Ace of Spades HQ

April 22, 2014

Income Instability: An Astonishing 12 Percent of All Americans Will Achieve At Least One Year of Earnings in the Top 1% in Their Lives
— Ace

The left likes talking about the "richest 1%" as if they are an easily-defined, permanently-existing superclass. They're not.

Professor Mark R. Rank of Washington University, co-author of Chasing the American Dream: Understanding What Shapes Our Fortunes, tells a different story in a review of his own and othersÂ’ research in last SundayÂ’s New York Times. Far from having the 21st-century equivalent of an Edwardian class system, the United States is characterized by a great deal of variation in income: More than half of all adult Americans will be at or near the poverty line at some point over the course of their lives; 73 percent will also find themselves in the top 20 percent, and 39 percent will make it into the top 5 percent for at least one year. Perhaps most remarkable, 12 percent of Americans will be in the top 1 percent for at least one year of their working lives.
The top 1 percent, as I have noted here before, is such an unstable group that it makes no sense to write, as so many progressives do, about what has happened to its income over the past ten year or twenty years, because it does not contain the same group of people from year to year. Citing tax scholar Robert CarrollÂ’s examination of IRS records, Professor Rank notes that the turnover among the super-rich (the top 400 taxpayers in any given year) is 98 percent over a decade Â— that is, just 2 percent of that elusive group remain there for ten years in a row. Among those earning more than $1 million a year, most earned that much for only one year of the nine-year period studied, and only 6 percent earned that much for the entire period.

The New York Times article by Professor Rank was published this Sunday. In addition to the eye-popping stats recapitulated by Williamson, he notes

Yet while many Americans will experience some level of affluence during their lives, a much smaller percentage of them will do so for an extended period of time. Although 12 percent of the population will experience a year in which they find themselves in the top 1 percent of the income distribution, a mere 0.6 percent will do so in 10 consecutive years.

Note that's a little different from Williamson's "six percent" in all ten years, which was taken from a different study, and applies to millionaires. Rank's figure of 0.6 percent applies to the category of "top one percent," which is different from "millionaire."

Likewise, data analyzed by the I.R.S. showed similar findings with respect to the top 400 taxpayers between 1992 and 2009. While 73 percent of people who made the list did so once during this period, only 2 percent of them were on the list for 10 or more years. These analyses further demonstrate the sizable amount of turnover and movement within the top levels of the income distribution.
...
Ultimately, this information casts serious doubt on the notion of a rigid class structure in the United States based upon income. It suggests that the United States is indeed a land of opportunity, that the American dream is still possible Â— but that it is also a land of widespread poverty. And rather than being a place of static, income-based social tiers, America is a place where a large majority of people will experience either wealth or poverty Â— or both Â— during their lifetimes.

But, Income Inequality!

Posted by: Ace at 01:31 PM | Comments (218)
Post contains 625 words, total size 4 kb.

1 I am in the 1%, but I also *consume* 1%, so it's all good.

Posted by: M. 0bama at April 22, 2014 01:34 PM (DdphP)

2 Can I have moar Sir?

Posted by: Chaos the Other Dark Meat at April 22, 2014 01:34 PM (oDCMR)

3 I wrote a software utility over 5 years that earned $0, $1K, $7K, $400K, $20K respectively. So yes I was up there for one year. Got taxed to death. Average income per year: $85,000. Tax rate: 40%. For the progressives this is not a bug but a feature.

Posted by: HuuskerDu at April 22, 2014 01:35 PM (d3MA1)

4 No one talks about fight club.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:35 PM (x3YFz)

5 [Insert Lie Here]

Posted by: Barack Obama (Approves This Message) at April 22, 2014 01:35 PM (1CroS)

6 Meh... Been there, done that. Hated the pressures.

Posted by: Dick (@DicksTrash) at April 22, 2014 01:35 PM (GrtrJ)

7 This point would be helped a lot with animation. Show a scatter-shot like graph with the "percentages" moving up and in down in income over the decades.

Posted by: Serious Cat at April 22, 2014 01:36 PM (UypUQ)

They never talk about the 'Income Inequality' that is in Hollywood.

Why is that?

Posted by: wheatie at April 22, 2014 01:37 PM (fAjDo)

9 Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?

Posted by: Count de Monet at April 22, 2014 01:37 PM (BAS5M)

10 Why didn't you come to me like a fucking man and tell me there aren't two fucking Americas?

Posted by: John Edwards at April 22, 2014 01:37 PM (8ZskC)

11 What percentage of men outlive their wives? I'm asking for a friend.

Posted by: Chaos the Other Dark Meat at April 22, 2014 01:37 PM (oDCMR)

12 You can be free or you can be equal.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at April 22, 2014 01:37 PM (I9I9J)

13 Please to be making my income equal to that of Bill Gates. Many thank you's.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 01:38 PM (0HooB)

14 What percentage of men outlive their wives? I'm asking for a friend. There is such a thing as a thumb on the scale.

Posted by: O.J. Simpson at April 22, 2014 01:39 PM (8ZskC)

15 Perhaps most remarkable, 12 percent of Americans will be in the top 1 percent for at least one year of their working lives.

Seems kinda common sense. People can inherit property and sell it off for whatever reason, they can have a really good year that's not representative of the other 40-ish years of their working life.

Posted by: HR at April 22, 2014 01:39 PM (ZKzrr)

16 I'll be stable when I'm dead.

Posted by: logprof at April 22, 2014 01:40 PM (DdphP)

17 "And rather than being a place of static, income-based social tiers, America is a place where a large majority of people will experience either wealth or poverty Â— or both Â— during their lifetimes." We're working on that. We'd prefer everyone except leaders like me acquire the same level of poverty and stagnation.

Posted by: Progressives and Marxists and Fascists, Oh My at April 22, 2014 01:40 PM (1CroS)

18 Tax David Gregory until he can only afford a bicycle and a refrigerator box. Thats all I got.

Posted by: Schwalbe: The Me-262© at April 22, 2014 01:41 PM (9Bdcz)

19 hate.you.guys. and while i search around to find hillary helping start media matters and progress now for assist in media. i am left behind, like always

Posted by: willow at April 22, 2014 01:41 PM (nqBYe)

20 At what point has anyone's income ever been equal?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 01:41 PM (0HooB)

21 A lot of economic posts today.

Posted by: Dr Spank at April 22, 2014 01:41 PM (5UteM)

22 I think once you've make your Screw-U money, there is a big temptation to take your foot off the gas and enjoy it.

Posted by: toby928© at April 22, 2014 01:41 PM (QupBk)

23 See? This way, it's like a mill, and everybody gets ass-raped by the IRS at some point in their lives. Equality of oppression!

Posted by: zombie at April 22, 2014 01:42 PM (mizYg)

24 Or build up a business and sell it when you're 62; your income that last year can be way way higher than the previous 40-odd years when you were a wage worker, then a business owner only paying yourself what you needed to care for yourself and your family.

Posted by: HR at April 22, 2014 01:42 PM (ZKzrr)

25 What percentage of men outlive their wives? I'm asking for a friend. The % that knows how to shoot, shovel, & shut up.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 01:42 PM (cB3Ay)

26 To each according to his needs; from each according to his abilities. Jesus said that.

Posted by: Barky O'Genius at April 22, 2014 01:42 PM (8ZskC)

27 "They never talk about the 'Income Inequality' that is in Hollywood. Why is that?"

For the same reason that they don't talk about the upper ranks in Hollyweird being completely out of compliance with the "disparate impact" hiring and promotion rules with which liberals want to lumber every business in the rest of the country.

And it's the same reason they don't talk about how heavy taxation is socially desirable for every line of business except for show business.

