Cry me a river...

[DeanMeadGator]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay

Either most of you are illiterate or you just like ignoring what people write so you can try to prove some point.

I never said that he shouldn't be pissed or complain about high tax rates. I said that for him to talk about retiring because of it, is ridiculous. He can retire anytime he wants. I couldn't care less if I never see him play golf again. The point that you would retire just because they are taking more taxes out is just stupid.

And yes, most of us are enviously, jealous of someone making $48 million a year playing golf. I don't see anything wrong with that. I am sure you are a little too. Doesn't mean that I wish him ill will or anything. I think he should appreciate the fact that he is able to earn as much as he does and somehow try to survive on the $20 million he will get to keep each year.

It's a little insensitive considering the troubles that millions of people have financially. I sure don't feel bad for him.

Who, exactly, is not trying to make a point? If someone does not want to make a point, perhaps they should consider why they post anything.

As to most of "us" being illiterate, it appears that everyone who posts can read, write and think.

[gator7_5]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay

I'm not being loose or fast with money. I am saying that if I was earning $48 million dollars a year, I wouldn't be complaining about the tax rate going up a little.

Yes you would. Because you would have earned that money. It's easy to give someone else's away.

See our government.

[gator7_5]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay

And yes, most of us are enviously, jealous of someone making $48 million a year playing golf.

I can say with a straight face that I am not at all. I am 100% happy for those who have what they've earned, including myself.

And what, you think these people have no stress?

You act like he plays 9 holes at the local country club, drinks a cold beer after, and a million a week just appears in his checking account.

You truly have no idea what it takes to be extemely successful, no offense.

[ArtVandelay]

Originally Posted by gator7_5

I can say with a straight face that I am not at all. I am 100% happy for those who have what they've earned, including myself.

And what, you think these people have no stress?

You act like he plays 9 holes at the local country club, drinks a cold beer after, and a million a week just appears in his checking account.

You truly have no idea what it takes to be extemely successful, no offense.

Actually I do.

I am 100% happy for those who have what they earned. I can also be jealous and envious of them.

I'm sure you would like the burden of earning $48 million even if it means you have to pay more in taxes.

[DeanMeadGator]

Originally Posted by QGator2414

And this is sadly a huge problem in this country...

If we all stop paying to go to movies, stop watching professional sports, and stop watching everthing else on TV, the high salaries paid to professional athletes, actors, actresses and TV personalities will go away. Problem solved.

[ArtVandelay]

Originally Posted by ArtDeco

That's not the point. If you want to start a thread about whether a person deserves to get paid millions for hitting a ball, that's another argument/thread. Knock yours elf out.
The point is, does the government have the right to play Robin Hood and change the existing rules on a guy who's already paying high taxes, and does the same guy not have the right to adjust his plans accordingly?

Actually, that is the point. I started the thread about how it is ridiculous for him to say he is going to retire just because the taxes are too high.

If you want to start another thread about how the taxes are too high or how the new law is unfair, that is fine.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay

Actually, that is the point. I started the thread about how it is ridiculous for him to say he is going to retire just because the taxes are too high.

I think he said he was going to move?

[ArtVandelay]

Originally Posted by DeanMeadGator

Who, exactly, is not trying to make a point? If someone does not want to make a point, perhaps they should consider why they post anything.

As to most of "us" being illiterate, it appears that everyone who posts can read, write and think.

Trying to make their point based on stuff that I am not saying, that is not relevant to the thread topic. (See ArtDeco's last post)

"Most of us" was related to the ignoring what I post and the illiterate was only towards a few of the usual suspects. It's pretty annoying to have to post the same thing over and over again.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Although I understand the frustration with high taxes, its a shame to see the greed that is out there. Not saying that they shouldn't try to hold onto as much as you earn. I feel the same way. But not being grateful for what you do have is not a good look.

[gator996]

Robert Frank, CNBC

Mickelson likely pays less taxes than he thinks
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/mick...inks-1B8057229

But let's consider those numbers.

Under current tax rates, Mickelson would pay 13.3 percent in state income tax and 39.6 percent in federal income tax. That's 52.9 percent combined. Medicare and Medicaid is an additional 2 percent. The new health-care levy is .9 percent on earned income and 3.8 percent on investment income.

Self-employment taxes could total an additional 15.3 percent -- but that's only on income up to $113,000, accountants say. After that the rate is 2.9 percent.

Mickelson would also pay local taxes where he plays tournaments. That could add another one percent or two percent.

So the maximum Mickelson could pay in state and income taxes, payroll and other income-related taxes would be around 60 percent.

But that rate is only if he did absolutely no tax planning or basic deductions. He would, for instance, get a deduction on his state income taxes from his federal. He would also deduct any golf-related expenses as a business expense. He probably puts money in a retirement plan, which is tax-favorable.

I would guess that Mickelson has some investments, which would be taxed at the lower capital gains rate of 20 percent (or 23.8 percent with the new health-care tax). And I would guess he might have a mortgage deduction, or other deductions related to kids and education.

