TTQ B4U

We all make our own beds and have the same opportunity to plan and save for said hard times. Actually it IS time to START blaming the gov't and demand more from your fellow Americans. Less bullshit handouts and gov't programs and more self responsibility and less worrying about others and what they have been able to make for themselves. You don't know the times that my wife/family have faced do you? Nope, so please refrain from thinking you do. I've been through having suffered a broken back in an accident and have also been released from a job due to the company suffering financial issues both during critical times in my career. The difference in my case and yours based on what you've shared is we've planned and continue to plan for the down times and perhaps you didn't or didn't do so enough. add in poor planners. Perhaps if the above would save more than they spend or live below their means then they wouldn't be in such a situation. If you're married, have two incomes then you might just benefit from living off just one. It can be done at any level. Unless you believe making more means you gained the ability to spend more or live your life like Obama runs the gov't and figure racking up debt or refinancing is a way of planning for the future.

So let's look at how he's spending: 2008: $2.98 trillion 2009: $3.27 trillion 2010: $3.67 trillion (versus $3.46 trillion enacted) 2011: $3.80 trillion (versus $3.60 trillion enacted) 2012: $3.71 trillion (versus $3.65 trillion enacted) 2013: $3.72 trillion So in every case, the president wanted to spend more money than he ended up getting. Federal spending has flattened under Obama, but that's thanks in part to the efforts of lawmakers, not Obama. He is being limited on what he can continue to spend and again continues to go back with requests to raise that spending and debt ceiling. In terms of spending the common way to measure federal spending is to compare it to the size of the overall U.S. economy. That at least puts the level into context, helping account for population growth, inflation and other factors that affect spending. Here’s what the White House’s own budget documents show about spending as a percentage of the U.S. economy (gross domestic product): 2008: 20.8 percent 2009: 25.2 percent 2010: 24.1 percent 2011: 24.1 percent 2012: 24.3 percent 2013: 23.3 percent Federal spending as a percentage of the U.S. economy has hovered around 20 percent, give or take a couple of percentage points for decades. Under Obama, it has hit highs not seen since the end of World War II. In his defense, part of this, is a consequence of the recession, but it is also the result of a sustained higher level of spending. So again, going back to your personal budget, look at things the same way. Just because you're now gainfully employed, doesn't mean you're on the track to increasing your net-worth. Are you making more AND spending more? Include the increase/decrease in your investments now and look at it. All of the above is why I support Romney, because he "get's it" and will look at spending and all the related decisions like he would as a business man. When he worked for Bain, he didn't likely get too many chances to go back for blank checks and he sure as hell didn't make it a plan to budget for his clients more than they were brining in.

I'm part of that group you talk about and yes, I think it is fair. My wife and I spent 18 years saving and investing her entire income from her law practice to get to where we are and that money is in the market in various forms working for us and driving the economy. From stocks to investment properties to small business. The tax beaks we receive are further incentives for us to not just sit on the money. Capital gains tax breaks are the same for me as they are the very rich. Anyone who thinks taxing us more is a great idea perhaps needs to trim off a bit of fat from the gov't first. They are NO WHERE near being done trimming. Let's chat taxing more once that's all done and even then, let's talk growing the economy first.

I'm not missing anything. In the end just like your own personal budget at home it isn't about what you make or what you spend, it's about how much you save. Over the past four years he's spent more than he's made of the gov'ts money thus added to the debt. That's 'nuff said because that really defines how he does business. I'm not the US Gov't budget master but I stand by the fact that he noted if he noted several times if a program adds to the deficit / requires we borrow more money he's going to seriously look at it. Example, the cap on Pell Grants. Sorry, but it's time people pay themselves first and save for their kids college. Unlimited grants are simply adding to the debt and encouraging colleges to raise tuition thus what we have before us, crazy costs associated with schooling, rising debt and kids taking more loans out to pay for school. That is IMO the next crisis to hit. and I'm a cheap bastard too but if I continue to spend beyond my means, my family will go broke just like the United States is going broke.

that's funny because it's pretty well known that he blew the doors off the budget in his first year alone. In fiscal 2009 the federal government spent $3.52 trillion. That price tag came with a $1.4 trillion deficit, nearly $1 trillion more than last 2008 under Bush. The overall budget was about a half-trillion more than Bush's for 2008, his final full fiscal year in office. I remember the last debt increase back and forth debate because it was his second and gave him the two largest in history. The man can't seem to get enough blank checks. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/24-trillion-would-be-largest-debt-limit-increase-us-history In terms of Healthcare, we can debate that in a another thread. Just research how he's funding it.

Obama has added over $4T to the national debt. /nuff said. Time for him to go. He's about to crush us with his fucked up health care reform which has already increased taxes, is about to add more taxes to us come January 1, and will pile on more costs and debt over the years.

