Wages drop despite economic boom

[Teflon Don]

You are just filled with question...aren't you!

I'll offer a few comments...and then let you pick out the two questions you most want answered...and deal with them until they are resolved...then allow you to ask me two more.

First the few comments:

I am far from wealthy, in fact I am living at the poverty level. I do a bit of modeling...and just did a gig for living at the poverty level...for which I had to establish that I was. The only thing I "take" is my Social Security payment...which is very modest. I have worked all my life and supported myself without the dole or anything like it. I am still doing that.

I live a decent life...don't have much in the way of wants. I treasure what I have...and even though essentially broke, I often manage to toss a few bucks to people who obviously need them.

I offer my time and effort in place of money...working as a HARD WORKING volunteer on several commissions and boards in our town. I've been at various times chairman of the Traffic Commission; chairman of the Cultural Arts Commission; member of the Bikeways Commission; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Television Station; working crew member of the TV station; and on-air member also. (I've retired from most of this at this point.)

When I was a Democrat (yeah, I was one at one time) I chaired the Sign Committee...the guys that did the grunt work to get people elected to office. Lots of hard work to do before and after each election.

Enough of that.

Give me your two questions. I'll shut out that condescending bullshit tone you bring to them and give you a response.

Is there a limit on the amount of wealth you think the government should extract from its citizens?

Is there a percentage that is too high regardless of income?

 

[Fentoine Lum]

Why do you blame companies when the blacks that didn't pay that taxes where rates were cut don't benefit from a cut?

Perhaps because many companies like Amazon and GE pay no taxes?

 

[Ross Dolan]

Is there a limit on the amount of wealth you think the government should extract from its citizens?

Yes.

But I consider "the government" to be us...We, the People...so I will refer to it that way.

We should not extract any more than needed to properly run the country and provide the services we want...and the Constitution requires us to provide ourselves.

Is there a percentage that is too high regardless of income?

100% would be too high for me for earnings of (let's say) $100,000,000 or less.

Above that figure...100% would be fine with me.

I don't think we would ever have to go to that point...but that answers those questions.

We can discuss my responses if you want...or you can move on to two more questions.

 

[Phantasmal]

The Democrats need to run on the tax cuts, they aren’t that popular, people see them for what they are.

That could be for a lot of reasons. The law is designed to benefit corporations and the richest Americans most. It reduced the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, and the top 1 percent of individual earners are expected to receive about 80 percent of the legislation’s gains.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vo...018/6/22/17492468/republican-tax-cut-law-poll

 

[archives]

Dear Guano

I am just glad you recognize that the economy is "booming" under the leadership of President Trump. Considering many leftists predicted economic calamity upon his election and subsequent tax cuts, it represents a tremendous admission on your part. I tip my had to you

Now as to the tax cut argument. I have long since had disdain for the "cutting taxes creates jobs" as a means for arguing tax cuts. Not because it can't happen, but because job creation is tied to economic growth. And yes, economically freeing up more capital should grow the economy which should in turn lead to more jobs and higher wages. But, the economy is a dynamic organism that is not moved alone based on one single solitary action.

I would prefer that arguments over taxation be made on moral grounds. Money is essentially property and is a function of someone's labor. As such I believe that the argument should center around how much of your labor do you think the government should be able to take from your for "essential goods"?

My personal preference is that no individual ever pay more than 20% of his income to the federal government and everyone on the economic spectrum should be made to pay SOMETHING in federal income taxes (spare me the FICA tax argument)

Very few Americans pay more than 20% of their income to the Federal Gov't, even including State and local tax most pay around 14%. Taxes have been demogogued to death, largely, but not exclusively, by the right, can't recall many GOP politicians running for office that don't employ cutting taxes as a promise

https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...-the-average-american-pay-in-taxes/106237216/

 

[Irish Exit]

I'm not a Democrat, Asshole.

And I never said we should murder the scum of the far right. I think the scum will do itself in. They will bleed to death from having shot themselves in the foot as often as they do.

Sure you're not. Did your mother have any pregnancies that didn't result in a miscarriage?

 

[Nordberg]

Tax policy has nothing to do with how much you make, only how much you keep but not a worry for you EBT intellects.

You did not understand the Trump justification of the tax cuts. He said it would increase wages. It was a flat-out lie. We have had the highest corporate profits of all time and wages were stagnant. A tiny bit of thinking would tell you the money was confiscated by those on top. Trump gave them a few billion more and they kept it again.

