Zuckerberg - “Researcher“ For Tax Avoidance

[LafayetteBear]

isn't it interesting that folks like Zuckerberg or musk were "darlings" of the left at one point but all of a sudden when they agree with the trump administration on a issue like censorship or the need for fiscal sanity - issues most of us support - that they become "cucks" to quote Dpic73 ?

This nonsense ^^^^ is not responsive to my earlier post.

 

[dpic73]

maga disinformation...if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor, if you get the vaccine you won't get the virus, the inflation is transitory, the border is secure....you mean that MAGA disinformation. You know, if you'd open your mental aperture just a little bit you'd discover that your party has been less than forthright with the American people about what's actually going on.

I can't wait to see all the calculations put out by supporters of Medicare for all showing us how this simple step is going to save all of us money, make access to medical treatment better, insure everyone, eliminate the rising uses of emergency rooms, make access to critical treatment better, and the best part, be paid for by somebody else.. haven't e been down that road before?

Yawn, we've covered this, the sand in an hourglass is not the same as the sand on all the world's beaches, no matter how hard you try to compare them.

Gotta love having to re-litigate these threads from a year and a half ago that fatpiggy constantly bumps.

 

[Dadar]

If Dems can use it the pubs certainly can too.

Seems like no one has a monopoly on fraud.

When it comes to fraud, greed and narcissium, Chump and family are in a different league.

Oceans are comparable to ponds. Both hold water. Does that make them the same?

No reason to reply with your fanatical warped views.

 

[fatpiggy]

When it comes to fraud, greed and narcissium, Chump and family are in a different league.

Oceans are comparable to ponds. Both hold water. Does that make them the same?

No reason to reply with your fanatical warped views.

Still shorting the NQ? Expensive!!

 

[Dadar]

Still shorting the NQ? Expensive!!

Not when the mechanical bid shows up flipping down tics

Are you drunk?

 

[baltimorened]

This ^^^^ one post illustrates why it is important to:

1. Have a fully staffed Internal Revenue Service; and (more importantly)

2. Have a President who is not willing to give away the store (in terms of tax breaks) to folks who donate to one of his many slush funds (e.g., campaign fund, inauguration fund, etc.)

can you define fully staffed internal revenue service? It's interesting, to me at least, that on the one hand we can complain that AI is taking our jobs, yet a department that should/could be a poster child for the use of AI, isn't staffed fully? . There are about 76000 people working the IRS and in 2008 there were about 90,000. In 2008 there were about 50000 non federal taxpaying "units" today about 75000. If anything, given the advances in technology between then and now, we should be able to do with even fewer IRS employees.

I mean how difficult should it be for a computer to compare reported income vs deductions vs with held taxes when just about 90% of filers used the standard deduction?

 

[baltimorened]

Yawn, we've covered this, the sand in an hourglass is not the same as the sand on all the world's beaches, no matter how hard you try to compare them.

Gotta love having to re-litigate these threads from a year and a half ago that fatpiggy constantly bumps.

well you keep bringing up how this administration's disinformation as if no other administration has ever provided false information to the American people.

 

[tigres88]

well you keep bringing up how this administration's disinformation as if no other administration has ever provided false information to the American people.

I do respect experience and a level set by someone who has seen much more than I have (being born in the 80's), but you're being reductive here, and often are in the way you present arguments here. This is why you get pushback so often.

Propaganda and misinformation have been bastions of politics for centuries in America, we all know this. However, its been mastered by the maga coalition. Rush Limbaugh walked so that the maga coalition could run, and the level of propaganda and disinformation that is spewed daily on here, multiple social media platforms, and tv/media by the maga industrial complex in America is truly incredible. They are amazing at it.

And its warped brains. The left does propaganda and misleading information too. Of course. But they are still in the 1980's mindset of manipulating American minds.

I can't believe you've been on this forum for a year and a half, seen all the maga indoctrination in the form of a constant stream of propaganda and really think "both sides" are equal on that front. They really really aren't. Maga is light years ahead of the dems in this regard. (I'll caveat and say that if the Dems knew how to manipulate people as well as the Republicans did, they would do it. I really believe that. But they don't know how and can't. There is some both sides for you).

