Mike Johnson, New Speaker of the House.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

10 minutes ago, JDHillFan said:

https://www.caclubindia.com/wealth/chuck-schumer-net-worth/

 

One of us has bad data. Based on the preponderance of links estimating Schumer’s net worth being between 70-80M, I say it’s you. 

Touche'...didn't figure that site to b so wrong...still not a billionaire tho.  Not in the same universe but way more money than he can spend easily and wisely.....I'd be happier and he and all mentioned by Lenny were paying much more tax

Edited November 3, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

17 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

did you see oread any dissenters comments on the vote?  i haven't but suspect some want more humanitarian concessions from Israel and some even want a 2 state solution.  Blinken called it absolutely imperative today.......

No, I didn't read any comments.  You could be 100% correct, at least based on what they say, but think what we really have the usual mix of obstructionism, special interestism, whatsinitformeism, and more than a fair bit of anti-semitism reflected in the nays.   The yays, I suspect, follow a similar pattern except we swap out those distrustful of Palestinians and Islamaphobia or anti-semitism.  

 

17 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

so you're not outraged when you or I pay a significantly higher percentage of our income in taxes than billionaires do?  btw schumer is no 1%er.  didn't look up the others.  It takes $10 million to join that club:  https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances/charles-schumer/net-worth?cid=N00001093#:~:text=with an estimated net worth of %241%2C122%2C521 in 2018.

 

Biden is in the 1%.  but no where near the wealth of a billionaire...

P resident Biden is worth an estimated $10 million, up from $8 million when he took office. The increase has nothing to do with family business dealings in far-flung countries. Instead, he is getting richer by doing what a lot of 80-year-old Americans are doing: sitting on real estate.Aug 17, 2023

source:  Forbes

Whatever barnyard explosion being pitched as **** being unfair doesn't bother me in the least.  It never has, and as I have said previously, I believe paying a fair and reasonable tax is part of the cost of patriotism. 

 

I think tax rates, generally, are too high but that is what it is.  Not much I can do about it beyond vote, and even then, some folks claim elections are illegitimate and others say they can be stolen.  So, I keep my head down, pay my taxes, contribute where I can to charity and try to be a good citizen.   Some most definitely have it better than I do, financially anyways.  As a retired doctor, I'd bet you're loaded and are probably top 2% or better.  I don't begrudge you that, though you're rates are too high, the waiting room is cold, and  %$#@  you for making me have to wait so long!! 

 

Anyway--I'd think this subject--aid approved to an ally after a vicious attack, would be widely seen as positive, yet here we are. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

46 minutes ago, leh-nerd skin-erd said:

and even then, some folks claim elections are illegitimate and others say they can be stolen. 

c'mon.  you still push this bs?  no proof and yet you seem so analytical and articulate....sometimes

If I'm paying 35% of my income in taxes, so should Bill Gates and Elon Husk.

Edited November 3, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Joe Ferguson forever]

Homosexuality occurs in many species.  You've likely witnessed it in a zoo.  WTF is wrong with u all?  This guy is stooooopid...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/house-speaker-mike-johnson-once-195200999.html

 

MAGA, the anti science party

“Our race, the size of our feet, the color of our eyes, these are things we’re born with and we cannot change,” Johnson said in 2008 while promoting the event. “What these adult advocacy groups like the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network are promoting is a type of behavior. Homosexual behavior is something you do, it’s not something that you are,” he said in an audio clip obtained by CNN.

 

because behavior isn't affected by nurture, only nature🙄  More dualist black/white thought.  Do these idiots even consider how gray all of our genetic make up is?  Stop watching reality tv and map your genes...you might find out some things u never wanted to know.  Who knows, Johnson may have descended from a Roman eunich.  btw, I'm intrigued by the wall paintings in the brothels in Pompeii.  Is that weird, like ***** and stuff?

 

Edited November 4, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[JDHillFan]

“but I've danced around gay people.  no biggie”
 

- redhawk in the pride flag thread

 

 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

4 minutes ago, JDHillFan said:

“but I've danced around gay people.  no biggie”
 

- redhawk in the pride flag thread

 

 

https://www.pompeiitours.it/attractions/brothels-of-pompeii/

 

to be clear, I have dance partnered with gay women.  Never with gay men.  does that meet your approval?  Don't care actually

Edited November 4, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[JDHillFan]

14 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

https://www.pompeiitours.it/attractions/brothels-of-pompeii/

 

to be clear, I have dance partnered with gay women.  Never with gay men.  does that meet your approval?  Don't care actually

No biggie

[BillStime]

@Doc is off script

 

 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

49 minutes ago, BillStime said:

@Doc is off script

 

 

now there's a commie....bought and sold.  and they don't recognize it..."I love the uneducated".

[BillStime]

14 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

now there's a commie....bought and sold.  and they don't recognize it..."I love the uneducated".

Bingo! 

[B-Man]

 

 

Strong.

 

 

 

 

[Thurmal34]

2 minutes ago, B-Man said:

 

 

Strong.

 

 

 

 

You endorse fiscal responsibility yes?

