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empresskylo · 1 year ago

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beneath the mask ✩ chapter 4 ⬅ch. 3

➠𝐌𝐃𝐍𝐈; 𝟏𝟖+ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓; 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 ➠SIMON "GHOST" RILEY X AFAB!READER ➠CHAPTER TAGS | afab!reader. kinda mean!ghost. forced proximity. blood, war, and death. wc 5.3k. ➠AUTHOR'S NOTE | this one was fun to write!! it's a bit longer than previous chapters too. thank you for all the messages and ideas for this fic, i hope i do it justice! and as usual, feedback is appreciated <3

𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 ✩ 𝐜𝐨𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 ✩ 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

...al mazrah…

you sat trembling on board the razor-1, your bag tucked between your legs, wedged nervously between two insanely muscled marines that made you feel minuscule in comparison. ghost stood as the aircraft began to land and soap gave you a reassuring look from across the terminal.

you undid your seatbelt and you felt your fingertips vibrate as they clung to your tactical vest, all of your adrenaline was starting to make you feel sick.

“this is capture or kill,” soap had said to you. “but we need him alive.”

“that’s where i come in,” you mumbled under your breath.

soap nudged you on the shoulder. “don’t worry so much. you’ll hang back while we infiltrate the base hassan is camped up in. then you can swoop in to save the day when i have him bleeding out on the floor.” you rolled your eyes at soap’s confidence. “easy.”

“right,” you mocked, trying to hide the terror that was slowly seeping into your bones.

ghost began rambling off orders, the aircraft shaking as it made contact with the ground, and you tried to instill it in your brain that you had nothing to be so fearful about; this was just another mission for the guys. they did things like this all the time for the sake of their country. but the fact that you had never been on the frontline before kept niggling your mind. you began to wonder if you were really made for this kind of shit.

it wasn’t that long ago you had wanted nothing more than to join the military to help wounded soldiers when you realized you had nothing left for you back home. after your friend died in combat, an injury that could have been mended if they had enough medics in their arsenal, you decided to put on a brave face and save soldiers just like him. regardless of what you thought about war, you wanted to be a medic, meaning neutral ground. you were there to mend the fallen, it didn’t matter to you what side they were on.

and as much as you didn’t like to brag or be filled with a sense of pride–it always made you uncomfortable–it was just a technicality to say you were at the top of your class. the best of the best , as price had said.

“keep up,” ghost grunted to you as he turned to exit the craft, walking down the ramp. you shook yourself out of your head-pounding thoughts and quickly followed the group of men out of the ship, leaving team alpha behind.

you stumbled onto the ground, the strays of your hair that stuck out from under your beanie beneath your helmet fluttered in the wind as the ship took off to take team alpha downrange.

“razor-1, all bravo deployed. moving to secondary hlz,” the pilot said over the comms for everyone to hear.

your eyes locked onto soap’s, his gun at the ready. he nodded his head, urging you to follow him. you both made your descent with the rest of bravo, willing your hands not to shake as you held your gun up, your night vision goggles set over your eyes.

“all stations- razor-1 is bracketed, we’re getting lit!” the pilot’s anxious voice echoed in your ears. “incoming- flares! flares!”

you watched as the horizon lit up in front of you, hustling to stay beside soap.

“shit that was close!” another voice spoke.

and then, an urgent “second missile!”

you tensed, scurrying after the group of men who crept down the small incline. things were picking up fast. you had barely been out of the ship–it was certainly less than two minutes–and explosions and gunfire were already filling the air.

“oh fuck…!”

“razor-1 going down! we’re going down!”

your teeth clenched as you switched into a run, all your gear slowing you down and making you huff your breaths.

“stay close!” you heard soap yell in your ear.

you nodded even though you knew he couldn’t see you. the smell of ash began to fill your senses.

“hold up,” ghost commanded. the team stopped, a small explosion erupting at the bottom of the hill where building 1 was located.

“alpha, what’s your status?”

coughing and wheezing breaths harrowingly echoed on the comms.

“alpha, how copy…?” ghost said with a bit more urgency.

“bravo- alpha is immoblie. multiple critical!” a brief pause sounded between the man’s reply. “oh, shit! we’re taking effective fire!”

you clenched your gun. what if you, or soap, or ghost had been assigned alpha? you sucked in a breath of air and tried to calm your racing heart.

“alpha, we’re moving to building 1. hold tight.” ghost’s voice was so smooth as he spoke like this type of shit was a regular occurrence to him. the same candace as someone who was greeting a friend in a coffee shop. his nonchalance sent shivers up your spine.

“ghost, we need to secure that crash site now,” soap spoke.

“first, we clear for hassan, that takes the heat off alpha. then we secure the crash site. clear?”

“roger that.”

“let’s move.”

ghost, hustling towards the rocky house, swept into your line of sight. soap turned his head and when he saw you were close behind him, he took off after ghost.

“force up to the house.” ghost whispered.

you stumbled over the uneven terrain, the weight of all your gear and the obstruction the goggles caused was making it difficult to see.

the sound of shuffling pants, boots crunching the pebbled earth, and the slight hum of machinery was the only sound in your ears when no one was speaking. you felt your chest tighten with nerves.

suddenly, with your body realizing the height of the situation, you began to steady. you were good under pressure. exceptionally good. this is why you were here , you told yourself. you could do this .

you heard an enemy soldier shouting something in the distance that you couldn’t quite make out–he must have been speaking arabic.

the group rounded up outside the house and ghost scaled the edge of the building. a man handed him a sledgehammer. “breacher up,” he said faintly before he slammed it into the wooden door. you felt a chill catch along the hairs of your arms as he broke open the door in one swift motion, you could see his muscles taut even through his thick layers of clothes.