 

[anatta]

Wages have gone up .I think 2.7 for the last year. a booming economy does produce some inflation.
The key is to keep it booming as the labor participation rate has gone up too, as wells as unemployment going down.

so now we have more jobs then available skilled workers..keep that same scenario and you'll have to see wages go up more. there is no more elasticity available for hirings

 

[Cancel 2020.1]

This seems odd. I mean, it's almost like Trump's economic plans were only for the wealthy.

 

[Irish Exit]

You did not understand the Trump justification of the tax cuts. He said it would increase wages. It was a flat-out lie. We have had the highest corporate profits of all time and wages were stagnant. A tiny bit of thinking would tell you the money was confiscated by those on top. Trump gave them a few billion more and they kept it again.

Well you clearly are any expert in tiny thoughts, so I will give you that. A C- in Statistics 101, however, doesn't cut the mustard. It doesn't matter what Trump's justifications were or were not. Labor force participation is down about 3% since the recession and is relatively flat. It was the same in July as it was when Trump took office in January 2017. It will largely remain flat because of Baby Boomer retirements for the next decade will be replenished by new workers. It is why average wages remain flat at full employment. Guy making $150K a year is replaced with guy making $125K a year plus a new MW employee in the mail room plus more profit for the company.

 

[Old Trapper]

Here is the the problem with your ideology. It is rooted in selfishness and greed for what others have attained. You try to shroud it in "helping the less fortunate". But, that never really works out does it? The less fortunate always stay less fortunate no matter how much money you extract from your fellow citizens to satisfy your conscience.

If not them then who? You on the right are always using the idea that to take from the wealthy to help the poor is theft. Yet you would take from the poor what little they have to give to the wealthy. And you call that "fair", or allowing the wealthy to keep what they have "earned". But how did they "earn" it? Primarily by not paying the ones who actually created the wealth a living wage, something you call "socialist". And then to further exemplify your own ignorance of reality, you compare the "socialist" of today with the likes of murderers, and dictators, such as Stalin, Mao, and Poi Pot, who have more in common with the right wing, and Trump, then a socialist. As a matter of history, Adam Smith, Thomas Jefferson, and even Jesus Christ, supported what you abhor, and opposed what you admire.

“This disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful, and to despise, or, at least, to neglect persons of poor and mean condition, though necessary both to establish and to maintain the distinction of ranks and the order of society, is, at the same time, the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments.”
― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

2Corinthians 8: 13-15

“For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.”

Let me ask you. Is there a percentage of income that you think is too much for the federal government to take? If 20% isn't enough, how much would be enough? Is there a percentage of your income that the government could confiscate that you would personally balk at?

Again you lie, and distort, to suit your fancy. How much do you think should be your responsibility to pay for the roads you drive on, the electricity you enjoy, the fire department that protects your property, or the police? How much is that worth to you?

This whole "we are all in this together" sounds very noble and pure, but it doesn't pan out in reality. And you really don't believe it. It is what you tell yourself to help assuage the guilt you might have for wanting others to pay your way.

People like you are to be pitied. You prostrate yourself before the rich and famous, and then want others to believe you have their interest's at heart. You condemn ones compassion for tohers, yet are willing to sell yourself, and your children, into slavery for the sake of those you admire the most.

Now here is where you tell me that you don't want others to pay your way. You are well off. No, yours are altruistic goals. You only seek to help those less fortunate. Yet, I doubt you spend much of your own wealth reaching those aims. You and your ilk always seem to want someone else to foot the bill

Again with the ignorance. There is such a thing as "shared responsibility", and then there is the "social contract". In your blind state of consciousness you fail to see that it is the ones you admire the most that are seeking to have others pay so that they can continue to live in their opulent lifestyle. Because to your own slavish mentality others must rely on government assistance while the ones you kneel before raise their rents, decrease their wages, generally increase the cost of living, etc. And for what? Higher profits that only they can share in.

It must feel so virtuous demanding others pay for the things you want to see accomplished.

Speaking of tax incentives, and other benefits given to the wealthy, to entice them to build a business in a particular community........

Are you willing to go to war to see your aims accomplished? Would you be willing to kill your fellow Americans? It wouldn't shock me to hear you say yes. History is littered with those who share your ideology of a utopian society where no man has more than another. Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot. You are in good league.

Total bull shit since you support those who willingly sent others off to die for their profits while not willing to go themselves. More then likely you were too cowardly to go yourself.

What I have always found interesting is that this utopian society you desire always has to come at the end of the barrel of a gun. If it was so utopian one wonders why people don't freely step into it. I know the answer why. Do you?

