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Actually the libertarians believe in minimal government influence. Kind of a laissez-faire philosophy in all aspects of life. My point was that, since the libertarian candidate doesn't recieve federally - matched funds to support his run for president, maybe Obama could share some of his. Especially seeing how Obama doesn't mind sharing your stuff or my stuff with others.

Can't answer for the Fenster or Cowboy, but as of earlier today, I'm still 303.

I'm certainly no psychologist, but I think everybody understands how important a better self-image is to sexuality (especially with women). So....whatever makes you two kids happy.....cool. But be careful that you don't change too much, or too rapidly. After all, your husband probably thought you were sexy even at your highest weight...so try to express how important and attractive he is to you. BTW, fantasies?? Whatever you're into. The great thing about that is that nobody need know what (or who) you're thinking about in the act...:rolleyes2:

That's the reason, I love you, RSG (besides being a Shreveie). You have extraordinarliy good taste in avatar pics. lol. Too LATE!! BWAHAHAHAHA

Ok, then....in theory, how much can the government tax the wealthiest 1% of Americans before it's not fair to them? I'm not picking on you, Lulu....you're just one of the few that can debate the actual question without calling Bush "the devil", or how Palin is a nazi, Obama is a muslim, etc. Hey, I think I'll make that a new thread question.

So how much higher would the government have to hike your percentage before y'all were like "woah...that's not fair"?

It's American charity if you choose to do something nice like that, Lulu....it's socialistic when the government makes you do it. You are maxed out in taxes...what, around 33% (that may not be the max anymore....I'm woefully uneducated....plus I've never made enough money to have to deal with that level of taxation, lol)? That's cool....you have been blessed and fortunate in financial matters, and you don't try to cheat on your taxes. That's being a patriot. But how high would you be willing to pay in taxes before you think "Hey, that's not fair"? Would the government taking 50% of your income be too much? 60%? See, nobody here is saying that zero taxes should be paid. But there exists a breaking point (probably different for everybody) where it is unfair for the government to take your hard-earned money simply because you made it. For a lot of us, the breaking point is 33%. That's the fed taking a third of your income....heck, the church only askes for a tenth.

You mean Obama isn't going to give the other presidential candidates a larger portion of his campaign contributions? I mean, hey, the libertarian candidate is under-privilaged....Obama is all about the richer making it easier for the poorer, right? How 'bout extending that "spread the wealth" policy to all areas??

Hey Marcie. You are not alone. Most people don't have any restriction before the fills begin. For a lot of us, it takes multiple fills to get to the sweet spot (it took me 3). Keep on trying to use your willpower. Now is the ideal time for you to be practicing the rules to try and refine them into habits (take small bites, eat slowly, no drinking with the meal, etc). Also, I think a lot of us bandsters need to work on our mindset.....for some (me, anyway) of us have gotten "full" mixed up with "stuffed" in our heads.....so I would recommend eating until you are "not hungry", as opposed to "full". Does any of that make sense? I'm stinking drunk right now.....(j/k)

Sure! This one's for you, SNT - "Shut up about your recovery and fix me a TV dinner, woman!!" Yup, always the hot chicks that play coy.... Hey!! Just because you look better than me, you don't have to rub it in my face!! Great....now I'm mad. I'm gonna have to go and be nasty to my patients!! :Dancing_biggrin: Ok Fanny. To be honest, I'm having trouble getting a photo big enough to encompass my face and my daddy parts. ZING!! He sounds like a pretty good guy so far, Fanny!

I'm afraid I'm one of "those", She. I have zero idea of what you look like. So, to me you are a pin-up girl bending over, touching her toes, and.....hey, I'm getting worked up!! Sorry, I usually save my sexist, chauvenistic posts for Leslie!

Wimpy! I'll abdicate "Mr. Margarita" in favor of "Mr. Any vodka-based cocktail".

I'm with ya, Steve. I like to exchange ideas, and love to play devil's advocate. The last few times I posted on the political threads, there was little logic, mucho mindless blathering and propaganda, and the odd personal attack. So I have to limit myself....I always think "This is the last post", but something mega-stupid always draws me back in.

