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[quote=”rfs1975″]It would appear that the current socialist regime in the US is [url=http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/18253-critics-mount-constitutional-attack-on-dreaded-fatca-tax-regime]being challenged on FACTA[/url]
[/quote]I could never understand why the word constitution is still so widely used.. this has been shredded so much its a mere ghost to what it was intended.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/09/janet-yellen-oligarchy_n_5296399.html
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/21/americas-oligarchy-not-democracy-or-republic-unive/
[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”sprite”]I am talking specifically about US income tax, the most onerous, unconstitutional tax on the planet. [/quote]
I know of few other countries in the world – including Costa Rica – that don’t have an income tax. If you want to move to one that doesn’t, then you may be interested in [url=http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/12/03/hate-this-talk-about-raising-tax-rates-here-are-some-countries-with-no-income-taxes-whatsoever/]this.[/url]As I pointed out to you earlier, you are not the authority on what is or isn’t constitutional. But leaving that aside, if we didn’t have an income tax, what would you suggest the US government do instead to fund itself?[/quote]
😛
this is all in our minds.. and all of these people are tax cheats and crooks
kwhite
My very first introduction to being a business owner and having that little plaque with my name and all it entails on it was a deli in NYC.
My first job was working at a deli counter.. a few years later I scraped up enough money saved for all the jobs I had done and a loan from my dad.
I bought the place.
worked 80 hours a week behind the counter serving my customers.. fast forward I am working my butt off and making some money NOT alot mind you because as an owner I was always the last to get paid..
everyone and their mother would get paid first, vendors, employees, municipalities, taxes, etc etc
there was a time when David Dinkins.. ( anyone remember him lol) was cracking down on the crooks. the tax cheats and money launderers.. you know the same rhetoric that sweikert loves to hear that keeps getting regurgitated over and over again..
initially I was like yea thats great!!! my government is here to help me :shock::shock::shock:
the IRS was cracking down on cash businesses and my deli happen to fall in that category.. I always paid my taxes as a good little soldier..
one of the tactics deployed by the IRS back then and I forgot what idiot politician came up with this idea. was for an agent to come down and stand stay at your register for a few hours.. and from that information.. they would come up with some sort of valuation of how much I should be paying..
they do NOT announce when they arrive.. they just shown up
well an agent came to my store.. and this happened on the day of the parade in 1991 for the return of desert storm..
I was far enough from the parade BUT business overall increased by 100%..
this guy stood at my register with a little booklet and pencil like he was saving the world from us bad people.. the small business man for 4 hours..
I tried to explain to this guy that business was very good today because of the parade in the city.. so he knew
he said no problem..
I never thought anything of it until my TAX BILL came due which was like 3 times more that I had ever paid in the life of the store..
after all the bullshit going back and forth to try and explain to these people to no avail.. I could not believe it..
I had to accept a payment plan to pay them back..
which I could not keep up.. it became too much I was not making any money..
they would show up for surprise inspections.. to see the books and receipts if they matched..
I would never have believed this would have happened in the U.S. of A.
finally one day these 2 IRS guys came down.. :D:D and started to do an inspection..
something just came over me and I will never forget that feeling.. I said to these idiots guys
you know what guys
here you go
I gave them keys and said
its all yours.. ( the place was rented )
and I walked out
I just left..
you should have seen the looks on these guys faces..
anyway.. never returned.. and claimed bankruptcy
big lesson learned.. and it was part of my naive thinking.. that I never would ever think I would fall under this type of scenario . my newest motto I ingrained in my head
[b]”The starting point of maturity is the realization that no one is coming to the rescue. Everything you are and everything you will be is entirely up to YOU.” [/b]
a few years later I started another venture but was alot street smarter than before.. and of course I paid back my dad..
also had to pay back the tax bill also.. 🙁
[quote=”Kwhite1″][quote=”pixframe”][quote=”Kwhite1″][quote=”pixframe”][quote=”Kwhite1″]I doubt this has anything to do with FATCA right? Highly doubt it……..
