Jump to content
TESTERS WANTED! ×

900K for 2 weeks work not enough for Phil


TwoSolitudes

Recommended Posts

Poor poor Mickelson. It's just so hard to stay interested in playing golf.

 

"In an interview with CNBC's Maria Bartiromo from The Barclay's golf tournament that aired on Friday, Mickelson was asked how it felt to pay over 60% of his British and Scottish Open winnings in taxes. "It's not making me want to go out and work harder," Mickelson said."

 

Seriously?

 

This is the second time he has moaned about how he is suffering because of taxes to media outlet. I like the way he plays. I think he is was a great golf ambassador for Callaway- but these comments make him look like Thurston Howell III from Gilligan's Island. I am no longer a fan.

 

From Kos- which puts it well:

 

For the record, Mickelson makes $36 million per year on endorsements alone. He won $1.43 million at the British Open and around $800,000 at the Scottish Open. Since he has to pay taxes where he earned the income, the Brits will take 45 percent of his take, with California taking another 13 percent slice. So assuming there are assorted other taxes that add up to 60 percent of the haul, he ended up taking home what, about $900,000? TYRANNY! I mean, he BUSTED HIS ASS for two whole weeks to earn that cash!

Lucky for the world, there are plenty of other golfers that would be happy to pick up the slack for him. So he should feel free to retire to Somalia. They don't have socialist taxes there. Then some other poor sap will have to suffer the indignity of paying taxes on $2.2 million of earnings for two week's work."

 

Phil, just play golf. If you are asked about paying the taxes which are due in a foreign country (which you knew you would pay before you went), the correct response is to say that the British Open and Scottish Open are some of the primer golf events of the season and you are just happy to have the opportunity to play in them and honoured to have won.

 

The other option. If a 900K+ pot isn't enough for you? Stay home.

In Play

Driver: Cleveland Classic XL Custom 9.5*, Woods: Cobra Baffler T-Rail 5W, 7W, Hybrids:Callaway FTiz 27* Irons: Maruman Shuttle 7-S, Wedge: Cleveland Niblick 49*, Callaway Jaws CC 60*, Putter: Ping Scottsdale Wolverine

 

Warming the bench

Cleveland Classic 12*, Ping Rapture V2 10.5*, Ping K15 5, 7, Ping Rapture V2 6-S, Bobby Jones H3-H6, Cleveland Classic BRZ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can see being upset about getting your money taken for taxes but for the pros, please keep it to yourself. You make millions already, you play golf for a living, yeah life is horrible. I like Phil but he is starting to get annoying with the whole tax thing. I mean when you think about 60% is a nice chunk from your winnings but don't complain when it's still a lot of money and you make millions in sponsors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can see being upset about getting your money taken for taxes but for the pros, please keep it to yourself. You make millions already, you play golf for a living, yeah life is horrible. I like Phil but he is starting to get annoying with the whole tax thing. I mean when you think about 60% is a nice chunk from your winnings but don't complain when it's still a lot of money and you make millions in sponsors.

 

Right. He could move to Texas or Florida if he didn't want to pay state taxes. I'm sure anyone would love to be able to earn a living playing a game. I understand he works very hard for his money just like anyone else but when your pay checks are more than most may make in a lifetime just keep it to yourself

Driver:   :callaway-small: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5

FW:   :cobra-small: F6 baffler set at 16º

Hybrid:  NONE
Irons:   :taylormade-small:  3i 2014 TP CB  4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400

Wedges:   :nike-small: 52º :nike-small: 56º  :edel-golf-1: 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped

Putter:   :ping-small: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let him piss and moan.

 

I've got more important things to worry about than a millionaire complaining about how much tax they pay, like, how many more hours I have to work to keep a roof over my family's head.