 

[baltimorened]

I do respect experience and a level set by someone who has seen much more than I have (being born in the 80's), but you're being reductive here, and often are in the way you present arguments here. This is why you get pushback so often.

Propaganda and misinformation have been bastions of politics for centuries in America, we all know this. However, its been mastered by the maga coalition. Rush Limbaugh walked so that the maga coalition could run, and the level of propaganda and disinformation that is spewed daily on here, multiple social media platforms, and tv/media by the maga industrial complex in America is truly incredible. They are amazing at it.

And its warped brains. The left does propaganda and misleading information too. Of course. But they are still in the 1980's mindset of manipulating American minds.

I can't believe you've been on this forum for a year and a half, seen all the maga indoctrination in the form of a constant stream of propaganda and really think "both sides" are equal on that front. They really really aren't. Maga is light years ahead of the dems in this regard. (I'll caveat and say that if the Dems knew how to manipulate people as well as the Republicans did, they would do it. I really believe that. But they don't know how and can't. There is some both sides for you).

I'm not saying one is worse or better than any other. I'm just pointing out that disinformation is not new in politics. I have suggested that folks watch the NETFLIX documentary "Vietnam: the turning point". You'll see that leader of both parties decived the American people from beginning to end. And this deception has been ongoing ever since...

You're talking degrees of deception and that MAGA is worse ever. I haven't disagreed with that, my only point is that folks on here who constantly hammer trump about his "lies" seem to overlook the "lies that have come from leaders of both parties since at least the 60's. I'd ever wager (figuratively) that when democrats take control of Congress we'll see a large amount of deception concerning the reduction in fuel prices, grocery bills and all the other things they've complained about for the last two years. It's the system...

In fact I'll go out on a limb and say that when deficits increase during the next two years, in spite of all the posturing by democrats over the debt by democrats since January 2025, when the deficits contine over the next two years it will all be "Trump's fault".

I have been on the board for a year and a half, and you might not have seen it but if you think it's only MAGA folks that have set out propaganda, I'd tend to disagree with you. There are folks on here who are so far left (not extreme left, just left in their thinking) that no matter what trump or folks in his administration do, it's wrong...same goes for some MAga folks only they'll support trump even when he clearly in the wrong. People have their convictions, but most rational people can see that nobody is right, or for that matter, wrong all the time. That's why I point out now, for example, that all the clamoring about trump increasing the deficits and debt will go away when the democrats take control of at least one chamber of Congress. But debt education not going to happen in any significant way. When was the last time democrats wanted to reduce or cancel a social program? And they won't have the votes to raise taxes. So they can say what the want to say, but it's not real. Now if it were republicans saying it, lots on here will say "lies", just like they do now about trump. But, as I said, democrats will say then, "Trump's fault", and you know what, they'll be right. But my point is, they know now there's nothing substantive they're going to be able to do without trump but they certainly aren't going to tell the American people that before the election. deception?? I guess in the eyes of the beholder. The game is to get power and members of both parties will say whatever they think will get them that power.

 

[tigres88]

I'm not saying one is worse or better than any other. I'm just pointing out that disinformation is not new in politics. I have suggested that folks watch the NETFLIX documentary "Vietnam: the turning point". You'll see that leader of both parties decived the American people from beginning to end. And this deception has been ongoing ever since...

You're talking degrees of deception and that MAGA is worse ever. I haven't disagreed with that, my only point is that folks on here who constantly hammer trump about his "lies" seem to overlook the "lies that have come from leaders of both parties since at least the 60's. I'd ever wager (figuratively) that when democrats take control of Congress we'll see a large amount of deception concerning the reduction in fuel prices, grocery bills and all the other things they've complained about for the last two years. It's the system...

In fact I'll go out on a limb and say that when deficits increase during the next two years, in spite of all the posturing by democrats over the debt by democrats since January 2025, when the deficits contine over the next two years it will all be "Trump's fault".

