p-angie @p-angie - Tumblr Blog

Raise the capital gains tax and treat investment earnings like ordinary income.

YES!! One of the first times I have actually read a sensible and informed piece about taxation in the NYT.

I believe there exists a high enough non-optimal marginal tax rate that will induce greater tax avoidance schemes and result in decreased total revenues collected - is Ocasio-Cortez’ 70% past that optimal rate? I don’t know. But with the pervasive offshore activity and tax sheltering already in place at a 39.6% rate (or at a corporate level, the previous 35%) I think it might be. It can be easy to rally up progressives with a simple 70% number on the rich, but I don’t think that’s smart tax or economic policy. Yes, I’m for imposing a BIG tax on the “income” the ultra-rich earn - this often isn’t in the form of ordinary income that would be subject to the 70% rate, and it would require a serious reckoning with how the tax code defines income. Reform estate/gift taxes, close real estate loopholes, eliminate carried interest, and drastically increase long-term capital gains rates (while keeping them progressive to protect small investors). Maybe some would disagree, but I don’t believe taxes can be viewed in a purely statutory sense. They are a powerful tool to change the wealth and income inequality distribution in America.

#high net worth individuals #taxes #tax policy #alexandria ocasio-cortez #steven rattner #economics #income inequality

the-absolute-best-memes

when you open a text just to get rid of the notification

Wanted to write down thoughts on this past year for me to remember - I’m not typically someone who really looks at the past - I’m always jumping 5 steps ahead, impatient to move forward - but I’m realizing how useful it is to think of the past as well. I have to say, for the first time in a really really long time, I’m excited for the rest of life? Moments from 22:

1. Had my best friend drive 8 hours to come see me in Ann Arbor. I only see you once (at times, twice) a year - and you have been the consistent rock in my life for 10 years. We’ve had so many ups and downs, but you’ve loved me and supported me in my darkest times and brightest highs. You inspire me to love myself. I admire you so much.

2. Got a masters degree (whut??!). Never knew I could get so excited about taxes (lololol). Met SO many new people, made inspiring, smart, kind, new friends. Accountants are the coolest!

3. Had so many conversations in my professors’ offices: chatting about life, crying about family, getting coffee at the Ross Starbucks, gossiping about taxes (haha.) You stuck your neck out to vouch for me, support me, back me up. I will always be grateful.

4. Saw a few of the closest people in my life move across the world. Said goodbye. Shed tears.

5. Moved to Detroit. Sometimes still can’t believe I live here. Each day, there’s a moment when I’m walking down the street, driving down woodward, chatting with my neighbors - reminds me how lucky I am to live here and how beautiful this city is.

6. Started living with one of my best friends from high school. We both ended up here in Detroit all the way from Korea - you teach me so much. Thank you for showing me how to be an honest, critical, emotional human.

7. Started a full-time, real-world, adult job, I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone so many times, and had so so so many awkward corporate moments - buuuuut...I have learned so much. I’M TRYING

8. Started rock climbing - who knew climbing up and down fake rocks on walls could be so fun?! Also realizing how important it is to have hobbies and a life outside of work work work

9. Had my first adult-ey medical scare - tore my meniscus from bouldering, then freaked out cus where’s my mommy oh my god i’m all alone?! Was totally fine. Got surgery. Healed. Learned to depend on other people while hobbling on crutches for 2 months.

10. Never has my relationship with my family been in a better place. Umma, Appa, Bec - you are my ultimate role models.

11. Spent a good 3 weeks living with my sister in San Francisco. Realized how valuable, important, irreplaceable family is. We’ll live in the same city/state/coast one day

12. Met my...idk what to call him. Partner? That’s what it feels like. Met my partner to live life with.

13. Finally feel more confident, secure, loving of myself than ever - still a lot to wade through, but I’m getting there.

