WTF - how does he make so much? It can't possibly be his governor salary. What does his wife do?
He's such a bully and a blowhard. And he's done sh*t for NJ.
She's an investment banker.
ETA: Which kind of makes this make sense. I mean, compared to all her colleagues AND the people Chris Christie hangs out with, they totally feel poor, right? :^)
Post by londoncalling on Apr 17, 2015 15:58:41 GMT -5
Let's also no pretend that he did his taxes himself. And if he just had w2 income of $700k and took the standard deduction then he could file a damn 1 page 1040ez and call it a day. It's the schedule a deductions, and schedule b and d investment income that makes his return "this thick".
Also anecdote: I had to tell a client their estimated 2015 tax liability was > $250k. They weren't thrilled, but they said "we've been very fortunate already this year so we shouldn't complain." Best rich clients ever (at least publicly).
CC is just a douche. But, besides that, the argument that taxes are "too hard" is so stupid and simplistic. There are lots of things that are hard but it is what it is. So we need to simplify the tax code, or create a flat tax because you have too much paper to sift through?
Post by bugandbibs on Apr 17, 2015 17:29:48 GMT -5
Can I be that kind of "not wealthy" please. It's no wonder he's polling at the bottom of the R list of candidates. The kind of moderates who would vote for him seem like middle to upper middle class people- this won't make him likeable to them.
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The thought that $700K a year isn't rich is laughable.
But I think a means test of some kind is a very good idea. I hope it gets some traction, but I have serious doubts that it can.
I would support something like this, but if it's true that people who make that amount of money make up such a small percentage of the population, is it really going to save that much? It seems more like something to do on principle rather than something to do because of its effectiveness.
Well, after spending approximately 4 years of the average salary for school each year, then paying a car payment and his mortgage I'm sure he feeeeels poor and that's all that counts, amiright?
$700k isn't a lot of money after you spend it all!
This made me laugh so hard, it brought tears to my eyes.
I know someone who makes about that much and doesn't consider himself wealthy. I think its because of lots of debts too. Which, come on.
I think you're rich if you make even half of that, and everyone I know who makes $350k/yr considers themselves to be middle class. It blows my mind. Is part of it that there's a bit of a taboo around calling yourself rich in this country? Like it's ok to call other people rich, but if you have enough money to be considered rich, you should be very quiet and reserved about it, otherwise you're a tacky a-hole?
I know someone who makes about that much and doesn't consider himself wealthy. I think its because of lots of debts too. Which, come on.
I think you're rich if you make even half of that, and everyone I know who makes $350k/yr considers themselves to be middle class. It blows my mind. Is part of it that there's a bit of a taboo around calling yourself rich in this country? Like it's ok to call other people rich, but if you have enough money to be considered rich, you should be very quiet and reserved about it, otherwise you're a tacky a-hole?
I know. I mean, I do ok, but if I were to make $700k, I'd proudly wear the rich badge.
I wonder if this will hurt him with his base. I know my Republican parents were not happy when he said this. They are not for means -testing social security. (Because of the whole we paid into it thing). They are also not religious so they would be much more likely to vote for someone like Christie than the social issues-focused candidates.
Post by Velar Fricative on Apr 17, 2015 20:59:30 GMT -5
Here's the thing though. Politicians especially have to be careful about this because if CC goes around talking about how rich he is, then he will indeed be seen as out of touch with the common folk. Politicians have to be able to relate to voters even if they're lying through their teeth (never!). Having said that, many voters also aren't stupid and $700k a year is a shitload of money and most people aren't going to think CC is struggling just because he says he is. But still, gotta talk the talk.
I just don't understand why people don't want to say "I'm doing well. We are rich. I would like to help others achieve what I have achieved."
Especially Republicans! Isn't that the point of lowering taxes and supporting "job creators" and letting the free market decide? Everyone wants to be like Chris Christie! That's why they vote for Republicans!
It's kind of sad watching him implode like he seems to be doing. I don't agree that $700k is not rich (it is- and I am on the fence myself about $250k) but even if you think that, someone should have told him not to SAY it.
Also, I don't agree with means testing SS. If you paid in, you should get the benefit. It's not as if SS will replace his $700k salary. There's a cap, and it wouldn't touch a "rich" person's income.
Let this idiot get himself off the presidential candidate list of possibilities. I actually wish Rubio and Paul would say something similar so that HRC can nail it in 2016.
Nooooo I need him for entertainment in the R debates!
I wonder if this will hurt him with his base. I know my Republican parents were not happy when he said this. They are not for means -testing social security. (Because of the whole we paid into it thing). They are also not religious so they would be much more likely to vote for someone like Christie than the social issues-focused candidates.
I think this attitude is so funny. We pay into all sorts of government programs. As long as the programs result in a society of people who are generally healthy and safe, aren't we all getting something back from it? To me, that is the ultimate purpose of the SS program. I don't want to live in a country where people who are too old and weak to work are dying in the street, homeless, sick, and hungry.
