Double-Dip Recession

[hammondjam]

Some are  lazy and some are not, some are achievers and some would rather sit around and wait for entitlements from the government.

Man...this is getting ugly. I can't decide if I'm lazy or if I'm just a ward of the government.

I WILL say that I've worked all my life(since 11) and when I need MORE money, I work MORE. Me and T have paid off over 70K in the last 19 years which includes child support and a hefty student loan. I've had to work harder and produce more than good ol' white boys because I've never been white enough or (because of my last name) American enough. Despite those roadblocks I've been promoted several times and frequently got the new equipment because I take care of what I work with. With all my attention to my job, I'm STILL not rich. I challenge ANY rich person to show me that his/her work ethic is better than mine. Also, there's a big difference between a Bill Gates who pioneered a product through many hours of R&D and some schmuck who sells junk bonds and bets against hedge funds to make his coin.

Money from the government can take many other forms.  ::D:

[Sir Jeffrey]

Well, I do believe a flat tax on income is very appropriate, and correct me if I'm wrong (entirely possible), but don't we already pay a flat tax on services already via sales tax?  Granted, it may vary a bit from city to city, but that could be fixed on a state level.

Yes, primarily the county, city, and state is ran by collecting sales tax. The city collects extra money through property tax, the state collects extra through excise, gas/oil production, and fees for services. All three collects some money from their law enforcement agenicies/courts but from what I remember from looking at the numbers the majority of the money received for all three is through sales tax.

[Sir Jeffrey]

Ham, trust me, I know you well enough I can vouch you are not lazy ::;:

WMW, I just don't waste my time on drive by posters or idiots ::D:   (your the first and I do not know you well enough if you can be included in the latter). 

[RatSass]

With all my attention to my job, I'm STILL not rich.

You are richer than you realize buddy!  I admire all you have accomplished and consider myself lucky to know you.  Hard work will eventually pay off for you.  You are a real person who has thought out his opinion on many things.  You do not hide behind your screen name and stir up controversy as a couple of trouble makers have done on the forum. 

[hammondjam]

Thanks Rat!! I am glad to know you too!  ::;: I sometimes don't think long enough before posting though. I lumped your answer to WMW in with some of the mean spirited things that I've been hearing about people on Social Security. One person on another forum told T that she shouldn't go to the ER, have access to Medicaid OR buy health insurance because that person would obviously be paying the bill as they are quite comfortable financially. T should just suck it up and just die. This came from a woman that claims to be a God-fearing Christian. It just doesn't matter how long T worked and paid into the system. It doesn't matter to them that her condition was caused by doctors overradiating her. She's just a parasite according to the elitists.



Thank you too, Sir Jeffrey. We've been feeling a bit low and it's nice to have folks backing us up!   ::D:

[Sir Jeffrey]

I always will have your back Ham/T!!!!!!

[hammondjam]

And that goes your way also!   ::D:

[Whoo]

Hard work, education and actually living within one's means doesn't ensure success.  Like Jam, I started working at a regular job when I was 10, I had a good education, my mother sat us down at the kitchen table at young ages to show us how to live on a budget.  I always paid my bills first, I sought additional education when certain areas of employment dried up (hell, I've had educations in government, law, health, etc. just to be able to keep working), the majority of my life I worked two and even three jobs... and then my body gave out.  Now, I am earning less money than I did AT AGE 16.  Let me repeat that, AT AGE 16.  What I received from employers over the years was squat; they demanded more and gave less in return, and enjoyed the fruits of MY labor.  Now, the system I have paid into for more than 30 years is slowly starving me to death - were it not for my parents, I'd be one of those homeless folks.   :mad:

[hammondjam]

Ambition today seems to mean climbing the ladder with hooks in both hands so one can pull off the folks above while cutting the ladder below so as to keep competition away. It means betting against one's country. It means making an uncrossable line between the have's and the have nots.  :mad:

Of course, rich and powerful doesn't always insure happiness. Just look at the number of celebrities that have it all and throw it away. I'd rather sit at a table in Bill's with my friends, with a $30.00 budget, than to be at a table of tycoons and Hollywood fakes in Beverly Hills!  ::;:

[RatSass]

I'd rather sit at a table in Bill's with my friends, with a $30.00 budget,

I don't think I have spent that much at one time at Bills.  When are we going again?

[Mr T]

How about one night this week?  I'm ready Freddie!  :8):

[RatSass]

How about one night this week?  I'm ready Freddie!  :8):

Any night is fine with me, somebody pick one. 

[hammondjam]

Let's start off by making it Wednesday. We're flexible if someone has a better night.

[Terry]

(((  "U" DO! know we're already there! RIGHT!?

[WhatMeWorry?]

Ham, trust me, I know you well enough I can vouch you are not lazy ::;:RH, you are one of the "good ones"!

WMW, I just don't waste my time on drive by posters or idiots ::D:   (your the first and I do not know you well enough if you can be included in the latter).  LOL Drive by poster huh? Why dont you just defend your position instead of attacking me personally? Oh yeah, you cant.

You are richer than you realize buddy!Go look at your checking account since we are talking about money not friends and life expereinces.  I admire all you have accomplished and consider myself lucky to know you.You are truly one of the "good ones" RH. Unlike me.  Hard work will eventually pay off for you.Just work for 30 more years. Its right around the corner.  You are a real person who has thought out his opinion on many things.Unlike me and my opinions. But I aint one of the "good ones".  You do not hide behind your screen name and stir up controversy as a couple of trouble makers have done on the forum. Stir up controversy? Waaaaaahh! My name is Scott Heath and I am a liberal.

Hard work, education and actually living within one's means doesn't ensure success.  Like Jam, I started working at a regular job when I was 10, I had a good education, my mother sat us down at the kitchen table at young ages to show us how to live on a budget.  I always paid my bills first, I sought additional education when certain areas of employment dried up (hell, I've had educations in government, law, health, etc. just to be able to keep working), the majority of my life I worked two and even three jobs... and then my body gave out.  Now, I am earning less money than I did AT AGE 16.  Let me repeat that, AT AGE 16.  What I received from employers over the years was squat; they demanded more and gave less in return, and enjoyed the fruits of MY labor.  Now, the system I have paid into for more than 30 years is slowly starving me to death - were it not for my parents, I'd be one of those homeless folks.   :mad:

Its like everyones experiences disprove Jeffs and rats american experience theory.