"A "consultant" I know works exclusively for his wife's father's business (essentially an employee), but uses all the tax loopholes available to businesses to avoid taxes. Actually he doesn't actually save any money, he uses the loop holes to buy expensive cars and then take the depreciation. Given his sham consultancy, the state lost more on his Mercedes SUV depreciation deduction than any 10 consumers buying crap off Amazon."
The way the state and feds are increasingly taxing the hell out of the citizens of the US, I don't see any problem with a person like you described above doing everything they can within the system, to save every $$ they can from what they earn.
Sadly, most people do work direct, and the tax money is taken from them before they get their check.
The only real way an individual CAN keep their money, is to incorporate. I've done it myself, I incorporated in the state and elected for an "S" corporation for federal taxes. It is great. When I do work through that vehicle, I can write off a TON of things, including mileage I drive to/from work which can add up (I do this in lieu of what you described with buying a company car and depreciating it, too much trouble and it does raise red flags for audits if not careful). I also can pay myself a 'reasonable' salary out of my total bill rate, that saves me $$$ in SS and medicare taxes. For example, say I bill out $100K. I pay myself a 'reasonable' salary of $40K. That means I only have to pay SS and medicare taxes on that $40K. The rest of the $60K falls through and EOY on my personal taxes, and I only pay regular state and federal taxes on that. Save a decent amount of money.
Hey, as long as you work within the law, I see no reason for taking EVERY advantage you can. With the govt getting more and more greedy, and not ever seeming to try to cut their spending, I am even more in favor for using every tool at hand to keep my own fucking money.
And today...I can only see it being down by incorporating one's self..and contracting.
Of course, I'm guessing soon...the Feds will soon be trying to crack down on this...I know they're aiming at the Health Savings Account you can set up when working for yourself for this new health bill, I can't see why they won't start trying to target all ways people can cut their tax rates eventually.
"Not really. I was totally stoked about Absinthe when they finally legalized it. The whole history and idea just seemed cool."
Funny thing about Absinthe...aside from the legends about it, the laws are weird too.
I do believe it really has never been illegal in the US to possess and consume absinthe, but, you couldn't sell it...at least not at what most normal levels of thujone (comes from the wormwood, active ingredient I believe)...and you actually still cannot import most Absinthes.
Also, over the years...Absinthe that has been made...is shit mostly. There is one guy, from New Orleans that really got into it...researched Absinthes, found OLD pre-ban bottles of Absinthe, and analyzed them with mass spectrometers, etc. He has recreated the real stuff, that wins awards in Europe (made in France I believe), but, he can't import most of what he makes.
If you get a chance..try some of his stuff, look here: Jade Liquors. Read what they have there, then look at the reviews of the good stuff he makes.
Now, of course, all Absinthe has a strong licorice taste....if you don't like that, you won't like any of them, but, if you do...then there are Absinthes that are good, but, you'll have to try to import them, or get a friend in EU to send them to you, I've had it done, and never had a problem with customs checking it and catching it.
"'I've had three from young people saying they were contemplating committing suicide. I've had two from women contemplating killing their children and themselves. I had one last week from a person who said, "I'm so scared, my only friend is my little dog. When should I put it to sleep so it won't suffer?"
You know...this didn't really bother me or grab my attention THAT much, till I read that last one about the guy putting his dog down.
Geez..I dunno what it is but I have a soft spot for animals. I mean, I can watch a slasher movie where Freddie or Jason chainsaws 20+ teens into pieces, BUT...let them kick one dog....and I'm outta there.
"The orchestra's copyright is subject to the same kind of agreement as any other band's. I see no reason why an orchestra should not be able to reclaim its work just as much as the Eagles."
I just hope the Eagles remember to give a fair cut to Don Felder....who they screwed big time.
Ever since they let him go...I just don't pay much attention to the Eagles anymore...he was a HUGE part of their guitar sound on their best years.
Well, at least he was a full Eagle...not a paid employee like Timothy Schmidt and Joe Walsh...so I'm guessing he will start to get more money out of this too.
". Immediately blaming Windows and suggesting a 'nuke it from orbit' option like switching OS's? Rubbish. The problem is in human behavior, not in the operating system."