I knew I loved my wife very early in the (romantic) relationship. However, I had known her for a very long time prior to that. Good for you, Fanny. Although, I hope he knows of your harrassing posts here on LBT. For the last time, I'm not posting nudes on the general boards. Now quit bothering me!! lol I like the Veronicas. And I like that SNT is clearly kicking ass with her band.

BJean, yes. I'm ok with that, if they pay their part....why should they pay my part, or your part? I don't agree with some of the loopholes that some use to avoid paying their fair share (depositing money offshore, having money tied up in dubious "investment" corporations, etc). But the solution to that is to simplify the tax code.....not jack with the percentages paid per person. Just curious, would you be willing to accept a flat tax? If every household paid in 10% (no matter what income level)? Because I think there is nothing more fair than that.

The machine approximates your metabolism by measuring how much oxygen your muscles are consuming. It cannot tell you how many cals/ day you have been eating, though. Remember, no matter how you approach it, you have to take in less calories / day than your metabolism burns to lose weight. And.....lets say all the numbers are true. If your metabolism burns 1700, and you take in 1400, you'll lose weight....but not "like crazy" like your doc said. A deficit of -300 cals / day takes a little while to add up to 1 lb lost (I'm purposely keeping the example simple, I know.....my mind is naturally simple).

Too true. And we should all pay EQUALLY to our ability. Like Wheet said, if we all paid an EQUAL percentage, the wealthy pay more anyway. What can be more fair than that? Man you got that right....It's called "I want something for nothing", or "I want a piece of my neighbor's pie" That's right. Because he's the boss. Are you telling me it's fair for YOU to take the European vacation, drive the 645ci, have 3 homes, work less hours, and get better perks and bennies because HE makes more money? If you want all those things, work your ass off and get em for yourself! And......how do you know what he pays in taxes? Honestly, you don't get to have that level of wealth and be taxed less than you, an honest working dude, are. Am I reading this correctly? You pay in @ 42% federal income taxes?!? Seriously? Whatever happened to working hard to get what you want? Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents had to do it. When in the history of America has the government been able to tell an individual "You are making too much money. Either stop making that much, or we will take it away"

Welcome to the boards, Mz. Y, and good luck! You'll feel better in no time!!

Hi there AlisonJean! Welcome to the boards. We have lots of bandsters, and quite a few sleevies too! So pull up a chair and look around, because there is a LOT of information to sort through!

w00t!!1 I call first place in line!!

Good for you, Andrea. Remember, no matter how we dress it up or use our bands, the bottom line is that we have to burn more calories than we eat to lose weight. Keep up the good work!

I voted "use a modest covering". It doesn't bother me in the least (work in a medical setting and have seen it all. NBD) to see breastfeeding. When I voted "covering" I wasn't so much thinking a physical cover so much as a little discretion, like cyndi was saying. Anywhoo, I think it's a little sad that some people get up in arms about stuff like breastfeeding, but think that the graphic violence and torture that is vogue in movies and TV is suitable for children. Weird commentary on our culture....

carlyg. you are my hero. Not only for the astounding weightloss, but because you have the stones to try ripping your own band out. Before trying that, you might want to bite down on a stout piece of leather, lol. Seriously, that is a fan-freaking-tastic weight loss! Way to go!!!

Hey, Katie, do what ya gotta do to stay healthy. I would tell you that the world would not be better off without you....but you're a smart girl and I think on an intellectual level that you already know that, despite what your anxiety disorder is wispering in your ear. So, go......feel better and come back to us when you're ready. I don't get to chat with too many 19 y/o's, so if nothing else, check in from time to time and humor a pathetic old fart like me, mmmmm ' kay?

Gas pains associated with new surgery are because of the way the docs fill your abdominal cavity with CO2 so they can "see" where to put the band. Because the gas is not inside of your stomach, Gas-X strips won't really help. Walking helped me more than anything else. Walking and time.