrine to AOC...

are you referring to the multi-millionaire who works hard and makes sound financial decisions? 

i wish 

 

[Taylor]

This jessecrall dude has spunk. He's kind of like a more coherent yk.