True, but 9 times out of ten, it is easier and faster to change the OS than the human's behavior.
You can also tell them you'll be charging your normal $75/hr fee to fix their computers from now on....but, for this last time, it is free and then tell them how to stop behaviors that get their computers infected.
"I'm referring to ever worsening Samba support making file transfers to both Linux and Windows servers absurdly slow,"
Why don't you just scp things for encrypted file transfers? It comes native with linux and OSX...and just throw Cygwin on your windows box or the GUI version (WinSCP?) and be good to go....
You mean some company doesn't either do direct deposit, or cut you a check?
I don't think I'd like something not going to my checking account...do you have to pay bills and stuff out of this debit card account I'm guessing that the company owns?
"Yeah, because ALL the networks were reporting on Nixon, not just the other side's attack team."
That's my point exactly....WHY aren't all of the networks reporting on Obama and his administrations errors/problems?
Why is Fox the only one digging under the covers and finding some unseemly things? None of the other networks seem to be trying at all. Are they scared if they say something negative, they'll be ostracized by the current administration too?
"It's good that someone is trying to analyze and criticize the Obama administration, but coming from Fox it bears very little credibility. The same content, on a different network, would almost automatically be taken more seriously."
The trouble is...NONE of the other news networks in the US are doing this. That is what has me worried....they seem to be all mostly the mouthpiece of the whitehouse, or at least, semi-vocal cheerleaders.
I think that may in part be a reason that has driven a lot of people, that may not even be far right people over to Fox. They do seem to have the highest ratings of any cable new organization. I do try to watch a number of the news programs, and it is frustrating to me to see mostly right on one network, and mostly lockstep with the administration or further left on all the others.
"Does the WH really need these outlets, though? Obama's campaign, if nothing else, proved that other means can achieve better results. The Internet, most of all, really helped his campaign."
I think you're right on that, but, I also think that Obama really did to a great respect, fool a great majority of the independent voters in the US that he was much more moderate than he has turned out to be.
If he keeps on this course, and tries to ram much more down the collective US throat (debt, govt takeovers, etc) I think he will become a one term president. At the very least...he will likely lose the dual majority in the senate and house, especially if they force the current healthcare reform bills as they currently are, I just don't think the majority of US citizens want that much govt. control and most of all..not that much govt debt added onto the already high amount we have.
I've spoken with many people that usually don't even have much an opinion of DC and politics saying "how the hell can we afford to spend much more money??"
"Here is how I know: no one in the MSM stood up and said that single-payer should have been the starting point for HCR negotiations,"
Actually, I thought I DID catch Olbermann and Maddow...at least Keith for sure...hyping the single payer systems on MSNBC.
And some of the vitriol Keith puts out against anyone or any group that has speaks ill of Obama and the Dems, is just as bad and looney as I've seen coming out of Hannity/O'Reilly and Limbaugh about various lefties.
Oh, I know like any pundit/on air personality, they are out foremost to make a buck.
But, from many of the issues he's brought up, I started poking around on my own to verify or disavow what he's said about many in the govt. right now....and I've found quite often, he brings up some very good points.
Like I said, I saw him back on the Headline News channel, and he bashed Bush when that administration screwed up (and they did for sure)....I see Beck as not being particularly partisian, but, someone who is constantly questioning those in power, and I agree with doing that.
"What is the benefit of LIDAR? Is it more accurate, or just easier to 'aim'? "
It doesn't usually set off your radar detector as quickly...so, easier to catch motorists with those...and generate revenue off of them too.
My Valentine One is supposed to be one of the best at radar and laser detection, but, down here where I live in southern LA, I haven't really ever seen laser by the cops, I guess they don't have the money down here for that, hell, I still see a LOT of Xband radar used by the cops in the city here in New Orleans.
"The point is, LIDAR is reliable, at least as much as RADAR is. This is just a legal snafu, they will throw out enough that there will be incredible pressure to figure out the legal problems, they will figure them out, and then LIDAR tickets will be enforced again. Never underestimate the power of a determined vendor that has been harmed or the importance of sunk costs in equipment for an agency with very limited funding. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along, please."
