Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=saden1;821454]Bush tried, got trashed by people in his own party and most of the old farts he couldn't sell his idea to are now part of the tea party talking about "I paid into it." And these same Tea Party Republicans got into office by telling their constituents Obama is going to cut your social security, Obama is going to gut Medicare, Obama is going to kill you.[/quote]

Oh I agree. Politics as usual.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=saden1;821454]Bush tried, got trashed by people in his own party and most of the old farts he couldn't sell his idea to are now part of the tea party talking about "I paid into it." And these same Tea Party Republicans got into office by telling their constituents Obama is going to cut your social security, Obama is going to gut Medicare, Obama is going to kill you.[/quote]

I thought it was the tea party that said we need to reform and cut SS and when I type in tea party and SS thats all I see. I could be wrong.

I'm personally divided on SS. I have so much invested in SS I hate to just give it up but if given the choice I might. I'd have to do the math. I could easly go with some form of buy out program. Where the Feds offer me a small % lump sum if I drop SS.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Raise taxes and watch what's left of the economy really tank.

"But Beems, the economy IS in the tank" -- If the U.S. economy is a guy about to jump out the window of a tall building, increasing taxes would be like handing him a lit stick of dynamite on his way down.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

I say if the left is so hell bent on raising taxes then raise taxes on everyone and I mean everyone.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

A must watch in my opinion. I almost want Obama to win in 2012 so this guy can be president in 2016 and not have to wait till 2020. Baring a major scandle or if hes smart enough to not want to run he will be president one day:

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_68GjR6V6zI]Sen. Rubio: "Save the Whole House or It Will All Burn Down" - YouTube[/url]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=mlmpetert;823221]A must watch in my opinion. I almost want Obama to win in 2012 so this guy can be president in 2016 and not have to wait till 2020. Baring a major scandle or if hes smart enough to not want to run he will be president one day:

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_68GjR6V6zI"]Sen. Rubio: "Save the Whole House or It Will All Burn Down" - YouTube[/URL][/quote]


Rubio will either be on the ticket as Veep in 2012 or run in 2016. He's quietly laying the ground work to be a national player. I don't see why he shouldn't be a serious contender in 2016.

The GOP field will be considerably stronger in 2016.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=Beemnseven;821650]Raise taxes and watch what's left of the economy really tank.

"But Beems, the economy IS in the tank" -- If the U.S. economy is a guy about to jump out the window of a tall building, increasing taxes would be like handing him a lit stick of dynamite on his way down.[/quote]

Nice try.

The Bush tax cuts are a massive factor in this awful debt mess.

Get rid of that tremendously stupid tax break for the wealthy.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=wilsowilso;823253]Nice try.

The Bush tax cuts are a massive factor in this awful debt mess.

Get rid of that tremendously stupid tax break for the wealthy.[/quote]

How anyone could still be defending the Bush tax cuts 10 years later is really beyond me.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Fitch reaffirms AAA+ rating. So two of the three agencies say we're good to go and remain stable.

[url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fitch-reaffirms-aaa-rating-on-us-2011-08-16]Fitch reaffirms 'AAA' rating on US - MarketWatch[/url]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=12thMan;823266]How anyone could still be defending the Bush tax cuts 10 years later is really beyond me.[/quote]

Well if you look at the number the fed income started growing faster then spending after the tax cuts then took a nose dive after the economy went to hell. The argument can be made that the tax cuts spurd spending and by increasing taxes will make thing worse. At this point I have no clue either way.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Warren Buffet says increase taxes, S&P says let's increase taxes, public opinion says let's increase taxes.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[URL="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/msnbcs-buchanan-challenges-buffett-why-dont-you-just-send-5-billion-to-the-govt/"]Pat Buchanan Responds to Warren Buffett’s Tax Policy Op-ed | Video | TheBlaze.com[/URL]

[quote][INDENT]“I’m a little fed up with these people who come on, you know, their big op-eds, all these admonitions. Why doesn’t he set an example and send a check for $5 billion to the federal government? He’s got about $40 billion. You know, you had a plan up there, I talked to Howie Carr at Boston where the super-rich could contribute an extra amount. It was something like one-tenth of one percent did it. You get all this noise from these big rich folks. Let them send checks and set an example instead of writing op-eds.”
[/INDENT][/quote]

Whats stopping Buffet from just sending in his money to the govt?

