bills_fan

It is net worth. Problem is defining "income" with your flat tax. Take the painting example, when do you realize "income" ? At the sale? What if you don't sell? Under the wealth tax idea, the government realizes revenues annually from the value of the underlying insurance policy. The wealth tax idea may not be perfect, but it would be plenty enough to fund the government and then some. It would alos accelerate the economy into overdrive...pretty much indefinately.

If you really want to learn something and discuss a "fair" tax, then we can discuss the 2% wealth tax idea. The basic premise is to eliminate ALL governmental taxes and fees (State, Federal, Local etc.), and levy a 2% tax on "wealth" on every person, no deductions. Of course, wealth can be a slightly subjective measure, but taxing you on the value of the insurance policies you hold could even the playing field (e.g., you may hide a Picasso painting in your house, but you sure as hell will insure it).

Excellent use of a movie quote!

I don't know about you, but I'm thinking the best way to survive the apocalypse involves a suite at the Palms in Vegas, as much booze as I can drink and a few hookers.

When I was spending that kind of cash, I wanted to make sure I didn't get ripped off. I went to stores near my office at lunch, at the mall, in other cities (you'd be amazed how many jewlery stores are near hotels in major cities), met with jewlers via private appointment and walked through the diamond district.

LMAO!!!

I was having a discussion about possible McCain running mates and the best choice I could come up with was Mike Bloomberg. I am no fan of Bloomberg but here's why I think he could be a great chocie for McCain... 1- The economy - Bloomberg, but virtue of his business success and his success, fiscally as mayor of NYC, would be perceived as very strong on economic issues, which, IMHO, will be the single deciding issue this fall as the economy further tanks. 2- New York - McCain currently polls pretty strong upstate and in the suburbs, he is atrocious in the city. If he could pull 30% in the city, the state is in play. Then McCain could be the aggressor, taking the fight to Obama in traditional Dem strongholds and not play strictly defense in VA, GA and NC. 3- Fundraising - McCain lags behind Obama in fundraising and with Obama opting out of public funding, McCain could get massively outspent. Enter multi-billionaire who has stated in the past he will spend whatever it takes to win an election. Advantage: McCain. 4- The Jewish vote - Bloomberg would be instrumental in bringing in the Jewish vote for McCain, significant in CT, NY, NJ and FL. The Jewish vote, IMHO, is itching for a reason to ditch Obama, Bloomberg could be it. 5- The Religious Right - The conversation I had was with a member of the religious right who said that their base was totally demoralized that they did not get a pro-life candidate and have to settle for McCain. He was adamant that the VP choice wouldn't matter and many of the traditional religious right plans to stay home for this election. If so, the GOP is in some trouble...why not carve out some new ground. These are just my thoughts, feel free to jump in and discuss/criticize, but I think Bloomberg would be a very inspired choice for VP and go a long way toward helping McCain win in November.

On the other hand...in NYC, you would be barely above the poverty line.

I merely used the hydrogen car as an example. The pot of gold will be there for someone who invents a new method to power a car. I really don't know enough about hydrogen production to have an intelligent discourse on the subject.

I disagree with this. When I bought my wife's ring, I went to at least 75 stores, in various areas of the country (I traveled a lot for work back then), including many places in the District and the absolute BEST value was at Diamond Cutters in the Ellicott Square Building in Buffalo, seconded only by Bomi in Amherst. After learning, discussing and negotiating at several places, I was able to purchase a terrific diamond from Diamond Cutters with a nice setting. I ended up meeting with Diamond Cutters, told them what I wanted and how much I was willing to spend. They did not have it at the time, called me a few weeks later and told me they had a stone I may be interested in. It wasn't even cut yet. They called me and gave updates as to the cutting and what they found. I bought the stone sight unseen (I had already picked out the setting) and they sent it to me in NYC via insured mail. It really was even better than they had described. Trust me, it really is about the center stone...complementary stones are nice, but the center stone should steal the show. Everything else is secondary. Web sites... http://www.wnydiamonds.com/ http://bomigrelick.com/

It is annoying, no doubt. But when I lived in Brooklyn, I played in the mronings before work and was done in 3-4 hours. Playing on Sat/Sun is the only time it takes 5-6 and there are better/worse courses for that. One thing about Hoboken though, it rocks. Everyone there is basically just out of school and making decent money. So everyone goes out every single night in Hoboken. The town is actually only one square mile large and it has 100 bars. When I lived there, I loved it.

