Topic: How much is Star Wars worth?

[J. Carney]

But I can see you two prefer to demonize a philanthropist rather than recognize one...  Which your are free to do... However in my eyes it is unseemly at best.  Maybe it is self-motivated... but who cares... he is still giving...

Better than what can be said for many.

GE-Raven

I follow what Jesus said when it comes to charity... those that give much only for the publicity and benifits their actions generate are not truely giving anything, while those who give minutely with no desire for recognition or return are giving much.

[Jack Morris]

Right on J.C., we know Pharisees when we see em. 

[GE-Raven]

I follow what Jesus said when it comes to charity... those that give much only for the publicity and benifits their actions generate are not truely giving anything, while those who give minutely with no desire for recognition or return are giving much.

I follow him when he says... Judge not lest thou be judged...

I prefer that all giving was done anonymously... but I also realize that in todays business/tax world that would be sheer stupidity... by declaring it... you have more to give, and therefore can be more helpful.  How often have you seen a press conference given by the gates as they make their donations?  I have never seen or heard of it... but when the public information of how much their non-profit foundation gets from the benefactors is researched... then papers have their story.

So is it Bill and Linda's fault that everyone knows... or our fault for listend when the information is given out?

Sure looks to me like you two aren't giving a real benefit of the doubt... It almost seems like you want to hate them.  Guess I will double up on the loving of my neighbor for ya?

Fair enough?

GE-Raven

[Jack Morris]

When they get taxed as much as the middle class and poor, then I will ease up. That 15% capital gains on dividends was NOT a present for us normal folk, it was for the rich, we do not count. In the words of a GS-13 with IRS here in Austin "Jack, you are just a number, like I am, we do not count."

[J. Carney]

Raven, we will continue to agree to disagree here.

If he's TRUELY giving to be giving, then he wouldn't need to bother the IRS with all those nasty tax deductions. I don't give a lot- I'm VERY selective of my causees, I'll admitt- but I have NEVER claimed a tax credit for anything except being oversees in a war zone or being a student.

NEVER ONCE have I written off my donations to a church, the Shriner's Hospital, Salvation Army, or any other charitable group.

Somehow, I don't see the Gates being that 'cheerful' in their giving... and they would miss a million a lot less than I mis a couple hundred and some old clothes.

[GE-Raven]

When they get taxed as much as the middle class and poor, then I will ease up. That 15% capital gains on dividends was NOT a present for us normal folk, it was for the rich, we do not count. In the words of a GS-13 with IRS here in Austin "Jack, you are just a number, like I am, we do not count."

Jack... you are aware who shoulders the tax burden right?  Right!?!?

Bill Gates, Microsoft, etc... are just part of the equation, but anyone who thinks the "Middle class" support the budget is a not really thinking at all.  Go look up who pays all the taxes and then come back and say that again.  Sure you can argue that taxes are "passed on" to consumer, but guess what... the biggest "consumers" are corporations as well.  In the end the Rich pay a lot more tax as a percentage of income then I will EVER dream of.

GE-Raven

[Jack Morris]

Yeah right... Explain the wage gaps according to everyone, including the C.I.A.? Oh noooo, not another C.I.A. plot against Bush? 

It's all in Quarks, should we be concerned about the U.S. Budget? Nah, let's just keep spending, is why my other bro-in-law got no pay raise since 2001, seems some people like touching funds for other projects instead of what they were designed for, especially since oil hit highs, and TX has a trust fund, that got raped, period.

[GE-Raven]

Yeah right... Explain the wage gaps according to everyone, including the C.I.A.? Oh noooo, not another C.I.A. plot against Bush? 

It's all in Quarks, should we be concerned about the U.S. Budget? Nah, let's just keep spending, is why my other bro-in-law got no pay raise since 2001, seems some people like touching funds for other projects instead of what they were designed for, especially since oil hit highs, and TX has a trust fund, that got raped, period.

I see... since some business CEO types = Evil

ALL businsess CEO type = Evil

Of course if any of the above made anysense to me... it might be more valuable... Not sure how the CIA, Bush, Quarks, U.S. Budget, etc have anything to do with the philanthropy of the Richest of the Rich, of course when you have nothing but sheer unadulterated spite as your arguement, it helps to throw in as many topics as possible.

Don't you think?

GE-Raven

[The Bar-Abbas Anomaly]

Raven, we will continue to agree to disagree here.

If he's TRUELY giving to be giving, then he wouldn't need to bother the IRS with all those nasty tax deductions. I don't give a lot- I'm VERY selective of my causees, I'll admitt- but I have NEVER claimed a tax credit for anything except being oversees in a war zone or being a student.

NEVER ONCE have I written off my donations to a church, the Shriner's Hospital, Salvation Army, or any other charitable group.

Somehow, I don't see the Gates being that 'cheerful' in their giving... and they would miss a million a lot less than I mis a couple hundred and some old clothes.

While it's very noble of you to give the Federal Government more than you are required to, JC,  it's not logical to judge the motives of anyone who does not follow your personal rule.  In fact, I'd say your personal rule is rather foolish, but you're welcome to it.

I think you presume too much when you try to judge motives.  We Christians are only allowed to judge actions at face value, and let God deal with the Intent of the Heart.

[GE-Raven]

While it's very noble of you to give the Federal Government more than you are required to, JC,  it's not logical to judge the motives of anyone who does not follow your personal rule.  In fact, I'd say your personal rule is rather foolish, but you're welcome to it.

I think you presume too much when you try to judge motives.  We Christians are only allowed to judge actions at face value, and let God deal with the Intent of the Heart.

Um... what he said.

 

GE-Raven

[Jack Morris]

You stated rich pay the most, so I threw the CIA facts THAT STATE OTHERWISE. 

[GE-Raven]

You stated rich pay the most, so I threw the CIA facts THAT STATE OTHERWISE. 

Well 1 out of 6 isn't bad... Link please?

Or source... Last study I saw was 80% of tax burden on top 5% of wealthy (off top of head, but even if I am WAY off it isn't even close to being the middle class by a majority)

GE-Raven

[The Bar-Abbas Anomaly]

 

I think you're way off on those numbers, Raven.  The middle class always has, and always will shoulder the lions share of the tax burden.

It's where the money is, after all.

Not to say that the rich don't pay more in percentage of income and FAR more in actual dollars, but their totals don't come close to the middle, say, 70% of wage earners.

No links to back this up.  It's just the way it is.   

[GE-Raven]

Meh... maybe I will find the info I am looking for (most everythin has tax rates) if I do though I will start a new thread in Hot and Spicy.  Think this one got a little out of the usual "tame" nature of this place.

GE-Raven