I think there needs to be some tax increases, namely in the form of closing loopholes.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=12thMan;823250]Rubio will either be on the ticket as Veep in 2012 or run in 2016. He's quietly laying the ground work to be a national player. I don't see why he shouldn't be a serious contender in 2016.

The GOP field will be considerably stronger in 2016.[/quote]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I hadnt thought about VP. I know he turned down requests for him to run for president this year because he has only been a senator for 6 months or so and he wanted to finish out his term..... kind of like someone else in 2008, but the opposite.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]There seems to be a lot of young and talented politics out there, Rubio and Warner are 2 that come to mind (even though Warner has kind of been around for a while, 10 years). Hopefully we get more of these guys in the coming years. Term limits would be a great way to facility this..[/FONT][/COLOR]
[/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=mlmpetert;823800][URL="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/msnbcs-buchanan-challenges-buffett-why-dont-you-just-send-5-billion-to-the-govt/"]Pat Buchanan Responds to Warren Buffett’s Tax Policy Op-ed | Video | TheBlaze.com[/URL]



Whats stopping Buffet from just sending in his money to the govt?

I think there needs to be some tax increases, namely in the form of closing loopholes.[/quote]

That's a silly argument, why doesn't Buffet send his money to Govt? I'm sure he's sending what he's required to and would send more if it would help the country.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

no one gives up anything, unless they are told to do so. if one of the richest people in our country says to raise his taxes, why wouldnt we? i know the answer to that. how many millionaires are sitting in congress? probably all of them

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=mlmpetert;823800][URL="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/msnbcs-buchanan-challenges-buffett-why-dont-you-just-send-5-billion-to-the-govt/"]Pat Buchanan Responds to Warren Buffett’s Tax Policy Op-ed | Video | TheBlaze.com[/URL]



[B]Whats stopping Buffet from just sending in his money to the govt?[/B]

I think there needs to be some tax increases, namely in the form of closing loopholes.[/quote]

For one thing his money alone isn't enough to bring this country out of deficit. Secondly, his stance is a matter of fairness and simply giving away his money isn't going to solve the core issue of his secretary having to pay more percentage of her income on taxes. Lastly, most of his money has already be allocated to the Gates Foundation.

Comprende?

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Because we know that cutting taxes and turning billionaires into trillionaires will help the economy recover faster.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Im not saying he should send all his money in, just an amount equal to how much he thinks he should pay. But if hes so adamant about the super rich paying more in taxes, why doesnt he set an example. Im sure he can raise 1 billion and give it to the government as an example for others.

I respect Warren Buffet…. as a investor but that’s all he is. Just a genius value investor, not an economist or politician. The Koch brothers probably want to get rid of taxes. George Soros probably wants to double taxes on rich and triple entitlements. Just because someone’s successful and rich doesn’t mean they know whats best for us. So when 12th says Warren Buffet says this, I say so what. I absolutely don’t think Buffet should write a big check that’s crazy, but I would be a lot more interested in his opinion if he did. Actions > words, for me.

I honestly think we need to completely overhaul our tax code. I think we should have something simply enough that regardless of wealth and income, anyone with a high school education should be able to complete their taxes in less than 30 minutes the day taxes are due as long as they have their w2 and 1099’s in hand. A corporation should be able to do it in under an hour. At least those are my ideals.

