Guy's windshield lost a battle with a flying rock, and his insurance company gave him a similar cold-cocking when he tried to find a way to save some money on his deductible. His Sate Farm insurance agent said he wasn't allowed to repair the windshield through a company that promised him $50 off his upfront costs.
He writes:
I recently had a run in with a large rock while driving down the highway. The damage requires that I have the windshield replaced, something that I have had to do far too often I'm afraid. Anyway it just so happens that last week I received a coupon in the mail from a local glass company offering $50 off of my insurance deductible. My wife called to schedule the appointment and mentioned the coupon and was told that State Farm (my insurance company) won't allow a coupon to be applied towards my deductible.This doesn't make any sense to me. How can State Farm control whether an independent company chooses to give me a discount? If the auto glass company wants to give me $50 off my deductible how is it State Farms business? After all it is the company that is giving me a discount and making a lesser profit - not State Farm.
I'm not insured by State Farm, but have faced similar situations when looking for companies to replace my windshield. The competition is so fierce that some cut you checks in return for your business. I've found the best policy is to book the appointment and then let the contractor haggle with your insurance company to seal the deal.
Asking for permission from your insurance company beforehand is a sure way to failure, since insurers have preferred companies they work with who aren't keen on passing along their profits to you.
Dominic Pileggi, majority
leader of the Pennsylvania Senate, says privatizing the state's
liquor stores has "moved up to the top of the agenda" now that
Pennsylvania will have a Republican governor as well as a
GOP-controlled legislature. The New York Times notes
that incoming Gov. Tom Corbett (currently attorney general) "must
consider both a budget gap that could run as high as $5 billion and
his campaign pledge not to raise taxes." Getting the state out of
the booze business, the Times says, "would potentially
bring $2 billion for state coffers, but also layoffs of several
thousand state workers."
Allow me to question that but. The Times warns
that Pennsylvania's privatization plans are "endangering the jobs
of thousands of state workers." But if you believe states should
not participate in, let alone monopolize, profit-making businesses,
the fact that privatization reduces the public payroll while saving
on operating expenses and improving customer service hardly counts
as a disadvantage. Private businesses that sell wine and liquor do
employ people, by the way. But even if they were operated by
robots, how seriously can we take the argument that unnecessary
government jobs should not be eliminated because then there will be
fewer unnecessary government jobs? And if Corbett decided to
preserve the state stores and cover the deficit by raising taxes,
wouldn't that decision also have an impact on employment? Or is it
only government-directed money that creates jobs?
As I noted
in August, privatization advocates also have been known to argue,
with a logic
familiar to fans and foes of President Obama's stimulus package,
that the business of distributing alcoholic beverages should be
designed to maximize jobs—i.e., to be as inefficient as possible.
More on Pennsylvania's liquor distribution system
here. Reason coverage of liquor privatization in
Virginia
here.
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger
Guy's windshield lost a battle with a flying rock, and his insurance company gave him a similar cold-cocking when he tried to find a way to save some money on his deductible. His Sate Farm insurance agent said he wasn't allowed to repair the windshield through a company that promised him $50 off his upfront costs.
He writes:
I recently had a run in with a large rock while driving down the highway. The damage requires that I have the windshield replaced, something that I have had to do far too often I'm afraid. Anyway it just so happens that last week I received a coupon in the mail from a local glass company offering $50 off of my insurance deductible. My wife called to schedule the appointment and mentioned the coupon and was told that State Farm (my insurance company) won't allow a coupon to be applied towards my deductible.This doesn't make any sense to me. How can State Farm control whether an independent company chooses to give me a discount? If the auto glass company wants to give me $50 off my deductible how is it State Farms business? After all it is the company that is giving me a discount and making a lesser profit - not State Farm.
I'm not insured by State Farm, but have faced similar situations when looking for companies to replace my windshield. The competition is so fierce that some cut you checks in return for your business. I've found the best policy is to book the appointment and then let the contractor haggle with your insurance company to seal the deal.
Asking for permission from your insurance company beforehand is a sure way to failure, since insurers have preferred companies they work with who aren't keen on passing along their profits to you.
Dominic Pileggi, majority
leader of the Pennsylvania Senate, says privatizing the state's
liquor stores has "moved up to the top of the agenda" now that
Pennsylvania will have a Republican governor as well as a
GOP-controlled legislature. The New York Times notes
that incoming Gov. Tom Corbett (currently attorney general) "must
consider both a budget gap that could run as high as $5 billion and
his campaign pledge not to raise taxes." Getting the state out of
the booze business, the Times says, "would potentially
bring $2 billion for state coffers, but also layoffs of several
thousand state workers."
Allow me to question that but. The Times warns
that Pennsylvania's privatization plans are "endangering the jobs
of thousands of state workers." But if you believe states should
not participate in, let alone monopolize, profit-making businesses,
the fact that privatization reduces the public payroll while saving
on operating expenses and improving customer service hardly counts
as a disadvantage. Private businesses that sell wine and liquor do
employ people, by the way. But even if they were operated by
robots, how seriously can we take the argument that unnecessary
government jobs should not be eliminated because then there will be
fewer unnecessary government jobs? And if Corbett decided to
preserve the state stores and cover the deficit by raising taxes,
wouldn't that decision also have an impact on employment? Or is it
only government-directed money that creates jobs?
As I noted
in August, privatization advocates also have been known to argue,
with a logic
familiar to fans and foes of President Obama's stimulus package,
that the business of distributing alcoholic beverages should be
designed to maximize jobs—i.e., to be as inefficient as possible.
More on Pennsylvania's liquor distribution system
here. Reason coverage of liquor privatization in
Virginia
here.
