OlDawg

Full disclosure: My better half has given me permission to sign up as a policy advocate and use her story to speak and meet with others and legislators/policy makers about the need for research. So, I may occasionally make postings related to these issues. I’ll keep them brief when I post.

A measure will come before voters on the November ballot to create a research fund and institute for Parkinson’s, Altzheimers, Dementia & related nuerodegenerative diseases. The administrative costs have been capped at 5% by the approved legislation. So, 95% will go to research funding. The amount set aside right now is $3 Billion over 10 years. Please read the attached link from the Michael J. Fox Foundation & remember, consider, and pass along this information to your friends, co-workers and families. Thanks in advance. [Hidden Content]

Socially more liberal. Not crazy liberal. Just more of a be and let be if it does no harm kind of liberal. Who someone sleeps with isn't any concern of mine. In fact, Government shouldn't be in the marriage business at all. Government should stay out of our personal lives. Fiscal conservative. Minimal Government & Federalist/State's Rights. Consider myself more of a libertarian than anything. I'm actually pro-immigration. But, not as long as the U.S. is a welfare state. Until that changes, immigrants should be self-supporting. They should assimilate and blend. Bring their culture and celebrate it. But realize they are Americans above all now if they choose to stay. Not too much to ask I don't think. I gave some good years of my life to protect just those beliefs. Was proud and honored to do it. Sadly, I wonder if it was worth it nowadays.

Here’s you some data. Read this one. Then, come back and tell me how great the education level of the recent influx of illegal immigrants is… Hint: You’ll find a number that says 43% don’t even have a high school education, and 27% ONLY have a high school education level. That’s why they’re a drain on the system from estimates of $600 Billion to $1.15 Trillion. Not because they’re all ‘bad people.’ It’s because they can’t support themselves with that education level. [Hidden Content]

I didn’t care much either way. It’s very old data. The data I posted is from April 2024 & Jan. 2025. With a wife who can’t speak or do much, I read a lot while watching her. Most of the info I post I’ve already researched well before, and have to go back and find the/a source. Similar to the nonprofit excise tax issue earlier in the thread. Usually, it leads back to official data, or a study from someone like Cato, Baker Institute, Kaiser, or those type folks. Basically, a source typically considered ‘neutral’ and trustworthy. Once a technical person, always a technical person. I want to see the data. It’s the engineering in me even in retirement. Incidentally, I’ve always felt it’s not what a man knows that makes him smart. It’s how well he knows how to find the answers to what he doesn’t know. 😊

No idea. I assume they know by reading my posting history that I research all data, and don’t just trust media of either side without question. Have at it. As mentioned, the cost basis of $65,000–with further breakdowns—was posted already in the SCOTUS birthright citizenship discussion. [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content]

We'll see what happens after Congress comes back from their long break. They're probably getting an ear full from their constituents.

Smaller charities may be helped by the reinstatement of the $300/$150 top line charitable deduction. Not sure how much since--as I understand it--most people actually file simple nowadays. I give a recurring monthly donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. I don't claim any of it. Many of us give because of the cause without seeking a tax benefit. Hopefully, this will continue.

Let me see if I can answer without falling out of my chair laughing at the awesome liberal education you received as a teasipper. 🤣 The U.S. imports 60% of it's fruit and 40% of it's vegetables. The major importer is Mexico. The U.S. issues roughly 500,000 H2A Visas (temporary farm worker visas) each year. There is no maximum allowable, and the number is set based on requests from the U.S. agricultural businesses themselves, so it fluctuates. There are approximately 2.4 million farmworkers employed each year in the U.S. Thirty percent are U.S. citizens, the aforementioned 500,000+ are here legally, which leaves about 1 million--give or take--illegal migrants. It would take an awful lot of crop harvesting to make up for a negative cost of $65,000 per illegal immigrant to even come close to breaking even on outlays. I think the cost of your fruits and vegetables would be more impacted by a 10% tariff than any loss of harvesting due to lack of illegal labor. Still, that's a heckuva lot of guacamole.

Correct. That’s why the approximately 12 Million that crossed the southern border recently are a net negative per capita on the U.S. economy. I’ve already posted the numbers and data on this provided to Congress in another thread. 😬😉 Again, I suggest waiting to see what actually winds up in the Bill. I think it’s going to have a tough time in its present form. This might wind up like Texas SB25 (MAHA Bill) after HEB lobbied against it so hard because they don’t want you to know what’s in the food you’re buying from them. It’s watered down so much now, it’s practically useless.

