(11-25-2017 08:36 AM)ODUsmitty Wrote:  The only economist whose opinion I trust is that of Walter E. Williams from George Mason University.

Wellllll,

Thomas Sowell FTW,

Also toss in Dr David Kreutzer, now with Heritage, who was easily one of top 3-5 profs I had in my, ahem, extended time at JMU.

Give me that trio ^^^ en concerto and I’d buy the book they come up with.

Jus sayin.

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

David, my suggestion to you would be to read what some others here have commented about your "take" on the proposed tax changes.......maybe you can learn something about how economy's work because it's clearly evident that you don't have a clue. What is sad is that there a plenty others that believe as you do and no doubt are staunch Democrat voters as well...... You are their base.

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage.

No offense, but they should have learned a skill. I placed myself through technical college while working fast food in 82-84. I probably worked my butt off just a little harder than they did, since I juggled both a minimum wage job and college, and was rewarded for it.

Quote:Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us.

It did plenty. Your family just didnt take advantage of it.

Quote:They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

It sounds like you had someone who worked for hostess. Hostess had no chance to reinvest in itself, because it was straddle by obscene union contracts.
Hostess needed to bring new products out that configured themselves to the new way people were eating, but they couldnt. They were straddled with debt due to the union contracts. And thats the problem with the unions. By the time they eventually relent and give in, its too damned late to do anything about the situation.

And now Hostess Brands is doing just fine. But how? Because a company came in and swooped up the assets out of bankruptcy without having to also be connected to the union. Funny how the same company can thrive when not saddled to a union.

Quote:And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market.

Yea, ok, thats not true. However, its true that someone who doesnt work and who relies upon government assistance probably doesnt have a 401K. Thats not Trumps fault. However, for those of us who have really been busting our ass, its nice to have our investments growing.

And this tax cut will spur economic growth and add jobs to the economy, so that the next generation who busted their butts to put themselves through college will have jobs to go to. Which is exactly what happened to me under Reagan. Because prior to Reagans tax cuts, there werent a lot of jobs to go to. Carter left this country in the sh*tter.

Now, will this tax plan do anything for the person who doesnt want to really work their ass off and take advantage of it? No. Sorry, I dont think there's anything in the plan that will help someone who is content on sitting on their damned couch all day under the guise of working their butts off. But for those who want to work, and who are motivated to make it, it will open up the opportunities for them, just like it did for me.

As has been posted several times prior.

You wanna get ahead?

Get a job. Literally any job. Lay asphalt, tar roofs, install landscape irrigation systems, learn CPR and become a pool lifeguard.
Get and keep a valid license, deliver pizzas. Whatever.

My kid, who I mentioned a minute ago, is Home for a few days on t-giving/fall break asked for some shifts while Home. Got here last Saturday, worked S,M,T,W,F so far. Has put 600 bucks cash in his pocket, the hourly check of whatever they pay will follow in a week or two.

If you can’t make it here, you won’t make it anywhere.

Just too much suck to overcome, I guess...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, the Republicans keep rolling out these same old ideas that does not work. Seriously, we need a overhaul of our economics for the whole system to work for everybody. As it is? It does not work for everybody. Republicans picked winners and losers, and the majority of this country are the losers.
[/quote]

Yeah well, let's just do it the Demons way...give it to lazy S'es that rely on government handouts without lifting a finger. Oh wait, they do lift a finger... to sign on the dotted line for their freebies.

By the way, I heard that Trump wants people that can work and are getting assistance to work for it. I've said that all along. No reason a women taking care of 3 or 4 of her kids and uses that as an excuse not to can't work in a nursery taking care of her own annnnndddds others kids so that the mothers that do want to work can.

We complain about our dirty streets so there's no reason people who are able can't work maintaining them. And so on.

