Corny but true !

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Charles

Just imagine how much better off you would be today if the government wasn't seizing 30-60% of your wealth.

Chas

Don't see it. I like roads, police, Medicare, OSHA, FDA.

I think we forget all the services our taxes provide.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by stereocuuple

I think they are pressuring themselves. Have you watched TV lately? Everything is centered around getting rich, getting famous... Every show on cable is either about murder, sex crimes, or rich people, or people doing shit to get rich. Have you seen the dumb ass cell phone ads? It is all targeting the next generation, telling that worship of the material is the norm. Do you really think the advertisers expect the average consumer to get the latest chinese POS from walmart by working at their hourly job, saving the money, and buying the thing when they have the money? NO! They want you to get a new, shiny CAPITAL *** card, or the DISCO**R card with airline miles as a bonus!!! They want you to charge against your future earnings, so that you can pay out the ass for the thing and everyone can get paid for it a jillion times..

I think you just pointed out how capitalism works. Still think you need no government controls?

[wajobu]

Often, those who complain the loudest about taxes are those who are expecting enormous funding of the military while gutting useful things like education or some other social benefit (that really matters). Also many who complain about taxes are the first in line for some kind of government largess...on the dole, subsidies, war profiteering, etc.

Are there too many taxes? Yes. Is there too much government waste? Yes. I'd be all in favor of cutting taxes for those who don't like them, but they can get their own country somewhere else and spiral into the abyss on their own without me.

[stereocuuple]

I would never expect the funding of the military while gutting education. I am in no way "on the dole" or in any way profiteering from the war. I don't have a problem paying taxes, just not the outrageous amounts they are currently taking.

I agree with your point about the government waste, too.

You must be able to see from the example I made that there is something very wrong about this system.

Erin

[stereocuuple]

Originally Posted by noonereal

I think you just pointed out how capitalism works. Still think you need no government controls?

No, I don't think the government needs to control this, as I believe what I said was that the people are presssuring themselves.

People should know enough to teach their children that materialism and possesions do not make you a better person. They should teach them how to take care of things, so that the things may last a long time, instead of buying them a new one every year. People should be teaching their children the value of a day's work, whether you work in a corner office or a meatpacking plant. It seems that instead we are instilling a belief that the easiest way to happiness is a pedicure, or a purse, or botox. This to me is sad, and unfortunately, not anything that I could blame on the government. Nor is it anything I feel it's the government's job to fix.

Erin

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by Charles

You do have a point about keepin' up with the Jones. A pricey endeavor.

I'm fortunate that I'm a fat old bald guy. Dress me up nice, put me in a shiny new car, and I still look like shit.

It just ain't worth the effort.

Chas

They try real hard to push folks into spending money. Just look at all those darn Extenze commercials.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by stereocuuple

No, I don't think the government needs to control this, as I believe what I said was that the people are presssuring themselves.

People should know enough to teach their children that materialism and possesions do not make you a better person. They should teach them how to take care of things, so that the things may last a long time, instead of buying them a new one every year. People should be teaching their children the value of a day's work, whether you work in a corner office or a meatpacking plant. It seems that instead we are instilling a belief that the easiest way to happiness is a pedicure, or a purse, or botox. This to me is sad, and unfortunately, not anything that I could blame on the government. Nor is it anything I feel it's the government's job to fix.

Erin

I doubt your wants are enough to change himan nature. Given the naging consistency that human nature shows I would suggest that your plea to resist capitalistic marketing is not a practical answer.
Saying something "should be" when it isn't is nothing more than a complaint.

[Kamakiri]

Originally Posted by Charles

You do have a point about keepin' up with the Jones. A pricey endeavor.

I'm fortunate that I'm a fat old bald guy. Dress me up nice, put me in a shiny new car, and I still look like shit.

It just ain't worth the effort.

Chas

People are in more debt today because there's a lot more shit that you can buy. Look at life in 1950.....beyond a car, furniture, kitchen stuff, and a good TV set, what else was on the want list?

My credo is that if you can keep something long enough, it'll come back into style

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Kamakiri

People are in more debt today because there's a lot more shit that you can buy. Look at life in 1950.....beyond a car, furniture, kitchen stuff, and a good TV set, what else was on the want list?

My credo is that if you can keep something long enough, it'll come back into style

In 1950? Maybe a Winchester .30-30 and a 16' aluminum V bottom with a 10 hp Evinrude.

Chas

[Sandy G]

Debt is so EASY to accumulate now, too...Don't got the money ? No problemo...Just whip out the ol' Amex, Visa or MasterCard...No big deal if you miss a payment w/them...They're Pleased as Punch to add interest on top of interest on top of fees on top of interest...And yes, I like having national parks, interstate hiways, B-52 bombers, etc, etc, etc...But the gov't taking basically 50% of everything I "own" either in income tax, death tax, or whatever is OBSCENE...Period. And we just THINK we own anything in this country...Don't pay taxes on property & see how long you get to keep it... The liberals can carry on til they're blue in the face about taxing the "Evil Rich", but the REAL fact of the matter is that the only people who REALLY pay taxes in this country are the middle class...The "Poor" effectively don't, as they get most all of what they pay back in subsidies, the "Rich" don't, either, because of fancy lawyers & shelters...But You 'n' Me, as usual, take it on the chin...