I wonder if this will hurt him with his base. I know my Republican parents were not happy when he said this. They are not for means -testing social security. (Because of the whole we paid into it thing). They are also not religious so they would be much more likely to vote for someone like Christie than the social issues-focused candidates.
I think this attitude is so funny. We pay into all sorts of government programs. As long as the programs result in a society of people who are generally healthy and safe, aren't we all getting something back from it? To me, that is the ultimate purpose of the SS program. I don't want to live in a country where people who are too old and weak to work are dying in the street, homeless, sick, and hungry.
Nor do I want to live in a world with desperate people - desperate people do desperate things.
I wonder if this will hurt him with his base. I know my Republican parents were not happy when he said this. They are not for means -testing social security. (Because of the whole we paid into it thing). They are also not religious so they would be much more likely to vote for someone like Christie than the social issues-focused candidates.
I think this attitude is so funny. We pay into all sorts of government programs. As long as the programs result in a society of people who are generally healthy and safe, aren't we all getting something back from it? To me, that is the ultimate purpose of the SS program. I don't want to live in a country where people who are too old and weak to work are dying in the street, homeless, sick, and hungry.
I agree with you, but I was never going to vote for Christie anyway. How do people who would possibly vote for him feel about means testing SS?
The hell? The worst damn part is that I tell this to my DH (who mostly votes republican) and he says "well it depends on what his expenses are." No dh, it fucking doesn't.
I think this attitude is so funny. We pay into all sorts of government programs. As long as the programs result in a society of people who are generally healthy and safe, aren't we all getting something back from it? To me, that is the ultimate purpose of the SS program. I don't want to live in a country where people who are too old and weak to work are dying in the street, homeless, sick, and hungry.
I agree with you, but I was never going to vote for Christie anyway. How do people who would possibly vote for him feel about means testing SS?
Oh, I knew what you meant, I was just saying that I'm always so confused when people who don't even need money from SS act like the thought of not getting that money is outrageous, because they paid into the program. I just feel like people pay into it so it works. It's kind of a bit of an insurance policy. If you don't need to claim on the insurance, why would you if doing so could affect the effectiveness of the broader program, which would actually render your contributions to the program completely worthless?
Post by oscarnerdjulief on Apr 18, 2015 18:01:14 GMT -5
Christie shouldn't have said that. It had the opposite effect of the one he intended.
But his desire to say it shows what I feel is definitely true---the GOP cannot go with a candidate who's seen to be "wealthy" or "moneyed." That was fatal for Romney. I feel its only chance at winning is to pick a governor who can run on accomplishments in domestic policy and appear to be a man of the people, i.e. not as wealthy as the others.
The way to beat Hillary is to run on economic issues and paint her as "in the bubble," too removed from the American people and their concerns, insular, and secretive. Her executive foray into health care in 1994 was a show of incompetence, yet she wants to fix the ACA. Are we supposed to take that on faith?
I wish I could run that campaign because they need to avoid overdoing it and sending people into her camp.
The hell? The worst damn part is that I tell this to my DH (who mostly votes republican) and he says "well it depends on what his expenses are." No dh, it fucking doesn't.
probably. i just know his one son does because my local board had it out about CC fucking with teachers while sending his kids to private school. oddly, i don't begrudge him this. he's still a douchecanoe for a million other reasons but his sending his kid to private school while being a public official doesn't bother me at all.
Yup, his kids go to Delbarton. Now he has two in college (Princeton and Notre Dame). I don't begrudge that any more than I begrudge the Obama girls going to private schools. I figure that security concerns play into those decisions (more at the Pres level, but Christie is a big enough name that there could be crazies out there out to get him). I can't stand him, but not because he uses private schools.
I don't begrudge people sending kids to private either, but I never get sending to private when the public schools in your town are top in a state that already has outstanding schools- and in CCs case, who makes it known how much he hates teachers and things like funding their pensions- It just shows how little he values our public school systems and that's NOT a good thing for people in our state.
And the asshole was rooting for Notre Dame over Rutgers in our bowl game a few years back. Think the governor of Ohio would root for any team other than the Buckeyes??
Christie shouldn't have said that. It had the opposite effect of the one he intended.
But his desire to say it shows what I feel is definitely true---the GOP cannot go with a candidate who's seen to be "wealthy" or "moneyed." That was fatal for Romney. I feel its only chance at winning is to pick a governor who can run on accomplishments in domestic policy and appear to be a man of the people, i.e. not as wealthy as the others.
The way to beat Hillary is to run on economic issues and paint her as "in the bubble," too removed from the American people and their concerns, insular, and secretive. Her executive foray into health care in 1994 was a show of incompetence, yet she wants to fix the ACA. Are we supposed to take that on faith?
I wish I could run that campaign because they need to avoid overdoing it and sending people into her camp.
Given the amount of money and connections it takes to even be seriously considered for a presidential run, I don't think any candidate is really in touch with the needs of the people.