middle class...
 

On 10/3/2014 10:40 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 10/3/2014 9:50 AM, F*O*A*D wrote:
On 10/3/14 9:32 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 10/3/2014 9:13 AM, F*O*A*D wrote:


Unfortunately, I don't believe the voters are well-informed enough
to be
able to make decisions on sophisticated matters of regulation.


That's true. It's why we elect people to represent us. The problem is
that liberals tend to push the emotions of an issue, knowing that the
general public doesn't know better. Can't lose with that approach.
Government needs to be rational and thoughtful, not a means of power
grabbing.


Please. The conservatives push, push, push, and in ways much more
horrific than the liberals.


As a retired person with more time on my hands than I like, I watch a
lot of political commentary and media coverage. Here are some of my
very amateur observations:

Overall, the Democratic Party seems to be well organized and very
uniform on issues. Watching and listening to representatives of the
party, they almost always are repeating the same lines, often word for
word, when discussing an issue. It's as if the DNC publishes talking
point memos that they memorize and repeat for the media. The only
exceptions seem to be Biden and Hillary. You never know what Biden is
going to say (the DNC cringes) and Hillary hasn't said much about
anything so far.

The Republican Party is totally different and, other than some Tea Party
supporters, seem totally disorganized. Now, I am not saying that I
agree with any particular person but Ted Cruz isn't a Rand Paul and Jeb
Bush isn't a Mitt Romney or John McCain. Point is, there are
significant differences in them as politicians in terms of their
positions on issues.

So, I have to ask myself what's better? A party that is in lock step
with each other, verbalizing the same points on issues or a party that
represents some diversity in thought?

The same trends obviously extend to the politically aligned media.
That's why I don't watch MSNBC or Fox News exclusively. I like to hear
both sides but it seems the GOP side has many more facets to it.



I think it comes to ideology.. Liberals by nature are willing to hold
their nose as long as the group that smells supports their own personal
agenda. Slash and burn if necessary, win at any cost.

middle class...
 

On 10/3/2014 10:40 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 10/3/2014 9:50 AM, F*O*A*D wrote:
On 10/3/14 9:32 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 10/3/2014 9:13 AM, F*O*A*D wrote:


Unfortunately, I don't believe the voters are well-informed enough
to be
able to make decisions on sophisticated matters of regulation.


That's true. It's why we elect people to represent us. The problem is
that liberals tend to push the emotions of an issue, knowing that the
general public doesn't know better. Can't lose with that approach.
Government needs to be rational and thoughtful, not a means of power
grabbing.


Please. The conservatives push, push, push, and in ways much more
horrific than the liberals.


As a retired person with more time on my hands than I like, I watch a
lot of political commentary and media coverage. Here are some of my
very amateur observations:

Overall, the Democratic Party seems to be well organized and very
uniform on issues. Watching and listening to representatives of the
party, they almost always are repeating the same lines, often word for
word, when discussing an issue. It's as if the DNC publishes talking
point memos that they memorize and repeat for the media. The only
exceptions seem to be Biden and Hillary. You never know what Biden is
going to say (the DNC cringes) and Hillary hasn't said much about
anything so far.

The Republican Party is totally different and, other than some Tea Party
supporters, seem totally disorganized. Now, I am not saying that I
agree with any particular person but Ted Cruz isn't a Rand Paul and Jeb
Bush isn't a Mitt Romney or John McCain. Point is, there are
significant differences in them as politicians in terms of their
positions on issues.

So, I have to ask myself what's better? A party that is in lock step
with each other, verbalizing the same points on issues or a party that
represents some diversity in thought?

The same trends obviously extend to the politically aligned media.
That's why I don't watch MSNBC or Fox News exclusively. I like to hear
both sides but it seems the GOP side has many more facets to it.


Biden's a klutz and Hillary is all about Hillary.
The Unions and DNC are on the same page when it comes to indoctrinating
their membership. Membership has to be on a level playing field whereas
leadership is free to run amok and grab what they can get. When was the
last time an entrepreneur broke out of the rank and file.

middle class...
 

