Nobody Cares: PRS

[Katheryne Helendale]

It seems so strange the amount of hassle you have to go through in US over tax returns.

You think that's bad, try filling out some of these tax forms.

 

[danielravennest]

Another dying man rated as 'fit to work' by the DWP.

Department of Water and Power? (municipal utilities)

 

[danielravennest]

From the IRS web page, you can get links to several free services, but the selection is complex depending on your income, what additional forms you need to file with your return, and which state you live in (some services can file both). We use FreeFile for federal taxes, and the State of Ohio has an online form that it created.

I file for free (almost) the old-fashioned way, on paper. I do have to pay for making a file copy and postage. I tried using an accountant in the past, but they charged me $400 and made mistakes. I figure I can make my own mistakes for free, and nobody understands my finances better than myself. Note that my taxes are complicated - my federal return this year is 13 pages.

 

[danielravennest]

It seems so strange the amount of hassle you have to go through in US over tax returns.

Income taxes didn't start in the US until 1913. To make them palatable, the system is based on "voluntary self-reporting". That means people have to figure out what they owe themselves, or pay someone to do it for them, then send in their calculations on a form, with a check or a refund request. That gives people a chance to cheat the system by under-reporting what they earned. This is unlike property taxes, where the county figures out how much you owe, and sends you a bill. It is estimated that 20% of US income isn't reported, so a lot of people cheat.

The tax preparation industry lobbies heavily to prevent the government from making it simpler, because then they would be out of a job. For people who only have salary income, it is pretty simple, but a lot of people don't have the math skills to do even simple calculations.

 

[Katheryne Helendale]

That may not be a box elder bug. Potentially deadly 'kissing bug' migrates to U.S., Colorado

Case of blood-sucking 'kissing bug' confirmed in Delaware: CDC

 

[Tigger]

Department of Water and Power? (municipal utilities)

Work and Pensions. Although I can think of a few other things to call them.

They contract out the evaluations to a private firm. From the egregious abuse of claimants it strikes me that they have a target number to reject and declare fit for work and they don't really seem to care about the harm it does to a critically ill person to be deprived of all income. In short, they kill people.

When their decisions are appealed they lose over 70% of cases so either they are very bad at their job or their job isnt to fairly assess people.

 

[Free]

Steve King says he can relate to suffering of Jesus

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) on Tuesday said that the censure he faced earlier this year for controversial statements regarding white nationalism gave him a better understanding of the suffering of Jesus Christ.

During a town hall in Cherokee, Iowa, King appeared to compare his experience of being formally rebuked in the House to the trial and persecution of Jesus.

“And when I had to step down to the floor of the House of Representatives and look up at those 400-and-some accusers — you know, we’ve just passed through Easter and Christ’s Passion — and I have a better insight into what he went through for us, partly because of that experience," King said.

As long as King doesn't get resurrected from his metaphorical crucifixion, I guess I'm OK with him pretending this shit.

 

[Free]

I think the roller coaster ride is gathering bodies.

 

[Ellie]

Saudi Arabia executes 37 citizens over alleged terrorism offences

(Possible trigger warning)

Some of the 37 were under age when apprehended, many were tortured and of the Shia minority.

Modernize the kingdom my ass; rusty screwdrivers too good for some currently breathing life forms.

 

[Veritable Quandry]

Work and Pensions. Although I can think of a few other things to call them.

They contract out the evaluations to a private firm. From the egregious abuse of claimants it strikes me that they have a target number to reject and declare fit for work and they don't really seem to care about the harm it does to a critically ill person to be deprived of all income. In short, they kill people.

When their decisions are appealed they lose over 70% of cases so either they are very bad at their job or their job isnt to fairly assess people.

I once applied for a job with the state agency in Ohio that does assessment. I was given the impression that the duties of the position were to find grounds to deny claims, not to make a decision. They expect most people will not appeal even if they have an obvious disability. I think I was too honest at the interview about my opinion of the process

 

[Free]

Lara Trump: Merkel Admitting Refugees 'One Of The Worst Things' In German History

 

[Argent Stonecutter]

Yeh, what about the thirty years war?

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

 

[Tigger]

Sounds like those algorithms are working well then.

 

[Dakota Tebaldi]

 

[Porsupah Ree]

National Public Radio (@NPR@innerwebs.social)

NEW: The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that the right to an abortion is embedded in the state constitution. https://n.pr/2L4eakv

innerwebs.social

 

[Porsupah Ree]

Good little opinion column:

"As a former sex worker, here's why we should decriminalize what consenting adults agree to do"

As a former sex worker, here's why we should decriminalize what consenting adults agree to do

As a sex worker, I made my own schedule, I had a say in my wages, and it felt affirming and empowering to be desired enough to be paid for sex.

eu.usatoday.com

 

[Erich Templar]

Department of Water and Power? (municipal utilities)

Department of Work and Pensions

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Texas hates free enterprise.

Senate passes bill allowing Texas to sue social media platforms - News - Austin American-Statesman - Austin, TX

 

[Porsupah Ree]

Texas hates free enterprise.

Not sure if their site's b0rked, or the Statesman just hates the EU, but I hit a notice that my proxy's been blocked, when none (at my level, anyway) is actually in use. What's the gist?