Place to put my Nonsense Thread.

[GhostOf301]

Well. We can talk about manufactured social issues. But let's look at the important things that are happening. We're paying more for gas, energy and everyday household items. Supply chains are crippled by some things out of their control, but mostly lack of willing workers. Housing costs are through the roof as are critical materials to build new houses. The automotive industry is about to be at a stand still due to a computer chip shortage. We went from being close to energy independent to buying oil from our enemy, violating our own sanctions. Illegal, trespassing immigrants are being bussed across the country staying in hotels on our dime. Immigrant children who aren't in cages drinking from toilets are being placed in an already overwhelmed foster system. Fentanyl coming into our country is up 800% and the violent crimes are increasing from north to south, coast to coast.

I'd say things are going great.

 

[brooky03]

Well. We can talk about manufactured social issues. But let's look at the important things that are happening. We're paying more for gas, energy and everyday household items. Supply chains are crippled by some things out of their control, but mostly lack of willing workers. Housing costs are through the roof as are critical materials to build new houses. The automotive industry is about to be at a stand still due to a computer chip shortage. We went from being close to energy independent to buying oil from our enemy, violating our own sanctions. Illegal, trespassing immigrants are being bussed across the country staying in hotels on our dime. Immigrant children who aren't in cages drinking from toilets are being placed in an already overwhelmed foster system. Fentanyl coming into our country is up 800% and the violent crimes are increasing from north to south, coast to coast.

I'd say things are going great.

If only half of what you said were true

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Faux outrage. So, Bezos paid $973 million in taxes during a 5-year period, while Musk paid $455 million in taxes. Yes, there are occasionally years where they have investment losses where they don't pay anything. That is nothing unusual. But come on, they combined to pay $1.4 billion in taxes over five years and you're feeling angry about that? The amount they've previously paid in taxes would take literally thousands of people to match that.

I'm not Mexico is gonna pay for a wall that will never get built or would matter if it did angry. Not a tax expert only wondering if the billionaires are gaming and/or running the system. Only those rich guys know if they fluffed their #'s the years to reflect losses, hey maybe they didn't. Looks like billionaires pay dark $ to politicians who in turn craft tax codes to benefit those rich people... and we live in a nation that's an oligarchy. Maybe it's not a big deal. Not going to dive deep into W2s....

But not angry. Living the good life. My shit's paid for.

$$$$

 

[toonces11]

So you’re aware of the context of what she’s saying. Given that context, it doesn’t seem as thought she has a problem with the American flag. She has a problem in the message image feels others are trying to send with it.

Sorry I can’t get outraged when the New York Post tries to flip a false narrative.

Its not outrage...it just makes regular americans shake their head how stupid people can be.

 

[bMORE607]

The irony in her hatred of people flying the flag on Memorial Day, remembering those who died so she could have the freedom to spout her idiotic opinions.

 

[GhostOf301]

If only half of what you said were true

Let's hear it.

 

[brooky03]

Its not outrage...it just makes regular americans shake their head how stupid people can be.

In general, a person who drives a truck with a big American flag flying from it is more likely to be a person who will not be nice or not think highly of a person like her. Are all of them this way? No. But it’s not ‘stupid’ for her to be disturbed by people like that.

Is that the truck driving, flag waiving dude’s problem? No. Does that make her less American? No.

 

[brooky03]

Let's hear it.

I would have to write an essay. First I’d have to list the factual inaccuracies which you’d undoubtedly disagree with. Then I’d have to point out which issues were caused by whom which you’d disagree with. Then I’d have to point out the severity/importance, or lack thereof, of each issue. Then I’d point out the pandemic’s role which you would downplay. Then I’d point out that things take time to change or improve and you’d say that’s a convenient argument.

Maybe later after work is done and the kids are in bed.

 

[toonces11]

In general, a person who drives a truck with a big American flag flying from it is more likely to be a person who will not be nice to not think highly of a person like her. Are all of them this way? No. But it’s not ‘stupid’ for her to be disturbed by people like that.

Is that the truck driving, flag waiving dude’s problem? No. Does that make her less American? No.

So you are giving her a pass to discriminate?

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

So you are giving her a pass to discriminate?

Boom

 

[brooky03]

Autocorrect is killing me today

 

[brooky03]

So you are giving her a pass to discriminate?

Feeling disturbed is not discrimination. A white guy who feels uncomfortable around black people is not discriminating against them.

 

[toonces11]

Feeling disturbed is not discrimination. A white guy who feels uncomfortable around black people is not discriminating against them.

Interesting. Do you extend the same lenience when white people have the same thoughts? Or is that filed directly into racism?

 

[GhostOf301]

I would have to write an essay. First I’d have to list the factual inaccuracies which you’d undoubtedly disagree with. Then I’d have to point out which issues were caused by whom which you’d disagree with. Then I’d have to point out the severity/importance, or lack thereof, of each issue. Then I’d point out the pandemic’s role which you would downplay. Then I’d point out that things take time to change or improve and you’d say that’s a convenient argument.

Maybe later after work is done and the kids are in bed.

So as usual, you are full of shit. You are basically saying that there is an explanation for everything. Before you said not even half of it was true. Is your grocery bill not higher? Are you not paying more for gas? Did we not just purchase oil from Iran? Is violent crime not up across the country? Is fentanyl crossing the border not at a much much higher rate than before Biden loosened border security? Are immigrants here illegally not being bussed across the country? Are immigration children not being placed in foster care, or are you saying that our foster system isn't overwhelmed?

You defend and explain away every issue that makes your team look bad. But you're such a moderate.

 

[brooky03]

Interesting. Do you extend the same lenience when white people have the same thoughts? Or is that filed directly into racism?

“A white guys who feels uncomfortable around black people is not discriminating against them.”

 

[toonces11]

“A white guys who feels uncomfortable around black people is not discriminating against them.”

The american police force would love to have your party get behind this.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

“A white guys who feels uncomfortable around black people is not discriminating against them.”

There really is an echo in here

 

[brooky03]

So as usual, you are full of shit. You are basically saying that there is an explanation for everything. Before you said not even half of it was true. Is your grocery bill not higher? Are you not paying more for gas? Did we not just purchase oil from Iran? Is violent crime not up across the country? Is fentanyl crossing the border not at a much much higher rate than before Biden loosened border security? Are immigrants here illegally not being bussed across the country? Are immigration children not being placed in foster care, or are you saying that our foster system isn't overwhelmed?

You defend and explain away every issue that makes your team look bad. But you're such a moderate.

My grocery bill is not higher. Gas prices are marginally higher (not counting the hike during the ‘shortage’ that had nothing to do with government). Fentanyl is not crossing the border at an appreciatively higher rate since Biden took office. Biden has not ‘opened the borders’ nor has he indicated he will (you might need to define what ‘open borders’ means to you). Crime rates have risen during the pandemic; it’s by far the major driving factor. Immigration was a mess under Trump and is still a mess and will take time to fix. The Biden administration is facing a surge of immigrants who were waiting because they anticipated favorable treatment from the new administration. We’re coming out of the pandemic, which has forced continued restrictions on immigration and overburdened the existing, neglected infrastructure in place to handle immigrants. We will be better able to judge immigration policy over the remainder of the year or so.

 

[brooky03]

The american police force would love to have your party get behind this.

Discrimination deals with actions. Police officers can feel uncomfortable around black people. They can’t act on that feeling to target them or treat them differently.

 

[GhostOf301]

I just want to know if anyone other than brooke saw me say anything about open borders.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

To be clear some of these rich cats are generous with their $, they donate like crazy, maybe the media has twisted the tax dodging topic unfairly, certainly not told the entire story.... I believe one of them wouldn't even give his kid $ said he needed to work and earn it.

#beopenmindedlikeeverybodyisinthisthread

 

[brooky03]

I just want to know if anyone other than brooke saw me say anything about open borders.

My bad. I read loosened as opened.

Either way, he’s kept most of the restrictions due to the pandemic.

 

[toonces11]

To be clear some of these rich cats are generous with their $, they donate like crazy, maybe the media has twisted the tax dodging topic unfairly, certainly not told the entire story.... I believe one of them wouldn't even give his kid $ said he needed to work and earn it.

#beopenmindedlikeeverybodyisinthisthread

I'm personally all for a tiered flat tax rate. Everybody pays no matter what. No deductions, no loopholes.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

 

[lurkeraspect84]

 

[lurkeraspect84]

 

[lurkeraspect84]

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

My grocery bill is not higher. Gas prices are marginally higher (not counting the hike during the ‘shortage’ that had nothing to do with government). Fentanyl is not crossing the border at an appreciatively higher rate since Biden took office. Biden has not ‘opened the borders’ nor has he indicated he will (you might need to define what ‘open borders’ means to you). Crime rates have risen during the pandemic; it’s by far the major driving factor. Immigration was a mess under Trump and is still a mess and will take time to fix. The Biden administration is facing a surge of immigrants who were waiting because they anticipated favorable treatment from the new administration. We’re coming out of the pandemic, which has forced continued restrictions on immigration and overburdened the existing, neglected infrastructure in place to handle immigrants. We will be better able to judge immigration policy over the remainder of the year or so.

I know you pretended to still be working but man you put your kids to bed early

 

[lurkeraspect84]

 

[dukedevilz]

To be clear some of these rich cats are generous with their $, they donate like crazy, maybe the media has twisted the tax dodging topic unfairly, certainly not told the entire story.... I believe one of them wouldn't even give his kid $ said he needed to work and earn it.

#beopenmindedlikeeverybodyisinthisthread

I just find it interesting/comical how some are convinced that the rich don't pay their for share. 44% of people don't pay any federal income taxes at all. The top 1% are paying a disproportionate amount of the taxes. And on top of that, the IRS almost entirely focuses their audits on high-income earners. If you want to recoup as much tax revenue as possible, you don't waste your time with regular Joes who consistently show $50k in earnings, or less. Most rich people are aware that they're more likely to be audited; they know there's an inherently higher risk for them to evade taxes.

