I had high hopes for a real eye-opener on taxing the rich, but it hinges in part on whether you think Bill Gates is even more knowledgeable on this topic than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:
For practical reasons, Bill and Melinda Gates don't want lawmakers to get bogged down in arguments about the top marginal rate, which is currently 37 percent. "If you focus on that, you're missing the picture," Bill said in a recent interview with The Verge.
"In terms of revenue collection, you wouldn't want to just focus on the ordinary income rate, because people who are wealthy have a rounding error of ordinary income," he said. "They have income that just is the value of their stock, which if they don't sell it, it doesn't show up as income at all, or if it shows up, it shows over in the capital gains side. So the ability of hedge fund people, various people — they aren't paying that ordinary income rate."
Instead, he suggested, we should be more progressive with "the estate tax and the tax on capital, the way the FICA and Social Security taxes work. We can be more progressive without really threatening income generation." That idea might find favor with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has floated the idea of a wealth tax on households worth more than $50 million.
I still say, above a high threshold impose mark-to-market accounting to end the eternal deferral of unrealized capital gains taxes. But to avoid forced sales to pay the bill (and to create a buffer account against possible future losses) allow payment of the taxes over ten years.
Mark-to-market accounting is already part of the tax code (eg, futures and index options, not to mention the charitable deduction for appreciated assets with a long term gain.) This idea side-steps the Constitutional puzzle of Warren's wealth tax.
Actually I was hoping for a quote, but here's how the reporter summarized the relevant part of what Whitaker apparently said during his testimony:
So is the question if I believe that Whitaker was lying about whether Huber was "looking into claims"? No, I guess he was probably told that, whether it's true or not, and depending on what the "claims" are. Do I believe that Whitaker's response means that Huber is investigating the serious crimes perpetrated by the Obama cabal during the pre- and post-election timeframes? No, I guess I don't. Not without evidence.
Btw, if Susan Rice, John Brennan, James Comey, Mark Elias or anyone from Perkins Coie were whining about being dragged before a grand jury, I'd believe it.
Posted by: Extraneus | February 16, 2019 at 01:33 PM
Leaving for errands. Back in a bit.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 01:42 PM
Extraneus @ 1:33
IANAL but do grand jury proceedings require the testimony of those suspected of committing a crime? I would think that a grand jury convened for the FISA abuse scandal or any other crimes committed by the Obama cabal would only need to see the evidence (text messages, emails, FISA forms, etc) to determine if an indictment was warranted.
Posted by: Tom R | February 16, 2019 at 01:45 PM
What evidence do we have that a grand jury is involved?
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 01:53 PM
Prog "educators" targeting their religious colleagues:
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-a-campus-infected-with-hostility-20190131-story.html
Posted by: anonamom | February 16, 2019 at 01:54 PM
That's probably true, but not one peep from anyone who might have testified? No evidence that anyone's been subpoenaed or that there's even a GJ at all?
Horowitz is internal DoJ. Nothing to do with the Clinton campaign, CIA, NSA, White House, etc. The Carter Page FISA is all he's apparently investigating, and surely he can limit the damage to Obama & Co. as he strings that out.
I'm still hoping for the best, but I won't be surprised if it all just gets buried, maybe even with Trump's approval.
Posted by: Extraneus | February 16, 2019 at 02:01 PM
Note on daily markup by Chitown Lurker:
Futures gains and losses ARE indeed marked each day, and cashable at the end of each trading day. Profits left in the account daily are referred to as “Excess Margin”. It used to be that you left it in your account overnight, until Jon Corzine got caught using client’s excess margin to trade for himself. Since he was never prosecuted for it, now no one leaves anything except the minimum. Because of that, the market moves can be pretty brutal, as positions are automatically sold off to cover surprise losses.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 02:02 PM
That was my sole point MM, other than to praise you for all the effort. I'm glad I didn't piss you off.
Posted by: Jane | February 16, 2019 at 02:05 PM
Rebirth of socialism, and what to do about it:
https://freebeacon.com/columns/what-to-do-about-the-rebirth-of-socialism/
concludes:
At the very least we must defend religious freedom, and promote religious and civic education, if we are ever to address the denuded moral and cultural system that has become the breeding ground of the socialist revival.