 

can you help us understand the outrageous expansion of the federal deficit under Trump?

 

if you are to embarrassed to discuss happy to post exact numbers

 

can you share what you think is “strong”

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

On 11/3/2023 at 6:26 PM, Joe Ferguson forever said:

c'mon.  you still push this bs?  no proof and yet you seem so analytical and articulate....sometimes

If I'm paying 35% of my income in taxes, so should Bill Gates and Elon Husk.

I don’t see the point of pretending that something that was, wasn’t.  In this case, I simply offered what people have said, and they have.

 

On the tax issue, tax revenue for 2023 is projected to exceed $4.3 trillion.  I understand your point—putting aside for a moment the questions of unrealized gain, differing tax rates for different types of income etc—-but whether or not Elon Musk, Bill Gates or Joe Biden get dinged for additional $$$$ has no impact on my life, nor do I think will it ultimately impact the lives of people not as fortunate to be in the  35% federal tax bracket. 
 

I think the 35% is too high, btw, but would bet a large segment of the population would favor bumping you to 45%, if it meant dropping their rate by 6, 7, 8% in return.

 

I’m all about trying stay positive and be grateful these days, and the fact is most of the good things in my life have very little to do with +/- tax rate.  Why get upset about it? 

Edited November 5, 2023 by leh-nerd skin-erd

[Joe Ferguson forever]

7 minutes ago, leh-nerd skin-erd said:

I don’t see the point of pretending that something that was, wasn’t.  In this case, I simply offered what people have said, and they have.

 

On the tax issue, tax revenue for 2023 is projected to exceed $4.3 trillion.  I understand your point—putting aside for a moment the questions of unrealized gain, differing tax rates for different types of income etc—-but whether or not Elon Musk, Bill Gates or Joe Biden get dinged for additional $$$$ has no impact on my life, nor do I think will it ultimately impact the lives of people as fortunate to be in the  35% federal tax bracket. 
 

I think the 35% is too high, btw, but would bet a large segment of the population would favor bumping you to 45%, if it meant dropping their rate by 6, 7, 8% in return.

 

I’m all about trying stay positive and be grateful these days, and the fact is most of the good things in my life have very little to do with +/- tax rate.  Why get upset about it? 

"Is it fair to all concerned?".  Admirable goal and worthwhile pursuit imo.  Some should not be more equal than others.  There's an international civic club that lives by the motto or at least, aspires to it.

Edited November 5, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

17 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

"Is it fair to all concerned?".  Admirable goal and worthwhile pursuit imo.  Some should not be more equal than others.  There's an international civic club that lives by the motto or at least, aspires to it.

But they are, some people get a better deal than others.  Stepping back from the über-wealthy, for ordinary folks, many get their income directly from an employer and it’s recorded on a W2.  Many folks get cash—hairdressers, electricians, painters teachers working after hours—and don’t report the side hustle income.  Is that fair to all concerned?  
 

Some things…just are.  

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, leh-nerd skin-erd said:

But they are, some people get a better deal than others.  Stepping back from the über-wealthy, for ordinary folks, many get their income directly from an employer and it’s recorded on a W2.  Many folks get cash—hairdressers, electricians, painters teachers working after hours—and don’t report the side hustle income.  Is that fair to all concerned?  
 

Some things…just are.  

 

Bingo.  And reportedly the 87,000 IRS workers will be going after them mostly.  Because the billionaires, contrary to what Dems have been told, will still be able to hide their money and take advantage of tax breaks not available to most people. 

 

[BillStime]

8 minutes ago, Doc said:

And reportedly the 87,000 IRS workers will be going after them mostly.

Hoax.

 

Fox News and Breibart love people like you. 

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

3 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Bingo.  And reportedly the 87,000 IRS workers will be going after them mostly.  Because the billionaires, contrary to what Dems have been told, will still be able to hide their money and take advantage of tax breaks not available to most people. 

 

I know I’m repeating myself, but the amount of revenue going through the system in 2023 exceeds $4,300,000,000,000.   How come we can’t do all is good, important stuff at the $4.3 trillion mark?   
 

I also want to be clear—I don’t care about the cash side hustle, people working hard and trying to pocket some cash.  That’s all good as far as I’m concerned, I just was responding to Fergies noble, but naive, quote. 
 

[BillStime]

Something so creepy about these two

 

 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

37 minutes ago, leh-nerd skin-erd said:

But they are, some people get a better deal than others.  Stepping back from the über-wealthy, for ordinary folks, many get their income directly from an employer and it’s recorded on a W2.  Many folks get cash—hairdressers, electricians, painters teachers working after hours—and don’t report the side hustle income.  Is that fair to all concerned?  
 

Some things…just are.  

people who do gig jobs don't usually make much.   Oftent hey don't make enough to pay fed tax.  Billionaires pay a comparatively low rate.  the discrepancy in amount paid between a gig worker and an office worker is minuscule by comparison to the office worker (or doctor/lawyer) versus the billionaire.

 

 

real cons don't do theocracy:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/04/mike-johnson-theocrat-house-speaker-christian-trump

Edited November 5, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever