RonD1120

I'm not 100% sure what this means. If you were receiving money that you were paying taxes on, then all those tax benefits were available to you. I supported my ministry as a professional parachutist. In 1994 I joined the corporate world as an assessment counselor. I pretty much stayed in the corporate counseling field until I retired in 2009. well, if you did not have income to your ministry (i.e. you were self-supported) then it didn't matter anyway. You could not opt out of any social security taxes, because you had no taxable income from that employment. I have no idea if this was an ordained ministry or not, that would also be a factor. I was ordained, some churches call it licensed, through a local church but worked independently. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Nope! so·cial·ism   [soh-shuh-liz-uhm] Show IPA noun 1.a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. 2.procedure or practice in accordance with this theory. 3.(in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

I'm not 100% sure what this means. If you were receiving money that you were paying taxes on, then all those tax benefits were available to you. I supported my ministry as a professional parachutist. In 1994 I joined the corporate world as an assessment counselor. I pretty much stayed in the corporate counseling field until I retired in 2009. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Don't know who explained it to you but they apparently did you a real disservice, as that is right from the IRS forms. Those standards have not changed since 1985 either (the exemption has essentially bee in place since 1968, previously all ministers were exempted except for those who opted in). While we are at it, being a minister is a way to get very favorable tax treatment overall. Maybe not hedge fund manager favorable but much much better than most middle class folks who work for a living. Here are some of the tax advantages: 1. Exempt yourself from Social Security and Medicare taxes, as explained above. This is a very good idea because ministers are considered self-employed for Social security purposes, even though they are employees for income tax purposes. 2. Have a huge portion of your salary listed as "housing allowance." This means it is exempt from income tax. All your mortgage, utilities, maintenance, etc. can be paid for tax free. Want to buy new furniture? yup, tax free. Want to build an addition? yup, you can do that with tax-free money. As long as your salary agreement lists it as housing allowance than you can do it. There are a few limitations but they are pretty generous. 3. You would think that paying for your house will all tax free money that you wouldn't be able to tax a mortgage interest deduction, but you would be wrong. Ministers can then deduct what they paid in mortgage interest from the portion of their salary that is taxable. So, you aren't just getting to pay your mortgage tax-free, you are getting a refund on some of your interest. 4. Use appropriate retirement vehicles such as a Rabbi trust, to shield more income from the government. I just spoke to a SSA representative. It is too late for me now, age 70. I was never salaried as a minister. I have always been an independent servant for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

This is not correct information. As long as you are opposed to the socialistic programs based on religious principles you can opt out. Here is the ministerial exception for Social Security: http://www.crown.org/Library/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=690 Here is the relevant statment that you have to affirm: I certify that I am conscientiously opposed to, or because of my religious principles I am opposed to, the acceptance (for services I perform as a minister, member of religious order not under a vow of poverty, or a Christian Science practitioner) of any public insurance that makes payments in the event of death, disability, old age, or retirement; or that, makes payments toward the cost of, or provides services for, medical care. (Public insurance includes insurance systems established by the Social Security Act.)…Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this application and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is true and correct. Seems like it should have been right up Ron's alley. That is not the way it was explained to me c.1985. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Definition of SOCIALIST 1: one who advocates or practices socialism 2 capitalized : a member of a party or political group advocating socialism I do not fit the definition. Back in the mid 80's I attempted to obtain exemption from FICA and SS, since I was embarking on my ministry missionary work. I was denied the option. The only way a minister can opt out is if they are a member of a church organization that provides a retirement plan. I was not such a member. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Right on. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done...." Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. I have been contemplating that Scripture lately. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Thank you, someone else who gets it. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Actually, this is not a true statement. SSI and Medicaid are available to anyone...including illegal aliens. That is what is so frustrating to me. These guys are not able to distinguish the difference between SS and Medicare vs. SSI and Medicaid. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

The clients I had as a social services worker did not have trouble receiving food stamps, medicaid, or SSI. The reason was the programs are operated for a profit even though they are licensed as non-profit organizations. Therefore, the programs need clients and the way to get them enrolled is to facilitate their benefits. That is one of the main reasons I am adamant in my opposition to liberal social service programs. They operate with a high level of fraudulent activity skillfully hidden in copious record keeping. Paper work has priority over people. Professional skill is based on the ability to hide. I know a lot about social services. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