Posted by: anonamom | February 16, 2019 at 02:06 PM
No, because giving you the tax back is not the same as giving you the profit back.
So, what Tom's plan was something like this:
You paid 10 dollars a share a long time ago, it's now worth 50 dollars. If you'd liquidated it, your long-term capital gains tax would be 15% on your 40 dollar per share profit, so that 6 dollars per share would be taxed to you over a ten-year period (with a two-year grace period before it kicked in). That's what I got from what he was saying the other day.
There are so many "what about if's" to it that it's not funny, including the certainty that no stock ends every year higher than last (which would make the current 3k annual maximum capital loss deduction too anemic).
The gist of it is that there's plenty of good reasons why we shouldn't owe Uncle Sam tax on something we haven't sold yet.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | February 16, 2019 at 02:09 PM
anonamom, the opiate of the masses is the cure to socialism?
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 02:09 PM
That's probably true, but not one peep from anyone who might have testified?
Once again IANAL but I believe leaking the testimony of federal grand jury proceedings is a federal crime in and of itself. In other words, the fact that there have not been any “peeps” from those who testified is how it’s supposed to work.
Posted by: Tom R | February 16, 2019 at 02:10 PM
MJW! Thanks.
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 02:10 PM
zackly. hrts.
Posted by: Old Lurker | February 16, 2019 at 02:11 PM
Henry @ 1:53
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/former-fbi-official-mccabe-under-grand-jury-probe
Posted by: Tom R | February 16, 2019 at 02:13 PM
Tom R, Wisconsin John Doe (pre-reform) it was illegal for any person to leak any info about the investigation. (Ignore Chisholm leaking to the Urinal Central in a daily basis). That was a unique feature of that law. Fed Grand Jury jurors can’t talk, but witnesses are free to do so,
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 02:13 PM
Tom R, your link specifies McCabe under grand jury by DC US Attorney, as teported by McCabe’s lawyer. Confirms two things:
1. Targets are free to talk
2. Huber is not involved.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 02:17 PM
One cannot hide from the plain fact that there are only two reasons a wealth tax is being discussed.
1. The muddle might fall for (and thus vote for) the suggestion that the new tax will increase much needed cash to the government so the government can spend and transfer even more each year.
2. In a France 1789 or White Russia 1917 way, one class wants to take the jewels and heads and burn the estates of another class just because.
Several adages come to mind, but as to the first, "if you want less of something, tax it more". As to the second, "first they came for..." seems to fit.
So in the end, what happens is a riled up uneducated underclass will sell their votes to the bums for promises. Pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
Sadly, this has worked for a long time for Dems and some Rs.
Posted by: Old Lurker | February 16, 2019 at 02:19 PM
RG! Bela! MJW! it's like old home week.
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 02:19 PM
Worth the read.
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/25983010/who-says-rob-mendez-head-football-coach
Posted by: Tom R | February 16, 2019 at 02:32 PM
It used to be that you left it in your account overnight, until Jon Corzine got caught using client’s excess margin to trade for himself. Since he was never prosecuted for it, now no one leaves anything except the minimum.
Chitown, I only vaguely remember the Corzine thing, but I'd thought futures excess can't be played with overnight by the FCM because futures balances must be held as segregated funds (instead of unsegregated as per stock side); I thought it had been that way for as long as I can remember (I could be wrong, tho).
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | February 16, 2019 at 02:35 PM
Box, that is the exact rule Corzine broke. Also why the lack of s prison term for him is a huge scandal of its own.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 02:37 PM
@AmirTourmaj
Witt's defection coincided with the penetration of the covert communication network the CIA used to communicate with informants in Iran, Russia and China. nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/…
https://twitter.com/amirtoumaj/status/1096535954347700226?s=21
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 02:39 PM
Trump’s tweet with REM song returns to twitter:
https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1096856815810342912?s=21
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 02:46 PM
Got it, henry/Chitown, thanks. Yeah, Corzine...ughh.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | February 16, 2019 at 02:47 PM
Poops, same video, but Lee Greenwood in place of REM.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 02:48 PM
Box, that is the exact rule Corzine broke. Also why the lack of s prison term for him is a huge scandal of its own.
