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Post by animal on May 3, 2011 19:07:54 GMT -5
Per my other post about being in great pain currently, let me take some of it out on you DJ.... and educate you as to how I read many things and interpret them. You said: Yes, I know we've seen a whole bunch of new fees and surcharges added to many of our services and utilities, etc. Per my discussion with T in CV, though, see that I totally reject the silly notion that those fees and surcharges have even remotely come to total the amount we've seen in our income tax reductions the last few decades and more. We simply don't have as big a tax burden as before. We don't. Sure we have all kinds of neaky little fees here and there, but that doesn't even come close. This stands in stark contrast to all the rallies and protests suggesting we are MORE burdened with taxes than before and getting worse. It's not true. And almost exclusively, those suggestions are pointed at the "liberal" tax fiends, like the current administration, which just adds that much more puzzlement to situation. =========================== Just that one word "silly" is enuff to put me off subject, and ignore the rest, or at least look at it as being talked down to. I am very careful when discussing things with people, in written form, so that I do not alienate them and we can continue the discussion. When I do want to end a discussion, I know that I just need to use judgmental terms like silly, foolish, childish, or any of the many others you tend to use to belittle people you do not agree with. Others will do the same, but as I said, your it for now
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Post by dj on May 3, 2011 19:52:23 GMT -5
Per my other post about being in great pain currently, let me take some of it out on you DJ.... and educate you as to how I read many things and interpret them. You said: Yes, I know we've seen a whole bunch of new fees and surcharges added to many of our services and utilities, etc. Per my discussion with T in CV, though, see that I totally reject the silly notion that those fees and surcharges have even remotely come to total the amount we've seen in our income tax reductions the last few decades and more. We simply don't have as big a tax burden as before. We don't. Sure we have all kinds of neaky little fees here and there, but that doesn't even come close. This stands in stark contrast to all the rallies and protests suggesting we are MORE burdened with taxes than before and getting worse. It's not true. And almost exclusively, those suggestions are pointed at the "liberal" tax fiends, like the current administration, which just adds that much more puzzlement to situation. =========================== Just that one word "silly" is enuff to put me off subject, and ignore the rest, or at least look at it as being talked down to. I am very careful when discussing things with people, in written form, so that I do not alienate them and we can continue the discussion. When I do want to end a discussion, I know that I just need to use judgmental terms like silly, foolish, childish, or any of the many others you tend to use to belittle people you do not agree with. Others will do the same, but as I said, your it for now Animal, I appreciate the way you brought this to my attention without being aggressive or insulting, thank you for that. I am sorry I slipped in the word "silly," I didn't pointed it at Tired, but on re-reading I can see the connection is too easy to make, so to Tired in CV I want to extend an apology, sincerely. As I usually do I'll try to reanimate the editor in me and make sure to go through my comments "one more time" before hitting "Post Reply." Mea Culpa.
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Post by dj on May 3, 2011 20:12:41 GMT -5
And by the way that real estate sales tax you mentioned is a myth. Well, it's a misunderstanding. There is a new fee being applied to a small part of gains on a home above its basis compared to income and so on, but it amounts to very small amounts of money because it only applies to some parts of some transactions. The urban legend that it's some sort of a flat 2% or 3% tax on the price of a home, is totally wrong and wholly inaccurate. Again, it is researchable and it has been clarified many times. All I mentioned is "there may very well soon be additional taxes on the sale of your home!" I didn't mention how much or for whom. With what you stated, you confirmed that there may be fees (taxes, if you will). That removes any urban legend from my statement. You may address many others who state otherwise concerning those real estate fees, but what I stated is NOT urban legend! Of course, there you go again. Restate your parameter so that you can make another's message seem wrong when they aren't. Well, it's true, you said "may." I rescind my lashing, on that point. I thought myself clever enough to see which urban legend you were referring to, because there is indeed that very myth going around, and I went after it. Take away that real estate tax sentence, however, I still stand on the rest of the conversation. We are indeed carrying a smaller tax burden, overall, than before. New fees included. I remain open to seeing any list, small or large, of new taxes and surcharges, increased fees, penalties, fines, or what-have-you, which purport to replace the reductions we've seen over the past decades. I am not holding my breath, because any list anyone can compile will fall far short. I hope it's clear, this argument is not just pointed at you. I hope what I'm illustrating, to anyone who meanders by this forum, is that in the large info-culture of modern day America there exists a persistent "urban legend" which says we are getting taxed more and burdened more than before, and that our kids are fast on the way to being even worse off than us in terms of giving up earnings and possessions to the government. This is a false notion. We're paying less and less, every decade, to Uncle Sam and Aunt California as a percentage of our earnings.
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Post by jdredd on May 8, 2011 1:29:27 GMT -5
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Post by Tired in CV on May 8, 2011 3:26:50 GMT -5
Continued it says: Happiness — herewith the distilled essence of 70 years of experience — is a talent, and one that, unlike hitting a curveball, anyone can develop. Considering that America exists to protect the individual’s pursuit of it, this pursuit is a pleasant duty. I think you have a few more years before you hit 70, so I hope you develop that Happiness so spoken of. You seldom share it here. You tend to be a cranky old fart!
