Things that annoy me (5 Viewers)

[BHogan]

And as Americans, we appreciate that Canada had our back in Afghanistan after 9/11 when our country was attacked.

Can't say that about a lot of countries, so we appreciate it.

We change direction every 4 years because we elect a new leader every 4 years and for the most part, a new broom sweeps clean and the first thing the new president does is ****can everything the previous president did, it's the nature of the broken toilet two party system we have in this country.

I doubt we'd call on the Yanks for help, considering your C-in-C wants to annex us. Also, before you start belly aching about having to save everyone else, the only time Article 5 has been invoked in NATO was by the US after 9/11. The last thing I'll say before I dial out of this Trumpidiot thread is the Canadian war memorial for the Afghan war also has the names of American soldiers on it that died in Kandahar while serving under Canadian command. We used to be good allies. Now, I don't know. We'll see how cozying up with the Russians works for you.

Brendan

 

[tdubel]

I doubt we'd call on the Yanks for help, considering your C-in-C wants to annex us. Also, before you start belly aching about having to save everyone else, the only time Article 5 has been invoked in NATO was by the US after 9/11. The last thing I'll say before I dial out of this Trumpidiot thread is the Canadian war memorial for the Afghan war also has the names of American soldiers on it that died in Kandahar while serving under Canadian command. We used to be good allies. Now, I don't know. We'll see how cozying up with the Russians works for you.

Brendan

I just have to ask one question. How is calling the Russians and the Ukranians to the carpet to end the conflict cozying up to the Russians? Let's be honest, without the US help, Ukraine will fall and would have by now. The Russians are not the mighty bear they once were and Ukraine have done better than anyone would have ever imagined, but the end result would be the same. As a County, we cannot police the world for morals, it just doesn't nor never has worked that way no matter how much the Utopian belief would be. I am a realist, Putin is very dangerous, but this war needs to end, he is going to get a "pound of flesh" one way or another. We (USA) nor anyone else for that matter is going to "go to war" physically over the Ukraine or probably any other territory over there. We are going to stand our ground, but we are not going to mobilize our forces. So again, I think trying to get a permanent cease fire for both Countries, hammer out an accord and resume trade in that part of the world is a good thing. I don't call that cozying up to Russia. We cannot afford to continue to fully fund Ukraine. Let's put it in reverse, is Canada going to start writing the full check?

One of the problems with a lot of what is posted here is that all sides post it with emotion because they don't like this or that, or this person or that person ,etc. I don't care about that, I care about results, I am a realist like I said, I am never going to fully like any politician. None of them are perfect to my liking, actually far from it. They unfortunately are a necessity in our society. SO - I vote/believe for what is best for my situation, we get ONE spin around this world, I will be dadgummed if I am going to waste worrying about the personality of whatever buffoon is in office.

At the end of the day, the current guy in office is stuck with some awful scenarios that have been created an exacerbated over the last 50 years. He didn't create the trade deficit, that happened in the 80s when manufacturing started leaving America in droves, he didn't start the Ukraine conflict, he didn't bomb Palestine (although I may argue that if that happened 40 years ago, may not have the shiitehole situation we do today), he didn't open our borders and ignore the laws we had on the books which mandate an immigration process, he didn't allow certain South American countries to dump their violent gang members on US soil through a shady visa process, he didn't sell excess firearms to Mexican Cartels. This is not emotion, but merely fact. The current State in a lot of areas is a freaking mess, but I wouldn't move anywhere else. America still and continues to be a land of opportunity.

TD

 

[Warrior]

I just have to ask one question. How is calling the Russians and the Ukranians to the carpet to end the conflict cozying up to the Russians? Let's be honest, without the US help, Ukraine will fall and would have by now. The Russians are not the mighty bear they once were and Ukraine have done better than anyone would have ever imagined, but the end result would be the same. As a County, we cannot police the world for morals, it just doesn't nor never has worked that way no matter how much the Utopian belief would be. I am a realist, Putin is very dangerous, but this war needs to end, he is going to get a "pound of flesh" one way or another. We (USA) nor anyone else for that matter is going to "go to war" physically over the Ukraine or probably any other territory over there. We are going to stand our ground, but we are not going to mobilize our forces. So again, I think trying to get a permanent cease fire for both Countries, hammer out an accord and resume trade in that part of the world is a good thing. I don't call that cozying up to Russia. We cannot afford to continue to fully fund Ukraine. Let's put it in reverse, is Canada going to start writing the full check?

One of the problems with a lot of what is posted here is that all sides post it with emotion because they don't like this or that, or this person or that person ,etc. I don't care about that, I care about results, I am a realist like I said, I am never going to fully like any politician. None of them are perfect to my liking, actually far from it. They unfortunately are a necessity in our society. SO - I vote/believe for what is best for my situation, we get ONE spin around this world, I will be dadgummed if I am going to waste worrying about the personality of whatever buffoon is in office.

