[ham] Re: [Rhodes22-list] Taxes & Politics
Michael Meltzer
mjm@michaelmeltzer.com
Mon, 20 Jan 2003 12:21:48 -0500
thats one of my problem, always framed "take it or leave it"
MJM
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rik Sandberg" <sanderico@earthlink.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 12:42 AM
Subject: Re: [ham] Re: [Rhodes22-list] Taxes & Politics
> Michael,
>
> All that and to top it off, now you can't even walk your dog on the beach.
> I think I'd move. :-)
>
> Rik
>
>
> At 06:32 PM 1/17/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> >I am here :-)
> >
> >lets see were I am in this debate.
> >
> >Section 1:
> >I live in CT, the top state to get back the least tax dollars/services on
> >taxes paid(per cap)
> >I live in Fairfield county, the county to get back the least tax
> >dollars/services on taxes paid(per cap) in ct
> >I live in Westport, second only to bill in Greenwich, at the town level
> >200%+ the USA cost of living average.
> >
> >Bottom line, at the fed/state/county level I see the least return on tax
> >dollars and in fact fund everyone else,
> >if a nuke was to go off in town, everyone taxes in the county/state/nation
> >would go up.
> >
> >I pay my own health insurance, even paying top dollar the town/state/fed
> >employs plan in better, infact I would have better coverage
> >if I was on welfare.
> >Like slim I pay my own SSI, both sides.
> >I also pay unemployment insurance, been told I never will be able to collect.
> >I pay fee to set up and maintain my retirement plain.
> >I pay fee to my account(and their not cheap) to do my taxes. I have to it
> >would cost more in taxes if I did not.
> >I can not have a simple will, that tax thing again, lawyers want 3000+ to
> >draw it up.
> >The tax code does effect how my family lives their life, as in day to day
> >actions.
> >Most of the town is experts in the tax code, why should I have to live my
> >life that way ?
> >
> >
> >
> >I do think Milton is right, Almost by definition. Kind of like the quote
> >"you ever notice that their always enough news every day to
> >fill a news paper", I do think we are getting to the point of "ternary of
> >democracy", to maintain power people are using class
> >warfare tactics, passing laws that only effect others. In one breath
> >"Social Security insurance" in a lock box, in the next "Cut
> >payroll taxes (which are the SSI taxes)". I believe that to solve the ssi
> >problem it will be taken a taken away from me and my
> >family, to become an older welfare program. The Marjory of voters will
> >befits that way.
> >
> >My problem is that it never lets up, every time I try around someone
> >after my wallet, lets see this week, bloomberg for ny comuter
> >tax(selling it for high eraners), ct for an increase to the cig tax(it
> >good for you), town for bonding for school construction(the
> >state backed out of it share, tight budget westport can adfordit). The
> >only choice anyone every give me it to cut and run, do like
> >it move. never a thankyou. Even with that thier are still places I can not
> >live or work in the area. Yep I in a foul mood.
> >
> >a couple of random thought:
> >why is it the worst price from doctor is paying cash?
> >why has it become being a vitims is now a lotory? less 100 victims of wtc
> >have settled, thier waiting on the law suits.
> >how did it become that value of human life is unlimited?
> >the world only victims now, lawers doing risk tranfers, Tv ads for any
> >stuiped thing "call 1800 lawwer", with high stacks payoffs.
> >
> >MJM
> >
> >Never did work in the CO spending cap
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Alex Bell" <alexbell@coastalnet.com>
> >To: <wwrhodes@rhodes22.com>; "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
> ><rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
> >Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 3:25 PM
> >Subject: [ham] Re: [Rhodes22-list] Taxes & Politics
> >
> >
> > > Stan,
> > >
> > > The only thing I would agree with your commentary is that there's a lot
> > > of simplistic logic going on.
> > >
> > > I am not going to comment on and on about this since I have been
> > > chastised in the past for any political view I expressed in joke form.
> > > It amazes me that this joke sent by Paul, with a disclaimer attached to
> > > boot, would end up becoming a platform for you to express your political
> > > views. I think you should keep your commentary to the boats you build.
> > > If the rest of us are supposed to adhere to some kind of non political
> > > agenda here, then the least you could do would be to refrain from
> > > expousing your views.
> > >
> > > As to debt, I don't want to pay off someone else's debts. I have plenty
> > > of my own, thank you. I worked for mine. I started out delivering
> > > telegrams on a bicycle, worked on the L&N Railroad section gang, a
> > > spring factory, and road grader manufacturer as a welders helper before
> > > my education assisted me in better paying jobs. Like Brad said, I am not
> > > going to apologize for what I've accumulated over the years.
> > >
> > > Someone commented on the fabled double tax and capital gains tax. I
> > > suppose some people might feel that these taxes affect only the rich.
