# Obama, I Loves Ya, but STFU about DTV **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 9, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448 "2009-01-09T00:13:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/221 "2009-01-14T10:24:30Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > So far you’ve mentioned sales tax, and Social Security tax. Neither of which support said program. No, you stupid cunt, I’ve mentioned state, local, Federal, sales, social security and ALL TAXES. Stick a sock in it, you jacked up little tart, we’ve heard your tune before and it doesn’t get better with repetition. I’m not publishing my tax return to satisfy a nasty, pox-laden shithead such as yourself. You aren’t entitled to that level of detail about ANYONE’s life here. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/222 "2009-01-14T23:33:50Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Some numbers I have heard…50% of the country gets cable, so they aren’t affected. Of the remaining that use an antenna, only 7% isn’t digital ready. > > So after years of warnings and a year of government handouts, with 93% of the affected group ready for the change, we have to wait some more? To be fair, though, it hasn’t really been a year of them being able to **get** the boxes. There was an article several months back warning people not to send for them too soon, because the non-replacable coupons were only good for 90 days, and they were being issued long before the boxes actually hit the market. I don’t think I saw a box in the store before the end of the summer, did you? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/223 "2009-01-14T23:56:30Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > To be fair, though, it hasn’t really been a year of them being able to **get** the boxes. There was an article several months back warning people not to send for them too soon, because the non-replacable coupons were only good for 90 days, and they were being issued long before the boxes actually hit the market. I don’t think I saw a box in the store before the end of the summer, did you? There have been digital boxes available at Best Buy for about 2.5 years. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/224 "2009-01-15T02:55:07Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > No, you stupid cunt, I’ve mentioned state, local, Federal, sales, social security and ALL TAXES. Stick a sock in it, you jacked up little tart, we’ve heard your tune before and it doesn’t get better with repetition. I’m not publishing my tax return to satisfy a nasty, pox-laden shithead such as yourself. You aren’t entitled to that level of detail about ANYONE’s life here. Got it. You’re not paying any federal income taxes at all, but you won’t admit it. And you pay all these other taxes, and by golly, you feel entitled. To paraphrase you, why shouldn’t you take advantage of a benefit that is offered, and oh, NEENER NEENER to those that are paying for it. You are a piece of work. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/225 "2009-01-15T05:12:25Z")
Where the FUCK did you get the idea I somehow DON’T pay Federal taxes. You fucking dumb cunt, NOW you’re accusing me of breaking the law? Yes, I goddamned paid Federal taxes - NOT just social security but regular Federal income tax - in 2007. I have _already_ had Federal income taxes withheld from both my unemployment benefits AND from a part time job I held in 2008. **YOU GODDAMN FUCKING JACKED UP CUNT, HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF BREAKING THE LAW YOU PIECE OF SHIT ASSWIPE?!** Seriously, where the FUCK did you get the idea I don’t pay Federal income tax? Go to fucking hell you diseased goat-felching whore. You are fucking out of line to accuse me of being a criminal. Who the FUCK do you think you are, bitch? Don’t EVER accuse me of being a criminal again you piece of shit unless you can damn well back it up. What a repulsive, disgusting, evil, vindictive shithead you are. How did you get to be so vile, do you lick Satan’s ashtray when you wake up in the morning or something? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/226 "2009-01-15T21:15:47Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Got it. You’re not paying any federal income taxes at all, but you won’t admit it. And you pay all these other taxes, and by golly, you feel entitled. To paraphrase you, why shouldn’t you take advantage of a benefit that is offered, and oh, NEENER NEENER to those that are paying for it. **Carol** , did you notice the word “Federal” in the post you quoted? Anyway, this thread is a lot less fun now that we’re yelling at each other about taxes. We can do that anytime; how often do we get to yell at each other about delaying the digital changover? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/227 "2009-01-16T03:20:40Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Seriously, where the FUCK did you get the idea I don’t pay Federal income tax? Some 33% of Americans pay no federal income tax at all. Based on the fact that your 2008 income consisted of unemployment benefits and a part-time job, it’s likely you are in that group. Dial it back a notch, woman. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/228 "2009-01-16T10:35:36Z")
FUCK you bitch - you accused of being a tax cheat you piece of shit. I don’t have to “dial it back a notch”. YOU need to stop accusing people of committing felonies with no proof whatsoever, fuckstick. And, again - you CLEARLY missed the fact that Federal income tax _has already been withheld_ from both those unemployment benefits and the income from the part time job. You also clearly blew past the fact that _in addition to_ those jobs I have ALSO been working as an independent contractor. How much - _if any_ - of the withheld tax I will get back remains to be seen. YOU certainly don’t know that number, shit-for-brains. I’m _poor_, not _dishonest_. Unlike you, you slimeball. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/229 "2009-01-16T13:09:11Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Maybe your bias has blinded you. Among the flaws I have enumerated, aside from those in this thread, are these: > > [ol] > [li]His naivete with regard to the nefarious intentions of others[/li][li]His vulnerabilities to exploitation due to the moral depravity of people in Washington[/li][li]His reliance on the goodwill of wily Congressional leaders[/li][li]His natural kindness and the fragility it exposes[/li][li]The possibility that he might fail altogether due to the pettiness and gluttonous greed of others[/li][/ol]I could go on, but I think that alone is a considerable list. You amaze me. Obama is a lawyer. He had to wade through the cesspool of Chicago politics. You really think he is that naive? Your list sounds like the answer to the old job interview question (What is your worst fault? Well gosh darn sometimes I just work too hard). If he really is that naive we need a new president. This one is too soft for the job. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/230 "2009-01-16T14:47:43Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > So far you’ve mentioned sales tax, and Social Security tax. Neither of which support said program. _Pats Carol on the head_ I hate to break the news to you, dear, but the Social Security Lock Box is like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. It doesn’t actually exist. (If you hadn’t heard the bad news about those last two… well, consider two more apologies offered.) The federal government collects Social Security taxes, and immediately spends the money for whatever it is they’re buying at the moment… tanks, cheese, uniforms, office space, converter boxes, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/231 "2009-01-17T03:25:18Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > FUCK you bitch - you accused of being a tax cheat you piece of shit. I don’t have to “dial it back a notch”. YOU need to stop accusing people of committing felonies with no proof whatsoever, fuckstick. > > And, again - you CLEARLY missed the fact that Federal income tax _has already been withheld_ from both those unemployment benefits and the income from the part time job. Withheld does not equal paid, dear. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/232 "2009-01-17T03:41:50Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Withheld does not equal paid, dear. Y’know, I’ve spent this whole thread being fairly disgusted with **Broomstick** , but you’re really climbing the charts. First you refused to accept that the second “2007” in her post was a typo, and now you refuse to accept that she has to pay taxes for last year. If she made more than about $9,000 last year, she pays at least $1 in federal income tax. Since she stated that she had income from unemployment, a part-time job, and some 1099 jobs, I think the chances are pretty good that she’ll be taxed. I see no reason to doubt this, and - other than personal antagonism - I don’t see why you should doubt it either. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/233 "2009-01-17T03:59:01Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > If she made more than about $9,000 last year, she pays at least $1 in federal income tax. Since she stated that she had income from unemployment, a part-time job, and some 1099 jobs, I think the chances are pretty good that she’ll be taxed. > > I see no reason to doubt this, and - other than personal antagonism - I don’t see why you should doubt it either. I’m not convinced that is the case. It was brought up during the campaign that some 33-35% of Americans don’t pay any federal income tax at all, and that percentage would increase to 37-39% under both Obama’s and McCain’s plans. It simply can’t be true that 33% of Americans make \< $9000/yr. ---
**Author:** ![Influential\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/234 "2009-01-17T04:08:58Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > I’m not convinced that is the case. It was brought up during the campaign that some 33-35% of Americans don’t pay any federal income tax at all, By whom? Perhaps they were using your, uh, “conservative” definition of paying, which for some inexplicable reason does not include payroll withholdings. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/235 "2009-01-17T04:13:05Z")
> [@Influential\_Panda](#): > > By whom? Perhaps they were using your, uh, “conservative” definition of paying, which for some inexplicable reason does not include payroll withholdings. By both campaigns, including the public, mainstream discussion thereof. And federal income tax withholding is STILL not paying taxes. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/236 "2009-01-17T04:20:20Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > It simply can’t be true that 33% of Americans make \< $9000/yr. Well, no, I don’t buy that either, which makes me doubt that “33% don’t pay tax” is accurate. 33% including people (including children) with no income - maybe. (Yes, I know there is EIC. I don’t know how many filers EIC turns from tax due to a tax credit.) The personal exemption for a single person on FIT is $3,500; the standard deduction (in lieu of itemization) is $5,450. So a single person with only those deductions who makes between $8,950 and 8,965 owes one dollar in tax. I’m not going to calc **Broomstick** ’s figures, since I don’t know them - and neither do you! - but if we assume that she is filing married jointly with no dependents, we can double the above numbers. Both of those numbers are below a full time job at minimum wage. I have to assume that her income is above that - or, well, shit, she’d be working at McDonalds already. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/237 "2009-01-17T04:27:00Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Well, no, I don’t buy that either, which makes me doubt that “33% don’t pay tax” is accurate I’ll look for some cites, but it won’t be until tomorrow. Getting late and all. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/238 "2009-01-17T04:29:18Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > I’ll look for some cites, but it won’t be until tomorrow. Getting late and all. OK. Appreciate it, in advance. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/239 "2009-01-17T04:30:41Z")
Haven’t had a chance to go through it, but [these may be the numbers](http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/1410.html) **Carol** is citing. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448/240 "2009-01-17T04:48:45Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Haven’t had a chance to go through it, but [these may be the numbers](http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/1410.html) **Carol** is citing. Thanks. That indicates that children are included in the count. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-i-loves-ya-but-stfu-about-dtv/480448.md?page=13)