In the bag:
Driver: :titelist-small: TSR2 Project X HZRDUS Black 5.5
Fairway: :callaway-small: Apex UW 19° & 21° Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 5.5

Irons: :mizuno-small: JPX 923 HMP 5-PW UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4
Wedges: :mizuno-small: T-22 Denim Copper 48°, 52° & 56° UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4
Putter :Sub70: Sycamore 005 Wide Blade
Bag: 
:Ogio: Alpha Convoy 514
Balls: :callaway-small: Chrome Soft X

Cart: :CaddyTek: CaddyLite ONE Ver. 8


God Bless America🇺🇸, God save the King🇬🇧, God defend New Zealand🇳🇿 and thank Christ for Australia🇦🇺!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as Im concerned, Phil has NOTHING to whine about. When he works his butt off every day and still barely can afford to keep a roof over his head, then he can complain.

"I suppose its better to be a master of 7 than to be vaguely familiar with 14." - Chick Evans

Whats in my Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag?

Woods: Tommy Armour Atomic 10.5* 

Hybrid: Mizuno MP Fli-Hi 3H

Irons: Mizuno T-Zoid True 5, 7 and 9-irons

Wedge: Mizuno S18 54* and Top Flite chipper

Putter: Mizuno Bettinardi A-02

Ball: Maxfli Tour X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't see the full story, but for me, it sounds like Phil was asked a question and he answered it honestly. That's it. It might not be what people want to hear but I'd much rather have someone (whoever it is) being real and answering questions directly than skirting around the edges, watering things down. I agree that Phil is very fortunate to be able to make an extremely good living doing something that he loves ... I don't consider answering a question that was posed to you honestly as whining.

 

We applaud some professional sportspeople for being 'a character', or for being 'very real' ... so long as their 'being real' doesn't offend us. Phil doesn't enjoy paying what he sees as excessive taxes. I don't either, and I think I'd enjoy paying taxes in two countries even less. If someone asked me the same question I'd probably answer it in a similar fashion.

 

Just my opinion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I started this post twice and walked away without posting because this subject treads into politics. The problem is that to you, it is 900k. However, it remains that money is after forking over 60 % to governments. It doesn't matter how much money you make, it stings to give away 60% of your earned income. You have to keep that in mind when you read that he said something about money. Think how offensive it is when you look at a pay stub and you see how much you are forking over.

 

I understand the point, it is still 900k, but it hat is not the point. It is his paycheck, and that sting is the same.

Dru - Owner, President & Janitor, Druware Software Designs

RH 13.1 Handicap in soggy Georgia 

WITB
* 1W 10.5* @ PXG 0211 ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff )
* 3W PXG 0211 ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff ) 
* 5W 18* Tailor-made AeroBurner ( Stock Stiff )
* 7W  Sub70 949x ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff )
* 5i-PW @ PXG 0211 ( Gen 1 )
* 52 @ Hogan Equalizer
* 56 @ Sub70 
* 60 @ Hogan Equalizer
* Carbon Ringo 1/4
* Vice Pro Plus

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seriously? Do you people have any idea who Maria Bartiromo is? She is an achor/reporter/editor in cheif for CNBC Wall Street Journal Report. The only reason she is at The Barclays, unless it is playing hooky, is to talk about financial matters. Phil has been asked about this just about every week during his weekly press conference and has simply said he was not talking about it.

 

This chick specifically asks him a question and he answers it, and she is covering a sector that she normally does. He answers it honestly and you are pissed off about it.

 

I really find it interesting that some dude in Bangkok, Thailand, where if Phil lived there would have to pay 23% yet they have a 26% tax on hotels to tourists.

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Populism is ever popular though it baffles me.

 

So, those who pay the lions share of taxes should have no voice because they aren't living paycheck to paycheck? That's not the way this country ought to work. Patrick Henry anyone?

 

It's the fear of populist backlash that all the tax authorities count on to keep the pros quiet as they take the MAJORITY of winnings (for NO effort on their part I might add).

