It's tough to be on the lower end of the upper scale.


http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/ ... y-the-rich-dont-feel-rich

So if I jump on the "hedonic treadmill", I will start to take my '91 for granted, buy a 2011 Z07, build a new garage for it etc., begin to have trouble making ends meet and whine about it.

One thing I'm absoutely sure of: Even if I made $250k, I'd still be broke at the end of the month.

Here are a few examples of luxuries turned necessities. Cable TV, cell phone, microwave oven and dishwasher for some. Air conditioning if you live in a warm climate. He didn't mention a cleaning lady. I don't think his wife is cleaning up the house. Probably didn't mention her because of the lack of proper documentation.

Both sides are completely missing the point.

They debate over whether the government should not tax him more based on whether he can afford it.... as if being able to afford it justifies being taxed more.

It does not.

Whether I make $50K or $500K per year, the government forcing me under threat of prosecution to pay for the "entitlements" of others is never justified.

Our taxes do not go to entitlements for others; at least not in their entirety. I am tired of that hackneyed gem.

First off, in this mans world, perception is a bitch.

Secondly, taxes go to the govenrement to govern. That's what is wrong with our system these days, it isn't governing, it's managing. Micromanaging, really.

Sure, we nee rules, laws, regulations... but I think the government needs to seriously reboot priorities:

National infrastructure
National defense

Most ppl do not understand how foreign policy works, either. We don't just give some country $100 million for "humanitarian aid." What we do is set up an account for them with various US firms to purchase products that constitute humanitarian aid.

Quote:


Well ..... That makes me mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore.


Under advisement of my attorney I have been instructed to just be mad as hell. Apparrently I must take it, like it or not. Crap .......

I really laugh at us Americans...

We bitch and moan about taxes, and short of the oil rich nations, we have the lowest tax rates in the world.

Once all is said and done, bastet44 and I have an effective tax rate of about 12%.

In most western European nations, the normal tax rates is 4 times that!!!

And then they tax you for your car... for the roads... you name it.

I wouldn't bitch and moan about taxes if I didn't see how much is blown on unemployment extensions and mortgage and bank handouts and the Department of Offense.

Most western european nations are closer to socialism than we are, I would not use that as a benchmark for anything. It's not apples to apples either to say our taxes our too low, because their taxes are paying for things like higher education and health care, where ours do not (yet).

Don't forget all the hidden taxes in gasoline, utility bills and other services. That'll bump up your 12%. Then there is sales tax, excise tax and a tax tax.

Don't forget inflation, and real estate devaluation following Federal reserve induced housing bubbles.

Tax it when you drive to work, tax it when you get paid, and tax it when you buy things with your taxed paycheck.

I put this list together last year.... I'll have to update it.

quote]Here's some perspective for you:

Total costs as of 2008, inflation-adjusted for 2008 dollars:


2008 Fed loans/purchases in financial industry. $4,284,000,000,000

World War 2.............................................. $3,600,000,000,000

Economic stimulus package............................. $900,000,000,000

Banking industry bailout ................................. $700,000,000,000

Vietnam War............................................... . $698,000,000,000

Iraq war............................................... ....... $595,000,000,000

Interstate highway system.............................. $500,000,000,000

FDR's New Deal.............................................. $500,000,000,000

Space race.............................................. .... $237,000,000,000

Louisiana Purchase......................................... $217,000,000,000

Net worth of Bill Gates...................................... $58,000,000,000

Panama Canal............................................. ..... $7,900,000,000

Alex Rodriguez......................................... ........... $275,000,000

Alaska Purchase.......................................... ......... $90,000,000[/quote]

See, it's those damn wars that get us in trouble! We gotta quit doing those. Less government the better. Like Andy says, povide me with ifrastructure and provide for the common defense. Hell any gov't fee is a tax no matter what they call it. Of course anything the farmers can get is good for me since I make my living off them.

Ya, Lets take a cue from Switzerland. We are totally neutral on anything that will interfere with our independence or our cash flow. We love everybody.