Politics

[Jeff505]

I'm in NJ, but lets back up for a second here. First off, I agree, unlimited SALT couldn't (can't) continue. However, $40k SALT deduction cap is fair.

States like NY, NJ, CT, CA pay more in federally than almost 75% of the other states. Some of it is for BS social programs, some for schools (to which we have some of the best, nationally), and a lot is for infrastructure which a lot of people nationwide, can't even fathom the cost to maintain. In NJ alone, the cost to maintain the roads, is like $1.5 billion in just maintenance.

To be fair, TX and FL recently made that list as well by virtue of population explosion post-COVID, corporate moves, etc.

I was initially pro-SALT elimination until I learned more about it.

With the standard deduction basically ~$30k or so (married filing jointly), that's only leaving basically another $10k on the bone which isn't exactly a lot. Back to what I said: Unlimited is a bit ridiculous, $40-$50k is fair. You're really only allowing people with high SALT tax expenses to deduct $10k. There are people in states like TX, FL, which would qualify as well.

I wrote all my NJ GOP reps and told them if it comes back than a penny less than $40k penned in for SALT...kill it. One of them, actually responded to me personally (I've met him several times, Recreational Fishing Alliance) said he fully intends to.

NYC, that's a different story, I'll cover in another post.

Every American pays the same federal tax rate. Your state may contribute more because of your population. States that are fiscally responsible are being forced to pay for those that are not. If you live in a state that has hirer tax rates and you are good with that then pay in and shut up. If you would like to pay less then go to a state that is more affordable. I think there should be no deduction allowed for state tax. If you want to live in a liberal shit hole then that is on you.

 

[steve white]

So just to be clear, you support foreign governments assassinating elected American officials that you don’t agree with?

No, just twisted humor....

 

[Ray B]

The present SALT is $10K/tax payer- possible increase to $40K/per. SO a couple would get $80K.

 

[spike.t]

Can't remember any car transport ships catching fire when they only carried old fashioned petrol and diesel vehicles.....now it seems to happen on a regular basis with ones carrying electric vehicles.......

https://www.livemint.com/news/world/cargo-ship-carrying-3-000-vehicles-including-800-evs-sinks-in-the-pacific-ocean-11750756626661.html

 

[Russ16]

The present SALT is $10K/tax payer- possible increase to $40K/per. SO a couple would get $80K.

Actually there is a marriage penalty. It is $10 k for single filers or coupled filing jointly or $5k for married filing separately. I think the marriage penalty is maintained in the senate version. But I’m not sure.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I itemize deductions on my federal taxes. So I am not a bitter clinger. Jealous of others success.

My issue is that high taxation states ridiculous social programs are subsidized by those high taxes. And asking other tax payers to help just emboldens them to keep raising taxes. Instead of reducing spending.

The pros and cons in a nutshell.



The fairness of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction to all US taxpayers is a subject of considerable debate
.
Arguments against the fairness of the SALT deduction to all taxpayers:

• Primarily benefits high-income earners: Critics argue that the SALT deduction primarily benefits wealthy taxpayers, especially in states with high state and local taxes, who are more likely to itemize their deductions and have larger amounts of state and local taxes to deduct.
• Benefits concentrated in high-tax states: The benefits of the SALT deduction are concentrated in states with high state and local taxes, like New York, California, and New Jersey, leading to concerns about geographic fairness.
• Incentivizes higher state and local taxes: Opponents suggest the deduction can incentivize higher state and local taxes, potentially leading to less efficient government spending.
• Significant federal revenue loss:Removing the cap would lead to a substantial decrease in federal revenue, which could have implications for federal spending and debt.

Arguments for the fairness of the SALT deduction to all taxpayers:

• Prevents double taxation:Proponents argue that the deduction prevents double taxation by allowing taxpayers to avoid paying federal taxes on income already paid to state and local governments.
• Supports state and local government autonomy: Reinstating the deduction could support state and local government autonomy in setting tax rates and managing their fiscal affairs.

Impact of the SALT cap:

• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) introduced a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, limiting its benefit, particularly for those in high-tax states.
• The cap has led to concerns about its impact on higher-income taxpayers in high-tax states.

 

[Randy F]

Isn’t it hilarious that one week ago CNN was saying Iran was still years out from having a Nuke weapon.

Then yesterday saying the U.S. strike on Iran failed and Iran was still a month out from having Nukes

Zero integrity left anymore. Just whatever they can get to stir a turd whether it's truth or not.

I understand getting the story "first", but when it comes to national security and what is supposed to be higher intel, there exists no honor. No effort to confirm, just get it out there. It's pretty disgusting to me.

Leakers would cease to exist if no one bought the bs.

I know I know, I'm asking to much and living in a dream world. It just ticks me off.

 

[Altitude sickness]

CNN is now completely obsessed with the word obliterate versus destroyed.

Hegseth continues to take the bait and arguing over that word. General Caine did not take the bait.

The argument Hegseth should have made was remind the Press that their guys; Biden and Obama were propping up and funding Iran and actually gave them a pass to have a Nuke weapon by 2030.

And regardless of the word Trump uses obliterate or destroyed.

if Biden was president, Iran would still have 100% full capability they did two weeks ago.

 

[skydiver386]

CNN is now completely obsessed with the word obliterate versus destroyed.

Hegseth continues to take the bait and arguing over that word. General Caine did not take the bait.

The argument Hegseth should have made was remind the Press that their guys; Biden and Obama were propping up and funding Iran and actually gave them a pass to have a Nuke weapon by 2030.