Not saying we have a perfect tax system. We certainly don't. It's way, way too convoluted in many aspects. Needs to be simplified so the layperson can understand it better.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I just find it interesting/comical how some are convinced that the rich don't pay their for share.

A lot of them open accounts overseas and move their $ there and don't get taxed on it... A lot of them find loopholes or straight up commit fraud. There's a show called American Greed I don't watch it but the slogan is a thing. I know, not all of them.

 

[brooky03]

I just find it interesting/comical how some are convinced that the rich don't pay their for share. 44% of people don't pay any federal income taxes at all. The top 1% are paying a disproportionate amount of the taxes. And on top of that, the IRS almost entirely focuses their audits on high-income earners. If you want to recoup as much tax revenue as possible, you don't waste your time with regular Joes who consistently show $50k in earnings, or less. Most rich people are aware that they're more likely to be audited; they know there's an inherently higher risk for them to evade taxes.

Not saying we have a perfect tax system. We certainly don't. It's way, way too convoluted in many aspects. Needs to be simplified so the layperson can understand it better.

The top 1% pay all the taxes because they make all the money.

If the bottom 44% paid 80% tax, that would be like $9

 

[dukedevilz]

A lot of them open accounts overseas and move their $ there and don't get taxed on it... A lot of them find loopholes or straight up commit fraud. There's a show called American Greed I don't watch it but the slogan is a thing. I know, not all of them.

Yes, I'm aware of that. We don't know how prevalent that is. It certainly happens. And that's why the IRS is focusing just about all of their audit attention on the high-income earners. It's not illegal to have offshore accounts, but it is illegal to evade taxes.

The top 1% pay all the taxes because they make all the money.

If the bottom 44% paid 80% tax, that would be like $9

They earned 21% of the total AGI and paid 38.5% of the total taxes, hence why I said they pay a disproportionate amount. And the bottom 50% earn 11.3 of total AGI, and pay 3.1% in taxes.

 

[brooky03]

Yes, I'm aware of that. We don't know how prevalent that is. It certainly happens. And that's why the IRS is focusing just about all of their audit attention on the high-income earners. It's not illegal to have offshore accounts, but it is illegal to evade taxes.


They earned 21% of the total AGI and paid 38.5% of the total taxes, hence why I said they pay a disproportionate amount. And the bottom 50% earn 11.3 of total AGI, and pay 3.1% in taxes.

They should not be proportional. Your percentage of income to AGI should not equal your percentage of tax paid to AGI.

Edit: more to the point, taxing lower earners more will not appreciably increase tax revenue and would hurt the economy. Taxing high earners more would have a substantial impact on tax revenue with little to no drag on the economy.

 

[dukedevilz]

They should not be proportional. Your percentage of income to AGI should not equal your percentage of tax paid to AGI.

Right, that's why we call it a progressive tax.

I'm simply saying when people complain about rich people not paying their fair share of taxes, it's completely groundless.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Right, that's why we call it a progressive tax.

I'm simply saying when people complain about rich people not paying their fair share of taxes, it's completely groundless.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/26/wealthy-tax-evasion/

"The richest 1 percent dodge taxes on more than one-fifth of their income, study shows"
"The richest Americans are hiding more than 20 percent of their earnings from the Internal Revenue Service, according to a comprehensive new estimate of tax evasion, with the top 1 percent of earners accounting for more than a third of all unpaid federal taxes."To catch tax cheats and measure evasion, the IRS randomly audits returns. But such reviews turn up very little evidence of evasion among the extremely wealthy, in part because the rich use sophisticated accounting techniques that are difficult to trace, such as offshore tax shelters, pass-through businesses and complex conservation easements.

 

[brooky03]

Right, that's why we call it a progressive tax.

I'm simply saying when people complain about rich people not paying their fair share of taxes, it's completely groundless.

Coming from the standpoint that tax revenue doesn’t need to increase, the highest earners pay their fair share. I can agree with that. From the standpoint that tax revenue needs to increase, it only makes sense to levy those increases against the highest earners.

Using those 2017 numbers, a 3 percentage point increase in the average tax rate for the top 1% would net about $74 billion (I used 30% as a nice round number). To increase tax revenue the same amount from the bottom 50% you would have to increase their average rate 2.5x from 4% to 10%. The difference for the wealthy is they buy one less Ferrari. The difference for the bottom 50% is they choose between keeping the lights on or buying food. I’m exaggerating a little but not a lot.

Again, if you’re just saying the wealthy pay their fair share, we don’t really disagree. They do pay quite a bit. It’s all relative to whether or not tax revenue needs to increase.

I have more of a beef with corporate tax shenanigans anyway.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

People crack me up. I love the internet.

 

[FaithPlusOne]

View embedded media

Wood

 

[lurkeraspect84]

Wood

I wonder if she knows that's a vegetable peeler.