If you think Obamacare is going to offer a free lunch without costing more then you're sadly mistaken. I've worked the Medical Arena and Insurance arena for years and there are countless indications from both sides that the middle class and above are going to be paying for all the Obama subsidies for the lower income people of our nation. Obamacare is going to require all insurance plans cover essential benefits so just one example...birth control. Fuck the idea that I should have to cover everyone's birth control. Bullshit to the fullest and yes we're going to be paying for it. Add in all the high-risk pools of people and yes, we're going to be paying for them too. Add in the fact that the young are going to be paying for the reduced costs of the old and yes, once again, we are going to be paying for that too. Obamacare is forcing insurance co's to offer more benefits, spend more on health expenses and to subisidize the packages. Who's paying for all that? It's going to be passed down to middle class and above consumers. The back breaker will be pre-existing conditions. There will be no choice but to raise premiums to cover these previously excluded conditions. The individual mandate "taxes" or penalties aren't going to cover said costs. Once in full swing, every crack-head today will be flooding offices of doctors with their health issues and we'll be paying for it to be covered. And if you think the average college student or lower income average person is going to contribute right from start they won't. In 2014 the penalty/tax is only $95...you're better off paying the fee than buying insurance. 2015 $325, same deal and even in 2016, $695....again, the vast majority of people who can't afford it won't buy it thus they won't be helping cover those costs. Instead those of us with decent incomes that can't afford to not pay because each of the above has an "or" xx% of your income will have to. So yes, our premiums will begin to rise fast. In the mean time, good luck to the insurance companies who will also not likely be able to survive covering their costs without the added lives paying in. The dems voted to have a limit to costs for the elderly who use way more insurance than the young, thus their added expenditures will in turn be covered by the younger generations. Again, more fuel to the rising costs for them. Back when Obama announced his plan he initially said we'd all be able to keep our existing plans and that's not possible because costs will skyrocket and even people noted that 80% of small businesses will likely drop their existing plans within the first 3 years. Again, I stand by the fact that most here on CR will be sucking from the tit of a Gov't run plan via a state exchange and limited to a lower class of doctors and options. Sure, everyone will have greater access, but it won't be better, it will be worse in terms of quality care. Don't believe me, ask any doctor....let Kirk chime in on this. I have 3 MD's in the family and they have all said that to take reimbursements under Obamacare will not be worth it and that they are better off moving to cash only or private plans of their own and make more off less patients. I lived in Toronto and saw/see it up there too. It won't be long before we pay their levels of taxes to cover the costs. Interesting survey especially towards the end as related to accepting medicare: http://www.physiciansfoundation.org/uploads/default/Physicians_Foundation_2012_Biennial_Survey.pdf No other system around has figured out how to pull off the BS Obamacare is slinging as the next great thing without passing on higher costs and worse care. Yep....I look forward to more Obama Trillions in Debt and all of the above. Oh joy....

I'll have to ask what he spent on his build. Not necessarily a track car but fun and good looking and created with his own hands. This is from a buddy on a photography forum I'm on. Start with a rough shell http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg378/pdqgp/147066364vETF3zZoGEDC1108.jpg Gut it inside and out http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg378/pdqgp/147074857XdHuTaYaDSCN1090.jpg Add some good finds http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg378/pdqgp/147088690uYNawdP1SAM_2771.jpg http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg378/pdqgp/147119176qouD3bWmgiovanni011.jpg Prep it http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg378/pdqgp/1470663661TPfPUqaprimer1.jpg Add more goodies http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg378/pdqgp/147074851S8WEWLamDSCN0989copy2.jpg Finish it up and Enjoy http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg378/pdqgp/1470884484wbmHmCfDSC_0109.jpg