I have been on the board for a year and a half, and you might not have seen it but if you think it's only MAGA folks that have set out propaganda, I'd tend to disagree with you. There are folks on here who are so far left (not extreme left, just left in their thinking) that no matter what trump or folks in his administration do, it's wrong...same goes for some MAga folks only they'll support trump even when he clearly in the wrong. People have their convictions, but most rational people can see that nobody is right, or for that matter, wrong all the time. That's why I point out now, for example, that all the clamoring about trump increasing the deficits and debt will go away when the democrats take control of at least one chamber of Congress. But debt education not going to happen in any significant way. When was the last time democrats wanted to reduce or cancel a social program? And they won't have the votes to raise taxes. So they can say what the want to say, but it's not real. Now if it were republicans saying it, lots on here will say "lies", just like they do now about trump. But, as I said, democrats will say then, "Trump's fault", and you know what, they'll be right. But my point is, they know now there's nothing substantive they're going to be able to do without trump but they certainly aren't going to tell the American people that before the election. deception?? I guess in the eyes of the beholder. The game is to get power and members of both parties will say whatever they think will get them that power.

I read every word of this, and considered going line by line to rebut or dialogue with each of your points. However, I'd rather not because it's almost like you didn't read my post. You agree with and repeat much of what I said, whilst painting what I wrote as diametrically opposed to what you're saying. I think the most egregious is when you said "but if you think it's only MAGA folks that have set out propaganda, I'd tend to disagree with you."

I wrote "Propaganda and misinformation have been bastions of politics for centuries in America, we all know this." I understand you missed the implication that I was saying the dems do it as much as pubs and always have. In fact, my entire premise was that politics and those seeking power will do anything to build their narrative and manipulate people to vote for them through propaganda to achieve power. I realize I didn't spell it out directly for you, but critical thinking was assumed. My apologies.

I do think our difference is here: From observing your beliefs over the past few years, it seems you take the idea "there is nothing new under the sun" as a core principal for how you see the world. And you're 100% right.

Where you miss, is that "nothing new under the sun" applies to things happening broadly, not the degree to which those things that happen. Politicians always lie, people always murder, humans always seek power, etc. etc, but there are eras in history where politicians lie more, people murder more, and humans seek more power at all costs in vastly heightened degrees.

You talk about that Vietnam doc all the time; I understand this was another one of those pressure points where lies, misinformation, propaganda, etc. abounded and set the scene for where we are today. However, my entire point was that the way in which maga has utilized propaganda in the modern age is revolutionary, prolific, and unlike we've ever seen before in the degree that they are able to rally their coalition, get their message out, and manipulate minds.

We are at a unique time (different but perhaps similarly unique pressure point-wise like the time before and after Vietnam) where people are hyper connected to one another and the internet; this has not led to uniformity of thought, but rather silos of thought that people flock to in solidarity to find people who think like them. It's resulted in a reduction of diversity and nuance in ideology, and instead reinforced preconceived notions and biases.

Maga has utilized this in a masterful way to get the (aforementioned, and caveat for you- both sides do this) lies and propaganda out to those silos in a way thats more destructive (in degree) and more effective (in degree) than ever before.

I understand you are not die hard maga, but as your wife is (and I'm not trying to get personal here or attack your wife, as I have many loved ones in the same boat), but you have to know the Facebook groups, the Signal chats, the twitter algorithms that have been leveraged and utilized by maga to enforce their base through propaganda. It's been incredibly effective to a degree that perhaps has never been seen before. Do I have to caveat again that dems do this too? I shouldn't- everyone knows they don't do it as well as maga does.

The dems have chosen to be the "quieter" side when it comes to propaganda and lies/deception when they are in power. It's worked, but it also hasn't either. The dems have a messaging (good, bad, and propaganda) and unity problem, and are leagues behind maga in that regard. I don't think thats even hyperbolic or biased to say.

 

[baltimorened]

I read every word of this, and considered going line by line to rebut or dialogue with each of your points. However, I'd rather not because it's almost like you didn't read my post. You agree with and repeat much of what I said, whilst painting what I wrote as diametrically opposed to what you're saying. I think the most egregious is when you said "but if you think it's only MAGA folks that have set out propaganda, I'd tend to disagree with you."

