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My guess if the US implemented a 90% income tax rate on the ultra rich many would immediately hire smart lawyers and CPA'a to avoid paying such high rates. Those who can would consider just packing up and going elsewhere. One of the founders of Google took his wealth to Singapore and parked his millions in SIN banks. He was then offered citizenship and then he took his US passport to the US Embassy along with citizenship renounciation fee and waved "bye, bye". Of course not all ultra rich can bug out if the tax rates are raised to such high level but many can. Also, since how does anyone paying 90% income tax fit into the defintion to "pay your fair share"? Also, who decides exactly what is every American's "fair share". Wait Bernie Sanders can decide that because he screams that every chance he gets. Lastly never voted for Donale Trump and I have never owned a red cap.

How many rich people would be needed to even make it a "drop in the bucket" of 36 Trillion? If Bezos (allegedly worth of 200+ Billion) gave up his entire net worth then it would not move the needle much. Remember 1 Trillion is 1000 billion. The net worth of 5 Bezos would knock off 1/36 of the debt. Also, I never asked for a lesson how things were done in the 1950's because that is probably not relevant in 2025. Also, if tax rates topped out at 90% do you think the super rich would not devise a way to avoit paying such a rate. Some people inherited being rich but many are actually smarter then most and this is how they got rich.

1. One trillion in interest on the debt annually. 2. Federal Government on average takes in close to 5 Trillion. This amount comes from various sources: taxes, penalties and yes custom duties 3.The Federal Government budget has exceeded income for many years. In FY 2024 the budget was almost 7 Trillion 4. Just like a household how does the government pay it's bills: By accumulating debt. For househoulds a common type of debt to "makes ends meet" have been credit cards. The Nazis's had a saying :"I'm just a cog in the machine digging it's way to hell". America will soon achieve fiscal hell. Because I am an old man I might see the full impact of this fisacl hell before this life ends.

I just think last year was louder, more crowded and can't see how Songkran 2025 can be classified as a "surge".

I understand how you feel. I only went to the gym early in the morning and went to Airport Plaza and got back in by 1230. So far I have not been attacked. It seems like the Rules of Engagement in the Water Wars is not understand by many. I mean if I am armed with a water gun, a hose or a bucket then I am a combatant and you can attack me. But if I am walking on the street and I am not armed with water ammo weapons then I am not a combatant and as they said in Top Gun "weapons tight". Also, I thought it was "water dousing" to cleanse for a new start in the new year? Also, my issue is not with the Thai people who understand what Songkran is actually is but the foreign adult sized children who buy the 300 baht water guns and think it's funny to delieberately aim at peoples faces.

We used call that a "A security failure". Shapiro and his family were lucky.

1. One can apply up to 4 months before they are eligible (62 minus 4 months). I applied two months before i turn 62. 2. Yes the ssa.gov account on My SS was tedius to set up. I used the ID.me portal to access my SSA account. It has worked well in LOS and in the USA. I check the status of my application often but so far nothing has changed. 3. I only submited an onlline application Yes, so far no one from Manila has called or emailed about my application. 4. On the actual onlline application I was asked to provide the routing number and account number of the bank account that I wanted my payment direct deposited. I provided the information from my US Bank account. 5. To verify my identity I have already obtained a certified copy of my passport from the US Embassy in Bangkok. This was free because it was for an SS application. Otherwise it would have been 1800 Baht(speaking of inflation??).

it does not seem easy at all. I applied online for SS retirement at 62 almost 2 months ago. The only thing I know is "a representative in Manila started reviewing your application". The SS website indicates the review will take 30 days to complete but that was 30 days ago. I have sent emails but so far no response. Hopefully things will improve by next year. I used a Thailand address so I don't know if the process is better if one uses a US address.

Of course he can play "the victim" card and declare it would be inhumane to deport or extradite him back to LOS.

Throwing water at me is not the problem. But when someone uses a hose or a powerful water gun and aims at my face then they will have a problem because I do not have hose or a water gun. Also, I have seen some who throw powder like substances and I hope it is just flower.

