Renouncing Citizenship Over Taxation

[Conan71]

Organic=hippie.

I like them both but I have more fun at the BD just looking at the non conformings.

Why do all the non-conformists look alike with the tats and gauges?  I guess they conform in their non-conformity?

[AquaMan]

Why do all the non-conformists look alike with the tats and gauges?  I guess they conform in their non-conformity?

Unknown since the beginning of time. I made that argument in an essay in high school. My assertion was that hippies were more of a style than a true effort at non conformist behavior. No one bought it.

But, BD seems to have a variety of sub-cultures at play from true bohemians to wannabe's. Not so sure the art is first class but the quality of the lurk certainly is.

[Gaspar]

Why do all the non-conformists look alike with the tats and gauges?  I guess they conform in their non-conformity?

The same reason that some people feel it necessary to communicate with bumper stickers.

[Red Arrow]

Most do, they just get it back at the end of the year if they're poor enough.

At the end of the year, everyone needs to leave at least $1.00 with the government.  I'm sure you understand the difference between withholding and actual tax paid.  Call this a new alternate minimum tax if you want but everyone pays at least $1.00.

[nathanm]

I'm sure you understand the difference between withholding and actual tax paid.

No, I don't understand how paying the government is different from paying the government. There is still this money that you would like to have that you do not have because the government has it.

[DolfanBob]

Just curious. Is Singapore really all that? I mean to just give up the U.S. like that.
Have any of you guy's been there? and could you do it?

[Teatownclown]

I'll just leave this here:

BRAVO! Thanks for posting this short but accurate talk....I just love TED.

I was realizing during the presentation that while the Mall was jamming Mother's Day weekend there were relatively few sacks of merchandise. The crowds were in the card shops and, naturally, the food court. The consumer has not the confidence to spend at this time. The middle class has less savings.

My guess is the citizenship was not renounced over only taxes, but issues regarding freedom. That's something that seems to be evaporating ever since the GOP/Teabaggers stole the handle.

[Red Arrow]

No, I don't understand how paying the government is different from paying the government. There is still this money that you would like to have that you do not have because the government has it.

I am not buying that you are that stupid. 

Your income tax is due (for most of us) on April 15.  Withholding is payments in advance based on tables and whatnot to make sure you are able to pay your tax on April 15.  You can adjust your withholding, within limits, to approximately match what your tax bill will be on April 15.  If you pay too much in withholding, you get a refund because you paid too much in advance.  You loaned the Feds money, interest free, and now you are getting back that excess.  It is not a tax refund.  It is getting back the amount that you overpaid during the year towards your tax bill that is due on April 15.  You cannot escape prepayment.  How much you over pay is adjustable.

[nathanm]

You loaned the Feds money, interest free, and now you are getting back that excess.  It is not a tax refund.  It is getting back the amount that you overpaid during the year towards your tax bill that is due on April 15.  You cannot escape prepayment.  How much you over pay is adjustable.

Those dollars are still paid. They may be returned, contingent on many factors, some of which are not knowable in advance, but that happens after the fact.

[Red Arrow]

Those dollars are still paid. They may be returned, contingent on many factors, some of which are not knowable in advance, but that happens after the fact.

If you want to play semantics, OK.  At the end of the tax period, no one gets all their money back.  The most they can get back is what they put in minus $1.00.  If they didn't put anything in, they must send in $1.00.

[nathanm]

If you want to play semantics, OK.  At the end of the tax period, no one gets all their money back.  The most they can get back is what they put in minus $1.00.  If they didn't put anything in, they must send in $1.00.

As long as you realize this will put more people in poverty. (Not because of the dollar, but because we chose, for some strange reason, to provide much of our welfare through the tax code as the earned income tax credit)

[Red Arrow]

As long as you realize this will put more people in poverty. (Not because of the dollar, but because we chose, for some strange reason, to provide much of our welfare through the tax code as the earned income tax credit)

Give me some numbers.  I think those people are already in poverty.  Since so many are ready to point out that we are not providing any upward mobility to our economically less fortunate, we need a different benefit system than the one which is presently not working.  Even as a Republican, I don't want naked, starving, homeless people to not get some help.   Our present help system is not working.

[RecycleMichael]

Since so many are ready to point out that we are not providing any upward mobility to our economically less fortunate, we need a different benefit system than the one which is presently not working.  Even as a Republican, I don't want naked, starving, homeless people to not get some help.   Our present help system is not working.

On this we agree. The truly poor have no power and few advocates. We tend to help those who are in the system, like free lunches for kids in school and unemployment benefits for those who used to work, but are limited to help those on the street, the mentally ill, and the hopeless.

It is difficult to help them as an individual. Giving cash handouts doesn't solve anything and who among us is qualified to treat serious mental illness or substance abuse.

I give to the Day Center for the Homeless, contribute to the food bank, and encourage my co-workers to volunteer each week (on the clock) to serve at the Iron Gate. My church collects clothing and blankets and prepares a meal each month for the Day Center.

It is simply not enough. We have to find a way to do more.

[nathanm]

Give me some numbers.  I think those people are already in poverty.

Ok. 6.3 million people in 2010 were lifted above the poverty line thanks to the earned income tax credit.

[Red Arrow]

Ok. 6.3 million people in 2010 were lifted above the poverty line thanks to the earned income tax credit.

Looks like if I lose my job I can get some earned income tax credit.   Thanks.