Comments for Going "John Galt" http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog Loving this country enough to leave it / Loving this country enough to save it Sat, 02 Apr 2011 13:36:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Why “Going John Galt”? by Bazedo http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/why-going-john-galt/comment-page-2/#comment-37651 Bazedo Sat, 02 Apr 2011 13:36:59 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/why-going-john-galt/#comment-37651 There are a few industries that could make a lasting impression/statement on the current political system in which we are forced. Since I am closest to farming, I will say that "if" we could get a coordinated effort from 75% of the farmers in California's Central Valley (a.k.a. the bread basket of the world) to not produce any food product for one season you would see wide spread panic, probably world wide concern, and a shift in attitude about who really has the power in this country. As it stands, "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is a meaningless, valueless and often disregarded conception by those believing the Constitution is outdated and no longer useful in our current day. When I say "those," of course I'm referring to the vast amount of politicians currently living large off the tax payer. No one man or small group of people will accomplish anything under the latest (last 10-15 years) Washington rule. Real change will come when people are hungry! There are a few industries that could make a lasting impression/statement on the current political system in which we are forced.

Since I am closest to farming, I will say that “if” we could get a coordinated effort from 75% of the farmers in California’s Central Valley (a.k.a. the bread basket of the world) to not produce any food product for one season you would see wide spread panic, probably world wide concern, and a shift in attitude about who really has the power in this country.

As it stands, “government of the people, by the people, for the people” is a meaningless, valueless and often disregarded conception by those believing the Constitution is outdated and no longer useful in our current day. When I say “those,” of course I’m referring to the vast amount of politicians currently living large off the tax payer.

No one man or small group of people will accomplish anything under the latest (last 10-15 years) Washington rule.

Real change will come when people are hungry!

]]> Comment on Good numbers and bad numbers by Joseph Harden http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/2010/08/12/good-numbers-and-bad-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-37000 Joseph Harden Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:26:54 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/?p=374#comment-37000 There is no difference between the scenarios and redistribution of wealth by other than charity would be wrong, but... what is right about the top 25 wall street fund managers 'earning' an average of a billion dollars each last year. That is not capital gains on investments or value added to building a business, that is wages and bonuses. I understand that if they increase their employer's bottom line they should be compensated. The question, though, is where does that fat bottom line and those outrageous salaries come from? It derives from the companies' customers. If my retirement fund owns stock in those customers then their bottom line is reduced as is the return on my investments. Instead of earning 7% I earn 5%. Instead of retiring at age 62 I retire at age 67. Instead of a nice vacation every couple of years we spend a weekend or two at the lake four hours away. So, how did that scenario go again? There is no difference between the scenarios and redistribution of wealth by other than charity would be wrong, but… what is right about the top 25 wall street fund managers ‘earning’ an average of a billion dollars each last year. That is not capital gains on investments or value added to building a business, that is wages and bonuses. I understand that if they increase their employer’s bottom line they should be compensated. The question, though, is where does that fat bottom line and those outrageous salaries come from? It derives from the companies’ customers. If my retirement fund owns stock in those customers then their bottom line is reduced as is the return on my investments. Instead of earning 7% I earn 5%. Instead of retiring at age 62 I retire at age 67. Instead of a nice vacation every couple of years we spend a weekend or two at the lake four hours away. So, how did that scenario go again?

]]> Comment on Hop on my thought train… by Scott http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/2010/08/26/hop-on-my-thought-train/comment-page-1/#comment-36941 Scott Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:25:03 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/?p=380#comment-36941 Legally I donkt think the mosque can be stopped. Most of the arguements I've seen are its just the wrong place to put it or even construction crews would refuse to work on it. But hey anyone can file a lawsuit doesn't mean they'll prevail in stopping it. However as a sidenote take a look at what muslim communities even in this country forbid citizen sto do. Dearborn Michigan would be a good starting place. Your sympathies would be streched even thinner for law enforcement and muslim so called plite there. Legally I donkt think the mosque can be stopped. Most of the arguements I’ve seen are its just the wrong place to put it or even construction crews would refuse to work on it. But hey anyone can file a lawsuit doesn’t mean they’ll prevail in stopping it. However as a sidenote take a look at what muslim communities even in this country forbid citizen sto do. Dearborn Michigan would be a good starting place. Your sympathies would be streched even thinner for law enforcement and muslim so called plite there.

]]> Comment on “Fuck The South” revisted by Al Dorman http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/2008/12/28/fuck-the-south-revisted/comment-page-1/#comment-36655 Al Dorman Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:47:46 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/?p=110#comment-36655 You're an Randroid idiot, "Fuck the South" is legend. You’re an Randroid idiot, “Fuck the South” is legend.

]]> Comment on Fair share question by Jay http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/2010/08/08/fair-share-question/comment-page-1/#comment-28044 Jay Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:16:54 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/?p=369#comment-28044 I think you mean what is the fair share the gov't should take. To me fair for the US is a modified flat tax starting at 0% thru 10K, 5% thru 20K, 10% thru 30K, 15% thru 50K, 20% thru 100K, and 25% above - no deductions except that up to 25% of income can be put into qualified savings such as mutual funds but taxed fully when withdrawn. Cap gains, dividends, corp income, etc all at 15% with no threshold. This gives some assistance to those of limited means but otherwise basically has a reasonable balance of each paying for the gov't they receive. It also basically pulls taxes out of decisions on how to invest in the economy. I think you mean what is the fair share the gov’t should take. To me fair for the US is a modified flat tax starting at 0% thru 10K, 5% thru 20K, 10% thru 30K, 15% thru 50K, 20% thru 100K, and 25% above – no deductions except that up to 25% of income can be put into qualified savings such as mutual funds but taxed fully when withdrawn. Cap gains, dividends, corp income, etc all at 15% with no threshold.