Nice AI. I guess China will win that as well. I can clearly this was a vidoe of Chinese factories and obese American workers were inserted. Most Americans do not want factory or assembly jobs. Every I go back home it just seems like most are delivery drivers of food made my legal and illegal immigrants.

You missed my point. GITMO was not about bringing the detainees to justice. It was about keeping them off the battlefield for as long as possible. Slahi spent 14 years at GITMO and was never charged. I guess as Bush said "Mission accomplished".

This is a slippery slope. In the late 1980's I went through the hiring process for a large police department in Southern California. I was one of 200 applicants who were told to report to an auditorium where 100 of us would be chosen for the next academy class. All 200 were qualified and passed each step of the hiring process. The department representative told us the class has to be composed of the folllowing: 1.50% Male White and equivalents (Asian males fell into this category) 2.20% Male Black 3. 20% Male Hispanic 4. 10% Female Many candidates who fell under #1 never got hired. This type of hiring did not improve the department. It just looks good on paper and will please some in the community. In essence it's good PR and checks the inclusivity clause. Eventually I got into a later class because a few candidates dropped out.

Aviation Youtuber Sam Chui said months ago to be alert on flights from Hong Kong for possible theft. I guess he was right.

The Mauritanian (Slahi) was never scheduled for trial. He was just interrogated and interrogated for years. He eventually admitted to whatever he was asked of after enhanced interrogation (some called it torture). In theory GITMO detainees could be held for as long as the "War on Terror" was being fought. I guess the US is still at war with Terror.

I don't think all GITMO detainees ever faced trial. There was a movie called "The Mauritanian" . Mohammedou Ouid Slah was held at GiTMO without charges for 14 years.

I can think of one way: Bring back the Rendition program after 9-11. I believe parts of the Patriot Act are still valid. You never know someone in the Trump Adminstraion might be thinking the same? At least I hope not. Bad news GITMO is still wide open.

Some say this classic song from 1984 is now more relevant than ever. Also, Mike and Mechanics is one of the most under apprecaited bands of all time.

It is based upon the CPI W index. I believe only congress can change how SS COLA can be calculated. it is only April so who knows what CPI-W will be by December.

I got an email from Skype that my Skype # will be deactivated in a week. Ok so I have been researching as to how Microsoft Teams can replace what I have used Skype for almost 20 years and this what I have found out: 1. To use Microsoft Teams like I have used Skype I have to first buy a Micrososft Office 365 package. The cheapest Office package for home use is $129. 2. After buying an Office Package then I can buy a Teams phone plan. The cheapest monthly price for a phone plan is $10. I would have to pay upfront almost $140 to use Teams phone like I used to with Skype. "Greed is good", Gordon Gekko "Let it go". Elsa. I will have let Microsoft Teams go and find an alternative. Any thoughts from soon to be former Skype users as where I can go to make cheap international callls with a US based #?

Manufacturing in the US depends on the product. F-35 plants in Fort Worth TX are humming with lots of workers. New chip plants are in the plans for many US locations. But clothing, shoes and consumer electronics are dead on arrival. I call this the "Wal Mart" effect. Therefore, innovating or inventing products in the aforementioned categories are dead in the US. Therefore, even 100% tariffs will not bring "home" manufacturing in these categories.

US companies gave up on innovating or even inventing consumer products a long time ago. Ford makes it's money on big and now bigger trucks. These behemoths have little use in most cities. They are simply too big for urban roads and parking lots. US innovation has been mostly in online consumer oriented services (Amazaon, the Facebook, twitter chat apps etc) and most imoprtatnly defense related like stealth technology and just about anything that goes boom. One of America's great companies, Boeing, could ge gone if things don't change soon. Yes, eventually BYD EV's will be on US roads. This is how you kill Tesla and not by lighting them on fire.

Really?

I just checked on XE and it is 34.39 to $1. This is tanking?

Anyone know what the Thai tariff rates are on imported wine, cheese and olive oil? These three items are important to me so I feel the pinch eveytime I purchase any of these items.