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no disaster relief without spending cuts?

There is a root problem that lies underneath of all the tax woes we have in our country. The IRS has a tax code that is so thoroughly convoluted and confusing that it takes someone who is a lawyer and an accountant to understand how it works. The United States would benefit tremendously if we would change that and go to a system that is more across the board and out in the open.

A system such as The Fair Tax, or something similar would do the trick. Eliminate deductions and tax loopholes that allow a taxpayer, any taxpayer to game the system.

One other thing to keep in mind. Corporations actually do not pay any real taxes. All of their tax burden is passed on to the people who buy their products, in the form of higher prices. That would be you and me and that is why their tax rates affect us so greatly.
 
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There is a root problem that lies underneath of all the tax woes we have in our country. The IRS has a tax code that is so thoroughly convoluted and confusing that it takes someone who is a lawyer and an accountant to understand how it works. The United States would benefit tremendously if we would change that and go to a system that is more across the board and out in the open.

A system such as The Fair Tax, or something similar would do the trick. Eliminate deductions and tax loopholes that allow a taxpayer, any taxpayer to game the system.

One other thing to keep in mind. Corporations actually do not pay any real taxes. All of their tax burden is passed on to the people who buy their products, in the form of higher prices. That would be you and me and that is why their tax rates affect us so greatly.


A very good post. I absolutely agree, the tax system needs to be changed. I would love to see a tax form like the 1040-EZ for everyone. Me, you, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, and Oprah. One simple form and ten minutes time and you are done.

Sad that it will not happen. I''ve been paying taxes since 1973 and I have watched the tax code become increasingly complicated. So I doubt it will happen.
 
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... One other thing to keep in mind. Corporations actually do not pay any real taxes. All of their tax burden is passed on to the people who buy their products, in the form of higher prices. That would be you and me and that is why their tax rates affect us so greatly.

So I guess I don't any real taxes as I pass this tax burden to other folks in the form of higher prices? Some claim it is a bit more complex, I've heard terms like utility curves, substitution, elasticity, etc. ... used to explain the economic effect of taxes.
 
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A very good post. I absolutely agree, the tax system needs to be changed. I would love to see a tax form like the 1040-EZ for everyone. Me, you, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, and Oprah. One simple form and ten minutes time and you are done.

Sad that it will not happen. I''ve been paying taxes since 1973 and I have watched the tax code become increasingly complicated. So I doubt it will happen.

Of course it will not happen. At least, not without wholesale changes in Washington, including a massive turnover of Congress. They have too much invested in keeping the tax code as complicated as possible. It allows them to pull the purse strings and keep their power, dictating a lot of things they have no business meddling in.

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics
 
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So I guess I don't any real taxes as I pass this tax burden to other folks in the form of higher prices? Some claim it is a bit more complex, I've heard terms like utility curves, substitution, elasticity, etc. ... used to explain the economic effect of taxes.

Well, I don't know what business you are in, but I do know this. I do not own a business, but I am intimately involved in running an automotive repair facility. I know, for a fact, that there are times when we have had to raise prices, just to be able to make up some of the losses we incur from too much taxation and regulation. If we didn't we would be working just to pay the government. Somehow, I don't think that's how our founding fathers envisioned the relationship between our economy and our government.

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics
 
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A very good post. I absolutely agree, the tax system needs to be changed. I would love to see a tax form like the 1040-EZ for everyone. Me, you, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, and Oprah. One simple form and ten minutes time and you are done.

Sad that it will not happen. I''ve been paying taxes since 1973 and I have watched the tax code become increasingly complicated. So I doubt it will happen.

Many are glad it won't happen, lobbyists, accountants, programmers, lawyers, politicians, large corporations, stock brokers, real estate agents, venture capitalist, etc. ...
 
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Regarding your link, there are other viewpoints.


"Johnson defends the Lacey Act and the government's efforts to enforce it. "Nobody here wants this law to founder on unintended consequences," she says. "Because ultimately everybody understands that the intent here is to reduce illegal logging and send a signal to the markets that you've got to be asking questions and sourcing wood in a responsible way.""


