View Full Version : this is something my dad sent to me this morning
mskitty38583
01-08-2008, 11:13 AM
disclamer: this in no way is ment to offend or upset anyone. i know that politics are a very sensitive matter when it comes to some people.
my dad sent this to me this morning and i thought id share it with yall. its almost funny, till you relize its the truth. there are some things i dont agree with but youll get the idea.
The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a
casual
manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR
tax
money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one
advertising
agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in
one
of its releases.
A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B.. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth.
E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the
rate
our government is spending it.
While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look
at
New Orleans. It's amazing what you can learn with some simple
division . .
Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking Congress
for
$250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans. Interesting number, what does it
mean?
A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every
man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.
B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your
home
gets $1,329,787.
C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.
Washington, D.C .. HELLO!!! ... Are all your calculators broken??
Tax his land,
Tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes is the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirts,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his booze,
Tax his beers,
If he cries,
Tax his tears.
Tax his bills,
Tax his gas,
Tax his notes,
Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers,
Tax him more,
Tax him until he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom!'
And when he's gone,
We won't relax,
We'll still be after the inheritance TAX!!
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Perm it Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fe e Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax.
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago,
and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in
the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What happened?
Can you spell 'politicians!'
And I still have to 'press 1' for English.
I hope this goes around THE
USA at least 100 times
What the heck happened?????
Richard
01-08-2008, 01:09 PM
Actually a billion is not a particularly large number. $1 billion U.S. = about $4 from each taxpayer. It is reported that the weather channel is currently for sale, asking price is $5 billion. Walmart's computer system alone is valued in the low billions.
Some people use pocket change to buy candy bars, others buy cars and boats. Comparing different size economies by actual values is not particularly useful.
I am not stating an opinion here on how capital is distributed or used by a society. Instead, I'm asking for a more reasonable use of statistics. If you'd like to have fun and see just how unreasonable it can get, try Darrell Huff's classic 1954 paperback book (ISBN 0393310728).
:2738:
CookieCows
01-08-2008, 07:41 PM
My pocket change used to only buy candy bars... :2141:
Now it buys perlite and dirt!!!! :scroll:
mskitty38583
01-08-2008, 09:57 PM
cookiecow i know you are right. i have a change jar thats half full and i need perilite too. lol.
mrbungalow
01-09-2008, 07:11 AM
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago,
and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in
the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What happened?
Can you spell 'politicians!'
THIS IS IN NO WAY DIRECTED TOWARDS ANYONE, JUST EXPRESSING MY OPINION ON THE MATTER! ;-)
How can one compare america 100 years ago to present? And would you really want to go back to the times when "Mother stayed at home to raise the kids"? That's gonna anger some feminists!
Americas' taxes aren't high at all. Come to Europe, and you'll see what taxes mean. An example: We pay 4 times as much as you for gas in Norway. Norway is an oil-nation. The oil is in our backyard.
The number asked for by the LA senator sounds fair to me. Sure, the amount per person sounds alot, but the math done here is just for houses and people. What about infrastructure such as roads, bridges, railroads, water/sewage, powerlines, and all the other stuff we don't think about in daily life? It's these things that cost to rebuild, not housing. My opinion: The best way to invest in the future is 1. Education 2. Infrastructure
mskitty38583
01-09-2008, 10:04 AM
ha ha lol. thats why i said there were somethings i didnt agree with. ha ha ha.:bananajoy:
mrbungalow
01-09-2008, 01:36 PM
I feel extremely lucky and privileged to have lived in the USA. I know about the wonderful and great sides of the USA that many other people in the world don't. After reading my post again I hope none of you see me as another anti-american fool.
The reason I responded is that gas-prices are under heavy debate here at home. We pay about 80-90% taxes on gasoline.
Those who know me here, probably know I am raised in America. Moved back to Norway at the age of 14.
Erlend
mskitty38583
01-09-2008, 02:29 PM
i didnt take it wrong. we are having issues with gas prices here too. right now gas in my neck of the woods is running $3.00 a gallon and thats for the cheap stuff. i think personally that is a bit outrageous. to me the taxes arent the problem it is what they do with the money. $20,000 for a hammer, $40,000 for a toilet seat cover...im just joking. lol!
mrbungalow
01-09-2008, 03:24 PM
I hear you.
Same problem here, different country. Except Norway is voted second richest country in the world. I am ashamed to say it, but the elderly in Norway don't get treated well. They sometimes share rooms, and placing some in the hallways of nursing homes is a very usual practice. "Thanks for fighting world war II for us, grandpa!" In fact, the health care system here is extremely ineffective, and I got better helathcare service when I broke my ankle in Croatia summer of 2005. Our schools and public buildings are crumbling apart. The highways and roads here cause considerable casualties every year because of poor condition, general unwillingness to do something about them, and the fact that some roads haven't been improved since the 50s. Similar wealthy oil-countries, such as the United Arab Emirates don't have these kinds of issues. They laugh at us!
I know; "What about the poor counties who don't have these kinds of luxuries?" - The point is we are a rich country and really have an opportunity to make this society better. If we help ourseves, we can help others more effectively too. The argument from many politicians for not doing that is "inflation".
This is what angers me about Norway; This country went from beeing a realively poor country in the 40s and 50s to a very rich oil country almost overnight. Politicians here more than often lack visions about the future, and sleep while we drain the north-sea for oil. As I said before; Education and infrastructure is the only way to build a future.
Erlend
CookieCows
01-09-2008, 04:32 PM
Erlend,
I had no idea that Norway suffers through these troubles. I didn't even know Norway was an oil rich country. I guess so many of us think that our own government lets us down when there is always another country that might have something worse than ours ... and something thing better.