Even more than that....NEVER underestimate the greed of the police force to reinstate their favorite method of revenue generation. That's really all this radar/lidar/stop light camera stuff is all about.
If you were to take all the money generated, and not give it to the cops, but, say, pool it and refund it all the citizens that didn't get a ticket...I'm sure you'd see the enthusiasm by the cops for doing this subside drastically.
"It doesn't strike me as that odd... I have never seen a "major news organization" that has been as blatantly partisan and as blatantly biased as Fox News."
NBC? CBS? MSNBC? You honestly don't see those as being about as partisan towards the left side of things?
"Nobody's been trying to "muscle" Fox out of the networks. Is the White House trying to shut them down? Send the army into the studio?"
No, but you do have to admit that this is pretty much the first time a president or administration or party in power has overtly dismissed an entire news network, and actually spoken ill specifically of them. I mean, as bad as it got for Nixon, or Clinton, they didn't single out a news network that was reporting badly about them, verbally attack them, and cut off access from them like the current administration has to Fox. No matter your opinion of what comes out of Fox editorally, doesn't that strike you a little odd?
As an aside, does it not strike you as a little odd, that none of the other networks seem to pick on the current administration in any fashion? I mean, NO administration is without its warts, and errors....and in the past the press seemed to always be on the search for this no matter who was in office. It strikes me a little strange that none of the other networks seems to be trying to find much fault with the current administration except Fox.
"Well, it really depends on what one considers a news organization. I've tried to watch Fox... I really have (and no, I'm not a liberal). However, Fox News is news in the way Jon Stewart is... they use a "news format" but they have an obvious agenda. Obvious enough that I would call them an editorial organization that occasionally reports on the news."
I'd say there are a number of shows on Fox where I agree with you....they do have an agenda and are heavily bent toward the far right (Hannity for example). But, I see there being a balance on MSNBC...have you ever seen Olbermann on there? My God, that man is as far left and ranting just as bad as some of the Fox far righters are.
Franky, I don't see Beck in that same category...why they try to lob him in with the likes of Limbaugh is beyond me. Rush rants and is way too far out there, but, Beck, while he does act goofy on the air occasionally, seems to actually be more moderate, and looking more at where the govt. is going vs what the constitution says. That and asking questions about the fiscal decisions the Federal govt. is making at this time...things most everyone should be asking.
I like some of the stuff on Fox, but, I try to watch also on CNN, and even the likes of the far left on MSNBC...then I try to make my own views and opinions after hearing from many viewpoints.
I would think that everyone would...but, that doesn't seem to be the case. That's the main trouble with political discourse in the US today...no one takes time to listen to the other side, it is just a big shouting match.
"It takes a broad brush to paint a neck red. Seriously, Anyone who listens to Glenn Beck gets zero respect from normal, educated Americans. The man is a traitor, a bully, and an idiot. He wants America to fail so that he can say, "I told you so." He wants you to fail so you'll blame Obama. Glenn Beck is a subhuman poo flinging primate."
Have you ever watched or actually listened to Glenn Beck?
While I'll happily admit, he gets a little 'goofy' acting on the air personally...the crying bit is a weird one, but, as for what he usually has to say, and the guests he has on to report things, seems pretty right on. I like that a news/talk host keeps digging and reporting on possible wrongdoing with the government. Heck, I like Beck because he doesn't seem to only go after the Dems....he was poking around and brought up things against the Bush administration...that was when he was on the Headline News (CNN spin off)..so, maybe you and many other didn't see him much then. But, really, I do look at him as more of a Libertarian, and not a strict Democrat Liberal or Republican Neo-con. I frankly don't understand when people try to throw him in with the likes of Limbaugh and O'Reilly...those two ARE pretty far right...and rant and shout so that no one can be heard over them.
Beck doesn't seem that way.