At the end of the day, the current guy in office is stuck with some awful scenarios that have been created an exacerbated over the last 50 years. He didn't create the trade deficit, that happened in the 80s when manufacturing started leaving America in droves, he didn't start the Ukraine conflict, he didn't bomb Palestine (although I may argue that if that happened 40 years ago, may not have the shiitehole situation we do today), he didn't open our borders and ignore the laws we had on the books which mandate an immigration process, he didn't allow certain South American countries to dump their violent gang members on US soil through a shady visa process, he didn't sell excess firearms to Mexican Cartels. This is not emotion, but merely fact. The current State in a lot of areas is a freaking mess, but I wouldn't move anywhere else. America still and continues to be a land of opportunity.

TD

Americans have been dumped on far too long with these one sided trade agreements.

Harley Davidson almost went under when Japan was flooding the US with motorcycles that were cheaper than Harley's until Reagan hammered them with tariffs and that ended that, Harley Davidson is still alive and kicking.

And to your point; voting is not and should not be a personality contest, that's how this country got in the mess we're now in and Trump is trying to fix it/even the playing field.

I'm never going to send him a Christmas card; just fix this broken toilet of a country like you're elected to do.

 

[tdubel]

You know the worst part about these debates are people can't seem to separate facts from what they are force fed on a 24/7 daily news cycle. Once facts start getting thrown around, the "arena clears out". Funny how that really works. And I am not trying to say or be a know it all, but just post some basic historical facts. I have never understood the constructiveness of shouting out feelings and opinions when trying to get to a solution or agreeable dissent. Just boggles the mind.
TD

 

[BHogan]

I'm not leaving the debate. I just don't see a point to continuing it. We obviously see the world in fundamentally different ways. Good luck with the next 4 years, and please remain south of the 49th Parallel.

Brendan

 

[Hazebrouck]

Harley Davidson almost went under when Japan was flooding the US with motorcycles that were cheaper than Harley's until Reagan hammered them with tariffs and that ended that, Harley Davidson is still alive and kicking.

Not quite. You are forgetting that Harley Davidson undertook a massive restructure and remodelled their production methods on Japanese lines during the mid 1990s-early 2000s. All the tariffs did in your case was to make a better motorcycle more expensive, neglecting the fact that Harley Davidson were lagging behind in design, build quality, performance and rideability which Japanese motorcycles offered. Not forgetting that it was the second time it had happened to the US motorcycle industry- remember the post war success of British bikes in the US.

I have nothing against Harley Davidson, but to use them as an example, if the US government does put a tariff on foreign motorcycles to make them more competitive then the only way that works is to use the money raised by that tariff to fund development of that industry. I'm not sure the Ginger one running your country understands that is how tariffs should work to aid an industry. To just collect the money and put it into general revenue makes it a tax.

 

[Panzer ace]

You know the worst part about these debates are people can't seem to separate facts from what they are force fed on a 24/7 daily news cycle. Once facts start getting thrown around, the "arena clears out". Funny how that really works. And I am not trying to say or be a know it all, but just post some basic historical facts. I have never understood the constructiveness of shouting out feelings and opinions when trying to get to a solution or agreeable dissent. Just boggles the mind.
TD

Tom:

Great post.

Both “sides” continue to dispute indisputable historical facts.

One side uses denial and the other uses conspiracies.

Intelligent and informed voters are stuck in the middle, looking both ways wondering how we became so stupid and gullible.

-Jason

 

[Warrior]

Not quite. You are forgetting that Harley Davidson undertook a massive restructure and remodelled their production methods on Japanese lines during the mid 1990s-early 2000s. All the tariffs did in your case was to make a better motorcycle more expensive, neglecting the fact that Harley Davidson were lagging behind in design, build quality, performance and rideability which Japanese motorcycles offered. Not forgetting that it was the second time it had happened to the US motorcycle industry- remember the post war success of British bikes in the US.

I have nothing against Harley Davidson, but to use them as an example, if the US government does put a tariff on foreign motorcycles to make them more competitive then the only way that works is to use the money raised by that tariff to fund development of that industry. I'm not sure the Ginger one running your country understands that is how tariffs should work to aid an industry. To just collect the money and put it into general revenue makes it a tax.

That's good to know; I'll go to the Massachusetts state house and tell my congressman "Instead of collecting the money on tariffs and putting it into general revenue, please give me the money so I can fund development of the toy soldier industry."

Tariffs as defined according to my accountant is nothing more in most cases as a tax on consumers.

In my case, since as a toy soldier dealer we work off a fixed price, it's a tax on me, the importer and no one else.

How a tariff works in one industry does not work in all of them, which is why to put an across the board 20% tariff on everything we import was, is and always will be a stupid idea.

That money is going into the hands of our government, am curious to see what they do with it, paying down our debt/balancing our budget would be a swell start.

 

[Warrior]

I'm not leaving the debate. I just don't see a point to continuing it. We obviously see the world in fundamentally different ways. Good luck with the next 4 years, and please remain south of the 49th Parallel.

Brendan

I guess as Americans we're going to have to live with the disappointment that we are no longer welcome in your country.

 

[marco55]

I guess as Americans we're going to have to live with the disappointment that we are no longer welcome in your country.