“When adjusted for inflation …”. Trust the government to spin the numbers. They manipulate the data they use to calculate the inflationary factor. And, by doing so, make the numbers say what they want them to say … leading me to believe the deficit is much higher than depicted in this article. I’d love to review their work papers to see if that same rate of inflation was applied to their “pay outs” such as Social Security where in January of this year they gave a C.O.L.A. increase of a meager 1.5%.[/quote]
Whatever numbers they tout, I automatically double it to get at least in the ball park of reality. Anyone that thinks because unemployment benefits run out on 800,000 people means unemployment actually dropped is not some entity that I would put merit in much less believe.[/quote]
Based on the way the government calculates it, when unemployment benefits dry up and run out for all the people collecting we’ll have an unemployment rate of ZERO … LOL.
You being a small business owner will appreciate how even more misleading their unemployment count is when you consider small business owners, whose businesses fail, don’t qualify for unemployment (at least here in New York State they don’t). As long as the government can tax them up the wazoo they’re highly visible …. but as soon as their business fails they become invisible … not even to be counted in the number of unemployed.
[/quote]
You are correct, I do not qualify for unemployment benefits should my company go under. I am not sure why, because I was told that I did not build my business, someone else did. So that means I actually work for someone else thus I should be eligible for benefits?
99 weeks of benies would be awesome!! As long as I get a free phone with it!! But I digress…..
FATCA….yeah, good move by the idiots in charge, good thing I don’t have any conspiracy theories or believe in them, but if I did, I am sure there are some incredible coincidences that tie them together.[/quote]
[quote=”Kwhite1″]Try this http://naturallyearthfriendly.com/what-is-the-difference-between-aquaponics-areoponics-and-hydroponics/
Do a search of versus each other, you will receive tons of info with pros and cons on the 2 methods, I prefer aeroponics, easier to maintain the water chemistry without fish poop messing the PH up.
do you have any pics of your past set ups??? I wouild agree with the poop but being able to raise your own fish.. also adds to the protien factor 🙂 BBQ and some garlic and butter.. hmmm 🙂
BTW I am very satisfied with a recent purchase..
highly recommended.. i have tried various but this is the best I have found so far.
[/quote][/quote]
Sweikert and Sprite
you guys come from the most extreme positions I have ever come across.. I guess its like the old siskel and ebert
or hannity and colmes.. 😀
sweikert himself has his opinions and nothing anyone will ever say will ever change that.. I had gone thru most of his engagements here on this forum since started and you can definitely identify some common denominators with his behaviors.
he likes to engage in mindless debate that does not really accomplish anything..
guys like him actually scare me because of the stubborn ignorance for lack of a better word..
but he is correct.. everyone is entitled to thier opinion.. so be it..
I wish I could film his adventures if he ever makes a move to costa rica.. it would be a great reality show..
it would be akin to that show [b]”Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”[/b] but instead we would call it
[b]”Here comes Steve..used to be called Swiekert”[/b]:D:D
sometimes… not often.. but sometimes I even wandar off and think that sweikert and sprite is actually scott himself and he does this intentionally to stir the pot
but then I wake up..:)
[quote=”sprite”][quote=”pixframe”]You really can’t help yourself from having to get in the last word.[/quote]
Sweikert and I may not agree on much but we both seem to enjoy winding up people with comments. Just remember to be civil, lighthearted, sincere snd as concise as your writing skills permit.[/quote]
sweikert925
I just emailed your employer with regards to your wasting company time with mental masturbation. Hopefully he will dock your pay.
😀
I live in the mountains of heredia
at night hovers around 60-65 and during day never above 80
so for me this is as close as one can find to very confortable weather
my electric bill used to run about 60 bucks per month then I installed solar panels and a nice windturbine
why?? just to be independent from relying on the larger providers.
now my bill hovers about $20 bucks per month
I have a well that I built.. and this I also power via solar
so no water bill
I dont pay for cable tv because I don’t watch TV I get my news from the internet
what I do pay for is a dedicated POINT to POINT internet connection which is asymmetrical 6 megs down and 6 megs up
the equivalent to a residential 12 megs down
costs $180 per month.
this is my dedicated connection and works very well
this is what I use to manage my online empire
I have a project next year to build a aquaponics system
my taxes yearly are $600 for a 2 acre private compound which I pay $450 for the house.. all cash
and my healthcare cost $40 per month for family caja which I have 3 kids and my wife plus an additional policy of private costs $150 per month extra.
been here now for over 10 years and love local foods.. do not miss the states whatsoever..
life is great!!!
overall I live comfortable on $2000 per month and I am raising 3 kids and my wife.
