What's the deal with Linic and this whole entrepreneurship/funding thing?

So, my old man and I were catching the news tonight, and there’s Linić right in the spotlight again. Honestly, this has to be his 858th time running in circles, but man, he really outdid himself this time. He went straight for the throat of every entrepreneur out there, basically spitting on the whole damn scene. Since these guys took over, they haven't exactly built anything better; if anything, they’ve just hiked up the costs on everything possible. And then they have the nerve to lecture people—accusing them of being lazy, not opening businesses, or just whining about it. They act like all that massive influx of capital into small businesses just vanished into thin air. We all know exactly where those funds actually landed, though. It’s the same old story: the money gets funneled right back to a few hand-picked players or dumped into failing agricultural projects that aren't going anywhere.

Let’s steer this conversation in a slightly different direction for a second. Anyone who actually pays attention to how the American agricultural sector and the government interact can see that we aren't going to dig ourselves out of this hole using the same old playbook. Please, let’s not turn this into a "farmers are lazy" vs. "the government isn't doing enough" finger-pointing match. That’s a dead end. Sure, someone’s at fault here—maybe both sides—but that doesn't change the core issue. We need to figure out how to actually fix the damage, and more importantly, why we keep pouring massive amounts of taxpayer money into a system that seems to be circling the drain.

I gotta draw a parallel here. Our whole agricultural scene is basically like trying to renovate an old stadium in a major US city. Every single year, they pour massive amounts of taxpayer money into it. They do some quick cosmetic touch-ups at the start of the season to make it look decent, but by the end of the year, the whole thing is three times worse than when they started. Now, we’re just left staring at a total eyesore.

And then there’s that whole recent mess with the arena floors and the state government. That guy actually landed the job. $133 If I remember correctly, he went to get his hardwood floors redone, but the main contractor—the guys running the whole show—completely stiffed him on the bill. Their big excuse? They claimed the government hadn't cut them a check yet. Meanwhile, the small subcontractor who actually did the work is basically circling the drain and still owes the IRS a fortune.

What a total joke. Seriously, how does this even work? The government skips your payment cycle entirely, leaving you hanging, but the second you try to settle up your own debts, they’re all over you with interest charges. It’s absolute insanity.

Look, even if this isn't a perfect example, it's totally plausible. I personally know tons of people who are owed like $500k by the government—just throwing out numbers here—but then the IRS comes knocking demanding $200k and making their lives a living hell. So, honestly, who’s the crazy one in that scenario?

The whole mess was cooked up by the big shots and the government. It doesn't matter who you try to deal with—unless you’re at the bottom of the food chain, which basically means everyone else's success depends on you (and even then, you can still get screwed through no fault of your own), you’re just gonna end up running headfirst into one of those power players and getting stuck in the mud with them.

Alright, let's circle back to Linic one last time. Why is this guy so blatantly lying? Like, why does he wait until prime-time news just to drop these total fabrications? And then you’ve got the Republican Party playing this weird game, putting out statements like, "Oh, we aren't going to trade barbs in the media," or "No comment." It’s such a joke—it’s clearly a direct hit on them, yet they act like they’re above the fray.

So, I was just scrolling through the news and saw this piece about Linić and the whole Syndicate situation. Honestly? It’s kind of wild. You look at how things are being handled, and it feels like we're watching a slow-motion train wreck where everyone's pretending they don't see the tracks ending in a canyon. It’s one thing to talk big in front of a camera, but it's another thing entirely when you actually have to deal with the fallout. It reminds me of those old movies where the guy thinks he's playing chess, but he's actually just playing checkers against someone who's already won. There's a lot of finger-pointing going on, which is pretty standard for our political scene, but the core issue seems to be buried under all that noise. At the end of the day, whether it's the Republican Party or some local oversight committee, people are tired of the games. We want actual results, not just more drama for the evening news. Just my two cents.

So, the Republican Party is out here sounding the alarm again, basically claiming that all these new regulations are going to absolutely wreck the economy. They’re throwing around all this talk about how much harder it's going to be for businesses to actually function under these rules. It’s the same old song and dance, honestly. They’re painting this picture where every single new policy is just another heavy weight dragging down American industry. It’s like they think the moment the government breathes in the direction of a corporation, everything is just going to grind to a halt. It's a classic move—blame the red tape for everything from rising costs to general stagnation. You have to wonder if they actually believe their own hype or if it's just part of the standard playbook whenever they want to push back against federal oversight. Typical stuff.