“sweep through,” ghost called. soap was at the doorway and began shooting.

you tried to pay attention to your surroundings as you waited for soap and ghost to clear the way. the blazing fire in the distance sent eerie shadows along the buildings and barren trees.

“first deck clear! negative on hassan,” a bravo said.

another replied, “copy that, second deck’s clear!”

“rog,” ghost grunted.

you slipped into the building behind the men, watching as they scanned their surroundings and made themselves safe behind barriers.

“contact! building 2!” a voice shouted.

you stumbled back against a storage cabinet as gunfire ricocheted off the walls.

“they know we’re here!” ghost shouted. in a startling motion, he turned to you, spying you immediately as you shifted your weight. “stay down!”

you nodded and huddled behind a workbench. the men began shooting rounds at the men in building 2. the sharp metallic clank of a bullet hitting a metal desk off to your right made you jump, the shell clinking on the floor like a fallen coin. you felt your eyes widen slightly.

“all bravo, move on building 2!” ghost stated, his voice a welcoming sound through your headset. you tried to focus on his voice instead of the shouts of men and blasting echoes of weapons.

ghost and someone from alpha spoke to each other as the men started their way towards building 2. soap appeared beside you and helped you up. “you alright, lass?”

you nodded, “m’good.” you brushed yourself off and followed soap as he led you out of the building and towards another that was roughly 100 feet before your squad. you could see ghost already approaching the second building, his feet shuffling as he stayed out of the line of sight of the open doorway.

shouts in arabic made you stagger as you walked. gunshots in the distance followed by the occasional explosion filled the otherwise gorgeous night. you slid your goggles up and glanced at the starry sky. if it wasn’t for the bloodshed unfolding before you, you could easily see yourself laying out on one of these hills, the cool night air ruffling your hair as you watched the stars–they were so bright without all the light pollution.

soap slid up to one of the open doors and motioned for you to huddle beside another fellow sergeant. soap was bundled in his uniform, his sleeves rolled up, and his night vision goggles on–same as you. you wondered if you looked as intimidating as he did.

“prep for breach,” ghost said.

“7-1 moving interior,” soap responded.

he quickly shot down three enemy soldiers before disappearing inside the building. you followed in pursuit, your heart hurting as you saw slouched bodies pool with blood, even if you knew they were the enemy. you hurried after soap and caught a glimpse of ghost using his knife to slice into a man with barely any effort. blood began to coat his gloves.

you crept behind soap as he slowly moved up the stairs to the second floor. gunshots repeatedly fired in front of the two of you.

“i’m hit!” a bravo shouted.

you dashed up the stairs but soap pulled you back before you reached the top, gripping your utility vest to bring you into him. “hey! wait till i clear it!”

“okay, then hurry up!” you huffed as soap went ahead of you and leaned around the corner, taking out the men in the other room.

you used that time to scurry off behind him and out onto the terrace where the injured soldier had crawled in order to get out of firing range.

you crouched beside him and slung your bag off your shoulder. “here,” you said as you pressed a cloth to his bullet wound. “hold pressure!”

a loud shotgun in the next room made you jump. you turned to look, your hands deep in your bag. you spotted soap and let out a breath of relief knowing it wasn’t him at the end of the barrel.

you heard soap’s footsteps return out onto the deck. “one’s in the hallway,” the soldier said to soap.

you worked deftly to pack and wrap the wound as soap slid off down the hall and you heard a strangled cry as he knifed someone.

“ghost, enemy rockets down,” soap said in your ear.

“thanks,” the man before you mumbled as his hand replaced yours where he began to hold the bandage. you heard soap speaking in the next room.

“the house is clear. time to go,” ghost muttered in your ear.

“it just grazed you,” you said to the sergeant. “you should be alright as long as we limit the bleeding.”

soap appeared beside you moments later, helping the man up as he limped. “you good to walk?”

the man nodded.

“all bravo circle up outside,” ghost commanded.

“let’s go,” soap said down to you.

you ran after soap down the steps and out into the field. you spotted the crash site not too far ahead and you felt your ears ring seeing the formidable tower of flames in the backdrop.

it didn’t take long to approach the ship and you followed soap and ghost as they entered the terminal.

“we got five k.i.a., one wounded. it’s just my gun and i’m low on ammo.”

you slid past soap and rushed to the man on the ground. the sergeant was knocked out cold and you quickly tried to make a mental note of his vitals. you tried to remember his name, but with everything that was occupying your brain right now, it eluded you.

you knew the others were talking, but you didn’t hear them as you honed in on the man bleeding out before you.

“get your gun on that tree line,” you finally deciphered through your hazy thoughts as ghost spoke.

you looked over your shoulder as loud explosions went off and shook the craft.

“fuck, man! fuck,” the alpha said.

“you called it, lt.!” soap said as he aimed his gun out the ship’s window.

as you bandaged the man, ghost and soap began firing rapidly.

“they’re getting close. secure the ramp!”

your heart felt like it was in your throat. another bomb went off and the craft shook violently. you yelped, falling sideways.

“sergeant!” ghost called. you pushed yourself up and tried to orient yourself. ghost shouted your name when you wouldn’t reply. you looked up at him. “you alright?”

you stared at him before your eyes flickered to soap who was shooting his gun out the window.

“are you alright?” ghost said more forcefully, his frame bending in half, his face now in your direct line of sight to grab your attention. it hadn’t registered that ghost was talking to you. you were only frazzled from the rocking of the craft, the explosions ringing in your ear, but you were otherwise safe behind ghost and soap, so you weren’t sure why he was so set on making sure you were okay.

however, ghost seemed to not be able to accept that you were okay until you verbally told him.

“yes,” you said faintly. ghost turned back to aiming his gun out the window without a second thought.

after another minute of gunfire, there was a lull.

