 |
|
| FriendFeed is the easiest way to share online. Learn more » |
John › Comments
Happily paying my taxes today. I appreciate the opportunities I have been given in this great country and honor our social contract. #teabag
Eivind, Edward Zwart, Howard Keziah and 65 other people liked this
I got to pay taxes for the first time today, a whole $74 worth!!!
- Zack
I paid my taxes early to just get it out of the way
- Chris Strange
The older I get, the more refunds I get. It's kinda weird, but the child + mortgage credits work out in my favor.
- Daniel J. Pritchett
Did you really tag this #teabag?
- Andrew Leahey
Well you're doing a good well better than I am. I can barely scrape by, and having to write a big check while recently laid off takes some of the "joy" out of paying taxes.
- Kyle Sellers
long time listener first time caller... great attitude dr. laporte. paying taxes i don't mind, it's the wasteful and inane spending of those dollars that greatly dampens my mood... (to be clear, thats a dig at both houses of congress)
- Ted Bradford II
I don't really find a problem with taxes. I'm paying for the services I received for "Free." Essentially the government loaned me money to pay for roads, my student loans, things of that nature, and then they didn't charge me interest on that loan. It's really kind of cool. I just wish my employer wasn't taking forever to mail out a new copy of my W-2. I have to file for an extension because it hasn't arrived yet (my old one got trashed after my mom forwarded it to me).
- Ivan
i got to pay several grand last year. Wish i had your positive attitude then...thanks for bringing me back into a healthier perspective! We forget how fortunate we actually are!
- Lori Wilson
I don't get why anyone would mock a group of people organizing online to promote a cause they believe in. Isn't that how Obama got elected? The whole #teabag tag reminds me of a bunch of spoiled kids who don't want to share their toys (the internet).
- Kyle Sellers
Had to sign up just to say this: I don't mind paying taxes necessarily, such as sales tax and etc., but the Income Tax is wrong no matter what President or what party is in power. The govt. doesn't own my work, and giving them our hard earned money doesn't give them an incentive to shrink to Constitutional-approved levels.
- Kevin "Yeaux" Dupuy
Going to a teabag party today
- Randy Pollock
I love the smell of sarcasm in the morning! :)
- jcunwired
I can hardly wait to find out if the money they have been withholding from each paycheck I've earned over the past year has been enough to cover the burden I've created for society by being born. Yay taxes!!!
- midnightgolfer
I understand that paying taxes is a responsibility/privilege as a citizen of this wonderful country. I do not mind paying my fair share. I get upset when those who spend these taxes do not see any responsibility themselves.
- Chris Gardner
Oh, I got soo much joy giving USPS my checks for $28,000 the other day (Year End & Q1), guess the government will do better with that money then me. I was just going to use it to buy a new car (and perhaps keep some people in jobs), nothing important.
- Craig Ochs
Kevin: That makes no sense. They either have the right to take your money or they don't. Saying it's okay for them to take your money when you pay someone else for something but not when someone pays you is just nonsensical.
- Ghworg
worst tag ever Leo
- Joseph Akbrud
I must have been given a lot of opportunities, because I am paying a lot of tax. Happily? not so much. :(
- Bob Townsend
AIG, Goldman & GM executives thank you. It's not easy living in Manhattan & Connecticut on $50,000 a day. Your contribution helps!
- Adam Turetzky
midnightgolfer, that made me laugh out loud. lets just take the smartest, the most successful and the best looking out of the herd, leaving the "rest of us". then, the "rest of us" will drink the Jim Jones Kool Aid so that the burden will be far less on those left behind.
- Ted Bradford II
I like schools, interstates, bridges, libraries, clean water, police patrols, firemen - oh yeah and of course the military that protects us - so... I paid my taxes. Its okay #teaparty peeps - you can still use my roads and I won't sick the military on you. #teabag
- Ken Newton
Social Contract? Please explain. I dont see anything in the constitution that requires me to pay for people to stay in homes they couldn't afford in the first place, feed able bodied people that make no effort to sustain themselves, and subsidize banks, insurance companies, corporations and industries that have driven themselves into the ground by poor management. It is insanity to believe that the government is somehow better able to manage our lives better that we can ourselves.
- Jim Bednarz
ken newton... the things you mentioned are not wasteful spending.
- Ted Bradford II
@ Ghworg - There is a substantial difference between a direct tax (income) and an indirect tax (sales tax). Read up on your constitutional history, and the federalist papers. @ Ken Newton - Private business could do it better and cheaper... so try again. I started my day listening to the Housemartins... specifically the song called "Sheep."
- Jodon Bellofatto
Jim - That's what makes it a social contract and not an actual contract. It's inferred. We took care of approving it for you.