And regardless of the word Trump uses obliterate or destroyed.

if Biden was president, Iran would still have 100% full capability they did two weeks ago.

Bullseye

 

[Red Leg]

CNN is now completely obsessed with the word obliterate versus destroyed.

Hegseth continues to take the bait and arguing over that word. General Caine did not take the bait.

The argument Hegseth should have made was remind the Press that their guys; Biden and Obama were propping up and funding Iran and actually gave them a pass to have a Nuke weapon by 2030.

And regardless of the word Trump uses obliterate or destroyed.

if Biden was president, Iran would still have 100% full capability they did two weeks ago.

I am still reserving judgement on Hegseth. Going after Jennifer Griffin personally during that briefing, who is far and away the most accurate and experienced Pentagon reporter of any network, was childish - particularly in such a target rich environment. Kaine, on the other hand, is such a breath of fresh air over the last two Chairmen. That briefing he gave was as good as you will ever see by someone in that office. I would have to go back to Powell during the Gulf War to point to anything comparable.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I am still reserving judgement on Hegseth. Going after Jennifer Griffin personally during that briefing, who is far and away the most accurate and experienced Pentagon reporter of any network, was childish - particularly in such a target rich environment. Kaine, on the other hand, is such a breath of fresh air over the last two Chairmen. That briefing he gave was as good as you will ever see by someone in that office. I would have to go back to Powell during the Gulf War to point to anything comparable.

Agreed on Griffin. She makes you believe actual unbiased reporting can still happen.

 

[Altitude sickness]

It’s nice to see a curious, questioning media again.

 

[fourfive8]

When will the MSM sycophants on the koolaid with TDS ever learn? The answer… prolly never.

The thing I’ve learned to really like about Hegseth is exactly why so many dislike him. I do not know him from Adam. But… he is not afraid to call BS, publicly, rudely and loudly, on any MSM idiot who reports crap for the sake of selling airtime and being trendy anti-Trump. He is not a slick talking used car salesman who apparently many want in government. The only way I can figure it is that some or many? people must like slick talking salesmen in government. They enjoy it and expect it.

 

[Wheels]

Iran's nuclear programme is damaged but is it destroyed?

Fordo probably is probably the most spied on place on the planet - and work to understand what is happening there is set to intensify further.

www.bbc.com

US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites only set program back by months, Pentagon report says

Findings by Defense Intelligence Agency suggest Trump’s declaration that sites were ‘obliterated’ may be overstated

www.theguardian.com

 

[cash_tx]

When you live in your own imaginary world...

 

[Doubleplay]

I am still reserving judgement on Hegseth. Going after Jennifer Griffin personally during that briefing, who is far and away the most accurate and experienced Pentagon reporter of any network, was childish - particularly in such a target rich environment. Kaine, on the other hand, is such a breath of fresh air over the last two Chairmen. That briefing he gave was as good as you will ever see by someone in that office. I would have to go back to Powell during the Gulf War to point to anything comparable.

Hegseth is an as.. licker, nothing more nothing less.
He'll do anything including lying to please his boss.
He's not qualified for the job as I stated months ago on this forum.

 

[Brent in Az]

Any takers?

https://www.newsmax.com/politics/bill-ackman-zohran-mamdani-nyc/2025/06/26/id/1216620/

 

[fourfive8]

To convince most people and practically all the media about the expected effects of an ordnance like the GBU 57 is mostly impossible me thinks. Many know or have read about shaped charges. But for the operation in question, the physics of the way a shaped charge works is backwards for this task, thus counterproductive.

To understand this stuff requires an understanding of the physics involved- namely and most basically the difference between kinetic energy and momentum.

I’m afraid most expected a big crater with the ordnance(s) removing the mountain top housing the site. Hah! +/- 5000 lbs of conventional explosive in a warhead or even several simply won’t do that, no matter where detonated.

Only three ways I know of to do that (create the big crater): 1) bury a small to midlin-sized nuke in the mountain and touch it off, 2) bury a few million pounds of nitrate in the mountain and touch it off, 3) somehow direct a NiFe asteroid the size of a boxcar (or two?) going at least 40,000 mph, to hit the mountain.

 

[Brent in Az]

Zelenskyy shows up at NATO, not looking like the usual battlefield Khaki smurf.
Trump said Z was extraordinarily nice to him. Well ... of course he was. Z needs another $40 billion.
Sorry Z, but the taxpayer coffers are closed. The Democrats and War pigs don't control the purse strings anymore.
However .....if you want to ship us $40 billion in rare earth minerals, we might be willing to negotiate a deal. Just maybe.

 

[Brent in Az]

To convince most people and practically all the media about the expected effects of an ordnance like the GBU 57 is mostly impossible me thinks. Many know or have read about shaped charges. But for the operation in question, the physics of the way a shaped charge works is backwards for this task, thus counterproductive.

To understand this stuff requires an understanding of the physics involved- namely and most basically the difference between kinetic energy and momentum.

I’m afraid most expected a big crater with the ordnance(s) removing the mountain top housing the site. Hah! +/- 5000 lbs of conventional explosive in a warhead or even several simply won’t do that, no matter where detonated.

Only three ways I know of to do that (create the big crater): 1) bury a small to midlin-sized nuke in the mountain and touch it off, 2) bury a few million pounds of nitrate in the mountain and touch it off, 3) somehow direct a NiFe asteroid the size of a boxcar (or two?) going at least 40,000 mph, to hit the mountain.

Ram enough MOP's down the same hole, and you can achieve the obliteration objective.