MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:24 am
I see campaign slogans but no actual plan.
That may be a way to win elections, but certainly isn't responsible government...of course, the latter may well not be the objective for some.
" responsible government" now there is an oxymoron for you. Sort of like jumbo shrimp...
We are 30 trillion in debt. Responsible government is a ship that sailed decades ago.
mmm, by that I mean making well considered policy choices, not merely campaign slogans. That includes the relative usage of debt capacity or not. Debt in and of itself is not irresponsible, as long as the underlying assets are growing in the long term faster than the relative amount of debt.
Of course, that doesn't mean that some spending relative to taxation isn't irresponsible. It can be.
Being a fiscal conservative means to have a bias to being careful to not excessively spend more than the rate of growth in underlying assets, except in extreme situations, and to generally spend less than the rate of such growth when times are good. Conserve dry powder for those extreme times. They will happen.
So the fact inflation is creeping ever forward makes all that spending even more irresponsible? What will it cost just to pay interest on our debt at 30 trillion if inflation increases 1%? I'm guessing you already know the answer. All the responsible government talk means nothing unless the government stops spending
I think you mean, if interest rates grow 1%?...inflation reduces the value of the debt, not increases it. But inflation draws monetary response, so interest rates...
But sure, it's darn costly to service debt. One would rather have less. But we have wars, and pandemics, and recessions...and we should build bridges! Indeed whatever undergirds the success of our system.
But the way to think about all this (at least as a fiscal conservative) is whether the spending we do contributes to the social and physical underpinning of an economy, and the underlying "asset value", of that economy faster than its cost, over an extended period of time? And then, sharpening the pencil further, are these the best spending priorities to accomplish that objective?
We spend on many different things, both domestically and internationally, so as to have a functioning civil society and world that supports the ongoing increase in standard of living. Are these the best, most effective ways to spend resources?
Responsible governing weighs thoughtfully among various choices...it's not a red meat campaign slogan.
No matter how much the government spends or what they spend it on their is only one source of revenue, the US taxpayer. That income while substantial, does not represent a bottomless pit of money. The US government itself does not create one red cent of income not paid for by tax dollars.
Well, not precisely true, but so overwhelmingly close that its not a nit worth picking.
Of course the "American taxpayer" is who pays taxes in America...by definition...people and corporations...
And their capacity to do so is based upon the economic vitality of the system, which is the "American system", paid for by their predecessor taxpayers...
If people and corporations aren't making money, aren't transacting business, taxes can theoretically shrink to near nuth'in. Debt balloons...or spending on anything ends...
Fortunately, however, many generations of taxpayers and workers and businesses have invested in their future and in the economic and rule of law based system which is inarguably the strongest in the world...
We need to continue to invest in that system for future generations...but doing so wisely, please.
Thank you for cle byaring up my confusion about inflation. My point is there will always be a finite amount of money the government can raise in taxes from individuals and corporations. The government can't borrow and spend forever. It does seem like they are willing to try though. I call it trolling for dollars. My wife and I just received a letter from the IRS yesterday saying we owed 3400 dollars from capital gains on our retirement accounts. Our bank guy doesn't know what this is about and our tax guy doesn't know. He did a quick look at our 2020 returns and said there is nothing wrong. So guess who has the responsibility now of trying to figure out what the IRS wants? our tax guy now has to call the IRS on our dime with the meter running to try and figure this out. The IRS was kind enough to give us to April 18 to pony up the money before they start charging interest and penalty. It may take until April 18 to talk to someone at the IRS. You could say that is one way to raise money for the government...
Well, here's hoping your "tax guy" knows what he's doing and you don't end up with both cap gains bill AND a tax guy bill...
The IRS does make mistakes, but I'd be willing to bet a nickel that there were some underreported stock trades that the IRS picked up on through other means. Hope they simply made a mistake!
We don't know. All of our investments are in annuities and IRA accounts. We have not had a cash dispuresment from any of them. The problem is the IRS letter tells us diddly squat. The next problem is the crazy stupid amount of time it takes to actually get an IRS person on the phone. That is to find information about an issue their letter tells you nothing about except they want their now or they will charge us interest and penalty. I have all the confidence in the world in our tax guy. I have ZERO confidence in the morons at the IRS. Tell me why I should. This is not the first time the IRS has effed up our tax return. It begining to come a new yearly tradition. The funnest part about the IRS letter.. they are telling us they are making the corrections to our 1040 form that WE requested....... What the heck are they talking about? The motto for the IRS should be guilty until proven innocent and even then they won't believe you ..
Re: The Biden - Harris Era.
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 9:40 pm
by MDlaxfan76
I have zero issue with you being skeptical about the IRS and their staff.
