Politics

[Buster Bluth]

Why?

She's just always seemed vindictive and arrogant to me.

Seriously. Why would anyone try to grow vegetables and help kids to exercise more? What an idiot.

You know you're talking to an active food planner who is currently working on one of about a dozen and a half city-wide healthy food plans in the entire country, right? I bet I know more about the food system than most people you could find on here.

Vegetables is my middle name.

If her impact were to be felt down the road, the White House would be having more success on the Farm Bill. She'd be advocating a change from the value-added goods to healthy foods in terms of subsidies. Her husband could make that his second-term agenda and free our farmers from the wrath and impacts of Henry Wallace.

Instead she has increased the federal government's overreach into our state's schools systems and that I do not support. The benefits of that are pretty debatable too, which you may be familiar with if you know some school administrators or perhaps any athletes in high school.

If she wanted to help our schools and obesity, she'd go after laws banning advertisements to children like they have done in India.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

She's just always seemed vindictive and arrogant to me.

I've never seen that...not from her or any other first lady.

You know you're talking to an active food planner who is currently working on one of about a dozen and a half city-wide healthy food plans in the entire country, right? I bet I know more about the food system than most people you could find on here.

Vegetables is my middle name.

Then I commend you. I'm a vegetarian who has run five marathons. We probably agree on more than either of us knows.

If her impact were to be felt down the road, the White House would be having more success on the Farm Bill. She'd be advocating a change from the value-added goods to healthy foods in terms of subsidies.

She's a first lady. They don't tend to have much of an impact. Laura Bush was about childhood literacy. That was a lovely and noble goal as well. Did it have much of an impact? I don't know. But Michelle Obama has been painted as a pinko for trying to improve the quality of school lunches.

Instead she has increased the federal government's overreach into our state's schools systems and that I do not support. The benefits of that are pretty debatable too, which you may be familiar with if you know some school administrators or perhaps any athletes in high school.

I'm a teacher and my wife is an athletic trainer in a high school. I have a bit of experience in the area, thank you.

You're a very smart guy. I just don't understand why anyone who might have qualms with anything you say is automatically an idiot. The conversations could be so much more interesting without that tone.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I've never seen that...not from her or any other first lady.

The joy of having opinions.

I'm a teacher and my wife is an athletic trainer in a high school. I have a bit of experience in the area, thank you.

So what are your thoughts?

You're a very smart guy. I just don't understand why anyone who might have qualms with anything you say is automatically an idiot. The conversations could be so much more interesting without that tone.

I called someone an idiot on here recently? I've been trying to serious tone it down since the election.

 

[chicago51]

Also, the Supreme Court must repeal Citizens United. Corporations are NOT people. They shouldn't be able to pour millions into these campaigns. The Super PACs don't even have to report where the money came from.
The $100 I'm going to contribute really means nothing because of this terrible law.

This was posted a while back but i see this as the biggest problem in politics.

The billionaires like the koch brothers brought the 2010 election and then they gerrymandered all the districts. They bump all boatloads money into house and state races. The koch brothers are behind the shots taken at labor unions in Michigan and Wisconsin. Citizens United United and Americans for Prosperity are a disguise and really billionaires trying to buy elections.

They tried to buy 2012 but the progressives came out to vote. Since they rigged all the districts the republicans kept the house despite the fact democrats got over 1 million more votes in the house. Let that sink in a million votes and yet they are not even close to a majority.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

.

 

[Buster Bluth]

No one can possibly have experiences that would lead to another opinion than yours.

I just asked you what your thoughts on the subject were!

 

[irishbird]

reps. I can't stand her.

edit

 

[yankeehater]

I think no matter your beliefs or party affiliations I think we would all agree this recession was and still is pretty devastating for most. As I believe most people have experienced, I know people who would say "recession, what recession?" over the last 5 years and I also know people who have been destroyed and their savings wiped out during those same years. For those of you who have never experienced a downturn in America not only can it be devastating, but unrecoverable for some. I was looking, but unfortunately could not find a stastic I saw years ago from the recession of '90-'91 that blew me away. The statistic was for those who lost their job during that recession as of I believe 2007 a significant number had not been able to achieve the income level prior to that recession. That was extremely mind boggling to me when you think how successful (I assumed) the late 90's and mid '00's was for the Country. When you think about a stat like that, you have to wonder about many in their 50's and maybe even 40's who will feel these years forever.