On 10/3/2014 1:05 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:07:32 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

Fortunately, there's a limit to MA liberalism.

It is strange that MA was the cradle of liberty, rebelling against
onerous laws and excessive taxation and now it is one of the most
regulated and taxed states in the union.

Of course they used to call Maryland "The Free State" too.
Not much "free" there anymore.


I know one Marylander who lives pretty free. No taxes, No mortgage
payments, no obligation to pay his creditors. When the bills pile up
declare bankruptcy.

middle class...
 

On 10/2/2014 8:55 PM, F*O*A*D wrote:
On 10/2/14 9:32 PM, amdx wrote:
On 10/2/2014 6:18 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 02 Oct 2014 17:34:49 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

On 10/2/14 5:13 PM, amdx wrote:
On 10/2/2014 7:50 AM, KC wrote:
One helpful yardstick to judge whether you're middle class: Median
household income was $51,017 in 2012, according to the most recent
U.S.
census data. Robert Reich, a professor of Public Policy at the
University of California-Berkeley and former Secretary of Labor, has
suggested the middle class be defined as households making 50 percent
higher and lower than the median, which would mean the average middle
class annual income is $25,500 to $76,500.


I am "guessing" the three most vocal "middle class" folks here (all
who
seem to own or boats worth a couple years income, and homes all
over the
country), are (HERE) really "middle class"... no matter how much they
insist
they are. Nothing wrong with being rich, but to try to assume you
struggle like "middle class" folks is comical...

I think maybe you missed a NOT where I added a HERE in
parenthesis above.

But, Where is "household income" on the income tax form.
Looking at my 1040 form;
Is it line 22, Total income?
Is it line 37 Adjusted Gross income?
Is it line 43 Taxable income?
Is it taxable income minus taxes? (Doubt That)

Line 22 Total income = 100%
Line 37 Adjusted Gross income = 63% of line 22
Line 43 Taxable income = 37% of line 22
taxable income minus taxes paid = 23% of line 22

Note: I'm self employed so taxes paid includes S.S. taxes.

Using Line 22 Total income, looks like I'm rich, at least this year.
Taxable income minus taxes paid,---- I'm living in poverty.

So, now I wonder, what does Median Household Income mean?

Mikek






Household income simply is the total amount of money brought into a
home
from all sources by everyone in the home.

All "median income" means is the amount that divides the income
distribution into two equal groups, half having income above that
amount, and half having income below that amount. Mean income (average)
is the amount obtained by dividing the total aggregate income of a
group
by the number of units in that group.

That's from Wikipedia. It is correct. I doubt it gives you any useful
information. The median household income in the United States in 2012
was just under $31,000.


I think his point is what number do they use and how would they
actually get it? Most people do not have a clue what their after tax
income is. If they did they would be marching on Washington and their
state house.

If you note the difference between my total income and my taxable
income, a lot has come off before I pay taxes. I have the standard
deduction, but then I knock off about 37% more because we save. That
allows us to max out the deductions for two SEP's, an HSA, then there
are the health insurance and the deductible part of self employment tax
deduction.
The real killer is the Social Security and medicare tax. (15.2%?)

The sad part, say you get to keep 70%, with that you get to pay
gasoline tax, cellphones taxes, license plate taxes, cable/internet
taxes, and sales taxes, that's all I can think of now, but there are
more.
Mikek



You should move to Somalia. It is a perfect place for you and Greg. The
central government is weak, lawlessness is the rule, and taxes are
minimal. Tea Party/Libertarian paradise.

I would just like less government, in 1900 the government was 8% of
GNP. Today it 35%, that's just to much power, and waste of human effort.
Mikek

middle class...
 

On Friday, October 3, 2014 1:47:17 PM UTC-4, Harrold wrote:

I know one Marylander who lives pretty free. No taxes, No mortgage

payments, no obligation to pay his creditors. When the bills pile up

declare bankruptcy.

Don't forget he's got dickhead donnie to suck his cock and lick his asshole whenever he wants.

dickhead is too stupid to listen to the RCMP when they tell him to " leave it alone " when referring to me. He keeps stoking the fire. He'll get burnt...badly.