Why Gibson Guitar Was Raided By The Justice Department : The Record : NPR
 
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Regarding your link, there are other viewpoints.


"Johnson defends the Lacey Act and the government's efforts to enforce it. "Nobody here wants this law to founder on unintended consequences," she says. "Because ultimately everybody understands that the intent here is to reduce illegal logging and send a signal to the markets that you've got to be asking questions and sourcing wood in a responsible way.""


Why Gibson Guitar Was Raided By The Justice Department : The Record : NPR

Of course there are other viewpoints. The article you linked to is quoted in the post at my blog. Just because I believe Gibson to be innocent doesn't mean it's so. On the other hand, just because NPR has already found Gibson guilty in the media doesn't mean they are. I have learned, from experience, to take anything the mainstream media says with more than a pinch of salt. That goes for NPR, Fox, CNN, etc.

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics
 
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Well, I don't know what business you are in, but I do know this. I do not own a business, but I am intimately involved in running an automotive repair facility. I know, for a fact, that there are times when we have had to raise prices, just to be able to make up some of the losses we incur from too much taxation and regulation. If we didn't we would be working just to pay the government. Somehow, I don't think that's how our founding fathers envisioned the relationship between our economy and our government. ... http://www.ldjackson.net

It is my understanding that taxes can have some on the consequences as competition, driving marginal firms out. This can cause real human suffering, as this happens over a period of time and those suffering don't realize they were marginal until after the fact and have expended all their resources for naught.
 
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... Just because I believe Gibson to be innocent doesn't mean it's so. On the other hand, just because NPR has already found Gibson guilty in the media doesn't mean they are. I have learned, from experience, to take anything the mainstream media says with more than a pinch of salt. That goes for NPR, Fox, CNN, etc.

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics

"The U.S. Justice Department won't comment about the case it's preparing, but a court motion filed in June asserts Gibson's Madagascar ebony was contraband. It quotes emails that seem to show Gibson taking steps to maintain a supply chain that's been connected to illegal timber harvests."

As I haven't read the quoted emails, there is a measure of trust. Then again, the courts determine guilt or innocence. I prefer NPR as their revenue is derived from diverse sources as compared to the other media sources, which forces a more balanced view.
 
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"The U.S. Justice Department won't comment about the case it's preparing, but a court motion filed in June asserts Gibson's Madagascar ebony was contraband. It quotes emails that seem to show Gibson taking steps to maintain a supply chain that's been connected to illegal timber harvests."

As I haven't read the quoted emails, there is a measure of trust. Then again, the courts determine guilt or innocence. I prefer NPR as their revenue is derived from diverse sources as compared to the other media sources, which forces a more balanced view.

How strange that you would quote NPR as a diverse and balanced view of the news. I find them to lean decidedly left, in almost every aspect of their reporting.

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics
 
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Regarding your link, there are other viewpoints.

"Johnson defends the Lacey Act and the government's efforts to enforce it. "Nobody here wants this law to founder on unintended consequences," she says. "Because ultimately everybody understands that the intent here is to reduce illegal logging and send a signal to the markets that you've got to be asking questions and sourcing wood in a responsible way.""


Why Gibson Guitar Was Raided By The Justice Department : The Record : NPR

One could argue that the intent was to stop killing our rainforests (LOL) and stop ALL use of ANY wood. Because some people hate those that use ANY wood, REGARDLESS of its source. It is perhaps driven by hatred of anyone that dares to harvest one of God's trees.

Or . . .

They broke the laws.

Gibson is a target and either the DOJ will cave to public outcry or lets hope there is a good luthier shop set up in San Quentin.

I know a banjo builder that uses scarce woods, not to mention, pen makers that also use wood as well as other materials like guncotton that is imported into this country. The last one takes permits and special packing to get it into this country or from state to state, for that matter.

If Gibson is guilty, that's that. If not, well, that is another thread. I love Gibson because of the Mastertone Banjo. I assume the raid was unfair, and Gibson innocent, but who knows, perhaps it was justified.

This recent raid can affect at least one AF member. Come visit me; I like muffins with files inside.

If you purchase Ivory over the Internet and you are caught, you could be fined and jailed. So what about those guitars? Will customers be required to turn them in?
 