“we clear?” soap asked.

“for now…” ghost replied.

you finished wrapping the arm of the bleeding soldier, and assessed that he had hit his head and had knocked himself out.

“alpha, you’re with us.” ghost commanded as he took off out of the ship. you and the men followed. you spoke over the comms to let the others know you left a soldier back in the crash site. he was wounded, but would be okay.

“those fuckers used us as bait, didn’t they?” alpha 0-2 said.

“they’re well supplied and fighting relentlessly. thanks to hassan,” ghost said unhappily.

soap looked back at you. “keep up. we’re gonna need ya.”

you hustled behind him, your pistol at the ready.

the lot of you ran a wide berth, sprinting towards building 3, hoping hassan was inside. the sharp whistle of a bullet spiraled past you.

“a.q. sniper on the roof! get down!” ghost shouted to everyone. before you even had a chance to move, ghost was pushing you down into the grass. you gasped as you were squashed beneath him, laid out on the dirt. he held his gun up and aimed at the roof as he lay beside you.

“soap, take out the shooter. rest o’ ya stay low until we’re all clear!” ghost said, not acknowledging the fact that he had just pressed you flat to the ground, his body half covering yours.

soap shot a bullet. “sniper down!”

ghost rolled off of you and stood up, giving you a quick hand as he heaved you upright. he didn’t even look at you before he took off running towards building 3. your entire body was tingling.

it looked like a gallant eruption of fireworks above the building as enemy bullets fired toward you. air support lighting up the sky. soap was a few feet behind you and picked off the snipers one by one. you followed close behind the others as you approached the building.

soap was quick to follow, coming up from behind and going up the stairs and into the decrepit house. “7-1, moving interior,” he said.

glass exploding rippled in the building and you peeked inside to see soap shooting someone down.

“check the bodies, we need positive i.d. on hassan,” ghost said as he slid off to go in the right-side entrance.

you hunched over slightly as you followed behind him, looking down at ghost’s trail of corpses as you did, checking for hassan.

“anyone have eyes on hassan?” ghost asked after a minute.

“negative on hassan,” soap replied.

you tripped over rubble and fell to your knees with a huff. “shit,” you muttered to yourself. your foot was lodged in the concrete chunks. you tried to pull it free but that just shifted the rubble further, a large piece falling over your ankle. it was too heavy for you to move yourself. the house shook.

“sergeant,” ghost said, making you look up. he had backtracked when he realized you were no longer behind him.

“i can’t get my foot loose,” you said.

arabic echoed down the hall making your head snap up in alert. ghost began moving faster, squatting down as he approached you and heaving the rubble aside to get your foot out in one easy motion.

“ow, fuck,” you said, biting your lip to try and muffle your sounds.

ghost’s eyes flickered to yours before he moved the last piece that set your foot free.

the rest of bravo had already moved to the antithetical end of the house when the voices began to close the distance.

“shit,” ghost mumbled, pulling you up. he did so with such force that you collided into him, your hands landing against his chest with a gasp.

the men sounded close and you counted at least four different voices. their candace rose as they edged closer, like they were right around the corner when you were moved by ghost and suddenly faced with darkness.

“wha–”

ghost’s hand covered your mouth to silence you, pushing you against a wall. your eyes adjusted and you saw a sliver of light pour in through the slats of the door. ghost had pulled you into a closet. a very tiny closet at that.

your chest was pressed flesh against ghost’s, the room far too small to hold yourself and ghost–who was already too big to fit in a closet on his own, let alone one with you.

you could feel his chest move up and down as he steadied his breathing. your hands were on his utility vest. the voices of the men were now right outside the door. your fingers gripped tight on his vest as you tried to be as quiet as possible. he slowly let his hand fall to his side when he could trust you to be silent.

why wasn’t ghost attacking them? you’ve seen him take down trained men in less than two seconds. so why did he decide to hide now? was four too many for him? you doubted it, but you also tried not to think of the logistics because all that swam through your mind was how close ghost was to you. there was almost no space between your bodies, his front flesh against yours as he pushed you against the wall.

a rectangle of light slid across ghost’s face, illuminating his eyes which were visible now that his goggles were turned up on his helmet, making the brown in them gleam. like he could feel you staring, he looked down at you and you felt your face heat. you shifted your stance, trying to widen the distance between your bodies but your back was already flat against the wall. there was nowhere to go.

“what’re you doin’?” he said quietly.

you glared at him in response as you continued to slightly shift your body, wanting to at least have it so your side was pressed against him and not your front. you tried to shuffle your feet, wanting to turn, to push him back a bit, but you ended up just rubbing against him instead.

“quit squirming!” he finally hissed, his hands coming out to rest on either side of your head.

well now you were just stuck in an awkward stance so you tried to move your hips a bit, wanting to pull them away from ghost and back to how you were originally standing, but with the limited space, you were essentially just moving your hips against his own.

ghost growled in his throat and you stopped moving and let your breathing steady. you felt something hard press against your stomach and your eyes widened as you stared at ghost’s chest.

oh my god, you thought.

you couldn’t help yourself as your eyes flickered to his own, his eyes already pouring into you. your breath got caught in your throat. “i told ya to quit fuckin’ wiggling ‘round,” he said as if that made things more appropriate.

a flash of heat ebbed through your core. you told yourself that this was purely a physical thing– men could get turned on by a goddamn gust of wind if it hit them the right way. this had nothing to do with the fact that it was you pressed against him. this kind of bodily response would have happened no matter who it was against him.

you went to clench your thighs together in nerves and heat but you were stopped by ghost’s thigh. you realized the ceiling in there was too short for him and he had to hunch over, his knees bending and leaning on the wall between your own legs. oh my god , you thought again.

your face went red hot. fuck, of course you were stuck with ghost in the world’s smallest closest.

ghost’s eyes traced your face when he felt your legs press against his own, a sudden flare igniting in them.

oh no, did he think you were… you quickly worried. you wondered if ghost could tell you had been squeezing your legs together to subdue the quick sweeping sensation of arousal you got–this was not the time or place!

ghost’s head shifted ever so slightly closer to your own and his eyes were now disguised by the shadows of the closet. you could feel his warm breath against your face as he panted through his mask. you were trapped. he had you pinned, his large arms encasing your head, his leg between your own, his face inching closer to yours.

you felt your breath get lost in your throat, your mind suddenly going blank.

