25 Jan 08
Originally posted by duecerWhat is the "middle class" to you? A family that earns $100,000 annually? $200,000 annually? A lot of "middle class" people who work for themselves may not have a large salary, nor a lot of savings, however, they have a thriving business with lots of equipment, real estate holdings or farmland. When the owner dies, the property has to be sold oftentimes at a loss just to satisfy the tax collector. In truth, this property has been taxed more than once already. Why should it be taxed again? The person who built this business, farm, etc., should be free to pass it along to their heirs without fear that it will be bought up by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway at firesale prices.
propaganda, none of it applicable to the middle class
25 Jan 08
I really don't see the contradiction. Do you want an even better example? I give you George Soros:
Financial markets are inherently unstable and there are social needs that cannot be met by giving market forces free rein. Unfortunately these defects are not recognized.
(...)
It is market fundamentalism that has rendered the global capitalist system unsound and unsustainable.
The delusions of libertarians are the mirror image of communist utopia.
25 Jan 08
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterThe death tax does not apply in cases where the estate is less than $1,000,000 . If you have assets totaling $1Million, you are rich by anyones standards. If you are dumb enough not to have done estate planning, then that's your own fault. Many people "buy" insurance policies, which are tax free, and under many plans they can "borrow" against it. In terms of non-liquid holdings, it is wise to incorporate, and then hand over ownership to your children while living, but remain as CEO until death, thus protecting your assests.
What is the "middle class" to you? A family that earns $100,000 annually? $200,000 annually? A lot of "middle class" people who work for themselves may not have a large salary, nor a lot of savings, however, they have a thriving business with lots of equipment, real estate holdings or farmland. When the owner dies, the property has to be sold oft ...[text shortened]... fear that it will be bought up by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway at firesale prices.
In Massachusettes, the median housold income is $46,000/yr. That means an equal number of housholds make more, and less than that number. A family that makes $100,000 a year is in the top 5% of wage earners in the country.
25 Jan 08
Originally posted by duecerSince your Family makes more than $100k/yr, wouldn't that put you in maybe the 2% catagory? According to that ( the gov't) ...you're filthy rich and should have your taxes raised, right? But you may have a good tax attorney who keeps your taxes low just like the big boys that you detest. $100K/yr for a family of two earnings is about middle class (average) in my fascist mind. Not very hard to achieve for any one who wants to work, which you obviously do. Why should you pay such high taxes?
The death tax does not apply in cases where the estate is less than $1,000,000 . If you have assets totaling $1Million, you are rich by anyones standards. If you are dumb enough not to have done estate planning, then that's your own fault. Many people "buy" insurance policies, which are tax free, and under many plans they can "borrow" against it. In terms of ...[text shortened]... umber. A family that makes $100,000 a year is in the top 5% of wage earners in the country.
F. GRANNY.
25 Jan 08
1 edit
Originally posted by smw6869Ever hear me complain about my taxes being too high? Yes my family makes more than $100k a year. but we didn't always. We know what it is like to be poor and struggle. We know what it is like to have to pay half of one paycheck each week just for daycare. Arguing an equitable tax rate for the top 5%, or even 2%, is not class warfare, its about fairness. People earning(not family income) over $80K do not pay social security on income over that amount, yet ironically, they are the ones with the most security.
Since your Family makes more than $100k/yr, wouldn't that put you in maybe the 2% catagory? According to that ( the gov't) ...you're filthy rich and should have your taxes raised, right? But you may have a good tax attorney who keeps your taxes low just like the big boys that you detest. $100K/yr for a family of two earnings is about middle class (average) i ...[text shortened]... who wants to work, which you obviously do. Why should you pay such high taxes?
F. GRANNY.
25 Jan 08
Originally posted by shavixmirI don't like U2 but whats your beef with Bono?
I think the world will be a better place without you.
Why not do us all the favour?
You're an idiot, my friend. A complete and utter idiot.
