The difficulty today is being able to decide if the data on the web is biased or unbiased. You really need to drill down and read multiple reports with varying points of view and then for each report research whether the data is provided by liberal or conservative organizations.

On this topic you can find information on the web that both supports and disputes the information you provide.

IMHO a 150 word political post on a hockey blog should not be influential to the reader. (and probably should be skipped by the poster and the readers).
- -Doh-

I believe it was Mark Twain who said there are 3 types of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Speaking of hockey statistics of course, not the current tax discussion.

That’s a first for me. But yes, he is a large mammal - there’s no denying it.
- Chief4Feathers

aka Jabba the Hutt.

I believe it was Mark Twain who said there are 3 types of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Speaking of hockey statistics of course, not the current tax discussion.
- boilermaker100

“99 percent of all statistics only tell 49 percent of the story.”
― Ron DeLegge II, Gents with No Cents

aka Jabba the Hutt.
- boilermaker100

I think he looks like Shrek.

Well... actually... it’s a vote to determine whether IL should adopt a graduated income tax vs the current flat income tax model. Currently IL is only 1 of 11 states that has a flat income tax, while the other 32 states that implement an income tax do so on a graduated basis.

So, if you view hold the view that as a person’s income increases, so should their obligation to pay more in taxes toward the “public good”, then you may be inclined to vote “yes”.

However, public confidence with those in Springfield to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities in dispensing those taxes is an entirely different matter.
- Chief4Feathers

Is that the point of a flat tax? If your salary is double your neighbors your tax is double his. The problem is the number of people with higher salaries aren’t enough to make the difference it’s probably 1000/1 numbers wise low and middle income to high earner

BINGO! All for the graduated tax but it needs to have a cap still not an open door for Springfield to keep raising it. In addition, the budget problem needs to be corrected first and foremost. The graduate tax is a tiny band-aid to a giant problem.

I am not voting for it, although I think their should be one. Can't hand a blank check to Springfield. Especially when Madigan is still running the show.
- bhawks2241

the catch 22 is by doing this they get to punt on the real issue of massive waste and then when 10% of the people that are effected the most by it move out of the ILL they have no longer found themselves only gaining revenue but actually losing revenue then they will need to raise the tax again and then they will lose 10% more. ILL is not a destintation that people want to flock to anyway so anything that encourages the wealthy to move elsewhere or not move here ultimately leaves the burden on the middle class that cant afford to move elsewhere and make the same the state with less money. the reality is each state is in competition to have the wealthy move there and when ILL puts in the graduate tax. where do will fall in the 50 most desirable states to move to. bottom 3rd in weather, Bottom 90% in sales tax and property taxes, bottom 3rd in income, bottom 90% in Debt. the top 10% of earners pay 70% of all the tax apprx. So the last thing states want to do is encourage them to leave. on a side note I do think the uber wealthy do not pay there share but that is another story all together. can we get a trade so we have somthing else to talk about.

Not good for indoor sports

https://www.foxnews.com/h...14-infected-at-ice-hockey

Not good for indoor sports

https://www.foxnews.com/h...14-infected-at-ice-hockey
- LAHawk

Great. And they just started letting us use the locker rooms again at rat hockey.

The states pay federal income tax?

I assume you mean the residents of the state pay the feds. If so, how does that affect the state's budget? Why does it take more of a citizen's money for Illinois to operate than it does for Indiana (I'm referring to total state and local taxes paid, not simply income tax)?

Perhaps the problem with the states you mention is that they are poorly run?
- mohel

If IL had that money distributed as a general block grant, to be used for whatever purpose, it could eliminate a need for any tax increases and might lead to a reduction.

Now, I’m very open to a discussion about wasteful spending in IL in a variety of places and for a variety of reasons - many having to do with the corruption of the state government and the evils of gerrymandering that favors Democrats in this state - I assume you’ll agree to condemn the same in Republican-controlled states like WI and NC. I’m no fan of the Madigan-controlled party or legislature.

