Random thoughts

[florduh]

Oh, c'mon Florduh. Mamdani HAS to appear 'centrist' right now.

I wasn't making a value judgement about it. He just is fairly moderate. It is what it is. Much more moderate than the greatest Mayor New York has ever known, Fiorella LaGuardia.

LaGuardia was a socialist and a Republican. Pre-1964 the two Parties were less ideological and more regional. There were Far Right Dems and Far Left Republicans.

While I'd love large scale wealth redistribution

We need to return to the time period MAGA jerks off to, the 1950s.

 

[Bakin4Life]

We need to return to the time period MAGA jerks off to, the 1950s.

I agree with this 110%. Stronger even. The 90% marginal rate went toward infrastructure, among other things. Things that helped the Commons.

It wasn't like "take 90% of your profits to give them to individuals".

We built it all up in the 50s - 60s (along with Europe, etc.) Europe got back on their feet and continued onward / upward.
We fell down on our asses, and left everything to rot.

 

[Bazinga]

I agree with you that the tax rate is to low for the mega wealthy. I feel the 90% is way to high. I wonder if we could come up with a number that would actually be fair and productive.

I found this online - food for thought:

A 90% tax on the wealthy, while potentially raising significant revenue, could negatively impact the economy and discourage investment and productivity. Critics argue that high tax rates could lead to capital flight, where wealthy individuals and businesses move assets and operations to countries with lower tax burdens. This could reduce domestic investment, innovation, and job creation. Additionally, high taxes on the wealthy may disincentivize work, saving, and investment, potentially slowing economic growth.

I can provide many more references that agree with this article. I've been around for a long time and have found that no matter how much the government (federal and state) take from us, it's never enough. As I said I believe the mega wealthy should pay more taxes. At the same time the government should spend wisely, eradicate the waste, and eliminate or at least reduce the government bloat.

 

[turk]

…LaGuardia was before my time…best nyc mayor in my lifetime…john v Lindsay…a republican…he’s the one who started the free concerts in Central Park…(had some of my best days as a youth there…)….”liberal “ republican…he died poor..in a nursing home…wasn’t a millionaire…didn’t believe political office should be used as a vehicle for personail financial benefit….imagine that)…he was actually…a decent man…he was mocked and ridiculed…

 

[Bakin4Life]

I found this online - food for thought:

Bazinga: Please post links where applicable (this isn't a 'mod request', since I ain't one). But it's good to see where your sources are (and I will happily reciprocate, although it may slow down my responses.... LMAO)

 

[Bakin4Life]

Ah, the weekend...


(do I really *need* to say anything else, here? Get to speedy medicating! )

 

[florduh]

Critics argue that high tax rates could lead to capital flight, where wealthy individuals and businesses move assets and operations to countries with lower tax burdens.

Then they will lose access to our markets and our fat piggie consumers

This is what liars are saying about Mamdani's proposed millionaire tax. LOL, no millionaire is moving to a shithole like Florida to avoid a $2,000 tax per year.

Additionally, high taxes on the wealthy may disincentivize work, saving, and investment, potentially slowing economic growth.

No, this is bullshit. High taxes encourage re-investing profits in real capital improvements rather than paying taxes on them.

The period of highest economic growth in this country was when the top marginal rate was 90%. America has been on a long decline since Reagan started the tax cut bullshit.

 

[Bakin4Life]

Hell, Kennedy cut it down from 90-93% down to the mid 60%s (-? from memory). And still that wasn't enough, for ser Ronnie. He and Tip enjoyed cigars after dinner / drinks, while figuring out that 38.5 for their folks (remembered right; see below), and +2yrs onto everyone's retirement would be *just fiiiiine* "

From Wikipedia ('Reagan Tax Cuts'):

• The first tax cut (Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981) among other things, cut the highest personal income tax rate from 70% to 50% and the lowest from 14% to 11% and decreased the highest capital gains tax rate from 28% to 20%.[1]
• The second tax cut (Tax Reform Act of 1986) among other things, cut the highest personal income tax rate from 50% to 38.5% but decreasing to 28% in the following years[2] and increased the highest capital gains tax rate from 20% to 28%.[1]

At the time, people weren't substantially informed about the tax cuts, as an ABC News Poll in September 1986 showed that 63% of Americans didn't know enough about the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to say if it was good or bad.[3]



"Hey Ron... what other deals you thinkin' of? Maybe we can help!"

(off-preview... :: holy shit! automagic link posting! Woo-hoo! :: )

 

[Bakin4Life]

I swear, I should start some polling to see some aggregate stats on the frequent posters / viewers of this forum (fuck, already -- 'thread')


PS: This will be my last post for awhile today, as I'm obviously already in a 'good mood' (and a little piece of 'history'... that's what I had wished this forum really was, when I found it... truly 'random' shit you though of, usually while high.

But I'm still pleased with what I found here... real articulate & thought-provoking shit, and no one complaining about "yer posts are a fuckin' walllll... "
I'd been thinking about a new... thread ... (and I know I can start them), called... "Truly Random Thoughts" (or maybe something totally different, so as not to confuse).

