Entitlement Culture

[AZGrizFan]

Some already HAVE more skin than others. The numbers vary from analyses to analyses, but in general: The top 1% pay 29% of the tax burden. The top 5% pay almost HALF the tax burden. The bottom 47% pay ZERO percent of the tax burden.

That looks like a VERY progressive tax rate system to me....

And those at the top have nothing to complain about. Their current tax rates have been extremely low for quite sometime compared to 20th century standards and their wealth has exploded exponentially. They've had a good run and their next 10 generations will have a good run. Channeling Cleets for a second, it's rather expensive to keep the serfs happy these days.

2008 Bill Gates was worth $58 billion. 2011 Bill Gates was worth $56 billion. His net worth has fluctuated between $56 billion and $60 billion for 6 years.
2008 Warren Buffett was worth $62 billion. 2011 Warren Buffett was worth $50 billion.

For the top two richest guys in AMerica, that's hardly "exploding exponentially".

FWIW, Mark Zuckerberg's net worth dropped 50%.

[YoUDeeMan]

And those at the top have nothing to complain about. Their current tax rates have been extremely low for quite sometime compared to 20th century standards and their wealth has exploded exponentially. They've had a good run and their next 10 generations will have a good run. Channeling Cleets for a second, it's rather expensive to keep the serfs happy these days.

I'd say those at the bottom have nothing to complain about. Their current standard of living has been extremely high for quite sometime compared to 20th century standards and their access to material things has expanded exponentially.

They've had a great run and their next 10 generations, most of them born to younger parents with smart phones and HD TVS, will have a good run.

[AZGrizFan]

And those at the top have nothing to complain about. Their current tax rates have been extremely low for quite sometime compared to 20th century standards and their wealth has exploded exponentially. They've had a good run and their next 10 generations will have a good run. Channeling Cleets for a second, it's rather expensive to keep the serfs happy these days.

I'd say those at the bottom have nothing to complain about. Their current standard of living has been extremely high for quite sometime compared to 20th century standards and their access to material things has expanded exponentially.

They've had a great run and their next 10 generations, most of them born to younger parents with smart phones and HD TVS, will have a good run.

The definition of "poverty" sure has changed.

[kalm]

And those at the top have nothing to complain about. Their current tax rates have been extremely low for quite sometime compared to 20th century standards and their wealth has exploded exponentially. They've had a good run and their next 10 generations will have a good run. Channeling Cleets for a second, it's rather expensive to keep the serfs happy these days.

2008 Bill Gates was worth $58 billion. 2011 Bill Gates was worth $56 billion. His net worth has fluctuated between $56 billion and $60 billion for 6 years.
2008 Warren Buffett was worth $62 billion. 2011 Warren Buffett was worth $50 billion.

For the top two richest guys in AMerica, that's hardly "exploding exponentially".

FWIW, Mark Zuckerberg's net worth dropped 50%.

Anecdotal. Go back a little further, increase the sample size and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[AZGrizFan]

2008 Bill Gates was worth $58 billion. 2011 Bill Gates was worth $56 billion. His net worth has fluctuated between $56 billion and $60 billion for 6 years.
2008 Warren Buffett was worth $62 billion. 2011 Warren Buffett was worth $50 billion.

For the top two richest guys in AMerica, that's hardly "exploding exponentially".

FWIW, Mark Zuckerberg's net worth dropped 50%.

Anecdotal. Go back a little further, increase the sample size and you'll see what I'm talking about.

You claim their net worth is exploding exponentially. It's been essentially flat for going on 5 years.

I know. Making money is BAD.

[Ibanez]

And those at the top have nothing to complain about. Their current tax rates have been extremely low for quite sometime compared to 20th century standards and their wealth has exploded exponentially. They've had a good run and their next 10 generations will have a good run. Channeling Cleets for a second, it's rather expensive to keep the serfs happy these days.

2008 Bill Gates was worth $58 billion. 2011 Bill Gates was worth $56 billion. His net worth has fluctuated between $56 billion and $60 billion for 6 years.
2008 Warren Buffett was worth $62 billion. 2011 Warren Buffett was worth $50 billion.