He has gone after what appears to be some disconcerting stuff in the Obama admin. The ACORN thing...their connections to the Dems and Obama directly. The Czars...people who have real power, but, where does it come from (not constitutional for most of them from what I can see)...and many of these Czars and advisors, they have said some VERY radical things over their careers, and I have to wonder why no other news media are following up on things like this? Is it because they are either scared of going against the current administration, or is it that they support their agenda? I mean, if the Republican adminstrations had had people in power/advisors to the president come out and say how they looked up to Mao for inspiration, we'd have seen every other news agency in the US screaming for someones head to come off.
A good leader, knows he must surround himself with good advisors...so, in that case, I think it IS prudent to study and find out where a presidents advisors stand philosophically...and Beck has brought out published quotes, audio and video of many of the people closest to Obama saying some very radical things. What is wrong with that?
I wonder why ALL the news organizations aren't following suit...this isn't stuff that is hard to find out from their records.
I come from the point of view that I think our founding fathers came from, in that it is wise thing for an American to have a healthy distrust in his government at all times. It is our duty to be vigilant in our critique of our leaders, lest they try to do things which DO go against the constitution, which to extend their power beyond what they are supposed to have, when they might try to curtail our freedoms....etc. In earlier years, the press, ALL of the press did try to pick things apart and find things that weren't right. Why aren't they doing that now?
I respect Beck because at least he appears to be trying. I don't see him as wishing for Obama to fail, but, I do see him as someone that questions what our leaders are doing, and what their thinking behind their actions is.
Slashdot Mirror
The way the state and feds are increasingly taxing the hell out of the citizens of the US, I don't see any problem with a person like you described above doing everything they can within the system, to save every $$ they can from what they earn.
Sadly, most people do work direct, and the tax money is taken from them before they get their check.
The only real way an individual CAN keep their money, is to incorporate. I've done it myself, I incorporated in the state and elected for an "S" corporation for federal taxes. It is great. When I do work through that vehicle, I can write off a TON of things, including mileage I drive to/from work which can add up (I do this in lieu of what you described with buying a company car and depreciating it, too much trouble and it does raise red flags for audits if not careful). I also can pay myself a 'reasonable' salary out of my total bill rate, that saves me $$$ in SS and medicare taxes. For example, say I bill out $100K. I pay myself a 'reasonable' salary of $40K. That means I only have to pay SS and medicare taxes on that $40K. The rest of the $60K falls through and EOY on my personal taxes, and I only pay regular state and federal taxes on that. Save a decent amount of money.
Hey, as long as you work within the law, I see no reason for taking EVERY advantage you can. With the govt getting more and more greedy, and not ever seeming to try to cut their spending, I am even more in favor for using every tool at hand to keep my own fucking money.
And today...I can only see it being down by incorporating one's self..and contracting.
Of course, I'm guessing soon...the Feds will soon be trying to crack down on this...I know they're aiming at the Health Savings Account you can set up when working for yourself for this new health bill, I can't see why they won't start trying to target all ways people can cut their tax rates eventually.
But that's another soapbox for another thread...
Funny thing about Absinthe...aside from the legends about it, the laws are weird too.
I do believe it really has never been illegal in the US to possess and consume absinthe, but, you couldn't sell it...at least not at what most normal levels of thujone (comes from the wormwood, active ingredient I believe)...and you actually still cannot import most Absinthes.
Also, over the years...Absinthe that has been made...is shit mostly. There is one guy, from New Orleans that really got into it...researched Absinthes, found OLD pre-ban bottles of Absinthe, and analyzed them with mass spectrometers, etc. He has recreated the real stuff, that wins awards in Europe (made in France I believe), but, he can't import most of what he makes.
If you get a chance..try some of his stuff, look here: Jade Liquors. Read what they have there, then look at the reviews of the good stuff he makes.
Now, of course, all Absinthe has a strong licorice taste....if you don't like that, you won't like any of them, but, if you do...then there are Absinthes that are good, but, you'll have to try to import them, or get a friend in EU to send them to you, I've had it done, and never had a problem with customs checking it and catching it.
Oh, here's another older article about Mr. Breaux
You know...this didn't really bother me or grab my attention THAT much, till I read that last one about the guy putting his dog down.
Geez..I dunno what it is but I have a soft spot for animals. I mean, I can watch a slasher movie where Freddie or Jason chainsaws 20+ teens into pieces, BUT...let them kick one dog....and I'm outta there.