A DOJ which is 100% apolitical according to Sleepy Jeff.
Posted by: Captain Hate | February 16, 2019 at 02:48 PM
OL @ 2:19
Yeah, that pretty much covers it.
Posted by: James D. | February 16, 2019 at 02:51 PM
Hey, MT, definitely want a foray to the islands. I'm thinking I can take the ferry from Bellingham rather than drive down to Anacortes. One way or another I'll make it so.
Flew this morning to Brainerd for breakfast and met up a couple of buddies. The temp was a frosty 3F. I ran the engine sump heater all night and the oil temp was 31F. It was cold. Athena started and flew just fine. The biggest hassle was keeping the canopy clear because my breath was freezing on the inside making it hard to see outside. Once in the air the cabin heater eventually cleared things up. The other hassle was putting Athena back in the hangar. With some residual hard packed snow on the ramp, a slight incline, and an ageing body, I could not pull her inside. Fortunately my hangar mate has an electric tug and I was able to tie the tail wheel to the tug and pull her back inside.
Posted by: hoyden | February 16, 2019 at 02:52 PM
I'm embarrassed to say I briefly listened to REM during a period of questionable personal taste. Fuck those twats in particular.
Posted by: Captain Hate | February 16, 2019 at 02:52 PM
No wonder they were covering the story with a pillow.
Turns smullet was a hoax quelle surprise
And the lead investigator in the Goldsteyn case is a stolen valor fraud
Posted by: Narciso79 | February 16, 2019 at 02:55 PM
Last one first:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foxnews.com/us/green-beret-matt-golsteyn-wants-charges-in-suspected-taliban-bombmakers-death-dropped-because-of-investigators-stolen-valor.amp
Posted by: Narciso79 | February 16, 2019 at 02:57 PM
I am back, having had to try 3 places just to buy a darn cat pan. I want one so my son's cat (who gets lonely) can sleep in here when my son decides to stay at his girlfriend's.
As I was wandering the aisles at Big Lots (where I actually, finally found the cat pan) I remembered that the building used to be a larger neighborhood grocery.
So that jogged my brain, and as I drove back home past the old neighborhoods I used to frequent when in high school, I saw 2 other old groceries, one which has become a cycle shop and the other a used furniture and appliance place. Also drove past the old post office, which still has its old flag pole but is the office building for a used car lot. LOTS of used car lots along the way, and the old building which had the swankiest flower shop on the south side is now empty and for sale.
Big Lots clientele seemed to be mostly Chin and Mexican immigrants, most of whom didn't speak English, and the cashier seemed glad that someone spoke to her.
I think the loss of small retailers and neighborhood shopping has caused a decline in community. You don't get much interaction shopping on Amazon, and the big grocers don't call you when a special cut of meat is available. Rather sad to see the places where my friends lived surrounded by stuff like that. I guess I am just an old lady who is sorry the past has been forgotten.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 02:59 PM
I guess I am just an old lady who is sorry the past has been forgotten.
Anyone who has been around for awhile feels this way, Miss M and you're right, it is sad.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | February 16, 2019 at 03:07 PM
amen to hate's two fifty two
Posted by: peter | February 16, 2019 at 03:08 PM
Yes thru are doomed:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1087665/isis-news-islamic-state-woman-jailed-Tareena-Shakil/amp?__twitter_impression=true
Posted by: Narciso79 | February 16, 2019 at 03:09 PM
"Box, that is the exact rule Corzine broke. Also why the lack of s prison term for him is a huge scandal of its own."
And in the "modern era", Corzine was one of the earliest and most solid affirmations to the Ruling Class that a Dem with the right credentials could do ANYTHING wrong in the money universe and not go to jail. Best students? The Clinton Crime Family.
Madoff was not the same thing.