I wrote "Propaganda and misinformation have been bastions of politics for centuries in America, we all know this." I understand you missed the implication that I was saying the dems do it as much as pubs and always have. In fact, my entire premise was that politics and those seeking power will do anything to build their narrative and manipulate people to vote for them through propaganda to achieve power. I realize I didn't spell it out directly for you, but critical thinking was assumed. My apologies.

I do think our difference is here: From observing your beliefs over the past few years, it seems you take the idea "there is nothing new under the sun" as a core principal for how you see the world. And you're 100% right.

Where you miss, is that "nothing new under the sun" applies to things happening broadly, not the degree to which those things that happen. Politicians always lie, people always murder, humans always seek power, etc. etc, but there are eras in history where politicians lie more, people murder more, and humans seek more power at all costs in vastly heightened degrees.

You talk about that Vietnam doc all the time; I understand this was another one of those pressure points where lies, misinformation, propaganda, etc. abounded and set the scene for where we are today. However, my entire point was that the way in which maga has utilized propaganda in the modern age is revolutionary, prolific, and unlike we've ever seen before in the degree that they are able to rally their coalition, get their message out, and manipulate minds.

We are at a unique time (different but perhaps similarly unique pressure point-wise like the time before and after Vietnam) where people are hyper connected to one another and the internet; this has not led to uniformity of thought, but rather silos of thought that people flock to in solidarity to find people who think like them. It's resulted in a reduction of diversity and nuance in ideology, and instead reinforced preconceived notions and biases.

Maga has utilized this in a masterful way to get the (aforementioned, and caveat for you- both sides do this) lies and propaganda out to those silos in a way thats more destructive (in degree) and more effective (in degree) than ever before.

I understand you are not die hard maga, but as your wife is (and I'm not trying to get personal here or attack your wife, as I have many loved ones in the same boat), but you have to know the Facebook groups, the Signal chats, the twitter algorithms that have been leveraged and utilized by maga to enforce their base through propaganda. It's been incredibly effective to a degree that perhaps has never been seen before. Do I have to caveat again that dems do this too? I shouldn't- everyone knows they don't do it as well as maga does.

The dems have chosen to be the "quieter" side when it comes to propaganda and lies/deception when they are in power. It's worked, but it also hasn't either. The dems have a messaging (good, bad, and propaganda) and unity problem, and are leagues behind maga in that regard. I don't think thats even hyperbolic or biased to say.

great response, thank you. I don't disagree one bit that MAGAs as you call them (and I'm still not sure what that means, as opposed to the run of the mill Republican) has mastered misinformation....and, I'd even call them outright lies..."the way will be over soon" for the 40th or so time, as just one example.

I readily admit, I don't know what to believe anymore from our government, either party, or from the media be it Fox, CNN, MS Now...

I don't think we're disagreeing in any large manner. We both see the misinformation in government, you're just talking degrees. And, I'd have a hard time debating against your points. And while I don't know about MAGA, there can't be much question that Trump and his followers have lied to us more in 2 years than most presidents can do in 8. And the worst part about that is simply even when he's telling the truth a lot of us have a hard time accepting that it's true.

But where you talk degrees, I see it just a little differently...just for example (you may or may not agree) but there are quite a few on here who refer to trump as a pedophile...(can't argue that either way because I don't know factually whether or not that's true) ..and they use this term based on the existence of one complaint which was subsequently dismissed. But based on this one instance Trump is a pedophile. But someone else who might have been accused 10 times is also referred to as a pedophile. My, point, once you rape a minor you're a pedophile - doesn't have to be 10 times.

Same in politics. You don't have to lie to me 10 times before I figure that you're a liar.: Lie once and I get the message - you're a liar..

anyway, thanks for the reasoned response

 

[fatpiggy]

Seeing democrats complain about misinformation is rich. They were the kings of misinformation during their admin.

 

[baltimorened]

Seeing democrats complain about misinformation is rich. They were the kings of misinformation during their admin.

As I've tried to say politicians say what they think will sell. In reality though, you have to admit tigres88 has a valid point about this administration being a little more "over the top" more often than previous ones. As I posted, right now it's hard to determine if what trump says is right, even if it's right. Republicans are spinning so much they might screw themselves into the ground.