eat shtein if you disagree
an example:
NYT editorial
Quote
In Praise of Tap Water
On the streets of New York or Denver or San Mateo this summer, it seems the telltale cap of a water bottle is sticking out of every other satchel. Americans are increasingly thirsty for what is billed as the healthiest, and often most expensive, water on the grocery shelf. But this country has some of the best public water supplies in the world. Instead of consuming four billion gallons of water a year in individual-sized bottles, we need to start thinking about what all those bottles are doing to the planet's health.
Here are the hard, dry facts: Yes, drinking water is a good thing, far better than buying soft drinks, or liquid candy, as nutritionists like to call it. And almost all municipal water in America is so good that nobody needs to import a single bottle from Italy or France or the Fiji Islands. Meanwhile, if you choose to get your recommended eight glasses a day from bottled water, you could spend up to $1,400 annually. The same amount of tap water would cost about 49 cents.
Next, there's the environment. Water bottles, like other containers, are made from natural gas and petroleum. The Earth Policy Institute in Washington has estimated that it takes about 1.5 million barrels of oil to make the water bottles Americans use each year. That could fuel 100,000 cars a year instead. And, only about 23 percent of those bottles are recycled, in part because water bottles are often not included in local redemption plans that accept beer and soda cans. Add in the substantial amount of fuel used in transporting water, which is extremely heavy, and the impact on the environment is anything but refreshing.
Tap water may now be the equal of bottled water, but that could change. The more the wealthy opt out of drinking tap water, the less political support there will be for investing in maintaining America's public water supply. That would be a serious loss. Access to cheap, clean water is basic to the nation's health.
Some local governments have begun to fight back. Earlier this summer, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom prohibited his city's departments and agencies from buying bottled water, noting that San Francisco water is "some of the most pristine on the planet." Salt Lake City has issued a similar decree, and New York City recently began an advertising campaign that touted its water as "clean," "zero sugar" and even "stain free."
The real change, though, will come when millions of ordinary consumers realize that they can save money, and save the planet, by turning in their water bottles and turning on the tap.
more to follow over the years...
Personally, I love the government's sense of entitlement. Why shouldn't they feel free to spy on me and tax the shtein out of me and pass laws to limit my decisions about my own life? I mean, after all, they do protect me from the dangerous Mexicans and Canadians who are constantly threatening my ability to live peacefully.
i think i speak for all of us raped by Canadians when i say i don't appreciate your breezy attitude towards them
I apologize. Snow Mexicans, dude. Snow Mexicans.
Quote from: rjs246 on August 02, 2007, 10:14:13 PM
Personally, I love the government's sense of entitlement. Why shouldn't they feel free to spy on me and tax the shtein out of me and pass laws to limit my decisions about my own life? I mean, after all, they do protect me from the dangerous Mexicans and Canadians who are constantly threatening my ability to live peacefully.
no silly, not
that government
nice bold work ace
thanks big man
I don't think anyone is debating that government is needed for an orderly and civilized society, it is just a matter of what the legitimate scope of that government should be, primarily based upon the values held by the electorate. There is where all the fundamental disagreements lie.
thanks News at 5
Quote from: Eaglez on August 02, 2007, 10:41:07 PM
I don't think anyone is debating that government is needed for an orderly and civilized society, it is just a matter of what the legitimate scope of that government should be, primarily based upon the values held by the electorate. There is where all the fundamental disagreements lie.
You obviously need to drink more.
I have mixed feelings about the government.
Negative example: Who was in charge of checking that bridge in Minnesota most recently? How many taxes did they collect for that super inspection?
Negative example: IRS
Ok, basically if the government didn't waste a shteinload of tax money and collected it more efficiently, they'd be good. However, they suck at many levels are are ridiculously inefficient.
omg theres good AND bad things about the government???
No, I was just kidding. Everything about it is awesome all the time, especially you. Holla.
ok sport
10-4, chief.
its cool when the government send AIDS to europe and china via bayer and aleve
Government's cool? What's cool about bombing browns and giving away free money to the lazy?
