Post: #51

(03-05-2017 07:13 PM)nomadbrah Wrote:  Same with driving a cab. Not a career choice unless you work it. There was a brief period of time in the 50s when you could work anything and live on it, but that was due to the war and American goods exploding and just as important, women stayed at home.

I maintain people should be able to live decent on 40-50 hours of honest work pr. week, but consider that isn't a question of higher pay but of priorities. We have all this artificial demand from women who account for 70-80% of consumer spending with money they make in no small part from public play-jobs and other soft positions in companies. Such as having a position for women who get offended, so we need a woman to deal with it. Likewise, consider all the singles who need 2 appartments, not one, consider all the bs men spend on drinking and dressing up for 20 years of extended adolescence.

The crux of all this is cultural, not economic. Don't fight for higher wages, fight for higher morals. Go for the troath for those disgusting hedonist elites flashing their wealth on Instagram, give the rich arabs in London a smackdown, force these rich elites to be part of their own people.

That is where you understand that nationalism and traditionalism, culturally, morally, ethically, is the only short term solution to the insane wealth disparity. We have to appeal to blood. No other will do. That is also why globalism and multiculturalism and multiracialsm is what the elites desire. Once there are no nations and no individual people with thousand year shared history, then what argument will you use?

Excellent post. I think that now is when we are finally experiencing the final effects of women doubling the workforce (sucking taxes and being inefficient by the way) while the economy is not growing. It is ridiculous.

Pink collar jobs, what a f****** joke.

Post: #52

Quote:I understand this driver feels like he had the rug pulled from underneath him. Most people have the expectation that longevity with a company is rewarded with increased wages, but this isn't always the case. I've got older dishwashers that feel entitled to a few dollars more per hour simply because they've been there for 10 years. The cold, harsh reality is they don't deserve shit, because they're pricing themselves out of their position, when I could hire someone younger and more energetic than them for less.

Sounds like the "fight for 15" drones who think fucking up my hamburger at McDs is worth twice the going rate. Since when are entry-level jobs a lifelong sinecure with tenure?

It's interesting reading here where "it was good until x" and "the company did y and things did a and b". It's called the free market. If Uber's rate cut drives away all the "good" drivers, then the market will reflect and they will suffer the penalty.

That's better than artificial guild/cartels like inner-city taxis who are insulated from the market and have been fucking over fares for generations.

Post: #53

I'm a big believer in capitalism. The problem is that the government/financial sector is being run for capital holders (crony capitalism/oligarchy/communism). Interest rates have been held artificially low for years to benefit large holders of real estate.

Also, the US is being used to hide mostly dirty money in real estate from people from across the world. The housing market is in a large bubble. The labor market/economy in the US is no way the same as it was ten years ago, for the real estate market to be almost at the same point is absurd. If the Uber driver's real estate expenses (what would happen in a real capitalist democracy) were half the amount they are now, would he be that upset? I very much doubt it.

Post: #54

^ great post

Post: #55

(03-05-2017 10:31 PM)MikeMcLaren Wrote:  I'm a big believer in capitalism. The problem is that the government/financial sector is being run for capital holders (crony capitalism/oligarchy/communism). Interest rates have been held artificially low for years to benefit large holders of real estate.

Also, the US is being used to hide mostly dirty money in real estate from people from across the world. The housing market is in a large bubble. The labor market/economy in the US is no way the same as it was ten years ago, for the real estate market to be almost at the same point is absurd. If the Uber driver's real estate expenses (what would happen in a real capitalist democracy) were half the amount they are now, would he be that upset? I very much doubt it.

Yep and it's the same in London and Toronto, dirty money from corrupt Chinese officials, Saudi sheiks, Nigerian warlords pouring in and pricing out the indigneous people, then the strong arm of Western property rights protect these swindlers and their money.

Disgusting scheme really.

Post: #56

(03-02-2017 05:57 AM)easternwomenrule Wrote:  Surprise no one has made a 'UBER game' threat yet! I hear every now and than about friends that are UBER drivers, getting laid on Friday/Saturday nights!

Best to ALWAYS make sure you get her consent recorded first!

I have heard that it happens a lot in Austin with pedicabbers. These are guys who drive cycles around with benches on the backs. It sounds like it's mostly cougars picking up younger guys.

Post: #57

^ it would apply to service employees in general, the logistics may differ.

Post: #58

(03-04-2017 01:28 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  i agree with what QC said, I just accept Uber as a fact of life and give the drivers a tip.

