This was an article from the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper on Sunday. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on "How Would You Fix the Economy?" I thought this was the BEST idea.....I think this guy nailed it! Dear Mr. President,
Patriotic retirement: There's about 40 million people over 50 in the work force -pay them $1 million apiece severance with the following stipulations:
1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They either buy a house/pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed. Can't get any easier than that
Sounds like a plan to me.... :biggrin:
And then in 3 years you will have 20 million people asking for welfare because as Americans we don't know how to save a buck!! Awesome! :rolleyes:
19 million...I'm a tightwad... :biggrin:
Quote from: me on March 16, 2009, 08:41:07 AM
19 million...I'm a tightwad... :biggrin:
So, by this I take it you are saying that 5.26% of Americans are tightwads? :biggrin:
No one said there'd be math. ;)
Quote from: Palehorse on March 16, 2009, 09:00:09 AM
So, by this I take it you are saying that 5.26% of Americans are tightwads? :biggrin:
Ok, 1999million then. I posted that before I had finished my first cup of coffee for the day. :razz:
Oh and BTW Ex, I never said I was a math whiz. :biggrin:
Sounds like a stimulus package rather than a fix to me. . .
Quote from: Palehorse on March 16, 2009, 10:53:11 AM
Sounds like a stimulus package rather than a fix to me. . .
It would definitely stimulate me.... :yes: :yes:
The major problem for the majority of Americans within that bracket would be the one that is keeping all of them in the job market in the first place; healthcare. . . And a million bucks isn't going to be sufficient to make that go away anytime soon, I don't care who you are. . .
Of course, for households with 2 earners in the age bracket it would mean two mill. . . :rolleyes:
And if those two people invested properly, they would have had more than two million and a check for 2 million would be a smack in the face to them right about now! :yes:
Quote from: kimmi on March 16, 2009, 12:18:53 PM
And if those two people invested properly, they would have had more than two million and a check for 2 million would be a smack in the face to them right about now! :yes:
There are millions of people right now that "invested properly" and there are a lot of them have lost the shirt off their backs. . . There is virtually no safe haven for that kind of cash right now, save traditional savings intruments. Other than that you might as well go to Vegas and roll the dice; same odds. . . :spooked:
Exactly!!! Coffee can buried in the back yard! :biggrin: That is my strategy! Sewn into the lining of my box spring. Hidden in the freezer. All of these seem safer than my 401K and IRA right about now! :rolleyes:
Quote from: kimmi on March 16, 2009, 12:50:38 PM
Exactly!!! Coffee can buried in the back yard! :biggrin: That is my strategy! Sewn into the lining of my box spring. Hidden in the freezer. All of these seem safer than my 401K and IRA right about now! :rolleyes:
I'm thinking more traditional instruments like CD's, etc. None of that crapola that sucks your retirement savings down the sewer with the rats who run it. And then, watch out how much you've got in there, be aware of FDIC limitations! :rant:
Mattress, coffee can, and CD's....that's for sure the way to go. What's in the can and under the mattress might not be drawing you interest but you also know you have it for a just in case... ;D
Quote from: me on March 16, 2009, 01:20:13 PM
Mattress, coffee can, and CD's....that's for sure the way to go. What's in the can and under the mattress might not be drawing you interest but you also know you have it for a just in case... ;D
Not much difference ont he return rates either!
Problem is, that wood burning stove or furnace catches fire and burns the house down, there goes your money too! :spooked:
Grandpa was a big supporter of the mason jar method! :yes:
Quote from: Palehorse on March 16, 2009, 01:25:05 PM
Not much difference ont he return rates either!
Problem is, that wood burning stove or furnace catches fire and burns the house down, there goes your money too! :spooked:
Grandpa was a big supporter of the mason jar method! :yes:
Hum, hadn't thought about that. Might be wise to invest in a small fireproof safe or storage box... :wink:
Now Obama is backing a plan to tax health benefits. What more can they come up with to tax????
Quote from: Gardengirl on March 16, 2009, 02:10:18 PM
Now Obama is backing a plan to tax health benefits. What more can they come up with to tax????
I heard that too. Is that ridiculous or what?
It's amazing how the neocons can twist his willingness to at least discuss the issue and the possibility that he might not fight it into 'backing'.
I sure hope he changes it but the bill has already been signed so anything is possible at this point.