<p>In my bag: Ping G LS Tec 9* Tour 65 Stiff, Cobra F8 3-4 wood HZRDUS Yellow 6.0, Calloway 21* X Forged Utility iron (steel stiff), Ping G30 white dot 4-9 Stiff 110 gm KBS tours  Scor 48,52,56,60 Wedges, Nike Method Core MC3</p><p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I smile at your bluntness apprenti23, but the ad hominem is gratuitous. You nailed it with the lifetime dedication.

 

On another note, it's the winner's money. Not Scotland, or California, or yours or mine. They earned it based on their performance. What they do with it should be NONE of our business. Whether they want to donate it to kids with ALS & cancer or burn it in the street. It's none of my business. That's why it's not polite to ask people how much money they make, because then you start judging how they spend it.

<p>In my bag: Ping G LS Tec 9* Tour 65 Stiff, Cobra F8 3-4 wood HZRDUS Yellow 6.0, Calloway 21* X Forged Utility iron (steel stiff), Ping G30 white dot 4-9 Stiff 110 gm KBS tours  Scor 48,52,56,60 Wedges, Nike Method Core MC3</p><p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My thoughts on Phil whining about paying taxes is just the same as they would be about anyone paying taxes: Do you like having roads to drive on, police and fire to keep you safe and a military that protects you from other countries? Ok then, quit whining and shut your mouth. :rolleyes:

I can understand Phil looking at how much he is forking over for taxes but he still comes off as spoiled, selfish and greedy because he still makes more than enough to pay his bills, take his family on great vacations and his kids Im sure get the best school and will be able to go to the best colleges that they can get into. Its much different for someone like Phil than it is for someone who works for minimum wage, works their butt off and still cant afford to do anything fun in their spare time. It just scream of someone who is out of touch and doesnt get it. Its a classic case of a rich person who doesnt feel as though they should be expect to pay their fair share, just like everyone else does.

"I suppose its better to be a master of 7 than to be vaguely familiar with 14." - Chick Evans

Whats in my Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag?

Woods: Tommy Armour Atomic 10.5* 

Hybrid: Mizuno MP Fli-Hi 3H

Irons: Mizuno T-Zoid True 5, 7 and 9-irons

Wedge: Mizuno S18 54* and Top Flite chipper

Putter: Mizuno Bettinardi A-02

Ball: Maxfli Tour X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can understand Phil looking at how much he is forking over for taxes but he still comes off as spoiled, selfish and greedy because he still makes more than enough to pay his bills, take his family on great vacations and his kids Im sure get the best school and will be able to go to the best colleges that they can get into.

 

This is a perfect way to put it, although I don't know about buying your way into certain colleges but it probably happens and we just don't know about it which would be a shame.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My thoughts on Phil whining about paying taxes is just the same as they would be about anyone paying taxes: Do you like having roads to drive on, police and fire to keep you safe and a military that protects you from other countries? Ok then, quit whining and shut your mouth. :rolleyes:

I can understand Phil looking at how much he is forking over for taxes but he still comes off as spoiled, selfish and greedy because he still makes more than enough to pay his bills, take his family on great vacations and his kids Im sure get the best school and will be able to go to the best colleges that they can get into. Its much different for someone like Phil than it is for someone who works for minimum wage, works their butt off and still cant afford to do anything fun in their spare time. It just scream of someone who is out of touch and doesnt get it. Its a classic case of a rich person who doesnt feel as though they should be expect to pay their fair share, just like everyone else does.

 

Your argument is invalid :-). If everyone is taxed equally, then fine, but they aren't and therein lies the rub. ( Before I got any further, let me say this, I have personally paid taxes at both ends of the spectrum ). As your income increases, so does your tax burden in raw percentage of your income ( and if you've ever been paid 1099 income on winnings, or as a contractor, you'll understand what I am about to say best ) the money grab is even more painful because it is done after you get the money. It was in your bank account.

