Things that annoy me (3 Viewers)

[mikemiller1955]

Ok, while on the soapbox, let's address another myth. The economy is in the toilet. No its not. It is actually doing rather well when you analyze the last decade starting 2015. Average wages are much higher, spending is much higher, lending power is fairly well backed by assets. The economy is actually doing rather well. Just go to any restaurant on any given night and the majority are full. Go on any highway at most points in a day and there is plenty of traffic gas prices be darned. Go on ebay or amazon or nordstrom or Macys or any shopping website you may choose and sales are up across the board. As much as I like to complain about high gas, or high food, I am still paying it and so is the majority of America. Unemployment is relatively no different.

We all are victim to the constant drone of the Press and Politicians on a daily basis saying - Economy sucks, Economy is great, equation of the Stock Market to the Economy. The stock market is controlled by the movements of large funds, money managers, hedge funds, investment banks - ie the market makers - they WIN literally everyday and they trade everyday. It is a rigged game folks, you , me and all the individual investors ride the coattails of the market and we hope to eke out better than inflation returns (which if you have been in the market the last 20 years you are doing).

So, here is my advice - stop watching National TV news - it is all bent to an agenda, message and party. Political Parties are BIG business, look at the amount of money that flows through them on an annual basis.

Oh - and wars are economic booms in a lot of ways. SO while the Strait closes and causes a temporary stock decline, guess who is buying? Market makers.

I have watched and observed a lot of posts here the last few days and honestly, most are as bad as National News! You guys are watching too much of it.

Tom

Okay...so you're discounting National news as "fake"...which is the most over used phrase on this thread...or maybe tied with "maniacal unhinged left wing radicals"...so I guess we should put all our eggs in one basket and only listen to Fox's interpretation of the news as gospel...​

While I do check in daily...I treat Fox News with the same grain of salt as I do both DEMOCRATIC and MAGA social media posts...as they are both unsubstantiated and with a spin on them that ignores the boundaries of truth...

When I look at political news websites every morning...and they have a completely different version of the event than Fox's...I'm more than a little skeptical about Fox's rendition...

Your gauge of monitoring restaurant’s nightly customers…or watching traffic on the roads is not what I consider a quantifiable index...you’re not actually counting cars are you?

People still have to work and eat...whether gas is high or if we’re in a war...food and travel to work are a necessity...you can’t avoid them...no matter how bad the economy is…

your advice on your post is to stop watching National news...my advice is...to broaden your news coverage from pro MAGA news outlets and watch some other sources…

your claim that the war is an economic boom in other ways...so far it has cost Americans already close to $35 billion...and daily operations are estimated at roughly $1 billion per day...

The White House is proposing a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027…maybe Lockheed Martin...Northrop and Boeing are enjoying economic booms...but average blue collar Joe is definitely feeling the crunch...

 

[tdubel]

Okay...so you're discounting National news as "fake"...which is the most over used phrase on this thread...or maybe tied with "maniacal unhinged left wing radicals"...so I guess we should put all our eggs in one basket and only listen to Fox's interpretation of the news as gospel...​

While I do check in daily...I treat Fox News with the same grain of salt as I do both DEMOCRATIC and MAGA social media posts...as they are both unsubstantiated and with a spin on them that ignores the boundaries of truth...

When I look at political news websites every morning...and they have a completely different version of the event than Fox's...I'm more than a little skeptical about Fox's rendition...

Your gauge of monitoring restaurant’s nightly customers…or watching traffic on the roads is not what I consider a quantifiable index...you’re not actually counting cars are you?

People still have to work and eat...whether gas is high or if we’re in a war...food and travel to work are a necessity...you can’t avoid them...no matter how bad the economy is…

your advice on your post is to stop watching National news...my advice is...to broaden your news coverage from pro MAGA news outlets and watch some other sources…

your claim that the war is an economic boom in other ways...so far it has cost Americans already close to $35 billion...and daily operations are estimated at roughly $1 billion per day...

The White House is proposing a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027…maybe Lockheed Martin...Northrop and Boeing are enjoying economic booms...but average blue collar Joe is definitely feeling the crunch...