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One could argue that the intent was to stop killing our rainforests (LOL) and stop ALL use of ANY wood. Because some people hate those that use ANY wood, REGARDLESS of its source. It is perhaps driven by hatred of anyone that dares to harvest one of God's trees.

Or . . .

They broke the laws.

Gibson is a target and either the DOJ will cave to public outcry or lets hope there is a good luthier shop set up in San Quentin.

I know a banjo builder that uses scarce woods, not to mention, pen makers that also use wood as well as other materials like guncotton that is imported into this country. The last one takes permits and special packing to get it into this country or from state to state, for that matter.

If Gibson is guilty, that's that. If not, well, that is another thread. I love Gibson because of the Mastertone Banjo. I assume the raid was unfair, and Gibson innocent, but who knows, perhaps it was justified.

This recent raid can affect at least one AF member. Come visit me; I like muffins with files inside.

If you purchase Ivory over the Internet and you are caught, you could be fined and jailed. So what about those guitars? Will customers be required to turn them in?

That's a very good question, Bob. At this point in the investigation, I would have to lean towards answering no. What bothers me more than anything is how the government has seized their property, both in 2009 and in the most recent raids, and has not charged them with a crime. They keep hinting around that they are going to, but nothing has came of the hints. Instead, they have suggested in a legal pleading that Gibson's troubles would go away if they sent some of the labor overseas. From that, I gather this is more of a witch hunt, rather than a criminal investigation.

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics
 
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That's a very good question, Bob. At this point in the investigation, I would have to lean towards answering no. What bothers me more than anything is how the government has seized their property, both in 2009 and in the most recent raids, and has not charged them with a crime. They keep hinting around that they are going to, but nothing has came of the hints. Instead, they have suggested in a legal pleading that Gibson's troubles would go away if they sent some of the labor overseas. From that, I gather this is more of a witch hunt, rather than a criminal investigation.

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics

I think it was Paul Revere that said, "They will take my conflict diamond encrusted Flying V when Greenpeace pries if from my cold, dead hands and unplugs it from the Marshall Stack."

Paul Revere of the Raiders, not the quarterback of the Foozeball team from Oalkand also called the Raiders.
 
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I think it was Paul Revere that said, "They will take my conflict diamond encrusted Flying V when Greenpeace pries if from my cold, dead hands and unplugs it from the Marshall Stack."

Paul Revere of the Raiders, not the quarterback of the Foozeball team from Oalkand also called the Raiders.

In a shameless attempt to make you completely jealous, my Dad has a 1953 Gibson Les Paul Special. :D

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics
 
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In a shameless attempt to make you completely jealous, my Dad has a 1953 Gibson Les Paul Special. :D

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics

Make sure he keeps it. Never refinish it as some peiople feel the need to do. I hope he plays; such a shame not to shread every so often. I'll assume you know this already.

It has value and must be preserved. I also think the fret board is 'Pre-DOJ Raid Ebony,' too.

And yes, I am jealous.
 
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Make sure he keeps it. Never refinish it as some peiople feel the need to do. I hope he plays; such a shame not to shread every so often. I'll assume you know this already.

It has value and must be preserved. I also think the fret board is 'Pre-DOJ Raid Ebony,' too.

And yes, I am jealous.

Dad is 84 now, so he doesn't play it any more. When he passes, it will go to my twin brother, who does play, quite well, I might add. Since I only play the bass, it should go to him.

It is completely original, except for the tuners. I think they were ivory and didn't hold up well the way Dad had it stored. The finish is still in great shape. Still plays good, according to my brother.

LJ
My best friend is my wife!

Political Realities---Commentary that strives to recognize the reality of politics
 
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Dad is 84 now, so he doesn't play it any more. When he passes, it will go to my twin brother, who does play, quite well, I might add. Since I only play the bass, it should go to him.

It is completely original, except for the tuners. I think they were ivory and didn't hold up well the way Dad had it stored. The finish is still in great shape. Still plays good, according to my brother. LJ

Cool. I am not sure if the turners are ivory; they might be ivroid, a celluloid replacement for ivory. But I can't be sure.
 
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