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Post by jdredd on May 8, 2011 17:21:08 GMT -5
Continued it says: Happiness — herewith the distilled essence of 70 years of experience — is a talent, and one that, unlike hitting a curveball, anyone can develop. Considering that America exists to protect the individual’s pursuit of it, this pursuit is a pleasant duty. I think you have a few more years before you hit 70, so I hope you develop that Happiness so spoken of. You seldom share it here. You tend to be a cranky old fart! Happiness is a bit overrated in my book, and I blame Thomas Jefferson. In my opinion, finding meaning in your life is a far more serious pursuit. You may also find happiness (however you define it) when you find meaning, but not necessarily.
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Post by jdredd on May 14, 2011 18:31:21 GMT -5
www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/business/media/14viewers.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=business"After 40 years of catering to younger consumers, advertisers and media executives are coming to a different realization: older people aren’t so bad, after all. Stephanie Pappas, a senior planner for BBDO NY, said there was now good reason for ad clients to seek the mature audience. “In some ways, they are the ideal consumer. They have money, they consume loads of media, and they remain optimistic,” she said. “ American Idol,” once considered the hot show for young people, finished its first season 10 years ago with a median age of 32.1. This season, its median age is 47.2. ABC’s biggest hit, “ Dancing with the Stars” has a large complement of 50-plus viewers."
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Post by jdredd on Apr 9, 2012 20:35:04 GMT -5
www.economist.com/node/21552165"ONE stereotype of wisdom is a wizened Zen-master smiling benevolently at the antics of his pupils, while referring to them as little grasshoppers or some such affectation, safe in the knowledge that one day they, too, will have been set on the path that leads to wizened masterhood. But is it true that age brings wisdom? A study two years ago in North America, by Igor Grossmann of the University of Waterloo, in Canada, suggested that it is. In as much as it is possible to quantify wisdom, Dr Grossmann found that elderly Americans had more of it than youngsters. He has, however, now extended his investigation to Asia—the land of the wizened Zen-master—and, in particular, to Japan. There, he found, in contrast to the West, that the grasshoppers are their masters’ equals almost from the beginning."
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Post by jdredd on Jul 14, 2015 13:07:46 GMT -5
I saw one of the new Corvettes today, and boy is it UGLY. But then I think most cars have gotten ugly in the last several years. Which probably makes young car designers happy, because I'm OLD and uncool.
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Post by jdredd on Sept 9, 2015 1:09:19 GMT -5
Come to think of it, all sorts of things are having to be seen through the lens of my Senior status, especially the future. And of course the past. Technology is a problem too. I don't even HAVE a smart phone, too easy for me to lose. And I don't like Chipotle. Do I like anything new? I'm thinking. I like my I-POD. Is that considered new still?
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Post by jdredd on Sept 16, 2015 4:30:23 GMT -5
www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34265672"Populations of marine mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have declined by 49% since 1970, a report says. The study says some species people rely on for food are faring even worse, noting a 74% drop in the populations of tuna and mackerel. In addition to human activity such as overfishing, the report also says climate change is having an impact. The document was prepared by the World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London." Here's what is good about old age: You don't have to give a crap about stuff like this. Should I be concerned for "the grandchildren's sake"? Why should I care when the Millennials don't seem to give a rat's ass?
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Post by jdredd on Mar 5, 2018 16:10:28 GMT -5
I've just hit 66, and I'm feeling really good about it. I'm surprised I've lasted this long. Plus, it seems really old, so I haven't got that much more life to worry about. Being young sucks, having to worry about a long future.
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sparky
Junior Member
“The way to show that a stick is crooked is not to argue about it or to spend time denouncing it, bu
Posts: 47
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Post by sparky on Mar 5, 2018 21:13:53 GMT -5
I've just hit 66, and I'm feeling really good about it. I'm surprised I've lasted this long. Plus, it seems really old, so I haven't got that much more life to worry about. Being young sucks, having to worry about a long future. 66 is the new 45 lol. Getting old sucks in that I don't recover from ailments in a quick manner. I just got over being sick for 3 weeks with some flu. Never been sick that long in my life. So tonight I will hit the gym before work and do my best to stay young on the inside. Speaking of workouts getting close to that time. Chat at you later jdredd.
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Post by jdredd on Apr 6, 2018 1:46:51 GMT -5
Damn, I have to show up for jury duty on Monday. Don't they know yet I'm not jury material? They need people who actually get along with their fellow humans. I am counting down the time until I'm 70 and can opt out.
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Post by jdredd on May 7, 2018 22:37:18 GMT -5
Why don't I have anything to say on anything? Perhaps my brain cell count has dropped below that necessary to have actual ideas. Time to roll me out to the porch on my wheelchair and I can stare into space and drool all over myself.
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