President Donald J. Trump

[21st Century Man]

Toys R Us are closing 180 stores. Will Trump be taking the responsibility for that as well as he does for gains? What are the chances? In round figures?

Has nothing at all whatsoever to do with Trump.  Toys "R" Us has been in trouble for a long time due to online competition and the enormous amount of debt they have.  You will see in the article that I posted about Disney that those bonuses were a direct result from tax cuts.

Here are more details why Toys "R" Us is closing the stores.


http://fortune.com/2018/01/24/toys-r-us-closings/

[21st Century Man]

I'm glad some billion dollar companies are trickling down on us. But I have always wondered, if trickle down is supposed to help the middle and lower income people, why not give the money directly to the people instead of depending on the voluntary largesse of the billionaire companies/employers?

Also, the Republicans giveth (to the super-rich) and taketh away (from the middle-class):

1. In 2018, some healthcare premiums might go up by as much as 50 percent. ... Topping the list is Georgia, with rates that are 57 percent higher than last year, while Florida said some premiums will be 45 percent higher.  And at the same time deductibles will go up.

2. Republicans have made no secret of the fact that after the tax bill passes, they will point at the resulting deficits to justify cuts in Medicaid and Medicare. The House and Senate passed a budget resolution last month with $1.8 trillion in cuts to both of these programs

3.  The tuition and fees deduction is no longer available. The tuition and fees deduction was actually an extender that expired at the end of 2016. The tuition and fees deduction allowed taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by up to $4,000.

4.  Starting this year, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the recently enacted federal tax overhaul, caps payers' deductions on their property, state and local income taxes (SALT)  at $10,000.

In 2015, the average New Yorker's SALT deduction was more than $22,000. In New Jersey and California, those deductions were around $18,000, while Marylanders claimed an average deduction of nearly $13,000.

The reality of trickle down is a larger deficit and an increase in the income inequality gap: 

"Between 1979 and 2005 (Reagan and W.'s shots at trickle down) after-tax household income rose 6 percent for the bottom fifth. The top fifth income increased by 80 percent. The top 1 percent saw their income triple. Instead of trickling down, it appears that prosperity trickled up. "

So much for strengthening the middle-class by making the super-rich richer

Who's the monkey now?

Well if you're saying that when poor and middle-class Americans have more money, that they are going to spend the money on goods and services that the upper classes manage and produce , of course there is also going to be a trickle-up effect.  Everybody wins!!

As for insurance in Georgia, I live in that state. Our  insurance prices are going down this year.  My wife and I are spending $100/month and have a $350 deductible so I have no idea what you are talking about.  This is our best insurance plan in years.

[TigerLily]

Well if you're saying that when poor and middle-class Americans have more money, that they are going to spend the money on goods and services that the upper classes manage and produce , of course there is also going to be a trickle-up effect.  Everybody wins!!

As for insurance in Georgia. I live in that state. Our  insurance prices are going down this year.  My wife and I are spending $100/month and have a $350 deductible so I have no idea what you are talking about.  This is our best insurance plan in years.

Be sure to send a thank you note to Obama. The new Republican version won't go into effect for about 6 months

[21st Century Man]

Be sure to send a thank you note to Obama. The new Republican version won't go into effect for about 6 months

Has nothing to do with Obamacare or Trumpcare.  This is purely healthcare brought to us by the company that we work for.

[albrecht]

What better way to say “I Love You” than the gift of tolerance. Lmao!

That is hilarious. I tracked down where one can buy. Though by the time your order happened they will have already added another deviance/gender to the already long list. I think ABC news said there were 50 or something by now. LGBT is so years ago. Still hilarious shirt though!
https://www.aafnation.com/pages/search-results-page?q=lgbt

[GravitySucks]

I'm glad some billion dollar companies are trickling down on us. But I have always wondered, if trickle down is supposed to help the middle and lower income people, why not give the money directly to the people instead of depending on the voluntary largesse of the billionaire companies/employers?

Also, the Republicans giveth (to the super-rich) and taketh away (from the middle-class):

1. In 2018, some healthcare premiums might go up by as much as 50 percent. ... Topping the list is Georgia, with rates that are 57 percent higher than last year, while Florida said some premiums will be 45 percent higher.  And at the same time deductibles will go up.

2. Republicans have made no secret of the fact that after the tax bill passes, they will point at the resulting deficits to justify cuts in Medicaid and Medicare. The House and Senate passed a budget resolution last month with $1.8 trillion in cuts to both of these programs

3.  The tuition and fees deduction is no longer available. The tuition and fees deduction was actually an extender that expired at the end of 2016. The tuition and fees deduction allowed taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by up to $4,000.