Scope Creep
I just hope the Eagles remember to give a fair cut to Don Felder ....who they screwed big time.
Ever since they let him go...I just don't pay much attention to the Eagles anymore...he was a HUGE part of their guitar sound on their best years.
Well, at least he was a full Eagle...not a paid employee like Timothy Schmidt and Joe Walsh...so I'm guessing he will start to get more money out of this too.
Interesting concept...please, do go on....
People don't usually have enough pocket change with them to buy a Porsche or a Vette.
True, but 9 times out of ten, it is easier and faster to change the OS than the human's behavior.
You can also tell them you'll be charging your normal $75/hr fee to fix their computers from now on....but, for this last time, it is free and then tell them how to stop behaviors that get their computers infected.
Why don't you just scp things for encrypted file transfers? It comes native with linux and OSX...and just throw Cygwin on your windows box or the GUI version (WinSCP?) and be good to go....
Not me...my password is:
1...2...3....4............5
You mean some company doesn't either do direct deposit, or cut you a check?
I don't think I'd like something not going to my checking account...do you have to pay bills and stuff out of this debit card account I'm guessing that the company owns?
I dunno, I'm pretty sure the motto on the cop cars down here in the city is:
To Collect And Serve....
That's my point exactly....WHY aren't all of the networks reporting on Obama and his administrations errors/problems?
Why is Fox the only one digging under the covers and finding some unseemly things? None of the other networks seem to be trying at all. Are they scared if they say something negative, they'll be ostracized by the current administration too?
The trouble is...NONE of the other news networks in the US are doing this. That is what has me worried....they seem to be all mostly the mouthpiece of the whitehouse, or at least, semi-vocal cheerleaders.
I think that may in part be a reason that has driven a lot of people, that may not even be far right people over to Fox. They do seem to have the highest ratings of any cable new organization. I do try to watch a number of the news programs, and it is frustrating to me to see mostly right on one network, and mostly lockstep with the administration or further left on all the others.
I think you're right on that, but, I also think that Obama really did to a great respect, fool a great majority of the independent voters in the US that he was much more moderate than he has turned out to be.
If he keeps on this course, and tries to ram much more down the collective US throat (debt, govt takeovers, etc) I think he will become a one term president. At the very least...he will likely lose the dual majority in the senate and house, especially if they force the current healthcare reform bills as they currently are, I just don't think the majority of US citizens want that much govt. control and most of all..not that much govt debt added onto the already high amount we have.
I've spoken with many people that usually don't even have much an opinion of DC and politics saying "how the hell can we afford to spend much more money??"
Actually, I thought I DID catch Olbermann and Maddow...at least Keith for sure...hyping the single payer systems on MSNBC.
And some of the vitriol Keith puts out against anyone or any group that has speaks ill of Obama and the Dems, is just as bad and looney as I've seen coming out of Hannity/O'Reilly and Limbaugh about various lefties.
But, from many of the issues he's brought up, I started poking around on my own to verify or disavow what he's said about many in the govt. right now....and I've found quite often, he brings up some very good points.
Like I said, I saw him back on the Headline News channel, and he bashed Bush when that administration screwed up (and they did for sure)....I see Beck as not being particularly partisian, but, someone who is constantly questioning those in power, and I agree with doing that.
It doesn't usually set off your radar detector as quickly...so, easier to catch motorists with those...and generate revenue off of them too.
My Valentine One is supposed to be one of the best at radar and laser detection, but, down here where I live in southern LA, I haven't really ever seen laser by the cops, I guess they don't have the money down here for that, hell, I still see a LOT of Xband radar used by the cops in the city here in New Orleans.
Even more than that....NEVER underestimate the greed of the police force to reinstate their favorite method of revenue generation. That's really all this radar/lidar/stop light camera stuff is all about.
If you were to take all the money generated, and not give it to the cops, but, say, pool it and refund it all the citizens that didn't get a ticket...I'm sure you'd see the enthusiasm by the cops for doing this subside drastically.
NBC? CBS? MSNBC? You honestly don't see those as being about as partisan towards the left side of things?