One thing I know, the Uber line about them being "independent contractors" under US tax law is bullshit. It gets Uber out of paying the employer's contribution to Social Security. The "independent" contractor pays more in self-employment tax.

The test for that was supposed to be whether the worker had the freedom to set the terms, conditions and method of their work. I don't see that - Uber drivers they are completely controlled by the Uber app. The only thing they can control are their hours.

This x1000. I do not understand how Uber gets away with the independent contractors loophole.

Drivers don't pay any taxes either, all car expenses are write-offs.

Neither Uber or their drivers pay much, if any, taxes. All ride-sharing apps are taxpayer funded business media services.

Post: #59

(03-15-2017 12:31 AM)Samseau Wrote:  

(03-04-2017 01:28 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  i agree with what QC said, I just accept Uber as a fact of life and give the drivers a tip.

One thing I know, the Uber line about them being "independent contractors" under US tax law is bullshit. It gets Uber out of paying the employer's contribution to Social Security. The "independent" contractor pays more in self-employment tax.

The test for that was supposed to be whether the worker had the freedom to set the terms, conditions and method of their work. I don't see that - Uber drivers they are completely controlled by the Uber app. The only thing they can control are their hours.

This x1000. I do not understand how Uber gets away with the independent contractors loophole.

Drivers don't pay any taxes either, all car expenses are write-offs.

Neither Uber or their drivers pay much, if any, taxes. All ride-sharing apps are taxpayer funded business media services.

A CA labor commissioner has ruled that they're employees - at least in one specific case. The fallout is that Uber will have to reimburse him for all car expenses. Naturally, every other Uber driver is trying to get in on the cash grab and have filed a class action suit to force the issue company-wide. If successful, they will have forced themselves out of a job. Uber will just cut staff and make them work more hours - and that alone will cause most of them to have to quit.

I think Uber will change up some of their requirements to make it more obvious that the drivers are simply contractors using the app to find customers and facilitate payment. The drivers will have to either accept it or look for work elsewhere.

Post: #60

Samseau that isn't correct re taxes. Uber drivers, or any other self employed person who drives for work, pay plenty of tax, in fact at a higher rate than an employee.

Regarding car expenses- A self employed person who uses their car for business can choose can take the standard tax write off of 54 cents per mile (for those business miles only), or can choose to write off certain vehicle expenses individually (only the percentage used for business). One or the other, not both. Most choose the milage deduction, as it is usually the better option. With fuel costs, vehicle depreciation, maintenance etc it is not some loophole where people are getting out of paying taxes- the deduction covers some of the legitimate business expenses that cost real money out of pocket all year.

Taxes- As a self employed person you pay normal income tax and you also pay Self Employment tax (social security, medicare).

So while, yes, there are deductions for expenses like any business, using your vehicle as a self employed worker certainly doesn't create some loophole where you don't pay taxes, the standard deductions simply cover some of your substantial expenses.

Post: #61

The original videos aren't working for me. Does anyone have an alternate link?

Post: #62

I had a job a few years ago as a driver (not Uber, furniture delivery.)

Everyone was laid off and given the opportunity to come back as an independent contractor at the same salary, most likely an Obamacare thing.

It would have been a massive pay cut despite being the same hourly rate. More taxes, no paid time off, etc.

My thoughts on the matter were "fuck this" and I took the package for accepting the lay off, I was compensated a small amount and didn't have to bend at the knee to keep a position that was nothing special to start with.

Independent contractor positions should have some sort of rules regarding people who are in effect regular employees.

Post: #63

(03-16-2017 12:42 PM)godfather dust Wrote:  Independent contractor positions should have some sort of rules regarding people who are in effect regular employees.

I'm sure there are in most countries, if you only have one customer, then you're an employee.

Post: #64

His #2 just resigned

Post: #65

I've been taking a lot of Ubers and talking to the drivers, all of them have been immigrants, I ask if they pay tax, about half say they do, some gave me tips on opening bank account abroad. In any case, Uber offers immigrants a chance to establish themselves, and gives them a chance to take responsibility. A lot of the Uber drivers make sure to be extra polite, offering drinking water or to charge my phone and such. Never had a cab driver be that polite and friendly. It's a sad reality, but the fact imo is that the only way to actually integrate these people in society would be to have these kind of low paying, low barrier to entry jobs. Problem is they don't pay taxes of course, but it absolutely seems like they learn to fit in and how to be polite and productive. I found I take a lot of Ubers for shorter trips, sort of how I would in cheaper countries, but would never as a taxi. I don't like Uber as such, but the concept is here to stay and I think overall, like AirBNB, it is a positive for most normal people without a lot of money.