I'm greatful that our family has been able to buy this property we live on because when we get bombarded with things like taxes and gas prices, being as self sufficient as possible with a food supply stored & without unecessary debt we don't have to fear. The same feeling applies to taking care of our elderly family members ourselves if it's possible. And you bet I believe that education and infrastructure is key to our futures.. even in a smaller arena like our home! I think there is too much "me" in the world and not enough "we"!
bigdog
01-09-2008, 06:23 PM
And would you really want to go back to the times when "Mother stayed at home to raise the kids"? That's gonna anger some feminists!
I see nothing wrong with this idea. My mother stayed at home (and still does for that matter) to raise us. In some remote corners of the U.S., this practice lives on still. What's wrong with it? I would want my wife to stay home with my kids, if I had any. It beats having to send them to daycare! As a man, I would feel like I was really doing something right if I were able to make enough money to support my wife and kids while she stayed home with them. Besides, it's more of a job than most 9-5 jobs!!
Lagniappe
01-10-2008, 10:20 PM
Erlend,
I had no idea that Norway suffers through these troubles. I didn't even know Norway was an oil rich country. I guess so many of us think that our own government lets us down when there is always another country that might have something worse than ours ... and something thing better.
I'm greatful that our family has been able to buy this property we live on because when we get bombarded with things like taxes and gas prices, being as self sufficient as possible with a food supply stored & without unecessary debt we don't have to fear. The same feeling applies to taking care of our elderly family members ourselves if it's possible. And you bet I believe that education and infrastructure is key to our futures.. even in a smaller arena like our home! I think there is too much "me" in the world and not enough "we"!
Your post reminded me of this quote :
"Ere long the most valuable of all arts will be the art of deriving a comfortable living from the smallest area of soil . No community whose every member possesses this art can ever be the victim of repression in any form ."
................ Abraham Lincoln
Bamboo Conne'iseur
01-10-2008, 10:32 PM
I see nothing wrong with this idea. My mother stayed at home (and still does for that matter) to raise us. In some remote corners of the U.S., this practice lives on still. What's wrong with it? I would want my wife to stay home with my kids, if I had any. It beats having to send them to daycare! As a man, I would feel like I was really doing something right if I were able to make enough money to support my wife and kids while she stayed home with them. Besides, it's more of a job than most 9-5 jobs!!
I agree
Richard
01-10-2008, 10:39 PM
Edmund "Pat" Brown was the last governor in California to get those priorities correctly and with bonds that were paid off before the infrastructure needed serious repair or replacement. California was no. 3 in the nation in grade-school student performance. Then this guy Willie came to the state legislature and defunded education for 20 straight years ... :2141:
mskitty38583
01-10-2008, 10:48 PM
please dont take this with any offense it is not ment to offend: this is in response to mom staying at home and taking care of the kids and the house.
that kind of dosent work when you are a single parent and you recieve not one penny in child support and you have to make it on your own.( this is due to him not wanting to take care of his own child but will take care of someone else' two kids,and the fact that his child support is 842.00 a month and i have seen one check for 194.53 in almost 17 yrs.) my mother was married( and still is to the same man for almost 39 yrs.) he was in the military and when my dad was overseas his money hardly ever came home on time. i raised both of my sisters, and tried to keep my brother out of trouble with the law as well as worked a full time job. at the time my mom worked 2 full time jobs. and there was still no money. so hey if someone wants to stay home and raise their children and they can do it im all for it. i have been self- relient since i was 16 yrs old. i would honestly have a very difficult time staying home and taking care of children at my age. when i was younger i didnt care to stay at home with my kids, i didnt want to miss their first step, first words, or the first time someone ate a worm( that was great by the way!) i have been the stay at home mom and i have been so broke that i didnt know what to do. so please dont think that im dogging anyone who has the option to stay home and let someone take care of them, so that they can be home with their children, it is better for the kids. just wanted to let you know that there are those of us out here that cant do that.
Bamboo Conne'iseur
01-10-2008, 11:01 PM
Don't worry MS Kitty. I think most understand that, and realize that it can be hard to be a single parent. My heart goes out to those.
CookieCows
01-10-2008, 11:07 PM
"Ere long the most valuable of all arts will be the art of deriving a comfortable living from the smallest area of soil . No community whose every member possesses this art can ever be the victim of repression in any form ."
................ Abraham Lincoln
I always have a quote up on my fridge and change it every couple weeks. This one is going up next.... It's perfect!
Deb
CookieCows
01-10-2008, 11:10 PM
A single mom doesn't have any choice mskitty. It sounds like you've had a tough life and you sound like a strong person. Your family is very lucky!
Deb
magicgreen
01-10-2008, 11:39 PM
Strong.... Strong!.Whats a strong woman forreal ? People kill me when saying "Your strong, you can handle it!" Yea, while wearing a mask!
You do what you gotta do! Period. End of discussion!
As Grandma Moses said............
"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.
mrbungalow
01-11-2008, 06:15 AM
Misunderstand me right:
I think most parents who had the opportunity to stay at home with their kids instead of going out and working, WOULD! We don't have kids, but I love going to visit my uncle-kids and playing with them. What I don't agree with is old-school husband and wife roles. Both sexes should be able to go out and earn money if they want and need to. Offcourse there's a limit here too, when kids are babies they all need their mothers no matter what! :bebe:
Single parents: You are real-life super-heroes.
And families in general are the pilars of our society.
Erlend
modenacart
01-20-2008, 12:03 PM
The property tax is the most abused tax I think. I live near the ocean and people who have owned landed for many years are losing it because the cities are raising the property value and they can no longer pay the taxes. The city practically gives the land to their developer friends and everybody gets rich except for the people that really owned the land. There should have been and should never be a property tax.
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