Originally Posted By RoadTrip There is an interesting article today on msnbc.com: <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43432796/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43...economy/</a> It talks about the possibility that increasing consumer gloom may send us into a second recession. I know to many it doesn't feel like things are getting better, but we are better off than a year or two ago by virtually any measure (except housing). I think two things could keep this from happening and greatly improve consumer confidence. #1 The article mentions that many CEO's of large companies are feeling quite positive about the future, and God knows some of them have been making record profits. If we had headlines over the summer that 5 or 6 big corporations each announced plans to hire an additional 1,000+ employees it would have HUGE impact. Yes, I know that 5 or 6 thousand people being hired won't do squat for the unemployment rate. But I think it would provide people with a major psychological boost. #2 Raise the deficit cap. I think the prospect of the cap not being raised scares the hell out of small business owners and even makes the major corporations defer hiring. Everyone (except the tea baggers) knows Congress has to do it at some point to keep the interest rate required to sell US Government Bonds from spiraling up and causing a melt down of the US economy. Why won't Congress just increase the damn thing so we can get on with improving the economy? I read an article recently that suggested another round of Federal stimulus is needed to prevent a double-dip recession. Are they freaking out of their minds? Announcement of another huge stimulus package would be the final nail in the coffin of coffin of consumer confidence. I really feel something needs to be done… and soon, to keep consumer fear from sending us into another recession.
Originally Posted By fkurucz The problem is simple: Corporate America is doing a LOT of hiring, in 3rd world countries where salaries are a fraction of what they are here. The offshoring juggernaut continues to roll on and half this nation's workforce earns less than $500 a week.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Why won't Congress just increase the damn thing so we can get on with improving the economy?<< Because they want Obama to fail, and they're pretty much cool with letting the economy go down the tubes again if that's what it takes. Hopefully people will remember all this next time they bother to vote.
Originally Posted By barboy2 ///Are we talking ourseleves into another recession?/// Nope. The economy continues to falter due to a very real(as opposed to emotive/perceived) abysmal foundation: erosion of manufactuing(offshoring) whacked out CEO compensation dependence on foreign oil overpopulation runaway national debt train runaway state debt trains desertification potable water deficiencies trade deficits overly-empowered regulatory agencies
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Originally Posted By barboy2 ///The let them eat cake/// Wow, there it is again! fkurucz(I hate writing that because I can't sound it out) believes that applies to me---- can't blame the guy(you're a dude, fkurucz, right?) considering my arrogance on avoiding taxes in a dominantly 'lib' arena like WE. And dabob2 likened me to The Big Apple's Leona Helmsley. But wasn't she caught up in some tax fraud? I don't 'defraud' the tax authorities; I merely try to 'defund' them...... VERY BIG DIFFERENCE.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 There's nothing wrong per se with avoiding taxes if it's legal. But Leona, for years before she descended into outright illegality, delighted in taking all the legal loopholes that often exist for rich people and not the rest of us, and bragging about paying little or no taxes, while still enjoying the benefits of the country she avoided paying taxes to. This did not endear her to people. Sound familiar?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder If you don't want to help "fund" the United States by paying your fair share of taxes, then you don't deserve the rights and privileges associated with being an American citizen.
Originally Posted By barboy2 ///If you don't want to help "fund" the United States by paying your fair share of taxes,/// I have paid in the past **probably** far more than just about everyone on WE from 1998-- 2004. And unlike so many I have never asked the USA(or California) for help---- not once: no student or business loans, no employment, no emergency services, no grants, nada. Even when I travel I have never stepped foot in a US consulate. I did ask the US government years back for "permission" to allow my ex wife to stay and work in the USA........but if I remember correctly I indeed paid the gov't for that petition.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 "I have paid in the past **probably** far more than just about everyone on WE from 1998-- 2004." And this excuses you not paying your fair share since 2004.. how? "And unlike so many I have never asked the USA(or California) for help---- not once: no student or business loans, no employment, no emergency services, no grants, nada. Even when I travel I have never stepped foot in a US consulate" Me either. Yet I still pay my fair share of taxes.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<And unlike so many I have never asked the USA(or California) for help>> Wow!! It amazes me that you can get by without using Federal or State Highways or Interstates. You couldn't fly either unless you are aware of an airline that does not use Federal Air traffic Control. You must live one VERY RECLUSIVE life!! P.S. I assume you have no plans to collect Social Security when you get older. Face it dude, you are nothing but a common thief!
Originally Posted By hopemax RT, barboy doesn't live in the US. I forget where he lives exactly, SE Asia...Oceania...somewhere that direction.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<RT, barboy doesn't live in the US. I forget where he lives exactly, SE Asia...Oceania...somewhere that direction.>> Full-time? I thought he had homes both overseas and in California. If he was not at least a part-time U.S. resident, why would he have to pay Federal and California State taxes? I guess I'm confused...
Originally Posted By barboy2 ///And this excuses you not paying your fair share since 2004.. how?/// And where did I write that I have not been paying my fair share every year????? Reread what I wrote dabob2, for you assume(incorrectly) way too much. "fair share" means following the law/tax codes, no? If you have a problem with following the tax laws then take it up with those politicians/judges whom you adore so much; you know, the ones who set fiscal policy. I don't set tax policy--- I merely follow it. ///Me either. Yet I still pay my fair share of taxes./// See, there it is again----what's with you??? Reread please.
Originally Posted By barboy2 ///P.S. I assume you have no plans to collect Social Security when you get older./// You assume correctly even though you are being sarcastic. ///Face it dude, you are nothing but a common thief!/// So I'm a thief now even though I don't steal. OK RT, you must know that I can not let that go unchecked. I'm on the brink of saying something you will not like.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<So I'm a thief now even though I don't steal. OK RT, you must know that I can not let that go unchecked. I'm on the brink of saying something you will not like.>> Then perhaps you should not spend so much time bragging about something that makes you appear like one. I've since heard from another LP'er telling me more of your situation, and it would appear you are paying the same taxes anyone else in your situation would pay. It is YOU who has always implied that you've found some mysterious way to avoid paying the taxes that other people pay.
Originally Posted By barboy2 ///RT, barboy doesn't live in the US. I forget where he lives exactly, SE Asia...Oceania...somewhere that direction./// I spend about 40% in Northern California, 45% in SE Asia and about 15% in Mexico/Caribbean/Los Angeles/San Diego/Japan/Orlando/Washington Dc area etc.
Originally Posted By barboy2 ///I've since heard from another LP'er telling me more of your situation, and it would appear you are paying the same taxes anyone else in your situation would pay./// I have NEVER met any LPer live, nor have I exchanged e-mails and had conversations about personal things, nor have I had any phone calls. The only thing anyone knows is what I have written here for *ALL* to read...... so much for your mystery source. ****The only time I have made a private exchange on LP, EVER, was when SuperDry sent me a picture of a view of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong****
Originally Posted By barboy2 ///Then perhaps you should not spend so much time bragging about something that makes you appear like one./// Most of us have things we like to brag about......(you do it too) and one of the things for me is legally keeping as much from tax authorities as possible. You have yours and I have mine---- just deal with it.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip This LPer didn't NEED to talk to you live. From personal experience he knows the tax situation of those who spend more than 50% of their time residing out of the country. Since you just stated that you live outside the U.S. more than 50% of the time, I think he was probably dead-on in what he said! Doesn't take any great scheming. Any decent computer tax software could probably tell you that!
