G27

Yah, no doubt, and keep in mind we've been monetizing our debt for a couple of years now through quantitative easing - some thing (larger in scale) just less abrupt. Don't think for a second the clown in the WH won't actually consider this as a viable option. QE is why inflation has already kicked a lot of folks' butt.

Rubio nails it:

Yah, I understand. Really, I'd be happy to give up all deductions if we ensured EVERYONE paid federal income taxes. I'd be thrilled if we had a balanced budget amendment and relied on revenue to determine federal budgets and would happily pay my share of it. Sure, yah I get that. I just hate the thought of it. And if my determination to be self-sufficient means there's a *little* less stress on the federal budgets, all the better. It's the principle of the whole thing to me. Well, it's going to have to be, as at some point it will simply become unsustainable. We can address it now by choice or later out of desperation. History shows that politicians generally make terrible decisions in the face of desperation (hence we're talking about SS, something which should never have been created in the first place...). I just don't want people acting like SS isn't an 'entitlement'. It is, and it's socialist, and if folks are OK with that, so be it.

I disagree. I guess it's just how I view it, but I don't see tax deductions as 'welfare' or 'entitlements' as I do SS. To me they are very different things - the country isn't going bankrupt due to tax deductions, it's due to entitlement spending, imo. I guess different people see it differently, but I find the concept of making my kids pay for my retirement, whether I've 'paid for it' or not, disgusting.

Sure, I agree. In fact, I'm sure many forward thinking folks my age are preparing as I am - to not accept SS. My plans are to be prepared as I don't it to be there, and frankly, if things go as I plan I won't accept it even if it does still exist.

The problem is there are tons of us who have paid in for decades who will never see a dime of it - it's 100% unsustainable. So while those of you who 'paid in for 40 years' want to get yours, the reality is you're doing it on the backs of folks who pay for it now and will never see a dime of it. And that's not socialism? It's going to be unfair for someone, typical that many don't care as long as they 'get theirs'.

Also remember that whil the 'average IRA doubles every seven years' might be true, historically, all investments follow the 'rule of 72' - 72/(avg interest rate) = number of years to double your money. IOW, to double every seven year, that assumes just over 10% annual growth, which has been the average about 70 of the last 80 years (the last decade has been pretty much stagnant). I would suggest that investing young is important, but assuming growth in today's world isn't necessarily wise. The stock market is no longer really tied to the economy as it once was - it's essentially become a big casino. I'd further suggest that we won't see sustained 10+% annual growth again for decades, possibly not in our lifetimes at all...

"I'm gonna get mine" It's what will destroy this country. Has already, in fact.

Not all - Peter Schiff isn't a 'Dr Doom' type but called the 2008 collapse well before it happened, even predicting why it would happen and what the results would be, all spot-on. And he has spoken openly about how to save the economy, though he'll be ignored by the parties in DC as it doesn't fit their agenda. And, of course, as Schiff was Ron Paul's economic advisor in his 2008 election campaign, people want to make him out to be a loon, just like they want to do with Paul.

Nice bike, Punisher - congrats! I've only ridden a RK once, but it was a nice ride.

Investigators reviewing evidence following Millington TBI raid - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee That's the latest I can find.

This is precisely why the customer is always right. Had they simply accepted what you said, they'd be 'out' $100 at worst (their cost is surely less) and you'd likely have posted about your positive experience. Instead, they acted like jerks and now will never see a dime from me even if they do make good for you in the end (hope they do), as there are enough AR manufacturers out there that WILL strive to take care of the customer that I don't have to 'risk it' with a company like DS Arms. When my father owned his own business he passed on a nugget of wisdom I've since heard many places: a satisfied customer will tell 1-3 other people of their positive experience, but typically only if the subject comes up in conversation. A dissatisfied customer will tell ten people of their negative experience and will look for ways to spread the news. Arguing with the customer rarely gets you anywhere. The customer is always right.

Hahaha, she chased him! That was awesome.

Yah, people seem to forget that minimum wage is directly tied to inflation - it's just another form of wealth distribution.

Good grief that's a bad-alpha-sierra-sierra looking truck.

Props, David - this is by far the smoothest server transfer I've ever seen (from the user perspective).

It's alive!

That police chief is an idiot. Anyone who thinks they are a 'strong believer in the lawful rights of gun owners' but wants to ban lawful carrying is stupid. Especially based on something that DIDN'T happen...

Yep.

Wow, that's huge. Just the beginning, I'm afraid...

I've learned waaaaaaaaay more than I could ever hope to repay from sites like TGO. And the delta grows daily.

Plausible deniability from the WH is looking less and less likely: ATF Manager says he shared Fast and Furious Info with White House - CBS News Investigates - CBS News

Are you suggesting bush was complicit? Shocking! </sarcasm> Bush isn't in office anymore (thank goodness), so all we can do is go after the current administration (which specifically funded F&F in the stimulus bill...). Turning this into anything other than an attack on our rights by playing partisan politics only helps those who wish to attack our liberty.

Which is why more and more of us think this country is lost. When the people vote tax dollars for themselves en masse, it's over. And we're basically there now. Sad that so many 'fiscal conservatives' are fine with stealing other's money via taxation...