However, I agree on the hypocrisy issue about people like Bono. I steal their music nowadays, make a CD and throw them out of hotel windows in disgust.
25 Jan 08
1 edit
It's funny that the article mentions China's embrace of capitalism when it has become so clear that Chinese industry is in desperate need of regulation. Between rendering their water undrinkable and selling us poisoned toys, Chinese industry barely had time to help finance the genocide in Darfur.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jfQhNfEsrBF1M_79orDztmvJS24w
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2007/200711/20071122/article_339013.htm
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56273
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121302008.html
25 Jan 08
Originally posted by duecerI'm just wondering if you think you should be in the highest tax bracket. I don't. I think your income is average. The politicians would not include you in "The Working Class". If you don't mind paying those taxes why do you have an accountant to keep your taxes lower ( even though it is perfectly legal)? You could be paying even more taxes to help "The Working Class"....i guess the gov't doesn't think you've Worked for that money. I think you have probably worked your as off to get to where you are. But if you don't mind, that's ok. You have no choice anyway.
Ever hear me complain about my taxes being too high? Yes my family makes more than $100k a year. but we didn't always. We know what it is like to be poor and struggle. We know what it is like to have to pay half of one paycheck each week just for daycare. Arguing an equitable tax rate for the top 5%, or even 2%, is not class warfare, its about fairness. Peopl ...[text shortened]... security on income over that amount, yet ironically, they are the ones with the most security.
F. GRANNY.
25 Jan 08
1 edit
Originally posted by smw6869my wife does our taxes, she's very smart though, not like me 😞
I'm just wondering if you think you should be in the highest tax bracket. I don't. I think your income is average. The politicians would not include you in "The Working Class". If you don't mind paying those taxes why do you have an accountant to keep your taxes lower ( even though it is perfectly legal)? You could be paying even more taxes to help "The Wor you are. But if you don't mind, that's ok. You have no choice anyway.
F. GRANNY.
25 Jan 08
Originally posted by shavixmirLyrics suck-check. But I rather respect the dude for putting his influence and his money where his mouth is.
You mean besides the fact that he's a millionaire telling me to give to charity and that his lyrics suck?
On that note:
How does Bono change a light bulb?
He holds the lightbulb and the world revolves around him.
25 Jan 08
Yeah, the trendy Bono-hate has already become annoying. U2 was a good band for a while, though they're obviously past their prime, but for some reason it's become fashionable to talk huge amounts of smack about Bono even though he hasn't really done anything bad. Oh, you don't like his social consciousness? Okay, who cares? Ignore him, if it bothers you that much.
25 Jan 08
Originally posted by duecerJust googled your numbers. Your social security is collected up to $97500 at 6.2 percent. You error is only 22 percent. 😳
People earning(not family income) over $80K do not pay social security on income over that amount,
When you say your wife has the brains in the family, you aren't joking are you? 😉
25 Jan 08
Originally posted by duecerI read all the rubish in this thread, as in many others before it. Has reason become extinct?
Arguing an equitable tax rate for the top 5%, or even 2%, is not class warfare, its about fairness. People earning(not family income) over $80K do not pay social security on income over that amount, yet ironically, they are the ones with the most security.
Seriously, who posting here HONESTLY feels they have the right or ability to decide how much money another human being may earn?
The absurdity of anyone not seeing it would take an egotistical dolt to hold themselves in judgement of the living of anothers life is mind numbing.
25 Jan 08
Originally posted by MacSwainThe Economic Policy Institute has it "up to 90,000" "taxed at 12.4%." And the Cato institute echos the "90,000" figure. Where did you get your figures?
Just googled your numbers. Your social security is collected up to $97500 at 6.2 percent. You error is only 22 percent. 😳
When you say your wife has the brains in the family, you aren't joking are you? 😉
No disrespect and not to be anal (surely no one wants to see what comes from that). But for my own edification, I would like to compare and try to explain the discrepancy.
http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/webfeatures_snapshots_20050217
http://www.socialsecurity.org/reformandyou/faqs.html#5