A Recovery No Better than the Recession | Pew Social & Demographic Trends

 

[Buster Bluth]

I think no matter your beliefs or party affiliations I think we would all agree this recession was and still is pretty devastating for most. As I believe most people have experienced, I know people who would say "recession, what recession?" over the last 5 years and I also know people who have been destroyed and their savings wiped out during those same years. For those of you who have never experienced a downturn in America not only can it be devastating, but unrecoverable for some. I was looking, but unfortunately could not find a stastic I saw years ago from the recession of '90-'91 that blew me away. The statistic was for those who lost their job during that recession as of I believe 2007 a significant number had not been able to achieve the income level prior to that recession. That was extremely mind boggling to me when you think how successful (I assumed) the late 90's and mid '00's was for the Country. When you think about a stat like that, you have to wonder about many in their 50's and maybe even 40's who will feel these years forever.

A Recovery No Better than the Recession | Pew Social & Demographic Trends

Someone once pointed out to me that they believe the Fed Reserve basically traded a dotcom bubble for a housing bubble, and now for a low interest bubble. I thought it was a pretty scary way to look at it, but obviously cannot prove them wrong.

I had a big fear in ~2009 that the US was only beginning a "lost decade" like Japan had in the 1980s. Here we are, six years after the start of the recession and it's not looking a whole lot better.

The neat thing is that the natural gas boom in Ohio/Pennsylvania could single-handedly bring the manufacturing industry of the midwest back from the dead. If a few key trade agreements with China can be reached (a tall order), I've read that manufacturing can come back to Ohio in a BIG way.

 

[enrico514]

Someone once pointed out to me that they believe the Fed Reserve basically traded a dotcom bubble for a housing bubble, and now for a low interest bubble. I thought it was a pretty scary way to look at it, but obviously cannot prove them wrong.

I had a big fear in ~2009 that the US was only beginning a "lost decade" like Japan had in the 1980s. Here we are, six years after the start of the recession and it's not looking a whole lot better.

The neat thing is that the natural gas boom in Ohio/Pennsylvania could single-handedly bring the manufacturing industry of the midwest back from the dead. If a few key trade agreements with China can be reached (a tall order), I've read that manufacturing can come back to Ohio in a BIG way.

Japan's lost decade started in 1991... and hasn't ended yet!

 

[Ndaccountant]

Someone once pointed out to me that they believe the Fed Reserve basically traded a dotcom bubble for a housing bubble, and now for a low interest bubble. I thought it was a pretty scary way to look at it, but obviously cannot prove them wrong.

I had a big fear in ~2009 that the US was only beginning a "lost decade" like Japan had in the 1980s. Here we are, six years after the start of the recession and it's not looking a whole lot better.

The neat thing is that the natural gas boom in Ohio/Pennsylvania could single-handedly bring the manufacturing industry of the midwest back from the dead. If a few key trade agreements with China can be reached (a tall order), I've read that manufacturing can come back to Ohio in a BIG way.

Credit bubbles are a pretty nasty animal. My company invested a great deal of resources to understand the challenges we face moving forward. Here are some of the findings we had in 2011:
•Leverage levels are still very high in several countries, the US included.
•Deleveraging takes many years and is very painful. It lasts about 7 years and the end results is a debt to GDP reduction of 25%.
•Many years of debt reduction are expected in some of the world’s largest economies, and this process will exert a significant drag on GDP growth.

Where are we now? As you can see below, consumers have been shedding debt for awhile, but is still not where they need to be.I have seen it stated that we will be back to trend levels on the consumer side by Q2, but the trend would still have us at debt levels around 100%, which is not sustainable. IMO, more reduction is needed to foster long term growth.

However, during this time period, the government has basically stepped in and assumed this debt to avoid deflation. IMO, this was the correct thing to do, but it puts us in a situation to be in big trouble if we don't see huge amounts of growth with restrained spending. The question is, where is the growth going to come from and do we have faith that the US gov't can effectively rein in spending?

 

[chicago51]

Can't post article with my smart phone. Phil Mickelson complained his taxes were too high. He talked about making major changes in his life whatever that means. Rich guy crying poor.

