Eric is directly citing the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" for anyone interested.


Partically related, everyone should get ready to buy low stock!

IMO, Whole life insurance is an extreme niche product that insurance companies market to everyone.  This type of insurance was born in the late 70s, about the time when insurance company skyscrapers were errected.

Just think, how many other insurances are an investment tool too?

Term insurance is the way to go for 95% of the population.

Philip, did you include medicare deductions?  How about adding social security dedecutions?  Both are government programs primarily funded by the middle class to help the middle class.  But know this - each program will be dead in 30 years because of financial mismanagement, just like a foreclosure.

The average middle class household income is around 60,000?  If so, approximately half or $30,000 is taxed at 25% off the top.  Then deducted medicare and social security at an additional 8% off the top again.  The middle class now has 66% of this money (the 30,000) to take home but as you said, taxes don't stop.  Whenever money is spend deduct an average of 5% for consumer, food, and entertainment tax.  The middle class family also owns a house and two cars - we have residential tax and yearly car taxes.  Gas tax to fill a car is over 20%.

Are these programs/taxes really helping the people who pay/need them?

I agree and disagree.    I would change this "If people become less wealthy, that is bad for everyone". to this If people become less educated about money, that is bad for everyone

To build my point I'll give some background.

The issue's blatantly obvious, there’s a huge conflict of interest between the governments beliefs and it's practices.  The government preaches capitalism to its people by encouraging corporations and passing business friendly tax laws.  The government actually discourages against being middle class by taxing them the highest (the poor isn't far behind).  The problem is the middle class just accepts it because they don't understand money.  A typical middle class person works from January - May for the government in a calendar year before they receive any money, every year.  However, the government practices financial democracy which is similar to how the middle class is treated financially - they punish themselves. This is compounded by the issue that the average taxpayer doesn't know how money works.  The government will spend taxpayer’s money according to what the taxpayers say.   This is the root cause of our situation right now.

Corporations are successful if they are efficient in using their resources frugally, like money and labor.  A dime saved today, is a quarter tomorrow.  In contrast, the government is rewarded for spending money and magically creating extra, most times, unneeded jobs - or spending according to the taxpayer.  The government doesn't follow their own system for success that they created!  We can understand why the government is in debt just like most of our middle class, foreclosed families.  (and I do feel bad for these families).

Now comes government intervention in a capitalist corporation society.  The Gov bails out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Another post said it best "...let Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fall just like Ma Bell..."  What the government did was encouraged inefficient business practice by hand holding.  Hand holding does nothing more than teach a child that it's OK to be (financially) immature.  They treated Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac like the poor/middle class by giving them money and saying it's OK.  Who will Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae come to during the next recession? Where did that government money come from...the middle class.  Rinse and repeat.

Damn, I should have considered that before you joined

Edit - Yes, penalty minutes are good!

The problem is explained in simple words here.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/105782/How-We-Got-Here-It-Is-Housing-Stupid

We have eight players and need a couple more.  If your on the fence about joining, don't think - just do it

Its a fun time and a good opportunity to meet new people.  We don't bite hard, I promise.

We are continuing the TMD fantasy hockey league for the 2008-2009 season.  Last year was our first season, which was a success.  We've deciding to use Yahoo again and will schedule a live draft within a few weeks.

We encourage new comers in hopes of filling a twelve man league.  If you are interested in joining please either reply below or send me a PM.  I'll give you the information to sign up.

P.S.  If we do fill a twelve man league, we have the option of making in a keeper league!

Congrats on the prelim win.

It's about time to start a "who's going?" thread.

The kind fellas from colorado will be mingling.  That includes Jim Gaffney, Brennen Cook, Misty, Lou, and me.

Congrats!

I should be there but might be 15 mintures late.  Can someone hold the starting gun?

Brennen's right.  I can make Saturday tournaments but Sunday is to difficult.  If its a possiblity I look forward to seeing these on Saturday.

This sounds like a fun tournament - someone will be driving home with a great prize!  Unfortunately I can't make it so it won't be me.

Somewhere between 12 and 14 people (we currently have 8).  I'll pm you invitations.

Were scoring on 12 categories (6 batting, 6 pitching), the format is head to head (play against a different team each week), top 6 teams make the play-offs, live draft etc.  I'm not sure what rules your intreged about specificly - please let me know if theres something inparticular that interests you.  Also, if you sign-up, you can view ALL the rules; if you don't like them you can drop out.  Let me know if this interests you and I'll give you the credentials.

Were here to have fun, all friends, and be competitve. 

Hi Everyone,

Fantasy baseball is starting and our fantasy league is returning for the third straight year.  Because of our fantasy baseball success, we are running a keeper league this year where X number of baseball players will be kept from this season for next season.  If you are interested in joining the baseball league please either reply to this post or pm me.  I'll provide any information needed sign-up.

It's confirmed, I'll be there for at least half the event!  Who else will make it?

If events come to pass, I'm joining the goblin banwagon.  15 proxy might be a short stretch, even for the a vintage grandfather.

I can't commit 100% that I'll be their, BUT if I am there will be a 100% chance of additional prizes, in addition to Carl's 

Theres a tiny seed thats stolen from a staight man everytime Gay/R sees play.  I wouldn't want to know the implications for you, Ray, if Justin beat you after making him play with Gay/R.

Nice power win!  You were due...

Results?

People have been talking about the Pats and Colts for 4 weeks, now.  The week is finally here.  Whats going to happen?

I was Michael Vick at the party Saturday.

Not to sure Vegas predicted the Rockies home stretch to make the play-offs or the World Series.  They technically were playing a single elimination season all September.  Now, best 4 out of 7 seems like a joke.

Should be a good series.  No one can argue these are the two hottest teams right now.

Debate sox and indian fans.  The rockies are just looking down laughing, a mile high.

Radiohead's new album will be released 10/10 and its FREE!

Who's the next NL wild card - Padres or Rockies?

The GAT mirror isn't about creatures, so this card would have a negative impact in that match.  The effect is also conditional giving the opponent a choice (cards that give an opponent the choice are usually aweful in T1, barring Gifts Ungiven).

Good luck with the move.