The Utah Senate race

[SeattleUte]

If people vote out the leaders who choose to fund science, then I would simply go into private practice (and would end up making more money). I could easily go from 90K to 400K if I were to choose private practice, so it's not a matter of wishing that I had more money. I already have the option if I choose it.

I doubt that choosing a private practice career would change my view of the tax system.

I know lots of 50-year-old post-docs who work extremely hard for their 50K per year. I don't think the post-doc deserves higher taxes. His boss, a lead scientist who is making 500K, ought to pay higher taxes. The boss is probably better than the post-doc, but not 450K better.

Maybe I should put it this way. I have no problem taxing the heck out of Kobe Bryant, the anal rapist, and his 23-million-dollar salary. Society has somehow determined that Kobe is worth that much money, but I love the fact that we can elect leaders who impose a little sanity by taxing the rich.

Here is an example you ought to appreciate: The Church has a flat 10% tax. That's great for the rich and bad for the poor. If I made a million dollars a year, I would still want us to change to a progressive tithe system becuase I hate seeing poor people forced to give away money that they could be spending on something they really need.

I don't oppose a progressive tax. I think Washingtonians are hypocrits with their liberal platitudes and sales tax in lieu of income tax, a steeply regressive tax. Bill Gates Sr. has spoke eloquently about this travesty. But it's a matter of degree and how the tax system treats investment income and loss, etc.

[All-American]

A) I consider my salary over the last 12 years to be a scholarship. In fact, BYU told me not to pay tithing on my presidential scholarship stipend. I felt the same way about subsequent stipends while in training, but I went ahead and paid 5% tithing anyway. I never told anyone at Church that I wasn't paying 10% on my stipend, so I was not subject to any consequences at Church.

B) I have been condemned by several internet Mormons when I have admitted 5% tithing on my stipend.

C) I got divorced in large part because my ex-wife didn't like my religious views. She thought our eternal family was in jeopardy even though I was in the EQ presidency and attended faithfully. I lost my family once, but I was smart enough to marry a Mormon agnostic the second time.

D) We will all find out about my eternal salvation eventually (if there is an afterlife).

So: you've missed no kids' weddings, you don't feel your eternal salvation is in jeopardy. Sounds like you're not missing out there.

People on the internet don't like you, and your wife divorced you. You sure that's because you don't pay tithing? I bet if you asked, they could come up with some other reasons, too.

[SoonerCoug]

People on the internet don't like you, and your wife divorced you.

I filed for divorce, but it was mutual. There were a lot of reasons, but religion was a big one for her.

[All-American]

I filed for divorce, but it was mutual. There were a lot of reasons, but religion was a big one for her.

No further questions.

[RobinFinderson]

So: you've missed no kids' weddings, you don't feel your eternal salvation is in jeopardy. Sounds like you're not missing out there.

People on the internet don't like you, and your wife divorced you. You sure that's because you don't pay tithing? I bet if you asked, they could come up with some other reasons, too.

WTF?

[SeattleUte]

I like Sooner.

At least Sooner has gotten a couple of women to want to marry him.

[MindfulCoug]

I like Sooner.

At least Sooner has gotten a couple of women to want to marry him.

Yeah,I once mentinoed out his two marriages and "the 17 cases in trial for less than a year" as an accomplishment,but he didnot seem to really appreciate that.

[YOhio]

I like Sooner.

Me too.

[LA Ute]

It wouldn't be CUF without Sooner. (Wish I could say the same thing about that YOhio guy.) I love Sooner. If he ever runs for office, however, I will donate money (after-tax, of course) to his opponent.

[Pheidippides]

If people vote out the leaders who choose to fund science, then I would simply go into private practice (and would end up making more money). I could easily go from 90K to 400K if I were to choose private practice, so it's not a matter of wishing that I had more money. I already have the option if I choose it.

I doubt that choosing a private practice career would change my view of the tax system.

I know lots of 50-year-old post-docs who work extremely hard for their 50K per year. I don't think the post-doc deserves higher taxes. His boss, a lead scientist who is making 500K, ought to pay higher taxes. The boss is probably better than the post-doc, but not 450K better.

Maybe I should put it this way. I have no problem taxing the heck out of Kobe Bryant, the anal rapist, and his 23-million-dollar salary. Society has somehow determined that Kobe is worth that much money, but I love the fact that we can elect leaders who impose a little sanity by taxing the rich.

Here is an example you ought to appreciate: The Church has a flat 10% tax. That's great for the rich and bad for the poor. If I made a million dollars a year, I would still want us to change to a progressive tithe system becuase I hate seeing poor people forced to give away money that they could be spending on something they really need.

I missed all of this the first time around, but here's my (after-tax) two-cents:

I absolutely believe in progressive taxation. Taxing dollars at a flat rate does a poor job of incorporating the value of those dollars to the person being taxed. In other words, I value a dollar much, much less than the people in my ward, say, who make $25k a year for a family of six. I may (and do) make wiser spending decisions, but you call me up and tell me you are giving my $500 bucks and I am thankful but not really excited. You tell them that and they go off the way.

Economically speaking, what I'm talking about is taxing based on the utility of money. Of course you can't do that on an individual level, but I think you can do it in the aggregate.

Whether or not the progressive mix we have right now is the right one is a different question (my answer: hell no - very, very few people and things should be exempt from taxes).

Good luck incorporating that in real life.

[Viking]

I am pro choice, pro gay marriage in the temple, pro bilingual studies, pro women and the priesthood, pro god might be a woman, pro prostitution, pro free condoms for teenagers...but...

Progressive taxes make no economic sense. The US should tax its people the way that God does: a flat tax.

For the record, I really like SoonerCoug and getting laid by at least 2 women is at least 2 more than...oh, shoot, I'm being nice and my wife is monitoring me.

All American, i think you're swell.

[Indy Coug]

I thought you retired.

[DU Ute]

I am pro choice, pro gay marriage in the temple, pro bilingual studies, pro women and the priesthood, pro god might be a woman, pro prostitution, pro free condoms for teenagers...but...

Progressive taxes make no economic sense. The US should tax its people the way that God does: a flat tax.

For the record, I really like SoonerCoug and getting laid by at least 2 women is at least 2 more than...oh, shoot, I'm being nice and my wife is monitoring me.

All American, i think you're swell.

Welcome back! I knew you couldn't stay mad at us forever!

[All-American]

I am pro choice, pro gay marriage in the temple, pro bilingual studies, pro women and the priesthood, pro god might be a woman, pro prostitution, pro free condoms for teenagers...but...

Progressive taxes make no economic sense. The US should tax its people the way that God does: a flat tax.

For the record, I really like SoonerCoug and getting laid by at least 2 women is at least 2 more than...oh, shoot, I'm being nice and my wife is monitoring me.

All American, i think you're swell.

No you don't.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Me too.

What's not to like? Sooner is cool.