This is interesting. Thanks for the info. I'm at the stage of my life where I'm trying to save as much as I can for retirement and limits can be a concern and or me probably a fact of life. I'm not sure why I would want to move money from a 401k to an IRA (they are both taxed upon withdrawal), but there must be a reason (that would likely not benefit me). I'd think that people who do this sort of thing would really draw the IRS's attention which at best is a nuisance.
It does explain why some super rich people want control of the government and taxation. Deferred tax savings strategies are a bet that your taxes will be lower when you retire. If you could control the tax rate, it would no longer be a gamble. Current socio-economic trends seem to imply higher taxes in the future so betting on lower taxes in the future seems risky, especially for those in higher income brackets.
The article you mention illustrates limitations in the Roth IRA and Roth 401k systems. I wonder if Mitt Romney is on that list...
I won't argue that the US government is corruption free, but I need to point out a few facts.
The current maximum capital gains tax in the US is 20%. The vast majority of US citizens pay less than that for income tax after deductions.
According to the IRS, IRA contribution limits are $5,500 per year and $6,500 per year for those older than 50. Mitt Romney isn't more than 15,000 years old.
"Tax breaks are free money, and they invariably go to the rich." No it isn't and no they don't. Tax break are money that is not taken away, not free money. They do not invariably go to the rich. Look into the AMT, Child Care Tax Credit and Tax Credits for education just to start. I'm not saying that international corporations and fat cats get way more than their fair share of tax relief, but tax relief does not invariable go to the rich.
Did I just hear a whoosh and miss your sarcasm or did you really mean to say those things?
If you meant to say that the concentration of wealth is historically high and will lead to unrest and instability - I could not agree more. Smart guys like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates cant give it away fast enough. The root causes of violence in many parts of the world are lack of water and poverty - things that money can solve directly.
If you meant to say that unions and corporate special interest influence politicians I'd agree completely.
I agree that Tesla's idea for wireless power transmission could potentially have horrible unintended consequences. My recollection though was that the em frequency he envisioned for transmission was much lower than microwaves.
IMHO, it is much safer and more practical to to store solar energy where it is used than to transmit it across the planet. Better still, use it for daytime demand to supplement other sources that power night time demand.
I was just pointing out that world wide wireless power transmission is an old idea supported by people whose ideas cannot easily be dismissed.
With the Apple Watch, you tap a button twice on your wrist and wave the watch in front of the device. It really is very convenient.
This assumes your watch is unlocked, but I do that once a day when I put the watch on. The biometric leds on the watch back detect if the watch is removed and locks the watch. I'd give it an A for security and convenience.
I didn't think I would use it, but I decided to try it when I got my Apple watch 9 months ago. I'm hooked on it now because it's really nice to not have to take out my wallet, fish out the card and put it back. I just tap a button on my wrist twice an wave the watch in from of the contactless reader. More and more places are taking it now. It seems like most places that have upgraded to a chip and pin terminal take contactless too, so I think it will be available. Maybe its a geek gadget thing, but I like it.
> All conventional non-trivial characterizations of God lead to contradictions,
That may be so. I have not examined all conventional non-trivial characterizations of God.
> therefor God does not exist.
Your logic is flawed and I strongly suspect based on unproven assumptions. Unfortunately in the absence of availability and cold beer, we'll have to agree to disagree.
For the South Korean people I know, reunification would be a dream come true. I know people whose families were divided. The Germans I know are very happy that they are reunited economic challenges notwithstanding.
In philosophy, where the universe came from is called the first cause argument. I'm just trying to suggest that a stronger argument needs to be made to disprove the existence of God.
I'm not trying to prove the existence of God here, just rebut a very arbitrary baseless statement. Like I said in the last sentence of that post - either make a strong well reasoned logical scientific argument or play it safe and call yourself an agnostic.
What really prompted me to respond was that life has no meaning. It does for me...
Of course all of this is totally off topic. If God really does write sloppy spaghetti code, it explains a lot. They say we are made in His image:-)
> First of all, god does not exist. There is no god.
OK AC, then please explain where the universe came from. And don't say the big bang because my next question will be where that came from.
>It has no meaning, no point, no underlying meaning. It is for all intents and purposes just another blip on a gigantic TV screen full of static.
I truly feel sorry for you. Remember the old saying - it's not the destination that matters as much as the journey. There is meaning enough in observing the majesty of nature, from its smallest subatomic components to the grandeur of the cosmos. If that's not good enough, experiencing love from the first time you hold your baby and watching he and or she grow to wonderful successful adults should be. Each of us can find value in life and experience meaningful existence in our own unique way.
