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I have doubts.
Italy is hitting another surge. I doubt the US is far behind, and all the hospitals have trimmed staff, legislators have denigrated healthcare workers, and people are jumping ship left and right. It's going to get spicy if we have surge 2.0

That’s why I said *** Hopefully ***

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I have doubts.
Italy is hitting another surge. I doubt the US is far behind, and all the hospitals have trimmed staff, legislators have denigrated healthcare workers, and people are jumping ship left and right. It's going to get spicy if we have surge 2.0
Probably going to be cutting it close. The thing to keep in mind is that the US has administered more vaccine that most of the world. Italy is way behind the US as is Europe. In the US, about 1/3 of the adult population already has 1 dose and 14% fully vaccinated, Italy is more like 4%. Israel is up to 58% with one dose and their numbers are way down. Doom and gloom sells, but the numbers don't really support it, most see the economy pulling out in the summer. I'm already making some travel plans.
 
Personally, I love paying taxes and wish I paid more. Much much more.
But that's just me; I'm a greedy capitalist.
Taxes disgust me. Not that I have issue with paying for what I use or benefit from (military, roads, public education, etc.), but all of these things are mismanaged and full of pork. They need to be torn apart and remade without the waste. See again my post about sponges and fluff.
 
Probably going to be cutting it close. The thing to keep in mind is that the US has administered more vaccine that most of the world. Italy is way behind the US as is Europe. In the US, about 1/3 of the adult population already has 1 dose and 14% fully vaccinated, Italy is more like 4%. Israel is up to 58% with one dose and their numbers are way down. Doom and gloom sells, but the numbers don't really support it, most see the economy pulling out in the summer. I'm already making some travel plans.
I hope you're correct. We were just one decent mutation of that spike protein away from wash, rinse, repeat, though.
 
Taxes disgust me. Not that I have issue with paying for what I use or benefit from (military, roads, public education, etc.), but all of these things are mismanaged and full of pork. They need to be torn apart and remade without the waste. See again my post about sponges and fluff.
I like paying taxes because it means I am making money.
I definitely see your point...
Question for you: If someone pays more in taxes than most people make, does that make most people sponges?
Just trying to get a definition of sponges...

I do like your work ethic. All good.
 
I like paying taxes because it means I am making money.
I definitely see your point...
Question for you: If someone pays more in taxes than most people make, does that make most people sponges?
Just trying to get a definition of sponges...

I do like your work ethic. All good.
No, it does not. Those people are contributing, even if it's less. What makes you a sponge is when your absence would lighten the load. People who simply make less wouldn't lighten the load of they were dissapeared.


For example. I paid 30% of my income to taxes, and got $0 back. You may have paid 50% and got zero back. You paid way more dollars and percent to be defended by our military than I did. Would getting rid of me save you money? No. Would it benefit the military? No.

Now let's take someone who is in section 8 housing and refuses to work. Would their absence save you money? Yes.

Then you get into disabled/retired. Disability...real disability...is not a choice. This is where the safety net of taxes comes in, and is why we pay into insurance, etc. Retirement...SS is shafting those people. You need to do it on your own and that's a bonus. SS isn't sponging. It's getting back a fraction of what you paid.

By the same token, if you make more money, should I be jealous? No. If I envied you, I'd go do what you do. If I could not, and wanted to, then that's a "me" problem. Legislating my hand into your bank account is absolute theft. It just has many steps more than traditional muggings. Taxes...
 
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No, it does not. Those people are contributing, even if it's less. What makes you a sponge is when your absence would lighten the load. People who simply make less wouldn't lighten the load of they were dissapeared.


For example. I paid 30% of my income to taxes, and got $0 back. You may have paid 50% and got zero back. You paid way more dollars and percent to be defended by our military than I did. Would getting rid of me save you money? No. Would it benefit the military? No.

Now let's take someone who is in section 8 housing and refuses to work. Would their absence save you money? Yes.

Then you get into disabled/retired. Disability...real disability...is not a choice. This is where the safety net of taxes comes in, and is why we pay into insurance, etc. Retirement...SS is shafting those people. You need to do it on your own and that's a bonus. SS isn't sponging. It's getting back a fraction of what you paid.

By the same token, if you make more money, should I be jealous? No. If I envied you, I'd go do what you do. If I could not, and wanted to, then that's a "me" problem. Legislating my hand into your bank account is absolute theft. It just has many steps more than traditional muggings. Taxes...
Got it. So there is not a hierarchy of sponges. Good to know.
So if someone pays $1 and another pays $100K in taxes, that's OK. The $1 guy is not spunging off the $100K guy even though he gets the same benefits.

Personally, I am simply thankful that I am not in section 8; but for the grace... I am lucky to pay taxes; it's a blessing. Not getting a stimulus check is a blessing. Paying $100K in Federal Income taxes is a great problem to have.
I don't think about sponges too much; I consider it a waste of valuable energy and time. Unless I am doing the dishes, of course.
I would rather focus on productive things. Like how to pay more taxes and stay outta section 8.
Just my 2 cents.

And thanks for your reply Ws6. I appreciate your point of view even if it is different than mine.
If some of those "sponges" see you working, paying taxes and doing well, you just might inspire them to be more like you. Ya never know...
 
Because hard worm leads
Got it. So there is not a hierarchy of sponges. Good to know.
So if someone pays $1 and another pays $100K in taxes, that's OK. The $1 guy is not spunging off the $100K guy even though he gets the same benefits.

Personally, I am simply thankful that I am not in section 8; but for the grace... I am lucky to pay taxes; it's a blessing. Not getting a stimulus check is a blessing. Paying $100K in Federal Income taxes is a great problem to have.
I don't think about sponges too much; I consider it a waste of valuable energy and time. Unless I am doing the dishes, of course.
I would rather focus on productive things. Like how to pay more taxes and stay outta section 8.
Just my 2 cents.

And thanks for your reply Ws6. I appreciate your point of view even if it is different than mine.
If some of those "sponges" see you working, paying taxes and doing well, you just might inspire them to be more like you. Ya never know...
I am not in section 8 because of hard work.
That said, no, as long as someone is putting in, instead of taking out, then yeah, they are contributing.
 
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Got it. So there is not a hierarchy of sponges. Good to know.
So if someone pays $1 and another pays $100K in taxes, that's OK. The $1 guy is not spunging off the $100K guy even though he gets the same benefits.

Personally, I am simply thankful that I am not in section 8; but for the grace... I am lucky to pay taxes; it's a blessing. Not getting a stimulus check is a blessing. Paying $100K in Federal Income taxes is a great problem to have.
I don't think about sponges too much; I consider it a waste of valuable energy and time. Unless I am doing the dishes, of course.
I would rather focus on productive things. Like how to pay more taxes and stay outta section 8.
Just my 2 cents.

And thanks for your reply Ws6. I appreciate your point of view even if it is different than mine.
If some of those "sponges" see you working, paying taxes and doing well, you just might inspire them to be more like you. Ya never know...
Jeff: you are what my Scottish friend would call a “good egg” … Whilst < eh? we may not line up on all ideologies …
I too enjoy very good wages and accept the fact that I’m taxed accordingly … glad to help - also do so directly like you.
Do I wish our “leaders“ used it more efficiently? Do I wish more would work like I did on the way up ?
Yes, Yes, but when was that ! Totally missed it. We roll on …
 
I don't send them my money; I send them their money. That's the law.
Nope. It's my money. I worked for it, not them. I also did not get a vote on the law, nor is anyone entitled to my money. Literally the only reason I pay taxes because it's cheaper than the alternative.
 
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