Take it to Al-Ross in West Seneca. I have heard that they do it well. http://www.alross.com/

True. My Mom taught for 30 years in an inner city school. Many of the girls would get pregnant multiple times on purpose just because it meant a bigger public assistance check.

You know if it came down to a FG, Tim would not let it go wide right again!!

I was with you until the end. You want to change the consumption...come up with a better and cheaper way. The person who invents and perfects the hydrogen cell motor will be a multi-billionaire. Thats the carrot. If the hydrogen cell motor (or any other new technologies) prove cheaper, and more efficient you will only see conventional motors on classics and in museums. No reason to beat people with a stick to change behavior when billions are to be made.

Why not fill those of us in who did not or could not hear the show.

Why the hell not? Dig for it...get more supply into the market from ANWR, offshore, hell anywhere we can find it. More supply (which has not changed in 2005) will bring the price down.

Trust me, it is.

Plenty of ways to keep taxes low and pay for it. Increase revenues and decrease costs. When was the last oil refinery or nuclear power plant built in the US? Think Buffalo could maybe tap that market? Why does a town of 100,000 people (Cheektowaga) have 7 school districts? With 7 superintendents and assorted other administration? I see a chance for consolidation there.

I lived in Hoboken for a couple years. I played on Staten Island without a problem. The round would take 5-6 hours, but you could play.

Wasn't trying to be insulting at all. But they are wrong about the golfing, I don't belong to a cc, and before my son was born would golf 3xs per week. You get the best of NYC, you come, enjoy the city and go home.

Lots of great posts in this thread, thanks EZC for starting it up. I grew up in Buffalo, moved back after college for law school and lived downtown in Allentown for a few years, then moved down to NYC. I still consider Buffalo my hometown and identify it as such. I always take an empty cooler every time I return only to bring it back filled after trips to Charlie the Butcher, the Broadway Market and the Clinton Bailey market. I have my Bills season tix, head to little Buffalo (aka McFaddens) to watch the games and generally love being still connected to a community I love. Bought a palce in Ellicottville, just to have a place in WNY to stay connected. As a South Buffalo, Canisius High grad, Tim Russert was one of my big heroes. I often thought I would like to move back someday. Another poster was talking about opening a business in Buffalo, I always had this juvenile-type fantasy that I would love to Bloomberg a campaign for mayor...meaning make a sh*tload of money, move back to an area I really care about, beholden to noone but my own checkbook, and run for mayor of Buffalo. Then set about trying to change things. Don't know if it would work, but hey, thats why its a fantasy. You will rarely see Buffalo ex-pats down on the city or area. Too much nostalgia for that among ex-pats. Speaking realistically, yeah, Buffalo has had its problems and the special interests drag it down. I often said that a sad statement on Buffalo will be that the WTC was knocked down, cleaned up and rebuilt, with multiple government agencies stepping on each others toes and we will still be talking about what type of bridge to build, twinspan or signature. Just GIT ER DONE, to borrow a TBD euphemism. Bigger problem is that when I talk to some of my buddies still living in the area a general sense of hopelessness or resignation has definately set in amongst them. Its hard to describe, but I live in a city surrounded by cynical optimism, but optimism nonetheless. Its hard to find someone who is optimistic about Buffalo and its future. That is sad. I ask them about projects taking place in the city and the area and you get a sense that noone believes in the area anymore. The values are still there, so is the work ethic, but the optimism and belief need to fuel that is slowly being dampened and extinguished. I am still not sure why.

That was Giants stadium in December...fashion goes out the window in the name of staying warm.

Totally different context here... 1- Its the internet. 2- Maybe if she reads this...she'll be embarassed enough to do something about it (which would be good for her health). 3- Posting is a lot different than kids in the neighborhood.

Yep. Lets get back to the fat jokes... I'll bet when she goes to a restaurant, she doesn't get a menu, she gets an estimate.