 

[irishff1014]

Can't post article with my smart phone. Phil Mickelson complained his taxes were too high. He talked about making major changes in his life whatever that means. Rich guy crying poor.

I do agree he shouldn't be crying. He has more money then he knows what to do with and if he doesn't then it's his on fault for not investing. But he should be a coward and apologize for what he said. If you meant stand by it.

 

[phgreek]

I do agree he shouldn't be crying. He has more money then he knows what to do with and if he doesn't then it's his on fault for not investing. But he should be a coward and apologize for what he said. If you meant stand by it.

Its a PR gaff...kinda like when Patrick Ewing did it...

Everyone just thought Patrick stupid for saying it in his out loud voice...no one judged his morality, as I recall...so what makes this different then?

 

[Ndaccountant]

Can't post article with my smart phone. Phil Mickelson complained his taxes were too high. He talked about making major changes in his life whatever that means. Rich guy crying poor.

There is a reason tiger has a home state of florida.

 

[yankeehater]

Its a PR gaff...kinda like when Patrick Ewing did it...

Everyone just thought Patrick stupid for saying it in his out loud voice...no one judged his morality, as I recall...so what makes this different then?

I have a difficult time understanding why people justify taxing someone wealthy an extraordinary amount in taxes. His current taxes in 2013 living in CA will be 63%. Yes, I wish I had his problem, but I would be bitching just as loud if I did.

 

[yankeehater]

Oh and by the way doesn't that level begin at $400k so imagine 63% on that amount and now try looking at buying a home in this state.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Oh and by the way doesn't that level begin at $400k so imagine 63% on that amount and now try looking at buying a home in this state.

Boo-F-ing Hoo.......... See, I'm compassionate.

 

[yankeehater]

Boo-F-ing Hoo.......... See, I'm compassionate.

Socialism only works until you run out of other people's money. See Greece, Spain and soon California and the US.

 

[BobD]

Oh and by the way doesn't that level begin at $400k so imagine 63% on that amount and now try looking at buying a home in this state.

A lot of people have no idea how expensive homes are here in California or how much we pay in taxes, but Phil can afford it. Instead of complaining he should fire his financial advisor.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

A lot of people have no idea how expensive homes are here in California or how much we pay in taxes, but Phil can afford it. Instead of complaining he should fire his financial advisor.

Bingo...

people bitching about being taxed........The richest are being done so at the same levels of when Clinton was President............DURING OUR BOOM. So please don't preach Socialism to me... it is possible that Phat Phil will make it a little longer on his millions.

 

[yankeehater]

Here is a prime example of where our Government dollars are going. We just hired a great young kid out of college. He told me that now he is earning a paycheck his political views have done a 180. Almost of his buddies that just graduated with are on Government assistance and all they do is sit home, smoke pot and play video games all day. He said he is frustrated that he barely takes home more money than them. He is very positive and works his butt off and told me "he wants to make something of his life and be something one day" and obviously they do not. It is the people who take advantage of the system that ruin it for everyone and will bring it all down so that those who truly need it may not have it someday.

 

[DSully1995]

Here is a prime example of where our Government dollars are going. We just hired a great young kid out of college. He told me that now he is earning a paycheck his political views have done a 180. Almost of his buddies that just graduated with are on Government assistance and all they do is sit home, smoke pot and play video games all day. He said he is frustrated that he barely takes home more money than them. He is very positive and works his butt off and told me "he wants to make something of his life and be something one day" and obviously they do not. It is the people who take advantage of the system that ruin it for everyone and will bring it all down so that those who truly need it may not have it someday.

1. 10% unemployment, higher for new grads, they rarely have good jobs.
2. What kinda crap job is this kid have? Gov. Assistance shouldnt be nearly as much as a college level position
3. the must poetic one, ideally college should have helped this young man be able to do what he wants to do...smoking pot all day isnt really much fun after awhile.

 

[dshans]

It is the people who take advantage of the system that ruin it for everyone and will bring it all down so that those who truly need it may not have it someday.

Does this include those who find ways to artificially reduce their taxable income? Those who can afford to pay others to find ways to do a two-step that the ordinary "working class hero" cannot?