“ghost! ghost, where are you?” soap’s voice broke through both of your ears.

ghost halted any and all movement, his eyes flickering between your own. you realized you no longer heard iranian voices and wondered how long the men had been out of range.

it was as if ghost realized that at the same time you did because he pushed away from you and slid out the door, into the dusty and war-torn living room. now that he was away from you and not clogging your brain, you thought you might have imagined the way he had been edging toward you.

“deck one secure. any i.d. on hassan?” ghost spoke, his voice strained.

you slid out of the closet behind him. “negative, lt.” soap replied.

ghost turned to you as you stumbled into him, your ankle giving out at the most opportune time.

“ shit ,” you grunted. ghost turned his head to look at you, his eyes glowing in the flames that brewed inside the building. “sorry,” you muttered.

“keep close,” he said to you. you felt your chest ignite. you had to control your eyes from shifting to his waist to see what you felt moments earlier. you were surprised your willpower was strong enough.

ghost led you around the bend and up a set of stairs, soap appearing beside you both. “pushing second deck.”

you slid on your night vision goggles and watched as ghost scurried to the side of a door when he made it to the top of the steps. a man opened it and walked through, ghost grabbing him and slamming him against the wall, the man’s gun pressed to his chest. in two swift motions, ghost shot his abdomen then his head, letting the body sink down.

jesus . you always knew ghost was a ruthless killer, but that was more so knowledge in theory. it was another thing entirely to watch it unfold before your own eyes.

you followed the men as they stealthed into the next room. you heard soap’s gun go off, and then ghost’s voice. “clear. hassan’s everywhere…”

you could hear hassan’s voice as it played in the distance, seemingly from every room. a video on loop of him speaking nonsense sat in the shadows like a horror movie. you felt a chill run down your legs realizing that no matter which way you turned, hassan’s voice was not far off.

“everywhere but here,” you mumbled. ghost’s eyes scanned you up and down before trailing on into the next room. you swore every hair on your body stood on its ends.

“the perpetrators of general ghorbrani’s execution must be sentenced to the death penalty and the world must witness the death of those responsible!” hassan’s iranian accent sang through a crackling radio.

you and soap poked around, not finding anything of use, apart from soap spotting hassan’s uniform, meaning he had recently been here.

“so he was here,” you muttered.

“lost him when we secured the crash site,” ghost spoke, looking between you and soap.

“are you sayin’ we shouldn’t have helped?” soap asked.

ghost averted his eyes on his next words as if he didn’t like what he was about to say. “choices have consequences…” his eyes gazed over to yours, burning holes through his skull mask. you could see the disappointment and guilt that was attached to his statement. you were surprised at how much emotion he was able to exude through just his eyes. you wondered if he knew that.

“all bravo- we got movement out here,” someone said over the comms.

ghost reached up to click his receiver, his eyes still on yours, “on the way.”

you followed behind the two men as the continued to speak. as you made it out behind the house, ghost spoke, “what do we got?”

“a warehouse. roll up doors open. heard somethin’ inside.”

ghost spoke with a sense of assuredness, “copy, let’s clear it.”

you trailed the men as they all took off towards the large warehouse, ghost and soap hoping that hassan was nestled inside.

you rested your back against the building as the men started inside, gunshots and smoke bombs going off as they fought the enemy planted in the warehouse.

“all alone?” a husky voice with a thick iranian accent spoke. you looked to your right, your hands grabbing your gun, startled, when a man disarmed you in a quick, fluid motion.

you yelped as his hand wrapped around your neck, pressing you forcefully to the exterior wall. you saw static stars begin to spread across your vision.

shit, shit, shit.

your legs flailed as you tried to kick and squirm your way out of his grip. his hand held you tighter. you swore your feet began to lift off the ground. recalling all the training you had done the last two weeks, you propped your knee up, bending it as much as you could against your chest, then shot it out with all the strength you could manage. the man stumbled, releasing you, as he collapsed onto the ground.

“eahira” bitch . he scrambled to get up and you panicked, trying to get your knife out of it’s sheath.

before the man could grab you again, his body just a hair from your own, a bullet pierced his skull. flecks of his blood squirted across your exposed face like red freckles. you stood in complete shock, the man sinking to the ground with a thump.

it was ghost that replaced the dead man, his hands resting on your shoulder, his deep voice saying your name repeatedly.

you finally looked up at him. “are you okay?” you swear you could see a bit of pride in his eyes as he took you in.

you nodded weakly, wincing as your neck muscles throbbed in pain from the small movement.

ghost yanked your mask up to look at your neck, already beginning to bruise.

his eyes darkened as they met yours again. “if that fucker wasn’t already dead, i’d tie him up and rip off his limbs one by one for that.”

you couldn’t help the astonished laugh from escaping your lips at the exorbitant threat. then a pang of heat surfaced when you realized ghost had made no such threats as his other men were picked off. he also didn’t seem to rush to their aid immediately. yet here he was… with you.

“hassan,” you said meekly.

ghost’s hands left your shoulders as he straightened. you felt a bit of sadness at the loss of contact.