many times I will spend much more but on misc non essential items.. and this is because I can
I generate well into 6 figures.. but I use the $2000 as a baseline in the event everything evaporated.
where can you hide money if you have money??? I would stay away from Banks all together except for transition
I own with my most recent acquisition 46 small lots.. 300 meters to 1000 meters in various locations..
very safe.. its called land Banking.. small and cheap enough to liquidate one at a time
oh.. also a good investment is small mausoleums in cemetery.. great place to stash valuables.. as you go visit past loved ones 🙂
[quote=”PeteB”]On November 30th, we will have lived here 7 years and have gone through many of the things mentioned. You really owe it to yourself to listen and learn from many of the comments made on this subject. They are correct in what they have stated.
One thing you stated is the $350 monthly cost for electric? Ours runs about the same, but we have a 3,600 sq ft home, a two unit apartment building and a pool with a pump that runs 4 hrs a night – The only thing I can think of is that you are running your AC 24/7?
A couple of other costs that need to be taken into consideration are:
1) PROPERTY TAXES – We were paying $6,000 per year for a home worth 1/2 as much as we have here – Current cost is $800 per year.
2) MEDICAL/DENTAL CARE – At least 1/2 as much as the US – the same with insurance – In addition, Costa Rica was recently chosen as #4 in the world for health care. And, because of the cost and high quality standards here, dental tourism is Costa Rica’s second largest industry.
3) CHANGING HABITS – When we first moved here, my wife would go to Price Smart and Auto Mercado on a regular basis. The cost for this would blow my mind. I said to her “can you please start thinking like a Tica on what to buy?” She did that and the cost was cut in half. We also found that we could buy a bottle of my favorite beverage anywhere in the town we live for at least $6 a bottle cheaper than Price Smart.These are only a few things of many to consider in making the adjustment to living here and enjoying it more.
Again, please take into consideration what these members are suggesting. Best of luck to you.[/quote]
Imxploring
your on a roll MATE!! and thank you for voicing these opinions.
usually when I come across people like this I usually just get up and leave.. like you mentioned.. vote with your feet.. that is the best !! and let these people deal with the issues.
@pharg: these issues do include costa rica.. don’t you think these decisions affect how people live here???[quote=”Imxploring”][quote=”pharg”]Ahem!
I most courteously suggest that you folks arguing in the sandbox about Social Security et al., take your deaf locked-in opinions to the PM route unless they have direct relevance to Costa Rica.
Scott, I wonder how many WLCR readers have/will bail out because of these boring exchanges?
PEH[/quote]They seem rather lively… Not boring at all…. Then again perhaps you have this super fantastic exciting live you’d like to share with us. I’d love to hear all about it… Seriously! LOL[/quote]
sweikert925
It came to me
you would be a great vice president.. right next to el rey himself.
😀
[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”pixframe”]Tinker? That’s just another euphemism for “kicking the can down the road”[/quote]
The tinkering they did in 1986 bought another 47 years of solvency to the system. They can do that again and in 50 years the demographic problem known as the baby boom will have fixed itself since we baby boomers will be long dead by 2064.
[quote=”pixframe”]Since I’m already collecting social security…[/quote]
I stand corrected. In this particular instance that charge doesn’t apply.[/quote]Sprite
I agree with most of what you say but sometimes you go over the edge.. with theory.. you made past comments on points that in theory would be wonderful.. and we should all get along
and in a make believe world I agree.. BUT I live in the real world
and [b]having a miitary is essential..[/b]
the world is an ugly place my friend.. and many times you have to choose between the lesser evils
in fact
one of my concerns here in Costa rica is the buildup of relationships with Nicaragua and Russia
when the shit hits the fan.. the U.S. will be investing all of their resources managing their own problems.. hence leaving costa rica vulnerable to Nicaragua
IMO I bet that guy ortega would love to take back guanacaste or even better take over costa rica as their own..
I wonder what would happen if costa rica was not under the umbrella of the U.S. with regards to our vecino
having the help of russia will give them much more confidence..
I can see where the line between make believe or extreme points of views can blur the line to some of your ideas..
I personally and I hope I do not offend anyone here.. BUT I HATE VIOLENCE.. but I also carry a weapon for defense.
