My Crazy Thoughts

SS MAYFLOAT

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I would like to know something. I'm not schmart like a therapist. I try to use common sense vs an educated guess.

Lets start with addictions. Doesn't matter what type of addition it is. All of them tends to consume logical thinking. A herion addict will lose everything just to get his fix. A pill popper will give up his normal thinking and lose those around them that matter most. A crack head will do anything to support his need for a high. A tobacco user will think of nothing but to get his nicotine craving filled. An alcoholic will put others at risk while driving. A food junkie will eat until they can't get out of bed. A meth user just doesn't care about nothing but his/her meth or what it does to their bodies. Addiction is powerful and will consume the brain with its power.

Now here is my point on how addiction is one of the roots of foreclosures across the country. Does it make sense that people will spend their money on their addictions before spending it on their commitments to their financial obligations? Now enter the constant tax increases on tobacco. I'm curious to know if these increases also equate to the number of foreclosures increasing? Thus filling thier addictions before anything else no matter what the consequence is. After all, smoking is a very expensive habit. One pack a day for a year will cost a smoker about $1,825 a year @ 5$ a pack. In most cases where husband and wife both smoke 2 pack a day @ $5 a pack is $7300 a year.

It seems to me that lower income citizens tend to be the bracket of smokers. They don't have the money to go do things for entertainment because a large portion of their income goes to tobacco products and its taxes. With the decrease in smokers causing the revenue of taxes to drop and forcing higher taxes to stablilze the revenue lost just makes a big cycle. Eventually a boot leg market will become a bigger crime than it already is requiring money for enforcement. With this, even more revenue will be lost in tax income. Meanwhile people will commit to their addictions before making their financial obligations. The cycle continues.

There has to be another means of revenue for our government. I think an entertainment tax would work. If you can afford to go to any ballgame, race, or anything that requires a ticket, ,,,,you can afford the tax. This way the poor will not be taxed for their looked down upon addictions.

To cure the problem of social security is easy. Quit forcing people to quit what they are doing that shortens their life. If they die before they can get their benefits, that is money paid in that wasn't paid out for them. If we let people eat and smoke what they want letting them enjoy their pursuit of happiness, so be it! They die early after working and paying taxes, it is good for the system. Right now the attitude is keep everyone living as long as possible. I'm sorry, I don't want to be 80, confined to a bed with a crappy quality of life being forced to suffer til the day I die.

I'm sure some is going to think my thoughts are garbage, but it is my opinion.

We need new ideas, not the same beating of an old horse in different ways.
 

Haut Medoc

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts


It is in the best Financial interest of PHARMA, Health care facilities, & doctors to keep you alive as long as possible.......;)
Don't forget the retirement homes.....;)
I'd wager every one of them has a lobbyist in Washington, doing their best to combat assisted suicide........;)
The only ones against it are the HMO's....
'Cuz it cuts into the profits....
All health care should be run as a non profit & the Profit generated should go towards paying off the national debt......
IMHO.......:)
 

Plainsman

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

Well as a smoker and someone who likes his beer, I agree with the idea of your post. Addictions are a bad thing, but my choice to do it. I pay my bills and work 40+ hours a week so the gov't is getting my $.
By getting folks to stop smoking I wonder how much $ is not in the coffers due to less tax $ being brought in? In the billions I'd dare to guess.
So they raise the taxes again on smokes. I'll just get them online @ $20 a carton and then they don't get any tax $ from me on smokes. Not a big deal to me and I'll start saving money.

They are taxing themselves out of $. Gotta love the gov't!!!!:p
 

OldMercsRule

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

It is in the best Financial interest of PHARMA, Health care facilities, & doctors to keep you alive as long as possible.......;)
Don't forget the retirement homes.....;)
I'd wager every one of them has a lobbyist in Washington, doing their best to combat assisted suicide........;)
The only ones against it are the HMO's....
'Cuz it cuts into the profits....
All health care should be run as a non profit & the Profit generated should go towards paying off the national debt......
IMHO.......:)

Hmmmmmm, sounds like a plan ol' Uncle Joe would REALLY luv: Bro! How do ya make people work or invest fer nothing: Bro! Behead them if they don't work?? Throw 'em in the BIG PHARMA/HMO Gulag. Would the Gulag be as nice as club gitmo? Do ya think the quality of meds health technology et al would soar with BIG GUBMINT medicine run by forced slavery? Hmmmmmmmmmm, I say! JR ps: All yer anti BIG _________ Business, (except BIG GUBMINT), would hurt this Great Country much more then the pesky demographic peak ol' Murky is worried about. What incentive to invest or work do ya propose? Work or invest or Bro Haut gets ta torture ya?
 