Posted by: Old Lurker | February 16, 2019 at 03:20 PM
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/science/2017/10/11/congressional-pharmacy-has-reportedly-delivered-alzheimer-drugs-members-congress/4K2HsLB7YqLXIFDFzyHQxM/story.html
My question is whether Alzheimer's will be an excuse to keep them from prosecution.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 03:23 PM
https://kbjr6.com/news/top-stories/2019/02/06/west-virginia-woman-accused-of-threatening-to-kill-trump/
Indicted on 3 charges. $250,000 fine for each count and 5 years in prison if convicted.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 03:31 PM
If it keeps them from prosecution, it should keep them from office.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 03:32 PM
Link goes to screen cap of the bill. I didn't know that these people didn't have to have their luggage screened. I bet that will really tick off a few of them.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 03:34 PM
Wow, stoned dolphins:
Pufferfish release a toxin when they puff out that is meant to impair the attacker. This doesn’t work on Dolphins in the same way. It gets them high. So they purposely inflate them and pass them around to their dolphin friends for fun. smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dol…
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dolphins-seem-to-use-toxic-pufferfish-to-get-high-180948219/
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 03:36 PM
https://www.coreysdigs.com/hillary-clinton/onward-together-inside-hillarys-latest-political-tax-scandal/
This is a flat-out scam. Corey has done a good job in documenting this and explaining the illegality.
Ahem. Where is the DOJ?
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 03:40 PM
Miss M, DOJ is still passing the puffer fish with Corzine.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 03:48 PM
https://www.wsj.com/articles/1-973-leds-and-the-green-new-deal-11550274408?mod=?mod=MorningEditorialReport&mod=djemMER_h
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 04:02 PM
Scott Uehlinger
@thestationchief
Great Read! "Oozing, engulfing, suffocating metastasis of the admin state, a bureaucracy drunk on its own prerogatives, a misplaced sense of election (‘higher loyalty,’ remember) indistinguishable from its own entitlement and quest for power."#corruption
https://spectator.us/deep-blob/
Posted by: lurkersusie | February 16, 2019 at 04:11 PM
Noted at BJG
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/02/financial-tyranny-chase-bank-shuts-down-personal-account-of-vocal-trump-supporting-us-army-combat-vet/
Joe Biggs told The Gateway Pundit that he was in financial good standing with Chase Bank and had an account with them for almost 20 years. ... Joe Biggs is a US Army combat vet and told The Gateway Pundit that his Army retirement was deposited into his Chase Bank account. ... Last week, Big League Politics reported that Chase Bank shut down the personal bank account of Proud Boys leader, Enrique Tarrio. ... Political activist and reporter Laura Loomer was recently banned from Twitter, PayPal, Uber, Uber Eats, and Lyft"
Question: can my postal carrier refuse to deliver to me because I get Trump campaign letters? It will be interesting to learn if these people have broken some more or less sensible regulation or are being targeted for their views. If I'm breaking no law how does a bank justify refusing service?
Posted by: JimNorCal | February 16, 2019 at 04:14 PM
Jim, they all did it to gun stores under Obama. Must be that pen and phone deal.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 04:16 PM
Agree with comments of Old Lurker and Henry and Captain H.
Also I am not convinced any major investigation progress has been made by Huber or Horowitz at this time. There doesn’t seem to be any sense of urgency there.
Perhaps this is being delayed because it would be more advantageous if it was revealed closer to the 2020 election.
Facts that we know:
MM is over zealous in her defense of President Trump.
TomR has an uncanny ability to insult almost every person on the blog at one time or another,today being no exception.
Some bloggers seem to need more attention than others.
My goal this year ,is to encourage and acknowledge those bloggers who don’t post all the time to come forth and add their valuable insights to the discussion.
Finally no has or ever had the power on this blog.
We are all equal participants.
On my part, if I see foul language or insults I will scroll on by.
Posted by: D | February 16, 2019 at 04:17 PM
lurkiesusie..GREAT article,
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 04:19 PM
Just us girls shopping, ridiculous!
Brit Hume on Twitter: "This is just embarrassing. So now journalists are going shopping with Harris, helping pick out clothes and then putting out glowing tweets about it. https://t.co/RX2IY0B8JL" / Twitter
Posted by: lurkersusie | February 16, 2019 at 04:23 PM
Kabbalah seems to have as wretched taste in flashy clothes as Mooch.
Posted by: Captain Hate | February 16, 2019 at 04:28 PM
If "PATRIOT" Googled "shall not be exempt from federal passenger and baggage screening" he probably wouldn't have tweeted a reprint of legislation that has existed for a long time.