So, you go from 1.39 to ? You need to have a sizable investment portfolio for this to really hit your nonprofit. We’re talking in the millions to billions range. I haven’t read the numbers. But, if you say triple, that’s still only about 5% tax on investment income. As a nonprofit private foundation charity, how much investment income is needed? Is there a need to sit on that much cash? I thought the purpose of a charity was to provide support by giving? Not make income. I understand operating costs as I started and ran a nonprofit for years. But, my goodness. Will need to apportion out more carefully. That’s if this even stays in the final Bill. Note: After reading the proposed changes, a private nonprofit will still pay 1.39% on investments up to $50 Million. That’s a sizable investment portfolio. Not sure you’re gonna get much sympathy from Joe/Jane Smith who will have their taxes go up a much higher pct. when they’re barely getting by and you crying about paying—at most—10% on BILLIONS of investment income when you’re a tax advantaged nonprofit charity. That’s still less than the 12% most middle income folks pay, and most will never see a million in their lifetimes. But, many still probably give to charities. There may be many things not to like about this proposal. I haven’t read it all yet. But, I’m not sure this one is a biggie to the majority. This one strikes me as tone deaf…

I think it’s important to remember—as much as I may wonder about some aspects—if something doesn’t pass, everyone gets a major tax increase. Especially the middle to lower classes. Add layoffs on top of that because of tax increases and it’s gonna be bigly ugly. Medicaid coverage will be secondary because people won’t have money to get to the doctor anyway. Dems ran on letting the tax cuts we have now expire, raising taxes on top of that, and not doing anything to make the government more efficient. Then, they have the audacity to gripe about misuse of Medicaid? Rich…

Honestly, I haven’t read it all yet because I’ve gotten to the point where I wait until its final. This Bill is going to have massive changes before/if it gets through.

From my reading/understanding, Medicaid eligibility and enforcement is primarily up to the individual states. The Feds basically just provide the funds. I believe it’s supposed to be a 50/50 split. But, some states are taking advantage of some legal loopholes to increase their Fed matching money.

Agree. Not on Medicaid. But, Trump’s attempts to do away with ACA his first term—with no replacement—still have me worried. No one would cover my wife without the protections offered by ACA. Granted, her Parkinson’s Plus is untreatable & incurable at this time. But, Botox shots help with the paralysis/palsy & she is at higher risk for other issues that may need coverage. We pay over $2600/mo. for the privilege of having insurance cards. Still have high deductibles & co-pays. But, we’re not allowed to have a catastrophic plan by law. We do get a little of it back at tax time.

How Medicaid is being used to illegally cover illegal immigrants in multiple states: (My understanding is this is one of the ‘cuts’ that’s being addressed.) [Hidden Content]

Congrats Ladies!

I thought I heard/read something about PAISD voters approving a $78 Mil bond for new land and a new stadium. Is that true? @Mr. Buddy Garrity

Awesome piece by Texas Football Life! Even gave a shout out to the Dairy Queen. 😁

@baddog posted a thread with a video about a cover up scenario. Interesting watch.

Good question. Insurance stops paying for PSA at 70-75. Don’t know about Medicare. But, POTUS doctors I’d think would still include the test. Not as if it just jumps up overnight. Plus, he has family history of cancer. I know insurance only pays for one PSA a year for me. I have to wait another 4 months before I can get my next one paid. That’s the medical guidelines. So, you could conceivably go 11 months without any indication via blood work.

Huh? The Constitution doesn’t address political parties at all. The Democratic & Republican Parties stop 3rd Parties. Rules that are changed: 1. Ballot access minimums & dates. 2. Debate access. 3. Defense Dept. briefing access is denied as well as other government data. 4. Funding assistance not provided like the 2 major parties. Those pop into my head right off the top.

Thanks. It happens. Medical research shows that 80% of men over the age of 80 get some form of prostate cancer. He had a full life and was ready to be with my Mom. We knew it was coming, as he spent his last months living with us, so we were prepared.

Yes. One of the great ironies in American political history. But, in Jefferson’s time, they were actually alliances that didn’t purposely institute rules to limit other candidates. We haven’t had a really viable 3rd Party candidate in many years because every time one threatens the 2 Parties, they change the rules to make it harder/impossible to have a successful candidacy. Then, the press limits participation on top of that. Instead of like-minded people gathering together for the betterment, it’s used as a system to limit the people’s choice. Just another form of control that makes people believe they have a real impact.

If a man lives long enough, it’s almost inevitable. My Dad passed at 87 in 2023 from complications due to prostate cancer.