Honestly, if you ask me? This whole part is just a total drag. Super monotone and pretty weak.

I don't see any text provided to rewrite yet! Send over the snippets you want me to work on, and I'll get right to it. Remember, I'll be keeping things casual, choppy, and strictly American. Ready when you are.

It feels like if you look anywhere... If you ask the bosses? They'll tell you they're paying top dollar. It’s all about what they think they can get away with.And their response? Pure comedy. I’m done. No more grinding, no more playing the game, and definitely no more putting my money on the line. I'm out. "That’s honestly the last thing we expected to hear from them," Linić said.

We need to put these questions out there, and we need to do it publicly. We want everything laid out in black and white—exactly where the money went and how much was handed out. Let’s see who actually walked away with the biggest slice of the pie. 🙂 One more thing—if I somehow pull in a million bucks in a year, how much of that is the government just snatching right out from under me? 🙂Look, the answers are pretty damn obvious. Honestly? They’d be more than just a reality check—they'd absolutely crush you.

"Nah, he pointed out that it's actually still in effect right now," he said. The Payment Terms Act. Just a heads-up for everyone dealing with vendors—it’s basically the rulebook on how fast businesses have to cough up the cash once an invoice hits their desk. It exists to stop big corporations from playing those shady games where they drag their feet for months while the smaller guys struggle to pay rent. If you're running a business, you need to know exactly how much breathing room you actually have before things get legally messy. Also, yeah. Sixty days. That’s the window they gave us.Plus, let’s hope the Treasury doesn't go out and start slapping everyone with those massive fines they baked into the law.

Look, the payment terms law is totally aligned with federal standards now, so there’s really no way for us to scrap it. It's baked into the system. He’s out here predicting these massive fines, but honestly? It hasn't even crossed our minds to actually collect them, according to Linić.."

🤣

I wanted to add something else, but it’s slipping my mind. I kind of went off on a tangent there. My main point was just how much they're playing us—peddling their own version of "the truth" while the rest of us just sit there. And honestly, why doesn't anyone speak up? Why won't the people just demand an explanation and ask, "Hey, what the hell are you doing?" Why isn't the Republican Party stepping up to fiercely defend the stuff they're actually responsible for? It feels like nobody actually gives a damn about cleaning things up properly or getting everything back on solid ground. Like, is anyone even trying to foster some actual competition here?

Let’s be honest, our legal framework is a complete mess from the jump. When an investor actually takes the time to dig through our statutes, local ordinances, and endless regulatory guidelines... there isn't a prayer of them deciding to set up shop in this swamp. Between the media smear campaigns, the constant threat of arbitrary fines buried in the fine print, and a judicial system that moves at a glacial pace—which, let’s face it, is inevitable given how broken the rules are—it’s a lost cause. And the absolute cherry on top? The Secretary of the Treasury openly admits that these laws and regulations are enforced selectively. Well, well, well. It’s about time someone finally called a spade a spade. ☕

I've just got this one article as commentary . And he’s actually trying to give advice to employers? Man, talk about an ego. HE. Like he's some kind of big-shot uncle or something.

Look, I don't doubt Linic's intentions—they're likely good—but the direction is fundamentally flawed. The economy isn't moving because fixed costs are suffocating us; they make us completely uncompetitive. Linic, there is only one way forward: aggressively scrap EVERY single parafiscal levy—from NBC fees to road tolls—implement massive hiring incentives, put intense pressure on local governments to slash utility burdens (or better yet, abolish them), and streamline all investor permitting...
A significant reduction in healthcare taxes and payroll contributions, paired with a radical slimming down of the federal bureaucracy.
Then, maybe you can actually hope for something.

Nicole Long28 said:I've just got this one article as commentary . And he’s actually trying to give advice to employers? Man, talk about an ego. HE. Like he's some kind of big-shot uncle or something.

This whole country is just one giant wild west. You can't get anything done around here if you actually try to play by the rules.

Man, you’re back at it again, coming for the farmers...

