General Discussion

exboyfil

(17,862 posts)

29. That it why it is completely insane to

Thu Dec 29, 2011, 09:32 AM

Dec 2011

tax dividends and capital gains at 15% (about the rate of fully loaded S.S. and not even including Federal Income taxes). The justification is the added risk associated with that income. It is much riskier to spend over $100-120K to get a 4 year degree, invest 4-5 years of your life (more if you include High School), and potentially be left with something that has no market value.

My kids are in 8th and 10th grade, and we have this discussion on a weekly basis. I don't have a crystal ball, but I am trying to facilitate their careers by looking at what they can do, their interests, and putting together plans to work towards that goal. Right now the older daughter is looking at Electrical Engineering/Film Studies and the younger daughter is thinking medical school (undergraduate in Biochemistry/Biology/Creative Writing). I see the ability to be creative and communicate, along with the technical skills, as being the best chance for a secure middle class future for them. I also told them to marry nice New Zealand boys who work with their hands (electrician, plumber, etc). Last part is a joke but not too much of a joke.

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Highlight:

Thomas Friedman on hyper connectivity, the super wealthy and why being average won't get you far. [View all] dkf Dec 2011 OP

Bullshit Prophet 451 Dec 2011 #1

Well I guess if you think it's Government's role to prevent people from becoming exceedingly wealthy dkf Dec 2011 #4

No, I think it is government's role... Prophet 451 Dec 2011 #6

It's not Government's role to prevent people from becoming exceedingly wealthy yodermon Dec 2011 #10

The government's role is what we, the citizens, say is its role. Fool Count Dec 2011 #30

Then it would seem that not enough of us have been saying that .... oldhippie Dec 2011 #34

Obviously. But that's your, Americans, problem. I live in Australia Fool Count Dec 2011 #37

It is government's role to keep thieves from stealing you blind. tsuki Dec 2011 #44

People Are Becoming Exceedingly Wealthy Because of the Fed's Loose Monetary Policies Yavin4 Dec 2011 #17

No, it's supposed to prevent income inequality from becoming too eridani Dec 2011 #20

What happens in a global world where there isn't one central government? dkf Dec 2011 #27

Obviously, there needs to be a central world government oldhippie Dec 2011 #35

Hmm. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your news letter. leeroysphitz Dec 2011 #42

well, that's falling into the new world order meme newspeak Dec 2011 #49

The governments that exist should then take the responsibility eridani Dec 2011 #43

Not exactly bullshit. Zalatix Dec 2011 #23

It's Illogical for Everyone to be Above Average Yavin4 Dec 2011 #2

Correct. Dawson Leery Dec 2011 #5

A functioning economy has to accomodate the F student. The majority are, by definition, C students. saras Dec 2011 #26

What a tool. girl gone mad Dec 2011 #3

Yet a person who sells to the world has opportunities beyond what they used to. dkf Dec 2011 #7

You're absolutely right, but ... dawg Dec 2011 #11

Friedman Uses a Fluke Example like Rowling and Presents It as if it's a Norm Yavin4 Dec 2011 #18

I've never been impressed with Friedman. dawg Dec 2011 #8

so by friendman, most of us are average newspeak Dec 2011 #50

Do I have to explain YET AGAIN why this guy is the most ginormous tool walking? HughBeaumont Dec 2011 #9

First of all price is a big part of being competitive. dkf Dec 2011 #12

I wonder how many Friedman Units until the entire world becomes Lake Wobegon? Fumesucker Dec 2011 #13

Why is it always us and ONLY us that has to "compete"? HughBeaumont Dec 2011 #28

IT Outsourcing to India Exists Solely Because of Cost, Not the Talent Level of Indian ITers Yavin4 Dec 2011 #19

Ding Ding Ding.....we have a winner......... Burma Jones Dec 2011 #33

K & R'ing your comment... freshwest Dec 2011 #21

That it why it is completely insane to exboyfil Dec 2011 #29

Shh thom over here nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #14

that sounds like something someone who enjoys listening to their own voice would say JI7 Dec 2011 #15

and yet if some CEO from some large Corp loses money they end up with millions of dollars JI7 Dec 2011 #16

Yeesh MFrohike Dec 2011 #22

Yes! HangOnKids Dec 2011 #38

Friedman supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Ichingcarpenter Dec 2011 #24

So, we all have to write Harry Potter... but, if we all did JCMach1 Dec 2011 #25

Somehow being well below average didn't prevent Friedman personally from enjoying Fool Count Dec 2011 #31

Horseshit. RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #32

Is Jamie Dimon richer than JK Rowling? dkf Dec 2011 #36

Who said it was wealth? RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #46

Being average.. sendero Dec 2011 #39

He Hit The Marriage Lottery! HangOnKids Dec 2011 #40

What a load of codswallop n/t Spazito Dec 2011 #41

I don't think I care for this man's ideas. Burgman Dec 2011 #45

How does Mr. Friedman justify his continuing employment in a money-losing endeavor, then? Romulox Dec 2011 #47

The entire world is run by "C" students. Ikonoklast Dec 2011 #48

it's amazing that one fekkin apologist for the 1% newspeak Dec 2011 #51

Tom Friedman has been wrong on everything he has ever said..... lib2DaBone Dec 2011 #52