4.  Starting this year, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the recently enacted federal tax overhaul, caps payers' deductions on their property, state and local income taxes (SALT)  at $10,000.

In 2015, the average New Yorker's SALT deduction was more than $22,000. In New Jersey and California, those deductions were around $18,000, while Marylanders claimed an average deduction of nearly $13,000.

The reality of trickle down is a larger deficit and an increase in the income inequality gap: 

"Between 1979 and 2005 (Reagan and W.'s shots at trickle down) after-tax household income rose 6 percent for the bottom fifth. The top fifth income increased by 80 percent. The top 1 percent saw their income triple. Instead of trickling down, it appears that prosperity trickled up. "

So much for strengthening the middle-class by making the super-rich richer

Who's the monkey now?

1. Any rise in Obamacare prices in the first two years can’t be blamed on Trump. The marketplace adjustments are still being paid and the rates are the results of the original bill. Year 3 it could be argued that eliminating the mandate helped raise rates some due to the risk pool, but only a portion of the increase.

2. No comment until I see something real.

3 and 4. The standard deduction has been raised for everyone. It was already the case that 49% paid no income tax. The tuition deduction and SALT deduction will be offset by the higher standard.

Let’s discuss middle class. You referenced the lower and upper one-fifth.  Which one of those are middle class? Obviously neither, so why use those numbers to “prove” some point?

When you talk “averages” for NY and CA SALT taxes, that is such a misnomer.  What should be more representative is “average SALT for people that owned property and paid local income tax”.

Because those numbers would better represent the upper middle class and upper class.  And in a progressive tax system, that is who the liberals say should pay more taxes, correct? 

Looks like Trump is doing exactly what the liberals want. Eliminating deductions for the upper n percent.

The most of us should be concerned with is the shrinking middle class.  And this is not Trump’ Fault. He inherited a stagnant economy and is doing his best to steer the ship in a different direction. So far, so good, in spite of all the push back from the establishment on both sides.

Personally, I think the middle class is going to continue to shrink until we stop illegal immigration. Build the wall, implement everify, begin deporting illegals, stop chain migration, stop diversity lottery. Trump has put those out there and the congress refuses to listen to the will of the people. The majority of liberals and conservatives want this issue settled. The establishment does not.

[Evil Twin Of Zen]

That is hilarious. I tracked down where one can buy. Though by the time your order happened they will have already added another deviance/gender to the already long list. I think ABC news said there were 50 or something by now. LGBT is so years ago. Still hilarious shirt though!
https://www.aafnation.com/pages/search-results-page?q=lgbt

consider it an abbreviated abbreviation. 

[GravitySucks]

The reality of trickle down is a larger deficit and an increase in the income inequality gap: 

"Between 1979 and 2005 (Reagan and W.'s shots at trickle down) after-tax household income rose 6 percent for the bottom fifth. The top fifth income increased by 80 percent. The top 1 percent saw their income triple. Instead of trickling down, it appears that prosperity trickled up. "

So much for strengthening the middle-class by making the super-rich richer

Who's the monkey now?

So lets look at this. Even this comparison is based on faulty logic. Prior to the Reagan tax cuts, there were all kinds of tax loopholes, tax shelters, passive losses and methods for hiding income. Most of these were eliminated.

The upper 1% income has risen, but that means they are paying more taxes. They now pay 90% of all income taxes.

Do you believe in human nature?  If you have to risk your money in a small business are you willing to take more risk if you can keep 67% of your profits or only 50% of your profits?

After the Reagan tax cuts the economy did better. Until the establishment started spending more and more and growing the federal government.

If I remember correctly, the number that didn’t pay taxes in the 80’s was around 35-40%. Now it is 49%.

It is hard to argue point by point, but I believe the economy will continue to grow with these lower tax rates (personal and corporate) and that will benefit everyone. Will Jeff Bezos benefit more than GravitySucks? Yes. Will he pay more in taxes than GravitySucks? Yes. Can GravitySucks make more money next year if he works harder?  Yes.


I would have much rather had a national sales tax or a flat tax but the establishment seems to be so entrenched that now I do not believe it will ever happen. 

[albrecht]

So lets look at this. Even this comparison is based on faulty logic. Prior to the Reagan tax cuts, there were all kinds of tax loopholes, tax shelters, passive losses and methods for hiding income. Most of these were eliminated.