An independent farmer who isn't part of the VAT system ends up paying more in taxes on their supplies than they ever see back in federal subsidies. It's a joke.

And seriously, take a look at grain prices on the commodities exchanges right now. Farming is actually going to be pretty lucrative in the near future.

Agriculture is a matter of national security and a fundamental pillar of our society. It isn't something we can just switch off because we’ve decided we aren't "competitive" enough—that’s exactly how we managed to lose almost all of our domestic manufacturing base. Relying 100% on imports for food is essentially asking for a total systemic collapse the moment any global crisis hits.
Besides, look at the facts: virtually every nation on Earth subsidizes its farming sector. Even the supposedly "free market" Americans do it extensively...

So, providing subsidies to the agricultural industry isn't the issue for this country. The real headache is the distribution process itself. When you look at how those funds are actually handed out, the level of corruption and mismanagement makes the scandals at major state-owned corporations look mild by comparison.

Thomas Clark912 said:This whole country is just one giant wild west. You can't get anything done around here if you actually try to play by the rules.

Want more? 🤣 It’s all right there under the fine print, signed by Secretary Maras himself. That section "IV" is particularly crazy The scope of legal regulations includes the following program modules where it looks like a local deli owner needs to know more law than some actual judges.

Someone needs to stop this nonsense with small business grants. Once and for all. I’ve been dragged to meeting after meeting like some amateur, all because the Secretary promised us support. Fine, I showed up and listened. Buying new equipment. Non-refundable assets covered up to 35%. That was the pitch. Then, once everyone cleared out for lunch at the local diner, I asked the guy in charge what that actually meant. He looks me straight in the face and says: "Our budget is limited. If too many people apply, we’ll have to redistribute the funds." Which translates to this: they promised you 35%, but if the money runs out, you might get 30%, 25, 17, or maybe just 10%. For the rest, you're on your own. Give me a break. The machine I actually need costs $200 $0.00. And that’s the cheapest one available. Any thoughts? We aren't buying anything. Linic is just talking nonsense and playing games with the public.

casualpanther2 said:Agriculture is a matter of national security and a fundamental pillar of our society. It isn't something we can just switch off because we’ve decided we aren't "competitive" enough—that’s exactly how we managed to lose almost all of our domestic manufacturing base. Relying 100% on imports for food is essentially asking for a total systemic collapse the moment any global crisis hits.
Besides, look at the facts: virtually every nation on Earth subsidizes its farming sector. Even the supposedly "free market" Americans do it extensively...

So, providing subsidies to the agricultural industry isn't the issue for this country. The real headache is the distribution process itself. When you look at how those funds are actually handed out, the level of corruption and mismanagement makes the scandals at major state-owned corporations look mild by comparison.

Why not just cut the sales tax on farming supplies? That would actually help the hardworking farmers instead of the scammers who don't care, and we could skip all the soul-crushing bureaucracy entirely....

Jerry Clark72 said:Why not just cut the sales tax on farming supplies? That would actually help the hardworking farmers instead of the scammers who don't care, and we could skip all the soul-crushing bureaucracy entirely....

That is exactly the kind of move we need! We should be incentivizing actual production, not just handing out subsidies based on acreage so people can race straight to the local pub the second their check clears.
Lowering the sales tax is a much more honest approach. If the government just handed out free equipment, there would be nothing stopping a fraudster from selling it to a neighbor just to fund a night out at a bar.
The real mystery here is why nothing ever changes. Whose interest is being served by keeping things exactly as they are? Is it the Democratic Party and its members, even if they've become completely irrelevant on the national stage? 🤷

Jerry Clark72 said:Man, you’re back at it again, coming for the farmers...

An independent farmer who isn't part of the VAT system ends up paying more in taxes on their supplies than they ever see back in federal subsidies. It's a joke.

And seriously, take a look at grain prices on the commodities exchanges right now. Farming is actually going to be pretty lucrative in the near future.

Nah, man, read that again. 😉

casualpanther2 said:Agriculture is a matter of national security and a fundamental pillar of our society. It isn't something we can just switch off because we’ve decided we aren't "competitive" enough—that’s exactly how we managed to lose almost all of our domestic manufacturing base. Relying 100% on imports for food is essentially asking for a total systemic collapse the moment any global crisis hits.
Besides, look at the facts: virtually every nation on Earth subsidizes its farming sector. Even the supposedly "free market" Americans do it extensively...

