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Jonah Goldberg: Working Less (Who is John Galt?)
The National Review ^ | February 27, 2009 | Jonah Goldberg

Posted on 02/28/2009 5:29:18 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

I got this earlier today, from a reader:

Jonah, a few years ago, I lived in Manhattan (we met briefly one year at a cocktail hour at some bar on 2nd Av when I was at [job description withheld]). My bride and I together were pulling down about 400k per year. (btw, we didn't feel rich, we didn't act rich, and Bernie Madoff never took us into his confidence, either.)

At the same time, every dollar we earned was being taxed about 50% (I mean, taxed where I could see it being taxed) . So who were we working for? Everything we bought, we were buying one just like it for somebody else. I decided then (probably 2002 or 2003) that I wouldn't do that any more. So I deliberately changed my career strategy to move into jobs that paid progressively less. After 2 such job changes, we left New York for CT. Our income now is about 130k and soon I will leave my 80k job for real retirement. Yeah, I have a pension and some other assets (dwindling) that can produce income. But I think I've succeeded in minimizing my income - and therefore my tax burden. And yeah, I'm at a stage in my life where my strategy is practical and I know most people aren't. But so far it's working for me.

And this came in just a minute ago:

Jonah:

I don't believe Stephen Benen would be happy if I and other anesthesiologists simply worked less - because we maxed out on low taxes.

I work a lot of overtime, for MONEY.

Without this incentive, people like Benen would be waiting in line for surgery.

Sincerely,

Frank


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: agenda; atlasshrugged; economy; obama; porkulus; socialism; stimulus; taxes; wealth
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To: Mrs.Z
I have a hard time seeing how these doctor/lawyer working types could EVER vote DIM

My family doc did and now I am new doc shopping. I don't want anybody that damn'd dumb taking medical care of my family.

21 posted on 02/28/2009 6:04:44 PM PST by Graybeard58 (Selah)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I would suggest a “work slowdown.” Isn’t that really what the Obamites want? It’s a standard union tactic, so let’s give them what they want, and see if they like it.

On the other hand, I’ve found that I don’t need to intentionally slow down my work in this economy. There just isn’t as much work to do.

At some point, though, when they have their backs against the wall, it might even be worth slowing down from our already slow pace just so that we can let these politicians explain why their ideas did not work.


22 posted on 02/28/2009 6:04:56 PM PST by Brilliant
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To: Candor7
Obama is digging his own grave. I applaud every shovelful he takes out of the hole.

Well said, but the pain and associated distress on the way to the funeral will cause serious hardship for millions of us. And the damage caused will last for more than a generation, I'm afraid...

Unfortunately, what caused this mess started years ago with a complicit Congress and unchallenged by the previous White House and it won't end at the next election. The reactions, including this disaster called "a stimulus package" will do much more harm than good and the build up of enormous debt will now be on the backs of our children and their children.

23 posted on 02/28/2009 6:05:14 PM PST by vox_freedom ("If God be for us, who is against us?" -- Romans 8:31)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

>> Frank: “I and other anesthesiologists simply worked less”

Add to that the likely elimination of Bush’s rule that protects health care workers from forced participation in abortion.


24 posted on 02/28/2009 6:08:55 PM PST by Gene Eric
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To: LifeComesFirst

“employers will respond by paying lower salaries BUT with lots of non-pecuniary benefits (trips, cars, fine dining, etc.).”

No, those things are already taxed. How about shorter work weeks?


25 posted on 02/28/2009 6:14:41 PM PST by Twotone
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To: Earthdweller
Socialism was started 100 years ago.

No it wasn't. Ceasar used the same populist BS to become Imperator. Don't you remember the saying "Bread and circuses? All of this stuff has been tried before, just read some history books.
26 posted on 02/28/2009 6:17:09 PM PST by Tailback
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To: Mercat

Don’t reduce your income. Just reduce what you have to declare. Stash the extra away in tangible assets that are easily sold for cash, or bartered for other goods and services.

Start a small business and expense a lot out, make a little. After 3 years of minimal or no profit fold up. Start another.

You would be surprised at how many small businesses will do cash deals on the side for services. Don’t be afraid to ask.


27 posted on 02/28/2009 6:17:15 PM PST by o_zarkman44 (Obama is the ultimate LIE!)
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To: Tailback
Meant to say in this country in an overt manner. Actually socialism is as old civilization and is part of human nature. Reminds me of the story about the guy who baked the bread that no one wanted to help bake but when it was done everyone wanted to help eat it.
28 posted on 02/28/2009 6:21:07 PM PST by Earthdweller (Socialism makes you feel better about oppressing people.....)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

29 posted on 02/28/2009 6:25:46 PM PST by FormerACLUmember (When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.)
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To: netmilsmom

Well said.


30 posted on 02/28/2009 6:30:44 PM PST by LearsFool ("Thou shouldst not have been old, till thou hadst been wise.")
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To: Tailback
All of this stuff has been tried before, just read some history books.

But it has not been tried before on Americans. And there are still quite a few of them in the United States.

Maybe there are enough of them to prevail.

31 posted on 02/28/2009 6:33:21 PM PST by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (American Revolution II -- overdue.)
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To: netmilsmom

None of those moochers would get one damn dime if we all refused to hand it over.


32 posted on 02/28/2009 6:35:24 PM PST by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (American Revolution II -- overdue.)
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To: GOP Poet

I do too, but he will come after that eventually.


33 posted on 02/28/2009 6:42:41 PM PST by richardtavor (Pray for the peace of Jerusalem in the name of the G-d of Jacob)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Just when you start to feel like you are winning the rat race, along comes faster rats.

Peering into my crystal ball, I see nothing but static. What Obama and his hordes are doing to America has no precedent in American history. Without precedent, trying to predict the reaction and eventual outcome amounts to skyballing.

Myself, I am hunkering down. Buy it new, wear it out. Use less, do without. I made the last major purchase I plan for this year when I bought this new computer (although I will make software upgrades). My television is 15 years old and when it finally dies, will not be replaced. I don’t have a car, I don’t have a credit card, I have no debt.

Since they can’t squeeze blood from a turnip, I think I am pretty safe.


34 posted on 02/28/2009 6:44:03 PM PST by Ronin
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To: Brilliant
let these politicians explain why their ideas did not work

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

I can hear Pelosi and Barney Fwank screeching now, "It was the Wepublicans and Wushes disciples that sabotaged our plans. Therefore we will intwoduce the Obamugabe Bill tomowwow. The Death Tax will be 100% and all weal pwoputty of wich white people will be confiscated for the good of the Amewikan Worker."

35 posted on 02/28/2009 6:45:15 PM PST by RoadKingSE (How do you know that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a muzzle flash ?)
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To: Twotone
How about shorter work weeks?

Welcome to France. I can just see myself sitting half the day sipping coffee in a cafe sneering at tourists, and wiling the nights away burning cars.

36 posted on 02/28/2009 6:46:14 PM PST by seowulf (Petraeus, cross the Rubicon.)
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To: vox_freedom
I agree with what you say. But I will not whine. i will fight them in my own neighborhood.
37 posted on 02/28/2009 6:47:24 PM PST by Candor7 (Fascism? All it takes is for good men to say nothing, ( member NRA)
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To: bert
Francisco is busy caring for the future mines, tracks and docks. You'll know when he is finished :-)
38 posted on 02/28/2009 6:47:25 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: netmilsmom
The Utopia you describe, how long will it last?

Less than four years.

Capital is leaving the USA, and soon no one will lend it to Obama.

And then printing more money will not work.

And both you and I know enough what to do when that fat lady sings.

39 posted on 02/28/2009 6:50:34 PM PST by Candor7 (Fascism? All it takes is for good men to say nothing, ( member NRA)
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To: netmilsmom

Well, I made a living by selling new kitchen and bath cabinets and countertops to the folks who will hate it. And since they aren’t buying those things, especially since they aren’t buying them from me, I hate it. I NEED the rich and I NEED the rich to spend money. Well-to-do Nashville FReepers who want lovely kitchens (and happy wives) - CALL OR WRITE TODAY! Hell, when outfits like Lowe’s are down something like 60%, what do you think the little tiny guy is doing?


40 posted on 02/28/2009 6:51:53 PM PST by Emmett McCarthy
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