“not here. found an arsenal of ballistic missiles. american missiles.”

your eyes widened at the information. “and shepperd…”

“already alerted.”

you nodded. “so that’s it then?” you asked, referring to the war trail you and your men left behind with nothing to show for it.

ghost gave a nod back. “we’re one step closer. we’ll find him.”

you don’t know why you took his word with such ease, but you knew he meant what he said. ghost wouldn’t rest until he had hassan in his clutches.

day broke by the time a humvee arrived to carry you all back to base. the injured men were loaded on one, the rest of bravo and alpha on another. there were significantly fewer men than when you started this hours ago. you felt a heavy feeling swarm your chest.

you were busy making sure your bag was closed and that you had all your things in it when you looked up and saw ghost step into the back of the vehicle.

you scurried to catch up, the last one as you climbed into the back. as you went to stand, the humvee took off, making you stumble and lose balance.

fuck , was the last thought you had as you felt yourself falling backward out of the vehicle. your arms flailed, trying to grab onto something, when a hand gripped your vest, yanking you forward and onto the humvee.

you looked up in relief to find ghost glaring at you. his hand was still tight around your tactical vest, the other men closest to the back were out of their seats in an effort to grab you. but of course, ghost got there first.

his eyes bore into your own, an odd wave of spite in them.

you knew it was your fault for dilly-dallying, but was he really going to be upset at you for almost falling out of the vehicle? it should cause more annoyance than anger, really.

you gulped and ghost released you, moving back to his seat. you stared after him until you felt soap touch your wrist. “sit,” he mumbled.

you focused on him instead of your lieutenant and sat in the empty seat beside soap.

you shifted your bag so it was on your lap, the men around you silent, all of them exhibiting a mix of disappointment in their mission and exhaustion.

you felt his eyes on you–something that seemed to happen a lot lately. you tried to resist, but you looked in his direction and met his gaze. you thought he’d look away, but he held you in a challenge across the truck. he still had all his gear on when most others had stripped some of theirs off.

he sat a bit forward, resting his arms on his knees as he glared at you.

you felt your heartbeat race and you felt like you might be sick with all the adrenaline running through you today–it couldn’t be healthy.

you finally coward away and looked down at your bag. a looming feeling coursed through your body. for whatever reason, the moment he pulled you into the truck felt like it was a breaking point for him. he was right back to hating you. despising everything you did. you felt yourself shrink in on yourself.

you never felt his eyes leave you the entire way back.

chapter 5 ➡

#ghost #simon riley #smut #ghost cod #ghost x reader #ghost mw2 #ghost smut #simon riley smut #cod #ghost fanfic #simon riley fanfic #ghost call of duty #ghost angst #cod mw2 #cod fic #call of duty fanfic #mw2 fanfic #beneath the mask

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adamfaulknerstanheight · 3 months ago

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when i reblog photos of fucked up houses im not doing it in a poverty porn way im doing it out of nostalgia for the fucked up houses i hung out in as a kid. my own family's house was actually in pretty good shape but in general something about homeschooling families causes many of them to have the most busted houses of all time regardless of income bracket. and there was something kind of beautiful about it bc you could see their whole life. the detritus of everything they did and the knock-on effects of everything they didnt do.

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phoenixyfriend · 2 years ago

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Ko-Fi prompt from @kayasurin:

Economy topic - Trickle Down Economics, why they work/don't work

HI it's been two months since I got this prompt, so. Sorry about that. been a lot going on in my personal life, so let's hope this makes up for the wait.

(To anyone who was considering doing a ko-fi prompt... I promise to get to them, but I cannot promise a reasonable time frame, sorry.)

So, Trickle-down economics, and if they work.

Short answer: They absolutely don't.

Longer answer that you actually paid for:

Trickle-down is basically a propaganda-driven hustle that rich people run against the working class. It's an economic theory that is known to not function, but since it serves the people up top to keep pushing it, we still have to deal with people pretending it's a real thing.

The basic concept of it is that if the capitalists at the top are allowed to retain more money (less taxes), then that money will naturally find its way lower down the pyramid through natural market forces. If a wealthy individual is allowed to keep an extra 50% of their marginal income, then the bulk of that 50% will go into their businesses, reinvested to generate more wealth by purchasing new equipment, running R&D, and paying more money to more workers. By not paying the taxes, they wealthiest classes can direct their money as they see fit, so really they don't end up with any more money than they would have if they paid their taxes!

As you can guess, this is not what actually happens in almost every possible application of the theory.

First, let's address the concept of marginal tax rates. They get a lot of hate, but I find this infographic explains the reality best:

(source: This post, but originally from Kasia Babis on The Nib/@thenib)

To summarize for those using a screen reader:

Let's say you earn 50k every year, and we're not going to bother with currency, because this is a simplified explanation. In this scenario, there is a national/federal income tax of approximately 20%. With that, you give 10k to the government, and retain 40k for your own purposes.

You have a neighbor who makes 500k every year. In this hypothetical, a marginal tax rate applies to earnings over 100k. The marginal tax rate is 70%. What does that mean for your neighbor?

They pay 20% on the 100k, which is 20k. Then they pay 70% on the remaining 400k, which is 280k. Combining the base tax and marginal, they are taxed 300k. At the end of the day, they are left with 200k. The total tax on their income is 60%. If you're following along, you can tell that regardless of the final percentage, anyone that the marginal tax applies to is always going to get to keep at least 80k, the amount left of the pay that is taxed at the base rate.

The more you earn, the more you are taxed. Again, this is super simplified, but this is the most basic way marginal taxation works. (Tax brackets are related but not entirely the same thing.)

With a marginal tax, exorbitant wealth is curtailed by forcing that wealth back into the system. The understanding is that nobody can actually perform hundreds of times more labor than their lowest-paid worker, and so all that surplus income was in some way not distributed properly. They get to keep enough to live on, quite comfortably, but not all of it.