> > > But it affects anyone who might want to sell a piece of property, only
> > > to find that if sold, it would cost them dearly. How many people own
> > > some kind of Mutual Fund? We had some that lost 40% of their value, but
> > > we had to pay capital gains on them. Aint that great?
> > >
> > > When times are tough, we cut back on spending. Something the government
> > > programs don't seem to do. I'm tired of the guilt trips people lay on us
> > > because we want to keep more of our money. I find myself paying taxes on
> > > money I saved and put away once, and it's getting old. I've left the
> > > list before because of political discussions, but I think I'll stick
> > > around and stir the pot for a change. Of all people, I have OPINIONS. If
> > > someone encourages me, I will be able to supply a full diatribe. So
> > > there.
> > >
> > > To Wally, I say, good job in questioning the written word. You are a
> > > bright light in a dim day.
> > > To RIK, he don't apologize for you comments. That first comment was just
> > > not necessary. The second one was better.
> > > To MJM, hey where are you?
> > > To Brad, gee, I wish I had said that. But then I'm not quite as well
> > > off. But I'm not full of envy. Hard work pays off...twice.
> > >
> > > Alex
> > >
> > >
> > > General Boats wrote:
> > > >
> > > > With the same caveat that Paul posted, here is a reply from the
> > left. Don't
> > > > read it if it moves you to leave the list.
> > > >
> > > > Would it only be so simple as the professor from SD makes it.
> > > >
> > > > Just three minor complications - many more can be contributed by
> > musch wiser
> > > > economists..
> > > >
> > > > a) 50,000,000 of us do not make enough to pay taxes no matter how
> > hard we
> > > > work - we are just not that smart. So Tax cuts are not a neutral
> > issue. Tax
> > > > cuts invariably mean tax increases for us. With less revenues,
> > services are
> > > > diminished. Cost of education rises. (That is a very costly error -
> > the free
> > > > GI educational bill of WW 2 got the US economy roaring). States find
> > > > themselves in financial holes and have to make up the shortfalls with
> > all sorts
> > > > of increases like higher sales taxes (which have the same rate no
> > matter what
> > > > your income), higher real estate taxes - perhaps gas taxes -anything
> > to raise
> > > > moneys the income tax cuts have taken from them. So tax cuts are a
> > double edge
> > > > sword that not only help those who need help the least, but at the
> > same time
> > > > hurt those who need help the most. I know some of you chafe at the
> > idea of
> > > > someone getting something for nothing. But those who take advantage
> > of any
> > > > good nature the government shows are in the minority of good
> > Americans and good
> > > > policing can wean the freeloaders out. Overkill sooner or later leads to
> > > > overthrow. The funny thing about tax cuts is that the very wealthy
> > think they
> > > > are a mistake.
> > > >
> > > > b) If you step back and see how the rich got rich, with the
> > exception of
> > > > those who stole it and then bought their way in and those who contributed
> > > > nothing but happen to be born in the right circle, the majority made
> > it the
> > > > hard way, they worked for it. But they were only able to succeed
> > because they
> > > > had the invaluable assistance of the police man and fireman and
> > milkman (and in
> > > > my day the iceman) and hosts of others that were needed to create the
> > > > environment that made the accumulation of wealth possible in the
> > first place.
> > > > Part of any money due back the high end is really to be shared with their
> > > > silent partners. President Roosevelt understood this and pulled the
> > country
> > > > out of a depression most of you have no inkling of.
> > > >
> > > > c) The Baltimore Sun ran an editorial pointing out that while our
> > current
> > > > leader says we should cut taxes because it is their own money we are
> > giving
> > > > back to them, he skips saying it is also their debt. Yet it was and
> > is the
> > > > very creating of the debt that paved the way for the accumulation of
> > wealth.
> > > > But somehow when it comes to who should pay for the debt, that
> > becomes a non
> > > > progressive burden. We are taught that when we have money we should
> > pay off
> > > > our debts and instead our leaders cut taxes - all the interest that
> > could have
> > > > been saved could have paid for the next war. What a shame.
> > > >
> > > > Since no one is reading this I'll stop here. But for the simplistic
> > logic of
> > > > our good professor, there are many other avenues of challenge.
> > > >
> > > > stan/gbi
> > > >
> > > > Rik Sandberg wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Paul,
> > > > >
> > > > > Yeah, I printed that one out. Think I'll frame it and hang it on
> > the wall
> > > > > in my office. We had that happen in Minnesota the last couple of
> > years when
> > > > > they did a sales tax rebate. People that were living off welfare or
> > other
> > > > > gov't programs were all bitching 'cause they didn't get any money back.