Haut Medoc

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts


Who said anything about slavery?.....:confused:
People who work for non profits still get a pay check.....;)
I would also like to see legislation enacted to relieve said non profit health care facilities from any lawsuit for malpractice....
I'll bet the lawyers & BIG INSURANCE will love that.....
Why does the idea of a not for profit institution automatically mean slavery & communism?......:confused:
Sorry, but I do not see a downside to affordable health care.....
Even if it is at the cost of the financial ticks who in reality produce zilch!........;)
 

POINTER94

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

SS.

Have you ever watched two dogs who first meet go at it in the back yard, the park, the lake, the street. They can't help themselves. Same with the crack addict. They will do anything to get what they want/need. Too attain these wants/needs they have to throw out things like, morals, social morays, the law (the law is a living and breathing document to be manipulated to mean whatever fits the occasion), right and wrong, and redefine them to suit the needs of the moment.

Liberalism is very similar. See their need to lose a war to secure their power. They are willing to trade lives, our countries reputation, the lives of our military (which they refer to as terrorists, nazis, murderers) all to install their version of a benevalent dictator. They play on peoples weakness, and personal insecurities, and those aspects that are worst in peoples natures. Envy, greed, fear, slothe....

By subdividing the mass's into little groups, they can cater to each one individually but not necessarily all at once. This is how they purchase elections. They run on pitting one group against the other. They don't need to get anyone to buy into the entire program, just passionate about one aspect. What kind of an idiot would believe that someone living in NYC would be putting their health at risk walking past a person smoking in front of a building. Well, they just continue to write laws of popularity vs. the tenents in which this country was founded to purchase voters. They put together little studies to validate their current causes and the feable minded subscribe. And the beauty is, you can show concern by taxing. Tax everyone. In the land of the free and the home of the brave, what exactly can you do without being taxed? Trim your toenails? Nope, taxing the clippers. Drive a car on your private property? Nope, property is taxed. Operate a boat, you have to be kidding.

This is the roadmap to socialism/communism. People who feel unempowered can be made to feel they are getting a fair deal. Surrendering others rights is a mark of cowardise. Unfortunately, that isn't what this little corner of the world is about. Or it hasn't been in the past, the future...???? And the answer to the question of whether liberalism is a mental disease, well if you think smoking or alcoholism is a disease, then yes it is. It is interesting that liberals would choose to tax these commodities. But they tax everything, why not ................
 

OldMercsRule

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

Who said anything about slavery?.....:confused:

How do you get the investment dollars to build health care assets? Hmmmmmmmmm? Magic? Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

People who work for non profits still get a pay check.....;)

You prolly understand the "non profits" are jus' social engeneering of relatively small sectors of the economy the pols or Socialists want to encourage. Problem is some who are not as informed as you are might actually believe this CARP: Bro! PURE CARP, as many of yer trolls are!! :D;)

I would also like to see legislation enacted to relieve said non profit health care facilities from any lawsuit for malpractice....

So if the Doc allowed out of the Bro Haut Gulag decides to use a dirty electric drill, (borrowed from the Bro Haut Gulag), instead of sterile surgical tools yer good with that? Hmmmmmmm, don't get me defendin' lawyers PLEASE Bro. Have a heart. You know how I feel about Edwards n' Kerry! Sheeeeeesh!

I'll bet the lawyers & BIG INSURANCE will love that.....
Why does the idea of a not for profit institution automatically mean slavery & communism?......:confused:

Not fer profit is jus' a tax gimmick ta social engeneer, (ya know: Socialism). You know that of course! Yer pullin' yer slow Bro's chain as usual!

Sorry, but I do not see a downside to affordable health care.....
Even if it is at the cost of the financial ticks who in reality produce zilch!........;)

Yer tellin' yer slow Bro you've figured out how ta make the illusive Free Lunch actually Free? Come one Bro: one brain cell: sure ya nailed me on that one. Free Lunch? NO WAY. JR ps: should we name the proposed Gulag Club Hautmo? Sounds a bit catchy don't ya think?
 