The upper 1% income has risen, but that means they are paying more taxes. They now pay 90% of all income taxes.

Do you believe in human nature?  If you have to risk your money in a small business are you willing to take more risk if you can keep 67% of your profits or only 50% of your profits?

After the Reagan tax cuts the economy did better. Until the establishment started spending more and more and growing the federal government.

If I remember correctly, the number that didn’t pay taxes in the 80’s was around 35-40%. Now it is 49%.

It is hard to argue point by point, but I believe the economy will continue to grow with these lower tax rates (personal and corporate) and that will benefit everyone. Will Jeff Bezos benefit more than GravitySucks? Yes. Will he pay more in taxes than GravitySucks? Yes. Can GravitySucks make more money next year if he works harder?  Yes.


I would have much rather had a national sales tax or a flat tax but the establishment seems to be so entrenched that now I do not believe it will ever happen.

I'm not 100% certain but Trump, and other people particularly in real estate, really bitched about some of the provisions of Reagan tax reforms (loss of "passive depreciation", real estate syndicating, etc.)

Agree on the last point, that would be ideal. And imagine, nobody seems to mention opportunity costs: if all these educated and clever lawyers, accountants, and bureaucrats used those skills in productive, real economic activity. Instead of using it in writing, figuring out, exploiting, or prosecuting "loopholes" and doing clever accounting and paperwork.

[Jackstar]

All taxation is theft. One's belief that we "need" to have taxes is just societal engineering.

[albrecht]

consider it an abbreviated abbreviation. 

To abbreviate the abbreviations of various deviances and made-up genders is not inclusive and could trigger people. Every article, law, and internet post needs to mention all possible combinations. Type-setters need jobs also! Twitter is sexist/racist because it doesn't include enough letters even for the abbreviations of all possible deviances/genders/life-style choices! Ban them!

[Jackstar]

could trigger people

People who get triggered trigger me.

[Gd5150]

I'm not 100% certain but Trump, and other people particularly in real estate, really bitched about some of the provisions of Reagan tax reforms (loss of "passive depreciation", real estate syndicating, etc.)

Yep that really happened. It’s what caused Trump to go bankrupt in the 80s. The flick of a pen from Congress and boom you lose hundreds of millions. I remember when it happened. Did he whine and demand real estate neutrality? Nope. He built up hundred million dollar fortune again. The guy has always been a beast. It’s why Oprah loved him, and countless others in the business world.

And it’s why his impact on our economic growth is going to be huge. Well that and the demokkkrat party is a worthless shithole devoid of ideas. But I do believe I’ve touched on that subject once or twice already.

[Gd5150]

I would have much rather had a national sales tax or a flat tax but the establishment seems to be so entrenched that now I do not believe it will ever happen.

No way the demoKKKrats and the establishment will never go for that. It’s where they get their power. And as has been well established, that’s why they exist, for their own power.

[PB the Deplorable]

Yes it is very expensive, IF you're a resident. House prices are astronomic, partly because very few can live on the doorstep of Silicon valley and SF, so they move out here. More recently because landlords too have been gouging because of the recent fires that took out a lot of houses in the Napa valley.

So yeah I do know. But such as Apple get concessions to have plants. Land values are also rising (driven by the legalisation of marijuana) but such as Apple can adsorb that and have it as a tax loss.

I'm curious how Apple buying land in Calif would generate a tax loss.

Also, what are the concessions being offered Apple?

[PB the Deplorable]

Imagine the lefts outrage if this were Walmart.

Amazon gooooood. Walmart baaaaaad.



https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/21/amazons-first-automated-store-opens-to-public-on-monday?CMP=share_btn_link

We've had those all along.  The photos and captions others have posted, and the free merchandise claimed by Occupy/BLM/Antifa rioter looter losers

[Gd5150]

nobody seems to mention opportunity costs: if all these educated and clever lawyers, accountants, and bureaucrats used those skills in productive, real economic activity. Instead of using it in writing, figuring out, exploiting, or prosecuting "loopholes" and doing clever accounting and paperwork.

That seems to be the way all massive corporations these days. Instead of using their brightest to make innovative products people want. They use their brightest to force people to buy their worthless mandatory “upgrades”.

Microsoft hasn’t innovated anything useful since Windows XP. They’re still milking Office®️, as though that’s changed in 20 years.

Apple’s last big thing was the iPad.

Samsung copies Apple.

People use Facebook, Google, Yahoo, but for free. Their info is then sold so these companies can make money. Along with throttling advertising space. But hey like neutrality 😂.