A lot of these so called “loopholes” are going to be difficult to cut. Things like corporate jet write offs and oil company credits are small potatoes and wont do anything to raise revenues, just hurt oil companies and jet companies. The things that matter are the Healthcare funded by your employer credit (275 billion), mortgage interest (90 billion), 401k contributions (60 billion), charitable donations (40 billion), state and local taxes paid credits (40 billion). You cant cut these things unless you make MASSIVE reform to the tax code. Welfare credits like the earned income credit (60 billion) need to go in my opinion. Raising taxes on capital gains and qualified dividends to make them equal to your earned income rate is probably also a good idea, and I think that’s the major thing Buffet is campaigning for.

I think raising “total income” (earned or otherwise) top tier rates slightly make sense, but only if in conjunction with tax code reform and a reduction in corporate taxes. Corporate taxes only account for about 15% (380 billion) of total revenue and are the highest and most complicated in the world. Raising taxes via the elimination of social aid to lower income individuals need to happen too. We cant expect 50% of Americans to pay no taxes at all, while 5% of Americans pay half of all the taxes. People who don’t pay anything don’t feel like they own anything. Let the poor take ownership in their country.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Mlmpetert, I think you're completely missing the point in Mr. Buffet's comments. He's already a responsible tax paying citizen who also happens to be a role model of philanthropy. Him giving a bigger check to a government that won't fix what's already within it's power won't add to Buffet's stature in my opinion. But him sending a good portion of his wealth to those who are powerless and in need, on the other hand, says a lot about the type of individual he is and that's a worthy example to follow. It's perfectly reasonable for him to voice his opinion about a dysfunctional government and the lack of fairness in our tax code, which you've also pointed out.

I saw a statistic today that if Warren Buffet donated all of his money to the government tomorrow, it would only dent the deficit by approximately 3%. So we accomplish two things: Warren Buffet is now broke and we still haven't solved our problem. But the underlying premise of your Buffet should lead by example means that only those follow-up with action can critique our government? I think Buffet's comments are more symbolic than anything. If he's saying this then I'm sure there are many more in his income tax bracket that share his sentiment.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=12thMan;823845]Because we know that cutting taxes and turning billionaires into trillionaires will help the economy recover faster.[/quote]
are you ronald regan? that stupid philosphy doesnt work. already been there, done that

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=dmek25;823881]are you ronald regan? that stupid philosphy doesnt work. already been there, done that[/quote]

He was being sarcastic.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Yeah he was being sarcastic. However in my own attempt, lets get more people on food stamps asap. Every dollar of food stamps = $1.84 of economic activity! Food stamps will save the US. FACT!

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HjTX0wdMW4"]Obama Ag Secretary: More People On Food Stamps Means More Jobs - YouTube[/URL]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

^ Great news for our economy:

[url=http://news.yahoo.com/usa-becomes-food-stamp-nation-sustainable-160645036.html]USA becomes Food Stamp Nation but is it sustainable? - Yahoo! News[/url]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

^ Bad news for our economy:

[url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/24/federal-government-tries-to-stop-food-stamp-water-dumping-fraud/?test=latestnews]Federal Government Tries To Stop Food Stamp 'Water Dumping' Fraud | FoxNews.com[/url]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

^ Good news for our economy.... i think:

[url=http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011-09-05/More-restaurants-are-targeting-customers-who-use-food-stamps/50267864/1]Restaurants want a piece of food stamp pie – USATODAY.com[/url]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=mlmpetert;823803][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I hadnt thought about VP. I know he turned down requests for him to run for president this year because he has only been a senator for 6 months or so and he wanted to finish out his term..... kind of like someone else in 2008, but the opposite.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]There seems to be a lot of young and talented politics out there, Rubio and Warner are 2 that come to mind (even though Warner has kind of been around for a while, 10 years). Hopefully we get more of these guys in the coming years. Term limits would be a great way to facility this..[/FONT][/COLOR]
[/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]

Marco Rubio will run for president in 2016 and unless Hillary Clinton runs, I think he'll win.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=12thMan;832468]Marco Rubio will run for president in 2016 and unless Hillary Clinton runs, I think he'll win.[/quote]