Our gov't is still stuck with over $26B in potential losses due to the fact that it still owes quite a bit of stock in GM. So really, no they have not made themselves whole with the taxpayers. Obama recently declined GM's request to sell and relinquish control of that stock due to doing so would mean a loss and that won't happen under Obama. He'll let that loss hit the next guy and yet again, pass along the debt. In terms of Chrysler, the US Treasury committed a total of $12.5 billion to Chrysler under TARP. You're correct that Chrysler will have returned more than $11.2 billion of that amount to taxpayers through principal repayments, interest, and cancelled commitments but the treasury never fully recovered the difference of $1.3 billion. They pursued the right to recover proceeds from the liquidation trust associated with the bankruptcy of Old Chrysler, but it did not nor did it expect a material recovery from those assets. Cliffs: We the taxpayers were fucked out of the $1.3B and ate it as part of as you say, the greater good of preventing further losses. Again, Obama business school 101. I didn't forget. I happen to agree with Romney that using taxpayer money was not the answer. We shouldn't have bailed out the banks who were a part of the mess they and Clinton's "American Dream and Homes for Everyone" BS program...nor should we be stuck with what we are today, which is $26B in GM Stock that isn't worth what we invested and the $1.3B loss we took on Chrysler. Both have still cost of plenty and will continue to do so, thus why we're still sucking ass in terms of getting the country back on it's feet drowning ourselves in $17T in debt. I said it before and it came true....Obama is just putting off the inevitable. The Italians bought Chrysler's so does it really matter if we saved them or not? You're correct I am blaming the current administration for letting the Chinese buy up everything, but bailing out the companies to prevent that from happening isn't the answer. Obama has to failed to do what he said he would and solve the real problems and underlying causes that are causing US Companies to struggle. Putting us into debt at an unprecedented rate of $1T per year with more to come with Obamacare, isn't the answer or helping. I wouldn't call it a gain. They mitigated their losses with no real fix for the underlying problem. Again, some of the suppliers would have gone away but many would have struggled and likely ended up surviving with the Italian or Chinese or whoever else would have bought into GM and Chrylser. The Japanese and Koreans are already here and doing well and using many of these same suppliers. In the end, GM and Chrysler did most of the damage to themselves. The UAW, $70hr+ line workers, Crazy pensions and more put them in this situation so yes, I do hope most all of them feel the pain we're going through and going forward hopefully will change their ways. He definitely has plans to force changes that will impact unions in ways that are 180* from Obama who is in tight with the Unions all over from the UAW to the teachers unions. Meh...... For the second quarter of 2012, Chrysler noted a net income of $436 million on net revenue of $16.8 billion. If they call that big profits, that's scary. We can discuss said flip/flops in another thread, likely healthcare too. However, there' are significant differences between what Romney passed in MA and what Obama wants for the nation. I'll let you do the research before starting that thread. Where do you find he supports Polygamy? He's not saying he isn't against abortion, he isn't however going to make it a focus of his work as president. There I agree, social issues aren't what we need to be jerking around with. The end will be interesting....and I'll leave the end for perhaps a four year form now marker. IMO if Obama is left in office, it's going to get much worse before it gets better. Hang on people......

Wifi Only or LTE too?

pics? :masturboy:

I should be better I know. :dumb: I need an Audi or a LSx :fuuuu:

as noted they shouldn't be the leading issues on any intelligent persons list of concerns given the status of the US Today. Romney has proven beyond a doubt he supports women in the workplace and especially in positions of leadership. In fact his position is likely stronger as he encourages paying performers and so be it if they your woman, it doesn't matter. Contrast that with the Dems who prefer to have yet MORE Legislation wrap around entitlements of "just because you're a woman" means the pay should be equal; who gives shit if you're as good or valuable as the man in the same role. No thanks. Pay them the same if they are equally qualified, pay them more if they are more qualified. Male/Female should have nothing to do with it EITHER WAY. I'm tired of people crying for "entitlements" just because of something like that. Pay the performers and you'll see more performers rise to the top. Pay someone "just because" then you won't. Proven fact. The LAST thing this country needs is more legislation that allows an individual to sue a company. this country is lawsuit happy already and all that has done is drive costs up. But hey....who cares, it's only money..... In terms of Lilly LB Act, there are far more effective means to fixing a concern about inequality in the workplace that address thing BEFORE They come to what her case did where she felt she had to file suite. Romney supports THOSE Means but Obama and Dems show they instead prefer legislation and law suites and solutions that do nothing but increase costs. Yet another PROVEN example of why someone with BUSINESS experience should run the country vs someone with NO BUSINESS experience.

