jfields

Another factor that throws this scenario out of alignment is the disproportionate balance of trade. If people brought home more money, they may spend it and create tons of new jobs... in China, Korea, India, etc. We are a huge importer of material goods, especially inexpensive consumer products. While the government would collect your hypothetical sales tax on the items, I don't think the trickle-down effects would be as beneficial to our economy as you anticipate. In general, I think we are all in agreement on making taxation simpler and more efficient. But we differ on our predictions of what different methods of taxation would do. I don't think there is any magic formula that will turn around the economy, or help on section of the population without harming another. Admittedly, some people (the rich) could survive a change in the system, but I'm equally sure they would try to find ways to subvert it. I don't think any of these changes can lower the average tax Americans pay without lowering the services they receive. If anything, I would be much happier if the tax structure were kept the same for awhile, and the effort put into streamlining government. Having things run more efficiently and at a lower cost to taxpayers is the only way I see for reducing taxes. Then again, we could always just work on paying our UN dues or the national debt....

From his numbers, he was talking about eliminating federal income tax as well. That is a huge gap to make up by boosts in sales tax. I agree with simplification, but it must be in a workable manner that isn't repressive to low-income families.

You are always safe if you are in pictures with Paul. The Goof-o-Magnet will point his way. Oh, Hi, Paul!

I think your chances of getting those federal laws changed are basically nil. It won't happen. There is plenty of incentive to build business. Our highest tax bracket is nowhere near much of Europe. Getting rich isn't easy. If that is someone's goal, then they ought to do the extra work to overcome the tax hurdles to go from "comfortable" or "working class" to "rich". I doubt that consumer spending and sales taxation would go up enough to cover reductions in income tax. If they don't, what services are you going to start cutting? If you start cutting services, how are you going to explain that to your constituents that depend on them? I agree that our tax code is overly complex, but it does fundamentally work. We all foot the bill for the operation of the government. That includes the roads, schools, military, and everything else. A flat tax sufficient to provide the same needs would make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Is that what you want to do?

Rhino, How would you manage to balance the state budget without income tax, if they currently have it? This next question is sincere, and not a personal slam: Do you really think you have the interpersonal and persuasive skills required to sway enough voters? I would never run for any major office, for many reasons, but if you choose to, I wish you luck.

But I wonder how many people will see this thread and think: Electrical equipment?

Or... If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, it is probably covering Pungi sticks.

Trying to get me in trouble like that is not kind. I do that just fine on my own. I think of it more like evaluating whether someone should do hook turns. You have to master the basics before you tackle the advanced maneuvers. Otherwise, the risk of permanent injury is just too high. So as a safety precaution, I think it would be wise to keep Viking away Freaksis' bedroom/dungeon. Otherwise he may be scarred forever. For all we know, she would strip him, tie him up, and start playing merciless games with electrical equipment and floggers. Now some people might enjoy that, but I don't think that is what Viking needs for his introduction to bedroom RW. Clear?

I don't think he is ready for that kind of stuff yet. We had that discussion in relation to Freaksis and whips and stuff. It just wouldn't be fair to throw him to the wolves like that.

I agree with Paul on a number of counts. The physical discomfort of riding to altitude with everything fully snugged up is trivial compared to the mental comfort of being ready to go. It is also just good procedure, even for people who would feel okay finishing gearing up on the plane. Knowing my luck, the time I decide to get on a plane without my gear in order would be the time I had to do an emergency bail out due to aircraft emergency. I won't get onto the plane without the minimum required to leave the plane in flight. Helmet, goggles, altimeter and audible are all optional in an emergency, but I have to have my rig squared away so I could at least get out, deploy, and land. The people I see mucking with their gear on the ride up are never novices. It is always the people with thousands of jumps who have gotten complacent and sloppy. They are the people who should know better. From my experience, video people are the most likely culprits, because they are most likely to turn loads with multiple rigs to film students. Novice (including myself) are way to paranoid to fall into that particular trap. Others, yes, but not boarding without being ready.

Nope. It would collect dust in the lockbox.

Scha-wing!

Always liked heights. Insisted on airborne training when I enlisted in the Army. After I got out, it took awhile to scrounge the time and money to do it as a civilian. My biggest regret about skydiving is not starting it while I was stationed at Fort Bragg. I'm an idiot!

When you are working on hardware problems at work, isn't the goal to gradually accumulate enough spare parts to build yourself a complete system for your house?

Ridiculous question. The answer is obviously: d) Lose the god-damned thing in the crap pile in the basement, never to be seen again.

Hah!

Do I really want to know, or is this better left unsaid? If the latter, I'm not passing judgement, but prefer not to know.

I did. Feet and knees together, while cursing, "F***ing Air Force" over and over again. Turned out okay.

And how is that any different than the Air Farce dropping paratroopers?

I agree with the sentiment, but boy do you pick weird punishments. I hope the stuff gets returned to its rightful owners.

Good luck, Nathan! You never know what life throws your way. It sounds like you are making the best of things. Enjoy your freedom and independence. Later in life, you might be tied down by a family, although that brings an entirely different set of pleasures. I can't put a price on my 5-month old daughter's smile when I wake her up in the morning and she sees me.

Cheap, cheap, and cheap. You don't want to know what I pay for daycare, insurance and my mortgage.

Erno, I feel your pain. That is the drawback about being the person in the family that "knows computers". I get sucked into everything. My biggest challenge is my mother-in-law and my wife's grandparents. It is out of control. Sometimes I get a bit harsh. I was asked a question over the phone about a printer I've never seen. I sent the person to the manufacturer homepage, told them to search for their model, then RTFM. I was in the middle of cooking dinner, and didn't have time to mess with that crap. Everything boils down to analogies, anyway: Firewall=Castle wall/moat Bandwidth=Pipe/hose Processesor=Gerbil Etc., etc.

Vulture. Sorry. I couldn't help myself. Main Entry: vulture Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Latin vultur Date: 14th century 1 : any of various large raptorial birds (families Accipitridae and Cathartidae) that are related to the hawks, eagles, and falcons but have weaker claws and the head usually naked and that subsist chiefly or entirely on carrion 2 : a rapacious or predatory person

[jealous] I'd put up with a lot for that too. I have 10, plus a few federal holidays. [/jealous]