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Americanising a Belgian

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote critter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 4:15pm
Kristof,
Don't you guys get further education too ?
I know that Finland does with their Tax rate
of about 50%.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote scottb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 4:30pm
Originally posted by Kristof Kristof wrote:


The news was reporting about the "fight" between the two candidates for the Democrats becoming more and more personal...
Kristof

That is exactly it. It is becoming more personal because they both have very similar views when you ask them about the major issues. It's difficult to debate policy when you agree with one another.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Aemmer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 4:31pm
79,
I am sure I could send you to a quick dozen web sites that would differ with your opinion. Then you could send me to 2 dozen that differed with mine. I believe Nauti84 stated it good up above about researching and coming to your own conclusions. I respect the conclusions you have come to and they don't need to balance with mine. I just like it that you or whoever has an opinion and has put some thought into it.

Also, IMO Clinton was a big dissapointment.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote azeus17 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 4:33pm
Wow! What a great thread. I go to lunch and there are like 20 new posts when I get back.

Obviously, Kristof, you can see that these are very big issues.

I also support the fair tax. Everybody is on an even playing field. If you are poor and do not spend on "extra" or "luxuary" items, you do not pay any tax. If you buy a new $60,000 Correct Craft, you pay the tax. Seems pretty simple to me.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eric lavine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 4:42pm
is there any dis-agreement on that this country is being divided into a rich and a poor class? do you think the middle class is being squeezed?
and Greg, If this country added another $3.00 per gallon would it be a tax and what would you do? you would pay it cause you need to drive and you would not think of it as a tax. it would be a tax and you would be forced to purchase it same as a sin tax
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BuffaloBFN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 5:06pm
Eric, I love you dearly...but please don't tell me what I think! LOL I'm very aware of the taxes I pay because I have researched things for myself.

Oil prices are high now because demand is high and OPEC has once again decided not to up production. Also, the markets(our's and overseas) have pumped up the value because of the declining dollar. You may have also heard that gold is up. Historically, markets have gone to commodities in times of crunch.

The 90's you mentioned are the results of Reagan's hard work...Clinton is still an international embarressment?!!?

If anyone wants their money back, invest in oil when it goes down in the fall. Of course certain potential presidents could blow that too?!!?

Eric, have you stopped by the pumpkin patch?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 81nautique Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 5:31pm
And no one wants to address the major problem of our housing bust. Glutonous people buying more house than they can afford and greedy fat lenders sucking the life out of fools. Hey lets dump a couple billion dollars into this problem and bail everybody out, with Taxpayers money?

The housing market is in a shambles, housing starts are non-existant. I provide a service to the construction trades, take wild guess how that part of my business is doing lately. My home value has dropped to the point where my tax base is higher than my resale, it's usually the other way around so now people are paying inflated property taxes.   

The economy is stalled in part because of the housing and in part because of energy costs, at my business it cost me 180% more to heat my facility this year than last. It costs me almost twice as much to have sales people on the road as it did 2 years ago. Maybe I should just raise prices? Impossible because the competitiion is starving and giving their work away to keep the doors open. I'd be better off buying them and shutting them down.

How about that health insurance that we just renewed, only an 18% increase from last year, not bad considering we had to up our deductible to $2000 to achieve that. Health insurance is a joke, all it's good for is catastophic illness so if you get cancer your family won't go broke waiting for you to die, that is if you die fast enough because there are limits you know, it's in the fine print.

You're every day guy is not spending his extra cash on frills anymore, it's going in his gas tank. Sales tax revenues are down because of this, how many counties are installing sales tax hikes next month, we'll be on our 3rd in 3 years. You can't generate more sales when no one has money so the one thing that is guaranteed is income from a higher tax rate. I could never understand why a government doesn't have to operate like a business, instead when they need more money they just take it instead of earning it.