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

Your anecdotal experience aside, the wealth gap actually demonstrably DECREASED under Reagan... and expanded greatly under Obama. Off the top of my head, it was 'okay' under Clinton but slightly better under Bush.... because the economy under Reagan expanded greatly. It ALSO expanded greatly under Clinton, but much of that was driven by home price increases and roll-ups... which didn't help those who didn't own homes or stocks.... and often hurt home owners due to gentrification and 'flippers'.

I also love how you talk about the wealth gap increasing and then you run scared from the market because of something that happened almost a generation ago.

There are all sorts of things to invest in that don't involve the stock market. The problem isn't that the poor are afraid to invest... It's that they don't have any money to invest.

How do you feel about a 20% VAT with a prefund?

I'm guessing you're against it... ignoring that it essentially creates a 20% ROI for the poor on whatever they can save.

(11-25-2017 09:03 AM)dfarr Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 07:15 AM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

Your parents problem had nothing to do with Reagan lowering income taxes.
Their problem was income period. I made more money than your Dad, mostly working part time during college and full time in the summer, painting houses and working at Best Buy type store from 85'-89'. No the economy did not suck. Your parents were the problem. Did they actually have babies during this time? LOL

Yeah, if your parents, as adults, were both making minimum wage, then THEY had the problem, not the economy. Statistically speaking something like 3% of minimum wage jobs are held by adults working full time.

Also, tax cuts done affect those who pay no taxes. A cut of 0 is still 0.

And if people would rather rely on social security instead of a 401k, then they're idiots. I'd love to be rid of SS so that I could invest that extra 6.5% into retirement, plus probably get a raise of some sort since my employer wouldn't have to pay the other 6.5% to SS as well.

401 K and the Stock market is a ponzi scam. I will never invest in scams like that.

(11-25-2017 04:29 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 09:03 AM)dfarr Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 07:15 AM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

Your parents problem had nothing to do with Reagan lowering income taxes.
Their problem was income period. I made more money than your Dad, mostly working part time during college and full time in the summer, painting houses and working at Best Buy type store from 85'-89'. No the economy did not suck. Your parents were the problem. Did they actually have babies during this time? LOL

Yeah, if your parents, as adults, were both making minimum wage, then THEY had the problem, not the economy. Statistically speaking something like 3% of minimum wage jobs are held by adults working full time.

Also, tax cuts done affect those who pay no taxes. A cut of 0 is still 0.

And if people would rather rely on social security instead of a 401k, then they're idiots. I'd love to be rid of SS so that I could invest that extra 6.5% into retirement, plus probably get a raise of some sort since my employer wouldn't have to pay the other 6.5% to SS as well.

401 K and the Stock market is a ponzi scam. I will never invest in scams like that.

Be sure to decline any social security benefits as well since you are averse to ponzi schemes.

(11-25-2017 04:29 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  401 K and the Stock market is a ponzi scam. I will never invest in scams like that.

wow....

either you don't know anything about stock prices or ponzi schemes.

There are all sorts of possible 'bad things' about investing, but you really should have a better understanding of things before you criticize them.

You may as well have said that wages are a ponzi scheme

(11-25-2017 10:15 AM)Crebman Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

David, my suggestion to you would be to read what some others here have commented about your "take" on the proposed tax changes.......maybe you can learn something about how economy's work because it's clearly evident that you don't have a clue. What is sad is that there a plenty others that believe as you do and no doubt are staunch Democrat voters as well...... You are their base.

…and the Democrats are counting on the DavidSts of this country staying in the dark as to how an economy really works. If they understood capitalism and free market economics they would stop voting Democrat.

(11-25-2017 06:30 PM)mptnstr@44 Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 10:15 AM)Crebman Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

David, my suggestion to you would be to read what some others here have commented about your "take" on the proposed tax changes.......maybe you can learn something about how economy's work because it's clearly evident that you don't have a clue. What is sad is that there a plenty others that believe as you do and no doubt are staunch Democrat voters as well...... You are their base.