So, providing subsidies to the agricultural industry isn't the issue for this country. The real headache is the distribution process itself. When you look at how those funds are actually handed out, the level of corruption and mismanagement makes the scandals at major state-owned corporations look mild by comparison.

Look, I never actually "suggested" that everything should just shut down. Even though plenty of other massive national interests—and honestly, even more important ones if you want to get technical—basically sold us out, nobody seems to care. So, here we are. We're living a little worse, sure, but we haven't gone extinct yet.

Whatever, it’s not even that deep. I already said I don’t want us getting stuck in this endless "he said, she said" loop about who messed up. That's a waste of breath. What I actually wanted was an answer as to why we're just lighting money on fire like this—pouring cash into the exact same failed projects over and over again. It makes zero sense.

Another issue is that these days, they’re basically forcing farmers to be full-blown entrepreneurs too. But honestly, that’s probably way too deep of a rabbit hole for right now. Let's just roll with the punches—we aren't exactly in a position to change how the world works anyway.

Robert Hall7 said:Someone needs to stop this nonsense with small business grants. Once and for all. I’ve been dragged to meeting after meeting like some amateur, all because the Secretary promised us support. Fine, I showed up and listened. Buying new equipment. Non-refundable assets covered up to 35%. That was the pitch. Then, once everyone cleared out for lunch at the local diner, I asked the guy in charge what that actually meant. He looks me straight in the face and says: "Our budget is limited. If too many people apply, we’ll have to redistribute the funds." Which translates to this: they promised you 35%, but if the money runs out, you might get 30%, 25, 17, or maybe just 10%. For the rest, you're on your own. Give me a break. The machine I actually need costs $200 $0.00. And that’s the cheapest one available. Any thoughts? We aren't buying anything. Linic is just talking nonsense and playing games with the public.

So, they'll just take money from one group to hand out to you farmers, but they're claiming they didn't take enough from others to give to you? Interesting logic...

brightviper48 said:So, they'll just take money from one group to hand out to you farmers, but they're claiming they didn't take enough from others to give to you? Interesting logic...

I honestly feel like what we’re looking at here is more about how much this messes with actual business planning—I mean, if you're facing a sudden 10% to 30% shortfall in your investment capital, that’s a massive headache regardless of the politics behind it. You're leaning heavily on this idea of "taking" from one side just to "give" to the other, which is all well and good for a debate, but when someone is actually subsidizing a business, the rules should be crystal clear and the amounts should be set in stone. If there's a gap between what was promised and what actually shows up, it hits your day-to-day operations hard, and whether the reasons for that shortage are valid or not... well, that's really a whole different conversation entirely.

It feels like Slavko Linić just doesn't grasp the core issue here. The government has become this desperate addict, completely hooked on collecting import VAT just to keep its failing systems on life support, yet he’s out there acting like some kind of heavy-handed tax enforcer. It honestly seems like Linić is just padding his own pockets by enforcing this "golden silence," and frankly, business seems to be booming for him.

Thomas Anderson6 said:Look, I don't doubt Linic's intentions—they're likely good—but the direction is fundamentally flawed. The economy isn't moving because fixed costs are suffocating us; they make us completely uncompetitive. Linic, there is only one way forward: aggressively scrap EVERY single parafiscal levy—from NBC fees to road tolls—implement massive hiring incentives, put intense pressure on local governments to slash utility burdens (or better yet, abolish them), and streamline all investor permitting...
A significant reduction in healthcare taxes and payroll contributions, paired with a radical slimming down of the federal bureaucracy.
Then, maybe you can actually hope for something.

The average American tends to push back against these kinds of moves—usually because wealthy entrepreneurs become their biggest target. It's funny how things work, isn't it? As soon as you try to trim the fat or lower labor costs, suddenly everyone acts like they're "starving."

Harold Long21 said:It feels like Slavko Linić just doesn't grasp the core issue here. The government has become this desperate addict, completely hooked on collecting import VAT just to keep its failing systems on life support, yet he’s out there acting like some kind of heavy-handed tax enforcer. It honestly seems like Linić is just padding his own pockets by enforcing this "golden silence," and frankly, business seems to be booming for him.

