You're just being difficult here. Nicest way to put it. I would prefer a different way, but, times are different. People are sensitive. So, you have to work with what ya got. I'm trying to have a conversation with you, and, you seem to be VERY combative, condescending, and disrespectful to what I'm trying to say.

If I'm sitting on mass acres that are paid for, (I own them) taxes paid, and all. Those acres are worth 10 million dollars, but, I OWN them, and choose to let them be, that value adds to my net worth. Right?
If I choose to barter, and trade with my neighbors, and other folks, that is just simple trade. Right? Yes, I made $400.00 selling that horse to Ed down the road.
Should I be required to report that cash transaction to the Federal Government because ownership of that land makes me worth millions?

There's your problem. You live in the Democrat's socialist taxed dream state of NY.

Have you never heard of the standard deduction? Not everyone pays taxes. Some people do sustain losses during a year and therefore don't have taxable income. You can't judge income based on wealth and you can't judge wealth on income. For example, if you win the lottery for a huge amount and take the lump sum you pay taxes on it in the year won. Then you live off of it the rest of your life, maybe, if you are smart enough to not spend it all immediately.

Here's the real problem Government spends too much. The Federal Reserve prints too much money. Inflation hurts everyone, especially fixed incomes. Inflation is just another form of tax. Social Security isn't keeping up with Bidenflation. CA just increased fast food workers' minimum wage to $20/hour. This will cause price increases and unemployment because bleeding-heart liberals are too stupid to understand the ramifications of their stupidiotic policies. And a person on a fixed income such as SSI just lost more spending power. You can't earn enough interest to make up for your losses due to Bidenflation. You've lost money the past couple of years unless you manage to invest in some very speculative high-yield instruments that are also risky.

If you bought Gold at $1000 an ounce and later sold it for over $2000 an ounce, you didn't earn any money. An ounce of gold is an ounce of gold. It sold for more because of inflation and the Federal Reserve's manipulation of the money supply. The government considers this a capital gain even though you have not gained anything, but the government went off the gold standard, so they consider this a taxable gain.

If you bought a house, made no improvements to it whatsoever, and later sold it for more money because inflation has increased the cost of homes, why should you have to pay taxes on the gain? You paid the taxes already on the money you used to buy it with. You didn't really gain anything. The house didn't change. In fact, it should be worth less because everything is older, worn, and been used more. You have also been paying property taxes on it all along.

I don't have to spell everything out for you, do I? You are smart enough to figure some of this out, aren't you? Our tax system is inherently unfair, to both rich and poor alike. Wealth is not static.

Our "Bidenflation" is lower rthan the current inflation rates in much of the world right now. Look at this:

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/inflation-projections-by-country-in-2024/

So much for that silly argument. Every nation has had to deal with the end of the pandemic.

And, btw, What about the 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕-𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒔? They have higher overall property taxes than New York:

1.71% New York: 1.73% Vermont: 1.89% Texas: 1.90%

https://belonghome.com/blog/property-taxes-by-state

So much for that argument as well.

Hello OPP. I am glad to at last have joined this forum. My husband is a member aka LostAggie66 and he has shared many of the posts from here. I will be honest with you. The number oftimes I have seen the names you called my husband I will not tolerate. I am a Proud, Progressive Socialist Liberal who has NEVER Voted Republican and Never will until the GOP starts treating all fellow human beings regardless of sexual orientation, race, religion or any other differences as American citizens. The first person who refers to myself as aLibtard,Communist or any other childish Trumpspeak will not like my reply. As long as you treat me as a person and don't constantly insult me or my views I will be open minded and respectfully respect your views. Whether you are a conservative Republican,Democrat Liberal, Independent whatever.

IMO Donald Trump belongs in Federal Prison. However he will probably not see the inside of ClubFed although he would look good in an Orangejumpsuit washing military ambulances. As far as him being blocked from the ballot there is not enough evidence that he did encourage or support the Jan6 Riot/Insurrection. If such evidence is ever found that he is guilty of supporting or encouraging the protestors to ransack the Capital then he should be removed from the ballot. Now on the subject of the 2020 election HE LOST to Pres. Biden. His continual tantrum that the election was stolen is childish BS. Much like his 2024tantrum that he is being persecuted because of his politics. NO he is being prosecuted for his crimes ranging from corruption to sexual assault and election interference in Georgia.