Posted by: torquewrench at April 22, 2014 01:42 PM (noWW6)

28 Income inequality doesn't bother me.

Having thousands of pages of tax laws favoring one group over another, or tax breaks purchased through 'elected' officials, really pisses me off.

Posted by: Stateless Infidel at April 22, 2014 01:43 PM (AC0lD)

29 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9733z40jfdU Every episode reminds me of the Horde.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:43 PM (x3YFz)

30 At what point has anyone's income ever been equal?

Even the FSA gets different amounts of SNAP in different states.

Posted by: HR at April 22, 2014 01:43 PM (ZKzrr)

31 None of this is particularly new. Income mobility, both up and down, has always been a feature of capitalist systems. The key is to live in such a way that you can be protected against the bad times and save during the good times. In other words, be frugal and prudent with your money.

Posted by: Colorado Alex at April 22, 2014 01:43 PM (TNcMy)

32 Leftists like Statism. And the power and privilege that come, or they think come along with it. They formulate their imbecilic demagogic arguments, which are supposed to appeal to "the masses'" envy, greed, materialism, and sense of inadequacy and so forth, accordingly.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 01:44 PM (9W+0f)

33 Leftists like Statism. I have an entire book.

Posted by: F.A. Hayek at April 22, 2014 01:44 PM (8ZskC)

34 The key is to live in such a way that you can be protected against the bad times and save during the good times.

Straight up.

Posted by: MC Hammer at April 22, 2014 01:45 PM (ZKzrr)

35 I don't remember where I saw it, and I don't know if it's accurate or not, but supposedly Americans who earn over $34,000/year are in the top 1% globally.

Posted by: rickl at April 22, 2014 01:45 PM (zoehZ)

36 Capitalism is the most dynamic economic system, and that dynamism decreases as one moves toward Marxism.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 01:45 PM (9W+0f)

37 America is a place where a large majority of people will experience either wealth or poverty Â— or both Â— during their lifetimes.

I lived below the poverty line for about a decade. I figured out pretty quickly that poverty sucks, but instead of opting for the new American way and demanding that others subsidize me, I worked my ass off in college and grad school. I did it in chemistry, not Bitter Women's Studies, or The Man Owes Me Studies. I've continued to bust my ass at work, and I've been in the top 5% for awhile now. I feel no shame and no need to apologize for my station in life.

Perhaps I'm doing it wrong.

Posted by: pep at April 22, 2014 01:46 PM (4nR9/)

38 At times I have been so poor a fried Spam sammich was a luxury.

Other times? Had & made as much money as the rich and famous in the Golden Isles. Know what? Didn't make a whit of difference to me. Like Popeye- "I yam what I yam...."

I'm poor again. So what?

Posted by: backhoe at April 22, 2014 01:46 PM (ULH4o)

39 31 None of this is particularly new. Income mobility, both up and down, has always been a feature of capitalist systems. The key is to live in such a way that you can be protected against the bad times and save during the good times. In other words, be frugal and prudent with your money. You are aware that you have a progressive partner demanding an ever increasing share during good times? Go to a flat tax scheme and count the early retirements. It would goose the hell out of upward mobility.

Posted by: Chaos the Other Dark Meat at April 22, 2014 01:46 PM (oDCMR)

40 "They never talk about the 'Income Inequality' that is in Hollywood. Why is that?" For the same reason union-loving Hollywood seems to prefer shooting in non-union locations.

Posted by: Schwalbe: The Me-262© at April 22, 2014 01:46 PM (9Bdcz)

41 $34,000/year are in the top 1% globally. Posted by: rickl at April 22, 2014 05:45 PM (zoehZ) My rifles and pistols are worth that. Not counting ammo and kit.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:47 PM (x3YFz)

42 Actually, this very thing is what made me a conservative or in clear non-leftist terms - a classic constitutional liberal. I had a professor complaining that the Reagan tax cuts only benefited the rich so that the rich got richer and the poor poorer. To make a long story short, I was already having doubts a doubts what I was hearing from my profs as it clashed with common sense- so when I checked US Govt figures, I clearly saw two things: 1) The poor's incomes were rising faster under Reagan's tax cuts but more important 2) The turnover of those at the top of the income scale was accelerated. In other words, the top percentile earners fell out of the top percentile faster and others took their places- we call this increased competition. A good thing. This also explains why turdballs like Zuckerburg et al suck up to the Dims to crush emerging competition with increased taxation and regulation. They want to stay on top and crush the middle class to do so.

Posted by: naturalfake at April 22, 2014 01:47 PM (0cMkb)

43 The syndicate makes the profit. And everybody has a share.

Posted by: tobias minderbinder at April 22, 2014 01:47 PM (QupBk)

44 41 $34,000/year are in the top 1% globally. Posted by: rickl at April 22, 2014 05:45 PM (zoehZ) My rifles and pistols are worth that. Not counting ammo and kit. --- I take it that was before the unfortunate canoe accident.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 22, 2014 01:47 PM (APuJ7)

45 Things always involve trade-offs. Leftists like to pretend that their imbecilic economic/bureaucratic power fantasies don't.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 01:47 PM (9W+0f)

46 The tax code does its best to ensure that if you have one really good year, taxes will make your effective income pretty much equal over the next few years. This contributes to the income "mobility" variations.

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 01:48 PM (o3MSL)

47 Progressive Income Stability Act - Give us all your money!

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 22, 2014 01:48 PM (DlqJm)

48 My rifles and pistols are worth that. Not counting ammo and kit. --- I take it that was before the unfortunate canoe accident. Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 22, 2014 05:47 PM (APuJ7) indeed! tragedy, that day.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:48 PM (x3YFz)

49 Perhaps I'm doing it wrong.

It's not fair that people who didn't bust their ass don't have has much as you, so pay up, greedy H8r. O_o

Posted by: HR at April 22, 2014 01:48 PM (ZKzrr)

Let's see...

'Income Inequality' has soared under Barky's reign.

So has poverty and despair.

Gun sales have also soared.

And so has the rhetoric about 'Income Inequality'.

I see a Trend here.

One might think that this is a crisis-in-the-making.

It's almost like we're being nudged towards...something.

Posted by: wheatie at April 22, 2014 01:48 PM (fAjDo)

51 The key is to live in such a way that you can be protected against the bad times and save during the good times. In other words, be frugal and prudent with your money.
Posted by: Colorado Alex at April 22, 2014 05:43 PM (TNcMy)

Oh come on, let's not get silly.

Posted by: pep at April 22, 2014 01:49 PM (4nR9/)

52 Leftism tends to lead to not only less wealth, but a much more rigid and regimented distribution of that wealth.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 01:49 PM (9W+0f)

53 I have been at about one third the poverty line or the last year due to lost professional license, divorce, business failure, bankruptcy. Know what? I will be in the top 5% on 12/31/2014. Or I will die in the attempt. As long as I have he ability to draw breath and work, nobody's stupid ideology will keep me down. I work for my kid's future. That's it.

Posted by: Sharkman at April 22, 2014 01:49 PM (QrC/S)

54 But is any of this good for the desert tortoise? I'm asking for a friend.

Posted by: Chaos the Other Dark Meat at April 22, 2014 01:50 PM (oDCMR)

55 Still long in STON (mortuary company.... you stab 'em, we slab 'em). Death never fails. Nice quarterly dividend, too.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:50 PM (x3YFz)

56 Damn that Mr. Ant. He seems like he's always in the 1%. Whatever, what's mine is mine and what's his is half mine.

Posted by: Mr. Grasshopper at April 22, 2014 01:51 PM (1CroS)

57 Ms, Abdullah and I were in the top 20 % for a few years in the 1990s, and two years or so in the 2000s.

starting out, we was poor. Genius observation: the top 20% is mucho better

Posted by: Abdullah Abdullah ( not your grandfather's National Socialist ) at April 22, 2014 01:51 PM (JyjXt)

58 I have never been in the top 1% but I have been in top 5% for the majority of my working life. I do not hate or covet what the 1% have.

