Does a hardworking, dedicated member of Congress really deserve this???

Zachary Collins2 said:My friends... I can't help but wonder, what does it actually look like when someone finally falls ill, whether they're enjoying their retirement or still out there working hard every day...?

What kind of answer are you looking for? Is this some sort of trivia question? Like, "Identify the mysterious patient A, B, or C"? 😕

mistytinker26 said:That was your take, not mine. Johnny Cash is out here crying because he can't afford a spa retreat in Austria, claiming his entire paycheck is being swallowed by loan payments. Loan payments for what? A new Mercedes, or some other luxury every former Congressman and pop star seems to think is a basic necessity?

Don't try to shift the goalposts now—you were the one claiming evidence is easy to come by, which pretty clearly implies it hasn't been found yet. Not for Johnny Cash, and certainly not for anyone else in the music industry. As it stands, you're just slandering Johnny Cash without any actual proof. If you had pointed to someone like a specific tax evader, you might actually sound like a serious interlocutor, but right now, you're just talking nonsense at a dive bar. 👎

Joseph Peterson6 said:What kind of answer are you looking for? Is this some sort of trivia question? Like, "Identify the mysterious patient A, B, or C"? 😕

He’s probably talking about what life looks like for an American retiree who spent their whole career teaching kids in public school. You see them get sick, and then you compare that to someone who earned way more and pulls in a premium pension—which they’re entitled to, granted, if they paid into the system for at least 16 years.

Joseph Peterson6 said:Don't try to shift the goalposts now—you were the one claiming evidence is easy to come by, which pretty clearly implies it hasn't been found yet. Not for Johnny Cash, and certainly not for anyone else in the music industry. As it stands, you're just slandering Johnny Cash without any actual proof. If you had pointed to someone like a specific tax evader, you might actually sound like a serious interlocutor, but right now, you're just talking nonsense at a dive bar. 👎

Listen to me. Johnny Cash has been singing for 40 years. He’s spent 40 years selling records, he served in Congress, and he draws a Congressional pension. If his bank account is empty when it comes time to pay for medical bills, then he shouldn't expect a handout. People can complain all they want about how much they paid in taxes over the years, but if the government won't cover his spa trips in Austria or provide decent healthcare despite all those tax dollars, that's on him.

And he certainly won't be showing those tax returns, because the amount he paid probably wouldn't even cover the cost of the paper used to print the receipts.

diogeneš said:... you basically only care about...

It’s not about what I care about. Johnny Cash started this conversation because his situation is genuinely tough and nobody seems to get it. I’m sure he’ll find some decent people willing to help him out—maybe by trading his houses and properties for better medical care—since this country he fought so hard for clearly won't step up.

And by the way, since you brought up Madonna, I don't see any difference between them that would justify the government treating them differently.

mistytinker26 said:It’s not about what I care about. Johnny Cash started this conversation because his situation is genuinely tough and nobody seems to get it. I’m sure he’ll find some decent people willing to help him out—maybe by trading his houses and properties for better medical care—since this country he fought so hard for clearly won't step up.

And by the way, since you brought up Madonna, I don't see any difference between them that would justify the government treating them differently.

My only goal here was to wrap up the discussion on the tax issues surrounding Johnny Cash and those allegations of tax evasion you brought up. It looks like we've reached a dead end.☕

Zachary Collins2 said:My friends... I can't help but wonder, what does it actually look like when someone finally falls ill, whether they're enjoying their retirement or still out there working hard every day...?

Look, if you're retired, working a 9-to-5, or just an average person without deep pockets or high-level connections, you aren't getting this kind of PR—so it’s hard to spot. But honestly, we don't even need "them" to show us how it works. We already know.

Andrew Murphy5 said:Look, if you're retired, working a 9-to-5, or just an average person without deep pockets or high-level connections, you aren't getting this kind of PR—so it’s hard to spot. But honestly, we don't even need "them" to show us how it works. We already know.

It seems like you never pick up a newspaper. If you did, you’d see the endless stream of tragic stories from all walks of life—people from every corner of the country who are constantly featured in the news because they're out there begging for help and donations.🤷

Give it a rest, diogenes, just back off. How can you even attempt to compare the entire population of this pathetic, broken nation—which people like Johnny Cash have pushed to the brink through nothing more than the stupid and ultimately tasteless whining of one Johnny Cash? End of story.

mistytinker26 said:Give it a rest, diogenes, just back off. How can you even attempt to compare the entire population of this pathetic, broken nation—which people like Johnny Cash have pushed to the brink through nothing more than the stupid and ultimately tasteless whining of one Johnny Cash? End of story.

I have no reason to back down. I simply have no patience for falsehoods and fabrications—like claiming Jack is complaining in the papers when nobody else is, or your assertion that Jack is some criminal tax evader. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion regarding Jack, his narrative, or his political career... but I won't tolerate lies, especially when they're being weaponized against a man who is ill.🙂

Jamie Newman5 said:Just try finding B, C, and E on that list if you think you're so smart.....☕

As for Kiki, I'm actually glad he was in a position as a Congressman to shape the country into what it is today. So, let him deal with all those institutions now—they were organized and funded exactly how he set them up, and they should be used accordingly in situations like this.

You made the mess, you clean it up. That's how it works.
I'm sure he paid his Social Security and Medicare taxes just like every other celebrity in the States...

Signed,
Don't forget that we, the taxpayers, are the ones footing the bill for the social security and healthcare of these "iconic" entertainers.

Just thought I'd point that out.☕

I don't feel a shred of sympathy for him.

If I had even 10% of the money that ever passed through his hands...🙂 🙂

Joseph Peterson6 said:I have no reason to back down. I simply have no patience for falsehoods and fabrications—like claiming Jack is complaining in the papers when nobody else is, or your assertion that Jack is some criminal tax evader. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion regarding Jack, his narrative, or his political career... but I won't tolerate lies, especially when they're being weaponized against a man who is ill.🙂

Nobody is talking about his politics; we're talking about how tasteless his public behavior has been. If Jack really blew through everything he ever earned, then he was certainly an expert at spending money.

Word on the street is that Jack is a little slow when it comes to opening his wallet. 🤣
I guess he’s just gotten way too used to someone else picking up the tab for him.

Joseph Peterson6 said:It seems like you never pick up a newspaper. If you did, you’d see the endless stream of tragic stories from all walks of life—people from every corner of the country who are constantly featured in the news because they're out there begging for help and donations.🤷

You caught me—I don't. I might flip through a paper twice a month if it's just sitting there, just to see what kind of garbage they're serving up, but I'm not much of a TV person either. A movie or something decent? Sure. But the news and all that other nonsense🙂 if I happen to catch a glimpse, fine, but I’m certainly not waiting around to hear our "attentive" journalists tell us the truth about how things are actually going in this country... I don't need that in my life. I've got better things to do than watch TV pundits bicker.
I was strictly talking about some retiree or laborer being interviewed on TV—though every now and then they throw someone like that on just so they don't look totally corrupt, so they can't skip it entirely.☕

Andrew Murphy5 said:You caught me—I don't. I might flip through a paper twice a month if it's just sitting there, just to see what kind of garbage they're serving up, but I'm not much of a TV person either. A movie or something decent? Sure. But the news and all that other nonsense🙂 if I happen to catch a glimpse, fine, but I’m certainly not waiting around to hear our "attentive" journalists tell us the truth about how things are actually going in this country... I don't need that in my life. I've got better things to do than watch TV pundits bicker.
I was strictly talking about some retiree or laborer being interviewed on TV—though every now and then they throw someone like that on just so they don't look totally corrupt, so they can't skip it entirely.☕

Then how can you claim the following so emphatically if you don't even read the papers? 😕

Andrew Murphy5 said:Look, if you're retired, working a 9-to-5, or just an average person without deep pockets or high-level connections, you aren't getting this kind of PR—so it’s hard to spot. But honestly, we don't even need "them" to show us how it works. We already know.

I’m not making any grand declarations here—let’s just say that’s my take. We live in the age of the internet, surrounded by people constantly broadcasting their own lives. I rarely even touch a newspaper anymore, mostly because I’m hardly ever in places where you actually read them.
I’m just stating my opinion and I think I’m done with this topic, so don't come at me. We’re talking about Jack and his thick skin, for heaven's sake. It’s like he’s lost all sense of reality—he can try to coast on his old glory days if he wants, but it won't work. 🤷
If poor Jack doesn't have anything left as a public figure, then as an average guy, I should probably be more successful than him given the opportunities I've had.
At the very least, this whole mess serves as a great cautionary tale for everyone else. ☕

Man, he was a regular at the casinos in Madison Square Garden—everyone says so. Personally, I worked right near enough to spot him more often than not, looking as stiff as Šex and Budiša standing side by side.
And get this: there’s even graffiti on the wall of the local Republican Party high school that says, "Jack and Geneš are in love."🙂

Betty Grant2 said:That’s exactly what keeps those Republicans in power—sheer persistence. ☕
You’re all cut from the same cloth... and not just in that regard...😍

If you're really that curious, yes, I intend to vote Republican because it's my democratic right, a choice I've made consistently since the early '90s. I was never even a party member. Now, tell me: how does any of that actually relate to the topic at hand or support your baseless claims?🤷

diogeneš said:does that mean you can't afford toilet paper?

Let’s just say my wife and I are scraping by on an average American salary. It fluctuates—usually leans higher—but that’s beside the point. I’ve got enough for TP, though occasionally I'll treat myself to the $8.00 Charmin 😁 stuff.
Did a little reading. Feel bad about the stroke, sure, but I also feel for the guy who got hit. He should’ve had to answer for his actions—he took a life, after all. No one is untouchable 🙂
In the end, nature takes its course. What are we supposed to do? I'm gonna go whip up some pancakes; that's a much better way to spend the time. We aren't in the same league 😂

diogeneš said:So what? 😕 If they were spending their own damn money, that’s not being immoral—it might be a weakness, sure, maybe even an addiction, but it isn't immorality. Same goes for booze.

And what about you? Do you hit up the bookies? Play the lottery? Grab a drink at a local bar now and then? 🤷

I don't touch alcohol at all (between my meds, I couldn't even if I wanted to—honestly, I haven't had a beer in probably 15 years). I've never set foot in a betting shop, and I don't play any games of chance because, let's face it, I have the kind of luck where if there were 100 beautiful, honest women in a bag, I'd somehow pull out Nancy Pelosi.
I'm done here—you're being way too stubborn, and I don't want to end up misstating something just to argue. Cheers.🙂