A bill has been signed dealing with the taxation of health benefits?
Quote from: Exterminator on March 16, 2009, 02:41:21 PM
A bill has been signed dealing with the taxation of health benefits?
It was in that most recent bill that was signed.
I don't think so.
Quote from: me on March 16, 2009, 02:52:44 PM
It was in that most recent bill that was signed.
Wasn't that the COBRA subsidization for unemployed workers? Or am I just behind here??
Quote from: Palehorse on March 16, 2009, 03:05:58 PM
Wasn't that the COBRA subsidization for unemployed workers? Or am I just behind here??
It was one of the more recent ones maybe not the most recent. Anyway it was part of it.
Quote from: me on March 16, 2009, 03:05:10 PM
There I fixed it for ya... :biggrin:
Like
you could keep up. :rolleyes:
Quote from: me on March 16, 2009, 03:09:00 PM
It was one of the more recent ones maybe not the most recent. Anyway it was part of it.
I challenge you to direct me to any signed legislation that addresses taxing employer paid health benefits.
I'm curious as to where this is coming from too. I googled bill to tax health benefits and came up with nothing. Help!!
I can't find it at the moment either so I'll have hope I can catch it again. I was listening to the radio, not Rush, (can't stand him :razz:), and, I'll have to admit, only caught part of it because I was otherwise busy. I did catch that it was in one signed privately though. I honestly hope I misunderstood.
Quote from: me on March 16, 2009, 03:23:46 PM
I honestly hope I misunderstood.
I'm sure that you did so we'll just file this under misinformation until proven otherwise.
Quote from: Exterminator on March 16, 2009, 03:26:07 PM
I'm sure that you did so we'll just file this under misinformation until proven otherwise.
Or possibly missing information.... :wink:
Will it matter in any case? Most of us are going to end up jobless and without health-care anyway! :spooked: :wink:
Seriously though, even if it is under consideration I would expect him to listen to it, consider it, and if it isn't in the best interests of the average citizen reject it. It is after all only fair to consider all the possibilities. Isn't that a basic part of his responsibility?
Okay. You are not looking very hard are you? (4th line item down after I googled it). :rolleyes:
In recent weeks, however, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the tax-writing Finance Committee, has repeatedly advocated changing tax laws to include employer benefits, arguing that it makes sense to fund the health-care changes by sucking cash out of the existing system. Meanwhile, 13 other senators -- from both sides of the aisle -- have signed on to a plan for universal coverage that includes a tax on employer-provided benefits. . . .
So far, administration officials have been careful not to endorse the idea, which Obama blasted as a major tax increase last year after Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) made it the centerpiece of his presidential campaign's health plan. But the president hasn't slammed the door on it, either. . . .
So, it was okay when your candidate of choice made doing so an integral part of his campaign, but now it's a travesty? Can you say hypocrite?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031103827.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031103827.html)
That was me googling and I still don't see it.
Okay I was thinking this whole "tax health benefits" thing sounded familiar. Yes McCain was all about this in the election. I remember now. I don't know much about it except it has the word tax in it and I don't like that word.
Quote from: kimmi on March 16, 2009, 04:14:03 PM
That was me googling and I still don't see it.
Okay I was thinking this whole "tax health benefits" thing sounded familiar. Yes McCain was all about this in the election. I remember now. I don't know much about it except it has the word tax in it and I don't like that word.
Google "taxation of healthcare benefits" and it will be the #2 line item on the list. (Article in Washington POst from 3/11/2009)
Three words........."read my lips"... ;)
they might just bite him in the butt, like it did big George..
thanks.
Well great. Now, if they can figure a way to tax me for scratching my butt, it's bankruptcy court for ol' Pa. :mad:
Quote from: Ma and Pa on March 16, 2009, 04:25:55 PM
Well great. Now, if they can figure a way to tax me for scratching my butt, it's bankruptcy court for ol' Pa. :mad:
I can't wait for the turd tax! :spooked: :rant:
If the economy keeps falling the way it has in the past year, you won't need to buy Charmin: just grab a few one$ out of your wallet!
Quote from: Palehorse on March 16, 2009, 04:28:22 PM
I can't wait for the turd tax! :spooked: :rant:
THAT WOULD BE A BUNCH OF CRAP AND WOULD REALLY STINK....
