" In any case we're probably looking at an out of court settlement."

Why? There's nothing in the Hippocratic oath which requires doctors to put their lives at risk for any and every patient, especially those they know will ultimately make their efforts worthless.

I hope the jury awards one dollar.

" This the start of a tax grab "

They won't "grab " any more than was already due.

The only folks upset at regulating crypto are the ones who thought they could game the system.

On this current tax return, there's a proactive question about buying, selling, or otherwise dealing with crypto.

Returns won't be accepted without an answer, and signing your name to a lie is a crime.

"under the new Covid rules a high income earner can have their Premiums cut in almost half!"

What's your definition of a "high income earner"...?

"If so, then why do people who can buy private insurance do so?"

For the same reason people choose the "Premium" course on a cruise ship.

"At the state level for reps it's 62-38 in favor of Republicans."

"SCOTUS doesn't legislate."

Desperate pregnant women from Texas on the phone for you.

"All of a sudden gerrymandering became this huge problem"

Is being able to win by 50 points without controlling the legislature a problem?

"As people at the state level realize just how bad GOP policies are for them at the state level, Democrats will flip the tide "

Um...math here:

Wisconsin could go 75-25 for the Democrats, and Republicans could still control the legislature.

Did you catch that? Democrats could win BY FIFTY POINTS and still not control the legislature.

"pushing large corporations to engage in censorship"

Weren't you for it when it was The Moral Majority?

"Hippies are the most disappointing subculture, aren't they?"

You know the wrong hippies.

Nobody knew health care could be this uncomplicated.

"why then did republican never mention that but instead harped about the "government" taking over healthcare?"

For the same reason they passed EITC, and then bitched the % who "didn't pay taxes" spiked: Talking points.

"Rather than pass single payer....they chose to pass what we have now."

It wasn't an equal choice.

As it was, with all the industries lined up against them, it squeaked across the finish line. Single-payer would've added the insurance industry against it, and that would've been the fifty-ton "straw" that broke the camel's back.

In fact, you've noted many times: the ACA was a gift to the insurance industry.

"society does not agree and does not feel that this is a big enough problem "

Society didn't think billionaires were being overtaxed either. That didn't stop you.

" In reality, a high-income earner in Portland pays more than the highest income earner in Germany in income tax."

You've stated that before, and it's been debunked. Last time I provided a link. This time, your turn.

"...proves he's not part of the reality based community."

Frankly, I've met a lot of folks like that, over the years:
1)Wants to change the outcome years after it happened,
2) Won't deal with today's reality, and
3) Is willing to hurt the child for mom/dad's behavior.

Usually it's the folks foursquare against abortion, who are also against frank education and reasonable access to birth control.

"who in the hell said that?"

Well, the tax code for one.

In the equation, your tax credits are my (and others) increased tax burdens.

"Does that apply to health care as well?"

Oh, Good God, of course not! Only cherries will be picked here!!!
~MB

#84
Thanks, Trump! (And spineless Dem whores who regularly turn the same blind eye.)

"Let's go VAT!"

More regressive taxes? No, thanks. Not until we fix the progressive part of the code first.

For example: Why should someone who makes $50,000 a year via dividends from Wal-Mart pay no federal taxes (payroll or income)...

...while a janitor making $50,000 a year via sweat-of-the-brow labor owes over ten thousand dollars in federal taxes, including over $3K in income taxes?

"I think a direct subsidy for day care expenses (more than being able to deduct it) is a tough sell"

I agree.

Although, think about it: the Child Tax Credit is a "direct subsidy". Stimulus payments based on non-filers (aka, kids) is a "direct subsidy". Allowing parents of collegians dollar-for-dollar rebates via the AOC is a "direct subsidy". It's not impossible; this was just framed abysmally. You're right, though: "direct subsidy" is a loser.

Call it a "Tax Credit" instead of a "Direct Subsidy", and the approval rate will double!

"Now he utters this?"

Well, we both know he thanks his lucky stars every day for Louie Gohmert. He'll never be "the dumbest" as long as LG is around....

Full disclosure: back in our youth, the bride and I would sneak out for some extravagant dinners about once or twice a month. As I recall, they ran $75 at that time. ($250-300 today)

I felt a bit guilty, until a client with 3 kids came in. He and his wife were paying $225 a week for child care. Suddenly...$75 now and then wasn't such a bad tradeoff....

"I took advantage of tax deductions and even child tax credits."

Meaning: childless couples and singles subsidized your child-rearing costs.

Not coming down on one side or the other, I'm just reporting the equation.