Where did I say the word "fake". I didn't. What I said was a very clear and factual statement regarding National News, if you will notice, I did NOT indicate which National News, I was including them all. I am really getting pissed off the more I read your post and the conclusions and stereotypes you are making about me. Would you care to know that I am a registered Democrat? Yes you read that correctly.

All I can say is this, you are going to continue to read and interpret in the manner in which you choose. I can't change that nor do I want/care to. I can only offer you my observations of being literally in the middle of a number of topics you are commenting on and providing you what I literally see. This is not about me saying I am smarter etc, I am just telling you the facts that I observe on a daily basis.

And one more thing, if you continue to call or label me MAGA, it is getting old. Your post is directly insulting to me and I think you owe me an apology.

My other comments on the Tax Cuts, I can stand behind 100%. As I said before, we have a progressive tax system - the more you make, the more you pay (You cannot mathematically change this), therefore, if a tax cut is implemented across the board, those who make more will see a larger dollar savings than those who don't? Why, because they simply are paying more money into taxes to begin with.

Economy - Going out to eat is discretionary spending. Since I by default eat out most nights due to travel, I am rarely in any type of restaurant that is not packed. That goes from a Whatburger to a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I would say they are doing ok. Concerts - I have not been to a concert in the last year (5) that has not been sold out. There are no cheap tickets. Most major sporting events seem to have no problem attracting crowds. Here is another one - Vinyl Records - limited editions are selling out every day. Business on ebay - look at their sales. Amazon - you can't drive 3 miles in any direction without running into a truck. Stats - Unemployment is not high. Corporate Earnings are not in the toilet. Asset backed lending is not crashing. NOW - one point and I have made this point for the last 5 years that I don't like about the economy - Consumer Credit Card Debt and certain Real Estate (Residential) markets are inflated. Could we have a pull back in the next 6 months that lasts for 12 months? YES Historically speaking, it doesn't expand every day forever. We will encounter many bumps. But I don't see us going into a Depression either. The sky is not going to fall b/c gas prices rise for a year.

At the end of the day, the sun is going to come up tomorrow, Iran's leadership is still going to be scum that should not exist, Israel is still going to be blamed for their own defense, Donald Trump will be President for 2 more years and there will still be "bent" stories by national news media every day until people stop watching it.

TD

 

[mikemiller1955]

Where did I say the word "fake". I didn't. What I said was a very clear and factual statement regarding National News, if you will notice, I did NOT indicate which National News, I was including them all. I am really getting pissed off the more I read your post and the conclusions and stereotypes you are making about me. Would you care to know that I am a registered Democrat? Yes you read that correctly.

All I can say is this, you are going to continue to read and interpret in the manner in which you choose. I can't change that nor do I want/care to. I can only offer you my observations of being literally in the middle of a number of topics you are commenting on and providing you what I literally see. This is not about me saying I am smarter etc, I am just telling you the facts that I observe on a daily basis.

And one more thing, if you continue to call or label me MAGA, it is getting old. Your post is directly insulting to me and I think you owe me an apology.

My other comments on the Tax Cuts, I can stand behind 100%. As I said before, we have a progressive tax system - the more you make, the more you pay (You cannot mathematically change this), therefore, if a tax cut is implemented across the board, those who make more will see a larger dollar savings than those who don't? Why, because they simply are paying more money into taxes to begin with.

Economy - Going out to eat is discretionary spending. Since I by default eat out most nights due to travel, I am rarely in any type of restaurant that is not packed. That goes from a Whatburger to a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I would say they are doing ok. Concerts - I have not been to a concert in the last year (5) that has not been sold out. There are no cheap tickets. Most major sporting events seem to have no problem attracting crowds. Here is another one - Vinyl Records - limited editions are selling out every day. Business on ebay - look at their sales. Amazon - you can't drive 3 miles in any direction without running into a truck. Stats - Unemployment is not high. Corporate Earnings are not in the toilet. Asset backed lending is not crashing. NOW - one point and I have made this point for the last 5 years that I don't like about the economy - Consumer Credit Card Debt and certain Real Estate (Residential) markets are inflated. Could we have a pull back in the next 6 months that lasts for 12 months? YES Historically speaking, it doesn't expand every day forever. We will encounter many bumps. But I don't see us going into a Depression either. The sky is not going to fall b/c gas prices rise for a year.