in a bankruptcy liquidation there's often far more debt than money received in a liquidation. I highly doubt the American Gov't broke even and as noted they didn't even expect to. The bad debt was likely rolled into the trillions Obama has racked up. Again, he was in a no lose situation. His plan all along was to try and spend his way out. If he gambled on the auto industry and lost, he didn't care and if he won, he'd be seen as a hero for gambling with taxpayer money. He's a master at catering to the masses of blue collar and poor and billing those in the middle class and wealthy while at the same time pushing debt onto the future kids and administrations. I agree and as noted above, Obama doesn't care if he invests in a loss or racks up debt. That's how he's been running this country for his first term. Give tax breaks to look good, borrow from others and add to the debt to do it and know that in the end, the people he helps short term will vote him back in and are too dumb too think long term. He's doing the equiv. of racking up credit card debt and making minimum payments. America would have absorbed another 1M unemployed and the companies in the end would either bounce back or the industry need would have been fulfilled in the end by someone. If there is / was in fact a viable need for the company and what they produced then they would go on in one form or another. If not, then they shouldn't exist to begin with. The net result is we as taxpayers pay in one way or another. The UAW is a powerful group and needs to go. They fear Romney because he would not be their friend. Even today, there's no reason the cost of building a car should be as high as it is. That high cost to consumers is just as impactful if not more so than all the bad shit that would have come from seeing the auto companies restructure on their own. If anything letting them hit bottom would be better in the end. Better for all of us. No way do I condone the $70+ per hour rates and labor costs associated with building cars. Uncalled for an a greater waste to us the consumers. You're right, we likely see it differently. IMO we don't need Chrylser products and the who debacle that the auto industry went through and to a certain level still is going through is due in part to their cost structure and lack of demand. I'm so glad GM Closed down as many of the lines as they did because honestly, it was their self created mess that they finally needed to clean up. That hit is needed like it or not. IMO all we've done is prolonged the inevitable. If these companies can't manage and run themselves effectively putting bandaids on them isn't going to help do anything long term. The difference in Obama and Romney is that Obama is a band aid fixer that is just simply putting off things until he's gone and claiming the short term win. Romney spent his entire career getting companies viable again and in cases where his group wasn't able to be effective, he let them run the economic course dealt to them. Obama believes in bigger gov't, more spending and incurring necessary losses for one group only to force those losses on others. He lowers the bar to allow some to survive vs encouraging raising the bar and real effective change. Hey, in the end, those that support him will get exactly what they are voting for and those that don't and can afford otherwise will move on just the same. In a few years most will be on the gov't insurance with waiting to be served by less than the best and others will be paying more for the better quality care. But hey, at least everyone will be covered. We're fast on our way to a two group economy and he's going to continue to bring the lower portion of the middle class down and push the lower class upwards to meet and form a collective have-not group and the stronger yet smaller portion of the middle class will move up as normal and join the have's.

iPhone 4s....the new iPhone Mini. On sale now.

Chrysler's been mis managed for decades. They were about to go belly up and took gov't taxpayer money back when I was a kid too. This time, the entire Chrysler debacle cost the tax payers $1.3B and even at the onset the whole auto bailout was estimated to ultimately be a big loss to the public. I blame the UAW for the issues that we are paying for and I support Mitt's view on handling unions. They put us in in a no win situation. That's what pisses me off and they really should be held to paying us back for many years to come. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/business/us-sheds-its-stake-in-chrysler.html

Some of this: http://www.hollywoodchaos.com/content/posts/598/heidi-and-spencer-change-their-minds-obama-ftw-main.jpg Some of this: http://votingamerican.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/occupy-wall-street1-620x409.jpg?w=500&h=329 and in the end, the ground will look like this. http://ironicsurrealism.com/files/2012/10/ohio-obama-trash.jpg

Thanks. I enjoy this type of work. In terms of how, use several features and add-ins within Photoshop. The scan was decent and required little if any clean up. 99% of what I am sent needs lots of work prior to even starting the restoration. Thus why I often prefer to do the clean up and scanning, but most all of my clients are outside of Ohio and prefer not to send originals. Understandable. With my workflow, I typically start balancing out the colors and correct for acid damage and shifting from acids in the paper or just age. Then I move to correcting skin, then move to hair, eyes, clothing, then finally add the backdrop where I can blend the lighting if needed. Lighting is the trickiest part and what I would say is where most people have the most difficult time. I would say if you have a photography background it's much easier.

^^ Yeah.....what he said http://www.rapgra.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Lil-Wayne.jpg

With all the talk and news, let's not forget to donate to a good cause and help our fellow Americans on the East Coast. The wife and I are watching the Sandy Effort on TV and with both of us having family in the area, it's great to see that once again, Americans can come together. Times like this even as bad as they are show that while we are a nation divided over a choice in a leader, at heart we are all just simply chasing a better life a dream for all. Continued prayers to those impacted.

Cliffs: Dude asks a smart ass question about how Romney will address global warming.....Romeny says "Read my fucking book :gabe:" IMO, Global warming, abortion and many of the social issues are the fucking last things on the list of priorities of the next few years.

47% of Columbus will be there :gabe: Sadly the numbers in Columbus are a bit higher than that even.

Kindle Fire HD LOL. On a screen that small the visible difference is hardly significant or visible. We have the original Fire and several iPads and the actual use of each is night and day. The Fire sucks in comparison.

Nice! Great memories to have captured. Looks like you're enjoying daddihood.

50k miles? WOW. I alternate filters putting on a new one, cleaning the old and the swap between the two on my cars every 15k miles and it's quite dirty when doing so. I've never gone more than that on any of my cars. Who knows.....I just prefer a clean filter.