Quote from: Palehorse on March 16, 2009, 03:47:30 PM
Okay. You are not looking very hard are you? (4th line item down after I googled it). :rolleyes:
In recent weeks, however, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the tax-writing Finance Committee, has repeatedly advocated changing tax laws to include employer benefits, arguing that it makes sense to fund the health-care changes by sucking cash out of the existing system. Meanwhile, 13 other senators -- from both sides of the aisle -- have signed on to a plan for universal coverage that includes a tax on employer-provided benefits. . . .
So far, administration officials have been careful not to endorse the idea, which Obama blasted as a major tax increase last year after Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) made it the centerpiece of his presidential campaign's health plan. But the president hasn't slammed the door on it, either. . . .
So, it was okay when your candidate of choice made doing so an integral part of his campaign, but now it's a travesty? Can you say hypocrite?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031103827.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031103827.html)
The one thing that was different is McCain was talking about giving a tax credit on the other end which isn't part of this plan as far as I can tell. I'm just so sick of talk about getting hit with a tax on this and a tax on that at this point in time I could scream. :gha: :gha: :gha: :gha:
Quote from: me on March 16, 2009, 05:34:47 PM
The one thing that was different is McCain was talking about giving a tax credit on the other end which isn't part of this plan as far as I can tell. I'm just so sick of talk about getting hit with a tax on this and a tax on that at this point in time I could scream. :gha: :gha: :gha: :gha:
. . .And I'm tiring of all this "the sky is falling" spewing from people over the fact that they lost the election and we have a man of action sitting at the helm.
If it were McUseless up there selling this you guys would be singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic and passing the jug.
Why are we so ready to call a man a failure before he has even had an opportunity to succeed?
I have said nothing about him actually it's all been about those idiots in Congress. Nancy Pelosi and her court jesters, Reid, Franks, Sharpton and a host of others.
Couldn't we have just paid off 50% of just about every mortgage in the country with the money that's been given away so far......no mortgages to default, no bank crashing for not getting paid, no insurance crashes for having to bail out the banks, all that mortgage-default-swap-flip-flop crap gone. Put AIG out of business, Fannie and Freddie back strong, people get dug out of the hole they are in and start spending money on something other than debt payments, etc.
Someone can pay 50% of mine. I would be all too happy to give that up! :biggrin:
Quote from: Palehorse on March 16, 2009, 07:58:30 PM
. . .And I'm tiring of all this "the sky is falling" spewing from people over the fact that they lost the election and we have a man of action sitting at the helm.
If it were McUseless up there selling this you guys would be singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic and passing the jug.
Why are we so ready to call a man a failure before he has even had an opportunity to succeed?
PH, with all respect, you have been leading the pack in "the sky is falling" crowd... :razz:
Quote from: Henry Hawk on March 17, 2009, 08:38:45 AM
PH, with all respect, you have been leading the pack in "the sky is falling" crowd... :razz:
Surrounding the economy and jobs. . . perhaps. But I am not blaming it on the President, and that's what I was complaining about. I recognized things are going to get worse before they get better, and that it is actions/inactions that took place well before the current POTUS and his administration took office that have placed us into this situation. :razz:
Quote from: Palehorse on March 17, 2009, 09:12:20 AM
Surrounding the economy and jobs. . . perhaps. But I am not blaming it on the President, and that's what I was complaining about. I recognized things are going to get worse before they get better, and that it is actions/inactions that took place well before the current POTUS and his administration took office that have placed us into this situation. :razz:
but things are going to get worse because of the polocies that this POTUS is trying to implace....such as MORE government intervention in the private industry...
this recession is going to end on it's own....not by ANYTHING this president has done.......heck, most of the stimulus package will not even effect anyone for a couple of years.....he simply shoved his agenda down the throats of Americans...by claiming the 'sky is falling'.......
things are going to get better BEFORE they get worse....that is my prediction... :yes:
Quote from: Henry Hawk on March 17, 2009, 09:22:23 AM
but things are going to get worse because of the polocies that this POTUS is trying to implace....such as MORE government intervention in the private industry...
this recession is going to end on it's own....not by ANYTHING this president has done.......heck, most of the stimulus package will not even effect anyone for a couple of years.....he simply shoved his agenda down the throats of Americans...by claiming the 'sky is falling'.......
things are going to get better BEFORE they get worse....that is my prediction... :yes:
Case in point! Care to outline just how you arrived at such a conclusion and validate it? You can't (and I'm not trying to be a jerk here) because such accusations and speculation are unsupportable.