[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Yeah im excited for the day he runs. I almost want the republicans to loose this upcoming election so that he will be running in 2016 and not 2020. By that point he'll probably want out of politics or may turn into a typical politician. Time will tell.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Have you seen this video, I posted it a while back. Even my mom likes it and shes as liberal as it gets (she didnt say she liked it, but i could tell).[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/COLOR]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_68GjR6V6zI]Sen. Rubio: "Save the Whole House or It Will All Burn Down" - YouTube[/ame]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=12thMan;823810]That's a silly argument, why doesn't Buffet send his money to Govt? [B]I'm sure he's sending what he's required to and would send more if it would help the country[/B].[/quote]

yikes:

[quote]
This one’s truly, uh ... [I]rich:[/I] Billionaire Warren Buffett says folks like him should have to pay more taxes -- but it turns out his firm, Berkshire Hathaway, hasn’t paid what it’s [I]already[/I] owed for years.

That’s right: As Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson notes, the company openly admits that it owes back taxes since as long ago as 2002.

“We anticipate that we will resolve all adjustments proposed by the US Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the 2002 through 2004 tax years ... within the next 12 months,” the firm’s annual report says.
It also cites outstanding tax issues for 2005 through 2009.
[/quote]

Read more: [url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/warren_buffett_hypocrite_E3BsmJmeQVE38q2Woq9yjJ#ixzz1XOttUgqr]Warren Buffett’s hokey tax-hike call--Editorial - NYPOST.com[/url]


[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Also this is a thought provoking and very quick read:[/FONT][/COLOR]

[url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/44191413/Buffett_a_Hypocrite_for_Seeking_Tax_on_Ultra_Rich_Laffer]News Headlines[/url]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Well we aren't the only ones...
BreakingNews Breaking News
Moody's downgrades 2 of France's biggest banks - NYT nyti.ms/qvpR1B
2 hours ago

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=mlmpetert;823901]Yeah he was being sarcastic. However in my own attempt, lets get more people on food stamps asap. Every dollar of food stamps = $1.84 of economic activity! Food stamps will save the US. FACT!

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HjTX0wdMW4"]Obama Ag Secretary: More People On Food Stamps Means More Jobs - YouTube[/URL][/quote]

[quote]^ Great news for our economy:

USA becomes Food Stamp Nation but is it sustainable? - Yahoo! News[/quote]

[quote]^ Bad news for our economy:

Federal Government Tries To Stop Food Stamp 'Water Dumping' Fraud | FoxNews.com[/quote]

[quote]^ Good news for our economy.... i think:

Restaurants want a piece of food stamp pie – USATODAY.com[/quote]

Time to sync up the ipod to my itunes account again:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylV8y_JZbuk&feature=related[/ame]

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Apparently food stamps are making our women fat:

[url=http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/09/27/expand-the-use-of-food-stamps/the-link-between-food-stamps-and-obesity]The Link Between Food Stamps and Obesity - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com[/url]

I knew you couldn’t buy alcohol and tobacco with wic but i had no idea you could use food stamps to buy soda, chips, oreos and all sorts of other crap.

My thoughts are if we give people free food that makes them fat then we should be obligated as a nation to give them free healthcare to treat their obesity. Honestly it would be completely irresponsible to do otherwise.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=mlmpetert;841880]Apparently food stamps are making our women fat:

[URL="http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/09/27/expand-the-use-of-food-stamps/the-link-between-food-stamps-and-obesity"]The Link Between Food Stamps and Obesity - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com[/URL]

I knew you couldn’t buy alcohol and tobacco with wic but i had no idea you could use food stamps to buy soda, chips, oreos and all sorts of other crap.

[B]My thoughts are if we give people free food that makes them fat then we should be obligated as a nation to give them free healthcare to treat their obesity.[/B] Honestly it would be completely irresponsible to do otherwise.[/quote]
Or we could give them neither...