 

If you have always just earned a paycheck (in the US at least) then you have likely never experienced the horror of writing a check that amounts to >40% of your income every quarter to the IRS. I don't care if it is 15k or 1.1m, that is a huge pain, and it will loom in your mind every time you make a deposit. When you are working W2 income, you never see that money, it is just a value on the paycheck you take, so your taxes are an ephemeral thing that you 'pay' but don't really pay because it never affects your bank balance, it all came out of your check before you got it. The taxing bodies know this psychology and have used it for ever.

 

So, that said, yes, it hurts. Funny thing about taxes. If you really want to tax, do it based upon consumption, not income. Pay tax on what you buy. Guess what, the rich still bear the lion's share of the tax burden, but now the do so based upon what they spend. Phil spends more, he flies more often, he drives more expensive cars, he drinks more expensive wines, so the net result is the same, but the pain is changed. Now paying that tax is a willful choice. He still gets to pay for medicaid, welfare & food stamps, but now he does it when he buys his Rolls Royce, not when he just won a tournament.

 

Finally, there is this lovely bit about roads and the military. I doubt he has much issue with paying taxes for those things, not many people do. What galls is paying taxes for the family of 8 (and growing) living on welfare ( more kids == more money ) and working the system to indulge themselves in 'what they are owed'. It galls to see all those SUV's being driven down the roads we pay for, sucking down fuel a 7-8mpg, clogging up the major roads with 30 mile commutes hauling 1 person. It is galling to be unable to safely commute to work ( 11 miles each way ) by bicycle in an effort to be healthier ( less burden on your tax dollars ), greener (less fuel, less wear on tear on your roads ) and responsible because the entitled drivers cannot be expected to give a safe cushion of space in their rush to get where ever they are going.

 

It should be offensive to every tax payer to see these things, but all we see is how galling it is when someone richer than your are complains about paying an inequitable tax bill?

Dru - Owner, President & Janitor, Druware Software Designs

RH 13.1 Handicap in soggy Georgia 

WITB
* 1W 10.5* @ PXG 0211 ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff )
* 3W PXG 0211 ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff ) 
* 5W 18* Tailor-made AeroBurner ( Stock Stiff )
* 7W  Sub70 949x ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff )
* 5i-PW @ PXG 0211 ( Gen 1 )
* 52 @ Hogan Equalizer
* 56 @ Sub70 
* 60 @ Hogan Equalizer
* Carbon Ringo 1/4
* Vice Pro Plus

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Do you like having roads to drive on, police and fire to keep you safe and a military that protects you from other countries?"

 

IF that was truly what the government was spending our taxes on, they wouldn't need to seize 60% of ANYONE'S earnings (AND still "borrow" and create money out of thin air).

 

I worked a couple of decades for the Federal government and to be blunt, the wasted, useless spending is mind boggling (and getting worse)...

What's In the Bag

Driver - :callaway-small: GBB 

Hybrids  :cleveland-small: Halo XL Halo 18* & :cobra-small: T-Rail 20*

Irons  :cobra-small: T-Rail 2.0

Wedges :ping-small: 60* TS / SCOR 48* 53* 58*

Putter     :scotty-small:

Ball :callaway-logo-1:

Bag Datrek DG Lite  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't begrudge anyone their right to complain about their taxes.

 

However, I do suspect his numbers and percentages are being fudged a bit, perhaps not for that specific tournament purse, but in general. He may in fact pay 60% of a portion of his taxable income, but you can bet there are smart people working for Phil who's sole job is to manage what that "taxable income" number is. He's writing off his jet, he's writing off his lodging, his food, his clothes, everything associated with him being able to do what he does is written off. He's making tax deferred investments and taking advantage of tax shelters. If he's not, he's stupid! But, alot of the tax breaks cater to the upper income brackets. You've got to have money to even take advantage of them. What I'm saying is 60% probably isn't 60%. Historically, the top bracket even in the good ol' US of A has been 90%, and even then, folks still found it within themselves to be productive.