There may be some companies that are willing to cap their highest wages in relation to their lowest, but those are far and few between. There's a reason the average ratio of CEO to entry level worker in the US is nearly 400:1... up from 1965's 20:1. (source)

Trickle-down theorizes that, if allowed to keep that exorbitant wealth, the Capitalists will distribute that wealth back to their workers or reinvest it into productive enterprise, and do so in response to market forces or out of fear of a return of the marginal tax.

This is not what happens, basically ever. People do not earn that much money if they are already paying a living wage and distributing wealth properly. You cannot get exorbitantly wealthy through anything other than wage theft, system abuse, or capital-based market manipulation (see: hedge funds, housing market).

I suppose you could inherit the money, or win the lottery, but the latter is actually taxed higher than the former, believe it or not. The United States federal government doesn't have an inheritance tax, and most states also don't. There might be various legal fees and such, but not any actual taxes.

Where we end up is that those taxes the rich don't have to pay go instead towards 'passive income' schemes and market manipulation like the housing market.

(That is an entire separate rant, but yeah, most of the housing market at that income bracket is, to some degree, deliberately manipulated by those involved in it. We are all 100% watching for that bubble burst that is inevitably heading our way.)

The wealth does not trickle down to the workers. It is guided by those who have it, and they are significantly more likely to put it in foreign bank accounts, liquid assets, and real estate that they hope will gain value for a capital gain at sale.

Trickle-down economics relies on the goodwill of the wealthy, but almost nobody gets that wealthy by having goodwill to spare.

(Prompt me on ko-fi!)

#trickle down #trickle down economics #economics #economics prompts #ko fi prompts #ko fi

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bunnytalksf1 · 2 months ago

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This is not about swearing, this is about sanitised sport

One of the biggest stories coming out of Singapore this year was that, on the Thursday, FIA President Ben Sulayem made comments about the drivers swearing and said "we are not rappers", which Lewis Hamilton then rightfully pointed out that in that language there was an element of racism.

Whilst it was widely understood to be about language used on team radios during races, the immediate follow-up to these comments was a reprimand for Max Verstappen following a comment in a Thursday press conference where he referred to his car as "fucked".

To me, this felt like a kneejerk reaction and making an example of Verstappen to cement that they weren't joking about the earlier comments of swearing. The reprimand itself isn't a new one: Verstappen has had to do "community service" before, for the fight with Ocon, but a lot of fans simply don't remember it. It was definitely more deserved in that scenario, given F1 doesn't want to let its athletes fight each other after collisions on track.

Everything that followed was the interesting part.

Verstappen, upon qualifying in P2, proceeded to boycott the press conference. He only gave one or two word answers the whole time, and in a show of solidarity with the actual press, he answered their questions outside of the press room and the TV pen, in the middle of the paddock.

A lot of the commentary I've seen on this is just it's funny. Which it is, but its also a legitimate form of protest against an unreasonable reprimand, whilst not harming the other people who work within the sport itself as a consequence. It shows a level of awareness from Verstappen/RBR that the reporters and journalists rely on his comments for their articles, and that their fight is not with them, but with the FIA. It's targeted, and in my opinion, pretty brilliant.

But this isn't about Verstappen.

Collectively, we forget that professional athletes are working class, regardless of the tax bracket that they occupy. Even though Verstappen is rich enough and has enough security in his position in the sport to quit without looking back, a lot of other drivers aren't as lucky. In recent history, we only have to look to Sargeant, replaced mid-season, and now to Ricciardo. The drivers' union, the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association), is so, so important not only for safety, but for athletes' quality of life within the sport.

The FIA sets the boundaries. To the sport in general, the drivers are what sells, what makes running it commercially viable. They generate the vast majority of the sport's income, whether through the actual act of their driving or through interacting with fans and the media. As far as Liberty Media and the FIA are concerned, the drivers are the profitable commodity that keeps the sport running, except they're not a product. They're people. The FIA, particularly in recent years, has sought greater and greater control over its athletes, what they say and what they do, the interactions they have, and because of social media, often what they do in their private lives.

This is particularly prevalent in regards to political statements, which are now banned altogether during a race weekend, but only for drivers themselves, since McLaren, with no consequence, was allowed to invite an active political candidate into their garage during the 2024 Miami GP.

The bans on political statements came after a few instances in 2020/21 where drivers took the knee and and wore shirts with messages in support of equality. This was, to my knowledge, lead and organised by Lewis Hamilton.

A lot of people want sport and politics seperated. This is not possible. Sport is and always will be political by its existence. Athletes in general, not just in F1 or motorsport, have very little stablity in their positions, their contracts and in their sport. It is not a career that they can keep all their lives. In particular, in motorsport, the drivers rely on their teams for the ability to perform and do their jobs. They often don't keep their own trophies, and have to have replicas made when they win races.

Their identities, and their words in press conferences, have become a commodity to the sport. It drives income. But in this instance, the drivers in general have the ability to push back against the clamp down on expression by boycotting and not giving the FIA the control over what they say, whilst withholding income and revenue from them, too.

Whilst the GPDA is mainly focussed on safety, as the FIA tries to clamp down on and control the drivers, Verstappen's boycott is a brilliant act of protest, and I hope the other athletes follow suit, as this is about preserving the ability to maintain an individual identity within their sport and what is effectively their workplace.

Because for now its swearing, but it demonstrates a dangerous precedence about how much the FIA is allowed to reprimand or fine drivers for simply saying things they don't like, including criticism of the governing body, which is vital to give these athletes agency.