Posted by: Threadkiller | February 16, 2019 at 04:28 PM
Fed Grand Jury jurors can’t talk, but witnesses are free to do so,
Right. And nobody has.
Posted by: Extraneus | February 16, 2019 at 04:29 PM
Just got back. Did I miss any CUT N PASTE'S while I was gone?
Posted by: GUS | February 16, 2019 at 04:29 PM
What’s the meme? If you find someone that looks at you the way Trandrea Mitchell looks at Hilligula, marry them?
That is the MSM and Kamaela Harris.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 04:30 PM
Just us girls shopping, ridiculous!
Harris will never have the sartorial cred of someone like AOC; an NYC Latina doesn't mess around. As stupid as the white outfits at the SOTU were, only Cortez actually pulled it off.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | February 16, 2019 at 04:30 PM
Steve Holland
Verified account @steveholland1
10m10 minutes ago
Update from Mar-a-Lago: President Trump will meet with members of his trade team and receive an update on the ongoing talks with China. Ambassador Lighthizer, Secretary Ross, Mick Mulvaney, and Peter Navarro will join the President in person at Mar-a-Lago, per @PressSec
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 04:31 PM
Hoyden, Athena as in FlyAthena radial taildragger kit? If so, pointer to the specs?
Posted by: sbwaters | February 16, 2019 at 04:31 PM
From AmGreatness:
Posted with no comment.
Posted by: lyle | February 16, 2019 at 04:33 PM
I've been trying to corner an acquaintance who is retired DoJ to get his read on Barr. Here is his response:
Fingers crossed.
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | February 16, 2019 at 04:34 PM
Ext, McCabe has talked. No one else.
It is a funny thing. We are told to believe the lack of leaks shows the professionalism of the prosecution, where keeping it secret is to the prosecutor ‘s advantage. That implies it is to the targets’ advantage to talk. The MSM is on the targets’ side. But we hear nothing?
As Sherlock would put it, “that is the dog that passed puffer fish with dolphins.”
(Sorry, I cant help myself. My mind is stuck rewriting the Illuminatus Trilogy as if Wilson knew dolphins got stoned. Weekends...)
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 04:35 PM
I posted a video of this crash last night. Here it is again, with sound, and another video besides. 47 vehicles!
https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/430362-viral-video-shows-massive-deadly-pileup-occur-in-missouri
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 04:40 PM
BARR B A R R 4 LETTERS. Smell what I'm cooking??
Posted by: GUS | February 16, 2019 at 04:40 PM
box,
AOC is young and thin enough to pull those looks off without looking slutty, at least based on what I've seen. Kabbalah looks like someone who sleeps with married men.
Posted by: Captain Hate | February 16, 2019 at 04:41 PM
@KurtSchlicter
Duke Lacrosse = Lie
UVA frat rape = Lie
Covington Kids = Lie
Kavanaugh = Lie
Every Muslim chick howling that someone snagged her headscarf = Lie
Every campus noose = Lie
Jussie Smollett = Lie
Anyone sense a theme?
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 04:46 PM
Behind the paywall
Bill Barr’s Hot Mess
He arrives at a Justice Department that is in desperate needs of an infusion of credibility.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/bill-barrs-hot-mess-11550188935
Posted by: lurkersusie | February 16, 2019 at 04:47 PM
sbwaters, nothing that elaborate. Still a fun plane and a step up from Amelia, my C-150.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van%27s_Aircraft_RV-6
Posted by: hoyden | February 16, 2019 at 04:50 PM
Re marked to market gain and actual loss: let's say that in 2021, President Warren on April 1, 2021 signs the Comprehensive Green Fairness, Equity Enhancing and Inclusivity New Deal Act of 2021. Mark to market is imposed. Legislation takes effect upon enactment. On May 1, 2021, OL buys 5 shares in Bringing Back L'Espalier All Over (BBLAO), a restaurant app start up that has quickly gone public, for one dollar per share. At the end of 2021, the shares have appreciated to two dollars per share (ten dollars of value). OL has a capital gain of five dollars in 2021 with respect to BBLAO. Let's assume that under the legislation, the capital gain on all marked to market gain is long term. OL pays tax on five dollars of long term capital gain (all of OL's other capital gains and losses netted to zero in 2021), and has basis in the BBLAO shares increased to ten dollars (five dollars original basis plus five dollars increase for the gain). On December 31, 2022, OL sells all five BBLAO shares for twenty cents per share (House Speaker Ocasio-Cortez has blamed the tanking markets on failure of the Agriculture Dept. to control cow farts), or one dollar. OL has a nine dollar long term capital loss.
