(07-20-2011 04:01 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 03:54 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 03:52 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 12:20 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  this is what i always say. The problem is also spending. People complain that the middle class is getting squeezed, but I contend that the middle class does that to itself more than gov't policies doing it. The middle class used to be known for scrupulously saving every penny in order to create a better life. Now the middle class spends well above its pay grade. People go to starbucks everyday, then complain they don't have any money. They go out for lunch everyday and complain they don't make enough money. How about helping yourself out first. I bet if you took a look at the average person's finances, you could save them 5-10K/year without much trouble. That's significant when you think about it spread over 40 years

When your conservative overlords convince you to attack yourself and your peers I would say the brainwashing is complete

Yeah, that's what you might get from that. To hell with this personal responsibility crap.

Taking care of ones self is personal responsibility so I will take care of myself, Swoosh can take care of himself and you can take care of Smaug. If that means an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee I have no problems with a hard worker enjoying the fruits of his labor.

wow, way to spin that. an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee? Do you really think a daily iced latte is a smart expense for someone who constantly complains about money? Or what about the coworker who told me about the 3 new pairs of shoes she bought, while in the same breath complaining about being broke? Is she being smart with her money?

(07-20-2011 04:31 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:27 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:23 PM)SumOfAllFears Wrote:  Things were better 6 years ago.

Just listen to the doctors. You'll be out before you know it.

Does that mean you think things are better now? Are you not following the debt crisis in the news, the unemployment numbers, foreclosures, the meatball in the oval office? Talk about boiling a frog.

Things are what they are. The economy was ready to collapse per George W. Bush as he added almost a trillion dollars to the debt on his way out the door. I am not in denial and have been hard on the president, but to demonize the poor because they buy a used $50 refrigerator or have air conditioning seem like a boorish critique

So do the liberals agree that this is a good thing?
Tonight's stunning financial piece de resistance comes from Wyatt Emerich of The Cleveland Current. In what is sure to inspire some serious ire among all those who once believed Ronald Reagan that it was the USSR that was the "Evil Empire", Emmerich analyzes disposable income and economic benefits among several key income classes and comes to the stunning (and verifiable) conclusion that "a one-parent family of three making $14,500 a year (minimum wage) has more disposable income than a family making $60,000 a year." And that excludes benefits from Supplemental Security Income disability checks. America is now a country which punishes those middle-class people who not only try to work hard, but avoid scamming the system. Not surprisingly, it is not only the richest and most audacious thieves that prosper - it is also the penny scammers at the very bottom of the economic ladder that rip off the middle class each and every day, courtesy of the world's most generous entitlement system. Perhaps if Reagan were alive today, he would wish to modify the object of his once legendary remark.

From Emmerich:

You can do as well working one week a month at minimum wage as you can working $60,000-a-year, full-time, high-stress job.

(07-20-2011 04:56 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  So do the liberals agree that this is a good thing?
Tonight's stunning financial piece de resistance comes from Wyatt Emerich of The Cleveland Current. In what is sure to inspire some serious ire among all those who once believed Ronald Reagan that it was the USSR that was the "Evil Empire", Emmerich analyzes disposable income and economic benefits among several key income classes and comes to the stunning (and verifiable) conclusion that "a one-parent family of three making $14,500 a year (minimum wage) has more disposable income than a family making $60,000 a year." And that excludes benefits from Supplemental Security Income disability checks. America is now a country which punishes those middle-class people who not only try to work hard, but avoid scamming the system. Not surprisingly, it is not only the richest and most audacious thieves that prosper - it is also the penny scammers at the very bottom of the economic ladder that rip off the middle class each and every day, courtesy of the world's most generous entitlement system. Perhaps if Reagan were alive today, he would wish to modify the object of his once legendary remark.

From Emmerich:

You can do as well working one week a month at minimum wage as you can working $60,000-a-year, full-time, high-stress job.

Thats a hard deal to pass up. You better jump on that

(07-20-2011 04:43 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  but to demonize the poor because they buy a used $50 refrigerator or have air conditioning seem like a boorish critique

We're not making assumptions or inventing our own facts, are we?

(07-20-2011 04:06 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  Isn't anyone curious as to what these percentages are in 2011 since that chart is 6 years old?

Well, they have all that they had 6 years ago plus all the crap they've add since.

(07-20-2011 05:00 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:43 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  but to demonize the poor because they buy a used $50 refrigerator or have air conditioning seem like a boorish critique

We're not making assumptions or inventing our own facts, are we?

we're also not demonizing anyone.

(07-20-2011 04:27 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:23 PM)SumOfAllFears Wrote:  Things were better 6 years ago.