[quote=”sprite”]I will disparage the military. Soldiers are at the root of evil regardless of whichever uniform they wear. As always, it is an individual decision to kill whether the State orders you to do so or not.
Costa Rica decided it did not need soldiers. Take that sentiment to its ultimate position and it is obvious that the State is also not needed. Cooperation between people is normal. We don’t need a state. Anti social behavior is the exception. The State and it’s military are the cause for conflict and anti social behavior on great scale.
You have to decide whether or not you will let others have dominion over you at the point if a gun or not. You don’t make that decision while wearing a uniform.[/quote]Imxploring
Holy Shit Mate..
that is so right on.. what an excellent correlation.
the problem as history teaches.. is that with each generation.. comes apathy being so disconnected to the original ideals that what actually built America.
I would have been in that category myself.. being i was born in 62
with many of the same naive points of views.. fully indoctrinated thru the public school systems and life in general..
being a w2 I never even questioned why my gross income and net income.. and what happens to that money
I did start to become aware when I started my own business.. and I actually had to write out checks to pay for taxes.. payroll.. etc etc
then 9/11 happened which changed everything.. NOT the actual event itself BUT everything that happened afterwards..
It was then i became interested in history.. and I discovered one very important point
[b]
the further you go back in history the farther you can see in the future..
[/b]
and you are so right..[b]History just keeps repeating itself over and over again.. [/b][size=200][/size]
pretty amazing actually..
[/quote]
Thankfully Steve there were a good number of people in America in 1776 that didn’t see things the way you do and were willing to stand up and fight for what was fair and right putting their lives and liberty as risk. You apparently on the other hand would have been quite comfortable continuing to be governed by folks in red coats that answered to a King. (No offense intended Scott! LOL)
History is a beast… it repeats itself over and over again… and only those willing to learn from it truly can see what is right and wrong with this world. But then again… being a sheep now, and back in 1776, was an easy path that many took…. but who was ultimately right and aren’t even YOU enjoying the benefits of those that made the difficult choice rather than the easy one?[/quote]
Sprite
this statement wraps this up in a nutshell
The bottom line is that we are responsible for making our own moral decisions. You cannot leave that up to anyone else. You can ignore your moral responsibility, or leave it up to others, but you cannot ignore the consequences of your moral responsibility.
[quote=”sprite”][quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”sprite”]Spoken like a loyal slave[/quote]
You can think it it as being a slave, reasonable people generally think of it as recognizing reality rather than indulging in a private fantasy.[quote=”sprite”]I don’t feel any moral obligation to obey criminal[s]..[/quote]
Well I hate it to break it to you and further intrude on that fantasy, but you don’t get to decide who are criminals all by yourself either. If you don’t pay your taxes then you risk being the criminal, not the men and women in those black robes.Sweikert,
You don’t get it because you are so thoroughly indoctrinated. You are letting the criminals tell you who you should consider criminals. You are not thinking for yourself. You are brainwashed.The bottom line is that we are responsible for making our own moral decisions. You cannot leave that up to anyone else. You can ignore your moral responsibility, or leave it up to others, but you cannot ignore the consequences of your moral responsibility.
[/quote][/quote]
Kwhite1
well said!!! 🙂
a quick story..
I am a fulltime resident here since 2004.. NOT a citizen (yet)
have not been in the U.S now for a few years
i recently sold a 10 year old truck. but since the seller paid in dollars.. I accepted a certified bank check.
the amount was $27000
had the attorney create all the necessary paperwork to comply with any kind of transparency..
went to my bank.. Banco nacional ( I know it may vary with banks)
and went above and beyond to create a no problem scenario..
deposited in my account with no issues
this happened last Thursday
Friday morning I became aware that my account was frozen..
went to the bank and for some crazy reason there was MORE paperwork.. that needed to be filled out.. sorry for me.. the person who I was supposed to meet and sign was not back until Monday
so for Friday, Saturday, Sunday until Monday morning My sole bank account here in this country was frozen..
everything was fixed.. but the issues remain.. doing any kind of banking moving any kinds of funds puts the total burden on (US) pheasants .. while we try and live our lives.
the compliance officer explained to me..
“off the record” that all these stifling regulations doing business with Americans is becoming to the point.. they do not want Americans as customers
this came out of this womans lips I kid you not..