Posted by: Kreplach at April 22, 2014 01:51 PM (WEuad)

59 It's even broader than this though. I forget the exact stats, but when you track the bottom 10% or so, a staggering number move up to the top quintile over 10 or 15 years. Until Barack Obama's economy you didn't have to stay poor in this country. Now though...

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) [/b] [/i] [/s] at April 22, 2014 01:51 PM (HDwDg)

60 But is any of this good for the desert tortoise? I'm asking for a friend. Pro tip: Go long on soup spoons.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 01:52 PM (cB3Ay)

61 I have had the privilege to have known some men who made millions, lost millions, made more millions. I find their stories to be fascinating. In all cases they took staggering risks, and risked it all. Not much different than putting your whole gambling budget on "black" or "red" in roulette, except that the odds for keeping your money were greater in roulette.

Posted by: navybrat at April 22, 2014 01:52 PM (JgC5a)

62 I do not hate or covet what the 1% have. Posted by: Kreplach at April 22, 2014 05:51 PM (WEuad) Same... but I'd LOVE to drive a Ferrari before I die.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:52 PM (x3YFz)

63 I do not hate or covet what the 1% have.

Posted by: Kreplach

So you say. I'll keep the hounds by my side just in case.

Posted by: George Soros at April 22, 2014 01:52 PM (4nR9/)

64 So you say. I'll keep the hounds by my side just in case. Posted by: George Soros at April 22, 2014 05:52 PM (4nR9/) Right next to your Arbeit Macht Frei poster?

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/b][/s][/u] at April 22, 2014 01:53 PM (yz6yg)

65 I'd take it to the Utah salt flats and just paste myself into a canyon wall, wil E Coyote style.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:53 PM (x3YFz)

66 Tonight's Mega Million annuity is $48 million.
Tomorrow's Powerball annuity is $150 million.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 22, 2014 01:54 PM (DlqJm)

67 You are underestimating the size of the tax code. --- Print the whole thing out, put it in a single stack, and all the paper that results will likely crack a boardroom table in half.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 22, 2014 01:54 PM (APuJ7)

68 And "wealth" isn't amorphous, as macroeconomists and statisticians tend to conceptualize and quantify it. It possesses a fundamentally qualitative nature. Leftism inevitably retards technological progress, and the comfort and inherent elevated standard of living that comes along with it.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 01:54 PM (9W+0f)

69 Tonight's Mega Million annuity is $48 million. Tomorrow's Powerball annuity is $150 million. Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 22, 2014 05:54 PM (DlqJm) lotteries and scratch off tickets are a tax on stupid people.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:55 PM (x3YFz)

70 Leftism inevitably retards technological progress --- "Leftism" and "retards" go hand in hand.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 22, 2014 01:55 PM (APuJ7)

71 The non-mobile 1% stay there by buying the right politicians.

Posted by: --- at April 22, 2014 01:56 PM (MMC8r)

72 Bureaucrats and economists are consumers in the worst sense of the word. And so are a lot of the people they insist on demagoguing and/or "serving."

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 01:56 PM (9W+0f)

73 lotteries and scratch off tickets are a tax on ~~stupid~~ people who are bad at math. Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 05:55 PM (x3YFz) Fixed, for extra sensitivity.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/b][/s][/u] at April 22, 2014 01:56 PM (yz6yg)

74 Income inequality has risen greatly during TFG's reign of error. Some enterprising group of individuals could earn some political capital, possibly even winning elections, by pointing out this simple fact. If they chose to.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 01:56 PM (0HooB)

Barky *wants* people to stay poor.

Poor people are easier to agitate.

Barky started out as a Community Agitator.

The Organizers noticed that he has a true talent for it.

If you look at everything he's done since he took office...

Everything he's done has been designed to Kill Jobs.

You kill jobs...you create more poor people.

And poor people are easier to agitate.

Posted by: wheatie at April 22, 2014 01:56 PM (fAjDo)

I lived for 3 years with on mac and cheese, rice and beans and one good meal a day when I was at work. I had a busted arm and was trying to finish school. But I was part of the working poor, making just enough to disqualify me from any benefits and (this was before the WBush tax cuts) actually paying in state and federal taxes every year.

My arm was finally fixed (minor disability) and I graduated. In ten years I went to the 90th percentile in income. Now I am back in the barely making it middle class.

But things will be better, If the gov can just leave us alone.

Posted by: rd at April 22, 2014 01:57 PM (N7QgG)

77 ureaucrats and economists are consumers in the worst sense of the word. Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 05:56 PM (9W+0f) Wait. Wut?

Posted by: Sean Bannion, Federal Bureaucrat [/i][/b][/s][/u] at April 22, 2014 01:57 PM (yz6yg)

78 Fixed, for extra sensitivity. Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 22, 2014 05:56 PM (yz6yg) I fail to see the distinction.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:57 PM (x3YFz)

79 Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 22, 2014 05:56 PM (yz6yg These days a $1 for a chance to dream is pretty much the wife and my entertainment budget

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) [/b] [/i] [/s] at April 22, 2014 01:57 PM (HDwDg)

80 For the progressives this is not a bug but a feature. Posted by: HuuskerDu at April 22, 2014 05:35 PM (d3MA1) Obviously not happy being a giver, racist-hater /sarc

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 01:58 PM (HVff2)

81 I fail to see the distinction. Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 05:57 PM (x3YFz) There's a difference between "stupid" and "ignorant" Although they are often correlated.

Posted by: Sean Bannion, Federal Bureaucrat [/i][/b][/s][/u] at April 22, 2014 01:58 PM (yz6yg)

82 We needs some posts on Algebra and Geometry to really end the day on a high note.

Posted by: Dr Spank at April 22, 2014 01:59 PM (5UteM)

83 Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at April 22, 2014 05:56 PM (OWjjx) As long as the state controls it it's not illegal

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) [/b] [/i] [/s] at April 22, 2014 01:59 PM (HDwDg)

84 @63 There are places where you can rent exotic cars We do it evertime we are in vegas. Do not have to be in the 1-50% to do this.

Posted by: Kreplach at April 22, 2014 01:59 PM (sRsX7)

85 And these Nihilistic analyses always insist on ignoring History, and the insight that History provides when it comes to both Statism and Atheistic/bureaucratic human nature.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 01:59 PM (9W+0f)

86 The true idiot is the guy in PA who blew about $400 on tickets per day. Played the same numbers every time.

And the day his numbers came in. He misread the numbers, thought he had all losers, and threw away winnings totaling $1.25 million.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 22, 2014 01:59 PM (DlqJm)

87 Remember when they used to prosecute mobsters for running the numbers game? Everything in America is a vice until the government can figure out how to get a cut of it. Then, it is perfectly legal.....to help the Children. Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at April 22, 2014 05:56 PM (OWjjx) Precisely! This was a mob racket for decades. Now? Gubmint.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 01:59 PM (x3YFz)

88 Yet while many Americans will experience some level of affluence during their lives, a much smaller percentage of them will do so for an extended period of time. When I was reading about the MIT blackjack team, they said something interesting. They liked members of their team to be Asian or Muslim looking. White rich kids with money to burn caused too much attention. Asian rich kids with money to burn were as common as tic-tacs. I'm sure the quote above has nothing to do with this little factoid.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/s][/i][/b][/s] at April 22, 2014 02:00 PM (45N4D)

89 You know what motivates people to succeed? Ensuring that no matter how hard they try, no matter what sacrifices they make, no matter the outcome of their decisions, they'll always be rewarded exactly the same as everyone else. Well, that and the threat of reeducation and/or death camps.