- Matthew DeVries
Got a tax credit for having a baby and for buying a house. The last time I will probably ever get money back from the government. I am enjoying it.
- Fleagle
Wanna pay mine, then?
- Rochelle
Ghworg: I wouldn't mind getting rid of the sales tax too, but simply I think that's stretching it even farther than getting rid of the Federal Income Tax would. This country ran perfectly fine for it's first hundred or so years without a Fed Income Tax, until we began adding more and more social services as part of our federal government. Keep in mind originally the income tax was ruled unconstitutional: it took a Constitutional amendment to allow it to occur.
- Kevin "Yeaux" Dupuy
@Jim Bednarz: the social contract is a long standing idea within the US government ideal and structure. John Locke, sound familiar? Perhaps this will help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
" Keep in mind originally the income tax was ruled unconstitutional: it took a Constitutional amendment to allow it to occur." and why did it get amended? Oh yeah, to save the bankers who ran their businesses into the ground! We're like a broken record. Keep the rich people rich at all costs!
- Adam Turetzky
I don't get these hard left Gilmor Gangistas, they are sooo out of touch with their Austro-libertarian listeners who want Ben Bernanke and Paul Krugman shot !
- Adrian
My wife and I work till May 23 for the federal government so we can bail out crooked bankers and lousy car companies.
- Joseph Kelley
My husband and I work until April or May, I think, but it's to pay $0.50 on the dollar for a war I don't agree with.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
Then why not pay even more taxes? You'll be ecstatic.
- Morton Fox
Leo should pay me for being a devoted listener. Yeah, that's it...
- Mike Nayyar
While I think this whole #teabag thing is complete nonsense and just a publicity stunt for the Republican conservatives, I'm no fan of the Democrats either. Taxes are just one more way of a government to exert power over it's people, it's stupid. Throwing teabags in rivers in 2009 is even more stupid. Really want to send a signal? Don't pay your taxes. If everyone at these stupid teabageries would not pay their taxes, it'd have a hell of a lot more of an effect.
- Ⓐ ☠ slayerboy ☠ Ⓐ
@Ted Bradford II - you are correct. I have yet to hear a good reason for the #teaparty. Wasteful spending? Where did the 3 trillion go that was handed over to G.W. in '01? Oh yeah - its in the pockets of A.I.G. and Halliburton. That money would have gone a long way towards solving the current problem. Would we even be here if it wasn't for absurd tax cuts for corps and unmitigated spending over the last 8 years?
- Ken Newton
Glad your doing so well Leo, I too appreciate the opportunities the US has provided me so much so that I volunteered and served my country Militarily, I'm sure you have also, While I too have always honored (and will continue to do so) "my" social contract I only wish the politicians who work for "me" were "honorable" enough to reciprocate or perhaps I wish I had "your" money.
- Jim Kells
Don't mind paying taxes for appropriate functions of govt. Also, everyone should pay their fair share which is not happening today. The upper echelons of income earners are paying a disproportionate share of income taxes!
- Derek Cook
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Fiance and I got more than $5000 back this year. Hmmm...Ah well.
- ‘-.-’ Tutivillus Grift
FYI - anyone wishing to pay more taxes than they are required is free to do so. The IRS will let you do that.
- You.
"The upper echelons of income earners are paying a disproportionate share of income taxes!"...you're kidding me, right? While it may be true in terms of actual dollars, it is not even close in terms of the effect on a family's lifestyle. Those of us who are blessed with success should be willing to help our fellow Americans by giving back in amounts relative to the opportunities we have been given. In that way, others may hope to share in our success. When did we stop caring about each other?
- Peter May
I would be at a #teaparty today - but I am not part of the upper echelon upset about paying taxes. I wish they had more money to give to the gov so they can be bailed out again when they run their corps in the ground. Where were the #teaparty last year when the bailouts began?
- Ken Newton
@ Ken Newton - The original intent of the #teaparty was to admonish and speak out against both Republican and Democrat alike. Ironically, in many locations, it has been usurped by opportunists on both sides... which is why I will not be attending. And, yes, this economic situation was inevitable due to poor monetary policy that dates back to the Nixon/Carter days, and before then, the establishment of the Federal Reserve.
- Jodon Bellofatto
In this country, we _are_ the government. Anyone who isn't happy with their tax situation has only themselves to blame. Nutjobs who rail on about "the gubmint" stealing their money are hopelessly out of touch with reality and politically naive. Don't like the way things are going? Just use your powers of persuasion to convince the rest of us that you're right. Hint: blathering on about...
more...
- Brad Farris
from twhirl
Leo, this was a wonderful message to see this morning. Thank you for saying it.
