gdp's Comments

Crasstalk : Help a Pre-teen

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:53:34 +0000

Momof3, I wish I could tell you it gets better. But, from my experience, it doesn't. I went to a similar private school from kindergarten through 8th grade. From about 4th grade on, I was the outcast, picked on by just about everyone. Worse, the teachers and administration, far from putting a stop to it, actively supported the bullies. For me, it didn't get better until I left that hell-hole and went to the local public high school. The bullying is only going to stop when adults step in and make it stop. If your child's teachers won't do anything about it, then it's probably time to think about switching schools.

Crasstalk : The American Jobs Act Speech - A Liveblog featuring Momof3wildkids and MonkeyBiz

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 23:51:20 +0000

A few years back, I was an Americorps VISTA, making 105% of the federal poverty level (at the time, roughly 11.5K/year). I lived with my parents in Connecticut and worked in New York, and thus paid taxes in both states. On my Connecticut taxes, I got a refund. On my New York taxes, I owed money.

Crasstalk : The American Jobs Act Speech - A Liveblog featuring Momof3wildkids and MonkeyBiz

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 23:48:40 +0000

Of the entire NYC metro area, CT has the lowest taxes.

Crasstalk : The American Jobs Act Speech - A Liveblog featuring Momof3wildkids and MonkeyBiz

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 23:47:49 +0000

Again, you're not paying 35% on all your income--only the portion that's over 250K. If you're paying half your income in taxes, you need better accountants.

Crasstalk : The American Jobs Act Speech - A Liveblog featuring Momof3wildkids and MonkeyBiz

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 23:44:41 +0000

I wanted a non-partisan presentation of the statistics for the sake of full honesty. I don't normally spend time on the BLS site. Also, sorry, I have a boyfriend.

Crasstalk : The American Jobs Act Speech - A Liveblog featuring Momof3wildkids and MonkeyBiz

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 23:41:30 +0000

Also, that's a marginal tax rate. The only income anyone is paying 35% on is non-investment income above and beyond $250K per year. Even if we factor in a massive state and local tax burden, there's no way anyone pays more than 35% of their total income in taxes.

Crasstalk : The American Jobs Act Speech - A Liveblog featuring Momof3wildkids and MonkeyBiz

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 23:30:17 +0000

momof3, this comment: "Federal government payrolls have increased under his “reign” while state government and private employment has plummeted." is only partially true. Under Obama's policies, private-sector employment has risen, slightly. However, it hasn't risen fast enough to keep pace even with the rate of public-sector layoffs, let alone with population growth. Here's the BLS data: http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES0500000001

Crasstalk : The Childbirth Issue That Must Not Be Spoken Of

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 17:15:50 +0000

Anytime I read anything about childbirth, it reminds me why I'm so happy to be a gay man.

Crasstalk : United Illuminating -- YOU SUCK

Fri, 2 Sep 2011 20:23:56 +0000

I thought competition among suppliers was supposed to lower our rates--and personally, I can tell you that my family switching suppliers has lowered our rates. Since my experience, apparently, is an anomaly, what's the alternative? I'm not tied to CL&P, but someone's got to maintain the grid.

Crasstalk : United Illuminating -- YOU SUCK

Fri, 2 Sep 2011 19:07:31 +0000

This is absolutely correct. Here in my part of Connecticut, we have multiple electricity providers, one of which is CL&P, who is responsible for the substations and wires. It doesn't matter who provides the electricity, there's simply no way to have two competing grid-maintenance companies.

Crasstalk : Driving Angry Is a Sport

Fri, 2 Sep 2011 14:49:23 +0000

Massachusetts drivers are the worst. When I lived in Massachusetts, I saw more accidents in a month than I did in an entire year in Connecticut. There are only two kinds of Massachusetts drivers: The ones too stupid to know how dangerously they drive, and the ones who are actively trying to kill you.

Crasstalk : The New York Times Would Like You to Know What Your Beard Says About You

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:53:47 +0000

Off-topic, but, where did you get that picture from? [EDIT, because I can't see your damn comment. I was just wondering about the photo because I used to know someone who looks exactly like that guy.]

Crasstalk : New York Ruined Every Other City in America For Me

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:37:40 +0000

When you're drunk at 2 AM.

Crasstalk : New York Ruined Every Other City in America For Me

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:23:14 +0000

What places?

Crasstalk : New York Ruined Every Other City in America For Me

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:40:23 +0000

As a beer-drinking, hot-dog-eating, not-muscular New York gay, this article makes me want to go to Chicago ASAP. A gay bar with beer? One where the guys look like real people and not bionic over-inflated humanoids with leathery skin and zero body fat? This is the kind of gay bar I want!

Crasstalk : What Makes a Sporting Memory Great?

Fri, 27 May 2011 23:24:12 +0000

This: [youtube NSUJQmIeVBo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSUJQmIeVBo youtube]

Crasstalk : Life, Death and Violence: A Study of May 11

Wed, 11 May 2011 22:44:59 +0000

You had me at Electric Six. Inspired song choice.

Crasstalk : QOTD: The Worst Movie You've Ever Seen

Wed, 4 May 2011 22:19:28 +0000

National Treasure the original rises to the level of mediocre. The second is complete and utter crap.

Crasstalk : QOTD: The Worst Movie You've Ever Seen

Wed, 4 May 2011 21:09:03 +0000

A.I.

Crasstalk : Tuesday Evening Open Thread

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:41:25 +0000

The remix? Really? The original is so much better.