41–50 of 77 posts
So we spent more on interest for the deficit than we spent on the doubling the combined spending on all of the following: transportation government operations natural resources community development education & social services agriculture international affairs science & space and energy ...anxiety rises.
Editorially, it might be good to point out that government money moves in both directions. I spent $X on interest payments on the national debt, but I also received $Y of those interest payments if I have any Treasuries in my portfolio. Similarly, I might be receiving Social Security or Medicare benefits. Maybe expand this with a second section estimating what you're receiving from the government?
The demographic here is likely to be benefitting most from the mortgage interest deduction and 401k contribution "deduction" (it's deducted before pay is reported, but mathematically it's the same thing), FWIW. Younger folks are probably still paying well under market rate on their guaranteed student loans, and older FAANG scions are very much helped by the very low long term capital gains rate too.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The visualization shows that, at many income brackets, the majority of one's taxes go squarely into the social safety net. You can make an intelligible argument about waste, etc., but to say that Americans don't benefit from social security, medicaid, etc. seems facially incorrect.
Even if you ignore ALL other tax spending (which is a huge ask) the best possible outcome is $1 in = $1 out. That breaks even at best. The government isn't creating value it's just moving money around. Now add in other wasteful spending. Add in inefficiencies. Add in the deficit. Add in inflation and money printing. Add changing administrations with their own goals. Add wars and other foreign affairs. Add in spying o…
It is possible to spend money that gets more money back later. Think of investing in infrastructure that creates more economic activity. Imagine how much better the economy grew once we connected the transcontinental railroads and electrified towns. These were huge projects that no one could have funded on their own, but with coordination with all the money from everyone else. I can't think of any other way to coordinate that much money without getting taxes involved.
Editorially, it might be good to point out that government money moves in both directions. I spent $X on interest payments on the national debt, but I also received $Y of those interest payments if I have any Treasuries in my portfolio. Similarly, I might be receiving Social Security or Medicare benefits. Maybe expand this with a second section estimating what you're receiving from the government?
You exist in a bubble if you think a meaningful population of the target audience of this app have any meaningful amount of treasuries in their portfolio, or any portfolio at all. I don’t think the website is lacking in describing things that we get from the government.
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we need to kill off fire departments. my house has never burned down and i will never get my money's worth.
This is a strawman. Look up how utterly fucked social security is and tell me with a straight face it is a good system and you'll get value from it.
The federal government has become a machine to transfer the income of working people to boomers
The federal government has become a machine to transfer the income of working people to boomers
How much goes to retirees vs low income people?
poor people getting Medicaid are like 20% of the population of most states.
essentially we are promising everyone who turns 65 to get ~$800k in benefits, and this is simply not affordable.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You exist in a bubble if you think a meaningful population of the target audience of this app have any meaningful amount of treasuries in their portfolio, or any portfolio at all. I don’t think the website is lacking in describing things that we get from the government.
Uh... do you have cash in a money market account? What do you think the "money market" is, exactly?
It’d be interesting to see how different political factions might rack and stack these line items in different ways.