Crime and the economy

[Wifezilla]

If I have a medical need, I go to the hospital and then MAKE PAYMENTS!

Nobody is paying for me but ME. Every time I pay estimated quarterly taxes, I know I am paying for OTHER PEOPLE.

Being self reliant makes me some kind of relic?

Fine...I am a relic. If I don't reply it is because I am off in the woods hunting for my new hat.

 

[rizq]

Quote:
Exactly.

And I don't have a problem paying taxes to fund the military and roads and other things that are the government's job. I have a problem paying taxes to fund those who refuse to take care of themselves. I am not talking about those who need a hand, I am talking about those who live off the system and illegal aliens who have no claim to my money at all. Taxes is a necessary evil. Over taxation is wrong. I don't make very much, I should not have to fork over 35% of the $400-500 I make a month ... that's right ... and no, I don't get it back. Why? Because I am self employed.

 

[Boyd]

thats why I would like to see a fair tax enabled, whatever the cost. Then everybody who is a consumer in america can help fund the system they draw from.

 

[Wifezilla]

Exactly Rizq

I am self-employed too. Many people are paying a lot more in taxes than they realize. It is just hidden because the employer pays part of it.

And for the record... Insurance DOES NOT equal health care. Insurance is a middle man.

When did it become radical to suggest paying wholesale for health care by paying the doctor directly?

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
my doctors visit usually cost 75$ (with a $10 copay).. when I didn't have insurance? $25........ tell me this isn't a racket

 

[hikerchick]

Quote:
oooh, shoot one for me!

 

[Wifezilla]

LOL

Exactly.

I once say down with a friend of mine and compared bills for the same procedure we had only weeks apart. She had insurance and I didn't.

Her cost with her portion and copay? $900
My cost paying out of pocket with no insurance? $900

So, $900 was the actual value of the service. The OTHER $2000 on my friend's bill was just gravy to keep the insurance company going.

It IS a racket.

 

[beak]

Quote:
But the money paid for a procedure doesn't go to the insurance. It goes to the doctor and the medical facility. It is a racket all the way around. The insurance company makes hand over fist on premiums. The doctors and hospitals make money from overcharging.

I had a very painful swelling in my back and was concerned about possible disc problems. Went to a back specialist and he charged 385.00 to see me for 10 minutes. He had me walk on my toes then my heels then bend over. I guess it was a good deal. This kind of stuff needs to be controlled. Leaving it as is won't make things any better. Why should our entire health system be such a racket. Why is the emergency room so expensive?

Yes being self employed cost an extra 8.1% for FICA and Medicare

 

[rizq]

Quote:
I am not sure where you got that number, but this is directly from the IRS site:

SE tax rate. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. The rate consists of two parts: 12.4% for social security (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance) and 2.9% for Medicare (hospital insurance).

That is on top of the regular income tax, which your employer does not help pay since you are not an employee. It costs more than 8.1% more.​

 

[beak]

Quote:
I am not sure where you got that number, but this is directly from the IRS site:

SE tax rate. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. The rate consists of two parts: 12.4% for social security (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance) and 2.9% for Medicare (hospital insurance).

That is on top of the regular income tax, which your employer does not help pay since you are not an employee. It costs more than 8.1% more.​

No it actually cost's less. If you are employed vs self employed you pay 50% and your employer pays 50%. So if you are self employed you pay 15.3%. If you are employed by an employer you pay 7.65% and your employer pays 7.65%. That's the cool p[art if you are self employed and have employees you have to pay your full FICA and Medicare plus 50% of your employees. Been there done that. One of the reasons I'm not self employed. Don't need all the stress.

So I was high. I said you pay an additional 8.1 but it i actually 7.65%. Pretty close for an educated guess.