Posted by: The 10% at April 22, 2014 02:00 PM (1CroS)

90 But, the agenda must always be advanced. Because Empathy. And the Will to Power. But mostly the Will to Power. Later, all. God bless. :-)

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 02:01 PM (9W+0f)

91 I've been arguing this with the libtards for years.

Government stats show there is quite a bit of mobility between income classes even within one generation. There's even more mobility between generations.

The libtards act as if it is always the same people in the bottom percentiles.. it isn't. Dopes.. but, o course, that fact is too inconvenient for their narratives so.. deny.. deny.. deny..

Posted by: Chi-town Jerry at April 22, 2014 02:01 PM (Z7PrM)

92 Posted by: Dr Spank at April 22, 2014 05:59 PM (5UteM) Common Core Algebra Mary has a bag of Sweet Tarts, every kid should have Sweet Tarts, make your parents by Sweet Tarts. Solve for X. (And Buy Sweet Tarts!)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) [/b] [/i] [/s] at April 22, 2014 02:01 PM (HDwDg)

93 And the day his numbers came in. He misread the numbers, thought he had all losers, and threw away winnings totaling $1.25 million. Dyslexia skcus!

Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 02:02 PM (cB3Ay)

94 We needs some posts on Algebra and Geometry to really end the day on a high note. Posted by: Dr Spank at April 22, 2014 05:59 PM (5UteM) knock yourself out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein_field_equations

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 02:02 PM (x3YFz)

95 You can be free or you can be equal.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at April 22, 2014 05:37 PM (I9I9J)

Bears repeating, so I did.

Posted by: Retread at April 22, 2014 02:02 PM (cHwk5)

These days a $1 for a chance to dream is pretty much the wife and my entertainment budget

^^This

Posted by: Infidel at April 22, 2014 02:03 PM (Z1SI2)

97 Everything in America is a vice until the government can figure out how to get a cut of it. Prostitution is perfectly legal as long as you have your papers in order. Do what you have to do to become a Porn Production Company. Hire models who have their papers in order. Pay said models to do what they do. Voila. Money for sex, straight up prostitution. Perfectly legal.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/s][/i][/b][/s] at April 22, 2014 02:04 PM (45N4D)

98 tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!)@95 The Sweet Tart Lobby got to you, didn't it? This is a revolting development.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at April 22, 2014 02:05 PM (1CroS)

99 97 We needs some posts on Algebra and Geometry to really end the day on a high note. Posted by: Dr Spank at April 22, 2014 05:59 PM (5UteM) knock yourself out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein_field_equations Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 06:02 PM (x3YFz) Since we are being monitored by NSA, IRS, EPA, OSHA, BATF & others, maybe we should just link simple math, like addition, subtraction.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:06 PM (HVff2)

100 Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at April 22, 2014 06:05 PM (1CroS) Did I dream that article about Common Core having ads for stuff in it? I swear I didn't dream that.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) [/b] [/i] [/s] at April 22, 2014 02:06 PM (HDwDg)

101 We needs some posts on Algebra and Geometry to really end the day on a high note. It was my understanding that there would be no math on this blog.

Posted by: Colorado Alex at April 22, 2014 02:07 PM (TNcMy)

102

This focus on "income inequality" is the fucking point. Do you not see that all these fucking articles and incessant debates ARE THE FRUITS of the "stray voltage" communications theory.

Rathern than mention their buzzwords again and again and again and again, fight back with more fire.

Leftist fuckwads say "income inequality", the retort is the dems are the party of the rich and hate working people.

Leftists say "fair share", say absolutely, the elite universities have enough money to pay for the entire country, college age, to go to college for free.

Beat the fuck out of them with their own words. By this repeated debunking of what has already been debunked WE ARE LOSING THE FUCKING FIGHT.

Posted by: prescient11 at April 22, 2014 02:07 PM (tVTLU)

103 We have, a couple times maybe three, experienced the pre-vesting SillyValley startup math of calculating the value of one's not-yet-vested nonquals and tthose of one's spouse and realizing that the total was well into seven figures. Alas, by the time the '00 bust was factored in the best we managed was a double and a bunt single, not complaining - well, yes, I am - but that's life.

Posted by: JEM at April 22, 2014 02:08 PM (o+SC1)

104 tangonine: "Einstein_field_equations" That's easy. The answer is 42. The trick is to use your fingers and toes.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at April 22, 2014 02:08 PM (1CroS)

105 This quest for equality is how the Chinese got the Chairman Mao suit. No more inequality. Everyone wears the same stupid clothing.

Posted by: navybrat at April 22, 2014 02:08 PM (JgC5a)

106 79 ureaucrats and economists are consumers in the worst sense of the word. Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at April 22, 2014 05:56 PM (9W+0f) Wait. Wut? Posted by: Sean Bannion, Federal Bureaucrat at April 22, 2014 05:57 PM (yz6yg) Take my advice, when you see that name just ignore the comment and scroll right on by. It's either nonsensical drivel racial bigotry or bitching an moaning about the content of the post.

Posted by: Buzzion at April 22, 2014 02:09 PM (z/Ubi)

107 Ignoring 200 years of government's inability to fix almost anything (ok, we fixed Japan's imperial impulse in the 40s) and its overwhelming ability to spend 3 times more than any new source of revenue will bring it.

OT but it's over 100 comments, so bite me. Listening to BBC World on the way home (yeah, yeah) and they were hyperventilating about the Japanese rearming and getting frisky with the Chinese over the Senkakus. There wasn't a single discouraging word about the Chinese, but oh those Japs, they're trouble.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think the Japanese are their own worst enemies, in that they never really apologize for the atrocities in WWII, they just offer liberal apologies (I'm sorry you're upset). Apparently, their new textbooks in school whitewash the war, and brave leftist schoolteachers are having none of it.

Nonetheless, in a showdown over basic principles, I want them on my side, and not the Chinese.

Plus, the Chinese have really poor tentacle.

Posted by: pep at April 22, 2014 02:10 PM (4nR9/)

108 My clients for the last 20 years have been primarily technology entrepreneurs. The life cycle of those that are successful tends to be starvation wages early, followed by a couple of really good years, followed by a liquidity event - buyout or IPO. These people will pay more taxes over a period of four or five years than fifty average people will pay in a lifetime.

This is typically a one-off event. Most won't even try it again. Building a company from nothing is a fucking miserable grind that exacts an enormous toll on families and health and is fraught with financial peril. The idea that the deck is stacked in their favor and that they are somehow benefiting from an unfair tax system is the exact opposite of the truth.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at April 22, 2014 02:10 PM (+lsX1)

109 "The left likes talking about the "richest 1%" as if they are an easily-defined, permanently-existing superclass." The Left also likes to talk about the poor as if nothing ever changes for them either. 80% of those earning in the bottom quintile move into the top earning quintile later in life. Economic inequality is no problem...as long as a country has economic mobility.

Posted by: Meremortal at April 22, 2014 02:10 PM (1Y+hH)

110 Take my advice, when you see that name just ignore the comment and scroll right on by. It's either nonsensical drivel racial bigotry or bitching an moaning about the content of the post. Posted by: Buzzion at April 22, 2014 06:09 PM (z/Ubi) ---------- Word. That guy is a lunatic.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at April 22, 2014 02:10 PM (ojnk6)

111 Plus, the Chinese have really poor tentacle.

Well the PRC pr0n in Japanese knock-off anyway.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 22, 2014 02:11 PM (DlqJm)

112 tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!): "Did I dream that article about Common Core having ads for stuff in it?" Oh, I don't doubt it. I'm just surprised it was something like Sweet Tarts rather than homages to Obama, Marxism, and Progressivism (BIRM).