These candidates need to address the facts and get this country's economy moving, it's the only thing that will make a difference and it needs to be the #1 issue.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eric lavine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 5:42pm
you dodged my questions, and turned them completey around, Once again to re-iterate why is the demand so high for oil? answer that qustion and that tells you why this economy is so f-d up, and why your brother the autoworker aint workin, oh i forgot he is working.....for honda, toyoyta and it spurs our economy? not really, I dont care what anybody says on this site anything we touch in our hands or we eat, or we visit has to do with crude oil and the price of it, the oil producers no longer have one main customer who they need to pamper and take to the whore house, and basically can name thier price...and this is one thing you dont hear the politicians talking about, my mom just bought a new f-in Hyundai after trading in her Honda and it irratates the f-out of me, next thing you know them bastards up in North Korea will be making cars and living the American dream...im all for that but.....It is squeezing us as a nation, were not talking about 200.00 microwaves we are talking about $20,000.00 cars. this country was built on 2 things, war and the auto industry and if you take one out of the eqaution?????
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote critter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 5:43pm
Common Alan,
Tell us how you really feel...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BuffaloBFN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 5:59pm
Originally posted by 81nautique 81nautique wrote:

I could never understand why a government doesn't have to operate like a business, instead when they need more money they just take it instead of earning it.

They also make more and that = inflation. I agree Alan. Those running our gov't are not subject to the same rules as we are...and that is just plain wrong.

Eventually, enough of us taxpayers will get pissed off enough to get together and have a Tea Party!

IMHO-American history is very close to repeating itself?!!?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote critter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:06pm
Originally posted by BuffaloBFN BuffaloBFN wrote:

Eventually, enough of us taxpayers will get pissed off enough to get together and have a Tea Party!

IMHO-American history is very close to repeating itself?!!?


This usually happens when the "Have Nots" can vote themselves a raise.
We are very close to that now.
You do not even have to be a citizen to vote in some states. Just have a Drivers license and you can register to vote.
And in NC, they cannot ask for ID at the check-in table. You just tell them who you are or who you want to be.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eric lavine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:07pm
Alan, I hate to say this but the average american turns the other cheek to these problems, and if you own a business which believe me is no f-ing joy for the last 5 years everyone would understand. these costs get passed on in some way and yes in my part of the country the housing industry is flat, you have people who paid 300k for a house 3 years ago and on the same street today you see the new construction signs of the houses starting at 220k.....boy did those first time homeowners build up some equity in the last three years
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BuffaloBFN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:09pm
Originally posted by critter critter wrote:

Originally posted by BuffaloBFN BuffaloBFN wrote:

Eventually, enough of us taxpayers will get pissed off enough to get together and have a Tea Party!

IMHO-American history is very close to repeating itself?!!?


This usually happens when the "Have Nots" can vote themselves a raise.
We are very close to that now.
You do not even have to be a citizen to vote in some states. Just have a Drivers license and you can register to vote.
And in NC, they cannot ask for ID at the check-in table. You just tell them who you are or who you want to be.

You and I need to buy each other a beer sometime!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BuffaloBFN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:16pm
Eric, I hope you aren't mad at me...I'll stop if you like.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Aemmer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:21pm
Don't stop Eric,
Stir the pot.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote critter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:22pm
Originally posted by BuffaloBFN BuffaloBFN wrote:

You and I need to buy each other a beer sometime!

I am all for it. And we can solve all the worlds problems while we have those beers....
We will need credit cards though cause it may take more than a couple of beers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 81nautique Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:26pm
Originally posted by critter critter wrote:

Common Alan,
Tell us how you really feel...
Roger


I'm just getting started Roger,   If I get a couple of beers in me my wifes shuts the door and turns the TV up.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hollywood Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:28pm
So Kristof, still want to be an American??
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote azeus17 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:32pm
I am one of those first time home buyers that has lost money. I moved from Detroit Metro (worst housing market in the US) to FL and I can not afford to sell the house now. Luck for me I found some decent renters and I am breaking even, but many others are not so lucky and I don't know how long it will last for me.

Oh, and before someone says it, I did not buy more than I could afford. The price has just plain dropped that far down.

I know in Michigan, and many other places, the economy closly resembles the demestic auto industry. When GM and Ford do bad, so does everyone else. Yet people still buy their asain cars to get an extra 3 MPG and then complain because their house price falls.

