California AB-5: The Gig Law

It's become exceptionally unpopular to suggest raising taxes on people that all feel like they're already paying too much. So instead, politicians are looking for other ways to close budget gaps without increasing the actual rate.

Tariffs, tolls, and closing loopholes are all likely candidates to keep increasing if the tax rate itself is a third rail item. They're simply shifting where the income comes from. But unless we make major cuts to spending... government revenues are going to need to keep increasing. Especially when the deficit is exploding.

Albatross said:

I know this wasn't asked of me, but I'll share my brief perspective.

I pay my federal taxes because I believe America continues to need a strong military, and I don't think that elderly Americans should live in dire poverty after paying into the social security OASDI system for those that came before them.

I pay my state taxes because I think we need decent roads to drive on, and kids deserve an education from qualified teachers.

I pay my county property taxes because if I ever need to dial 911, I hope that a member of the police, EMS, or fire department is available to take my call.

While I have no doubt that there is bloat in government budgets and that I don't agree with the way every dollar is spent. I also don't have any core services that I'm comfortable forfeiting in the interest of cutting my personal taxes.

...politicians are looking for other ways to close budget gaps without increasing the actual rate.

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You completely undersold the size of the BLOAT, a/k/a waste and malfeasance!

Budget gaps are the residue of budget carelessness and outright theft.

But, if you or anyone is so inclined, You know you can voluntarily send additional monies to the "Gov't." by simply declaring so and sending the funds with your income tax returns or the Treasury accepts contributions year-round.

wifedj said:

You completely undersold the size of the BLOAT, a/k/a waste and malfeasance!

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I don't know how to measure that type of thing personally, so it's hard for me to scale my anger accordingly. But I don't subscribe to the "all taxes are bad" philosophy because I generally appreciate many of the services my governments are providing me, and find many of them necessary to a productive society.

Albatross said:

I don't know how to measure that type of thing personally, so it's hard for me to scale my anger accordingly. But I don't subscribe to the "all taxes are bad" philosophy because I generally appreciate many of the services my governments are providing me, and find many of them necessary to a productive society.

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Here's a pair recent indicators to help you establish a more contemporary Scale of indignation:

re: malfesence
According to https://paymentaccuracy.gov/, in 2015, the federal government wasted more than $100 billion on overpayments/“improper payments” through Medicare, Medicaid, farm programs, school lunch programs and others to contractors, doctors, students, and so on.

re: theft
While V.P. Joe Biden was overseeing Iraq policy, James Biden, Joe's brother who had no relevant or remote experience, joined a construction firm in November 2010. In June 2011, that firm won a $1.5 billion contract building homes in Iraq...


The Swamp is infested with parasites, both Red & Blue, and the taxpayers are footing the bill.

Jeff Romard said:

When you add up what you pay in income tax and the other extras is there much savings?

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Probably not. It just feels like we have a bit more control over our insurance plans. Having the government having complete control over health care makes many people very nervous here. Many here don't see hip or knee replacement as elective. Having a government employee making those decisions? I know the insurance companies aren't all great, but at least there could be some competition that keep them doing the right thing.

There is no doubt our system needs work and lots of it. But there has to be a better option then just handing it all over to the government.

Jeff Romard said:

I understand the indifference from people especially where a lot of the information that is out there is not correct and with added wait times when you're used to almost instant service.

It's the Doctor who makes the decisions on what and who get done and from my experience money isn't part of the decision. They don't have to answer to bureaucrats on anything medical

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I understand a doctor may get to decide the pecking order. I'm saying someone else in the government is deciding how many doctors and how much equipment and space to to allow... basically, how much money will be spent. This instead of the market deciding.

I don't claim to understand Canada's system. I don't. I just see how the government works in the USA. Effeciency is not their strong point

sawdust123 said:

Can we get back to arguing if it is proper eat at a wedding and if so, should the DJ sit at the sweetheart table?

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Nothing worth arguing about/debating on those subjects.

Albatross said:

It's become exceptionally unpopular to suggest raising taxes on people that all feel like they're already paying too much. So instead, politicians are looking for other ways to close budget gaps without increasing the actual rate.

Tariffs, tolls, and closing loopholes are all likely candidates to keep increasing if the tax rate itself is a third rail item. They're simply shifting where the income comes from. But unless we make major cuts to spending... government revenues are going to need to keep increasing. Especially when the deficit is exploding.

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I Agree...

***WARNING...DOOM AND GLOOM RICKY IS ABOUT TO POST ANOTHER DOSE OF NEGATIVITY FOR EVERYBODY. EXIT OUT OF THE THREAD IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT***


I have an answer to this. ...WE ARE SCREWED! ME, YOU, and MOST everybody under the age of 50 to 55ish right now

The government, and our leadership over the many years since the Gold Standard was done away with back in the early 70s has kicked the can down the road far too long. They will continue to do so until things collapse. So many people love to live in the good times, and will talk bad about realists when it comes to this all because they have managed to keep things going this long. "It will never happen" ...right?

I present this as evidence to my opinion:


Current US DEBT TO GDP RATIO: 106.73% and climbing ...We have already surpassed the point of no return!
$187, 631 is the debt per tax payer.

The government has been tapped out, and their only answer moving forward will be zero interest rates and monetary injections into the system by the FED. ...Those two tactics had effect in the past, but moving forward, will have very little clout in defending against a recession/depression.

Social Security and Medicare have a HUGE, GIGANTIC SHORT FALL over the next 3 decades. 100 TRILLION DOLLARS according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Boomers don't care, or maybe some do, but they throw their hands up and turn the other way on the subject because they believe they will be gone before they have to experience, or deal with it.

It will be those of us younger than 50 to 55ish at the moment that will be left to deal with this problem in the future. It's not going to be pretty. ...ESPECIALLY if some other big countries decide to THROW THE PETRO DOLLAR in the trash in the future.

Where will that leave us?

Insanely high tax rates? Austerity for everybody for a prolonged amount of time? Taxing the wealthy at even insanely high rates won't be enough...

When we get to this point to where the charade is over, and we must deal with it as a country, things are going to get CRAZY!

Scott Hanna said:

For me, we have a glaring example of what government controlled health care would be like in the USA. The Veterans Administration. It's awful. If the government can't give good care to people who've earned it, how will they do for the general public?

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That's a little different. The VA is totally dependent on government funds...
which are specifically designated for them,
but only AFTER it is debated, voted on, and approved by the powers that be.

Universal healthcare would not depend on the whims of whomever is in charge at the moment.
(once it is up and running, of course)

Ausumm said:

That's a little different. The VA is totally dependent on government funds...
which are specifically designated for them,
but only AFTER it is debated, voted on, and approved by the powers that be.

Universal healthcare would not depend on the whims of whomever is in charge at the moment.
(once it is up and running, of course)

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I like your plan. I'm voting for you!

Ausumm said:

Universal healthcare would not depend on the whims of whomever is in charge at the moment.
(once it is up and running, of course)

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Riiiiight...........I'm sure if we give the gubmint a magnitudes bigger piece of the economy to manage, they'll do a much better job. <wink>

sawdust123 said:

Then we can make it so. Let's say the DJ is a Democrat and the couple is Republican. Then consider the opposite scenario. Ok, continue arguing...

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Still nothing in the offered scenario that rises to the level of minimal importance...although overflowing with lots of contrivance and nonsense.

rickryan.com said:

Riiiiight...........I'm sure if we give the gubmint a magnitudes bigger piece of the economy to manage, they'll do a much better job. <wink>

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Given they've NEVER done so, ever, or ever even came close.