But that’s a different discussion than the one I posted.

Not good for indoor sports

https://www.foxnews.com/h...14-infected-at-ice-hockey
- LAHawk

I’ve wondered why - for football and hockey - they couldn’t require face shields fitted like the face masks used in college and high school, while this issue lasts.

I’d bet they could design some that have good ventilation but still stop the virus from getting out. I have no idea how to do it - or how practical it would be - seems like a possible solution, tho.

I’ve wondered why - for football and hockey - they couldn’t require face shields fitted like the face masks used in college and high school, while this issue lasts.

I’d bet they could design some that have good ventilation but still stop the virus from getting out. I have no idea how to do it - or how practical it would be - seems like a possible solution, tho.
- StLBravesFan

I've been wondering the same since they restarted.

No, not really. It’s a public economics concern, you can google it and come to your own conclusions. However, I will point out that the concept of a progressive income tax is the basis of what we all pay in federal income taxes. The more one makes, the higher one proceeds in the tax brackets.
- Chief4Feathers

So much for equality.

#wealthdiscrimination

No, not really. It’s a public economics concern, you can google it and come to your own conclusions. However, I will point out that the concept of a progressive income tax is the basis of what we all pay in federal income taxes. The more one makes, the higher one proceeds in the tax brackets.
- Chief4Feathers

the Difference is were do people in the US move to if they feel as a wealthy person they pay to much? Canada? Europe? on the FED level its not a issue more and more wealthy people move to the US each year then leave. With state income tax you actually have viable options that re not only cheaper tax wise but better weather, better topography, and has long term stability in regard to taxes compared to massive unfunded debt which means that taxes will have to keep increasing.

California is projected to lose a congressional seat after the 2020 Census, as is Illinois. Florida and Texas are gaining 5 seats. Population shifts drive these changes.
- mohel

Wow that's impressive, i have to imagine this is the baby boomer effect, many retiring and getting away from paying higher taxes

Is that the point of a flat tax? If your salary is double your neighbors your tax is double his. The problem is the number of people with higher salaries aren’t enough to make the difference it’s probably 1000/1 numbers wise low and middle income to high earner
- Abadseed

Actually the problem is like i believe California is doing right now is they want to raise the tax rate again.

Could you and or Theo give more details about the roles of the forwards in that scheme? And as for the schemes and or variation of them which Colliton has used, I am guessing that a very deep set of mobile dmen is a bonus. But possessing smarts and able to perform like new age dmen is also critical. Among our many prospects on defense, each has certain strengths from an offensive arsenal. I could imagine how the skilled and mobile defense could really propel the offense, or put another way, to drive the offense.

More puck carrying perhaps by dmen. I just do not know exactly how new age all these kid dmen are. Confidance to try to live up to their potential, though, will be key

To that end we need the right coach. We need forwards helping out by being in place for break outs. I also strongly feel the more kids plus many recent and soon to graduate from AHL kids will buy in more so than certain veterans. Ideally both Kane and Toews would put forth effort to help the defense in break outs and generally anything else the coach asks.

The team might succeed with Colliton. What I would prefer is a no nonsense experienced coach with Bowman's backing. The defense break out, as well as powerplay strategy/movement has to come from the coach, not the player (Kane/other?).

What we potentially have is many good to above average skate dmen prospects. Beaudin Mitchell, Kalynuk, Carlsson are able to skate and distribute. Kryz is especially adept and has a great shot. Of course Boqvist has a great skill set and Carlsson is solid if not underrated. Rogula has to develop. He has a shooting touch and I am uncertain exactly how strong the other parts of his game

So to augment the defensemen we do have many bottom line candidates which Theo has from time to time praised as future impact players on bottom lines. So I see a nice blend of speed and puck pursuit + physicality.

