One of the big guys

According to THOMAS SHAPLEY P-I EDITORIAL BOARD Sunday, October 10, 1999 Reality: This is a boon to the big guys with newer, more expensive cars and motor homes. The progressiveness of the existing formula -- the more you have the more you pay, and, just as important, the less you have the less you pay -- is overturned in favor of a flat price for everyone. How does buying a nice car, van, truck or motorhome make a person a "big guy"? Is it because that person has more money than another, has saved more than another, or is 7'-0" tall and weighs 900lbs.

Then Mr. Shapley writes "Another example: The owner of a middle-aged Ford valued at $4,000 now pays $88 a year for her tabs. Her big I-695 tax break? Fifty-eight dollars. Whoopeee!

It may be "Whoopee!" to Mr. Shapley, but it may mean a lot to that women. It may mean the difference between getting her medication or going postal.

Mr. Shapley a couple of questions for you. How much do you make as member of the P-I Editorial Board? And what type of car do you drive? What does your wife drive? What does your children drive? What schools do your children go to and how much does it cost you each year?

That's enough for now. Just want to learn all about you as you do when it is someone who doesn't agree with you.

Ed - "The serious partying will take place in the $100,000 motor home, whose owner gets a $2,170 cut." That's where I'll be

-- Ed (ed_brigdes@yahoo.com), October 10, 1999

Answers

Ed:

The point being that the $100,000 (or $500,000) motorhome is not owned by any little old lady on food stamps. "Motorhome" benefits $2170, and "old ford" benefits $58. What part of the statement by Mr. Shapley did you not understand?

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 11, 1999.

d

So only Bill & Paul have motorhomes? A lot of people I know have motorhomes and their not in Mr. Shapleys pay rage. Their just people that want to enjoy themselves by going on trips with their families or traveling around our great country (dont tell Chez).

Plus where do you get off saying little old ladies dont have motorhomes. My parents have had motorhomes for years until my dad died. They traveled all over in it as they didnt have to rely on finding a hotel in the middle of the night or wondering if one of the relatives had room to put them up.

I suggest d that you do a little traveling yourself around your city and look who has a motorhome parked in their driveway. The majority of them are old. And make a hell of a lot less then Holier than us then the little guy Mr. Shapley.

Ed  trying to buy a 82 Mustang GT w/T-tops for $1500. MVET on it should be about $200.

-- Ed (ed_bridges@yahoo.com), October 12, 1999.

Ed:

You missed the part about it being a $100,000 (or $500,000) motorhome, and the little old lady is on food stamps. You did note that most of those motorhomes you were talking about were old; thus, not worth $100 - 500,000, and also not being charged $2170/year. I believe my point still stands. The big buck motorhomes that benefit the most are owned by big buck owners, retired or not.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 12, 1999.

d

No you missed the point. I didnt mean to say that the motorhomes were old but that the majority of the people owning them are old (compared to me ).

Did you look around like I suggested and actually take a look at who are driving them? I doubt it. Youve got your head buried in the sand with the other doom and gloomers.

Why is it that you and the people of your ilk just cant stand seeing someone driving a nice car, truck or motorhome. You keep talking about other people spending their money for the betterment of the have-nots, my question to you is why dont you people send all of your money in? This should put a dent in the states loss of MVET.

Ed  cant wait for the apocalypse

-- Ed (ed_bridges@yahoo.com), October 13, 1999.

Ed:

I re-read, and understand you now. No change in my point. Big buck vehicles are owned by big buck owners who gain the most in a flat tax system.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 13, 1999.