- Karoli
@Brad um....you do realize that the government right now is controlled not by "us" but by the banks and corporations? That's just it..we became too lax and allowed the government to do things they should never even be doing. I would like to say that we should be taking all the blame, but it's not that simple. This all started back in the early 1900's. Our grandfathers and fathers started this whole mess. The minute they let the government step in and "cure" the depression, we the people lost control.
- Ⓐ ☠ slayerboy ☠ Ⓐ
@ Peter May: So taxes should be based "the effect on a family's lifestyle"? That is just wrong. Our tax system should be unbiased. Each American should be treated equally. While I do agree "those of us who are blessed with success should be willing to help" it should also be voluntary. That is part of why I'm a proponent of a flat percentage tax rate.
- ChiliMac
@Leo: Most of the people I know supporting the #teapartys would agree with your sentiment "Happily paying my taxes today. I appreciate the opportunities I have been given in this great country and honor our social contract". The issue we have is that the government is taking advantage of that and wasting our money. It is getting out of hand.
- ChiliMac
@Jodon Bellofatto - 'the establishment of the Federal Reserve' - thanks for bringing that up. I have been down that rabbit hole - and just lost sleep over it. I just realized my true objection is the distortion of the message by political pundits and corporate hacks. There be wisdom with you Jodon.
- Ken Newton
I seem to recall that the #teaparty had some issues with double-taxation. Like @Leo, I work for myself and gladly pay-in for the services I receive. However, in addition to Federal and State income taxes, I'm also taxed on gross receipts by the city of Los Angeles, and then 9.25% on everything I purchase. Sounds like we dumped tea for double-taxation, and now we get to eat cake. One of the things that I love about this country is that it allows for change. Probably time to reboot the system.
- Jeff Fischbach
And speaking of double taxation... every other tax you pay, you pay for with income which has already been taxed (some are allowed as deductions or credits, subject to limitations)... real estate tax, personal property tax, inheritance taxes, sales tax, inheritance tax, luxry taxes, sin taxes, etc.
- LogEx
Maybe if the politicians in Washington would have such an happy attitude about paying taxes we could pay for the 10 trillion dollar bailout of everyone-but-us.
- Mot Faerin
@Mike. I hear what you're saying, brother, but we live in the here and now. "The government" is you and I, friend. If it's not doing right by us, we have the power to fix it. Of course it's a hard job, but that's what living here is supposed to be about - doing the hard work to make our country function the way we want it to. It's hard to get the right people elected. It's hard to...
more...
- Brad Farris
from twhirl
What you call "crying about it" is actually rallying political support for change. The government can be influenced in other ways besides voting.
- You.
"Happily paying my taxes today" Must be enough left then. ;)
- Willem (@wim66) ☠
from twhirl
@Dave, If you're thinking that I'm opposed to "rallying political support for change," you're wrong. In fact, that's exactly what I've said I think should be done. There's a qualitative difference betweein "rallying political support for change" and simply whining about paying taxes. Don't confuse one with the other, and don't confuse "the government" with anything besides you and I.
- Brad Farris
from twhirl
what's the quantifiable difference? [edit] and who's doing the latter?
- You.
Taxes... got 5400$ back this year... massive REER investment (it's a Canadian thing)
- Julien Bérubé
Now that I think about it, isn't @Leo Canadian? That alone probably makes paying taxes here a relative-pleasure. On the other hand, he may just be pandering to avoid deportation.
- Jeff Fischbach
Sorry, Dave - where did you get the impression that I did that? I didn't mean to give that impression, and I certainly feel that it's good for our "conservative" friends to involve themselves in some organized public protest from time to time, just so they'll be able to understand how strongly those anti-war protesters feel when they get out there and hold up signs. I've looked back...
more...
- Brad Farris
from twhirl
You edited? Sorry, I answered the question you originally posed. I guess maybe you realized you'd overreached. It's all good.
- Brad Farris
from twhirl
It's not the paying that bothers me; it's that we get so little return on our money.
- Robert Hafer
Robert, you're getting a ton for your money. Unfortunately, half of it is military and with so much of that abroad right now, you don't get to 'see' what you've bought very much.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
What a nice little lemming. Hiel Geithner.
- Joanie
20% of it is in defense out of the entire budget, the 50% number is only true of the discretionary budget. The discretionary budget does not include Medicare and Social Security.
- RAPatton
Wow, a lot of single post people over here to give what they got to Leo. Why don't you folks stay and join the discussion on FriendFeed if you'd like to have real reasoned debate.
- Eric @ CSTechcast.com
Robert, the discretionary budget is what actually comes from income taxes. Social Security has its own kitty and its own contributions, so it is deceptive to include in a breakdown of "where your taxes go" since most people assume "your taxes" implies the stuff that's due today.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
We may be getting a ton for our money, but we are paying for 100 tons. 99 tons of waste.