For simplicity's sake, I have assumed no pay over time for the marked to market gain (in a pay over time system, it is possible basis would be increased over time as the tax is paid, but I don't think anyone in Congress has thought this through). I have also avoided the question of whether the long term and short term capital gain and loss rules would be affected by the mark to market rules (I simply imposed my simple rule that all marked to market gain is long term). However, I think under any set of rules, there is no separate tax recovery provision. It would be handled with basis adjustments.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | February 16, 2019 at 04:53 PM
Here's a MFM headline that we should have seen by now.
GET MY MY FUCKING DRINK. 29 YEAR OLD BARTENDER, COSTS NY 25,000 JOBS and BILLLLLLIONS IN REVENUE.
DEMOCRATS CHEER.
Posted by: GUS | February 16, 2019 at 04:56 PM
No words.
Three of Gary Martin’s victims were gunned down in the room where the meeting was being held, said Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman. One of the victims was Trevor Wehner, a 21-year-old human resources intern and student at Northern Illinois University who was on his first day on the job
https://www.foxnews.com/us/aurora-shooter-opened-fire-at-termination-meeting-one-victim-was-hr-intern-on-first-day
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 04:56 PM
From that Fox article, the shooter had a FOID card. (A FOID card is required in IL to purchase or possess a firearm or ammo. Residents of other states may transport firearms and ammo in IL for sporting use — aka national trap shooting tournament is now based on IL— or hunting given a non resident license. Law enforcement will try to ignore those conditions, I hate IL).
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 05:05 PM
TC, with TM's plan (at the first reckoning of tax due, they would be paid over a ten-year period), I agree that basis would be adjusted and then continually adjusted annually, with taxes due or loss deduction granted along the way. In that way, I suppose proponents of such a thing would assert, when the owner passes away there would be no need to levy an estate tax, since they'd been paid. Problem with that, of course, is that the estate tax is a ripoff anyway, and should just be done away with outright.
In futures, by the way, all closed-out transactions are regarded as partially long-term and partially short-term (I forget the percents), regardless of the time held of the actual trade. Makes things a lot easier.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | February 16, 2019 at 05:06 PM
Henry, clearly what this calls for, is SENSITIVITY TRAINING.
Posted by: GUS | February 16, 2019 at 05:08 PM
Box, the “you didn’t build that” theory makes all arguments on estate tax moot. It is and always was the government’s money (unless you transfer it to an approved 501c$.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 05:10 PM
Hoyden, still impressive. Yay for you!
Posted by: sbwaters | February 16, 2019 at 05:12 PM
Indeed Gus. Northern Illinois should get right on that. Their student caused a shooting on day one as an intern.
Illinois has the tightest and most restrictive gun laws in the country. They even caught that a felon wanted a concealed carry license and said no. Follow up on his FOID card and gun purchase history? Meh.
I blame Madigan and the Illinois machine.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 05:14 PM
I don't recall whether TM's plan marks to market illiquid assets, hrtshpdbox. That will be another can of worms. Good business for the appraisers, I suppose.
How about those with wine cellars? Do the appraisers get to taste that fancy Bordeaux before delivering the appraisal?
Posted by: Thomas Collins | February 16, 2019 at 05:20 PM
Repeat after me.
The current system produces $3.5 TRILLION per year to the US government. That is WAY more than they need to do everything We The People should assign to them to do.
Posted by: Old Lurker | February 16, 2019 at 05:23 PM
OL, what percent of GNP is that... how does it compare historically?
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 05:25 PM
Per Hauser’s Law, there is a limit to tax revenues regardless of rate:
Historically, since the end of World War II, federal tax receipts as a percentage of gross domestic product averaged 17.9%, with a range from 14.4% to 20.9% between 1946 - 2007.[2]
Note 45% of residents pay no federal tax. Why punish”rich” people more? The problem is the government spends far far too much.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauser%27s_law#History
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 05:29 PM
You guys may have linked this already.
