State of the Union address

[sts9fan]

Shouldn't there be a better way to tax more on those who earns more and put the extra money to help credit those who earns less?"

Yes, there is a way.
Its called socialism, or a form of communism.

I think its so unfair that some people make more than others.
Wouldnt it be nice if we could all just afford the same audio gear?

Now that my sarcasm is over, you liberal re-distributers need to get a clue.
If you really wanted a fair system, lets see you support the flat tax.
How can it not be fair if everyone pays the same RATE, with NO deductions for anyone. But you really dont want a fair system, you want to play Robin Hood.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHA

ok I got that out of the way...

You know that all socialist(which by the way is not another word for communist.) use a flat tax right?? Its funny that you knock something and then are uninformed enough to tout it.

 

[Audioholics]

Now we are getting to the root of things. People are not willing to sacrifice to make the worl a better place. End of story...

True. So what do you drive, and do you own a home under 1500 sq. ft. that uses alternative fuels? Cause if you rent an apartment that's just like feeding the giant or buying an SUV - those landlords don't give a rip about fuel efficiency.

 

[sts9fan]

Oh I almost forgot...


GIT R DONE



Can I be a republican now???

 

[sts9fan]

True. So what do you drive, and do you own a home under 1500 sq. ft. that uses alternative fuels? Cause if you rent an apartment that's just like feeding the giant or buying an SUV - those landlords don't give a rip about fuel efficiency.

Thank you for asking!!!

How I try to make a differnce(or how I stopped being a putz and began trying to better the world one gallon at a time)

1) I drive a honda civic it gets real good mileage. I also have a large lab and he fits fine in the back seat.
2) I only buy local produce (less distance less gas)

3) I do rent but my heat is oil and I purchase my B20 heating fuel from
http://www.worldenergy.net/

I am going to be buying a place in the next year or two and you know I will have solar panels.
Also I just want to add that saying "Well you use fuel for heating so thats the same as having an SUV" Makes not sence to me. At least I am not doing both!!

Also i did not say you have to own a home UNDER 1500 sq ft i said you don't need 1500 sq/ per person. I think 2500 without basement included is a fine size for a family of 4

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Energy saving: Start by doing the little things that wont "hurt" you. (The common sense things most of us already know but not all of us do.)

If your are a two car family, make at least one of the vehicles >30mpg hwy. You don't need to go out and buy a >30mpg car right away, just plan on buying one the next time your in the market if you can.

Plan your trips to conserve fuel. Don't make multiple trips to stores plan a route and do all your chores in one round trip. leave early and drive the speed limit.

Maintain your cars, trucks, lawnmowers...Most people don't think of the tune-up anymore because your car runs ok because the computer is always adjusting for the conditions. If your mileage goes down it could be time for a tune up...Tire pressure and front end alignments can save bundles over time.

Car pool. Meet a co-worker half way if needed.

Put on a sweat shrit and add a blanket, turn your thermostat down and add a programable thermostat when you can afford to. (they can save up tp 15% in the colder climates.) And add insulation to your house if you can. Weather stipping expandable foam and caulk can do alot for not alot of money.

AND HERES THE KICKER.......Don't have 3,4,5 etc...children. There I said it and ment it! The population is the biggest problem here. If the world keeps going on and on the whole planet will be one large city like you see in sci-fi movies. I don't care what kind of energy you want to use suppling that need wont happen.

We as a people need to look at the big picture and then prioritize. Alot of people tend to jump to conclusions with out looking around them. How will your changes affect the elderly...single mother...small business? How will (can) the infrastructure really work? How mush enregy does it take to produce your gas substitute? I agree that things need to happen and if we work together with alot of little steps we can cover a great distance. Hopefully we will find the "homerun" to win the game for all of us.

SBF1

P.S. Community service: Help an elderly/physicaly disabled neighbor or relative to weather proof there house/apt. or maintain their car. They might have enough money to buy the material/parts but not enough to pay someones labor or don't trust an outsider to do it for fear of being ripped off.

 

[sts9fan]

0% population growth would be a HUGE boon for the world.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I do need a new receiver

I can do my part in other ways, my point is that E85 and biodiesel are not credible alternative fuels. My truck is classified as an LEV, even when not on E85. It has 5(!) catalytic converters. My wife and I have a new, energy efficient home, and keep my thermostat at 67 in the winter. We bring our own bags to the grocery store, and support organic agriculture. Just because I do not pay a premium for fuel does not mean that we don't all do our part.

There are some instances when the environment comes second. Economics and being eco-friendly sometimes don't go hand in hand.