Honestly, this is a top-tier comment. I noticed the thread went quiet for a second, but Slavko is still out there running wild... what do you guys make of this:

http://www.democroatia.info/slavko-j...titi-american/

Seems like a perfect recipe for total disaster.

Thomas Clark912 said:This whole country is just one giant wild west. You can't get anything done around here if you actually try to play by the rules.

I mean, look, you can always be honest... it’s just that most people expect to be cruising on a yacht and owning a mansion after their first year in business.
Stick it out for five or ten years, then maybe you'll see some real progress.
Everyone saw those guys who made a fortune overnight during the war, so I guess everyone wants that kind of luck.

The big shot said:says:
you can always play it straight, it’s just that most people want their yacht and summer house in the first year of business.
work at it for 5-10 years and maybe you'll get somewhere.
we all saw those guys who got rich overnight during wartime, so everyone wants a piece of that action.

This is spot on and you are absolutely right! It isn't Linic's fault, nor is it anyone else's—it's the system itself that's been running since this country was founded: 200 wealthy families, wartime privatization, the destruction of manufacturing, the failure to implement structural reforms, the public sector mess, shrinking workforce versus a growing "retiree" class, buying social peace, the lack of actual foreign investment, and an obsession with imports!
Where in the world do you find people who have held massive wealth for over a decade while still owing every kind of obligation to the government and the banks! We, the "hardworking little people," are the ones stuck footing the bill!
Folks, the money is gone, our national debt is expensive, and production is tanking! Once we open up an "island" for those who made millions through shady deals, laid off hundreds of workers, and drove companies into bankruptcy, then maybe we can expect a better tomorrow!
Unfortunately, we all turned into a "consumer society" overnight based on someone else's money (credit cards, loans), spending way more than we actually produce!
Why did Al Capone fall? Because of simple tax evasion! Well, we pay our taxes to our government, yet we still turn around and demand transfers from them!
I honestly don't understand where all that huge influx of cash from our successful tourism industry ends up, especially since we have beautiful coasts and safety compared to those exotic countries.

Kevin Patel6 said:This is spot on and you are absolutely right! It isn't Linic's fault, nor is it anyone else's—it's the system itself that's been running since this country was founded: 200 wealthy families, wartime privatization, the destruction of manufacturing, the failure to implement structural reforms, the public sector mess, shrinking workforce versus a growing "retiree" class, buying social peace, the lack of actual foreign investment, and an obsession with imports!
Where in the world do you find people who have held massive wealth for over a decade while still owing every kind of obligation to the government and the banks! We, the "hardworking little people," are the ones stuck footing the bill!
Folks, the money is gone, our national debt is expensive, and production is tanking! Once we open up an "island" for those who made millions through shady deals, laid off hundreds of workers, and drove companies into bankruptcy, then maybe we can expect a better tomorrow!
Unfortunately, we all turned into a "consumer society" overnight based on someone else's money (credit cards, loans), spending way more than we actually produce!
Why did Al Capone fall? Because of simple tax evasion! Well, we pay our taxes to our government, yet we still turn around and demand transfers from them!
I honestly don't understand where all that huge influx of cash from our successful tourism industry ends up, especially since we have beautiful coasts and safety compared to those exotic countries.

The system is what it is. I guess if people believe it's already at its best, then maybe they shouldn't touch anything—but we all know it's flawed, so it needs changing. That's essentially the government's job.
So, the administration isn't responsible for the inherited flaws in the system. Their role, I suppose, is to address those identified issues based on their priorities.

Basically, we have this legacy issue with unemployment and constant drops in hiring. We need measures to stop that trend and hopefully reverse it. That is the current administration's responsibility. If they handle it well, fine—but if they fail or do nothing, then maybe they shouldn't be in those roles.

The same applies to economic shifts. Employment is just a byproduct of those movements. The government is there to manage those matters effectively. They aren't responsible for the status quo, but they are responsible for fixing those legacy problems as best they can. It seems obvious, yet it doesn't happen—they don't seem to have any clue how to proceed. The financ minister is out there bragging about being tough on the Chamber of Commerce. An economy run by those types doesn't stand much of a chance. They won't feel the impact because their salaries are secure, but everyone else will definitely feel this decline personally. Things are sinking.