Haut Medoc

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

Can't we all just get along? :D

2104299Bunnies.jpg


;):):D
 

Bob_VT

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

You make some sound points.......

IMO the people who are "addicted" are not the home owners who are foreclosed on the most..... I think foreclosures are even across the board.

Why not cut welfare payments to those who are addicted to things (regardless if they own property) and make urine testing madatory to those who collect. Smokers, alcholics, drug addicts need not apply.

We had a local farmer who sold Christmas Trees every year (he has passed away). There was a sign at his stand (and it was well known) that stated "If you were in need of a free tree and could not afford one....... one would be given to you provided you did not smoke or drink" I think that was a good attitude.
 

JB

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

You didn't mention addiction to "credit", SS. That, I think, is the one behind current financial woes.

As for Bro Haut's proposal, socialism is socialism Bro Haut. Ask our friends to the North or in the UK how well socialized health care works. Just another excuse to raise taxes.
 

puddle jumper

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

I like my air.Pure air un cut with anything. Im addicted to air.When i dont breath its like holding my breath then i must have it one breath at a time or
i will die.Im addicted to air.
Thats how i felt when i smoked.But im ok now.
 

snapperbait

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

I say that the high rate, and increase of; forclosures is simply due to the fact that the majority of Americans live way-way-way beyond their means...

A wize man once said (and so did Reel Poor) :D..
"If you need it, get it"..
"If you want it, wait"..
 

RCSConstruction

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

I say that the high rate, and increase of; forclosures is simply due to the fact that the majority of Americans live way-way-way beyond their means...

And trying to flip too many houses and zero down loans and stated income loans and,and........
Corporate greed and people stupid enough to think they can just sit back and flip houses for a living is causing this housing crisis. There is alot of illegal activities that took place in the lending institutions that are juuuust being brought to light. When main stream media gets ahold of what really was going on, it will be a mess.
I see alot of people selling off motorhomes,boats,75,000 sandrails,YUKONS, etcc.. because they took out a second (or third) and wasted it... Now their home is worth less than what they owe (thanks to 125% loans) and their rates are resetting and they can't swing it.
It's a real mess here on the west coast. :redface:
It's greed from all ends and everyone has their self to blame.


p.s.
This housing bubble has just started to deflate, it's going to get a h#lla lot worse before it even stabilizes.
 

KaGee

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

Hmmmm, welfare won't pay the mortgage... funny how that works.
 

POINTER94

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

And trying to flip too many houses and zero down loans and stated income loans and,and........
Corporate greed and people stupid enough to think they can just sit back and flip houses for a living is causing this housing crisis. There is alot of illegal activities that took place in the lending institutions that are juuuust being brought to light. When main stream media gets ahold of what really was going on, it will be a mess.
I see alot of people selling off motorhomes,boats,75,000 sandrails,YUKONS, etcc.. because they took out a second (or third) and wasted it... Now their home is worth less than what they owe (thanks to 125% loans) and their rates are resetting and they can't swing it.
It's a real mess here on the west coast. :redface:
It's greed from all ends and everyone has their self to blame.


p.s.
This housing bubble has just started to deflate, it's going to get a h#lla lot worse before it even stabilizes.

Bingo!!! Right on RCS. I think this will affect the coasts far more than fly over country.
 

SS MAYFLOAT

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Re: My Crazy Thoughts

According to what I heard on the radio, the top four states for forecloseures is CA, TX, FL, and OH. IMHO my wonderful state of distress problem is not flipping of houses. It is the loss of jobs. There is hardly a street that you can go on and not see a house up for sale. Many are empty. Where did these people go? Plenty of houses for rent that are vacant.

JB, you're right (again :D) credit addiction is a biggie. I too have fallen in to the point, click, and buy. I Thank those that suggested to me on this site about the Credit Card Counseling Organization. Its been a real struggle to meet that big ole balloon payment each month for all of the cards. Two more years and we should be creditcard debt free. Before credit cards, I lived fine without out them. Sometimes it was a pain because you had to have one for deposits or an internet transaction. After they are paid off, my wife and I plan on only having one and stay strict with paying it off immediately.

I'm not saying the addiction is the only thing causing the foreclosure problem but one of the roots to the problem. I'm going to be optimistic that things will turn around eventually.
 
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