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at April 22, 2014 02:11 PM (1CroS)

113

104...Did I dream that article about Common Core having ads for stuff in it?

I swear I didn't dream that.

Posted by: tsrblke

--------------

It wouldn't surprise me a bit.

Common Core is dripping with other psychological programming...so it wouldn't be a surprise me if it also had subliminal advertising, as well.

Posted by: wheatie at April 22, 2014 02:11 PM (fAjDo)

114 This focus on "income inequality" is the f*****g point. Do you not see that all these f*****g articles and incessant debates ARE THE FRUITS of the "stray voltage" communications theory.

Like any of those halfwits have even the foggiest notion about voltages. It's just black magic to them.

Posted by: pep at April 22, 2014 02:12 PM (4nR9/)

115 Common Core is dripping with other psychological programming...so it wouldn't be a surprise me if it also had subliminal advertising, as well. Common buy coke Core Math.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 02:13 PM (cB3Ay)

116 Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at April 22, 2014 06:11 PM (1CroS) I recall something about candy. But also the Marxism. I decided to roll with candy for this joke.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) [/b] [/i] [/s] at April 22, 2014 02:13 PM (HDwDg)

117 Economic inequality is no problem...as long as a country has economic mobility. Prog/Coms are doing their best to prevent economic mobility, mostly through overregulation. Funny how the ones that complain the most about capitalism tend to be the ones trying to stifle it.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 02:14 PM (0HooB)

118 114 Take my advice, when you see that name just ignore the comment and scroll right on by. It's either nonsensical drivel racial bigotry or bitching an moaning about the content of the post. Posted by: Buzzion at April 22, 2014 06:09 PM (z/Ubi) ---------- Word. That guy is a lunatic. Posted by: ManWithNoParty at April 22, 2014 06:10 PM (ojnk6) Ok, it's been a long day, who is the lunatic? Banion or the other dude?

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:14 PM (HVff2)

119 Posted by: backhoe at April 22, 2014 05:46 PM (ULH4o) I have had spaghetti flavored with ketchup packets from Mickey D's as sauce, and thought it was a treat! I think that might qualify me as having been poor. I expect Obama and the progressives will help me appreciate food more by forcing me to revert to that delicacy by ramping up the non-existent inflation in every thing I must do to survive.

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:15 PM (o3MSL)

120 Common Core, pushed by perpetual 1%er Bill Gates and his Tax-Dodge Foundation, you'd think the Left would be OMG ELEVENTY!!, but it furthers statism so it's totes cool.

Posted by: --- at April 22, 2014 02:15 PM (MMC8r)

121 101 - Forget not Le Hollywoode Couch de Casting?

Posted by: OK, thanks, bye at April 22, 2014 02:16 PM (uopHF)

122

116...Oh, I don't doubt it. I'm just surprised it was something like Sweet Tarts rather than homages to Obama, Marxism, and Progressivism (BIRM).

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel

----------

Well, it does...but it doesn't use their names.

For example:

When using sentences to display principles of Sentence Structure, they use sentences like...

"We should always respect what the government does (for us)."

Posted by: wheatie at April 22, 2014 02:16 PM (fAjDo)

123 Income inequality is as dangerous to our society as gold is to a Jew's teeth.

Posted by: George Soros at April 22, 2014 02:16 PM (5UteM)

124 Ok, it's been a long day, who is the lunatic? Banion or the other dude? Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 06:14 PM (HVff2) Yes :p. but for the purposes of this I'm referring to the other one

Posted by: Buzzion at April 22, 2014 02:17 PM (z/Ubi)

125 Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 06:15 PM (o3MSL) Bought hamburger on Saturday, Christ it's almost to the cost of steak a few months ago.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:17 PM (HVff2)

126

Hey pep,

Very true. But all they're doing is getting everyone talking about their buzzwords!!!

What filters through is "income inequality". Which is total bullshit. But that's why they do the gender wage gap shit too.

We spend all of our efforts tilting at windmills and repeating their buzzwords.

No, we should fight this battle on our terms. That's a big issue we're not getting I think.

Posted by: prescient11 at April 22, 2014 02:18 PM (tVTLU)

127 Posted by: Buzzion at April 22, 2014 06:17 PM (z/Ubi) Ok, I understand :-)

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:18 PM (HVff2)

128 What the world needs is a good 10 cent humidor.

Posted by: Bill Clinton at April 22, 2014 02:19 PM (DdphP)

129 129 - Herds at 1951 level. Moochelle will free us from our eeevil red meat addiction thru high prices. BCUZ EARTHDAYZ!!

Posted by: OK, thanks, bye at April 22, 2014 02:20 PM (uopHF)

130 132 What the world needs is a good 10 cent humidor. Posted by: Bill Clinton at April 22, 2014 06:19 PM (DdphP) I heard a Monica is free

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:20 PM (HVff2)

131 Bought hamburger on Saturday, Christ it's almost to the cost of steak a few months ago. I do all the grocery shopping and have done so for many years. I'd like to take my saved receipts to show to these idiots in DC how much food prices have risen just in the past four years.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 02:20 PM (0HooB)

132 Who has $400 dollars a day to spend on lottery tickets?,

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:20 PM (XyM/Y)

133 Economic inequality is no problem...as long as a country has economic mobility. Posted by: Meremortal at April 22, 2014 06:10 PM (1Y+hH) The left wants to ensure that the income distribution stays constant for each individual permanently to make sure none of the undeserving manage to sneak into the upper class. Eliminating the middle class is a necessary first step along the road to progressive utopia!

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:20 PM (o3MSL)

134 Ok, it's been a long day, who is the lunatic? Banion or the other dude? Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 06:14 PM (HVff2) --------- I was referring to MUMR, not Bannion.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at April 22, 2014 02:22 PM (ojnk6)

135 Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at April 22, 2014 06:20 PM (0HooB) I do too. F*cking hamburger over $4.00 a pound. Not long ago ground Chuck was under $3.00. I could go on, but you know how it is.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:23 PM (HVff2)

136 Everything the Left does and says is bullshit. And they know it, too.

Posted by: Soothsayer § at April 22, 2014 02:23 PM (jFEZT)

137 That's a big issue we're not getting I think. Posted by: prescient11 at April 22, 2014 06:18 PM (tVTLU) There are so many issues we're not getting presented to anyone (fondly remembers the VA gubernatorial campaign). Thanks Rinse Praybus!

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:23 PM (o3MSL)

138 Eliminating the middle class is a necessary first step along the road to progressive utopia! That was pretty much achieved with the implementation of NAFTA. Picture a boot on the neck of the economy forever: that's Progressivism.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 02:24 PM (0HooB)

139 I was referring to MUMR, not Bannion. Posted by: ManWithNoParty at April 22, 2014 06:22 PM (ojnk6) I would have gone with Bannion on general principles!

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:24 PM (o3MSL)

140 Ace, that sidebar article from The Federalist is a great article on the feedback loop that is income inequality. My takeaway: Liberals are a coalition of the super rich and desperately poor and those who are moderately rich but want to see themselves as champions of the desperately poor. They enact policies that exacerbate inequality in their strongholds (cities), making life more comfortable and safer for their own, making life even worse for the poor and driving out the middle class. The poor, seeing inequality all around them and the quiet comfortable life in the suburbs, builds up a double resentment, but mostly at the outsiders in the suburbs. They vote for Democrats who keep the thing going. As such, I say Two Cheers for Income Inequality. It happens in every economic system. It should only happen, however, when market forces are involved. But the Democrats are invested having people see economics as a conspiracy. And no wonder people do. The rich in Democrats' big cities are disproportionately rent-seekers. No wonder people think it's all about nepotism and corruption. In their world, it is.

