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The job creators have not created jobs since the turn of the century. When their legislators and attorneys crafted laws to tax capital gains at 15%, they began to invest their money in stocks rather than start a business and pay 35% in taxes.
Of course, the law is not just for rich people, as they will point out. At the end of the week any single mom can buy stocks with her extra money and take full advantage of that 15% tax rate.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Posts: 1,175
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To quote Victor Hugo I think:
"The Law in its majesty prevents both the rich and the poor from sleeping under bridges"
I'm still scared about what Mitt Romney meant when talked about "harvesting" in 2012.
Some call this "late capitalism". Or "finance capitalism".
Also, you ever tried or seriously explored starting a legal public business in Hawaii or Hawai'i ? I just decided to stay retired.
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quote:
Originally posted by Punatic007
I guess it depends on how you were raised. Just because someone qualifies for welfare, why does that not become an incentive to either move somewhere else with a better job market or to hone ones skill to earn more? There have been studies done on those choosing to be a welfare recipient as part of a long term lifestyle. It creates moral decay and entitlement issues. The children of these families often turn to theft as they have been raised to believe you don't need to work to receive money and food.
If you are poor enough to be eligible for EBT you will not have the resources to move to where there are more/better jobs, or be able to take time and spend the money to gain more training for a better job, if that training and future better job are even available here. If you are a low income head of household here, with family to help with childcare and after school pickup, moving away from that family support could be disastrous.
There is a big difference between having an EBT card and being on full scale welfare. Many jobs here pay so poorly that a single mom with a couple of kids would be eligible for EBT while working full time. In fact Walmart has all the information their employees need on how to apply for public assistance posted on their employee website, because a big part of their business plan is to pay their employees low wages and have the taxpayers make up the difference. The Walton family are individually some of the richest people in the country, while taxpayers subsidize feeding their employees.
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Benefits to the poor = Welfare
Benefits to the rich = Subsidy
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Just because the rich have their subsidies, that still in my opinion does not justify taking advantage of the system. Welfare is never meant as a way of life, it comes from the pocket of hard working people via ever rising taxes. Puna is full of people driving up the health food store in their late model vehicle and paying for their purchases with EBT card. That's scamming, plain and simple.
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Punatic007's post hit a nerve. Personally I haven't seen people in high-end cars shopping with an EBT card, but on N. A'ohoku Pl., the road just above Imiloa, pharmacy students park their cars everywhere as there isn't enough parking space by the pharmacy college.
I get paid a decent wage, but driving by these parked cars in my 13-year old car makes me wonder. Nearly every car is much newer than mine and much more expensive.
I don't get it. I didn't have a car as a student but understand there's a need for a personal vehicle here, but why not old bangers? Some of these cars are pretty impressive and not an expense I'd want to take on, even now. There are even new BMWs and Audies parked there.
Where is the money coming from? Rich parents, loans, credit?
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007 muses;
"Just because the rich have their subsidies, that still in my opinion does not justify taking advantage of the system."
Sounds like the rich are taking advantage of the system.
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quote:
Originally posted by TomK
Punatic007's post hit a nerve. Personally I haven't seen people in high-end cars shopping with an EBT card, but on N. A'ohoku Pl., the road just above Imiloa, pharmacy students park their cars everywhere as there isn't enough parking space by the pharmacy college.
I get paid a decent wage, but driving by these parked cars in my 13-year old car makes me wonder. Nearly every car is much newer than mine and much more expensive.
I don't get it. I didn't have a car as a student but understand there's a need for a personal vehicle here, but why not old bangers? Some of these cars are pretty impressive and not an expense I'd want to take on, even now. There are even new BMWs and Audies parked there.
Where is the money coming from? Rich parents, loans, credit?
You would think rich parents and not the EBT crowd. However late model cars with EBT cards in tow seem to be considered a normal Puna entitlement. When you have a mayor voted in by the majority with no ethics, it's not too hard to connect the dots.
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Do they just not want the ebt business
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No, they don't want the EBT business because then they will have to pay taxes on that income. Almost all of the local "farmers" are dealing in cash and unreported income. Some of these "farmers" are simply buying produce at Costco and reselling it at the "farmers" markets.
