Drift wood not lookig good.

swampgator · Post by **swampgator** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:06 pm

Ed, you are a big man to see the realities of this mess and I don't think we've seen near the end. Sadly, I think I won't see the end of this in my lifetime. The fishermen are having trouble, the motels/hotels and restaurants have all lost customers. All our tourism trade has been down since Memorial Day. With all the law suits going on trying to rape BP, the boycotts and bad publicity, I am wondering if BP will be able to pay for all this disaster.

The wife and I were talking after the local news last night and the question arose about the few tourists visiting the beach, finding all the oil on the surface and down as much as a foot. When the sand is pulled back, it looks like a layered cake with frosting in between. The color ribbons are layers of oil. The cleaners can't clean it fast enough. It is now in our bays. So, a tourist only has to claim some illness (birth defects, sterility, neurological condition, etc.), file a law suit against the state and counties for allowing this oil to collect in such a situation. That will certainly screw up the tax base. Legally speaking, I think this is a worse case scenario but it could happen given the mind of some folks today. These same folks would run a finger through a saw and then sue the manufacturer.

When I look at our beach from Orange Beach, AL to Destin, FL, I am sickened. We can and should take personal protections on the beach and just remember what it used to be. Now, is the time to "Drill, baby, drill".

CV3,

I looked for the Woodcraft shops that you mentioned and nearest on as indicated on the site is in Pellham City just south of Birmingham. Have been there and it is a great shop. But, like you said, it is a rather long trip.

Everyone have a great day from the former white beaches of Florida.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:25 pm

Let us not overlook anyone who might be impacted by this oil spill. It should no longer be referred to as a "spill" but nonetheless.

People and businesses all along the Gulf Coast (from Texas (maybe Mexico) clear to the East Coast of the United States) are likely to be effected before this is over. For all of the "true victims" I do pray.

For all of those who attempt to jump on this band wagon for their own personal and selfish gain - they too will get theirs - in spades I hope!:mad:

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:32 pm

I found this interesting...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128169388&ft=1&f=1001

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:53 pm

Very interesting and equally revealing. I have a tough time being totally sympathetic. You reap that which you sow.

I would not expect BP to reimburse for more than the claimant can prove he/she has lost. If he/she has no proof of past earnings, then he has no proof of lose...thus no reimbursement. Sorry. BP does not work on a cash basis. It is against the law.

Yes, you can work on a cash basis without violating the law but you need to claim your earnings.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 3:18 pm

dusty wrote:Let us not overlook anyone who might be impacted by this oil spill. It should no longer be referred to as a "spill" but nonetheless.

People and businesses all along the Gulf Coast (from Texas (maybe Mexico) clear to the East Coast of the United States) are likely to be effected before this is over. For all of the "true victims" I do pray.

For all of those who attempt to jump on this band wagon for their own personal and selfish gain - they too will get theirs - in spades I hope!:mad:

you mis-spelled 'hades'!;)

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 6:43 pm

robinson46176 wrote:I found this interesting...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128169388&ft=1&f=1001

I feel for them, but like Dusty said, you reap what you sow. You can't expect the system to save you when you subvert the system.

Not that I have anything against operating on a cash basis. I'm all for it if you accept the risks associated with it. And to me, that article is more argument for the Fair Tax.

swampgator · Post by **swampgator** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:20 pm

The whole tax system, no matter it structure, would be subverted on a total cash basis. I have to do things on a cash basis as if I pay into the system and become qualified for Social Security, then my retirement diminishes and then only get 1//3 of the SS because I am a federal retiree. For ease of understanding, say that I make $1500 per month retiree pay, qualify for $500 per month SS, then I would loose $500 per month from my retiree pay. Then SS would pay me $167. this not only effects me, but my wife who will get 55% of my retirement when I die. Why should I pay into a corrupt system that punishes us for being productive and trustworthy? All my projects that I do are only for cash and there are no records.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:29 pm

swampgator wrote:The whole tax system, no matter it structure, would be subverted on a total cash basis. I have to do things on a cash basis as if I pay into the system and become qualified for Social Security, then my retirement diminishes and then only get 1//3 of the SS because I am a federal retiree. For ease of understanding, say that I make $1500 per month retiree pay, qualify for $500 per month SS, then I would loose $500 per month from my retiree pay. Then SS would pay me $167. this not only effects me, but my wife who will get 55% of my retirement when I die. Why should I pay into a corrupt system that punishes us for being productive and trustworthy? All my projects that I do are only for cash and there are no records.

I hate to continue this thread derailing, but the Fair Tax changes that. It doesn't punish productivity. Instead, it punishes consumption. With the Fair Tax, you're not taxed on the money you make or the money you save, but on the money you spend.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jul 01, 2010 1:23 am

heathicus wrote:I hate to continue this thread derailing, but the Fair Tax changes that. It doesn't punish productivity. Instead, it punishes consumption. With the Fair Tax, you're not taxed on the money you make or the money you save, but on the money you spend.

1) A cash only 'system' creates no paper trail for later 'reference'.

2) With the 'fair tax' 'system' does it not rely upon either voluntary 'reporting' or a 'paper trail'?

3) Current cash only 'system' is lacking an accountability feature(requires 'self reporting').

4) So how is a 'fair tax' system different from a cash only system that prevents the lack of accountability inherent in current cash only systems.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Jul 01, 2010 12:05 pm

Let us quit playing games calling it cash only, let us call it for what it is a way to cheat on taxes, it is dishonest.
Is everyone that deals cash only dishonest? No many actually track their sales and pay their fair share of the taxes.

However there are many many that lack integrity, they are free loaders and they see cheating on their taxes as their right.
Their dishonesty is allowed to continue because others rather than demanding integrity sort of winks at them and pays them cash.

The losers? You and I for every dollar these cash only creeps fail to report on their income tax mean we must pay higher taxes to cover for them.