>Yes, and when your life is over, you will be completely forgotten in less than 10 years.
Tell that to the people who remember King Tut, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Isaac Newton, Einstein, etc... (pick your favorite historical figure) Swing for the fences with your life - we all have a shot to be remembered.
>Call it depressing if you must. Some of us call it enlightening and liberating. It is, after all, the truth.
Enlightened? I don't see your position as enlightenment; its a poorly constructed lazy illogical assumption. Liberating? From what bonds does your position liberate you. If in fact you feel bound by some religious orthodoxy, your struggle against that itself provides meaning to life.
Your swimming in the nerd pool here - either make a strong well reasoned logical scientific argument or play it safe and call yourself an agnostic.
The fact is Americans love the Chinese. We buy their products like crazy. We love their food. We admire their art, exotic language and respect their ancient heritage. We welcome their people to study and work here. Sure we complain about the trade imbalance and the gamesmanship between our governments. But for the things that really matter they are our brothers and would instantly and without hesitation rally to their aid.
Make no mistake, if North Korea would actually use nuclear weapons in anger against *anybody*, it would cease to exist as a political entity in less than a week.
I'd be much obliged if you could point me in the right direction of a working example because I totally agree that a Raspberry Pi running a full Linux stack is not trivial to secure.
Are you sure the ESP 8266 does SSL just fine? I tried and gave up in frustration last year after seeing that nobody else could get it to work either except in very limited use cases.
What I found is that it only supported small key sizes which are easy to compromise. Even when using that that, SSL took up all the device's memory and could do nothing else except make a connection. Is there a new variant of the ESP 8266 that does a better job?
The ESP 8266 is a great low cost choice, but if you want to implement SSL and other strong security measures I think the new Pi would be a better choice.
Not only are IT workers being replaced by foreign workers directly, they are typically part of a strategy to funnel work abroad to lower cost.
On the surface, this seems reasonable given that free enterprise is more fair than government meddling.
In fact its just bad public policy. These workers send wealth outside the US. While in theory they pay income tax, they do not pay the full range of social security and many cases state tax. Foreign workers are notorious for cheating on their taxes and claiming exemptions claiming double taxation that are not allowed. By the time the overworked IRS can address the tax cheats they've left the country.
Often these workers are a front for multinational IT companies that flagrantly disobey US law and basic morality. The leaders of these companies openly state that Americans are stupid. Short sighted US companies outsource their IT needs to these companies who make false promises. After mass layoffs and firings, the bottom lines look great for these short sighted companies for a year or two. The toxic C-level executives leap frog to the next larger opportunity bragging about the great job they did increasing profits for their last company, only to leave a smoking ruin behind them. Moreover instead of taking responsibility for their short term strategy, they further falsely aggrandize themselves by saying how things failed after they left because they are so indispensable. The foreign multinational company simply continues to drain its victim company shielded by a bad long term contract while providing at best mediocre service.
The guy from Jackthreads argues that IT salaries are unfairly high. Well that may be true in Silicon Valley, New York and other hot spots for very specific skill sets, the overall statistics just don't support that argument. My recommendation to the Jackthreads guy is to relocate his operations away from what is the most expensive places in the United States (856 Broadway, New York) and stop using the most expensive ephemeral technologies available.
Funneling wealth generated in your country abroad does not promote the welfare of a country's citizens.
The first sentence of the US Constitution obliges the government to promote the welfare of its people - not multinational corporations.
Nuclear is important but alone cannot solve all our problems. Wind and photo-voltaic are also critical components. Because the goal is to reduce CO2 emissions, converting shipping away from bunker fuel, the manufacture of cement and many other contributors to man made CO2 emissions needs to be addressed. Its not A,B or C, its D - all of the above.
Slashdot Mirror
I've had a few years with our Tesla. I have no remorse and will by another one when the 8 year extended warrantee expires.
This is interesting. Thanks for the info. I'm at the stage of my life where I'm trying to save as much as I can for retirement and limits can be a concern and or me probably a fact of life. I'm not sure why I would want to move money from a 401k to an IRA (they are both taxed upon withdrawal), but there must be a reason (that would likely not benefit me). I'd think that people who do this sort of thing would really draw the IRS's attention which at best is a nuisance.