There has not been a case in history wherein a sitting US President has enacted a change, especially of such broadsweeping proportions, and obtained positive results in 60 days;
ever. So why is it that everyone seems to expect just that from the current administration?
Man, talk about unreasonable expectations! :rolleyes:
Consider the source. :rolleyes:
Besides Henry, you have posted with me long enough to realize I can turn on the POTUS quicker than a pit bull on a poodle if the evidence supports he has failed in some aspect. (Like what happened surrounding W). But until it does, and he has had amble time to allow his efforts to fully mature and realize results, he has my full support. . .
Quote from: Palehorse on March 17, 2009, 09:27:28 AM
Case in point! Care to outline just how you arrived at such a conclusion and validate it? You can't (and I'm not trying to be a jerk here) because such accusations and speculation are unsupportable.
There has not been a case in history wherein a sitting US President has enacted a change, especially of such broadsweeping proportions, and obtained positive results in 60 days; ever. So why is it that everyone seems to expect just that from the current administration?
Man, talk about unreasonable expectations! :rolleyes:
Okay, we will see....that is about all I can say. I think, there is such outrage because most working people can clearly see, that his polocies are BAD for America...that CONGRESS is out of control....Obama won this election by the stupid voting...that is exactly what happened...the Oprah crowd got out and voted....these are the guys who can tell you everything you want to know about American Idol...but can NOT tell you who the Secertary of State is.....this president is IN over his head....he was a community organizer who JUST got elected....
I know EX.....we lost; get over it... :razz:
Maybe i need to move this to the RANT and RAVE area....
Quote from: Palehorse on March 17, 2009, 09:39:49 AM
Besides Henry, you have posted with me long enough to realize I can turn on the POTUS quicker than a pit bull on a poodle if the evidence supports he has failed in some aspect. (Like what happened surrounding W). But until it does, and he has had amble time to allow his efforts to fully mature and realize results, he has my full support. . .
I know, I know.. :yes:..and I fully expect....let me rephrase, I predict that you will in the next several months...
let me say this, I hope, that in the next several months, you are telling me....." I told you so!!"..because I truly want this best for this country and my family...
Quote from: Henry Hawk on March 17, 2009, 09:47:59 AM
Okay, we will see....that is about all I can say. I think, there is such outrage because most working people can clearly see, that his polocies are BAD for America...that CONGRESS is out of control....Obama won this election by the stupid voting...that is exactly what happened...the Oprah crowd got out and voted....these are the guys who can tell you everything you want to know about American Idol...but can NOT tell you who the Secertary of State is.....this president is IN over his head....he was a community organizer who JUST got elected....
I know EX.....we lost; get over it... :razz:
Maybe i need to move this to the RANT and RAVE area....
You do realize how sour those grapes are right? Moreover, the racial implications of your statements are fairly clear as well. . . That is disappointing my friend. . .
Quote from: Palehorse on March 17, 2009, 09:52:32 AM
You do realize how sour those grapes are right? Moreover, the racial implications of your statements are fairly clear as well. . . That is disappointing my friend. . .
STOP RIGHT THEIR PALEHORSE..........THERE IS NO RACIAL IMPLICATIONS WHATSOEVER....YOU MAY TAKE IT THAT WAY.....BUT I ASSURE YOU THERE IS NOT.......
OPRAH HAS JUST AS MANY WHITE FANS AS SHE DOES BLACK.......THAT IS NOT MY IMPLICATION AT ALL....THE STUPID THAT I AM REFERRING TOO IS THE LATHARGIC, APATHETIC CROWD, THAT THINKS HOPE AND CHANGE IS ALL IT TAKES IN A SPEECH TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.......
DO I HAVE SOUR GRAPES....MAYBE...CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL.........I AM DISSAPPOINTED, BECAUSE I 100% BELIEVE THAT OBAMA'S PLANS ARE BAD FOR AMERICA.........PERIOD. :mad:
I am seriously tired of the Race Card being played so freely. You can read what you want into anything but you would be surprised to learn that there are less racists then non-racists. It would be over except that some people cannot let it go and accuse people of being racist over EVERYTHING, So be it.
