Taxes: Off the Dole

[Aimless]

It's sort of the opposite actually. The contractors are a function of government trying to do too many things at once. The number of "social media experts" hired by government agencies as full-timers (or contracted out to defense contractors, FFS) is shocking.

I think a bigger problem than the "social media experts" is the number of rapists, pimps and thieves your government employs

[Nessus]

It's sort of the opposite actually. The contractors are a function of government trying to do too many things at once. The number of "social media experts" hired by government agencies as full-timers (or contracted out to defense contractors, FFS) is shocking.

So would you say that the US right-wing argle-bargle hatred extends to contractors as much as it does to bona-fide government employees? I understand the "government = bad" movement (well, I understand that it exists), but based on what I've seen they're not very good on nuance.

[Being]

I'm 26. I make a bit over 50k. The median household in America makes 49,777. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income

So I think I'm doing just fine.

And you only paid $2000 in taxes? Hope you're saving enough to cover the fines when they audit you.

[Dreadnaught]

I think a bigger problem than the "social media experts" is the number of rapists, pimps and thieves your government employs

I've yet to run across them in my bureaucratic travels, but I highly look forward to meeting them.

So would you say that the US right-wing argle-bargle hatred extends to contractors as much as it does to bona-fide government employees? I understand the "government = bad" movement (well, I understand that it exists), but based on what I've seen they're not very good on nuance.

I think most people aren't aware of the extent of the contractor's role. But generally yes, I think the general idea that we're hiring anyone to work on a semi-permanent basis on these random projects bugs people.

If you're referring to military contractors, that stirs up different emotions in different people that aren't exclusively about fiscal issues. People also argue over the quality/morality of those contractors.

[Nessus]

It looks like you just swept people from both the Palin aisle and the Chomsky aisle under one umbrella of 'people' in that post. Wow.

[Dreadnaught]

Well, both are conspiratorial and think our government should stop doing something.

[Lewkowski]

And you only paid $2000 in taxes? Hope you're saving enough to cover the fines when they audit you.

Its pretty simple really. I'm married with one child. Since my wife doesn't work it makes it easy to get tax credits.

Child Tax Credit: $1,000.00
Obama Making Work Pay Credit $800.00 ($400.00 per person even if spouse doesn't work if you file jointly I get $800.00)
Savers Tax Credit: $200 (Would not qualify if I was single)

Thats $1600 *credit* right there because of my filing status and I have a kid.

[Aimless]

I've yet to run across them in my bureaucratic travels, but I highly look forward to meeting them.

What was the name of those guys who tried to recruit tribal leaders in Afghanistan by giving them young boys? And try to cover up rapes all the time?

Anyone know the one I'm thinking of?

[Hazir]

I see a pattern evolving here; dread doesn't like the social media.

[Aimless]

Dread doesn't like anything google doesn't like. Search algorithms are bringing down arab dictators: "dictator regime problem XP SOLVED "

[Dreadnaught]

Eh?

[Nessus]

What was the name of those guys who tried to recruit tribal leaders in Afghanistan by giving them young boys? And try to cover up rapes all the time?

Anyone know the one I'm thinking of?

You're looking for bacha bazi.

[Aimless]

Yes, and DynaCorp