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=GMScud;841889]Or we could give them neither...[/quote]


What???!!!!??!?!

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=mlmpetert;841970]What???!!!!??!?![/quote]

Haha I guess I should clarify. I'm not talking about doing away with all free healthcare and food assistance. What I was referring to was not allowing food stamp, or SNAP purchases to include crap food. What if you couldn't buy a bag of doritos and a 2 liter Mountain Dew with your food stamps, but you're more than welcome to buy a bag of nuts and an orange juice? I know it would be hard to regulate as far as which products are eligible for SNAP and which aren't, but it could have a positive ripple effect. I also do not think any fast food restaurants should accept SNAP for health reasons. I've been in the grocery store several times in recent memory where the person in front of me is paying with food stamps, and has a grocery cart full of total crap.

Diabetes and obesity are the biggest health issues facing Americans today. Certainly a good diet is the best way to combat this problem. Also, the less low-income obese people there are, the less of a strain on the nation's healthcare system to treat the health issues they will inevitably face.

You say it would be irresponsible to fund junk-food diets and not give out free health care when taxpayer funded eating binge causes health problems. I say don't fund junk-food diets in the first place.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

Trouble is crap food is generally cheaper.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=Mattyk;842008]Trouble is crap food is generally cheaper.[/quote]

Yes and no. If you don't buy the name brands, there are plenty of grocery store brand healthy alternatives that aren't expensive at all. My wife and I buy Giant brand products all the time. We're not low income, but every penny counts. A box of Giant brand oatmeal is just as cheap as a box of pop tarts, and much better for you.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=GMScud;842007]Haha I guess I should clarify. I'm not talking about doing away with all free healthcare and food assistance. What I was referring to was not allowing food stamp, or SNAP purchases to include crap food. What if you couldn't buy a bag of doritos and a 2 liter Mountain Dew with your food stamps, but you're more than welcome to buy a bag of nuts and an orange juice? I know it would be hard to regulate as far as which products are eligible for SNAP and which aren't, but it could have a positive ripple effect[B]. I also do not think any fast food restaurants should accept SNAP for health reasons[/B]. I've been in the grocery store several times in recent memory where the person in front of me is paying with food stamps, and has a grocery cart full of total crap.

Diabetes and obesity are the biggest health issues facing Americans today. Certainly a good diet is the best way to combat this problem. Also, the less low-income obese people there are, the less of a strain on the nation's healthcare system to treat the health issues they will inevitably face.

You say it would be irresponsible to fund junk-food diets and not give out free health care when taxpayer funded eating binge causes health problems. I say don't fund junk-food diets in the first place.[/quote]

If I'm correct the only restrictions on the food one can purchase with food stamps are food prepared for eating. Like fried chicken from the deli, or a cake from the bakery but if they want a lobster for dinner go right on and buy that lobster with tax payers money.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

@gmscud, yeah I was being sarcastic, and I completely agree that only nutritious foods should be available for purchase (and no bottle water due to Water Dumping fraud above). However; I don’t think it would be hard to regulate at all.

I have a high deductable health insurance plan with a Health Savings Account (like a FSA). You can find lists of whats available for purchase with your HSA or FSA card all over the internet, and even from the stores you buy stuff at. Prior to the passage of the Patient Protection and [I]Affordable[/I] Care Act (aka Obamacare) I was able to buy tons of things over the counter easy as pie. When I went to the store I would ring all my items up and then swipe my HSA card and it would charge only things HSA eligible, then I paid the remainder with my credit card or cash. Unfortunately under Obamacare I techniqely need a prescription for ALL hsa/fsa purchases including over the counter stuff, aspirin, cold/flu stuff, allergy medicine, ect. But the technology is there and it works great.

