tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post2033792175316594941..comments2023-09-28T03:05:12.121-07:00Comments on Terrance this is stupid stuff: Mixed Signals on Obamacare PenaltiesT. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-80530143116139395092015-05-05T10:47:32.145-07:002015-05-05T10:47:32.145-07:00Max, a death spiral indeed. How dispiriting for th...Max, a death spiral indeed. How dispiriting for the best health care system in the world. Soon to plummet to barely above the others, if not below the top tier.T. D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-82380832788989745142015-05-04T14:53:55.457-07:002015-05-04T14:53:55.457-07:00http://maxredline.typepad.com/maxredline/2015/05/o...http://maxredline.typepad.com/maxredline/2015/05/obamacare-death-spiral-striking-oregon.htmlMAX Redlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12040240474444763721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-47289041885275360072015-05-03T14:34:32.007-07:002015-05-03T14:34:32.007-07:00Always like to have my hunches confirmed by you, M...Always like to have my hunches confirmed by you, Max. :-)T. D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-56035918212482911912015-04-30T20:45:11.711-07:002015-04-30T20:45:11.711-07:00Do you think most people are like sheep without a ...<i>Do you think most people are like sheep without a shepherd politically and economically? They don't think much or do research just do what is common to do.</i><br /><br />In my view, you pretty well nailed it. They don't think much. They react. And when conditioned to get free stuff....MAX Redlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12040240474444763721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-63565082404233170282015-04-30T15:58:10.905-07:002015-04-30T15:58:10.905-07:00Do you think most people are like sheep without a ...Do you think most people are like sheep without a shepherd politically and economically? They don't think much or do research just do what is common to do. It seems that for most people, it's hard to break out of standard patterns. The only good thing is that down through the ages most standard patterns had common sense behind them. But, now with the view that youth is better than age and the future better than the past, they look to their peers for counsel rather than those who have more experience and insight.T. D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-27430873402239665302015-04-30T13:22:41.746-07:002015-04-30T13:22:41.746-07:00Agreed, TD - I think the HR data's more specif...Agreed, TD - I think the HR data's more specific and thus more convincing. TT seems to be just thrashing about like goldfish in the reeds.<br /><br />On withholding: I've never understood why so many folks think "getting a refund" is so great. I guess that's how they've been conditioned to look at it. People are actually pretty easily trained. Well except for folks like you and me; we're kind of the outliers. I'd just rather keep the money than loan it with no interest to the feds.<br /><br />Yep, I did try to warn of IRS forcing repayment; some folks are better off not buying health insurance unless they have to (you can't be denied because of a preexisting health condition) because if you do your taxes right and get little to no "refund", they can't ding you for diddly.<br /><br />Too many people just don't think.MAX Redlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12040240474444763721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-63296878102032857692015-04-29T21:12:29.306-07:002015-04-29T21:12:29.306-07:00I was floored to find the two different accounts o...I was floored to find the two different accounts of the data. I find H&R Block more convincing because they had more data and more specific data. <br /><br />And you're absolutely right. Why isn't anyone telling these people to lower their withholding?<br /><br />Though, I think you have pointed out, that the IRS can be much more hardball on paying back subsidies (as opposed to paying penalties which can only come voluntarily or via tax refund money).<br /><br />I should have given you a H/T too since you have been on this for a long time and raised my awareness. Thanks!<br /><br />T. D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-43954408005749830452015-04-29T13:14:13.069-07:002015-04-29T13:14:13.069-07:00WTH? Yeah, that TurboTax data sure looks mushy (ho...WTH? Yeah, that TurboTax data sure looks mushy (hope they do a better job on peoples' tax returns). I think the Block data's closer to the reality.<br /><br />I've long looked at taxes as a game: they have your money; how much can you legally get back? Accordingly, I try to minimize the possibility of getting a refund - those folks receiving an average refund of $2195 have effectively lent the government that cash, interest-free.<br /><br />One thing that was especially galling this year was the HR Block ads that constantly brayed "It's refund season!" Well, it's refund season if you're an idiot....MAX Redlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12040240474444763721noreply@blogger.com