 

Phil's tournament winnings are piss in a bucket in his overall financial picture. He makes more (WAY more) off the prestige and marketability the win gives him than the prize purse! The brim of his hat is worth more money.

 

He can ****** all he wants though!

Ping I20 8.5* - Aldila NV 65g S
Adams XTD Super Hybrid 15* - Stock Fubuki S
Adams DHY 21* - Stock Matrix Ozik White Tie S
Mizuno MP58 4-8 Irons - Fujikura MCI 100 S
SCOR 42,46,50,54,58* - SCOR/KBS Genius S
STX Robert Ingman Envision TR 35", Iomic grip

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your argument is invalid :-). If everyone is taxed equally, then fine, but they aren't and therein lies the rub. ( Before I got any further, let me say this, I have personally paid taxes at both ends of the spectrum ). As your income increases, so does your tax burden in raw percentage of your income ( and if you've ever been paid 1099 income on winnings, or as a contractor, you'll understand what I am about to say best ) the money grab is even more painful because it is done after you get the money. It was in your bank account.

 

If you have always just earned a paycheck (in the US at least) then you have likely never experienced the horror of writing a check that amounts to >40% of your income every quarter to the IRS. I don't care if it is 15k or 1.1m, that is a huge pain, and it will loom in your mind every time you make a deposit. When you are working W2 income, you never see that money, it is just a value on the paycheck you take, so your taxes are an ephemeral thing that you 'pay' but don't really pay because it never affects your bank balance, it all came out of your check before you got it. The taxing bodies know this psychology and have used it for ever.

 

So, that said, yes, it hurts. Funny thing about taxes. If you really want to tax, do it based upon consumption, not income. Pay tax on what you buy. Guess what, the rich still bear the lion's share of the tax burden, but now the do so based upon what they spend. Phil spends more, he flies more often, he drives more expensive cars, he drinks more expensive wines, so the net result is the same, but the pain is changed. Now paying that tax is a willful choice. He still gets to pay for medicaid, welfare & food stamps, but now he does it when he buys his Rolls Royce, not when he just won a tournament.

 

Finally, there is this lovely bit about roads and the military. I doubt he has much issue with paying taxes for those things, not many people do. What galls is paying taxes for the family of 8 (and growing) living on welfare ( more kids == more money ) and working the system to indulge themselves in 'what they are owed'. It galls to see all those SUV's being driven down the roads we pay for, sucking down fuel a 7-8mpg, clogging up the major roads with 30 mile commutes hauling 1 person. It is galling to be unable to safely commute to work ( 11 miles each way ) by bicycle in an effort to be healthier ( less burden on your tax dollars ), greener (less fuel, less wear on tear on your roads ) and responsible because the entitled drivers cannot be expected to give a safe cushion of space in their rush to get where ever they are going.

 

It should be offensive to every tax payer to see these things, but all we see is how galling it is when someone richer than your are complains about paying an inequitable tax bill?

 

Bingo, we have a winner here. Call Cha Cha and submit this for best answer.

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When you are working W2 income, you never see that money, it is just a value on the paycheck you take, so your taxes are an ephemeral thing that you 'pay' but don't really pay because it never affects your bank balance, it all came out of your check before you got it. The taxing bodies know this psychology and have used it for ever.

 

It's no accident that April 15th is "tax day". It's as far as possible from election day. Everyone should pay their taxes manually so they understand just how much they're actually paying.

 

As RoverRick says, Dru_, you nailed it with that response.