Id rather have someone buy a lobster then a case of mountain dew and a “box” of oreos, but its shameful that either are allowed. Nothing but nutritious foods should be eligible. Prepared foods from the deli or a restaurant need to stay ineligible. I have to get a prescription just to buy a bottle of aspirin income tax free with my own EARNED income, however; people with ebt cards can buy Doritos, coke and cookies with others people’s money. Maybe im missing something but Is there any positive reason why snap participants should be able to buy junk food with their ebt cards? [URL="http://www.cspinet.org/new/201007151.html"]They buy 40% more soda than any other demographic[/URL], that’s just insulting.

@ first down - I was thinking about you the other day….. I heard someone talking about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. It’s a commonly missed small business tax deduction, and this year its been extended for employees for a number of things including food stamp recipients. It can also help you if you hired a ex-felon, someone from a needy family, a kid working summer job or a bunch of other people. Obviously most people wont tell their boss if theyre a felon or rap about their EBT card like Mr. EBT but you can have all your employees call a number and take a confidential survey.

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

[quote=mlmpetert;842040]@gmscud, yeah I was being sarcastic, and I completely agree that only nutritious foods should be available for purchase (and no bottle water due to Water Dumping fraud above). However; I don’t think it would be hard to regulate at all.

I have a high deductable health insurance plan with a Health Savings Account (like a FSA). You can find lists of whats available for purchase with your HSA or FSA card all over the internet, and even from the stores you buy stuff at. Prior to the passage of the Patient Protection and [I]Affordable[/I] Care Act (aka Obamacare) I was able to buy tons of things over the counter easy as pie. When I went to the store I would ring all my items up and then swipe my HSA card and it would charge only things HSA eligible, then I paid the remainder with my credit card or cash. Unfortunately under Obamacare I techniqely need a prescription for ALL hsa/fsa purchases including over the counter stuff, aspirin, cold/flu stuff, allergy medicine, ect. But the technology is there and it works great.

Id rather have someone buy a lobster then a case of mountain dew and a “box” of oreos, but its shameful that either are allowed. Nothing but nutritious foods should be eligible. Prepared foods from the deli or a restaurant need to stay ineligible. I have to get a prescription just to buy a bottle of aspirin income tax free with my own EARNED income, however; people with ebt cards can buy Doritos, coke and cookies with others people’s money. Maybe im missing something but Is there any positive reason why snap participants should be able to buy junk food with their ebt cards? [URL="http://www.cspinet.org/new/201007151.html"]They buy 40% more soda than any other demographic[/URL], that’s just insulting.

[/quote]


Good info about the HSA and that technology.

And yeah, that's total crap that obese people can continue to drive their health into the ground with my tax dollars, all the while putting a strain on healthcare systems with all the health issues that their taxpayer money food binges cause. 40% more soda than any other demographic?? Insulting indeed.

About a month ago, maybe longer, I was in 7-11 grabbing a few things, and there was this morbidly obese woman in front of me in line. Her purchases were a 24oz bottle of soda, a bag of chips, 7-11 hot dog, pint of Ben & Jerry's, and a pack of cigarettes. I kid you not. Granted, she didn't pay for any of it with food stamps (but the next person in line could be), but if she had, it's basically government assisted suicide funded with our money. I had to bite my lip to keep from saying something to her. It was a pathetic scene indeed. Kind of reminded me of the woman I saw in the grocery store paying for her food with food stamps (EBT card, whatever), and where do I see her an hour later? In that same 7-11 with a wad of $20 bills buying stacks of lottery tickets. My freaking head about came off.

Boy, this thread has gotten sidetracked....

Re: US Credit Rating Downgraded To AA+
 

If that pissed you off work in a grocery store as a bagger as that was my first job. They would buy a cart full of foo on food stamps then I'd load them into their new car. I also saw the very poor using the stamps because they needed them to feed their family. I'd say it was about 60% of the people abusing the system and about 40% that needed the help. I will add that they did seem to buy a ton of crap with ffod stamps. They would also send in their 5 kids to all buy some 10 cent candy so they could keep the change. That was back when they had those books with the cupons.