Just listen to the doctors. You'll be out before you know it.

"I think you can do better". The Patronizing B!tch PeaWee

You'd think that everyone knows it's worse now than 6 years ago, but keep on trolling B!tch.

(07-20-2011 04:43 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:01 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 03:54 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 03:52 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 12:20 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  this is what i always say. The problem is also spending. People complain that the middle class is getting squeezed, but I contend that the middle class does that to itself more than gov't policies doing it. The middle class used to be known for scrupulously saving every penny in order to create a better life. Now the middle class spends well above its pay grade. People go to starbucks everyday, then complain they don't have any money. They go out for lunch everyday and complain they don't make enough money. How about helping yourself out first. I bet if you took a look at the average person's finances, you could save them 5-10K/year without much trouble. That's significant when you think about it spread over 40 years

When your conservative overlords convince you to attack yourself and your peers I would say the brainwashing is complete

Yeah, that's what you might get from that. To hell with this personal responsibility crap.

Taking care of ones self is personal responsibility so I will take care of myself, Swoosh can take care of himself and you can take care of Smaug. If that means an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee I have no problems with a hard worker enjoying the fruits of his labor.

wow, way to spin that. an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee? Do you really think a daily iced latte is a smart expense for someone who constantly complains about money? Or what about the coworker who told me about the 3 new pairs of shoes she bought, while in the same breath complaining about being broke? Is she being smart with her money?

We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:43 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:01 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 03:54 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 03:52 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  When your conservative overlords convince you to attack yourself and your peers I would say the brainwashing is complete

Yeah, that's what you might get from that. To hell with this personal responsibility crap.

Taking care of ones self is personal responsibility so I will take care of myself, Swoosh can take care of himself and you can take care of Smaug. If that means an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee I have no problems with a hard worker enjoying the fruits of his labor.

wow, way to spin that. an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee? Do you really think a daily iced latte is a smart expense for someone who constantly complains about money? Or what about the coworker who told me about the 3 new pairs of shoes she bought, while in the same breath complaining about being broke? Is she being smart with her money?

We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

That guilt only works in your pathetic fantasy world, PeaweeB!tch.

(07-20-2011 05:16 PM)SumOfAllFears Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:43 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:01 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 03:54 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Yeah, that's what you might get from that. To hell with this personal responsibility crap.

Taking care of ones self is personal responsibility so I will take care of myself, Swoosh can take care of himself and you can take care of Smaug. If that means an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee I have no problems with a hard worker enjoying the fruits of his labor.

wow, way to spin that. an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee? Do you really think a daily iced latte is a smart expense for someone who constantly complains about money? Or what about the coworker who told me about the 3 new pairs of shoes she bought, while in the same breath complaining about being broke? Is she being smart with her money?

We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

That guilt only works in your pathetic fantasy world, PeaweeB!tch.

...but we're still BFFs right?

(07-20-2011 04:56 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  So do the liberals agree that this is a good thing?
Tonight's stunning financial piece de resistance comes from Wyatt Emerich of The Cleveland Current. In what is sure to inspire some serious ire among all those who once believed Ronald Reagan that it was the USSR that was the "Evil Empire", Emmerich analyzes disposable income and economic benefits among several key income classes and comes to the stunning (and verifiable) conclusion that "a one-parent family of three making $14,500 a year (minimum wage) has more disposable income than a family making $60,000 a year." And that excludes benefits from Supplemental Security Income disability checks. America is now a country which punishes those middle-class people who not only try to work hard, but avoid scamming the system. Not surprisingly, it is not only the richest and most audacious thieves that prosper - it is also the penny scammers at the very bottom of the economic ladder that rip off the middle class each and every day, courtesy of the world's most generous entitlement system. Perhaps if Reagan were alive today, he would wish to modify the object of his once legendary remark.

From Emmerich:

You can do as well working one week a month at minimum wage as you can working $60,000-a-year, full-time, high-stress job.

Here’s how things stack up under the 15-15-15 tax plan that I have proposed (assume family of four, poverty level $27,000):


  IMG.pdf (Size: 249.87 KB / Downloads: 9)

Bottom line, nobody ends up below the poverty line. And middle class comes off way better than here today.

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

If he can't afford it he can't afford it. Why are you trying to justify irresponsible behavior and then blame people who aren't?

(07-20-2011 05:16 PM)SumOfAllFears Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:43 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 04:01 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 03:54 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Yeah, that's what you might get from that. To hell with this personal responsibility crap.