On a non gov't note, I spent 3+ hours on the phone today trying to get a live person at Budget rental car to deal with a snafu of their fault and requiring a $731 refund. My wife had gotten a call last week that her mother was failing, not likely to live long, got a flight that night, made a 12 day prepaid reservation for a rental car, put in her flight number as requested so that they could know if flights were delayed. Indeed, flight delayed 2 hours, short time to get to Budget before closing...called to let them know and got a message that their reservation had been canceled because she hadn't shown up...left her bags to run to Budget and they had closed 20 minutes earlier, sent remaining people to Avis gate (apparently common practice)...about 30 people in line...waited 45 minutes in line only to learn that both Avis and Budget had been out of cars all evening...11:30 at night now, found a car at Alamo and got to her mother's side...her mother passed the next day. My wife called and couldn't get a live person, so gave me the job having gotten a notice that her payment was not refundable because she'd missed the reservation...horrendous...I tried to use their web site for customer care, but it wouldn't accept the reservation #, said I needed an actual rental # (which hadn't been issued, rental canceled)...made phone calls...30 minute+ hold, so call you back...finally I linkedin with the General Counsel at Budget and told her of the issue...got a call and got the refund. I was more PO'd about the treatment, especially given stress of the experience in those circumstances, than the dough, wanted them to acknowledge their F-up.
My point is that these sorts of awful customer care experiences happen in the private world too...
Re: The Biden - Harris Era.
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 5:36 am
by cradleandshoot
MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 9:40 pm
I have zero issue with you being skeptical about the IRS and their staff.
On a non gov't note, I spent 3+ hours on the phone today trying to get a live person at Budget rental car to deal with a snafu of their fault and requiring a $731 refund. My wife had gotten a call last week that her mother was failing, not likely to live long, got a flight that night, made a 12 day prepaid reservation for a rental car, put in her flight number as requested so that they could know if flights were delayed. Indeed, flight delayed 2 hours, short time to get to Budget before closing...called to let them know and got a message that their reservation had been canceled because she hadn't shown up...left her bags to run to Budget and they had closed 20 minutes earlier, sent remaining people to Avis gate (apparently common practice)...about 30 people in line...waited 45 minutes in line only to learn that both Avis and Budget had been out of cars all evening...11:30 at night now, found a car at Alamo and got to her mother's side...her mother passed the next day. My wife called and couldn't get a live person, so gave me the job having gotten a notice that her payment was not refundable because she'd missed the reservation...horrendous...I tried to use their web site for customer care, but it wouldn't accept the reservation #, said I needed an actual rental # (which hadn't been issued, rental canceled)...made phone calls...30 minute+ hold, so call you back...finally I linkedin with the General Counsel at Budget and told her of the issue...got a call and got the refund. I was more PO'd about the treatment, especially given stress of the experience in those circumstances, than the dough, wanted them to acknowledge their F-up.
My point is that these sorts of awful customer care experiences happen in the private world too...
Tell your wife I'm sorry for her loss. The chaotic circumstance makes a bad situation even worse. There is something about the IRS that puts them a step above all other government agencies when it comes to their inherent insensitive nature. I had to deal with the SSA folks last year when I filed to start collecting my SS benefits. When their phones were jammed they would ask you to leave your number and a rep would call you back. They did so the same day and were very helpful. If I can make my last criticism of the IRS.. they are not and never will be customer friendly. They don't have to be.
Gas prices in my area today: $4.05/gallon. Over the weekend it was $4.27...
Can't wait for our trumpublican friends to start heaping praise of J'Biden for this...he gets the praise now, right fellas? After taking all the blame for high prices up to this past weekend...
HUZZAH!
..
Re: The Biden - Harris Era.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 2:21 pm
by Peter Brown
dislaxxic wrote: ↑Mon Apr 04, 2022 1:13 pm
Gas prices in my area today: $4.05/gallon. Over the weekend it was $4.27...
Can't wait for our trumpublican friends to start heaping praise of J'Biden for this...he gets the praise now, right fellas? After taking all the blame for high prices up to this past weekend...
HUZZAH!
..
He’s doing great. You’re gonna do great in November. Inflation is a Republican psyop. Keep on the path you’re on!!!
The Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation calculator rose a sharp 0.6% in February and kept the increase over the past year at a 40-year high, explaining why the central bank plans to move faster to raise U.S. interest rates.
The so-called personal consumption price index climbed to 6.4% in the 12 months ended in February, up from 6.2% in the prior month, the government said Thursday.
dislaxxic wrote: ↑Mon Apr 04, 2022 1:13 pm
Gas prices in my area today: $4.05/gallon. Over the weekend it was $4.27...
Can't wait for our trumpublican friends to start heaping praise of J'Biden for this...he gets the praise now, right fellas? After taking all the blame for high prices up to this past weekend...
HUZZAH!
..
Gas here in good ole Rochester is at 4.29 down 4 cents. I'm guessing the Bidumplings have something to cheer about. I'm gonna break out the Dom Perignon. I'm a socialist now, what do I care??
Another completely silly depiction from your special sources of "news." How proud you must be, again.
So now c-span is not a credible source for video.... it is so clear the party wants nothing to do with Joe, its strange how credulous each party can be.
Re: The Biden - Harris Era.
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:58 am
by dislaxxic
Joe saved the world from the Moron. He should be enshrined on Mt. Rushmore for that act alone. With that essential chore completed, we can turn our efforts to keeping the true, most competent and effective governing ideology where it belongs...attempting to govern a very large, very diverse nation in 2022 and beyond: the left. For the people, by the people. The president is the ideological figurehead of his governing coalition.
Look at the Republican ideological figurehead today. Case closed.
Poor Joe simply did not know what to do with himself. Nobody would have blamed him if he snuck out and got an ice cream cone, with rainbow sprinkles of course.
Re: The Biden - Harris Era.
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:05 am
by cradleandshoot
dislaxxic wrote: ↑Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:58 am
Joe saved the world from the Moron. He should be enshrined on Mt. Rushmore for that act alone. With that essential chore completed, we can turn our efforts to keeping the true, most competent and effective governing ideology where it belongs...attempting to govern a very large, very diverse nation in 2022 and beyond: the left. For the people, by the people. The president is the ideological figurehead of his governing coalition.
Look at the Republican ideological figurehead today. Case closed.
..
Now all the country needs is to save it from Joe...
Poor Joe simply did not know what to do with himself. Nobody would have blamed him if he snuck out and got an ice cream cone, with rainbow sprinkles of course.
I'm all for the 'irish exit'...head off to the balcony with a cigar and dram and just think of things to make me smile.
Another completely silly depiction from your special sources of "news." How proud you must be, again.
So now c-span is not a credible source for video.... it is so clear the party wants nothing to do with Joe, its strange how credulous each party can be.
Thanks Tucker; appreciate the talking point from the party without a plan.
Poor Joe simply did not know what to do with himself. Nobody would have blamed him if he snuck out and got an ice cream cone, with rainbow sprinkles of course.
I'm all for the 'irish exit'...head off to the balcony with a cigar and dram and just think of things to make me smile.
Now that is a great suggestion.
Re: The Biden - Harris Era.
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2022 11:37 am
by NattyBohChamps04
Now that C&S & YA are done with their little circle**** over the edited clips, here's the actual context. Because of course it's edited for "fair and balanced" purposes . They got you two hook, line and sinker with that. Amazing what two or three extra seconds means.
Guess y'all are also upset at Bush not figuring out a door lock, or Trump wandering off a dozen times not knowing where to go or where he was.
Re: The Biden - Harris Era.
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2022 1:11 pm
by youthathletics
NattyBohChamps04 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 11:37 am
Now that C&S & YA are done with their little circle**** over the edited clips, here's the actual context. Because of course it's edited for "fair and balanced" purposes . They got you two hook, line and sinker with that. Amazing what two or three extra seconds means.
Guess y'all are also upset at Bush not figuring out a door lock, or Trump wandering off a dozen times not knowing where to go or where he was.
I never finished, still strokin'
From another portion of the show, it's a damned shame BHO threw the shade, then had to apologize on twitter that evening: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcDkoAfJQ77/
NattyBohChamps04 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 11:37 am
Now that C&S & YA are done with their little circle**** over the edited clips, here's the actual context. Because of course it's edited for "fair and balanced" purposes . They got you two hook, line and sinker with that. Amazing what two or three extra seconds means.
Guess y'all are also upset at Bush not figuring out a door lock, or Trump wandering off a dozen times not knowing where to go or where he was.
I never finished, still strokin'
From another portion of the show, it's a damned shame BHO threw the shade, then had to apologize on twitter that evening: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcDkoAfJQ77/
YA: "I get my news the same place as a middle school girl." Jesus.
NattyBohChamps04 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 11:37 am
Now that C&S & YA are done with their little circle**** over the edited clips, here's the actual context. Because of course it's edited for "fair and balanced" purposes . They got you two hook, line and sinker with that. Amazing what two or three extra seconds means.
Guess y'all are also upset at Bush not figuring out a door lock, or Trump wandering off a dozen times not knowing where to go or where he was.
I never finished, still strokin'
From another portion of the show, it's a damned shame BHO threw the shade, then had to apologize on twitter that evening: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcDkoAfJQ77/
YA: "I get my news the same place as a middle school girl." Jesus.
our tax guy now has to call the IRS on our dime with the meter running to try and figure this out. The IRS was kind enough to give us to April 18 to pony up the money before they start charging interest and penalty. It may take until April 18 to talk to someone at the IRS. You could say that is one way to raise money for the government...
. They got you two hook, line and sinker with that. Amazing what two or three extra seconds means.