Nigerian Bros Purchased the Rope Found Around Jussie Smollett’s Neck From Ace Hardware – Smollett May Have Paid Them to Perform Scheme
Posted by: Extraneus | February 16, 2019 at 05:32 PM
Socialist crap like Socisl Security and Medicare lead government spending. Instead of raising taxes (which won’t raise revenues) why not replace socialism with free market approaches? Social Security could be replaced by a “401k” system where individuals own their savings. A similar health savings approach could replace Medicare.
Posted by: henry | February 16, 2019 at 05:35 PM
Why punish ”rich” people more?
The answer to that is related to the reason the problem hasn't been explicitly defined.
Posted by: Extraneus | February 16, 2019 at 05:35 PM
Pad Caddell died.
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 05:43 PM
https://nypost.com/2019/02/16/teacher-chops-off-hair-to-match-bullied-students-style/?utm_source=NYPTwitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=SocialFlow
This is a really nice teacher.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | February 16, 2019 at 05:43 PM
PaT Caddell
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 05:43 PM
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/with-trumps-tough-deterrents-many-asylum-seekers-on-the-border-are-giving-up/ar-BBTGe4x?ocid=spartanntp
Winning
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 05:45 PM
Mark Penn: To get Trump, FBI and Justice Department officials trampled the Constitution
Scathing.
Posted by: Extraneus | February 16, 2019 at 05:45 PM
TomR has an uncanny ability to insult almost every person on the blog at one time or another,
Maryrose,
Which posters are you under the impression I insulted today? I certainly don’t recall throwing out any insults but if you say I have I want to know who so I can apologize to them.
Posted by: Tom R | February 16, 2019 at 05:50 PM
You’ve never insulted me, Tom R. But I’m just small fry around these parts...
Posted by: lyle | February 16, 2019 at 05:56 PM
Narc,
I want the charges dropped too!
Posted by: Jane | February 16, 2019 at 05:58 PM
TomR:
You have in my opinion, others may disagree, OL, Henry,myself ( Forrest Gump comment) and others who don’t buy your take on what is going on with the your now 3D theory Sessions was 4 in that scenario.
Also what Huber and Horowitz are doing / or not doing.
OL gave a good suggestion as to how you could respond.
Your have a MAGA day is back which we all know and you have admitted is like a “Bless your heart”
I don’t want an apology.
You can write what you want.
I am just giving my viewpoint.
Posted by: D | February 16, 2019 at 06:03 PM
"Pad Caddell died."
Wow. What did he die of. He was always a good guy, used to be the token liberal on NR cruises, but never pushed a liberal agenda. Smart man, he will be missed.
Posted by: Jane | February 16, 2019 at 06:04 PM
Poor Tom, everyone is always picking on him. Tom grow the fuck up.
Posted by: GUS | February 16, 2019 at 06:05 PM
You have in my opinion, others may disagree, OL, Henry,myself ( Forrest Gump comment)
Maryrose,
I see my Forrest Gump analogy confused you. I take pride in being blunt and direct. If I wanted to insult you or the others you listed I would write "Maryrose has an IQ lower than Forrest Gump" or something to that effect. It's not my fault you perceive I was directing it at you. Reread Boris' post earlier. He understood the analogy.
Posted by: Tom R | February 16, 2019 at 06:13 PM
Jane, he was only 68--had a stroke I think.
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 06:16 PM
If Trump really wants to enhance national security, he'll assign a team to gather intelligence until they are in a position to stage a raid into Iran, kidnap that Air Force turncoat bitch, fly her back here and summarily excecute her on the White House lawn.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | February 16, 2019 at 06:17 PM
Ext, that Penn article is wonderful.
Posted by: clarice | February 16, 2019 at 06:18 PM
Yay!
2020 Candidate Kirsten Gillibrand Supports ‘X’ as a Third Gender
I think I dislike Gillibrand most of all. In a better world she'd be a $20 whore.
Posted by: Extraneus | February 16, 2019 at 06:18 PM