 

[phgreek]

I have a difficult time understanding why people justify taxing someone wealthy an extraordinary amount in taxes. His current taxes in 2013 living in CA will be 63%. Yes, I wish I had his problem, but I would be bitching just as loud if I did.

Yea...like people with money will stay and tolerate that when you can buy 5X the square footage and luxury in NV or Florida for the same money, and pay no state taxes to speak of. Trust me...when my kids are grown, UT is in the rear mirror...I can't imagine living in CA...

The general theme is...no one with money really experiences this crap for any length of time...surprised Lefty isn't claiming prize money offshore...needs to talk to the insiders at GE I guess...or that Chrysler operation that "isn't in China" to see how they do it...

 

[yankeehater]

Does this include those who find ways to artificially reduce their taxable income? Those who can afford to pay others to find ways to do a two-step that the ordinary "working class hero" cannot?

If the artificial you are talking about is legal, myself as a "non-1%er" does not have a problem with this. I do think they need to close the loop holes that allow the Jon Bon Jovi's and other celebrities to own "farm land" and then claim farm subsidies. That is just one example of many that need to be addressed.

 

[phgreek]

Does this include those who find ways to artificially reduce their taxable income? Those who can afford to pay others to find ways to do a two-step that the ordinary "working class hero" cannot?

...the very people championing the "benefits" many see as abuses, make way for the abuses to which you speak.

But in my mind I cannot see my way clear to villify one group more than the other simply because one is rich. If morality truly is the driving force behind all this talk of fairness in the tax code...we need to endeavor to shut down all the abuses.

...sadly, that won't ever happen because rich people "allow" people to be nominated, and poor people elect them (well now adays anyway)... You can't get nominated on a platform to reform rich guy loopholes, and you can't win now on a platform to reform poor man benefits...and what say you a politician's chances should he/she have a platform that endeavors to reform both...snowball and hell come to my mind.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

A lot of people have no idea how expensive homes are here in California or how much we pay in taxes, but Phil can afford it. Instead of complaining he should fire his financial advisor.

So what is the maximum percentage the federal government should be able to take in taxes from a citizen?

"Phil can afford it." Love it when liberals tell other people what to pay, how to live, and what they can afford. Like it's an honor and priviledge to live in CA.

Sure, he's loaded and his lifestyle probably won't change. But if you have the choice and have different financial plans for your income, it would be worth a look at moving to TX, AZ, etc.

New census numbers show thousands more are leaving CA for these same reasons than the ones who are moving into CA.

 

[GoIrish41]

Here is a prime example of where our Government dollars are going. We just hired a great young kid out of college. He told me that now he is earning a paycheck his political views have done a 180. Almost of his buddies that just graduated with are on Government assistance and all they do is sit home, smoke pot and play video games all day. He said he is frustrated that he barely takes home more money than them. He is very positive and works his butt off and told me "he wants to make something of his life and be something one day" and obviously they do not. It is the people who take advantage of the system that ruin it for everyone and will bring it all down so that those who truly need it may not have it someday.

great post and totally agree. those who abuse the system perpetuate the idea that all who receive help are shameless takers. The same is true on the other side of the coin -- those who abuse loopholes in the tax code in order to avoid paying. It is greed on both sides of the spectrum. There are always those who will take advantage and this country should endeavor to close those paths on both sides.

Oh, and to hell with Phil M. He plays golf for a living and makes more money each year than I'll make in my lifetime. I go golfing to have fun -- he does it every day.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

great post and totally agree. those who abuse the system perpetuate the idea that all who receive help are shameless takers. The same is true on the other side of the coin -- those who abuse loopholes in the tax code in order to avoid paying. It is greed on both sides of the spectrum. There are always those who will take advantage and this country should endeavor to close those paths on both sides.

Oh, and to hell with Phil M. He plays golf for a living and makes more money each year than I'll make in my lifetime. I go golfing to have fun -- he does it every day.

Translation: Phil Mickelson's labor (golf) pays very well if you excel in performance and it's how he feeds his family. And he should be taxed around 94% (his fair share) on his earnings so other people can have a "shot."

Would you say the same to Michael Floyd, Manti Te'o, Jimmy Clausen, Brady Quinn if their team were in CA but they purcahsed a home in another state that weren't so expensive and tax happy?