Not so much if you're a brown.
A whole bunch if you're one of the lazy.
It's all a matter of perspective.
Quote from: Father Demon on August 03, 2007, 02:08:02 PM
Not so much if you're a brown.
A whole bunch if you're one of the lazy.
It's all a matter of perspective.
I was playing the extremes off of each other but you go...
I actually enjoyed reading this (http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/economist/89955).
Can't we all just get along?
The answer to the question "Would the protagonists in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged have paid taxes to stop the holocaust" is NO.
Quote from: Diomedes on June 26, 2008, 04:31:32 PM
The answer to the question "Would the protagonists in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged have paid taxes to stop the holocaust" is NO.
Hit.
(http://ethicsataglance.com/images/Ayn_Rand1.jpg)
Yeah, so I just called the IRS hotline with a question. They put me on hold for less time than Cavalier did, and the dude who they connected me to understood my question and answered, which is more than can be said for most corporate customer service centers. He even offered to send me a hard copy of the rules in question after he cited them.
Government>Corporations
This isn't exactly busy season for the IRS.
I asked the guy to make sure he takes a nice break on Fast Freddie's dime.
Yeah but the gubment was monitoring your phone call while plotting ways to have you waterboarded about stuff you know...
All the while trying to figure out a way to force you to except Jeebus as your savior... Heathen!
Quote from: FastFreddie on July 25, 2008, 05:49:45 PM
This isn't exactly busy season for the IRS.
You'd be surprised.
Doesn't the fact that one might need to call for tech support on their taxes, and that we have to pay someone to sit there and wait for the question count in the "con" column?
Our tax codes are farged and desperately need to be scrapped and re-written.
Quote from: Cerevant on July 26, 2008, 07:48:54 AM
Doesn't the fact that one might need to call for tech support on their taxes, and that we have to pay someone to sit there and wait for the question count in the "con" column?
Are you kidding? People can't do simple math at the cash register. You think we can make taxes simpler than that?
Quote from: rjs246 on July 26, 2008, 07:57:18 AM
Our tax codes are farged and desperately need to be scrapped and re-written.
Word to your mother. Still, got my question answered.
on another tip,
the garbage men came this morning and took away everything that I put out on the curb, just like they do every saturday morning. it was great
Quote from: Cerevant on July 26, 2008, 07:48:54 AM
Doesn't the fact that one might need to call for tech support on their taxes, and that we have to pay someone to sit there and wait for the question count in the "con" column?
yeah god forbid people have questions about tax issues
Quote from: Diomedes on July 26, 2008, 08:02:09 AM
the garbage men came this morning and took away everything that I put out on the curb, just like they do every saturday morning. it was great
Most garbage men get paid by government contracts, but don't work for the government. Also, most do not pick up "everything that you put out on the curb." There are rules, bitch!
in baltimore (where dio is) and most major cities the trashmen are indeed govt employees
and these mofos take everything, best believe
Even aborted babies?
aborted babies being just another synonym for trash, yep
The right choice for the environment is to compost them, though.
Lamp shades.
Quote from: Diomedes on July 26, 2008, 08:02:09 AM
Are you kidding? People can't do simple math at the cash register. You think we can make taxes simpler than that?
As evidenced by some girl at the cash register of a restaurant called Niko Niko's here....total bill was $22.21. I give her $25. She gives me four ones, three quarters and a dime back. And stands there staring at me like I'm the dumbass.
Quote from: ice grillin you on July 26, 2008, 08:44:32 AM
Quote from: Cerevant on July 26, 2008, 07:48:54 AM
Doesn't the fact that one might need to call for tech support on their taxes, and that we have to pay someone to sit there and wait for the question count in the "con" column?
yeah god forbid people have questions about tax issues
Pennsylvania State Income Tax: take income, multiply by 0.026, subtract what you already paid, pay the result.
US Federal tax: take income, itemize deductions. Some count, some don't. Then add something unless line 473 is less than line 4 on schedule...
Sales Tax: uh, stuff costs more.