More lies, and bull shit. You have no shame, no integrity, and no honor. Like all of your kind you are a coward, and a liar, and I would not doubt you are a thief like your gawd, and master.

 

[Old Trapper]

Well you clearly are any expert in tiny thoughts, so I will give you that. A C- in Statistics 101, however, doesn't cut the mustard. It doesn't matter what Trump's justifications were or were not. Labor force participation is down about 3% since the recession and is relatively flat. It was the same in July as it was when Trump took office in January 2017. It will largely remain flat because of Baby Boomer retirements for the next decade will be replenished by new workers. It is why average wages remain flat at full employment. Guy making $150K a year is replaced with guy making $125K a year plus a new MW employee in the mail room plus more profit for the company.

So you are one of those who cares not if Trump lied. Did you care when they said Obama lied about healthcare? Fact of the matter is that the corporations that were given more wealth did not pass it on to their employees, and Trumps trade war is increasing the rate of inflation. And while it is true that many are now retiring it is also true that they are being replaced by cheaper workers long before they retire. But then, since you ignore the reality that more are now employed then before that factor has to be considered into the wage structure which you choose to ignore.

Bottom line, corporate profits at record high, wages at record lows.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/13/business/economy/wages-workers-profits.html

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...rs-real-wages-have-barely-budged-for-decades/

 

[Irish Exit]

So you are one of those who cares not if Trump lied. Did you care when they said Obama lied about healthcare? Fact of the matter is that the corporations that were given more wealth did not pass it on to their employees, and Trumps trade war is increasing the rate of inflation. And while it is true that many are now retiring it is also true that they are being replaced by cheaper workers long before they retire. But then, since you ignore the reality that more are now employed then before that factor has to be considered into the wage structure which you choose to ignore.

Bottom line, corporate profits at record high, wages at record lows.

If corporate profits are at record highs, why is my 401K down 7% on the year? I knew Obamacare would be a disaster before it was ever enacted. It wasn't that he lied, it was that he was so disengaged from the legislative process that he really didn't care. Obama was a limp-wristed disappointment who was more worried about being the first black in history than he was about being an effective leader. I am not sure what about flat-lined participation rates for a decade makes you think more workers are employed. I can only assume you do not understand how unemployment rates are calculated.

 

[Ross Dolan]

Sure you're not. Did your mother have any pregnancies that didn't result in a miscarriage?

I am not a Democrat, Asshole.

(My apologies to the assholes here. I know, I know...he is not nearly classy or informed enough to be an asshole. But gutter snipe or bottom feeder really don't have the zing.)

 

[Mason Michaels]

aint nothing dumber than a trumpster.

Post of the year

 

[Old Trapper]

If corporate profits are at record highs, why is my 401K down 7% on the year?

How did you do last year? The year before? For how many years has the 401K increased? And now you whine? The market had a downturn following the Trumps announcement of plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum Trump's so the Dow Jones industrial average dropped.

I knew Obamacare would be a disaster before it was ever enacted. It wasn't that he lied, it was that he was so disengaged from the legislative process that he really didn't care.

Bull shit. You knew the Repugnant party would do nothing to help the common person, and everything it could to destroy what would help the common person. Obamacare is still there in spite of the lies told to fools like you.

Obama was a limp-wristed disappointment who was more worried about being the first black in history than he was about being an effective leader.

LOL, more bull shit. So, Obama had nothing to worry about when the likes of a weasel like McConnell state his purpose is to make him a one term president, and then does all he can to try to make it a reality. Thankfully he failed, and we saw a growing economy. Just think how much better it could have been if your dick sucking cowards had actually participated in the process.

I am not sure what about flat-lined participation rates for a decade makes you think more workers are employed. I can only assume you do not understand how unemployment rates are calculated.

So, no new jobs are being created? Is that your tale of woe?

https://www.statista.com/statistics...thly-number-of-full-time-employees-in-the-us/

 

[Irish Exit]

How did you do last year? The year before? For how many years has the 401K increased? And now you whine? The market had a downturn following the Trumps announcement of plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum Trump's so the Dow Jones industrial average dropped.

I am not whining by asking you to explain how 401K's can be down if markets are raking in more profit than ever--something you still haven't answered. I think my 401K was up close to 40% last year, but I forget the exact percentage. Are you butthurt your foodstamps weren't up as much?

Bull shit. You knew the Repugnant party would do nothing to help the common person, and everything it could to destroy what would help the common person. Obamacare is still there in spite of the lies told to fools like you.