At the end of the day, the sun is going to come up tomorrow, Iran's leadership is still going to be scum that should not exist, Israel is still going to be blamed for their own defense, Donald Trump will be President for 2 more years and there will still be "bent" stories by national news media every day until people stop watching it.

TD

You are right...you did not say the word “fake” pertaining to National news...my bad...you avoided that over used cliché nicely on here…but you made your point without using that word...tomato...tomatoe...

to quote you better...you said…

“stop watching National TV news...it is all bent to an agenda, message and party”…

and you also said…

“This article is just plain rabble rousing crap from a National news organization...Is anything printed fact checked anymore?...I don’t think so”…

and you also said...

“I have watched and observed a lot of posts here the last few days and honestly, most are bad as National news! You guys are watching too much of it!”...

and most recently in your last reply...you also said…

“Donald Trump will be president for 2 more years and there will still be “bent” stories by National news media every day until people stop watching it.”…

but yes...you’re right...you did avoid the word “fake”...but you made your point pretty clearly about National news...

and I did not call you a “MAGA”…

You said…

“Your advice on your post is for me to stop watching National news...

I replied...

my advice to you is...to broaden your news coverage from pro MAGA news outlets and watch some other sources.”...

also it might surprise you...that I’m a registered Republican…but my card no longer reflects that for some reason...I actually voted for Trump 2 terms ago...

and Tom...on a side note...I try hard to make sure I’m printing factual stories and don’t embellish...nothing I post is directed at you or intended to peeve you off...sincerely sorry you fell that way...while I might not agree...I do consider your posts read worthy

 

[tdubel]

Doug…Tom...George…




I'm a little overwhelmed...I’m lumping you together cause there are too many posts for me to respond to...I just don’t have the time to give your posts that much attention...not being snarky...but I hope this reflects how I feel about the article...

the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBBA) primarily benefits high-income households and corporations by making 2017 tax cuts permanent and adding new investment tax breaks.

While proponents argue it boosts the working class, studies show over 60% of tax cuts go to the top 20% of households.

The lion’s share of the cuts go to the wealthy...not just the wealthy...the ultra upper 20% of the wealthy in America...why do they deserve bigger tax cuts?

They should pay their share...

Which Americans need tax cuts the most...the wealthy or the poor?

Why shouldn’t the ultra wealthy pay their taxes based on their income...instead of getting a better break than others?

The article I posted shows how the BBB affects one family that is not in the ultra upper 20% of America…

Anybody who knows me...knows I was in the hospitality business...I worked with tipped employees (waitress’s)...tough job...they deserve any breaks they can get as they were paid minimum wage...which when I was in business was less than $3.00 per hour...I applaud the tax breaks for them...I loved the concept of “No Tax On Tips”...but that phrase is misleading...there is a cap on this...it’s not “no tax on tips”...it’s no tax on some tips…

The article I posted shows that this tax break is not as advertised...as advertised as “no tax on tips”...that not the whole story...it’s capped and this family is saying it’s not making much difference to them tax refunds…

The average refund this tax season was $3,521, about $350 more than last year, according to IRS data as of March 27. The White House has said the extra cash in people’s pockets will help boost the economy.

So...$350 a year benefit for the non ultra upper class Americans…

Whoopie…

a $350 a year stimulus package…

that’s a whopping $29.17 per month…

a total of .97 cents per day…

so if you’re not getting the lion’s share of the tax breaks…

maybe once a month...you can go out and splurge on a pizza and 2 beers…that will really boost the economy…

while all the time….the wealthy get the best deal…

President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) made the largest-ever cuts to social safety net programs in U.S. history to fund tax cuts for the ultra wealthy and corporations. The OBBBA extends, expands, or implements more than $4.5 trillion in tax breaks — mostly for billionaires — while making more than $1 trillion in cuts to programs that many rely on for health care, adequate nutrition, and student loans.

Black communities will be among the hardest hit by these funding cuts, facing higher costs, fewer resources, and deeper debt. Here’s a look at some of the programs that will be significantly altered.

