Global warming Tax.

[Mary B]

When I was working still and earning around $24k a year and single I was paying 25% in state, federal, medicare, and SS taxes. No deductions because no kids and my house has been paid off for years.
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Never trust a skinny chef
Bixby 115
Outdoor wood fired BBQ pit

[upnort]

Good Morning. Here goes my take again. (Am sure to be vilified). This is just one part of the government tax and spending issue. (We should have such a thread not in the Global Warming Thread. ( First and wish people would identify who they are as they post a comment. I am 70, retired, on SS, Medicare, pension etc.) That being said I wish to post a comment on the entitlements, SS, Medicare, Medicade etc. What I have noticed is the uproar on cost of these programs. What has never been said is that all these programs, especially SS AND Medicaid do not represent the original program. SS was to be a supplemental retirement insurance. However it has been added to , amended, by Congress to garner votes. I would like to see what the program would look like if we went back to the original program, its aims and break out only the retirement insurance from the disability, children, etc. Then see how much money we would have left just for retirement insurance. This should go back to the original programs and see and break out the costs or the original program and what it is now. The problem with all entitlements I see that once initiated (Note the Current Health Bill Debate) get to be a large grab bag with the entitlements being added instead of a separate program for each added entitlements. I think if a bill is passed (Like SS) when they get the money set up separate accounts so we can see where the money goes in each program. I see this as how we have been vilified (Retirees) for what we cannot control in Washington. Tody we either need to tax more or reduce spending. Also pass a bill if you get money from a lobbyist like hospitals you cannot vote on such a bill. (Oops that means we would get gridlock because of nobody voting in Congress. (PS--Just thought of it, might be a good thing) Thank You UP NORT

[mkling]

Thanks, Upnort. I agree that this is getting away from the central topic of the forum but it just happens that the economy is central to everything right now because it is in need of a great deal of fixing. The original comment was about adding a tax in CA to support the creation of a Global Warming Think Tank. My response to this is quite simple, if there is crisis (beit economic, environmental, etc.) the governemt should try to step in a promote a solution. Unfortunately capitalism doesn't always do the right thing, it most often does what's best for the bottom line. You see, this is why governemt sponsored programs are so important because it acts to counter balance the effects of capitalsim leading us down a path to the biggest profit. I am not a hater of capitalism by any means but one thing people always fail to realize is that a capitalistic system running unchecked will not work, it needs checks and balances just like government does. Now back to the GW tax, if the economy were not in such shambles right now perhaps it wouldn't be necessary to institute a new tax for something like this but the reality is that CA faces an economic and environmental crisis right now and the revenues just aren't there for governemt grants of this sort. So again, if we could actually do something to fix our broken economy then we can start focusing on other issues like the environment, health care and social security (all of which are large contributors to our econonmic woes by the way but fixing them cannot be the solution in the short term).
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Pinnacle PB150
5 tons of pellets/year
1/2 tank of oil/year for DHW

[jdeere5220]

[mkling]

[upnort]

Good Morning. I agree partially, both government and Capitalism need to be somehow be balanced or they will get out of hand. With the situation we have now in the US itis very hard because there is no give and take on either side. The ones on the "rich" side and the ones on the "poor side" get much of the money. (You may not agree but if you don't work, on Welfare, free medical, etc--you have no incentive to change or work if you get lots for free--Please I do not wish to disparege helping the needy) That being said then the ones that get squeezed are the middle of the country, they pay, pay, and pay and in return get less than they give in. Washington does not give in proportion to its need but to states that have the most clout (California, Ohio, NY, Florida, etc. So the social part of the government is not evenly divided. As for the rich, not ever been, hard to visualize where they come from or the large corporations and how much they make. I am sure there is bashing on both sides. As grew older noticed (not saying it is ok) but they bash Exxon for billions in profits. But on the on the other half of the problem is that Washington collects more in taxes than that. So why no howl about that? Easy they want to keep it quiet because our roads and bridges are falling down and they have spent gas tax on other things not associated with roads and bridges. Where to go from here? Don't know exactly but I feel cutting down our spending should be a good start. Tell us that if we have a budget of 4 trillion and can only collect taxes of 2 trillion we will have to borrow 2 trillion. Does nobody see that? As far as tax the rich, good show, they are the only ones that can take their money and bank it somewhare else. Just cuts off the nose to spite the face. UP NORT

[Mary B]

Medicare and SS are not entitlement programs. I paid forced taxes for years on those with the understanding I would have something if I retired or became disabled. I stopped working in 2006 at 46 after work injuries made it impossible for me to continue (torn rotator cuffs both shoulders and severe back injuries). My retirement account evaporated paying medical bills while I fought with Social Security to get benefits. Once I got in to see the judge he issued a bench order saying I was qualified and that I should never have been denied.

As far as fixing those 2 programs tell congress to pay back all the money they borrowed from them over the years.

I am still trying to get back to at least some part time work by getting a programming degree but as bad as the economy is getting a job when I graduate is going to be rough.
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Never trust a skinny chef
Bixby 115
Outdoor wood fired BBQ pit

[upnort]

Good Afternoon. Back in from exercise loading up pails and bringing into the house. Mary,when I saId entitlements it was using how they talk about it in Washington. I agree with you after working 44 years myself, paid into SS and Medicare. I also agree that they should tell us what happened to the money and put IOU's in the Treasury. Same for the road tax, etc, and you name it. I am willing to bet that if the original bill was used we should have tons of money to pay for SS, Medicare etc. It is the add on's that are killing us. (My tongue and cheek is that with the Health Care Bill this year the give aways to pass the bill used up our savings--That is what I think the administration said was TAX NEUTRAL--OOPS). Old people remember the Depression, saved and now they have figured out we are a good source of revenue. Never miss a good day in Washington to tax the wealthy seniors DA! Am I upset you can guess. UP NORT

[xracer]

Is everyone oblivious to the storm looming? Wake up!
http://www.usdebtclock.org/

A little Socialism never hurt anyone right?

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St. Croix Auburn

[mkling]

So what do you propose?
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Pinnacle PB150
5 tons of pellets/year
1/2 tank of oil/year for DHW

[tallcorn]

Reduce taxes while spending on foreign wars and increase dept.
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Countryside 3500P (pedestal version) used 8-9 yrs, 24/7 during days requiring heat. All original motors. Burns moldy corn, and pellets equally well. Burn it if you got it.

[jdeere5220]

Here is a neat sit that allows you to enter you salary and graphs your effective tax rate. Run your mouse back to 1940 and see how rates have changed, what we are spending our money on.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/tax-rates-spending.htm

Anyone still think the answer is more taxes??
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Maxim M250 outdoor corn/pellet burner
Old Beat-up Gravity Box
I support Global Warming

[Occam]

[SidecarFlip]

Occam....

It will undoubtedly take more taxes, in fact a substantial tax increase to finance and support your green initiative. Don't fret. The melting icecaps and the Co levels will quickly overshadow the petty crisis of bankruptcy of the United States.

Besides, when hyper inflation kicks in, and it will, you'll have more pressing matters to worry about.
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Flipmeisters Specialty Products, LLC
www.flipmeisters.com

[Occam]

Researchers Calculate the Cost of CO2 Emissions, Call for Carbon Tax
ScienceDaily (July 7, 2010) — Two Rice University researchers are calling on policymakers to encourage the transition from coal-based electricity production to a system based on natural gas through a carbon tax.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100707102549.htm