#bunny talks f1 #f1

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pageturner001 · 2 months ago

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Top Ways an Increased Minimum Wage WILL Benefit You Regardless of Whether or Not You Already Make Enough to Live Off Of

With people making more money overall, people will be in higher Social Security brackets, meaning more money going in, meaning that Social Security might be safer for when you retire

People will also be in higher tax brackets, meaning tax cuts for middle- and lower-class families could be more feasible

Even so, with more tax money, local project like roads, hospitals, and schools could have higher budgets

If you live in a state that currently has the federal minimum wage, raising it nationally could encourage skilled workers to not leaving to find better wages

With people being able to work a full time job and ensure they can pay for what they need plus save for future catastrophes, the amount of people who are working who need welfare programs will decrease, meaning less tax money would be needed for them

With people knowing their needs will be met with a job, people will be easier to hire and will stay in companies longer

People will be less likely to need multiple jobs to make ends meet, freeing up positions in the job market

Income correlates with crime rates, so having a higher standard of living could reduce crime overall

#minimum wage #us politics #politics

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ceasarslegion · 6 months ago

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Pls tell me more about ur news experience while protesting the Ford gov and their shitty choices?

I was going to UofT at the time when the ford government gutted OSAP, the ontario student aid program for those out of the know. They converted all grants into loans and no longer gave money to cover living expenses, and they struck down the 6 month grace period ontario students had after graduation to find well-paying jobs before their repayment started.

For the americans here, i should contextualize that student loans in canada do not at all work like they do in the US. We take out loans from a combination of the federal government (known as NSLSC loans) and our provinces of residence specifically. When we apply, we fill out our financial info including our income and if we are considered an "independent" student or not, the legal definition of which differs depending on your province of residence. The main difference being that independent students dont include their parents' incomes when they first apply, theyre considered their sole and only breadwinner. Depending on that income and a few other personal points, you get a combination of loans and grants that cover both tuition and partial living expenses, and when you graduate, the federal government takes all your loan and income info and doles you out a personalized regular payment plan so you have it completely paid off after 10 years if you follow it. And you have 6 months after you graduate uni to find a job and get settled where you don't pay anything. Theres also other options if you still cant pay like the repayment assistance program that freezes your payments entirely if you prove youre below a certain wealth bracket, but thats the gist of it.

Now that everyone knows the context i can tell the story. The ford government of ontario circa 2019 decided that ontario university students dont need living expense coverage, that it would universally be loans regardless of any low income status, and that the post-grad grace period wasnt necessary. And being in one of the most expensive cities in the country, that was not going to fly with my peers.

I personally took out my provincial loans from alberta student aid that has all those benefits, so the OSAP gut didnt actually affect me at all, but injustice is still injustice even if it doesnt affect me, so i joined the student protests against the ford government that people were bussing in from the other side of the province to attend. At some point along the line, other folks noticed that i was comfortable around the news cameras and my main strengths were in public speaking, so when cameras were around asking for interviews i was pushed in front of them a lot to be trusted to explain our grievances and goals without getting noticeably hotheaded, so i did a lot of live interviews for CTV and citynews toronto during those few months.

And they were kinda right to do that. Im really good at interviews and public speaking and arguing points in general, and not the best at more hands-on things when it comes to activism. And like, you do need PR people to get support for a cause, contrary to what a lot of tumblr users seem to think. Like you need people whose jobs are to present your grievances and reasons for marching in a way that presents you as respectful and worth listening to and considering the points of. So that was mainly my role in those protests. I dont know if you can still easily find those interviews buried in their broadcast archives but if you want to look for me be my guest

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davidsnavelyfinancialexpert · 1 month ago

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How Equity Index Annuities Can Secure Your Retirement – Insights from David Snavely

Planning for a stable retirement can be a complex task, but with the right financial products, you can ensure your hard-earned money is protected and continues to grow. David Snavely, the founder of Sound Investment Services and a respected financial expert with over 40 years of experience, highlights Equity Index Annuities (EIAs) as one of the most effective tools in modern retirement planning. In this blog, we’ll break down the benefits of EIAs and why you should consider them for your retirement strategy.

What Are Equity Index Annuities?

An Equity Index Annuity (EIA) is a type of fixed annuity that combines growth potential with income protection. Unlike traditional fixed annuities, which offer a predetermined interest rate, EIAs link your potential returns to the performance of a stock market index, like the S&P 500. This means you can gain from market upswings, while still enjoying principal protection—your initial investment is protected even if the market declines.

1. Principal Protection: Keeping Your Money Safe

One of the most important features of an EIA is principal protection. David Snavely stresses that with the right EIA, your initial investment is safeguarded, even if the stock market faces downturns. This is especially appealing to retirees or those nearing retirement, who can’t afford to lose their savings in a volatile market.

No Market Losses: Your initial investment stays intact, regardless of market performance.

Peace of Mind: You can relax knowing that your retirement nest egg is safe from market fluctuations.

2. Growth Potential: Earn from the Market, Safely

While EIAs don’t offer the potentially high returns of individual stocks, they do provide a middle ground between risk and reward. You can still benefit from positive market trends without being exposed to the full risk of market volatility. Interest credited to your annuity is based on the performance of a specific index, offering steady growth with the added assurance of principal protection.

Balanced Growth: Participate in stock market gains without risking your principal.

Guaranteed Minimum Returns: Even in slow market periods, EIAs often provide a minimum guaranteed return, so your money is always working for you.

3. Guaranteed Lifetime Income: Stability for the Long Haul

Having a stable income stream during retirement is essential, and EIAs offer that through lifetime income riders. David Snavely highlights that these riders ensure a guaranteed flow of income throughout your life, providing financial stability regardless of how the markets perform. This reliable income can help cover your essential living expenses and give you peace of mind.

Lifetime Payments: Receive income for as long as you live, regardless of market conditions.