No, I am entitled to my return on investment based on the profit motive. It is a different economic system. I worked to earn more money than I needed so some was invested in a government sponsored savings account. I don't understand why you lefties can't grab onto that concept. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

And, none of the elderly in my family tree died of malnutrition. They knew how to make their work and grow their food. They also brewed their own beer and made their own wine. Alcoholism was a bit rough on our clan. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

------------------------------------------------------- In my part of the woods channel 212 is the NFL network on DirecTV. Check the programming schedule. I think the BlazeTV is broadcast at 5:00PM. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

See post #22 above. Oh, and since you are not a Christian, you have no idea what my meeting with Jesus is going to be. However, I do. Entrance in God's heaven is not based on works. I hope you realize that truth and repent before it's too late for you. Jesus took away the sin of the world. You must accept the gift to receive it. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

You all seem to overlook the fact that Social Security and Medicare require a work history for a minimum number of quarters. Welfare, food stamps and Obamaphone only requires an application. Work history is a key concept. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

In my family, it was as soon as we realized what the "Jones'" had. We never beat them but, I learned to reach beyond my grasp. The aftermath of the Vietnam War turned me into a liberal. By 1978 I realized that the liberal philosophy was a crock. It was socialistic BS. That is what we fought against in SEA. If you want something, you have to work for it. If you don't get it, it is no one's fault, except maybe your own. You have to pick yourself up and go for it again. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes you choose between the two." The redistribution of wealth will kill the spirit of the populace. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

The American dream is to become rich. Why do we want to punish this incentive? The rich pay the vast majority of all income tax. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/10/cbo-rich-pay-outsized-share-taxes/ http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2012/07/taxes-and-rich http://www.businessinsider.com/who-pays-taxes-2012-8?op=1 Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

The maturational development level of the Liberal Democrats exemplified. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Pray The Week Sunday October 14th: Deuteronomy 30:19, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and the curses. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.”; Father forgive us for all the innocent blood that has been shed in this nation through abortion. We have been like the church by the railroad tracks in Germany that responded to the sounds of the Jews being led away to slaughter by singing louder to cover up their cries for help. Forgive us that we have only paid lip service to the plight of innocent babies being slaughtered and to their families that were deceived to think abortion is a quick fix. Father let us be salt and light in a nation that is dying without truth. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

The closeted gay guy, aka the practicing Socialist, weighs in with a suggestion to watch NFL TV. That is vey helpful of you... NOT. TheBlazeTV will be available to DISH viewers on channel 212 as part of DISH’s America’s Top 250 package or a la carte for $5 a month. The channel launches on Wednesday, September 12, at 5 p.m. EDT. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Since you have DirectTV you might try watching the debates and other news on channel 212. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

You beat me to it. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

I agree, the bill was too narrow in scope. "This bill was smart bipartisan policy that would put veterans back into service for their communities as policemen, firefighters and first responders," the group's founder and chief executive, Paul Rieckhoff, said in statement. That is telling veterans where they have to look for jobs, not good. They have the right to make their own choices. The Liberal Democrats always think they know what is best. That attitude is what pisses everyone off. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

I think Biden did what he was told to do, attack Ryan. I believe Ryan had a good command of the issues and the direction for dealing with them as part of the team. My wife and I were put off by Biden's style of arrogant rudeness. She gave up after an hour and then I fell asleep on the couch. From a Transactional Analysis standpoint, Biden approached Ryan as Parent to Child. All the while Ryan was trying to communicate Adult to Adult. BHO's team is being exposed for what they are. America is demanding better. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

Yep, BHO is consistent in that he will save Big Bird and blame America for the deaths of Americans at the hands of Islamic terrorists. What a guy! Romney and Ryan are consistent in blaming Obama for deficits caused in no small part by 2 unfunded wars started by Bush, with no plan to pay for them except to borrow the money. Rightly so, BHO's main issue was Obamacare which exacerbated the problem. President Bush's main concern was national security and retaliation. BHO's agenda is redistribution of wealth. Consequently, small business is afraid to make the necessary moves to get the economy back on track. It was BHO's job to fix the problem. He ignored it and created a bigger one. He is not a leader. Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.