<p>In my bag: Ping G LS Tec 9* Tour 65 Stiff, Cobra F8 3-4 wood HZRDUS Yellow 6.0, Calloway 21* X Forged Utility iron (steel stiff), Ping G30 white dot 4-9 Stiff 110 gm KBS tours  Scor 48,52,56,60 Wedges, Nike Method Core MC3</p><p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, that said, yes, it hurts. Funny thing about taxes. If you really want to tax, do it based upon consumption, not income. Pay tax on what you buy. Guess what, the rich still bear the lion's share of the tax burden, but now the do so based upon what they spend. Phil spends more, he flies more often, he drives more expensive cars, he drinks more expensive wines, so the net result is the same, but the pain is changed. Now paying that tax is a willful choice. He still gets to pay for medicaid, welfare & food stamps, but now he does it when he buys his Rolls Royce, not when he just won a tournament.

The only problem with that is higher income earners who are typically business owners can write certain personal expenses off as business expenses, something that your average Joe cant do.

 

Finally, there is this lovely bit about roads and the military. I doubt he has much issue with paying taxes for those things, not many people do. What galls is paying taxes for the family of 8 (and growing) living on welfare ( more kids == more money ) and working the system to indulge themselves in 'what they are owed'. It galls to see all those SUV's being driven down the roads we pay for, sucking down fuel a 7-8mpg, clogging up the major roads with 30 mile commutes hauling 1 person. It is galling to be unable to safely commute to work ( 11 miles each way ) by bicycle in an effort to be healthier ( less burden on your tax dollars ), greener (less fuel, less wear on tear on your roads ) and responsible because the entitled drivers cannot be expected to give a safe cushion of space in their rush to get where ever they are going.

Im not even going to touch that rant, especially the part about welfare. ;) About the SUVs, if you want to be the one to tell people that they shouldnt drive an SUV, well, good luck! LOL

It should be offensive to every tax payer to see these things, but all we see is how galling it is when someone richer than your are complains about paying an inequitable tax bill?

For me, it all comes down to someone who has more than enough to get buy whining that he has to pay, when you have so many people out there who work just as hard, if not even harder, who are just struggling to scrape out an existence. Those who can give more, should give more but, sadly, right now we are at a point in our country's history where many people think only about themselves and amassing their own wealth, while trying to nitpick every last penny that our government spends. There was a time when we were all in it together but nowdays its just me, me, me.

"I suppose its better to be a master of 7 than to be vaguely familiar with 14." - Chick Evans

Whats in my Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag?

Woods: Tommy Armour Atomic 10.5* 

Hybrid: Mizuno MP Fli-Hi 3H

Irons: Mizuno T-Zoid True 5, 7 and 9-irons

Wedge: Mizuno S18 54* and Top Flite chipper

Putter: Mizuno Bettinardi A-02

Ball: Maxfli Tour X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I'd rather not pay tax, really I'd much rather not, but I don't get much of a choice. In the UK we have PAYE (pay as you earn) and that system automatically removes your tax every month. It makes it simple, but unless your self employed or a high earner you won't be getting the benefits of any work arounds on tax.

 

As for Phil, well paying tax is a balls ache - don't mind people saying so, its not like he said he'd squirrelled it away in the Cayman Islands! Glad he paid some to the uk government - they employ me after all, feels like Phils paid my wages!

Rest in peace long sticks - I'll remember you

 

TM Burner Superfast 2.0 TP Regular

TM RBZ Stage 2 Fairway 14.5 stiff

Adams Blue Hybrid No. 3 stiff

Adams Super xtdHybrid 21.5 Stiff

 

Ping G30 4 and 5 Iron - Regular CFS Shaft

Ping i25 6 - PW Regular CFS Shaft

TM Y Groove Gap Wedge

Cleveland CG10 Sand Wedge

 

PingTR Piper Putter, adjustable shaft, SuperStroke Fatso

 

Titleist StaDry Cart Bag

 

Motocaddy S3 Pro Trolley

 

Foot Joy City, Adidas Boost Boa and Adidas Superstar shoes

 

Pro V1x in the summer, Titleist Velocity in the winter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only problem with that is higher income earners who are typically business owners can write certain personal expenses off as business expenses, something that your average Joe cant do.