It does explain why some super rich people want control of the government and taxation. Deferred tax savings strategies are a bet that your taxes will be lower when you retire. If you could control the tax rate, it would no longer be a gamble. Current socio-economic trends seem to imply higher taxes in the future so betting on lower taxes in the future seems risky, especially for those in higher income brackets.
The article you mention illustrates limitations in the Roth IRA and Roth 401k systems. I wonder if Mitt Romney is on that list...
I won't argue that the US government is corruption free, but I need to point out a few facts.
The current maximum capital gains tax in the US is 20%. The vast majority of US citizens pay less than that for income tax after deductions.
According to the IRS, IRA contribution limits are $5,500 per year and $6,500 per year for those older than 50. Mitt Romney isn't more than 15,000 years old.
"Tax breaks are free money, and they invariably go to the rich." No it isn't and no they don't. Tax break are money that is not taken away, not free money. They do not invariably go to the rich. Look into the AMT, Child Care Tax Credit and Tax Credits for education just to start. I'm not saying that international corporations and fat cats get way more than their fair share of tax relief, but tax relief does not invariable go to the rich.
Did I just hear a whoosh and miss your sarcasm or did you really mean to say those things?
If you meant to say that the concentration of wealth is historically high and will lead to unrest and instability - I could not agree more. Smart guys like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates cant give it away fast enough. The root causes of violence in many parts of the world are lack of water and poverty - things that money can solve directly.
If you meant to say that unions and corporate special interest influence politicians I'd agree completely.
...glare becomes a common problem. Maybe its time to get a checkup on your eyes. It can't hurt to rule out glaucoma while your getting checkup.
I agree that Tesla's idea for wireless power transmission could potentially have horrible unintended consequences. My recollection though was that the em frequency he envisioned for transmission was much lower than microwaves.
IMHO, it is much safer and more practical to to store solar energy where it is used than to transmit it across the planet. Better still, use it for daytime demand to supplement other sources that power night time demand.
I was just pointing out that world wide wireless power transmission is an old idea supported by people whose ideas cannot easily be dismissed.
Interesting that Nicola Tesla wanted to do this: http://www.damninteresting.com....
With the Apple Watch, you tap a button twice on your wrist and wave the watch in front of the device. It really is very convenient.
This assumes your watch is unlocked, but I do that once a day when I put the watch on. The biometric leds on the watch back detect if the watch is removed and locks the watch. I'd give it an A for security and convenience.
I didn't think I would use it, but I decided to try it when I got my Apple watch 9 months ago. I'm hooked on it now because it's really nice to not have to take out my wallet, fish out the card and put it back. I just tap a button on my wrist twice an wave the watch in from of the contactless reader. More and more places are taking it now. It seems like most places that have upgraded to a chip and pin terminal take contactless too, so I think it will be available. Maybe its a geek gadget thing, but I like it.
How do you buy something at the wrong register and how can that be a common thing?
I've been using my Apple Watch to pay 100's of times for 9 months now and any place that takes contact-less has worked flawlessly every time.
machines don't forget to wash their hands after pooping in order to spread their intestinal viruses.
Unfortunately people's buying behaviour is not in general altruistic, it's based upon self interest.
That makes sense.
> All conventional non-trivial characterizations of God lead to contradictions,
That may be so. I have not examined all conventional non-trivial characterizations of God.
> therefor God does not exist.
Your logic is flawed and I strongly suspect based on unproven assumptions. Unfortunately in the absence of availability and cold beer, we'll have to agree to disagree.
>"Life is what you make it."
I can't agree more.
For the South Korean people I know, reunification would be a dream come true. I know people whose families were divided. The Germans I know are very happy that they are reunited economic challenges notwithstanding.
In philosophy, where the universe came from is called the first cause argument. I'm just trying to suggest that a stronger argument needs to be made to disprove the existence of God.
:-)
I'm not trying to prove the existence of God here, just rebut a very arbitrary baseless statement. Like I said in the last sentence of that post - either make a strong well reasoned logical scientific argument or play it safe and call yourself an agnostic.
What really prompted me to respond was that life has no meaning. It does for me...
Of course all of this is totally off topic. If God really does write sloppy spaghetti code, it explains a lot. They say we are made in His image
> First of all, god does not exist. There is no god.
OK AC, then please explain where the universe came from. And don't say the big bang because my next question will be where that came from.
>It has no meaning, no point, no underlying meaning. It is for all intents and purposes just another blip on a gigantic TV screen full of static.