In Kurashev I want to see his game as he is said to not show up at times when play gets rough. In Barret I want to see if his skating can be less a detriment than Strome's stride. Barret is a yapper and will battle for pucks so maybe he could fit in

I just dk about some of the other kids, but we shall see how they all may grow

Just not sure Colliton has enough attention or best strategy. Just praying that Bowman gets us at least one top six power type forward. We have a lot of talented kids and the GM + coach need to develop it.
- jhawk59

I wish I knew the details of that Tampa neutral zone scheme but I don't. They stressed it was not a trap ... maybe a variation of some kind ?? I don't have confidence in Colliton to make needed tweeks to get the most out of your roster.
Possibly, this scheme has one forward after puck carrier - another near blue line and I believe three men in the neutral zone. But even the NBC annoucers (Eddie & Doc) said that it was difficult for Stars to get across red line and they had no choice but to dump it in. Whatever the scheme may be, makes some sense that if your neutral zone play is improved ... the other zones will be aided by your strength in the neutral zone. I'm hoping that one of the kids or more, has breakout season That could help quicken the rebuild

Busy day with work and I saw a few pages of unread comments on the message board today and thought a trade went down. But I walked into the class on taxes.

Sorry, professor. I'll walk down the hall and find the class on Blackhawks hockey

Busy day with work and I saw a few pages of unread comments on the message board today and thought a trade went down. But I walked into the class on taxes.

Sorry, professor. I'll walk down the hall and find the class on Blackhawks hockey
- Theo Fox

*hangs head in shame

Will Andrew Shaw ever play again?

Agreed. And people forget Crow took over as a rookie and played 57 games in his first reg season. Had a better defense than any of these 3 will see in front of them this season however. To me, Lankinen is the one you move forward with at 1A. Curious as to your and Theo’s thoughts on this?
- Assman22

It's too early to predict who will win the starting role and who will play backup. We all have our favorites.

As 6628 mentioned, don't count out Tomkins. He's got good technique and isn't too far off the curve than the rest of them.

*hangs head in shame
- Ogilthorpe2

No worries! I still learned a lot from y'all. Taxes are not my strong suit.

No, not really. It’s a public economics concern, you can google it and come to your own conclusions. However, I will point out that the concept of a progressive income tax is the basis of what we all pay in federal income taxes. The more one makes, the higher one proceeds in the tax brackets.
- Chief4Feathers

Yes, really. Someone who makes $1M will pay $50,000 in taxes. Someone who makes $100,000 will pay $5,000. (5% tax rate). $50,000 is more than $5,000.

If you haven't noticed the Kraken blogger is writing a series guessing who Seattle will take from each team in the expansion draft. He's listing the teams alphabetically and is doing Buffalo today. He should get around to Chicago next week.

My guess it will be a Hawk defenseman.
- boilermaker100

I'm representing the Blackhawks for the Kraken blog's mock expansion draft so you reminded me I need to put together our list.

If there is anything you want me to consider, PM me.

GREAT POINTS THEO ! I was thinking ..... watching the finals between Stars-Lightning, Tampa at one point, made if very difficult for the Stars to get out of the neutral zone. I know they were trying to protect lead but they actually countered the neutral zone defense, with some good offensive zone time. THIS WAS NOT A TRAP ... NBC announcers called it something else. I don't have confidence for Colliton to employ a scheme like this, but it would cut down on defensive zone time for Hawks and there is still enough offensive to counter attack off of this scheme
Does this make sense ...... by improving the teams play in the neutral zone ..... it will result in more offensive zone time and less defensive zone time.
- chuckdahammer

Yes, what you described makes sense.

Part of it is neutral zone play where you "shrink the ice" to close off time and space to create ill-advised passes by the other team and other unforced errors which lead to turnovers.

Another part of it is starting in their own zone by playing suffocating defense and flipping the ice with a solid pass out or skate it out to start the rush.

Will Andrew Shaw ever play again?
- Ogilthorpe2

Maybe