> > > > > It's amazing how they can translate paying nothing into less of a
> > benefit
> > > > > to them than paying less is to someone else. To top it off, it seem
> > there
> > > > > really is a fool born every minute, so there's a lot of them out
> > there. :-)
> > > > >
> > > > > Rik
> > > > >
> > > > > At 08:00 AM 1/15/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> > > > > >Before you read this, it is a commentary on taxes & politics. It
> > is just
> > > > > >one guy's opinion (not even necessarily mine) so don't go crazy
> > with this
> > > > > >& start a war. If you don't like this kind of stuff, delete it
> > now and
> > > > > >don't read it. - Paul
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >A VERY simple way to understand the tax laws. Read on -- it does
> > > > > >
> > > > > >make you think!!
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand. Suppose that
> > every
> > > > > >day,
> > > > > >
> > > > > >ten men go out for dinner. The bill for all ten comes to $100. If they
> > > > > >paid
> > > > > >
> > > > > >their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >The first four men -- the poorest -- would pay nothing; the fifth
> > would
> > > > > >pay
> > > > > >
> > > > > >$1, the sixth would pay $3, the seventh $7, the eighth $12, the ninth
> > > > > >$18,
> > > > > >
> > > > > >and the tenth man -- the richest -- would pay $59.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >That's what they decided to do. The ten men ate dinner in the
> > restaurant
> > > > > >
> > > > > >every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement -- until one
> > day,
> > > > > >the
> > > > > >
> > > > > >owner threw them a curve (in tax language a tax cut).
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce
> > > > > >the
> > > > > >
> > > > > >cost of your daily meal by $20." So now dinner for the ten only cost
> > > > > >$80.00.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes.
> > So the
> > > > > >
> > > > > >first four men were unaffected. They would still eat for free. But
> > what
> > > > > >
> > > > > >about the other six -- the paying customers? How could they divvy
> > up the
> > > > > >$20
> > > > > >
> > > > > >windfall so that everyone would get his "fair share?"
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >The six men realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they
> > > > > >
> > > > > >subtracted that from everybody's share, Then the fifth man and the
> > sixth
> > > > > >man
> > > > > >
> > > > > >would end up being PAID to eat their meal. So the restaurant owner
> > > > > >suggested
> > > > > >
> > > > > >that it
> > > > > >
> > > > > >would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same
> > amount, and
> > > > > >he
> > > > > >
> > > > > >proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so the
> > fifth man
> > > > > >paid
> > > > > >
> > > > > >nothing, the sixth pitched in $2, the seventh paid $5, the eighth paid
> > > > > >$9,
> > > > > >
> > > > > >the ninth paid $12, leaving the tenth man with a bill of $52
> > instead of
> > > > > >his
> > > > > >
> > > > > >earlier $59.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four
> > continued
> > > > > >to
> > > > > >
> > > > > >eat for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to
> > compare
> > > > > >
> > > > > >their savings. "I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the
> > sixth
> > > > > >man,
> > > > > >
> > > > > >but he, (pointing to the tenth) got $7!". "Yeah, that's right,"
> > exclaimed
> > > > > >
> > > > > >the fifth man, "I only saved a dollar, too, ........It's unfair
> > that he
> > > > > >got
> > > > > >
> > > > > >seven times more than me!". That's true!" shouted the seventh man, why
> > > > > >
> > > > > >should he get $7 back when I got only $2?" The wealthy get all the
> > > > > >breaks!".
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison, "We didn't get
> > > > > >anything
> > > > > >
> > > > > >at all. The system exploits the poor!"
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night he
> > > > > >didn't
> > > > > >
> > > > > >show up for dinner, so the nine sat down and ate without him. But
> > when it
> > > > > >
> > > > > >came time to pay the bill, they discovered, a little late what was
> > very
> > > > > >
> > > > > >important. They were FIFTY TWO DOLLARS short of paying the bill!
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Imagine that!
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >And that, boys and girls, journalists and college instructors, is
> > how the
> > > > > >
> > > > > >tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most
> > > > > >benefit
> > > > > >
> > > > > >from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being
> > wealthy,
> > > > > >and
> > > > > >
> > > > > >they just may not show up at the table anymore. Where would that leave
> > > > > >the
> > > > > >
> > > > > >rest?
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Unfortunately, most taxing authorities anywhere cannot seem to
> > grasp this
> > > > > >
> > > > > >rather straight-forward logic!
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >T. Davies
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Professor of Accounting &Chair,
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Division of Accounting and Business Law
> > > > > >
> > > > > >The University of South Dakota
> > > > > >
> > > > > >School of Business
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >========================
> > > > > >Paul Grandholm
> > > > > >C&H Technology
> > > > > >GrandPower Components Div.
> > > > > >========================
> > > > > >_________________________________________________
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