Take for instance my F150 truck. I need a large pick up for my job. I carry a 24' and a 28' ladder on a large rack. It gets 12mpg - horrible. Would I complain if I had a smaller Toyota 4 door pick up getting 18mpg? Absolutely not, but my truck is paid off, and the savings I would reap at 4 mpg would equate to around $600 a year in fuel. If I purchased a new truck, that's not two truck payments.

Will my next truck be more energy efficient? Most likely, but I will take initial cost, resale, and reliability into the equation, as well as fuel economy. The reason I didn't purchase a Toyota in the first place was that they were $10,000 more for a 2-3 year old vehicle. That's a lot of gas (200 tanks at $50 per tank).

If you keep up with Car and Driver, they've been doing mpg tests on hybrids. They've found out there's really little difference in mpg on the new Lexus RX SUV, especially when one isn't making a conscious effort to drive with a light foot. It's almost comical.

Sadly, IMHO, the only way people will conserve fuel is when the price of oil goes so high, they don't have a choice. Until then, people will find ways to justify the higher cost of fuel by doing without in other areas - like making that new car or truck purchase.

 

[Mort Corey]

Consider this: if you make $100,000 and you are taxed 30% you still have your 70K.

Mmmmm, not quite. There's still the 15% FICA tax on top of most of that (and contrary to popular myth you really do pay both "halves"), and in my state another 10% income tax....plus property taxes, sales taxes, hidden excise taxes, etc. In actuality, if you're in the 30%+ federal tax bracket the total bite comes closer to 60%.....not even as good as a sharecropper.

Mort

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

SBF1: AND HERES THE KICKER.......Don't have 3,4,5 etc...children. There I said it and ment it! The population is the biggest problem here. If the world keeps going on and on the whole planet will be one large city like you see in sci-fi movies. I don't care what kind of energy you want to use suppling that need wont happen.

Some good advice overall, but on the above note - don't you mean those born into poverty stricken homes and second/third world countries?

What's wrong with having the better educated families pop out 4+ kids? After all, social darwinism is at work there, and I can almost guarantee you they won't be a burden on society like those born into a welfare system. The better eductated children will save as their parents did, make better decisions overall, and breed a super race.

We can only hope these super kids attend more liberal arts, green friendly colleges unlike our engineering counterparts who spend, spend, spend.

JK guys - but I can vouch for several of my EE buddies who do nothing but consume like there is no tomorrow.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Mmmmm, not quite. There's still the 15% FICA tax on top of most of that (and contrary to popular myth you really do pay both "halves"), and in my state another 10% income tax....plus property taxes, sales taxes, hidden excise taxes, etc. In actuality, if you're in the 30%+ federal tax bracket the total bite comes closer to 60%.....not even as good as a sharecropper.

Mort

MC,

Right you are. People don't realize the taxes they are charged. We are taxed multifold on many products. Take for instance cars. The materials bought (iron ore, fuel, etc...) to make steel are taxed to the mill. The steel sold to the car mfg's to produce the car are taxed again. The dealership then pays a tax to the car mfg. on the car from the plant. Finally, the consumer pays tax on the car itself. I lost track - how much did the government make on that transaction? Yikes!

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Don't even start about taxes...

The way taxes are charged and deducted make little sense.

How fair is it to pentalize someone for busting butt and making more money? We all share the same responsablilaties don't we?

I'm all for helping my fellow man but we are giving money to people who don't deserve it.

Let me keep my "welfare" taxes so I can give it myself to organizations that help others in less wastful ways!!! (I know because most of us wouldn't do it.)

Welfare if flawed, nessisary but flawed. I am all for helping the poor widower single parent or layed off worker. I am not for paying for children who dropped out of school and have child after child when they know the can't afford them. I hate paying for other peoples stupidity. I don't mind taking care of the children but the parents really tick me off. Now if we make them preform some community service for the money to show that they care and understand theat they are not owed a living

Why do families who have children get a deduction(s) If they can afford the child pay the taxes if not don't have the child. Thats common sense IMO. (and yes I have a child and take the deduction because I can. doesn't mean the tax law makes sense.)

Why is it legal for the gov. to charge extra taxes on things like gasoline and cigarettes and booze...thats unfair.

Listen I do not mind paying taxes. I wouldn't even mind paying more if the money was spent wisely. Thats the problem, Like I said in my last post about energy saving, We need to look at the big picture an prioritze. We spend to much tax dollars on things that are outdated and or wastful.

thanks for the time to rant,
SBF1

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Some good advice overall, but on the above note - don't you mean those born into poverty stricken homes and second/third world countries?

Less people use less energy. I don't care what income level they are from.

Good joke by the way.

 

[jotham]

I LOVE TAXES (just kidding)

While I would love it if I could depend on people to do the right thing out of the goodness of their hearts, I don't trust in it. People usually do the thing that saves them the most money.

So...excluding the very real danger of a program administrated by politicians, the way to improve the environment is to make some things more expensive and funnel the extra cash towards other programs.

Increase the tax on gas by $3 a gallon and funnel the cash to alternative transportation.

Increase the tax on electricity and gas and funnel the cash towards alternative heating/solar electricity.

At soon as it hurts your wallet, you'll find ways to be more efficient and true capitalism will kick in. Cars will become more efficient, building materials will become more energy efficient, etc. Harness the joys of capitalism by making certain luxuries more expensive. This is sort of a european approach but hopefully with more efficiency.

Same thing could apply to recycling and other areas. It worked in CA for smoking

Of course the obvious downside is the funneling of the money. I'm with many others on this subject, if you're going to tax me, use the money wisely.

 

[masak_aer]

MC,

Right you are. People don't realize the taxes they are charged. We are taxed multifold on many products. Take for instance cars. The materials bought (iron ore, fuel, etc...) to make steel are taxed to the mill. The steel sold to the car mfg's to produce the car are taxed again. The dealership then pays a tax to the car mfg. on the car from the plant. Finally, the consumer pays tax on the car itself. I lost track - how much did the government make on that transaction? Yikes!

Ooh.. Thank you...But it's FAIR for some folks here. Cuz guess what?! They can afford all of them plus some more taxes if they can for all the secondary needs. If you can't afford it or question it..Too bad man...get yourself some education and work harder...

 

[STRONGBADF1]

While I would love it if I could depend on people to do the right thing out of the goodness of their hearts, I don't trust in it. People usually do the thing that saves them the most money.

So...excluding the very real danger of a program administrated by politicians, the way to improve the environment is to make some things more expensive and funnel the extra cash towards other programs.

Increase the tax on gas by $3 a gallon and funnel the cash to alternative transportation.

Increase the tax on electricity and gas and funnel the cash towards alternative heating/solar electricity.

At soon as it hurts your wallet, you'll find ways to be more efficient and true capitalism will kick in. Cars will become more efficient, building materials will become more energy efficient, etc. Harness the joys of capitalism by making certain luxuries more expensive. This is sort of a european approach but hopefully with more efficiency.

Same thing could apply to recycling and other areas. It worked in CA for smoking

Of course the obvious downside is the funneling of the money. I'm with many others on this subject, if you're going to tax me, use the money wisely.

True but it's lose-lose. Tax me more and then waste the money.
$3 a gallon tax on gasoline...how are the poor supposed to get to work...There go my taxes again up, up, up...to pay for the millions more that will be on unempolyment and welfare.

God bless America! Oh wait thats another thread.

I hate extra taxes but if we have to...charge more taxes to those who waste not to all and not less to those who conserve.

I am not a expert by any means (as many can tell). Just venting.
SBF1

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Ooh.. Thank you...But it's FAIR for some folks here. Cuz guess what?! They can afford all of them plus some more taxes if they can for all the secondary needs. If you can't afford it or question it..Too bad man...get yourself some education and work harder...

Huh?

 

[shokhead]

Somebody else always has great ideas for somebodys else's money. Imo,everytrhing starts at home and then education. Think kids dont here there parents talking and copy them.

 

[nibhaz]

While I would love it if I could depend on people to do the right thing out of the goodness of their hearts, I don't trust in it. People usually do the thing that saves them the most money.

So...excluding the very real danger of a program administrated by politicians, the way to improve the environment is to make some things more expensive and funnel the extra cash towards other programs.

Increase the tax on gas by $3 a gallon and funnel the cash to alternative transportation.

Increase the tax on electricity and gas and funnel the cash towards alternative heating/solar electricity.

At soon as it hurts your wallet, you'll find ways to be more efficient and true capitalism will kick in. Cars will become more efficient, building materials will become more energy efficient, etc. Harness the joys of capitalism by making certain luxuries more expensive. This is sort of a european approach but hopefully with more efficiency.

Same thing could apply to recycling and other areas. It worked in CA for smoking

Of course the obvious downside is the funneling of the money. I'm with many others on this subject, if you're going to tax me, use the money wisely.

BRILLIANT!

Create taxes that punish the lower and middle classes for not having large amounts of discretionary income. Make it unaffordable to get to work and impossible to heat or cool your home. Give the extra money to the government to throw away into pork barrel projects. And then watch the economy collapse because your workforce is unable to get to work.

An alternate approach would to be to remove or lessen all taxes related to the development, implementation, and use of alternate energy sources. Using the logic in your opening statement this will lead everyone to alternate energy sources while allowing the markets and economy to evolve at the same time.

Capitalism is a beautiful thing!