Premte Peeves
Category Archives: Dick’s Dumps
Premte Peeves
When a “devout” Muslim extremist shot and killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Demorats and the MainStream Media were fast to tell us not to jump to conclusions about devout Muslim extremists. When a sole wacko shot 19 and killed 5 in Arizona, the MSM (as well Lee Bruhl and the rest of his Gang) was fast to conclude it was right wing politics as usual.
The peeve: Perhaps the MSM is the real “Party of Hate and Murder.” And everybody wants to make money on 19 people gunned down by a simple murderer in Arizona.
Premte Peeves
380 million dollars.
I’ve never met anyone with 380 million dollars. In fact, most of us never will.
Interest rates are low so the “annuitized” cash value was $240 Million. A ticket sold in Idaho and in Washington both won the jackpot and will split the prize. If they take the cash (the smart choice), each receives $120 million.
Or not.
The IRS requires a minimum 25% withholding on gambling wins in excess of $5000. Except the real rate is 35% on the income over $372,950 plus $108,216. And state and local taxes grab another chunk (although the Washington state winner lives in a state with no income tax).
So our 380 million dollar winner is actually two 190 million dollar winners who each get half of 240 million dollars and take home less than 80 million.
That’s still a lot of money and nothing to be peeved about.
Except it turns out corporate dividends are not the only kind of income twice taxed or triple or even quintuple taxed. Every dollar that went into that jackpot was already “after tax” income. Taxpayers (even the very poor who have no tax liability) bought every one of the 300-ish million tickets sold.
So the governments got income tax on the money coming in, then they took a cut off the top of the lottery prize (for the education fund, doncha know). And now they take another tax on the “winnings.”
A tax on peope who can’t do math.
That’s a lot of money and it is something to be peeved about.
Premte Peeves
I ordered a video card from an online merchant today. I won’t mention the business but the seller’s name evokes a reminder of Exxon’s long-time Mascot, Tony the Tiger.
The order came with a mail-in rebate. Mail-in? Here are the actual instructions from the video card manufacturer:
How to Claim Your Rebate
In order to obtain a rebate, visit http://evga.4myrebate.com and enter the offer code shown. You will then complete your rebate form submission online. You must have internet access, a valid email address and a printer in order to claim this rebate.
The reason I need internet access, a valid email address, a printer, and an envelope and stamp to claim this rebate is simple. After filling out the five pages of forms with my complete DNA information online, including selecting a payment method of a check or a gift card (I took the check), including turning down the $3 “expedited” processing fee, I had to print the form, buy a stamp, and send all the exact same information to EVGA.
That, dear readers, is ridiculous.
Premte Peeves
I stayed so peeved after reading this roundup, I almost forgot to write it down.
“Corrupt, crony car capitalism,” from American Thinker is worth a read. It was “all paid for by coerced taxation, from an administration that promised a new era of transparency and honesty in government.” An Obamanation that stole a great American company from its honest American owners.
We hung horse thieves, didn’t we?