For the top two richest guys in AMerica, that's hardly "exploding exponentially".

FWIW, Mark Zuckerberg's net worth dropped 50%.

Mark doesn't provide a tangible product. He provides a virtual community. I don't see that being sustained for decades.

[CAA Flagship]

This story relates to this thread topic so I am using it.

Wife took my oldest son to his baseball game while I was out of town last week. She brought around 10 cases of Bud Light to offer to the parents of the players on the team to take home. We did this last year as well. She spoke to all the parents individually during the game that she had beer to give them after the game, She did this quietly because there were also grandparents and other family members there that she could not cover.

While in the parking lot handing out the beer after the game, an uncle of one of the players walks up and stands there waiting to get "his" case. The player is a new kid on the team this spring. He is the only black kid on the team and is a good kid and OK player. His parents, nice people, were one of the first in line since they had parked next to my wife. They got their case and immediately put it in their trunk. Then about 6 other parents came and got their cases. Then comes the uncle who she never saw at other games and who she never offered the beer to. He says "I'm ****'s uncle". That's it. He didn't say anything else. My wife was taken back trying to think of whether there was enough beer for everyone she offered it to. Not wanting to make a scene, she gave him a case and he took it and went to his car. There was no "thank you", no further conversation. She was pissed that someone could have the balls to do this.

When she told me the story, I thought of the title to this thread.

[travelinman67]

So why can't the 99% just shut their yappers and understand they're taking full advantage of the system as well?

Good point. Perhaps when they get invited to congressional meetings for their opinions on the budget, they will.

Feeling inadequate, are we?

Don't feel bad...you still have one good nut.

[kalm]

Good point. Perhaps when they get invited to congressional meetings for their opinions on the budget, they will.

Feeling inadequate, are we?

Don't feel bad...you still have one good nut.

I have a good life. Gratitude helps fight off the cynicism.

You, on the other hand, love a corrupt system based in established power rather than competition...

and to molest collies.

[CAA Flagship]

Feeling inadequate, are we?

Don't feel bad...you still have one good nut.

I have a good life. Gratitude helps fight off the cynicism.

You, on the other hand, love a corrupt system based in established power rather than competition...

and to molest collies.

I love it when an argument that ended 2-1/2 years ago can resume so easily.

[kalm]

I have a good life. Gratitude helps fight off the cynicism.

You, on the other hand, love a corrupt system based in established power rather than competition...

and to molest collies.

I love it when an argument that ended 2-1/2 years ago can resume so easily.

Are you equating your families to the 99% and their uncles to Wall Street? Or the other way around?

[JohnStOnge]

Corporate taxation is double taxation anyway. To me there shouldn't even be any corporate taxes.

[YoUDeeMan]

This story relates to this thread topic so I am using it.

Wife took my oldest son to his baseball game while I was out of town last week. She brought around 10 cases of Bud Light to offer to the parents of the players on the team to take home. We did this last year as well. She spoke to all the parents individually during the game that she had beer to give them after the game, She did this quietly because there were also grandparents and other family members there that she could not cover.

While in the parking lot handing out the beer after the game, an uncle of one of the players walks up and stands there waiting to get "his" case. The player is a new kid on the team this spring. He is the only black kid on the team and is a good kid and OK player. His parents, nice people, were one of the first in line since they had parked next to my wife. They got their case and immediately put it in their trunk. Then about 6 other parents came and got their cases. Then comes the uncle who she never saw at other games and who she never offered the beer to. He says "I'm ****'s uncle". That's it. He didn't say anything else. My wife was taken back trying to think of whether there was enough beer for everyone she offered it to. Not wanting to make a scene, she gave him a case and he took it and went to his car. There was no "thank you", no further conversation. She was pissed that someone could have the balls to do this.

When she told me the story, I thought of the title to this thread.

Your wife let a mooch run her over.

She could have ended it with a quick, "Your nephew's parents already got their case of beer."