I'm far from an expert on these matters but why does everyone think it's ok to put tariffs on us but my god it's so bad if we put tariffs on them.
Mark

 

[Combat]

Only in California:


"A jury in California on Friday ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million in damages to a delivery driver who was severely burned by an improperly secured lid on hot beverages.

Michael Garcia was picking up drinks at a drive-through in Los Angeles when he “suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals when hot drinks ultimately spilled” onto his lap, according to the lawsuit filed in California Superior Court in 2020. The lawsuit accused Starbucks of breaching its duty of care by failing to secure the lid."

 

[BHogan]

I guess as Americans we're going to have to live with the disappointment that we are no longer welcome in your country.

I apologize for phrasing it that way. I don't think any Canadian wants any American to feel unwelcome in our country. It would be contrary to our polite nature. We would just prefer to not be threatened with annexation.

Brendan

 

[Warrior]

Only in California:


"A jury in California on Friday ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million in damages to a delivery driver who was severely burned by an improperly secured lid on hot beverages.

Michael Garcia was picking up drinks at a drive-through in Los Angeles when he “suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals when hot drinks ultimately spilled” onto his lap, according to the lawsuit filed in California Superior Court in 2020. The lawsuit accused Starbucks of breaching its duty of care by failing to secure the lid."

I've that's how I came into it, I'd rather not have the 50 million.

If I sued a coffee joint every time I was handed a coffee with a loose lid, I'd have 50 million too.

 

[Warrior]

I apologize for phrasing it that way. I don't think any Canadian wants any American to feel unwelcome in our country. It would be contrary to our polite nature. We would just prefer to not be threatened with annexation.

Brendan

Fair enough; I'm not the one who's a blowhard threatening your country, I'm just a taxpayer in this country is all.

I agree with him on some things, don't on others, which is the same for all politicians.

Honestly, I don't care for the lot of them.

 

[marco55]

I don't blame Canadians being mad about Trumps remarks. They are a proud people of a great country. As far as Greenland I'm sure they could work something out about putting bases up there as there are good reasons for it. Panama Canal I can't really say.
Mark

 

[Buster]

I've that's how I came into it, I'd rather not have the 50 million.

If I sued a coffee joint every time I was handed a coffee with a loose lid, I'd have 50 million too.

George, "Spray and Wash" will take out that coffee stain on your Celtic's t-shirt , but I doubt it will do anything to help with the nerve damage to your genitals.

B.

 

[Warrior]

George, "Spray and Wash" will take out that coffee stain on your Celtic's t-shirt , but I doubt it will do anything to help with the never damage to your genitals.

B.

Thank God for Spray and Wash, a lifesaver.................

 

[Panzer ace]

That's good to know; I'll go to the Massachusetts state house and tell my congressman "Instead of collecting the money on tariffs and putting it into general revenue, please give me the money so I can fund development of the toy soldier industry."

Tariffs as defined according to my accountant is nothing more in most cases as a tax on consumers.

In my case, since as a toy soldier dealer we work off a fixed price, it's a tax on me, the importer and no one else.

How a tariff works in one industry does not work in all of them, which is why to put an across the board 20% tariff on everything we import was, is and always will be a stupid idea.

That money is going into the hands of our government, am curious to see what they do with it, paying down our debt/balancing our budget would be a swell start.

Simply put tariffs will not directly help everyday Americans, no matter what elected officials say.

Just like every other tax, the middle class will bear the economic burden.

 

[paxtoysoldier]

Simply put tariffs will not directly help everyday Americans, no matter what elected officials say.

Just like every other tax, the middle class will bear the economic burden.

Whether you make a bit over $25/hour or a bit over $250,000/year, you will pay. Not the very rich or poor. Not proportionately. This is a reality with our current system.
Anyway, I hope the Hobby survives!
Best Wishes
Paddy for Pats

 

[tdubel]

Whether you make a bit over $25/hour or a bit over $250,000/year, you will pay. Not the very rich or poor. Not proportionately. This is a reality with our current system.
Anyway, I hope the Hobby survives!
Best Wishes
Paddy for Pats

Paddy
This is one of those "say it in public enough, people think its true". The "rich" do pay the proportionate and overwhelming share of the American Federal Income Tax Burden. If you look at the taxpayer studies put out by the independent Tax Foundation, people (individuals) in certain income tax brackets (very high) pay over 90% of the total tax liability paid. So they probably arguably pay more than their "fair" share of the American Federal Income Tax Burden.

Where the burden falls disproportionately on the middle class (both upper and lower which is the majority of our Country) is in cost of living. That problem is partially caused by high tax States like New York, California, New Jersey, Illinois all of which have both high sales and property tax burdens and additionally by rising costs of real estate, transportion and also Labor nationwide. Additionally, this trickles down to high rent/occupancy costs for the markets which are selling to consumers, etc. Now, it is not all of these States to blame either as Companies tend to raise costs across the board to smooth out large jumps/costs in particular areas. Long story short, there are a lot of factors well beyond the Federal Income tax rates that dictate. In all reality, the Federal Income Tax rate is probably the least of our concerns and influence.

Not necessarily what is put in the press, and not as simple as some of the tidbits above, but the reality is, the federal income tax system really doesn't cause a lot of everyday angst for most Americans.