Quote from: Henry Hawk on March 17, 2009, 09:47:59 AM
Obama won this election by the stupid voting...
LMFAO! Are you freakin' kidding me? This from someone who can't conjugate the verbs 'be' and 'see'?
Quote from: Henry Hawk on March 17, 2009, 09:59:33 AM
DO I HAVE SOUR GRAPES....MAYBE...CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL.........I AM DISSAPPOINTED, BECAUSE I 100% BELIEVE THAT OBAMA'S PLANS ARE BAD FOR AMERICA.........PERIOD. :mad:
And I am 100% certain that you have absolutely no basis in knowledge on which to make that call.
Sorry to ruffle your feathers there, but when you make such a broadsweeping and general statement like "the Oprah crowd" it is important to clarify exactly what you mean when you say such things. In my experience that statement is far from complimentary and typically runs along racial slander in intention.
So. . . what you meant to say was that anyone that voted for the current POTUS is stupid, senile, or unintelligent in origin?
Sorry, I disagree!
Quote from: mcgonser on March 17, 2009, 10:02:12 AM
I am seriously tired of the Race Card being played so freely. You can read what you want into anything but you would be surprised to learn that there are less racists then non-racists. It would be over except that some people cannot let it go and accuse people of being racist over EVERYTHING, So be it.
Since you are new to this forum I'll let this comment pass except to say that you won't typically find the race issue brought into play herein.
I will however call things as I see them and the derrogatory implications of a statement such as "the Oprah crowd" require that meaning be clarified lest someone misunderstand.
stupid runs rapid on both parties.............
I too call them as I see them.... ;)
I saw plenty of derogatory remarks on here regarding those who voted for Obama's opponent.. ;) :razz:
As someone who has watched Oprah since the beginning I knew what they meant by Oprah crowd. It is a diverse and many races, religions and even both sexes crowd. We should of put her in as president as she has united alot of people over the years. But alas, she really is not a politician.
As too letting my remarks or opinions pass. I will remind you that I too tell it like it is and how I think. I am no different than the rest and let some of your remarks 'pass' too. I don't feel the need to prove how I came around to my opinion just like I don't expect you to either. This is an opinion forum and you guys should learn to attack the opinion but not the poster. JMO
Quote from: mcgonser on March 17, 2009, 10:35:38 AM
As someone who has watched Oprah since the beginning I knew what they meant by Oprah crowd. It is a diverse and many races, religions and even both sexes crowd. We should of put her in as president as she has united alot of people over the years. But alas, she really is not a politician.
And would you care to enlighten the readers as to just how you knew these things? Have you worked for a ratings company and conducted demographics surrounding viewership of programming? Or are you making some assumptions here that you shouldn't?
Or perhaps you are a medium, in which case may I direct you to the corral wherein I have posted a bevy of topics on the subject.
Quote from: mcgonser on March 17, 2009, 10:35:38 AM
As too letting my remarks or opinions pass. I will remind you that I too tell it like it is and how I think. I am no different than the rest and let some of your remarks 'pass' too. I don't feel the need to prove how I came around to my opinion just like I don't expect you to either. This is an opinion forum and you guys should learn to attack the opinion but not the poster. JMO
Preach it on sister. You don't have to like anything I write or read it for that matter. And that "too" works both ways. Don't let my remarks pass if you have an intelligent reply or input on the matter at hand, on my account. I'm a big boy and can carry my own weight when called upon to do so.
I am not here to sway anyone's opinion or perspectives, but rather to express my own and engage in meaningful discourse or discussion surrounding the subjects that are of interest to me; the end goal always being enlightenment. To teach or be taught.
You want to cross sabres, look elsewhere. If you are willing to learn in the process that is another case entirely.
Quote from: Palehorse on March 17, 2009, 12:10:07 PM
And would you care to enlighten the readers as to just how you knew these things? Have you worked for a ratings company and conducted demographics surrounding viewership of programming? Or are you making some assumptions here that you shouldn't?
None of the above
Quote from: mcgonser on March 17, 2009, 12:57:26 PM
None of the above just a person who can make up her own mind, see what is going on and doesn't have to prove it to you
Awesome! Do you treat yourself when you're sick, too?
Your so silly Ex: ;D
* You're :biggrin: