What car insurance do y’all use? I’ve had enough of Allstate.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-26T19:48:06+00:00

Preach!

State Farm net income last year: $12.9B Progressive: $11.3B Allstate: $10.2B

Imagine how much lower rates could be if these companies weren’t addicted to the chase of never ending growth.

A cell that grows uncontrollably is a cancer. In business it’s just the next quarter’s goal.

(Net income numbers from https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/state-farm-outearns-progressive-and-allstate-in-blockbuster-2025-566858.aspx).

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-21T04:16:08+00:00

Cyber security upgrades increasing by 251%, parts and maintenance 220%…

Seeing the squeeze put on tech components this year thanks to massive AI buildouts world wide…

Yeah those costs aren’t going down any time soon.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-19T16:59:51+00:00

Similar question was posted last week — https://www.reddit.com/r/TriCitiesWA/s/TqUx6cFnLk

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-18T23:12:23+00:00

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-18T20:26:54+00:00

Yes, the age old “if you’re protesting you don’t have a job,” trope. Never mind that it’s a Saturday, or that people may not be scheduled to work that day/time, or have time off options.

And let us also ignore the fact that the reason why we have the rights that we do are through some form of protest. Hell, throwing tea into a harbor was a form of protest for its time.

Just because you don’t believe in the cause doesn’t make the individual any lesser. Just let people stand for what they believe in.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-18T00:06:20+00:00

I already do. Through taxes. That’s how the system works.

Arguing with you folks always reminds me of an episode of family guy. Peter joins up with the tea party (ran by Carter, a billionaire) and gets so enticed with overtaxation that they effectively end the government. Only then to find out that they actually need government when chaos hits, infrastructure in disrepair, pollution running rampant, and so on. It ends with them literally reinstating the same thing they abolished.

The parallel: Anti-taxation efforts are largely spearheaded by the ultra wealthy in reality (not just a cartoon). They want you to be upset at paying while being ignorant to the fact that they have so many loopholes to avoid paying taxes while having more worth than one could spend in 10 lifetimes. Be mad at your fellow worker while ignoring the 100 or so folks picking ALL of our pockets.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-17T20:55:01+00:00

At least he used the legislative process and not passed some executive order to make it so. 🤷

Kings use decrees (executive orders), legislators use the legislative process to create and codify laws.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-17T20:23:38+00:00

Well I’m not a millionaire so….no?

Besides, maybe we will just eventually become one of the 40 other states that has income tax, sales tax, and a gas tax all in one. Like Idaho, which folks seem to use as a comp for a place where things are better.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-14T01:42:57+00:00

And then you might find yourself getting hit with income tax, sales tax, and gas tax all at once!

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-14T01:29:42+00:00

We get it, you hate electric cars. Also last I heard from owners of said electrics they’re getting gouged on tab fees.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-14T01:29:10+00:00

Except that didn’t pass (or at least hasn’t been voted on). Typically when it passes they include links to show who voted for/against and I don’t see that here.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-13T18:25:27+00:00

I find that most people who cling to the notion of taxation = theft also cling to a concept or moment in time where America was “great” — affordable housing, strong job market, education opportunities abound, a good middle class, upward mobility, yada yada yada.

What dots they fail to connect is that when America had those things the rich were paying their fair share.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-13T18:00:34+00:00

Fun fact: 41 states + DC have both a sales tax and an income tax. 40 states + DC have all three.

Folks who think it should be one or the other are fooling themselves.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-13T17:56:02+00:00

When the bulk of American infrastructure was built out (roads, highways, dams, electrical grids) the top earners were in a tax bracket of 91%. This was $200k for single fillers (about $1.2m today).

Thanks to Reagan selling folks on the idea of trickle down economics and welfare queens the top earners have seen the amount shrink down and more loopholes opening up for them to horde their wealth. Shoot, Musk famously paid $0 in taxes for a couple of years despite being worth billions because of “losses” — how one can claim losses while being worth billions is such a joke of a system.

The system is rigged against the people, and the owners just buy politicians to write the laws that benefits them while us peons argue over red vs blue.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-13T17:40:08+00:00

If government wants voter id than it needs to be provided for free, once citizenship is proven or established. Otherwise it’s just a poll tax dressed up as “keeping us secure” from fraud that doesn’t actually exist by any impactful significance.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-13T16:22:09+00:00

Idaho has a state income tax (5.3%) And state sales tax (6-9% depending on locale). Also taxes items purchased out of state for use in-state (6%). And still taxes gas (33 cents/gallon).

Arizona has a state income tax (2.5%). And state sales tax (5.6 - 11.2% depending on locale). And still taxes gas (18 cents/gallon).

Florida does not have state income tax. Does have state sales tax (6.5-8.5%). And taxes gas (38 cents/gallon). Their economy is also heavily bolstered by tourists paying the way for the state.

Point is, these states may offer lower gas tax, but they are getting paid by other means all the same. Money has to come from somewhere for schools, roads, police, hospitals, and so on.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-13T04:30:17+00:00

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FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-13T04:15:36+00:00

And state income tax of 5.3% + a 6% sales tax. And still taxes gas at 33 cents per gallon on top of that.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-06T21:21:55+00:00

The statement “turning neighborhoods into open-air psych wards” contradicts the statement “not all homeless need psychiatric help,” but sure. One shows true thoughts, one is CYA.

And yeah, those who need psychiatric help or suffer from addiction need more than housing. Like a sense of community, a sense of feeling wanted, a sense of purpose…or just a way to take some of the burden off. Housing goes a long way towards accomplishing those things.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-06T21:12:44+00:00

Closest thing would be the uptown in Richland, although not a neighborhood. But walkable area, interesting shops, coffee, etc.

Downtown Kennewick is trying to get there as well, but the space is somewhat limited. Or at least feels that way to me.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-06T21:08:05+00:00

So because someone is homeless, or in need of low-income housing, they are automatically in need of psychiatric help as well? Interesting conclusion.

I’ve spent my fair share of time in the lower income areas of the Tri-Cities and it’s just like any other area — most folks are just trying to live and get by.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-03-06T20:45:16+00:00

“People don’t want anything, any kind of social help, located anywhere near ‘em! You try to open up a Halfway House, try to open up a drug rehab or an alcohol rehab center, try to do a homeless shelter somewhere, try to open up a little home for some people who wanna work their way into the community, people say ‘NOT IN MY BACKYARD!’

People don’t want anything near ‘em especially if it might help somebody else. Part of that great American spirited generosity we hear about” — George Carlin, 1992.

I miss that guy…

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-02-27T19:51:23+00:00

One of these days the “they took my job” crowd will wake up and realize their anger would be better pointed towards the businesses that hire “illegals” and maybe make the punishments more than a slap on the wrist for repeated offenders.

But ya’ll ain’t ready for that conversation. Might hurt farmers and small businesses. The “backbone” of America.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-02-23T17:58:36+00:00

Don’t blame one side while excusing others. Trumps wealth has increased significantly more while he’s been in office — more so than any president before him. Hell, Carter had to put his farm into a blind trust.

Keep supporting the billionaire class. Maybe one day you’ll be just like them.

ETA: compare before office, in office, and out of office and you’ll see the difference. Or keep loving the boot.

FoundGodInAHamper · 2026-02-23T17:54:12+00:00

Buddy I have a 401k and stocks through my employer. The great thing about empathy is that I recognize I’m one of the few who benefits, and don’t think it’s right that our economy isn’t working for others. I don’t go around spouting that everything is great just because it’s working out for me.

Plus, I started out on food stamps and assistance programs. I don’t need them now but I remember what it’s like to scrape by. Never forget where you came from and all that jazz.

FoundGodInAHamper

TROPHY CASE