…and the Democrats are counting on the DavidSts of this country staying in the dark as to how an economy really works. If they understood capitalism and free market economics they would stop voting Democrat.

I looked also at world history that had free markets in the past. Ancient Greece and Rome comes to mind. The greed was let the downfall of their kingdom. Even Jesus disapproved of the greed in Israel. Our country is heading down that tunnel because of the greed with these big corporations to make more money for themselves, use slave labor in other countries, and hoard the money for the top guys in the CEOs and not spending to invest in this country.

(11-25-2017 07:59 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 06:30 PM)mptnstr@44 Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 10:15 AM)Crebman Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

David, my suggestion to you would be to read what some others here have commented about your "take" on the proposed tax changes.......maybe you can learn something about how economy's work because it's clearly evident that you don't have a clue. What is sad is that there a plenty others that believe as you do and no doubt are staunch Democrat voters as well...... You are their base.

…and the Democrats are counting on the DavidSts of this country staying in the dark as to how an economy really works. If they understood capitalism and free market economics they would stop voting Democrat.

I looked also at world history that had free markets in the past. Ancient Greece and Rome comes to mind. The greed was let the downfall of their kingdom. Even Jesus disapproved of the greed in Israel. Our country is heading down that tunnel because of the greed with these big corporations to make more money for themselves, use slave labor in other countries, and hoard the money for the top guys in the CEOs and not spending to invest in this country.

I see history was a subject you also struggled with.

(11-25-2017 07:59 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 06:30 PM)mptnstr@44 Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 10:15 AM)Crebman Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

David, my suggestion to you would be to read what some others here have commented about your "take" on the proposed tax changes.......maybe you can learn something about how economy's work because it's clearly evident that you don't have a clue. What is sad is that there a plenty others that believe as you do and no doubt are staunch Democrat voters as well...... You are their base.

…and the Democrats are counting on the DavidSts of this country staying in the dark as to how an economy really works. If they understood capitalism and free market economics they would stop voting Democrat.

I looked also at world history that had free markets in the past. Ancient Greece and Rome comes to mind. The greed was let the downfall of their kingdom. Even Jesus disapproved of the greed in Israel. Our country is heading down that tunnel because of the greed with these big corporations to make more money for themselves, use slave labor in other countries, and hoard the money for the top guys in the CEOs and not spending to invest in this country.

Stop worrying about how much money others are making by busting their ass, and start worrying about how you need to bust your ass and make your own money.

(11-25-2017 04:29 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 09:03 AM)dfarr Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 07:15 AM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

Your parents problem had nothing to do with Reagan lowering income taxes.
Their problem was income period. I made more money than your Dad, mostly working part time during college and full time in the summer, painting houses and working at Best Buy type store from 85'-89'. No the economy did not suck. Your parents were the problem. Did they actually have babies during this time? LOL

Yeah, if your parents, as adults, were both making minimum wage, then THEY had the problem, not the economy. Statistically speaking something like 3% of minimum wage jobs are held by adults working full time.

Also, tax cuts done affect those who pay no taxes. A cut of 0 is still 0.

And if people would rather rely on social security instead of a 401k, then they're idiots. I'd love to be rid of SS so that I could invest that extra 6.5% into retirement, plus probably get a raise of some sort since my employer wouldn't have to pay the other 6.5% to SS as well.

401 K and the Stock market is a ponzi scam. I will never invest in scams like that.

You clearly were raised by people who never made more than minimum wage.

You keep stuffing your money under your mattress (if you're even saving at all) and then wait for SS and the whopping $1100/month that you get from it to live off of.

(11-25-2017 07:59 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 06:30 PM)mptnstr@44 Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 10:15 AM)Crebman Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

David, my suggestion to you would be to read what some others here have commented about your "take" on the proposed tax changes.......maybe you can learn something about how economy's work because it's clearly evident that you don't have a clue. What is sad is that there a plenty others that believe as you do and no doubt are staunch Democrat voters as well...... You are their base.