Taking care of ones self is personal responsibility so I will take care of myself, Swoosh can take care of himself and you can take care of Smaug. If that means an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee I have no problems with a hard worker enjoying the fruits of his labor.

wow, way to spin that. an occasional hamburger or cup of coffee? Do you really think a daily iced latte is a smart expense for someone who constantly complains about money? Or what about the coworker who told me about the 3 new pairs of shoes she bought, while in the same breath complaining about being broke? Is she being smart with her money?

We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

That guilt only works in your pathetic fantasy world, PeaweeB!tch.

he's really spinning isn't he?

(07-20-2011 05:25 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

If he can't afford it he can't afford it. Why are you trying to justify irresponsible behavior and then blame people who aren't?

How is a man working everyday and is paying his bills being "irresponsible" spending $20 a week on coffee? I drink Folgers from a Mr. Coffee because I can't justify a $4 cup of joe not because I can't afford it. It's called freedom (I think it's gonna catch on)

(07-20-2011 05:32 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:25 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

If he can't afford it he can't afford it. Why are you trying to justify irresponsible behavior and then blame people who aren't?

How is a man working everyday and is paying his bills being "irresponsible" spending $20 a week on coffee? I drink Folgers from a Mr. Coffee because I can't justify a $4 cup of joe not because I can't afford it. It's called freedom (I think it's gonna catch on)

So what is it, can he afford it or not? If he can, then what's the beef about taxes on rich people? If he can't, then why is he buying it?

(07-20-2011 05:32 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:25 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

If he can't afford it he can't afford it. Why are you trying to justify irresponsible behavior and then blame people who aren't?

How is a man working everyday and is paying his bills being "irresponsible" spending $20 a week on coffee? I drink Folgers from a Mr. Coffee because I can't justify a $4 cup of joe not because I can't afford it. It's called freedom (I think it's gonna catch on)

working man can spend his money wherever he wants. A millionaire at least pays some taxes to the feds. Why should high earners pay a higher tax rate than than joe working stiff?

(07-20-2011 05:32 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:25 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

If he can't afford it he can't afford it. Why are you trying to justify irresponsible behavior and then blame people who aren't?

How is a man working everyday and is paying his bills being "irresponsible" spending $20 a week on coffee? I drink Folgers from a Mr. Coffee because I can't justify a $4 cup of joe not because I can't afford it. It's called freedom (I think it's gonna catch on)

Maybe I'm misreading the thread, but I'm under the impression that the criticism happens when someone is deeply in debt and/or unemployed, and is very vocal about it, yet just needs the new iPad or three pairs of fancy shoes. Not the working man paying his bills on time.

And the true begrudging only typically occurs IF said person wants to blame "others" for his own personal, purchase decisions.

It's not just the poor and middle class either. There are rich people who'd rather flash their ego in ultra-luxury sports cars without a care for savings.

(07-20-2011 05:38 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:32 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:25 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

If he can't afford it he can't afford it. Why are you trying to justify irresponsible behavior and then blame people who aren't?

How is a man working everyday and is paying his bills being "irresponsible" spending $20 a week on coffee? I drink Folgers from a Mr. Coffee because I can't justify a $4 cup of joe not because I can't afford it. It's called freedom (I think it's gonna catch on)

So what is it, can he afford it or not? If he can, then what's the beef about taxes on rich people? If he can't, then why is he buying it?

Yes he can afford it but barely. He's 24 years old has a (paid off) older vehicle, has $30K in student loans, he's single and living payday to payday with an entry level position at a Fortune 500 company. He stops at Starbucks and has fast food everyday. Is he irresponsible?

(07-20-2011 05:49 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:38 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:32 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:25 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(07-20-2011 05:14 PM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  We are going to begrudge some working stiff his guilty pleasure of an (overpriced) iced latte but rail for tax cuts for millionaires. It seems to me the blame on this board is laid squarely at the feet of the poor and middle class

If he can't afford it he can't afford it. Why are you trying to justify irresponsible behavior and then blame people who aren't?

How is a man working everyday and is paying his bills being "irresponsible" spending $20 a week on coffee? I drink Folgers from a Mr. Coffee because I can't justify a $4 cup of joe not because I can't afford it. It's called freedom (I think it's gonna catch on)

So what is it, can he afford it or not? If he can, then what's the beef about taxes on rich people? If he can't, then why is he buying it?

Yes he can afford it but barely. He's 24 years old has a (paid off) older vehicle, has $30K in student loans, he's single and living payday to payday with an entry level position at a Fortune 500 company. He stops at Starbucks and has fast food everyday. Is he irresponsible?

Financially, I'd say yes. But he's young, has a bright future and is entitled to live it up a little. But if something goes sour he just might wish he banked those lattes.