You are right...you did not say the word “fake” pertaining to National news...my bad...you avoided that over used cliché nicely on here…but you made your point without using that word...tomato...tomatoe...

to quote you better...you said…

“stop watching National TV news...it is all bent to an agenda, message and party”…

and you also said…

“This article is just plain rabble rousing crap from a National news organization...Is anything printed fact checked anymore?...I don’t think so”…

and you also said...

“I have watched and observed a lot of posts here the last few days and honestly, most are bad as National news! You guys are watching too much of it!”...

and most recently in your last reply...you also said…

“Donald Trump will be president for 2 more years and there will still be “bent” stories by National news media every day until people stop watching it.”…

but yes...you’re right...you did avoid the word “fake”...but you made your point pretty clearly about National news...

and I did not call you a “MAGA”…

You said…

“Your advice on your post is for me to stop watching National news...

I replied...

my advice to you is...to broaden your news coverage from pro MAGA news outlets and watch some other sources.”...

also it might surprise you...that I’m a registered Republican…but my card no longer reflects that for some reason...I actually voted for Trump 2 terms ago...

and Tom...on a side note...I try hard to make sure I’m printing factual stories and don’t embellish...nothing I post is directed at you or intended to peeve you off...sincerely sorry you fell that way...while I might not agree...I do consider your posts read worthy

Not to beat a dead horse that this is - my gripe with National News does not fall on party lines. They all suck. And I say that nicely. I am not saying they are fake in anyway, what I am saying is, they are written to whatever targeted audience politically pays their bills through advertising. Additionally, they should call it "rage news" because most (not all of course), but most is written in a manner to elicit an enraged reaction from their targeted base. To me, that is not fact-based reporting, it is opinion that is based on biased interpretation of facts. I just can't watch that. Ironically, all you have to do is look at these board posts in a lot of cases and guess what - it works!

Again, I have a family member who is in that industry which I have posted before. They work for a National news affiliated local station and they have to fact check any national story they may choose to run b/c they have been literally burned more times than you can count on running stories.

Point - it is a pretty sad day in journalism when a local station has to fact check its own national affiliates syndicated stories. If that isn't a tell tale sign of the State of things, I don't know what is.

Also here is a pretty plain example of how the tax breaks work and you will see what I am saying about our progressive tax and how a lot of reporting twists the outcome:

A. Person A makes $200K taxable income - 20% Tax - $40,000 tax bill. Tax break of 5% - now Person A pays $30,000 Tax bill
B. Person B makes $100K taxable income - 15% tax - $15,000 tax bill. Tax break of 5% - now Person B pays $10,000 Tax Bill

Conclusion - Person A still pays 3 times what Person B pays in raw tax dollars. Person B complains they only saved $5K, but you are only paying effective 10% tax. Person B is still paying 5% more rate, but 3 times as much in raw dollars. SO - person who makes more money may save more, but they are paying a lot more of the freight!


Tom

 

[Panzer ace]

Since I am a practicing CPA, I feel the need to comment on the tax breaks/law:

A. No tax on overtime. For most of the folks working overtime are below all of the limitations, so they are receiving a direct benefit. It is mathematically beneficial to those earning overtime.

B. No tax on tips - You are able to exclude $25K in tips from your income. I have a buddy who is a seasoned bartender/manager, he saved $5K on his income taxes - real money.

C. State tax deduction on itemized deductions rising to 40K. This benefits individuals who live in States with higher state taxes, it allows them to itemize again, which is a huge benefit, especially in a state like Maryland. Maryland if you are unable to itemize federally, they do not allow you to itemize at the State level, thus causing a double whack. With the rules reversed to near previous levels which were the law of the land for 50 plus years prior to 2016, more American taxpayers benefit immensely. It is mostly a benefit to the working middle class (married or single filers). This is a good group to put more money in their pockets as they tend to spend it, thus helping the economy. If you live in a State with NO income tax like Texas, Florida or Tennessee, consider yourself blessed, you have very good State Politicians who are rewarding you everyday for living where you do!

One thing that is really tiresome to me is the rich people tax break argument. Let's understand one fact - the so called "Rich" pay an overwhelming majority of all taxes collected by the USA and States. That is just a mathematical fact, the more money you make, the more you pay. MOST and nearly all tax breaks like Tuition, Student Loan Interest, Charity, etc are phased out for the "Rich", so they do not get a huge windfall from most provisions of the tax code. Where they save and saved money is when we reduced the top federal rate from 39% to 36%. And I have to somewhat agree, since when should you lose 40% of your income to tax? If you live in Maryland, tack on another 10% State tax and all of a sudden, you are down to 50% of what you make, is that fair to anyone? I don't think so.

My opinion on taxation is this - we should move to a flat tax - 15% on gross earnings, end of story. Your success should not be progressively penalized, it is flat out idiotic. If you make $100,000 - $15K in tax. $1,000,000 - $150K in tax, $15,000 - $2250 in tax. Pretty simple and fair. Unfortunately, it will never happen b/c regardless of political party in charge, they all want your money and as much as they can get from you.

They all waste money and as much as they can get from you!

Tom:

Great post from some who, is an expert on accounting.

-Jason

 

[theBaron]

You know what annoys me? That the character of Maggie in "Caddyshack", played by Sarah Holcombe, is played as an Irish girl. It makes no sense. There's no explanation of how an Irish girl shows up at a country club in Indiana. And Holcombe's accent is poor, It just seems unnecessary.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Warrior]

Since I am a practicing CPA, I feel the need to comment on the tax breaks/law:

A. No tax on overtime. For most of the folks working overtime are below all of the limitations, so they are receiving a direct benefit. It is mathematically beneficial to those earning overtime.

B. No tax on tips - You are able to exclude $25K in tips from your income. I have a buddy who is a seasoned bartender/manager, he saved $5K on his income taxes - real money.

C. State tax deduction on itemized deductions rising to 40K. This benefits individuals who live in States with higher state taxes, it allows them to itemize again, which is a huge benefit, especially in a state like Maryland. Maryland if you are unable to itemize federally, they do not allow you to itemize at the State level, thus causing a double whack. With the rules reversed to near previous levels which were the law of the land for 50 plus years prior to 2016, more American taxpayers benefit immensely. It is mostly a benefit to the working middle class (married or single filers). This is a good group to put more money in their pockets as they tend to spend it, thus helping the economy. If you live in a State with NO income tax like Texas, Florida or Tennessee, consider yourself blessed, you have very good State Politicians who are rewarding you everyday for living where you do!

One thing that is really tiresome to me is the rich people tax break argument. Let's understand one fact - the so called "Rich" pay an overwhelming majority of all taxes collected by the USA and States. That is just a mathematical fact, the more money you make, the more you pay. MOST and nearly all tax breaks like Tuition, Student Loan Interest, Charity, etc are phased out for the "Rich", so they do not get a huge windfall from most provisions of the tax code. Where they save and saved money is when we reduced the top federal rate from 39% to 36%. And I have to somewhat agree, since when should you lose 40% of your income to tax? If you live in Maryland, tack on another 10% State tax and all of a sudden, you are down to 50% of what you make, is that fair to anyone? I don't think so.

My opinion on taxation is this - we should move to a flat tax - 15% on gross earnings, end of story. Your success should not be progressively penalized, it is flat out idiotic. If you make $100,000 - $15K in tax. $1,000,000 - $150K in tax, $15,000 - $2250 in tax. Pretty simple and fair. Unfortunately, it will never happen b/c regardless of political party in charge, they all want your money and as much as they can get from you.

They all waste money and as much as they can get from you!

So basically regarding tips; under Trump, the first 25K in tips are tax free, anything beyond that gets taxed at whatever rate applies to you.

That sounds like a pretty good deal to me; sorry if service workers thought ALL their tips are tax free. I also wonder on "cash" tips how the actual reporting goes; when you add the tip to a credit card transaction, it's out there for all the world to see, cash money, not so much, so there's that.

Regarding taxes; as a business owner, I've gotten hammered basically every year since about 2001, when I started to carry metal figures/did the business full time/when the business exploded as did the hobby, the past six have been just brutal, the more I make, the more they take, a good problem to have in that the net profit number keeps climbing and climbing and climbing, but so does the tax burden.

 

[tdubel]

Regarding taxes; as a business owner, I've gotten hammered basically every year since about 2001, when I started to carry metal figures/did the business full time/when the business exploded as did the hobby, the past six have been just brutal, the more I make, the more they take, a good problem to have in that the net profit number keeps climbing and climbing and climbing, but so does the tax burden.

And there you have a crystal clear definition of the United States of America's progressive income tax code!
TD

 

[damian]

And there you have a crystal clear definition of the United States of America's progressive income tax code!
TD

Sadly not a unique American problem. Most of us have a similar experience.

 

[Combat]

The poor people of California. Their current governor has driven the state to ruin. The candidates on both sides are even worse. It is karma, however, to see Swalwell's political career go down like the Titanic. That leaves the intensely unlikable Katie Porter and nutty Steve Hilton as the frontrunners. What a choice. Time to back up those moving vans.

 

[marco55]

Trickle Down Theory

resources.hoover.org

Mark

 

[Panzer ace]

So basically regarding tips; under Trump, the first 25K in tips are tax free, anything beyond that gets taxed at whatever rate applies to you.

That sounds like a pretty good deal to me; sorry if service workers thought ALL their tips are tax free. I also wonder on "cash" tips how the actual reporting goes; when you add the tip to a credit card transaction, it's out there for all the world to see, cash money, not so much, so there's that.

Regarding taxes; as a business owner, I've gotten hammered basically every year since about 2001, when I started to carry metal figures/did the business full time/when the business exploded as did the hobby, the past six have been just brutal, the more I make, the more they take, a good problem to have in that the net profit number keeps climbing and climbing and climbing, but so does the tax burden.

The tip “cap” is such a great representation of politics in the US.

Trump touted it endlessly to get the votes from the working class.

Did anyone really expect him to continually speak about its benefits while also mentioning its limits?

 

[Warrior]

The poor people of California. Their current governor has driven the state to ruin. The candidates on both sides are even worse. It is karma, however, to see Swalwell's political career go down like the Titanic. That leaves the intensely unlikable Katie Porter and nutty Steve Hilton as the frontrunners. What a choice. Time to back up those moving vans.

Katie Porter; Mother of God, can you imagine.

The poor people of California is right.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Katie Porter; Mother of God, can you imagine.

The poor people of California is right.

yea...poor people of California...

the STATE of California is the world's 4th largest economy, with a nominal GDP surpassing $4.1 trillion in 2024...

placing it behind only the ENTIRE COUNRIES of the United States, China, and Germany...

It has surpassed MAJOR NATIONS like Japan, India, and the United Kingdom in total economic output, driven by technology, entertainment, and agriculture.

 

[marco55]

And the people are taxed to death unless you are an illegal.
Mark

 

[Warrior]

yea...poor people of California...

the STATE of California is the world's 4th largest economy, with a nominal GDP surpassing $4.1 trillion in 2024...

placing it behind only the ENTIRE COUNRIES of the United States, China, and Germany...

It has surpassed MAJOR NATIONS like Japan, India, and the United Kingdom in total economic output, driven by technology, entertainment, and agriculture.

CA is the most expensive state to live in, their RPP rating which is based on overall price levels for things like goods, services and housing is 112.581 as of 2026, NJ is second with a RPP rating of 108.883, Hawaii, which is an island state, is third at 108.609.

CA also leads the nation in average gas price as of March 2026 at 5.89 a gallon, Hawaii, again an island state, is second at 5.45 a gallon.

The states with the three highest electricity costs as of March of 2026 are Hawaii, again and island state, CA and MA.

 

[mikemiller1955]

CA is the most expensive state to live in, their RPP rating which is based on overall price levels for things like goods, services and housing is 112.581 as of 2026, NJ is second with a RPP rating of 108.883, Hawaii, which is an island state, is third at 108.609.

CA also leads the nation in average gas price as of March 2026 at 5.89 a gallon, Hawaii, again an island state, is second at 5.45 a gallon.

The states with the three highest electricity costs as of March of 2026 are Hawaii, again and island state, CA and MA.

yes....and only 3 COUNTRIES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD...I SAID COUNTRIES....the United States, China, and Germany...surpass California's nominal GDP of $4.1 trillion in 2024...

 

[Warrior]

yes....and only 3 COUNTRIES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD...I SAID COUNTRIES....the United States, China, and Germany...surpass California's nominal GDP of $4.1 trillion in 2024...