I truly feel sorry for you. Remember the old saying - it's not the destination that matters as much as the journey. There is meaning enough in observing the majesty of nature, from its smallest subatomic components to the grandeur of the cosmos. If that's not good enough, experiencing love from the first time you hold your baby and watching he and or she grow to wonderful successful adults should be. Each of us can find value in life and experience meaningful existence in our own unique way.
>Yes, and when your life is over, you will be completely forgotten in less than 10 years.
Tell that to the people who remember King Tut, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Isaac Newton, Einstein, etc... (pick your favorite historical figure) Swing for the fences with your life - we all have a shot to be remembered.
>Call it depressing if you must. Some of us call it enlightening and liberating. It is, after all, the truth.
Enlightened? I don't see your position as enlightenment; its a poorly constructed lazy illogical assumption. Liberating? From what bonds does your position liberate you. If in fact you feel bound by some religious orthodoxy, your struggle against that itself provides meaning to life.
Your swimming in the nerd pool here - either make a strong well reasoned logical scientific argument or play it safe and call yourself an agnostic.
Unfortunately that theory is ruled out by the sequencing of ancient DNA of neanderthals and early human remains. Its spaghetti code just like ours...
LOL, hell no.
The fact is Americans love the Chinese. We buy their products like crazy. We love their food. We admire their art, exotic language and respect their ancient heritage. We welcome their people to study and work here. Sure we complain about the trade imbalance and the gamesmanship between our governments. But for the things that really matter they are our brothers and would instantly and without hesitation rally to their aid.
Make no mistake, if North Korea would actually use nuclear weapons in anger against *anybody*, it would cease to exist as a political entity in less than a week.
I'd be much obliged if you could point me in the right direction of a working example because I totally agree that a Raspberry Pi running a full Linux stack is not trivial to secure.
Are you sure the ESP 8266 does SSL just fine? I tried and gave up in frustration last year after seeing that nobody else could get it to work either except in very limited use cases.
What I found is that it only supported small key sizes which are easy to compromise. Even when using that that, SSL took up all the device's memory and could do nothing else except make a connection. Is there a new variant of the ESP 8266 that does a better job?
The ESP 8266 is a great low cost choice, but if you want to implement SSL and other strong security measures I think the new Pi would be a better choice.
Not only are IT workers being replaced by foreign workers directly, they are typically part of a strategy to funnel work abroad to lower cost.
On the surface, this seems reasonable given that free enterprise is more fair than government meddling.
In fact its just bad public policy. These workers send wealth outside the US. While in theory they pay income tax, they do not pay the full range of social security and many cases state tax. Foreign workers are notorious for cheating on their taxes and claiming exemptions claiming double taxation that are not allowed. By the time the overworked IRS can address the tax cheats they've left the country.
Often these workers are a front for multinational IT companies that flagrantly disobey US law and basic morality. The leaders of these companies openly state that Americans are stupid. Short sighted US companies outsource their IT needs to these companies who make false promises. After mass layoffs and firings, the bottom lines look great for these short sighted companies for a year or two. The toxic C-level executives leap frog to the next larger opportunity bragging about the great job they did increasing profits for their last company, only to leave a smoking ruin behind them. Moreover instead of taking responsibility for their short term strategy, they further falsely aggrandize themselves by saying how things failed after they left because they are so indispensable. The foreign multinational company simply continues to drain its victim company shielded by a bad long term contract while providing at best mediocre service.
The guy from Jackthreads argues that IT salaries are unfairly high. Well that may be true in Silicon Valley, New York and other hot spots for very specific skill sets, the overall statistics just don't support that argument. My recommendation to the Jackthreads guy is to relocate his operations away from what is the most expensive places in the United States (856 Broadway, New York) and stop using the most expensive ephemeral technologies available.
Funneling wealth generated in your country abroad does not promote the welfare of a country's citizens.
The first sentence of the US Constitution obliges the government to promote the welfare of its people - not multinational corporations.
Bill, Warren, can you look into funding this? If it works, it could have great ROI for the foundations...
By leveraging our broken patent system???
Nuclear is important but alone cannot solve all our problems. Wind and photo-voltaic are also critical components. Because the goal is to reduce CO2 emissions, converting shipping away from bunker fuel, the manufacture of cement and many other contributors to man made CO2 emissions needs to be addressed. Its not A,B or C, its D - all of the above.
lol - sorry I don't have mod points :-)
yes, yes, no, no