All this talk about politics and the economy...I think I need a beer too!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote critter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 6:39pm
Originally posted by azeus17 azeus17 wrote:

to get an extra 3 MPG

I wish it was only 3MPG
These cars and trucks are getting what they were in the mid 70s. All that talk about improved fuel mileage while we waiting in those lines at 4am on odd/even days.
What happened to all that talk. These car/trucks should be getting in the 50MPG range by now. We are talking about 30 years later....
And alot more money ... for what .. Fuel Injection and Clear coat paint.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eric lavine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 7:09pm
Greg, I smile as i type, my rebel side left 10 years ago and if you called me right now i would say lets have dinner, of course i would make you buy lol, its a debate, If that was the case i would never talk to my wife. all i f-in know is im putting $20.00 in my tank every 2 days and its cutting into my beer money
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 81nautique Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 7:10pm
Originally posted by eric lavine eric lavine wrote:

Alan, I hate to say this but the average american turns the other cheek to these problems, and if you own a business which believe me is no f-ing joy for the last 5 years everyone would understand.


Eric, May 5th will start my 11 year in business, I have seen and learned a lot, always at my own expense.

In the last 3 years I've been audited by the Illinois dept of Employee security so I can make sure I'm supporting deadbeats, by the State department of sales and use tax so the govenor can send Million dollar grants to the wrong school, and the IRS to make sure I'm paying for my fair share of meddleing(sp) in other peoples business. No matter how straight you run your business you will always pay when they show up.

And I really hate to pick on the average American because he's typically a hard working guy but I do agree many turn the other cheek. They simply don't have time to contribute to their future, I don't get it. I truly think the average Joe really doesn't know what to do about any of these issues, he doesn't even know who or what to believe by those we're willing to trust our personal fate to. Most are just along for the ride.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eric lavine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 7:11pm
Critter, we are the low ones on the pole when it comes to fuel economy, our government only require us to hit the 24 mpg mark unlike our europeon friends of 34 mpg...thats why you see alot of diesel powered cars in Europe
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eric lavine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 7:19pm
Alan, I like you, along with Greg and the others...lol
I just came in from the outside and they are running sewer lines up my street and right before my property they are crossing the street and i asked the guy why? he said cause you wont sell us your property at $2.50 a foot.    Well when i built this place 3 years ago they made me put in a state of the art septic system which totaled 36k and it required half of the property so i had to go back to the architect and have the plans re-drawn which was another couple grand, i cut the building size down and so on.
They knew these sewer lines were coming up the street and made me put this commercial system in.
We hired attorneys, because now they want us to tap in going under the street and i dont even want to think about what this f-up is going to cost
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BuffaloBFN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 7:41pm
Originally posted by eric lavine eric lavine wrote:

they made me put in a state of the art septic system which totaled 36k and it required half of the property

Way too much mexican food!   LMAO
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kristof Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 7:51pm
Hollywood,
I still would have no problem in becoming an American... As I spent the last half our reading all these posts I recognise a lot of the issues you have.

My wife also has a business and the costs have risen quite a lot over the last three years. It is becoming difficult for the little business owners to hold their businesses... So we can relate. Inflation is a b**ch!

I never thought I would start a debate here as big as this, but I can't complain: I wanted to learn... and believe you me, I AM LEANRING!

Sure good to know the guys here use their brains and don't take anything for granted and can debate with one another!

Thank you guys
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eric lavine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 8:14pm
my brother just got back from the doctor bitchin, he clipped him for $150.00 cash and wants him to come back in another week, he told him you didnt do anything to me this week
its timing cause were going back and forth and he walks in bitchin and i cant stop laughing
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 81nautique Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 8:15pm
Originally posted by Kristof Kristof wrote:


Sure good to know the guys here use their brains and don't take anything for granted and can debate with one another!

Thank you guys


Crap, I didn't know we we're debating, I was just bitching.

Ps. It ain't that bad, just gets a little tougher to get ahead every year.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eric lavine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 8:20pm
it aint bad, your right, but i just hate bustin my ass anymore, i wanna kick back and enjoy life and dont foresee that in the near future
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote critter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March-06-2008 at 8:47pm
Originally posted by eric lavine eric lavine wrote:

i wanna kick back and enjoy life and dont foresee that in the near future


Give me 12 more months and I will let you know what you are missing
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