No, but you do have to admit that this is pretty much the first time a president or administration or party in power has overtly dismissed an entire news network, and actually spoken ill specifically of them. I mean, as bad as it got for Nixon, or Clinton, they didn't single out a news network that was reporting badly about them, verbally attack them, and cut off access from them like the current administration has to Fox. No matter your opinion of what comes out of Fox editorally, doesn't that strike you a little odd?
As an aside, does it not strike you as a little odd, that none of the other networks seem to pick on the current administration in any fashion? I mean, NO administration is without its warts, and errors....and in the past the press seemed to always be on the search for this no matter who was in office. It strikes me a little strange that none of the other networks seems to be trying to find much fault with the current administration except Fox.
I'd say there are a number of shows on Fox where I agree with you....they do have an agenda and are heavily bent toward the far right (Hannity for example). But, I see there being a balance on MSNBC...have you ever seen Olbermann on there? My God, that man is as far left and ranting just as bad as some of the Fox far righters are.
Franky, I don't see Beck in that same category...why they try to lob him in with the likes of Limbaugh is beyond me. Rush rants and is way too far out there, but, Beck, while he does act goofy on the air occasionally, seems to actually be more moderate, and looking more at where the govt. is going vs what the constitution says. That and asking questions about the fiscal decisions the Federal govt. is making at this time...things most everyone should be asking.
I like some of the stuff on Fox, but, I try to watch also on CNN, and even the likes of the far left on MSNBC...then I try to make my own views and opinions after hearing from many viewpoints.
I would think that everyone would...but, that doesn't seem to be the case. That's the main trouble with political discourse in the US today...no one takes time to listen to the other side, it is just a big shouting match.
Have you ever watched or actually listened to Glenn Beck?
While I'll happily admit, he gets a little 'goofy' acting on the air personally...the crying bit is a weird one, but, as for what he usually has to say, and the guests he has on to report things, seems pretty right on. I like that a news/talk host keeps digging and reporting on possible wrongdoing with the government. Heck, I like Beck because he doesn't seem to only go after the Dems....he was poking around and brought up things against the Bush administration...that was when he was on the Headline News (CNN spin off)..so, maybe you and many other didn't see him much then. But, really, I do look at him as more of a Libertarian, and not a strict Democrat Liberal or Republican Neo-con. I frankly don't understand when people try to throw him in with the likes of Limbaugh and O'Reilly...those two ARE pretty far right...and rant and shout so that no one can be heard over them.
Beck doesn't seem that way.
He has gone after what appears to be some disconcerting stuff in the Obama admin. The ACORN thing...their connections to the Dems and Obama directly. The Czars...people who have real power, but, where does it come from (not constitutional for most of them from what I can see)...and many of these Czars and advisors, they have said some VERY radical things over their careers, and I have to wonder why no other news media are following up on things like this? Is it because they are either scared of going against the current administration, or is it that they support their agenda? I mean, if the Republican adminstrations had had people in power/advisors to the president come out and say how they looked up to Mao for inspiration, we'd have seen every other news agency in the US screaming for someones head to come off.
A good leader, knows he must surround himself with good advisors...so, in that case, I think it IS prudent to study and find out where a presidents advisors stand philosophically...and Beck has brought out published quotes, audio and video of many of the people closest to Obama saying some very radical things. What is wrong with that?
I wonder why ALL the news organizations aren't following suit...this isn't stuff that is hard to find out from their records.
I come from the point of view that I think our founding fathers came from, in that it is wise thing for an American to have a healthy distrust in his government at all times. It is our duty to be vigilant in our critique of our leaders, lest they try to do things which DO go against the constitution, which to extend their power beyond what they are supposed to have, when they might try to curtail our freedoms....etc. In earlier years, the press, ALL of the press did try to pick things apart and find things that weren't right. Why aren't they doing that now?
I respect Beck because at least he appears to be trying. I don't see him as wishing for Obama to fail, but, I do see him as someone that questions what our leaders are doing, and what their thinking behind their actions is.
Can you explain this? I thought RSS was just a web/news reader protocol...what would it have to do with downloading tv shows?