Most of the great innovation in tech has been hardware based the last 10 years. Silly valley is joke.

Hollywood does nothing but make sequels and remakes these days.

There is no music industry. We get like 2 new artists per year.

Everyone just wants a quick easy buck and to be famous.

[PB the Deplorable]

... People use Facebook, Google, Yahoo, but for free. Their info is then sold so these companies can make money. Along with throttling advertising space. But hey like neutrality 😂...

So, not free.  Like British health care.

[Gd5150]

So, not free.  Like British health care.

True. But they’re not charged directly for it. And if they were they’d lose 98% of their customers.

[Jackstar]

Everyone just wants a quick easy buck and to be famous.

Say hi to your sister for me.

[PB the Deplorable]

True. But they’re not charged directly for it. And if they were they’d lose 98% of their customers.

I actually don't mind having a bot see where I go on the internet, etc, and have an algorithm select ads for me.  Not that I ever click on any, I just think it's great they destroyed the ad revenue the newspapers used to get.

By the way, did you know algorithm was named after the inventer of the internet?

[Dr. MD MD]

I actually don't mind having a bot see where I go on the internet, etc, and have an algorithm select ads for me.  Not that I ever click on any, I just think it's great they destroyed the ad revenue the newspapers used to get.

By the way, did you know algorithm was named after the inventer of the internet?

Mr. Gore?

[albrecht]

By the way, did you know algorithm was named after the inventor of the internet?

So lame that I laughed. Nice, I haven't heard that one before.

The inventor of the internet, and global warming, from a snowed in Davos apparently defended Trump, a bit, earlier.
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/24/al-gore-trump-solar-tariff-davos/

[PB the Deplorable]

I wasn't in the US then..and I didn't get on here till late 2012.. Tariffs seldom work in the long term. Sure, they might throw a sop to the masses for a short while, but the market will eventually prevail...

First off, it's a mistake to lump all tariffs together.  There are different reasons different ones have been implemented, for different goals.  Meaning their effectiveness is judged using different metrics.  Sometimes it's retaliation.  Sometimes it's a short sided attempt to protect certain political constituent groups.  Sometimes it's a valid attempt to protect domestic workers and industries.  Sometimes it's a political tool against an enemy or unfriendly country.  And so on. 

In this case, it's to punish and put an end to the dumping of certain specific products.  What we really need is to come to an agreement with their government that certain of their practices will no longer be tolerated.  Industrial espionage.  Theft of intellectual property.  Dumping.  Illegal barriors of entry to their markets.  Environmental and human rights concerns that give them an advantage that we probably shouldn't be encouraging by allowing import of the goods produced using these advantages.  And so on.

[21st Century Man]

I actually don't mind having a bot see where I go on the internet, etc, and have an algorithm select ads for me.  Not that I ever click on any, I just think it's great they destroyed the ad revenue the newspapers used to get.

By the way, did you know algorithm was named after the inventer of the internet?

ROTFLMAO,  I'm surprised I hadn't thought of that one before.  I'll have to say that to my wife.  She loves that sort of bad joke.  Reminds her of her dad, RIP.

[TigerLily]

Looks like the conversation has been raised a few IQ notches since I was last here. That makes me feel less glum. I will have to stay away more often if this keeps up

*snark* algorithm, good one. Almost made me lol

[TigerLily]

Has nothing to do with Obamacare or Trumpcare.  This is purely healthcare brought to us by the company that we work for.

Who are having to pay less to provide that insurance

[21st Century Man]

Who are having to pay less to provide that insurance

I really wouldn't know as this is our first year with the new company so I can't say how much it was in the past.

[Evil Twin Of Zen]

To abbreviate the abbreviations of various deviances and made-up genders is not inclusive and could trigger people. Every article, law, and internet post needs to mention all possible combinations. Type-setters need jobs also! Twitter is sexist/racist because it doesn't include enough letters even for the abbreviations of all possible deviances/genders/life-style choices! Ban them!

"Type-setters need jobs also!" ... do you think any one else noticed that this didn't mean what they think it meant? 

"it doesn't include enough letters even for the abbreviations of all possible deviances/genders/life-style choices!" ... just use the phrase "those people". 

[21st Century Man]

Looks like the conversation has been raised a few IQ notches since I was last here. That makes me feel less glum. I will have to stay away more often if this keeps up

*snark* algorithm, good one. Almost made me lol

lol.  I don't care for being snarky and lobbing insults to people on the other side unless they are being rude.  I like to speak with the other side and hear what they have to say.