#birfday thoughts #nobody likes you when youre 23 #im old now but i like it

Moreover, to accept that whiteness brought us Donald Trump is to accept whiteness as an existential danger to the country and the world. But if the broad and remarkable white support for Donald Trump can be reduced to the righteous anger of a noble class of smallville firefighters and evangelicals, mocked by Brooklyn hipsters and womanist professors into voting against their interests, then the threat of racism and whiteness, the threat of the heirloom, can be dismissed. Consciences can be eased; no deeper existential reckoning is required.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/10/the-first-white-president-ta-nehisi-coates/537909/

In the wealthiest country on the planet, people shouldn’t be deprived of health care simply because they can’t afford it.

I've never seriously thought about my own health care until I tore my meniscus and part of my ACL about a month ago. Before that, I was a typical, perfectly healthy, 22-year-old that thought she was invincible. I only had health insurance through my school because it was a requirement for international students. The premium steadily increased throughout my 5 years in college, going from a little under $100/month to now $153/month. I winced every time I had to pay - a seemingly useless cost (that I fortunately was privileged enough to pay) especially as I rarely went to the doctor.

Fast forward to about a month ago, and I found myself suddenly having to see multiple specialists, orthopedic surgeons, X-rays, an MRI, physical therapy 2-3x a week - and an upcoming $22,000 surgery (not including all other hospital fees.) I spent hours trying to understand my insurance policy and receive exact costs and guarantees so I wouldn't be caught blind-sided by massive medical bills. That premium I was paying all those years fortunately came with a $100 deductible with low co-insurance and OOP maximums. I'm lucky I have a steady job that will allow me to continue to pay the premiums and my portion of the surgery - with continued job security and pay during my recovery.

But this experience showed me first-hand just a few flaws of the US health-care system - constantly trying to dodge out-of-network hospitals and specialists, incredibly long wait-times, very little price-transparency, and rapidly increasing costs for a relatively simple procedure and very very common sports injury. I can't imagine this experience if I had an unstable stream of income, very little education about health insurance, chronic health concerns, no job security for short-term disability leave, or lack of accessibility to even health care providers at all!

I was spoiled growing up in Canada and Korea where the health care system is incredibly fast, efficient, lower in cost - where I had absolutely no hesitation to see the doctor or specialist I needed. That shouldn't be a luxury or me being "spoiled." I was shocked when I saw this tiny glimpse into the U.S. healthcare industry - and Senator Sanders makes a passionate humanitarian argument for Medicare for All.

#united states politics and government #medicareforall #health care #Bernie sanders

rabbitinmyheadlights

Radiohead - I Promise

#cryin #radiohead

ridleydaisy

May the 4th be with you!

Math can make our brains light up in the same way art and music do.

I was never very good at math growing up, but I loved reading about it, especially Fermat’s Theorem. The search to find a truth that must hold true for infinity (and not just the first 99 trillion numbers!), and the ability for our natural, finite minds to somehow accept and comprehend that infinite truth is beautiful. Numbers and math are universal and transcend language/cultures, and growing up in a family where language and words seemed to break down and fail when crossing the cultural boundary between me and my parents - numbers always achieved perfect communication.

(Also, highly recommend reading “The Pain Scale” by Eula Biss. She uses numbers and concepts of infinity to express something so intangible like pain)

#beauty (concept)#math #infinity

The NHL announced Monday that it will not participate in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, ending a run of five consecutive Winter Olympics with NHL players.

what an absolute shame. Commissioner buttman always putting profits first, love of the game last. Some of my favorite hockey memories growing up were from the Olympics

#nhl #winter olympics

An appeals court ruling on Monday was a victory for truck drivers and punctuation pedants.

THIS IS WHY PUNCTUATION IS IMPORTANT

#teamoxfordcomma #chicagomanualistruth

#english language #oxford comma

fancyoption

The director Sam Gold’s production of the Shakespeare tragedy, which has had a rocky road to fruition, will open in June.

It’s happening!!!

p-angie

POE DAMERON IS HAMELT THIS IS NOT A DRILL (also Luther be horatio wooo)

A story of redemption, racial tension and latent homosexuality shamelessly timed for award season. » Subscribe to Late Night: http://bit.ly/LateNightSeth » G...

too perfect