- Robert Hafer
I am very well aware of where Social Security comes from and how its "surplus" is pillaged and about the Medicare shortfall. But if you are only talking income taxes 32.6% of people pay absolutely nothing for defense, unless you count the funds borrowed from Social Security.
- RAPatton
Paid mine yesterday, after having to call the IRS to get my AGI for last year to file THIS year. Sheesh.....
- Anita Pesola
Converse to that, Robert, is the fact that the people who are paying more towards the military by paying more of the overall tax burden are also in many cases the same people who are profiting the most from military action.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
"the people"? So, when you earn a certain dollar amount you profit more the military?
- RAPatton
Not what I meant. Military contractors, the companies that are receiving redevelopment contracts, etc. That's what I meant. Though, there are those that argue that the wealthy in general do benefit more from the military in general, since they have the greater assets to protect.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
I heard that Comcast, the parent company of G4 TV, is in financial trouble, maybe some of your tax revenue can bail them out of the rut they're in. Love ya Leo, thanks for the pothole repairs!
- Matt Pak
@ChiliMac: Voluntary? Oh yeah, that would work. Imagine how much those pigs on Wall Street would pay if the system was voluntary.
- Peter May
@Peter May: My comment may not have been clear. I don' t think taxes should be voluntary, just non-discriminatory. The volunteerism I mention is the extra help. Let people give to charity if they want to help certain sectors of society. Our federal government should not be forcing that on us.
- ChiliMac
They say a large tax bill is a "glamorous problem" :)
- guruvan (Rob Nelson)
Leo, I'm glad to see people in positions of prominence such as yourself speaking out in support of the tax process. Too many people on Twitter are bemoaning the fact that they have to give back to their country.
- Eric Geller
Eric, many are not bemoaning that they have to "give" back, but what the government is doing with that money. Also I don't see it as giving as that word implies some choice in the matter. #teaparty
- John
We actually don't mind rendering unto caesar, either. It's just that when the caesars try to trade our children's future for today's bread and circuses, you gotta ask, "Is it time to cleanse the temple?" Also, give us a break, we're kinda' new to this whole loud street protest thing.
- midnightgolfer
Leo, I'm in debt a few thousand dollars because of taxes. If you'd like to help someone out and actually see positive results, let me know. I only need $4000 to pay my tax debt. What if you buy $4k worth of ads from me at: http://twilliondollarhomepage.com
- James Thomson
James Thomson, even I know that your ad here in these comments is lame.
- midnightgolfer
@midnightgolfer - why lame? Leo says he likes to pay taxes so why wouldn't he want to help one of his listeners pay their tax debt? It's a win-win situation. He gets an ad for 5 years, can deduct the expense on next year's taxes and it helps me pay off my tax debt. Hell, I don't care how I get the money... if he wants to just give me $4000 straight up that's fine too: http://twilliondollarhomepage.com
- James Thomson
If you have to ask... anyways, maybe it's just that I feel like twitter is already starting to get kind of spammy as it is.
- midnightgolfer
Leo, if you love paying taxes so much, why not donate even more money to the government or help someone else out that cannot afford it. I am unemployed, no income and have prescription drugs I need on top of my tax bill. Seriously, I don't understand your logic.
- James Thomson
@James I think he's saying that he feels he gets value for his dollar. Do you offer to pay more for something every time you feel this way?
- Edward Zwart
Is Twitter broken today? I thought Twitterific was eating friends' tweets, but it appears the problem begins at the source.
I'm having the same problem with Twitter, has been like that since early this morning for me
- John
Anyone have one of the original IBM XT full height hard drives? The 5 or 10 meggers? Looking for one for a photo comparing storage devices.
I was getting the 8GB USB stick out of my bag the other day and had a flashback to the days of the 10 Meg hard drive -- man we've come a long way!
- Jeff
We may have some in storage at the shop, I will have one of the techs take a look today
- John
@Jeff I was using Google Docs the other day and had a flashback to the days of the USB stick ;-)
- Rubin Sfadj
Was watching a movie and a guy downloaded a bunch of video onto of 3.5 floppy,.....I said ya right......that's gonna happen......
- Ron
High-Definition Knockout - http://www.businessweek.com/technol...
The battle to determine the future of the DVD may be coming to an end. In a blow to Toshiba's (TOSBF) HD DVD movie format, Warner Bros. Entertainment (TWX) announced on Jan. 4 that it plans to begin releasing high-definition movies exclusively in the Blu-
- John
High-Definition Knockout - http://www.businessweek.com/technol...
The battle to determine the future of the DVD may be coming to an end. In a blow to Toshiba's (TOSBF) HD DVD movie format, Warner Bros. Entertainment (TWX) announced on Jan. 4 that it plans to begin releasing high-definition movies exclusively in the Blu-
- John
Other ways to read this feed:
