I'm a Stephen King fan but, he's...

[Yonivore]

...a political idiot.

Bpn305Y7ToA

Watch the whole thing if you like but, this is the quote I want to point out:


"And you know what, as a rich person I pay 28% tax. What I want to ask you is why am I not paying fifty?"
Allow me to answer. Stephen King pays 28% of his income, in taxes, because Stephen King doesn't want to pay 50% of his income to the federal government.

He could write a check for the other 22%, today, and mail it to:

Gifts to the United States
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Credit Accounting Branch
3700 East-West Highway, Room 622D
Hyattsville, MD 20782

Michael Moore can too. In fact, any Democrat who believes they're paying too little in taxes can send their money to the federal government. There's no law against paying more than your share.

[jack sommerset]

Goddamnit. You're right! That dirty rich bastard can pay 50 percent taxes if her wants!!

[ChumpDumper]

He only pays 28%?

Wow.

And he's so much better than yonivore.

[DMX7]

...a political idiot.

Bpn305Y7ToA

Watch the whole thing if you like but, this is the quote I want to point out:


Allow me to answer. Stephen King pays 28% of his income, in taxes, because Stephen King doesn't want to pay 50% of his income to the federal government.

He could write a check for the other 22%, today, and mail it to:

Gifts to the United States
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Credit Accounting Branch
3700 East-West Highway, Room 622D
Hyattsville, MD 20782

Michael Moore can too. In fact, any Democrat who believes they're paying too little in taxes can send their money to the federal government. There's no law against paying more than your share.

Giant strawman argument. :sleep

The whole purpose of paying more taxes is to put a dent in the deficit. That's only going to happen if every wealthy person pays more, not just a few democrats who want to. And if they did, it wouldn't be just that only patriotic democrats paid more taxes anyway.

[Yonivore]

Giant strawman argument. :sleep

The whole purpose of paying more taxes is to put a dent in the deficit. That's only going to happen if every wealthy person pays more, not just a few democrats who want to. And if they did, it wouldn't be just that only patriotic democrats paid more taxes anyway.
Actually, the only thing that's going to put a dent in our debt or deficit is if the government quits spending money.

[coyotes_geek]

I'm with Yoni on this one. If Stephen King is truly that bothered by how undertaxed he is, there's nothing stopping him from sending Uncle Sam more than he's required to. Lead by example if you're that passionate about it.

[MannyIsGod]

I'm with Yoni on this one. If Stephen King is truly that bothered by how undertaxed he is, there's nothing stopping him from sending Uncle Sam more than he's required to. Lead by example if you're that passionate about it.

Contrary to Yoni's belief, there is nothing wrong with a member of the top bracket believing members of that bracket should pay more.

[Yonivore]

Contrary to Yoni's belief, there is nothing wrong with a member of the top bracket believing members of that bracket should pay more.
There's even less wrong with believing he should pay more if that's what he believes.

Someone should provide Mr. King with the address.

[DMX7]

Lead by example if you're that passionate about it.

Oh yeah, I can just see every investment banker in America flocking to his accountant because Stephen King is suddenly paying more taxes. Good grief.

[coyotes_geek]

Contrary to Yoni's belief, there is nothing wrong with a member of the top bracket believing members of that bracket should pay more.

I agree, there isn't anything wrong with that. Nor is there anything wrong with paying more taxes than you owe if you feel that strongly about it. Voluntarily paying more certainly doesn't forfeit your right to continue believing your fellow top bracketers should be required to follow your example. If anything, voluntarily paying more would give King additional credibility.

[coyotes_geek]

Oh yeah, I can just see every investment banker in America flocking to his accountant because Stephen King is suddenly paying more taxes. Good grief.

Like I just said, King voluntarily paying more would in no way invalidate his right to think that those investment bankers should be paying more. If he's really that bothered by it, step up!

Come to think of it, if you're really bothered by it, you can step up too! Although I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you feel you are adequately taxed. Only people making more than you aren't paying their fair share.

[Yonivore]

Oh yeah, I can just see every investment banker in America flocking to his accountant because Stephen King is suddenly paying more taxes. Good grief.
People don't have to follow or agree with King. My point is that if he feels he should be paying more to the federal government, there's nothing stopping him.

[DMX7]

Come to think of it, if you're really bothered by it, you can step up too! Although I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you feel you are adequately taxed. Only people making more than you aren't paying their fair share.

I would GLADLY pay more if OTHER people would ALSO pay more. I'm not going to unfairly carry the burden that republicans would have shared if everyone were paying the Pre-Bush Tax Cut rates. Paying taxes is not fun, but it’s crucial to the health of our government.


People don't have to follow or agree with King. My point is that if he feels he should be paying more to the federal government, there's nothing stopping him.

And exactly what point do you think King is making? I'm genuinely curious.

[Spurminator]

King's philosophy on taxation is about as half-baked as the second halves of all of his novels. Why is this relevant?

[ChumpDumper]

King's philosophy on taxation is about as half-baked as the second halves of all of his novels. Why is this relevant?


I read a blog!

[Stringer_Bell]

Actually, the only thing that's going to put a dent in our debt or deficit is if the government quits spending money.

I dunno, man. It seems like the government gives tax breaks/assistance to corporations/banks whenever no one is looking (which lowers its revenue to pay for shit), then those corporations/banks go and nickle/dime consumers (which makes people spend more money which causes them to need some sort of assistance). It's just hard to find wisdom in the god-fearing GOP/Gangster Dems refusal to increase revenue while companies/banks seem to fuck with consumers and make record profits.

[Marcus Bryant]

I would GLADLY pay more if OTHER people would ALSO pay more. I'm not going to unfairly carry the burden that republicans would have shared if everyone were paying the Pre-Bush Tax Cut rates. Paying taxes is not fun, but it’s crucial to the health of our government.
.

Fuck the "health" of the government. It can't make do on a measly 3 tril?

What wondrous pets we are to blindly accept some moral obligation to fund a class of politicians and bureaucrats and their cluster fuck masterpiece.

[DMX7]

Fuck the "health" of the government. It can't make do on a measly 3 tril?

What wondrous pets we are to blindly accept some moral obligation to fund a class of politicians and bureaucrats and their cluster fuck masterpiece.

The greatest share of the cluster fuck masterpiece is authored by the republicans. Democrats are the ones who usually have to try and fix it. And if a Democrat said fuck the government's health, he'd be label an anti-american terrorist muslim.

[Yonivore]

I would GLADLY pay more if OTHER people would ALSO pay more. I'm not going to unfairly carry the burden that republicans would have shared if everyone were paying the Pre-Bush Tax Cut rates. Paying taxes is not fun, but it’s crucial to the health of our government.
If you can afford it and honestly believe you should be paying higher taxes, I think you have a moral obligation to start sending in the money. Don't let others dictate your morality.


And exactly what point do you think King is making? I'm genuinely curious.
I'm not sure. If he truly believes he should be paying more to the federal government, there's nothing stopping him from doing so.

[Marcus Bryant]

The greatest share of the cluster fuck masterpiece is authored by the republicans. Democrats are the ones who usually have to try and fix it. And if a Democrat said fuck the government's health, he'd be label an anti-american terrorist muslim.

How quaint. Those poor Democrat politicians, why they're the good team, not like those bad Republicans.

[DMX7]

If you can afford it and honestly believe you should be paying higher taxes, I think you have a moral obligation to start sending in the money. Don't let others dictate your morality.


I don’t believe I should be paying more taxes, I believe WE should be paying more taxes.



I'm not sure.

I know.

[Yonivore]

I don’t believe I should be paying more taxes, I believe WE should be paying more taxes.
Speak for yourself. I think WE should be spending less money.

[Marcus Bryant]

Yonivore, you can help Uncle Sam spend less by sending back your SS checks.

[DMX7]

Speak for yourself. I think WE should be spending less money.

I am speaking for myself, hence "I THINK".

And I THINK WE should be spending less money too. But cutting discretionary spending isn't going to do shit. And cutting the major entitlement programs is going to send a chunk of America into the third world.

You're only addressing half (maybe even less) of the problem.

[Yonivore]

Yonivore, you can help Uncle Sam spend less by sending back your SS checks.
I don't get Social Security. And, when (or if) they do start, I'll start returning them when I get all I've put in back, plus interest.

Better yet, I'll probably donate the money to a charity. I certainly won't need it.

[Yonivore]

I am speaking for myself, hence "I THINK".

And I THINK WE should be spending less money too. But cutting discretionary spending isn't going to do shit. And cutting the major entitlement programs is going to send a chunk of America into the third world.

You're only addressing half (maybe even less) of the problem.

No, I'm addressing way more than half the problem...they budget projections aren't from defense spending...

http://blog.heritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/wapoobamabudget1.jpg

I think I read somewhere, the other day, that the deficit for a single month, this year, was larger than all the deficits racked up during the Bush administration, combined.

There's your problem. This administration doesn't know how to stop spending.

[Marcus Bryant]

I don't get Social Security. And, when (or if) they do start, I'll start returning them when I get all I've put in back, plus interest.



Then you won't be returning anything.

Bitch about the entitlement spending, but you want yours. Times 100 million other instances.

[Yonivore]

Then you won't be returning anything.

Bitch about the entitlement spending, but you want yours. Times 100 million other instances.
Hey, I've got money in Social Security.

[Marcus Bryant]

No, you don't.

[DMX7]

Hey, I've got money in Social Security.

So you're a big government welfare queen after all.

[Marcus Bryant]

Or, your "money" is the very entitlement spending you complain about.

[Marcus Bryant]

So we're back to a circle jerk about NPR and Big Bird and whatever remains of the federal budget outside of the entitlement programs and the military, while we wait for Yonivore to take the lead in putting his money where his mouth is, as he expects Mr. King to do.

[Yonivore]

No, you don't.
You're right. It's a big Ponzi scheme in which they've taken my money -- pretended to pay it out to Social Security recipients -- but, actually spent it on other shit.

I'm actually in favor of forfeiting my future Social Security payments if they'll quit taking money out of my wages that ostensibly go to the Social Security Trust Fund.

[Yonivore]

So we're back to a circle jerk about NPR and Big Bird and whatever remains of the federal budget outside of the entitlement programs and the military, while we wait for Yonivore to take the lead in putting his money where his mouth is, as he expects Mr. King to do.
I'm not the one saying I should be paying more in taxes; he is.

[DMX7]

Wow, Yoni's taken a different point of few. This could be the first time in history.

[Marcus Bryant]

It's big government commie socialism when it's someone else's check, and it's 'my money' otherwise.

I'm sure we can make a dent in the current and future federal deficits if those who believe the government spends too much send back their checks or pledge to do so.

[Yonivore]

Or, your "money" is the very entitlement spending you complain about.
No, my "money" is what I've been contributing to the Social Security Ponzi Scheme for the past 40 years. I would like that back.

Many Social Security recipients haven't put a dime in. And, Social Security isn't the only entitlement out there.

[DMX7]

No, my "money" is what I've been contributing to the Social Security Ponzi Scheme for the past 40 years. I would like that back.


I see, you feel entitled to it.

[Marcus Bryant]

You're right. It's a big Ponzi scheme in which they've taken my money -- pretended to pay it out to Social Security recipients -- but, actually spent it on other shit.

I'm actually in favor of forfeiting my future Social Security payments if they'll quit taking money out of my wages that ostensibly go to the Social Security Trust Fund.

No conditions. Don't take the money. What's the problem? You didn't think those deductions weren't a tax, did you?

[Yonivore]

I see, you feel entitled to it.
It was deducted from my wages. I'm not entitled to your money.

[Marcus Bryant]

No, my "money" is what I've been contributing to the Social Security Ponzi Scheme for the past 40 years. I would like that back.

Many Social Security recipients haven't put a dime in. And, Social Security isn't the only entitlement out there.

You paid taxes. And it's half of entitlement spending.

[Yonivore]

No conditions. Don't take the money. What's the problem? You didn't think those deductions weren't a tax, did you?
If they'll quit taking it, they can keep what they have to pay down the debt.

[Yonivore]

You paid taxes. And it's half of entitlement spending.
It wouldn't be half of entitlement spending if those who never paid into the program weren't receiving checks from it.

I don't think I'll ever see a dime from Social Security. I just wish they'd quit taking it out of my check.

[Marcus Bryant]

Further, it's those who came before and after Yonivore who are the lazy drag on society. Yoni just wants his handou...er, money back.

[DMX7]

If they'll quit taking it, they can keep what they have to pay down the debt.

The circle is now complete.

Now just convince every other mindless conservative to forfeit their Social Security, Medicare, etc. and you're in good shape.

Oh, good luck with that by the way.

[Marcus Bryant]

It wouldn't be half of entitlement spending if those who never paid into the program weren't receiving checks from it.



Who might those be, under the age of 130?

[Yonivore]

Further, it's those who came before and after Yonivore who are the lazy drag on society. Yoni just wants his handou...er, money back.
Actually, I don't. If they'll quit handing it out and quit taking it out of my wages, they can use my contributions to pay down the debt.

But, if they're going to continue being irresponsible with the money, yeah, I want what I've contributed back. With interest.

[Marcus Bryant]

So you think that everyone's checks should be cut, but you're not offering.

[Yonivore]

So you think that everyone's checks should be cut, but you're not offering.
It wouldn't make sense.

[DMX7]

It was deducted from my wages. I'm not entitled to your money.

You're just entitled to yours.


It wouldn't make sense.

Oh, the irony. :lol

[Marcus Bryant]

It wouldn't make sense.

So what's the point of this thread?

[Yonivore]

So what's the point of this thread?
The point was that if Stephen King thinks he should be paying 50% of his income to the federal government, there's nothing to stop him.

[DMX7]

...there's nothing to stop him.


Yes, there is:

It wouldn't make sense.

[Marcus Bryant]

I see. His piousness and political upbraiding comes off as a bit disingenuous and shallow when he calls for a shared sacrifice that he could easily start doing himself.

[SnakeBoy]

Allow me to answer. Stephen King pays 28% of his income, in taxes, because Stephen King doesn't want to pay 50% of his income to the federal government.


Well it's true that he could pay 50% if he wanted to but allow me to offer a different answer. Stephen King is not paying 50% because raising taxes would hurt the economy and put people out of work...according to Barack Obama and the Democrat party.

[Capt Bringdown]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fWgyMr-Fcb0/SHU0IQ1w9YI/AAAAAAAABpA/J143j9AMBBY/s1600/07+RANDALL+FLAGG.jpg
CI-BO-LA, My life for you, Stephen King!
Preach it, brother.
Baby, can you dig your man?

[Yonivore]

Yes, there is:
Wouldn't make sense for me. He, on the other hand, is the one complaining about not be taxed enough. It would seem to make perfect sense for him.

[Yonivore]

Well it's true that he could pay 50% if he wanted to but allow me to offer a different answer. Stephen King is not paying 50% because raising taxes would hurt the economy and put people out of work...according to Barack Obama and the Democrat party.
He could still write that check for the extra 22% without harming anything.

[Capt Bringdown]

Some millionaires lobby for higher tax bills (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/meet-the-millionaires-who-want-to-pay-higher-taxes-2010-04-09)

"Ever since these tax cuts were put in place...I have made my commitment to give away every dollar that I have saved in taxes to organizations that I feel are working to change the policy or suffering as a result of the policy," Schoenberg said. "Over the last four years, I donated over $200,000 that I had received in tax cuts. Frankly, I'd rather the government receive it as part of a general tax policy, and that's what we're trying to change."

[Yonivore]

Some millionaires lobby for higher tax bills (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/meet-the-millionaires-who-want-to-pay-higher-taxes-2010-04-09)

"Ever since these tax cuts were put in place...I have made my commitment to give away every dollar that I have saved in taxes to organizations that I feel are working to change the policy or suffering as a result of the policy," Schoenberg said. "Over the last four years, I donated over $200,000 that I had received in tax cuts. Frankly, I'd rather the government receive it as part of a general tax policy, and that's what we're trying to change."
He's an idiot.

1) There was nothing stopping him from sending that $200,000 to the government as described earlier in this thread.

2) That he thinks the government would have been more efficient or effective with that 200K than the organizations to which he gave is idiocy...it also doesn't speak well of the organizations. Or, his choice in charities.

(although, after re-reading, it appears he may have just given the money to political organizations.)

[coyotes_geek]

I would GLADLY pay more if OTHER people would ALSO pay more. I'm not going to unfairly carry the burden that republicans would have shared if everyone were paying the Pre-Bush Tax Cut rates. Paying taxes is not fun, but it’s crucial to the health of our government.


So basically your point is that you are unwilling to financially support a cause you allegedly support because it's "unfair" (:lol) if others aren't forced to participate with you. How noble.

[DarrinS]

For-profit "movie" maker Michael Moore has given away all this millions, right? Actually, he is suing for 2.7 million because he only got 20 million from Fahrenshite 911. This was before he made "Capitalism: A Love Story". Seems capitalism is treating him pretty good.

[DMX7]

So basically your point is that you are unwilling to financially support a cause you allegedly support because it's "unfair" (:lol) if others aren't forced to participate with you. How noble.

Strawman.

I'm not trying to be noble, dumbshit. I'm expressing my willingness to participate in something IF it will meaningfully affect the deficit. I alone will not.

What part of that don't you get?

Do you need it spelled out for you?

Is it too advanced of a concept for you?

Maybe it is, I'll spare you the embarrassment.

[DMX7]

Wouldn't make sense for me. He, on the other hand, is the one complaining about not be taxed enough. It would seem to make perfect sense for him.

You, on the other hand, are the one complaining about entitlements but are unwilling to give up your entitlements. That makes a lot of sense.

[coyotes_geek]

Strawman.

I'm not trying to be noble, dumbshit. I'm expressing my willingness to participate in something IF it will meaningfully affect the deficit. I alone will not.

Funny, this sounds an awful lot like what I said.

Strawman, huh?



What part of that don't you get?

Do you need it spelled out for you?

Is it too advanced of a concept for you?

Naw. I got it. Thankfully I have a passport.


Maybe it is, I'll spare you the embarrassment.

Thanks for that. If it's not too much trouble, can you also go ahead and spare me your dumbass threads about Sarah Palin and Fox News? TIA.

[Marcus Bryant]

He could still write that check for the extra 22% without harming anything.

You could still forego any entitlement payments instead of bellyaching about entitlement expenditures and wanting your money back.

[Yonivore]

You, on the other hand, are the one complaining about entitlements but are unwilling to give up your entitlements. That makes a lot of sense.
Nope. Not true. I've already said they can keep my Social Security contributions if they'll quit deducting them from my paycheck and shut the program down.

Otherwise, hell yeah, I want back what I've put into it...particularly if they're going to keep doling it out to people who've put in nothing.

[Yonivore]

You could still forego any entitlement payments instead of bellyaching about entitlement expenditures and wanting your money back.
I'm not getting any entitlement payments to forgo. And, I only want my money back if they continue the program.

[CosmicCowboy]

If he's paying 28% he needs a better accountant/tax planner.