I don't care what the GOP did or does think. I knew it would be a disaster and it has been a disaster. Since I made no comment on its existence, your taking the time to invent and torch a strawman is noted.

LOL, more bull shit. So, Obama had nothing to worry about when the likes of a weasel like McConnell state his purpose is to make him a one term president, and then does all he can to try to make it a reality. Thankfully he failed, and we saw a growing economy. Just think how much better it could have been if your dick sucking cowards had actually participated in the process.

He had a democratic house and senate for two years and did nothing except cower to Harry Reid at the 11th hour to pass Obamacare as limp wristed disappointments do. While your homophobia is also noted, the Green Party has no members of Congress.

So, no new jobs are being created? Is that your tale of woe?

Jobs are created and destroyed every hour of every day, but that is Strawman # 3 for you since you are avoiding that the labor force participation rate is exactly the same for the last reported month as it was when Trump took office.

 

[Old Trapper]

I am not whining by asking you to explain how 401K's can be down if markets are raking in more profit than ever--something you still haven't answered. I think my 401K was up close to 40% last year, but I forget the exact percentage. Are you butthurt your foodstamps weren't up as much?

I did but you are too stupid to understand what was said. And then you had to attack me with the usual right wing bull shit.

I don't care what the GOP did or does think. I knew it would be a disaster and it's been a disaster. Since I made no comment on its existence, your taking the time to invent and torch a strawman is noted.

If you are as intelligent as you think you are, and you're not, then you would know that such a program would take the cooperation of both Parties just as it did when the Repugnants set up their fucked up Medicare Part D program. Unfortunately the Repugnant ones you support chose to not work with the Democrats, and Repugnant governors refused to introduce the program in their States. Now they can't seem to get rid of the program, and they have no fucking alternative, and the people are getting fucked by asses like yourself who are too fucking concerned about the wealthy getting their profits to give a shit about the working class.

He had a democratic house and senate for two years and did nothing except cower to Harry Reid at the 11th hour to pass Obamacare as limp wristed disappointments do. While your homophobia is also noted, the Green Party has no members of Congress.

Noting that again you have to lie in order to make some kind of fallacious point, nothing unusual for girlie men like you, just why can't your Repugannt ones get the issue fixed? Your lying proicks have had the power to do so for 4 years now, and nothing has happened save for more debt, and more lies.

Jobs are created and destroyed every hour of every day, but that is Strawman # 3 for you since you are avoiding that the labor force participation rate is exactly the same for the last reported month as it was when Trump took office.

Since you did not read the article you are foolish enough to think that Trump lost 4 million jobs in his first year, and now has somehow magically gained back those 4 million in the last six months just to be where we were at when Obama left office.

You really are one pathetic ignorant ass.

 

[Irish Exit]

I did but you are too stupid to understand what was said. And then you had to attack me with the usual right wing bull shit.



If you are as intelligent as you think you are, and you're not, then you would know that such a program would take the cooperation of both Parties just as it did when the Repugnants set up their fucked up Medicare Part D program. Unfortunately the Repugnant ones you support chose to not work with the Democrats, and Repugnant governors refused to introduce the program in their States. Now they can't seem to get rid of the program, and they have no fucking alternative, and the people are getting fucked by asses like yourself who are too fucking concerned about the wealthy getting their profits to give a shit about the working class.



Noting that again you have to lie in order to make some kind of fallacious point, nothing unusual for girlie men like you, just why can't your Repugannt ones get the issue fixed? Your lying proicks have had the power to do so for 4 years now, and nothing has happened save for more debt, and more lies.



Since you did not read the article you are foolish enough to think that Trump lost 4 million jobs in his first year, and now has somehow magically gained back those 4 million in the last six months just to be where we were at when Obama left office.

You really are one pathetic ignorant ass.

Your IQ matching the balance of your EBT card not withstanding, you did not post an article but a link to a site that charges $49/month just to see who the source of their data was, and it doesn't even refute what I said or corroborate what you said. There is a reason the numbers are seasonably adjusted just to make month to month comparison possible. I have noticed you have a strange infatuation with sexual references. They make you trash, not virile, and you are correct, I couldn't care less about you and your lot. You are nothing but a domestic enemy to the country who is too weak to do anything but rabble rouse like an old gay queen.

 

[CFM]

You did not understand the Trump justification of the tax cuts. He said it would increase wages. It was a flat-out lie. We have had the highest corporate profits of all time and wages were stagnant. A tiny bit of thinking would tell you the money was confiscated by those on top. Trump gave them a few billion more and they kept it again.

You mean like "if you like your doctor . . ."?