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger
eric seiger
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger
Guy's windshield lost a battle with a flying rock, and his insurance company gave him a similar cold-cocking when he tried to find a way to save some money on his deductible. His Sate Farm insurance agent said he wasn't allowed to repair the windshield through a company that promised him $50 off his upfront costs.
He writes:
I recently had a run in with a large rock while driving down the highway. The damage requires that I have the windshield replaced, something that I have had to do far too often I'm afraid. Anyway it just so happens that last week I received a coupon in the mail from a local glass company offering $50 off of my insurance deductible. My wife called to schedule the appointment and mentioned the coupon and was told that State Farm (my insurance company) won't allow a coupon to be applied towards my deductible.This doesn't make any sense to me. How can State Farm control whether an independent company chooses to give me a discount? If the auto glass company wants to give me $50 off my deductible how is it State Farms business? After all it is the company that is giving me a discount and making a lesser profit - not State Farm.
I'm not insured by State Farm, but have faced similar situations when looking for companies to replace my windshield. The competition is so fierce that some cut you checks in return for your business. I've found the best policy is to book the appointment and then let the contractor haggle with your insurance company to seal the deal.
Asking for permission from your insurance company beforehand is a sure way to failure, since insurers have preferred companies they work with who aren't keen on passing along their profits to you.
Dominic Pileggi, majority
leader of the Pennsylvania Senate, says privatizing the state's
liquor stores has "moved up to the top of the agenda" now that
Pennsylvania will have a Republican governor as well as a
GOP-controlled legislature. The New York Times notes
that incoming Gov. Tom Corbett (currently attorney general) "must
consider both a budget gap that could run as high as $5 billion and
his campaign pledge not to raise taxes." Getting the state out of
the booze business, the Times says, "would potentially
bring $2 billion for state coffers, but also layoffs of several
thousand state workers."
Allow me to question that but. The Times warns
that Pennsylvania's privatization plans are "endangering the jobs
of thousands of state workers." But if you believe states should
not participate in, let alone monopolize, profit-making businesses,
the fact that privatization reduces the public payroll while saving
on operating expenses and improving customer service hardly counts
as a disadvantage. Private businesses that sell wine and liquor do
employ people, by the way. But even if they were operated by
robots, how seriously can we take the argument that unnecessary
government jobs should not be eliminated because then there will be
fewer unnecessary government jobs? And if Corbett decided to
preserve the state stores and cover the deficit by raising taxes,
wouldn't that decision also have an impact on employment? Or is it
only government-directed money that creates jobs?
As I noted
in August, privatization advocates also have been known to argue,
with a logic
familiar to fans and foes of President Obama's stimulus package,
that the business of distributing alcoholic beverages should be
designed to maximize jobs—i.e., to be as inefficient as possible.
More on Pennsylvania's liquor distribution system
here. Reason coverage of liquor privatization in
Virginia
here.
eric seiger
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger eric seiger
eric seiger
eric seiger
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
The Obama tax plan has been fodder for much controversy, and tax planning for the rich - those who are making money and stand to get hit with Obama taxes - is the new cottage industry for any CPA whose clients face increased taxes for earning in excess of $250,000.
Obama Taxes Affect Roughly 7% of Residents Making Money
The Wall Street Journal reveals that about 7% of American taxpayers - 3.8 million - fall into the bracket of making money in excess of $200,000. Their tax burden translates into 62% of all federal taxes received. Under the Obama tax plan, a good number of deductions are slated for phase out, while other sources of making money, such as capital gains and also dividend rates, would be taxed at a higher rate.
When Making Money is Penalized, Money-Makers Engage Tax Planners
While the DOW is plunging below 6800, those few who are still making money are not taking the threat of Obama taxes hunkering down. Instead, tax planning for the rich - or those purported to be - is a new cottage industry that has clever CPAs give their clients some startling advice.
ABC News quotes one successful attorney who unabashedly states that at this point the biggest goal is to get the reportable income below $249,999.00. The lawyer's rationale - why bother working hard to subsidize those who are hardly working - resonates with many who are making money and have not jumped on the Obama Administration bandwagon.
Another well to do business owner, a dentist, has determined that putting in less hours, seeing less patients, and taking off more time will get the reportable income just under the $250,000 mark. Sure, it also means laying off staff, but this is the nature of business. When making money is penalized, a decrease in productivity is tacitly rewarded.
Is the Law of Unintended Consequences at Work?
The Obama tax plan may have sounded reasonable on paper, but when fleshing it out with real life American taxpayers, it would appear that penalizing anyone making money is not going to go as well as was hoped. Perhaps the president forgot that not all of the money makers are actually democrats.
While Oprah and George Clooney might not mind paying extra, the upper middle class and those raking in just barely more than $250,000 - at the expense of long nights, working on weekends, and not seeing the family as much as they want to - may not appreciate having their making money penalized.
Perhaps it is the law of unintended consequences that will find many of these folks cutting back, which in turn not only reduces the hoped for tax revenues, but also contributes to the pool of unemployed, as small business owners are letting employees go.
Sources
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123561551065378405.html?mod=djemEditorialPage; http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6975547&page=1
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger
Lujiazui Breakfast: <b>News</b> And Views About China Stocks (Nov. 10 <b>...</b>
China will force banks to raise reserve requirements for the second time this year, foreign wires reported. It is the latest signal of government concern about inflation and lending growth, and may hurt share prices today.
Olbermann Suspension Helped Fox <b>News</b> | FrumForum
MSNBC isn't an impartial arbiter of news, at least not the sanctified area in which Olbermann, Ed Schultz, and Rachel Maddow inhabit. It never was. And you may not see flowing robes and white collars but they preach to the choir all the ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: It's About The People!
Astoundingly, with the coming of social media and all that it implies for small business, there are still people who don't quite understand yet that it's all.
eric seiger
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