I have a little something different in mind as far as 'allowable content' (nothing illegal, for those monitoring!), and may want to discuss with some people beforehand (and no TOS worries, for those doing the dirty work, here).

Not my intent to 'take my followers and leave', or anything like that. :: uhh... 'followers'? HAHAHAHAHA ::

Maybe it's like opening another corner pub down the street, where people (and the bartenders!) mingle freely between both (and I'll be responsible for building my own 'customer base').

(And to those thinking "just start your fucking thread, already" -- noted, and also note that I'm looking for humor, not confrontation (although, often, both are required -- *of one another* ) Or, in other parlance... I'll do it when I'm good and fuckin' ready. I'm Tommy, to your Arthur. I'm Rodan to your 'thinking, while on the stool'.

Have a good weekend, everyone! Off to get Rx refills, and maybe a cool drink. If any of you work in non-aircon environments... you have my sympathies & hopes that none of you are too badly affected.

 

[turk]

…cheers!…hope you stay cool man…here in sf. It’s a comfortable…well you don’t wanna know..(lmao)..it definitely gets more problematic dealing with the heat/humidity as we age…it’s a big problem..cheers.

 

[Radwin Bodnic]

"Truly Random Thoughts" (or maybe something totally different, so as not to confuse).

What about "highdeas" ?

 

[Bazinga]

Bazinga: Please post links where applicable (this isn't a 'mod request', since I ain't one). But it's good to see where your sources are (and I will happily reciprocate, although it may slow down my responses.... LMAO)

Fair request. And a happy weekend as well. It's hot and humid here and I'm off to get a snowball. Don't know if you have them where you live. They are delicious.

Lastly, I didn't notice, and perhaps I missed it, where you asked those who favor socialism to provide their sources. I'll ask again this crowd. Please name 1 country where full socialism has been successful. Anyone? Didn't think so. Are there no reliable sources?

 

[Radwin Bodnic]

Please name 1 country where full socialism has been successful.

How do you define success for a country ?

Like... I know what successful capitalism look like. But as it leads to immense inequity, domination of very few over many, destruction of our environment (which is our only mean of subsistance) and ultimately to massive ecological extinction that threaten the existence of the very specie that invented it... successful capitalism appear to be the greatest failure of mankind. (Which is a very successful oxymoron imho).

 

[Digga]

The last few joint updates between Android and Samsung produce system icons (calendar, phone, etc.)

Yeah mine got changed the other week in an update, kind of used to them now. You will too.

 

[turk]

…he’s asking a “Fox News” question…completely without context, perspective, or knowledge…fact of the matter all “socialist” countries..like “socialist “ movements and individuals operate in a extremely hostile environment..america makes sure..no socialist state will exist within it’s hemisphere…free healthcare provided to its citizens is why Canada faces trump’s wrath. Conservatives know this but hide the facts behind disingenuous bullshit questions. ..it’s utter nonsense, but totally aligned within the rightwing hemisphere.

 

[florduh]

If socialism is always doomed to fail, why has the capitalist American government spent tens of trillions of dollars since 1946 on sabotaging socialist movements around the globe

Like, why wouldn't they simply wait for these movements to fail? Are they stupid?

 

[turk]

…or…assassinating it’s leaders….all over the globe…with my tax dollars….without my consent…meanwhile our own citizens, living in the streets…just lovely.

 

[chillAtGVC]

…he’s asking a “Fox News” question…completely without context, perspective, or knowledge…fact of the matter all “socialist” countries..like “socialist “ movements and individuals operate in a extremely hostile environment.

Probably because it is well known that it never leads to good lives for the common people. From what I've read here, most socialists are more concerned with hating the rich and trying to punish them than with the plight of the poor.

.america makes sure..no socialist state will exist within it’s hemisphere…free healthcare provided to its citizens is why Canada faces trump’s wrath.

Um, no. Can you cite any basis for this statement? I'm Canadian and that is not why. He has been pretty clear about why. Some of it I agree with, some I don't. Such is the nature of politics.

 

[florduh]

…or…assassinating it’s leaders….all over the globe…with my tax dollars….without my consent…meanwhile our own citizens, living in the streets…just lovely.

Never Forget the OG 9/11

These were President Allende's final words to his People, just before CIA backed fascist terrorists stormed the Presidential residence...

"May you continue to know that much sooner than later the great avenues through which free men will pass to build a better society will open"

 

[Radwin Bodnic]

Probably because it is well known that it never leads to good lives for the common people.

Yeah, now tell me capitalism cares about the poor.

 

[turk]

…lol…not gonna discuss reality with folks that think ”fox” is a news organization..it’s a propaganda device..there’s simply no point.

 

[chillAtGVC]

I never once mentioned Fox in any context in my message. If you see that, perhaps you should vape a tad less.

 

[turk]

..lol..you…who talks about how “clear” dear leader trump is?…we all know…he never lies…never…you’re funny

 

[chillAtGVC]

This thread is making me me wonder about the dangers of long term cannabis use.

 

[turk]

..checking yourself out is a very good start.