I asked her is she knew sweikert.. but she said no 🙄
I do not do any kind of business here.. as I liquidated a few years ago and I try and minimize my engagement with all this nonsense
but geeez.. I sold my car for godsake..
I own a few homes here free and clear and I dread the day when I need to sell them..
[quote=”Kwhite1″][quote=”Imxploring”]It’s funny… but if WE THE PEOPLE were permitted to deduct all the expenses we incur in generating taxable income (like a business does) as well as take the depreciation on our possessions (once again used to generate taxable income) I’m figuring I’d have a similar tax liability (percentage wise) to most of the major household name companies operating in the US…. or better yet a taxable loss! LOL[/quote]
Well said Imxploring……there are 2 main issues with taxes, one is legal and one is not. Tax avoidance is the art of utilizing the rules and regulations produced by the IRS, tax evasion is not legal. What they , the IRS, are doing is changing the rules to take away the provisions the IRS had to freely move your money to and from accounts worldwide. All while they spend $90 million for salmon research as folks struggle to pay their taxes.
Technically, taxes period are illegal, something about taxation without representation.[/quote]
Imxploring
your explanations are very thorough and makes just plain common sense
Sweikert AKA steve.. comes from a totally different mindset
so really there is no use to try and explain this reasoning as he is wearing a completely different pair of glasses
based on his internal representations of the world
in his view.. all of these actions taken are all just..
for the pursuit of the collective good.
and only if he actually comes across something at a personal level will he be forced to put on a different set of glasses..
in the meantime
pura vida
[quote=”Imxploring”][quote=”sweikert925″]If I incur a debt to you for $100.00 and I refuse to pay that debt, I have stolen $100.00 from you. That would be no different than if I took $100.00 out of your wallet while you weren’t looking. Some people seem to have a hard time grasping that concept.
And if someone found a way to cheat out of paying his legally due taxes, that is no different than someone who cheats to gain some government benefit – say Social Security Disability. Those 2 people are both cheats and thieves. Some people seem to have a hard time grasping that concept too.
So this news that governments are finally cracking down on thieves and cheats should be welcome news to honest taxpayers. I certainly feel that way. I only hope some of the worst offenders are sent to prison as well as being forced to surrender their ill-gotten gains.
I find it puzzling that some of you are on the side of the cheats and thieves. Unless…..[/quote]
Big difference between being a “cheat” and being treated like a cow ripe for the milking. Governments all over the world are now resorting to whatever means necessary to take from the productive people to pay for the promises they made to folks to buy their votes.
Think about Social Securty TAX for a moment. Not a DIME of money was the government’s. I pay 6.2% and my employer pays 6.2%… and for all the years there was a surplus Uncle Sam SPENT EVERY LAST DIME of it on who knows what and left the participants with “Special Bonds” that have no market or exchange value. And when the plan comes crashing down… what then… more “taxes” to fix the last scam? Take the time to read the 2013 SS annual report. It’s a real eye opener! Can’t wait until 2016 when the SSDI fund is depleted. What “New” taxes will come into play then to fix that plan. It’s truly the biggest PONZI SCHEME EVERY!
I’m guessing you have an Apple product or two in your life… are they tax cheats? Seems they have it all figured out as to how to “minimize” their US tax responsible. Are you then supporting a tax cheat by buying an Apple product?
Taking action to avoid taxes isn’t illegal. Structuring your life to minimize your tax exposure is no different then what every business does out there… and completely legal.
Governments aren’t taking action with these new regulations to crack down on tax cheats…. there are numerous existing laws to do that, that have been used quite successfully to catch some of the largest, wealthiest, and best represented cheats in recent years. They are putting these new requirements in place to make it more difficult for the rest of us to get out of the system! Very soon the ability to use and transfer retirement funds (a big target governments are eyeing) for any purpose that might make it less accessible to Uncle Sam’s grasp will be restricted or revoked.
Step by step your freedoms and rights are being taken away! Wake up!
By the way Steve…. are you looking to bail out of Chi-Town before the bill comes due? Seems between the city and Illinois there is a BIG bill coming due for the taxpayers of Chicago and the state of Illinois very soon! Should you escape before it hits are you a cheat for having enjoyed all the benefits of living there for all these years and bailing out when the bill ultimately comes due and the taxpayers are forced to pony up all that money owed on debts the politicians have been pushing off for all these years to keep buying your votes?
[/quote]