Transaction Tax: damn bank fees cost me 5 bucks this month.
So, which system needs a tech support line?
lol...stupid canadians
Well, Canadian income tax is as bad as US Income tax, but at least they roll the Federal and Provincial systems together so you only have to file once for both. (No local income tax)
Both systems suck, and they should all be replaced by one or more automated transaction taxes. No deductions, no loopholes. No tax preparers, no tax attorneys, no IRS.
Most Americans can get away with using the 1040 EZ to file, and that sure as hell isn't complicated. Actually, most Americans can get away with using Turbo Tax now and have it do all the thinking for them. Anyone who cannot use the EZ is expected to have two brain cells to rub together and/or enough money to buy Turbo Tax.
make some money...invest...write shtein off...buy a second property...ect....
poor people can maybe use turbo tax the rest of us not so much
i cant even believe anyone would think there shouldnt be a tax hotline...the tax codes are incredibly complex
There absolutely should be a tax hotline with accessible help with this current system. The point is that the system should be changed so that it's not so damn hard to figure out.
That said, Apple still has tech support. Nothing's idiot-proof enough for this country.
I never said there shouldn't be a tax helpline. All I said was taxes are not as complicated as people would like to believe.
And I have done taxes with write-offs, investments, and property. Still not so complicated.
Exactly my point - sorry, I forgot I have to spell it out:
I find it very difficult to say "Yay Government" in response to their providing a support for a tax system that is so needlessly complex that it needs a support system in the first place.
Quote from: General_Failure on July 27, 2008, 12:31:22 PM
I never said there shouldn't be a tax helpline. All I said was taxes are not as complicated as people would like to believe.
And I have done taxes with write-offs, investments, and property. Still not so complicated.
It can't be too complicated. My tax lady makes over 100 bucks an hour during tax time, 'cause dumbasses like myself don't want to take the time to learn how to do it. It's a big enough pain in the ass keeping my ledger straight.
Public Libraries are possibly the best thing to come from tax money.
No shtein, I was at one today and watched a dude carrying out like ten books, as a different family was bringing back a stack of at least a half dozen.
I thought, farg yeah. At least this still works for someone.
libraries really are awesome
to bad i dont read books
That's like a vegetarian giving us reviews on a tasty steak house.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/09/hubble_has_a_new_camera.html
(http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2004/05/040503055424.jpg)
A day in the life of the self-made Joe Republican...
Joe gets up at 6:00am to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean drinking water because some liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medications are safe to take because some liberal fought to insure their safety and work as advertised.
All but $10.00 of his medications are paid for by his employers medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance, now Joe gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs this day. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
Joe takes his morning shower reaching for his shampoo; His bottle is properly labeled with every ingredient and the amount of its contents because some liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained. Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some tree hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air. He walks to the subway station for his government subsidized ride to work; it saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees. You see, some liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his work day; he has a good job with excellent pay, medicals benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.
Its noon time, Joe needs to make a Bank Deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the depression.
Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae underwritten Mortgage and his below market federal student loan because some stupid liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his life-time.
Joe is home from work, he plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive to dads; his car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards. He arrives at his boyhood home. He was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans. The house didn't have electric until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification. (Those rural Republican's would still be sitting in the dark)
He is happy to see his dad who is now retired. His dad lives on Social Security and his union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to. After his visit with dad he gets back in his car for the ride home.
He turns on a radio talk show, the host's keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. (He doesn't tell Joe that his beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day) Joe agrees, "We don't need those big government liberals ruining our lives; after all, I'm a self made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have".
OH MY GOD I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE!
I'm sorry. Before posting it, I should have asked everyone if they've already read it.
the hubble never ceases to amaze. i'm glad they didn't kill it yet like they were originally planning on.
im pretty sure that pic is god taking a poop towards earth
Quote from: Diomedes on September 09, 2009, 05:20:27 PM
http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/09/hubble_has_a_new_camera.html
(http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2004/05/040503055424.jpg)
That is some cool shtein
Amazing.