This gives some assistance to those of limited means but otherwise basically has a reasonable balance of each paying for the gov’t they receive. It also basically pulls taxes out of decisions on how to invest in the economy.

]]> Comment on Why “Going John Galt”? by Awkupyr http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/why-going-john-galt/comment-page-2/#comment-23902 Awkupyr Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:53:56 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/why-going-john-galt/#comment-23902 I love the irony of yuppies, real estate agents, investors, brokers, insurance jerks, c.e.o.'s, bankers, and managerial types considering themselves the Producers. What a joke! The only things they make are misery for the masses. These fools are the actual Looters that they believe to be calling out. Systems of taxing are developed to help those who are actually producing something. If you truly believe you've never received benefit from a tax, you're either a liar or a fool. If you want taxes gone, leave. Go find an island with the money hoarders. We'll see what's actually produced without population for labor, transportation, medical services, etc. Oh wait, we've already witnessed what happens next.. it was called Slavery. What a great system that turned out to be! The Dems are not the Looters. Taxing is not Looting. Capital Imperialists are the thieves. Reality is not a fictional story or philosophy-in-a-vacuum written by Ayn Rand. Get a job doing real labor - being paid less than a livable wage while your boss takes a trip to The Cayman Islands or Italy - and we'll talk about perspective again. I love the irony of yuppies, real estate agents, investors, brokers, insurance jerks, c.e.o.’s, bankers, and managerial types considering themselves the Producers. What a joke! The only things they make are misery for the masses. These fools are the actual Looters that they believe to be calling out. Systems of taxing are developed to help those who are actually producing something.

If you truly believe you’ve never received benefit from a tax, you’re either a liar or a fool. If you want taxes gone, leave. Go find an island with the money hoarders. We’ll see what’s actually produced without population for labor, transportation, medical services, etc. Oh wait, we’ve already witnessed what happens next.. it was called Slavery. What a great system that turned out to be!

The Dems are not the Looters. Taxing is not Looting. Capital Imperialists are the thieves. Reality is not a fictional story or philosophy-in-a-vacuum written by Ayn Rand. Get a job doing real labor – being paid less than a livable wage while your boss takes a trip to The Cayman Islands or Italy – and we’ll talk about perspective again.

]]> Comment on Hop on my thought train… by John http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/2010/08/26/hop-on-my-thought-train/comment-page-1/#comment-23430 John Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:11:58 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/?p=380#comment-23430 Ah yes, I forgot that even in the tax software I use, cents are never entered. Of course, that's a pretty slim margin for effective protest. However, I'm intrigued by your tax settlement claims. Am I correct in believing that they are generally only applicable to people in unexpected financial (or bookkeeping) trouble? I find it difficult to believe that the IRS would budge an inch with an avowed tax protestor, so as to set an example. But perhaps I'm incorrect. Ah yes, I forgot that even in the tax software I use, cents are never entered. Of course, that’s a pretty slim margin for effective protest. However, I’m intrigued by your tax settlement claims. Am I correct in believing that they are generally only applicable to people in unexpected financial (or bookkeeping) trouble? I find it difficult to believe that the IRS would budge an inch with an avowed tax protestor, so as to set an example. But perhaps I’m incorrect.

]]> Comment on Hop on my thought train… by Personal Failure http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/2010/08/26/hop-on-my-thought-train/comment-page-1/#comment-23411 Personal Failure Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:46:47 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/?p=380#comment-23411 Actually, I work with the IRS all the time, and they don't sweat $0.10. In fact, they want you to round to the nearest dollar (round down if it's below $0.49). We settle tax bills all the time for 1/2 or less than what's owed. The thing is, the IRS might be a faceless monolith, but individual agents, are, well, individuals. They don't really want to play games, they just want to close files and keep their stats up. So, they're very motivated to settle. Actually, I work with the IRS all the time, and they don’t sweat $0.10. In fact, they want you to round to the nearest dollar (round down if it’s below $0.49). We settle tax bills all the time for 1/2 or less than what’s owed.

The thing is, the IRS might be a faceless monolith, but individual agents, are, well, individuals. They don’t really want to play games, they just want to close files and keep their stats up. So, they’re very motivated to settle.

]]> Comment on Fair share question by John http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/2010/08/08/fair-share-question/comment-page-1/#comment-23399 John Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:06:23 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/?p=369#comment-23399 It's the context that people carry when they say taxes are unfair, either too high or too low, that I'm hoping to parse. But I am already familiar with your context and agree with it :-) . I was hoping to get some understanding of the other side from those who believe it. To no avail, it appears. It’s the context that people carry when they say taxes are unfair, either too high or too low, that I’m hoping to parse. But I am already familiar with your context and agree with it :-) . I was hoping to get some understanding of the other side from those who believe it. To no avail, it appears.

]]> Comment on Fair share question by Cassandra Green http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/2010/08/08/fair-share-question/comment-page-1/#comment-23128 Cassandra Green Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:08:49 +0000 http://www.goingjohngalt.org/blog/?p=369#comment-23128 Your context is unclear. Are you referring to a person determining if their own tax burden is equitable, or if someone else's is? Either way, taxes are wealth-redistribution, and my idea of a fair share of taxes paid for EVERYONE is $0.00. Otherwise, "You fear the man who has a dollar less than you, that dollar is rightfully his.... You hate the man who has a dollar more than you, that dollar is rightfully yours...." Your context is unclear. Are you referring to a person determining if their own tax burden is equitable, or if someone else’s is? Either way, taxes are wealth-redistribution, and my idea of a fair share of taxes paid for EVERYONE is $0.00. Otherwise, “You fear the man who has a dollar less than you, that dollar is rightfully his…. You hate the man who has a dollar more than you, that dollar is rightfully yours….”

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