…and the Democrats are counting on the DavidSts of this country staying in the dark as to how an economy really works. If they understood capitalism and free market economics they would stop voting Democrat.

I looked also at world history that had free markets in the past. Ancient Greece and Rome comes to mind. The greed was let the downfall of their kingdom. Even Jesus disapproved of the greed in Israel. Our country is heading down that tunnel because of the greed with these big corporations to make more money for themselves, use slave labor in other countries, and hoard the money for the top guys in the CEOs and not spending to invest in this country.

Oh good grief. If you're alluding to him running the money changers out of the temple then you need to re-read it.

(11-24-2017 10:45 PM)banker Wrote:  Wait, a Cal-Berkley economist doesn't think a republican tax plan will work? Shocking to say the least.

As far as number of people in a 401k, that is a reflection of the financial stupidity of Americans. Nearly 79% of working Americans have that benefit available to them, two thirds of those people don't take advantage of it. Those are the same people that cry that the government should do more for them. God forbid that they actually do a little financial planning for themselves.

It really does boil down to financial illiteracy. I'm sure some here will blame others for that. However, if one is being offered 100% return on x% investment and choose to reject it, then that is one's own damn fault.

(11-25-2017 07:59 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 06:30 PM)mptnstr@44 Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 10:15 AM)Crebman Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.
And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

David, my suggestion to you would be to read what some others here have commented about your "take" on the proposed tax changes.......maybe you can learn something about how economy's work because it's clearly evident that you don't have a clue. What is sad is that there a plenty others that believe as you do and no doubt are staunch Democrat voters as well...... You are their base.

…and the Democrats are counting on the DavidSts of this country staying in the dark as to how an economy really works. If they understood capitalism and free market economics they would stop voting Democrat.

I looked also at world history that had free markets in the past. Ancient Greece and Rome comes to mind. The greed was let the downfall of their kingdom. Even Jesus disapproved of the greed in Israel. Our country is heading down that tunnel because of the greed with these big corporations to make more money for themselves, use slave labor in other countries, and hoard the money for the top guys in the CEOs and not spending to invest in this country.

Greed is not a result of free markets. Greed is a basic human trait. As Milton Friedman famously asked Phil Donahue, can you name a society and economy that don't run on greed?

The reason that free market capitalism works better than other systems to eliminate the adverse effects of greed is that capitalism recognizes greed and harnesses it for good, whereas all the other -isms have to assume that greed can be eliminated. It can't, which is why those other systems do not work.

(11-26-2017 06:32 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 10:45 PM)banker Wrote:  Wait, a Cal-Berkley economist doesn't think a republican tax plan will work? Shocking to say the least.

As far as number of people in a 401k, that is a reflection of the financial stupidity of Americans. Nearly 79% of working Americans have that benefit available to them, two thirds of those people don't take advantage of it. Those are the same people that cry that the government should do more for them. God forbid that they actually do a little financial planning for themselves.

It really does boil down to financial illiteracy. I'm sure some here will blame others for that. However, if one is being offered 100% return on x% investment and choose to reject it, then that is one's own damn fault.

completely agree...

too many now believe they are entitled to the fluff of prosperity.....therefore, they 'choose' to spend beyond their means......that would be the 'ruff'.....too many spoiled biatches now....

ol' fluff-n-ruff......she's a pickle for some....

one has to play the game in the moment based on current standards or suffer the consequences.....it's easily why some opt out for the subsidized lifestyle that has FINALLY pissed off the working class that are now speaking out.....I thank DJT for that more than anything else he could possibly accomplish as POTUS....

there are always going to be the 'woe is me' folk music.......

the mission statement (I hate that term, but it applies) of gov't should always be to create incentive that promotes reducing that number to the lowest realistic percentage ........