 

Anyone can take these deductions. The problem is most people don't know or care enough to learn what they can deduct. A good CPA will save you a good bit in taxes each year. Little things, like childcare, have deductions available, and it is not just to business owners. That said, I would prefer that this too go away, tax solely on what is purchased and it truly becomes 'fair'.

 

Im not even going to touch that rant, especially the part about welfare. ;) About the SUVs, if you want to be the one to tell people that they shouldnt drive an SUV, well, good luck! LOL

 

I do it quite often :) and it generally goes over quite well. You have to understand though. I am a 6'3" 200lb guy. I have 3 options for my daily 24 mile round trip commute. I commute by bicycle 3 days week (weather permitting). On the other two days, I generally ride a scooter ( 1979 Vespa PX 200 ), though I do have a motorcycle that I will ride when I have that scooter torn down for some reason. My third option is my shitty weather option, and that is a SMART car, which will likely be replaced by an Elio when/if they ever ship. The SMART car is my worst MPG, highest impact vehicle at 42mpg and 1800lbs.

 

I also want to explain a bit about the welfare comments. Because of my day job, I see people that fit the description I posted all day long. I see their finances, and in some cases, I see where, and how they live. I know that there are legit uses of welfare, as I have been there ( though I couldn't suck up my pride enough to accept it and have struggled for 20 years to overcome the debt I incurred because of that pride ). Oddly enough, in a closely related post, there was a really good article on the subject of the 'culture of poverty' over on the American Spectator a couple of days ago. ( http://spectator.org/archives/2013/08/23/in-another-country ) It is worth a few minutes to read.

 

 

For me, it all comes down to someone who has more than enough to get buy whining that he has to pay, when you have so many people out there who work just as hard, if not even harder, who are just struggling to scrape out an existence. Those who can give more, should give more but, sadly, right now we are at a point in our country's history where many people think only about themselves and amassing their own wealth, while trying to nitpick every last penny that our government spends. There was a time when we were all in it together but nowdays its just me, me, me.

 

The thing is, perception, it turns out is very tough to quantify. Most people live to their means. You don't see too many multi-millionaires living in $250k 4 up/4 down spec built homes driving 6 year old Camry's. Just because they make 10x what you are 'getting by' on, doesn't mean they aren't living paycheck to paycheck just like you. Like you, their commitments grew with their income.

 

Of course, this doesn't play into the modern American sense of "fair" play. I deal with this when I hire millenials all the time. The real world doesn't give out "participation" trophies. The best get rewarded, the lazy/not fair/memememe get unemployed. I actually had one explain that I couldn't let him go for not doing the job because he had tried *really hard*. After over a year in which no project was ever delivered on time, nor was any project ever completed correctly, I let him go. He then sued me for wrongful termination. His argument boiled down to how it wasn't fair. FWIW, the guy that was hired with him was being paid 30% less, lacked a college degree and outsmarted and outworked the other guy at every level.

 

This doesn't sit well with many people, but life isn't fair. More often than not success is the result of blind, dumb luck. Phil had the blind dumb luck to be born with a talent, he then invested 100's of 1000's of dollars refining that talent over a lifetime. He had some early success, found his way onto tour. His work week is 7 days a week. He gets to spend about 20 weekends a year in his own bed. He probably gets to attend less than 20% of his kids school events. He has sacrificed seeing about half of their growing up while he travelled to earn those endorsements. He takes home less than his expenses to play a tournament in winnings probably 50% of the rounds he plays. He plays a "game" 7 days a week, rain, wind, cold, hot. Remember, this "game" burns as many calories as a moderate pace half marathon during a 4-5 hour round. A typical 6000 yard course is an 8 mile walk. The guy has been a brilliant player, but his career has always been in the shadow of Tiger. Does he work any less hard than Tiger?