Of course, kkklean would say that your wife owed it to the douche bag.

[CAA Flagship]

This story relates to this thread topic so I am using it.

Wife took my oldest son to his baseball game while I was out of town last week. She brought around 10 cases of Bud Light to offer to the parents of the players on the team to take home. We did this last year as well. She spoke to all the parents individually during the game that she had beer to give them after the game, She did this quietly because there were also grandparents and other family members there that she could not cover.

While in the parking lot handing out the beer after the game, an uncle of one of the players walks up and stands there waiting to get "his" case. The player is a new kid on the team this spring. He is the only black kid on the team and is a good kid and OK player. His parents, nice people, were one of the first in line since they had parked next to my wife. They got their case and immediately put it in their trunk. Then about 6 other parents came and got their cases. Then comes the uncle who she never saw at other games and who she never offered the beer to. He says "I'm ****'s uncle". That's it. He didn't say anything else. My wife was taken back trying to think of whether there was enough beer for everyone she offered it to. Not wanting to make a scene, she gave him a case and he took it and went to his car. There was no "thank you", no further conversation. She was pissed that someone could have the balls to do this.

When she told me the story, I thought of the title to this thread.

Your wife let a mooch run her over.

She could have ended it with a quick, "Your nephew's parents already got their case of beer."

Of course, kkklean would say that your wife owed it to the douche bag.

I don't see this as a black/white thing. It definitely is NOT.
But this very well could be a cultural thing. How can someone act as if they are "entitled" to it while barely speaking and without any show of appreciation?

[AZGrizFan]

Your wife let a mooch run her over.

She could have ended it with a quick, "Your nephew's parents already got their case of beer."

Of course, kkklean would say that your wife owed it to the douche bag.

I don't see this as a black/white thing. It definitely is NOT.
But this very well could be a cultural thing. How can someone act as if they are "entitled" to it while barely speaking and without any show of appreciation?

Uh.....because they're ENTITLED to it?

[kalm]

Your wife let a mooch run her over.

She could have ended it with a quick, "Your nephew's parents already got their case of beer."

Of course, kkklean would say that your wife owed it to the douche bag.

I don't see this as a black/white thing. It definitely is NOT.
But this very well could be a cultural thing. How can someone act as if they are "entitled" to it while barely speaking and without any show of appreciation?

Without getting into it, I experienced a similar event last weekend. Only they were white.

I'm just not gonna sweat it that much.

Oh...and I saw another black guy today. That's three in one week.

[AZGrizFan]

I don't see this as a black/white thing. It definitely is NOT.
But this very well could be a cultural thing. How can someone act as if they are "entitled" to it while barely speaking and without any show of appreciation?

Without getting into it, I experienced a similar event last weekend. Only they were white.

I'm just not gonna sweat it that much.

Oh...and I saw another black guy today. That's three in one week.

Man. What has Spokompton come to....

[D1B]

I just received my tax return for 2011 back from the IRS. It puzzles me!!!
They are questioning how many dependents I claimed.
I guess it was because of my response to the line : "List all dependents"
I replied: 12 million illegal immigrants; 3 million crack heads;
42 million unemployed people on food stamps, 2 million people in over 243 prisons;
Half of Mexico; and 535 persons in the U.S. House and Senate."

Evidently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.
I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, WHO THE HELL DID I MISS?

You missed Jose, my landscaper.

Add me n' Julian n' Mr.Bananas to the list. Thank you for your money.

[D1B]

Corporate taxation is double taxation anyway. To me there shouldn't even be any corporate taxes.

[Ibanez]

I don't see this as a black/white thing. It definitely is NOT.
But this very well could be a cultural thing. How can someone act as if they are "entitled" to it while barely speaking and without any show of appreciation?

Without getting into it, I experienced a similar event last weekend. Only they were white.

I'm just not gonna sweat it that much.

Oh...and I saw another black guy today. That's three in one week.

Don't ever come south. You'll get all excited over how you saw more blacks in 5 minutes than you had in your entire life.