I also agree that if it can be proved by any member of the current MAGA HOR that Pres. Biden has committed any crime and/or misdemeanors then he should be impeached and tried by the Senate. The fact that his son is a drug addict and convicted felon doesNOT mean his father is a felon, crook Godfather etc. I also do not agree with every thing his admin has done or supports. I do not support the radicals of my party to include the Squad, BLM(the group not the sentiment...White,Brown, Red,Green,Purple w/orange dots people matter. ANTIFA(they are Marxists) trouble makers and not anti-fascists.

If Pres.Biden was to step down due to health before the convention then I would like to see an Open Convention with all candidates eligible. So open that if we need to elect an Octogenarian then we Need Bernie Sanders and Elizaeth Warren as VP. I also don't think VP Harris is a good idea but she is in direct succession as established in the Constitution. I also stand by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as written but with the right of the people to ammend when needed ie: the 2nd. I am a responsible gun owner and user and respect the right of all non criminal Americans to own firearms.

My liberal views are not going to be swayed by any one. I support Pres Biden and see the tasteless disgusting memes posted here as immature and not respecting the office of POTUS. The first meme i see of Pres.Biden or any Democrat being incontinent(ie full of S**T) I will counter with a like treatment of the MAGA childleader because if anyone is incontinent it's donnie boy.

As I stated in the beginning I am Liberal NOT Marxist, Communist, Nazi etc...I did Not Vote for Hillary in 2016 because I think she absolutely failed us in the last yrs she was SecState. I voted for the Green Party then andmay do so again in November. I support our military(ALL of them) but find aggression as destructive. That is the reason I am a lifelong Democrat I hate war seeing too many of our young killed. This goes back to having to see what happened to my family when my older brother(18) volunteered for VietNam. because he wanted to protect his little sisters. He was a Navy Corpsman assigned to the Marines and he was KIA Dec.68. I was 12 and saw the effect his death had on my mother and all of us. I lived seeing alcohol take over her life luckily I was strong enough to avoid the stigma and disease that is alcoholism. Unfortunately neither my first two marriages worked out. The father of my daughter left me when she was in pre school. We divorced and shared custody until she was 18 and chose to live with me. My marriage last year to LostAggie has been very good for both of us. We are friends and now husband and wife. My daughter adores him and when he suggested he wanted to be closer to his family we moved (from PA) Aggie came to PA after we met on line in 2019. We made a visit AL/FL in 2020 to meet some of Charlies daughters(Now mine) We got back to PA one week before shutdown. My daugher and I agreed to leave PA(where we were both born and lived)last summer. We moved to Texas and are 3bluedots in a very red state but we do have liberal friends and fellow democrats. We also have 5 greatgrand children we have not yet seen This includes 5mo twin boys an older brother(4)born in CO and a 10mo girl all in FL. Aggies middle daughter and family live here in Corpus Christi about a mile from us and we see them almost daily.

I think I have rambled enough for now. Just trust me that I do have opinions on many issues that the MAGA majority want to see purged and forgotten as we return to the "glorious 1950s" or maybe even the gay1890s. When women knew their place along with every other non-white adult.(don't even call me racist though because I am white Italian/Polish Lithuanian raised Catholic but now Lutheran woman who thinks it's time for Male white old farts let all Americans share in gov't as well as life in America in the 21st NOT The 19th century.

Pax All, grammyD...Wishing All a Blessed and Safe Easter.

I'm sorry you see me that way, I am not trying to be difficult, combative, or obtuse - I just don't see it the way you do.

"Yes, I made $400.00 selling that horse to Ed down the road. Should I be required to report that cash transaction to the Federal Government because ownership of that land makes me worth millions?"

Nope.

That being said, I'm simply stating the idea that everyone, rich or not, HAS to have income of >some sort< to live,
regardless of what land, stocks, or number of cows you have. This, imo, is a illy thing to even argue about.

Our "Bidenflation" is lower rthan the current inflation rates in much of the world right now. Look at this:

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/inflation-projections-by-country-in-2024/

So much for that silly argument. Every nation has had to deal with the end of the pandemic.

And, btw, What about the 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕-𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒔? They have higher overall property taxes than New York:

1.71% New York: 1.73% Vermont: 1.89% Texas: 1.90%

https://belonghome.com/blog/property-taxes-by-state

So much for that argument as well.

A late welcome to the forum, GrammyD.

It was a pleasure reading the effort in an attempt to break out of your shell.

Your LostAggie has been a welcome addition to this forum. I have no doubt you'll be the same.