 

Sorry, but not being able to see things from his point of view makes us every bit as guilty of thinking only about ourselves. We are showing our jealousy over his success and income. For us to criticize him for lamenting about the taxation of his income, regardless of what it is only shows the ugliest side of our own natures.

Dru - Owner, President & Janitor, Druware Software Designs

RH 13.1 Handicap in soggy Georgia 

WITB
* 1W 10.5* @ PXG 0211 ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff )
* 3W PXG 0211 ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff ) 
* 5W 18* Tailor-made AeroBurner ( Stock Stiff )
* 7W  Sub70 949x ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff )
* 5i-PW @ PXG 0211 ( Gen 1 )
* 52 @ Hogan Equalizer
* 56 @ Sub70 
* 60 @ Hogan Equalizer
* Carbon Ringo 1/4
* Vice Pro Plus

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bingo, we have a winner here. Call Cha Cha and submit this for best answer.

 

Except that in a progressive tax system everyone IS taxed equally. The money is taxed not the person. First 50K is taxed the same. Earn 100K and the second 50 will be taxed the same, earn a million and you will pay the same tax on that extra 800K as everyone else who has the extra 800. Whatever you earn (amount x), that amount is taxed at exactly the same rate as the first amount x that Phil earns.

 

But that was not the point.

 

A lifetime of work- sure. But he didn't work a lifetime and then win these two tournaments. He has been earning something like 30 million a year for a long time. He has been well well rewarded, many many times over- and good for him. But when he moans about paying tax because this 900K he just earned is just not enough to keep him motivated any longer- that is when I have to say Phil, just shut up.

 

It isn't even about what he pays in the US. He went to the UK to play and to win. He knew the conditions before he left. Then moaned about it after he won! Pretty unprofessional. He could have said that the rate was higher than in the US but he was still honoured to take part. He could have said that he is happy to pay the taxes due where ever in the world he tees up, because that is part of the modern game. Those would have been classy professional responses. But he didn't. He said it was hard to stay motivated to play at all. Just sad.

 

And why does my being in Thailand have to do with anything? ( I am Canadian by the way- and pay lots of taxes )

 

This was not meant to open a debate on progressive tax rates- it's just to me Phil now sounds like his ONLY interest is money and he seems to want everyone to know about it.

In Play

Driver: Cleveland Classic XL Custom 9.5*, Woods: Cobra Baffler T-Rail 5W, 7W, Hybrids:Callaway FTiz 27* Irons: Maruman Shuttle 7-S, Wedge: Cleveland Niblick 49*, Callaway Jaws CC 60*, Putter: Ping Scottsdale Wolverine

 

Warming the bench

Cleveland Classic 12*, Ping Rapture V2 10.5*, Ping K15 5, 7, Ping Rapture V2 6-S, Bobby Jones H3-H6, Cleveland Classic BRZ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This was not meant to open a debate on progressive tax rates- it's just to me Phil now sounds like his ONLY interest is money and he seems to want everyone to know about it.

 

I get this, but you have to understand. This particular quote, as well as the one prior about taxes and possibly moving are both quotes made to the same reporter. Both times the women went out of her way to provoke the response, and then published the quotes out of context. Personally, I blame the reporter more than Phil, but it seems most defend her as just 'doing her job'.

 

On the interwebs, we would call her behavior trolling :-)

Dru - Owner, President & Janitor, Druware Software Designs

RH 13.1 Handicap in soggy Georgia 

WITB
* 1W 10.5* @ PXG 0211 ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff )
* 3W PXG 0211 ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff ) 
* 5W 18* Tailor-made AeroBurner ( Stock Stiff )
* 7W  Sub70 949x ( HZRDUS Smoke Black X-Stiff )
* 5i-PW @ PXG 0211 ( Gen 1 )
* 52 @ Hogan Equalizer
* 56 @ Sub70 
* 60 @ Hogan Equalizer
* Carbon Ringo 1/4
* Vice Pro Plus

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...