(11-25-2017 04:29 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 09:03 AM)dfarr Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 07:15 AM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

Your parents problem had nothing to do with Reagan lowering income taxes.
Their problem was income period. I made more money than your Dad, mostly working part time during college and full time in the summer, painting houses and working at Best Buy type store from 85'-89'. No the economy did not suck. Your parents were the problem. Did they actually have babies during this time? LOL

Yeah, if your parents, as adults, were both making minimum wage, then THEY had the problem, not the economy. Statistically speaking something like 3% of minimum wage jobs are held by adults working full time.

Also, tax cuts done affect those who pay no taxes. A cut of 0 is still 0.

And if people would rather rely on social security instead of a 401k, then they're idiots. I'd love to be rid of SS so that I could invest that extra 6.5% into retirement, plus probably get a raise of some sort since my employer wouldn't have to pay the other 6.5% to SS as well.

401 K and the Stock market is a ponzi scam. I will never invest in scams like that.

Fine.

Good on you, stick to the sword you’ll die on.


So, if you intentionally eschew a vehicle like a 401k or the stock market, what do you have or plan to use for your eventual retirement?

You plan to be a “greeter” at the Walmart into your eighties?

Many have been socking away the max amount for years and decades by now, plan on burning that cash on cruises and trips to Alaska or the Serengeti.

What have you discovered that oh so many others have missed?

Do tell, this should be fascinating...

(11-26-2017 11:16 AM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 04:29 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 09:03 AM)dfarr Wrote:  

(11-25-2017 07:15 AM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(11-24-2017 07:33 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The tax cuts from Reagan to now Trump have left many people behind while the wealthy have grown. My parents made less than $10,000 a year in the 1980s, and the economy sucks. They both worked their butts off at minimum wage. Reagan's tax cut did nothing for us. It helped placed a gap between the middle class and the wealthy, As it is, the Middle Class are slowly shrinking into the working poor. George W. Bush's paid tax holiday put us into another Great Depression. What did the companies used the money for from the tax cuts? Give CEOs and board members higher pay raises, and buy back stock from investors to inflate the prices of their companies. They never reinvested any money towards the business. That is why Hostess went out of business because of the corruption in the CEO/board members.

And Trump's crowing about the 401 K's growing? Only a small number of people in this country have it, and only a few people who invests in the stock market. The majority of people think the Wall Street is a bunch of crocked crooks that steals money from people and refuse to invest in it. Do you blamed people because of the likes of ENRON?

Your parents problem had nothing to do with Reagan lowering income taxes.
Their problem was income period. I made more money than your Dad, mostly working part time during college and full time in the summer, painting houses and working at Best Buy type store from 85'-89'. No the economy did not suck. Your parents were the problem. Did they actually have babies during this time? LOL

Yeah, if your parents, as adults, were both making minimum wage, then THEY had the problem, not the economy. Statistically speaking something like 3% of minimum wage jobs are held by adults working full time.

Also, tax cuts done affect those who pay no taxes. A cut of 0 is still 0.

And if people would rather rely on social security instead of a 401k, then they're idiots. I'd love to be rid of SS so that I could invest that extra 6.5% into retirement, plus probably get a raise of some sort since my employer wouldn't have to pay the other 6.5% to SS as well.

401 K and the Stock market is a ponzi scam. I will never invest in scams like that.

Fine.

Good on you, stick to the sword you’ll die on.


So, if you intentionally eschew a vehicle like a 401k or the stock market, what do you have or plan to use for your eventual retirement?

You plan to be a “greeter” at the Walmart into your eighties?

Many have been socking away the max amount for years and decades by now, plan on burning that cash on cruises and trips to Alaska or the Serengeti.

What have you discovered that oh so many others have missed?

Do tell, this should be fascinating...

once you know the spoilers, there's no reason to go see the movie until it comes out in syndication.....

I honestly have sympathy for DST.....his life couldn't have been easy....

I also enjoy the fact he chooses to engage and share his life stories.....

see?!? sometimes I can be a teddy bear....

edit: it's most likely not an option in his world....