And we know that Mickelson gives money to charity. So that would be deducted as well. If he has trusts (which he likely does) that also reduces his tax rate.

Steven Piascik, president of Piascik – the accounting firm that works with dozens of professional athletes – said that he easily could bring Mickelson's rate to around 50 to 52 percent with some "basic tax planning."
"I couldn't guarantee it, but 8 to 10 percent off that 62 percent rate seems normal," he said. "I would guess he's doing a lot of these things already."

Either Mickelson misspoke – or he needs to hire a new accountant.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by gator996

So the maximum Mickelson could pay in state and income taxes, payroll and other income-related taxes would be around 60 percent.

So why is this materially different than what he claimed? It does not change his point at all.

[gator996]

To Mickelson's credit is that he never said he would retire...

...that appears to be a creation of the media.


But when its all said an done, Phil's tax burden went up less than 10%....around 8% YOY


My issue was that threatening retirement was ridiculous...and that the number had to be wrong.

It was.

[QGator2414]

Originally Posted by DeanMeadGator

If we all stop paying to go to movies, stop watching professional sports, and stop watching everthing else on TV, the high salaries paid to professional athletes, actors, actresses and TV personalities will go away. Problem solved.

EXACTLY!

Until then be happy for those who earn their money entertaining...

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by gator996

To Mickelson's credit is that he never said he would retire...

...that appears to be a creation of the media.


But when its all said an done, Phil's tax burden went up less than 10%....around 8% YOY


My issue was that threatening retirement was ridiculous...and that the number had to be wrong.

It was.

One of these (bolded) things is not like the other. And his numbers were not materially wrong, as clearly he was talking about marginal tax rate.

[myamiG8R]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-d...894--golf.html

stop being such a #$%^ Phil!!!

most people would love to earn just 1% of the money that he is taxed...

well then work harder... practice more... hone a skill... do something...

[MichiGator2002]

Here is a question I have -- the stamped and approved apology Lefty gave to... well, lefties, included at its core the belief that his taxes were not for public consumption. Is he now free and clear to run for President on that premise, or will the goalposts (or pin placement) get moved on him?

[wgbgator]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

Here is a question I have -- the stamped and approved apology Lefty gave to... well, lefties, included at its core the belief that his taxes were not for public consumption. Is he now free and clear to run for President on that premise, or will the goalposts (or pin placement) get moved on him?

If he had quietly moved to Arizona or Florida like any other anonymous rich guy, there is probably no story. Celebrities airing greivances in public or in the press usually get held to the fire (rightly or wrongly), whether they are politicians or golfers. Public speech is not without consequences. Hence the quick, but probably not heartfelt apology.

[MichiGator2002]

Originally Posted by wgbgator

If he had quietly moved to Arizona or Florida like any other anonymous rich guy, there is probably no story. Celebrities airing greivances in public or in the press usually get held to the fire (rightly or wrongly), whether they are politicians or golfers. Public speech is not without consequences. Hence the quick, but probably not heartfelt apology.

Well, I flatly reject that he was wrong, rude, impolitic, or indiscreet in any way. There is absolutely nothing to apologize for. If anything, he should he apologizing for the spinelessness of the prior apology.

When do PETA nut celebs apologize for airing their grievance, for example?

[wgbgator]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

Well, I flatly reject that he was wrong, rude, impolitic, or indiscreet in any way. There is absolutely nothing to apologize for. If anything, he should he apologizing for the spinelessness of the prior apology.

When do PETA nut celebs apologize for airing their grievance, for example?

Probably when their earnings or career might suffer. Anyways, obviously given Phil's general likability among vast swaths of people, a fact which earns him lots of endorsement deals, its probably common sense not to even give the whiff of appearing like an entitled jerk, even if you, me or he feels he is entitled to be a jerk, concerned citizen or whatever. Tiger was certainly free to hook up with as many waitresses and pornstars as he wanted. But it cost him some dough, and tarnished his sterling image. We, the people didnt "need" his apology for that either, but his earning potential did.

[CHFG8R]

Originally Posted by Minister_of_Information

I don't feel any envy towards Mickelson whatsoever. I have a vague sense of "oh, good for him" and nothing more. I do not feel diminished by his prosperity. I really don't care much about it.

I'm completely envious. . . but not so much the money (which I'd love to have but don't begrudge him for) but the access to all those exclusive, top-notch courses and that fact he PLAYS GOLF FOR A LIVING.

[Minister_of_Information]

Originally Posted by CHFG8R

I'm completely envious. . . but not so much the money (which I'd love to have but don't begrudge him for) but the access to all those exclusive, top-notch courses and that fact he PLAYS GOLF FOR A LIVING.

Envy means you desire that he be laid low if you cannot rise similarly. I doubt you feel that way, though. America is the land of opportunity, and I applaud those who use it to their advantage. I don't feel cheated by their success. Perhaps this is because I don't feel that the successful are a higher caste that is impenetrable without government agency, which is unfortunately the foundation of most left wing thought.