Posted by: AmishDude at April 22, 2014 02:25 PM (T0NGe)

141 . Eliminating the middle class is a necessary first step along the road to progressive utopia! Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 06:20 PM (o3MSL) Which is a world in which the rich are mainly govt functionaries, their relatives and/or cronies. Wait...

Posted by: Meremortal at April 22, 2014 02:25 PM (1Y+hH)

142

Hrothgar:

hahaha, so true. What's your view on buttfucking??!!

Critical, critical issue of our time. And donkey shows. As normal as your grandparents wedding day those are.

Posted by: prescient11 at April 22, 2014 02:25 PM (tVTLU)

143

What gets me is all those Hollywood millionaires who helped Barky get elected.

They still swoon over him.

He's drawing a big target on their backs...and they still love him.

Are they too stoopid to notice this?

When he talks about the "evil rich people" do they not think he means them too?!

Posted by: wheatie at April 22, 2014 02:26 PM (fAjDo)

144 The Fed is not helping economic mobility, either. I got a decent (not enormous, just five figures) amount of dough for selling the house earlier this year and figured until I finished the research on investing --and settled the living situation-- I'd put it in my credit union's high-yield savings account. I was quoted over the phone that it was 1% interest, compounded monthly. Cool, works for me, I thought. Well, I misunderstood: That was 1% *annually*, not monthly. That's "high-yield" these days. Fuck me. Best investment may be real estate in Belize.

Posted by: logprof at April 22, 2014 02:26 PM (DdphP)

145 I'd like to take my saved receipts to show to these idiots in DC how much food prices have risen just in the past four years.

Those idiots in DC know. It's why they took it out of the CPI.

Posted by: Retread at April 22, 2014 02:27 PM (cHwk5)

146 Those were the days my friend: Just one example of price increase: http://tinyurl.com/mh58oca That would be a good tactic-to put little sticky notes in the supermarket- "____ was the price of this when Obama took office. " I'm sure someone has compiled a list on the internet somewhere.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:27 PM (XyM/Y)

147 Picture a boot on the neck of the economy forever: that's Progressivism. Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at April 22, 2014 06:24 PM (0HooB) To be fair, the majority of "residents" of the USA will be treated equally, as in equally screwed! The nomenklatura, however, will thrive as always!

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:27 PM (o3MSL)

148 Since we are being monitored by NSA, IRS, EPA, OSHA, BATF & others, maybe we should just link simple math, like addition, subtraction. Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 06:06 PM (HVff2) eh.. f 'em. Most of them are 20 somethings that think they're smarter than they really are.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 02:27 PM (x3YFz)

149 Well, I misunderstood: That was 1% *annually*, not monthly. That's "high-yield" these days. Fuck me. Best investment may be real estate in Belize.

Posted by: logprof at April 22, 2014 06:26 PM (DdphP)

The best investment is always ammo, how many times do I have to tell you guys ?

Posted by: The Jackhole at April 22, 2014 02:28 PM (nTgAI)

150 Who has $400 dollars a day to spend on lottery tickets?, Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 06:20 PM (XyM/Y) Please, please, please give me a list of names.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 02:29 PM (x3YFz)

151 Howie Carr was talking about the religion of being "Green." Um, a recycling bin is like a religious statue of, say, the Holy Mother Mary. A recycling center is their temple, of course. And this is their holy symbol like the cross: ♻

Posted by: Soothsayer § at April 22, 2014 02:29 PM (jFEZT)

152 Pashaw. They should tax income 100% and live off their offshore trust funds like the rest of white privledged America. Am I right?

Posted by: Kennedy brat at April 22, 2014 02:30 PM (45kvX)

153 Posted by: prescient11 at April 22, 2014 06:25 PM (tVTLU) Well, I certainly think our "betters" should be butt-kcufed in a kinder gentler way of course!

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:30 PM (o3MSL)

154 74 lotteries and scratch off tickets are a tax on stupid people who are bad at math. Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 05:55 PM (x3YFz) Fixed, for extra sensitivity. Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 22, 2014 05:56 PM (yz6yg) Actually, if the jackpot is high enough, you can justify a positive expected rate of return. It's a little complicated because you have to split a jackpot with multiple winners and that's a less predicable probability calculation.

Posted by: AmishDude at April 22, 2014 02:30 PM (T0NGe)

155 speaking of scratch tickets, the "news" today told me MA has a brand new $30 scratch ticket available now.

Posted by: Soothsayer § at April 22, 2014 02:31 PM (jFEZT)

156 Don't worry, the Progressive Puritan FascistsÂ™ will 'scold' any economic progress produced by individual effort back into the dark ages. BTW, 'Progressive Puritan Fascists' is an excellent term and should be used at every opportunity.

Posted by: Hairy Sugar Vampire Reed at April 22, 2014 02:31 PM (W7zKe)

157 155 Howie Carr was talking about the religion of being "Green." One of the funniest shows I ever saw was Penn & Tellers Bull Shit show a number of years ago about recycling/green movement

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:31 PM (HVff2)

158 Best investment may be real estate in Belize. Posted by: logprof at April 22, 2014 06:26 PM (DdphP) Running pot out of 'Little Mexico' (Colorado) has become popular. 40 years ago they were running Coors beer out. The more things change... "They're thirsty in Atlanta And there's beer in Texarkana And we'll bring it back no matter what it takes..."

Posted by: Meremortal at April 22, 2014 02:32 PM (1Y+hH)

159 Since we are being monitored by NSA, IRS, EPA, OSHA, BATF & others, maybe we should just link simple math, like addition, subtraction. Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 06:06 PM (HVff2) NSA is the biggest employer of mathematicians in the world. Those people are scary smart. The other 4 agencies are basically lawyers. So, not so much.

Posted by: AmishDude at April 22, 2014 02:32 PM (T0NGe)

160 Those who complain about "inequality" never mention how much Oprah or Mick Jagger earn or how little their stage help is paid. Nor do they complain that Matt McGloin, the quarterback for the Los Angeles Raiders has a $108 million contract while one of his team's cheerleaders just sued the team over her pay of $5 per hour. It is hardly news that over 40 university presidents have pay packages that exceed $1 million, or that the heads of 11 charities in the US are paid over $1 million while their volunteers are asked to donate their time and money. So who exactly has the income that is proof of "inequality"? Times up: Apart from just railing against "the wealthy" as a nebulous group that excludes all rich liberals, they only complain about business leaders who earn a lot of money. Now why would that be? "Income inequality" joins Peak Oil and Global Warming as frauds of the left that are really aimed at advancing ideological agendas rather than advancing prosperity and liberty. Liberals are only interested in the liberty and prosperity they can coerce from others.

Posted by: theBuckWheat at April 22, 2014 02:32 PM (nmcha)

161 Speaking of savings, does anyone know someone who has saved in a CD at all in the last few years? I have never heard them mentioned on any personal finance show or in money columns in years. Hell, the last time I heard them mentioned *anywhere* was in a 2007 --pre-crash, of course-- episode of The Office called "Money" (in which Michal Scott assured Oscar that he had several of them, kept in Case Logic).

Posted by: logprof at April 22, 2014 02:32 PM (DdphP)

162 Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 06:27 PM (XyM/Y) You could mount quite a subversive campaign with a printer and a few sheets of address label paper.

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:33 PM (o3MSL)

163 N.J. is going wild with Lottery tickets. You can now get instant ones in machines in the Supermarket and the Wawa. It's crazy.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:33 PM (XyM/Y)

164 N.J. is going wild with Lottery tickets. You can now get instant ones in machines in the Supermarket and the Wawa. It's crazy. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 06:33 PM (XyM/Y) Suckers, one and all. Although if you put a gun to my head I doos play once in a while

Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 22, 2014 02:34 PM (t3UFN)

165 Those were the days my friend: Just one example of price increase... I still don't understand why we don't have an opposition party that points things like this out whenever they get a chance. They won't even speak up. I just don't get it.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 02:34 PM (0HooB)

166 Oh yeah? I will reach total consciousness 15 seconds before I die. So there's that

Posted by: Carl Spangler at April 22, 2014 02:34 PM (N3Al8)

167 Eureka!!! I've done it!!

Powdered Recovery.

Just add bullshit.

Posted by: Professor Obama at April 22, 2014 02:34 PM (Zdz/k)

168 I play the litter a couple of times a year. Probably no more tha $10 a year. Cheaper than a movie, plus I get to read Aces reviews so there is that

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:34 PM (HVff2)

169 That's what we need-subversive, non violent campaigns. People know that the prices have gone way up, but to see it when they go into the Supermarket in black and white might turn off some support from Obama.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:35 PM (XyM/Y)

170 Year 1: $18K Year 2: $75K Year 3: $300K Year 4: $25K That was my income first 4 years out of college. Year 1, didn't start working until October. Year 3 was due to a once in a lifetime bonus due to my company getting bought out and all the employees, even lowly analysts getting a nice piece of the action. Then year 4, started my MBA. Income mobility both up and down like a yo-yo

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at April 22, 2014 02:35 PM (0LHZx)

171 I'm part of the 88% that wishes it was ever part of the 1%

Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 22, 2014 02:35 PM (t3UFN)

172 They won't even speak up. I just don't get it. Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at April 22, 2014 06:34 PM (0HooB) If you think about that for a few seconds, a most depressing answer presents itself.

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:36 PM (o3MSL)

173 166 Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 06:27 PM (XyM/Y) You could mount quite a subversive campaign with a printer and a few sheets of address label paper. Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 06:33 PM (o3MSL) --Be careful to use a printer that is not yours. In their output are hidden watermarks that allow them to be traced to the exact printer by serial number and make. And no, it's not a paranoid conspiracy theory; it's true.

Posted by: logprof at April 22, 2014 02:36 PM (DdphP)

174 N.J. is going wild with Lottery tickets. You can now get instant ones in machines in the Supermarket and the Wawa. It's crazy. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 06:33 PM (XyM/Y) ----------- Surely this is because such a high percentage of players win, amirite?

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at April 22, 2014 02:36 PM (ojnk6)

175

Lotteries are a Tax on the poor.

Governments love lotteries.

They tax the money coming and going...and also usually get a percentage of the total take, in addition to taxing the sale of the tickets and the winnings.

Posted by: wheatie at April 22, 2014 02:36 PM (fAjDo)

176 Suckers, one and all. Although if you put a gun to my head I doos play once in a while. Voluntary beats involuntary. (404Care)

Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 02:37 PM (cB3Ay)

177 That was my income first 4 years out of college. Year 1, didn't start working until October. Year 3 was due to a once in a lifetime bonus due to my company getting bought out and all the employees, even lowly analysts getting a nice piece of the action. Then year 4, started my MBA. Income mobility both up and down like a yo-yo Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at April 22, 2014 06:35 PM (0LHZx) I ran $1K/year for 8 years. Then I told my boss to go perform indecent acts with himself. Rest is gravy.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 02:38 PM (x3YFz)

178 er... $100K

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 02:38 PM (x3YFz)

179 If you think about that for a few seconds, a most depressing answer presents itself. Yeah, I know. We are so terribly screwed.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 02:38 PM (0HooB)

180 --Be careful to use a printer that is not yours. In their output are hidden watermarks that allow them to be traced to the exact printer by serial number and make. And no, it's not a paranoid conspiracy theory; it's true. Know how many printers fall out of canoes every year?

Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 02:39 PM (cB3Ay)

181 Looks like the FDA caught some serious incoming from Big Booze Lobbyists and are now saying Palcohol (powdered alcohol) is not approved and may not be for some time, if ever.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at April 22, 2014 02:39 PM (ojnk6)

182 Posted by: logprof at April 22, 2014 06:32 PM (DdphP) CDs are available but they don't make much sense. Unless you are convinced we are headed into rapid deflation. Go to bankrate.com and compare liquid rates to CED rates.

Posted by: Meremortal at April 22, 2014 02:40 PM (1Y+hH)

183 Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at April 22, 2014 06:34 PM (0HooB) Well, there are a coupe of reasons. 1. Govt. officials have completely lost the concept of public service. They are there to serve themselves. As long as they are enriched and can take care of their own families they don't care. 2. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 3 I think Chicago on the Potomac has a lot of sensitive information of people who should be the opposition. They are being strong armed and threatened and bribed in many cases and also don't want the IRS to come after them

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:40 PM (XyM/Y)

184 I'm part of the 88% that wishes it was ever part of the 1% Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 22, 2014 06:35 PM (t3UFN) You need to stop pulling teeth and start amputating legs. I hear tell there's big money in the leg-hacking racket, if you're aggressive and you have your own saw.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at April 22, 2014 02:40 PM (8ZskC)

185

Hey we used to run numbers racket.. Just like the 420 racket the feds seen they could make money and bada bing they wuz in bizness.

Posted by: Da Mob at April 22, 2014 02:40 PM (N3Al8)

186 New Jersey cardiologist racks up $135,000 bill during four trips to Scores strip club Â— but he claims he was drugged during each visit: suit Zyad Kivarkis Younan is accused of stiffing the jiggle joint out of the whopping series of bills he racked up last November, the Manhattan Supreme Court suit says. Well I guess we know one member of the 1% Club. IF YA GOT IT, FLAUNT IT!

Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 22, 2014 02:41 PM (t3UFN)

187 And no, it's not a paranoid conspiracy theory; it's true. Posted by: logprof at April 22, 2014 06:36 PM (DdphP) I think if you scan the original and print to address labels you are good to go. Alternately, photoshop the original and compress it enough to retain clearly readable text, while being almost pixelated, then print from the jpg. It is depressing to think that you would point this out in Amerikkka, and depressing that I am now taking steps to defeat this technology.

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:41 PM (o3MSL)

188 Funny part is you go teach? At our universities? $3,200 for 2 4 credit hour lectures + 1 lab. Over 4 months. I put in 60 hour weeks in prep, teaching and travel. Did the math, it was like $8.50/hour. And....that's why I won't do it again. Did it off and on for 15 years. My mistake.

Posted by: tangonine at April 22, 2014 02:41 PM (x3YFz)

189 185 Looks like the FDA caught some serious incoming from Big Booze Lobbyists and are now saying Palcohol (powdered alcohol) is not approved and may not be for some time, if ever. Posted by: ManWithNoParty at April 22, 2014 06:39 PM (ojnk6) I didn't see this happening. /snark Now, when it is pot it will be a different story

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:41 PM (HVff2)

190 New Jersey cardiologist racks up $135,000 bill during four trips to Scores strip club � but he claims he was drugged during each visit: He's not there for the strippers.....

Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 02:42 PM (cB3Ay)

191 Bernankes replacement (whose name escapes my post middle aged brain at the moment) suggests that she thinks hyper inflation will eventually help us economically.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:42 PM (XyM/Y)

192 ..."see it when they go into the Supermarket in black and white..." Off to the camps, racist!

Posted by: Meremortal at April 22, 2014 02:42 PM (1Y+hH)

193 All you really need to counter this phenomenon is a $225,000 part time job.
It's so simple really.

Posted by: Paul Krugman at April 22, 2014 02:43 PM (nsQhi)

194 "I think if you scan the original and print to address labels you are good to go. Alternately, photoshop the original and compress it enough to retain clearly readable text, while being almost pixelated, then print from the jpg. " Pardon the tequila, but WTF does this mean? Sorry, I fall down now.

Posted by: Hairy Sugar Vampire Reed at April 22, 2014 02:43 PM (W7zKe)

195 Know how many printers fall out of canoes every year? Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 06:39 PM (cB3Ay) Printers are cheap these days.

Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 02:43 PM (o3MSL)

196 Bernankes replacement (whose name escapes my post middle aged brain at the moment) suggests that she thinks hyper inflation will eventually help us economically. It worked for us.

Posted by: The Nazis at April 22, 2014 02:43 PM (8ZskC)

197 FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 06:42 PM (XyM/Y) ------- Her name is Janet Yellen (spit).

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at April 22, 2014 02:44 PM (ojnk6)

198 199 Know how many printers fall out of canoes every year? Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 06:39 PM (cB3Ay) Printers are cheap these days. Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 06:43 PM (o3MSL) So are canoes these days. Maybe it's because you can't eat them or use them to fuel your car

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at April 22, 2014 02:44 PM (HVff2)

199 nood Earf Day post

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at April 22, 2014 02:44 PM (8ZskC)

200 1. Govt. officials have completely lost the concept of public service. They are there to serve themselves. As long as they are enriched and can take care of their own families they don't care. What I don't get is their intense zeal in making sure no one else can prosper. It's not like they'd suffer in any way. Mummy Dearest told me many times that my suicidal father used to always say, "People are pigs." I'm starting to agree.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 22, 2014 02:44 PM (0HooB)

201 Her name is Janet Yellen Yellen like a felon.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 22, 2014 02:44 PM (cB3Ay)

202 Posted by: Hrothgar at April 22, 2014 06:41 PM (o3MSL) I think I'll just go with the sticky notes and pay for them by cash. :^)

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:45 PM (XyM/Y)

203 BackwardsBoy: "...opposition party that points things like this out whenever they get a chance. They won't even speak up. I just don't get it." To be generous one could say they don't want to interfere while the opposition is blowing itself up (nevermind it's taking the country down while it's doing it, but anyway...). More likely is the majority of the "opposition" lacks the desire or fortitude to castrate that which they believe they'll soon be inheriting. After all, these are professional parasites who have their own trails to blaze. They aim to attain and retain 1% status like every other rational person. An oppressive and confiscatory government is useful to whoever can populate it.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at April 22, 2014 02:47 PM (1CroS)

204 NSA ... Those people are scary smart.

And yet they can't figure out that the 4th amendment means what it says, just like all the others. Or that giving a subcontracted new guy the keys to the kingdom is a good way to get robbed.

Hi Bob!

Posted by: DaveA[/i][/b][/s] at April 22, 2014 02:47 PM (DL2i+)

205 God how I hate the expression "the 1%" with a f*cking passion. I have never seen anything real quite so close to the Manchrian Candidate's speech, i.e. something so perfectly deceitful and malignant to our way of life that it could have been cooked up for years in a commie lab. It embeds so many lies at once: in two words. Marrying the definite article to a statistical snapshot, it simply conflates a statistical snapshot with a static class. And, by its indefinite (implied) subject, it manages at the same time to conflate income and wealth, which are of course two entirely different animals even over the same person's lifetime. But then again I'm just a H8er

Posted by: NYC Parent at April 22, 2014 02:47 PM (HEo6y)

206

Here is a fun trick to play on your liberal friends, everytime I do it they are shocked. Ask them "just who are the 1%?" Some say billionairs, of course they get shocked the most, but even the ones that say millionairs are shocked to learn that a married couple earning $325,000 is in the 1%, per IRS stats from 2009.

They get so upset that they start to question the 'experts' they listen to for advice.

Try it!

Posted by: anon at April 22, 2014 02:51 PM (DEsFp)

207 You're obviously not a pig and neither are the people you love and admire. When it makes one too down thinking about people who are so self serving, consider thinking about people throughout your life who have had a positive impact. Protestant that I am, I am coming to see the value in asking Saints (I don't mean official ones but great people of faith and love who have gone to be with the Lord) to intercede in situations

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:51 PM (XyM/Y)

208 backwards boy, I'm going to steal that. Nice work!!

Posted by: prescient11 at April 22, 2014 02:52 PM (tVTLU)

209

N.J. is going wild with Lottery tickets. You can now get instant ones in machines in the Supermarket and the Wawa. It's crazy.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 06:33 PM (XyM/Y)

Because slot machines are illegal outside of Atlantic City?

Posted by: rd at April 22, 2014 02:52 PM (N7QgG)

210 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 New International Version (NIV) 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for JesusÂ’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. This is one of my favorite scripture passages. One thing I do with Scripture is to read it and even if I don't always"feel" it at the time I make it into a prayer so that what is true in the Scripture becomes true in me. It's what I sometimes do with the Apostle's Creed such as "I believe in God" I say "Lord, strengthen my belief" etc.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:56 PM (XyM/Y)

211 Because slot machines are illegal outside of Atlantic City? I don't know that the rationale is other than the pay the salaries of Lottery officials.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 02:57 PM (XyM/Y)

212 P.S. I come from a long line of people who have been depressed and suicidal. :^) It's probably not the best idea to take all their advice on life and relationships, Depression blackens everything. It literally screws with your thinking.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 22, 2014 03:00 PM (XyM/Y)

213 Sowell has pointed this out before back in 1995 in The Vision of the Anointed. It's a good read.

Posted by: Titanium at April 22, 2014 04:31 PM (6iwzV)

214 Sowell has pointed this out before back in 1995 in The Vision of the Anointed. It's a good read.

Posted by: Titanium at April 22, 2014 04:31 PM (6iwzV)

215 Income Instability: An Astonishing 12 Percent of All Americans Will Achieve At Least One Year of Earnings in the Top 1% in Their Lives The bad news for the rest of us: They do it as government employees in the last year of work, just as they qualify for pension benefits. Suckas!

Posted by: Evil Blogger Lady at April 22, 2014 04:58 PM (UYjru)

216 I like to call it "effort inequality"

Posted by: Reality man at April 22, 2014 05:08 PM (Cs9Ps)

217 But, Income Inequality! Fuck the Left and their income inequality slogan. Fucking parasites.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at April 22, 2014 09:03 PM (jOKH1)

218 "An Astonishing 12 Percent" Prior to Obama, 20% of the top income bracket had been born to a family that was in the bottom income bracket. Dems babble about income inequality but, as usual, they are missing the point: America used to be a land of income MOBILITY. We used to be equal before the law and rose, or not, based on our ability and drive. Now, with Crony Socialism, redistribution (which is fully 75% of the federal budget) and the lawlessness of the regime, that's no longer the case. The simple fact is: Democrat policies destroy income mobility. Just as they destroy the middle class. Like every totalitarian society, of varying degrees of Socialism, the US is become a two class society: 1) Friends of the Regime are, or become, millionaires and billionaires. 2) Everyone else is crushed into poverty, to become dependents on the regime.

Posted by: Aarradin at April 23, 2014 09:27 PM (+7Wfv)

Hide Comments | Add Comment | Refresh | Top

Comments are disabled.

187kb generated in CPU 0.1104, elapsed 0.277 seconds.
64 queries taking 0.2295 seconds, 346 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.