Financial Stability: Eliminate the fear of outliving your savings with consistent, predictable payouts.

4. Tax Advantages: Grow Your Savings Faster

One of the benefits of EIAs is their tax-deferred growth. You don’t have to pay taxes on your earnings until you withdraw the funds, allowing your investment to compound faster than taxable accounts. This can be a game-changer for retirees who want to maximize their savings while minimizing their annual tax burden.

Tax-Deferred Growth: Earnings grow faster since they aren’t taxed until withdrawal.

Control Your Tax Liabilities: Delay taxes until you’re in a lower tax bracket during retirement.

5. Customization and Flexibility: Tailor Your Annuity

Every retiree has unique financial goals, and EIAs are flexible enough to meet these diverse needs. David Snavely’s firm, Sound Investment Services, works directly with clients to customize their annuity contracts. This can include selecting different indexes, adjusting cap rates, and choosing riders that enhance your annuity, such as enhanced death benefits for your beneficiaries.

Tailored Solutions: Choose features and riders that align with your specific financial goals.

Adaptable Contracts: Adjust cap rates and customize your plan as needed.

6. Inflation Protection: Keep Up with Rising Costs

Inflation can erode the purchasing power of your savings over time. To combat this, many EIAs offer inflation protection riders. These riders adjust your income based on inflation rates, ensuring your money retains its value and helps you maintain your lifestyle throughout retirement. David Snavely recommends including this feature for long-term financial security.

Inflation Adjustments: Keep your income in line with rising costs of living.

Maintain Your Lifestyle: Ensure your purchasing power stays strong even as inflation increases.

Why You Should Consider an EIA for Your Retirement

David Snavely strongly advocates for incorporating Equity Index Annuities into your retirement plan. With principal protection, growth potential, guaranteed income, tax advantages, and customization options, EIAs provide a comprehensive solution for retirees looking for both security and growth. If you’re seeking a way to safeguard your retirement savings while ensuring steady income, EIAs could be the perfect fit for you.

Achieve a Worry-Free Retirement with EIAs

In summary, Equity Index Annuities offer a powerful combination of benefits that can enhance any retirement plan. From protecting your initial investment to providing a steady income stream, EIAs give you the security and growth potential you need to enjoy a worry-free retirement. With over 40 years of experience in retirement planning, David Snavely is a trusted expert who can help you navigate the complexities of EIAs and secure your financial future.

Ready to Explore EIAs? Contact David Snavely Today

If you want to learn more about how Equity Index Annuities can fit into your retirement strategy, contact David Snavely at Sound Investment Services today. With decades of experience and a commitment to personalized service, David Snavely can help you create a retirement plan that ensures both safety and growth, giving you the confidence to enjoy your golden years.

#David Snavely #David Snavely Seattle

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youremyheaven · 6 months ago

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(same ketu rising anon who sent you the ask just now)

ALSOOOOO I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY 2 CENTS TO THE VENUS CONVO (i related to some parts of the venus and jupiter posts you had but my memory is not refreshed rn)

Bc first of all Indian men are trash, second of all, rich people are trash and a rich Indian man and his family are probably capable of god knows what insanity.

i laughed a lot at this but fucking hell dude you're so right.

also i adore art (well, writing, in my case). i think you're right it's really important to stay connected with art. i treat my art (writing) to an obsession's extent sometimes (might this be… ketu influence? 🤩 SORRYYYY forgive this amateur) and without it i get very restless.

and i have so many issues after the two relationships i mentioned and right now i am too busy to date????? BUT I STILL KEEP THINKING OF THE FUTURE AND DREADING SHIT? i keep thinking "oh i'll get married to some man who's going to use me. use my status. use my money." {not that i have much of either rn lmfao} and just generally worrying about shit that i dont need to think of?

100% agree with you about financial independence. i have no trust for people with money or power. who tf decided im the special person who'll make them good? 😂 real life isn't that kind. if someone DOES turn out to be nice, that's lovely. but it's an exception.

(on a more general note, i feel like my time on the internet has ruined me because real men will never treat me as gently as the silly fictional men and that just sucks sometimes LMAOOOO like i fantasise about having a husband in the future who doesnt hate the kids and doesnt hate me but idk man. idk if it's ever real. you lose faith in reality sometimes after caring about the ideal for so long. or something. sorry im just rambling now aghfhjghjda sorry you had to deal with this)

"also i adore art (well, writing, in my case). i think you're right it's really important to stay connected with art. i treat my art (writing) to an obsession's extent sometimes (might this be… ketu influence? 🤩 SORRYYYY forgive this amateur) and without it i get very restless."

being very art oriented = Venus and being obsessed with it is also Venusian, Ketu does add to it in your case, I think but Ketu's nature is just a perpetual state of detachment and obsession, so its kind of on and off

"BUT I STILL KEEP THINKING OF THE FUTURE AND DREADING SHIT? i keep thinking "oh i'll get married to some man who's going to use me. use my status. use my money." {not that i have much of either rn lmfao} and just generally worrying about shit that i dont need to think of?"

this is literally THE most Venusian thing everrr lmao,, Venusian women know that others see them as a status symbol lmao and they only get along with and get romantically involved with other Venusians bc they're afraid of how non-Venusians would use them for clout/money/looks etc

marrying for anything other than love is simply not worth it. men are going to be shitty regardless,, imagine marrying for money and not getting any AND you can't stand him AND have horrible sex??? like do women think rich men are stupid??? you wont get a penny out of him if things end,, they're sooo good at hiding away their assets and not paying alimony or fucking your life up just for fun. marry someone in your income bracket so that they do not have the power to ruin you forever and you have nothing to fight back with.

bestieee you just have to be delusional enough to believe that you will find a good man. most men are lowkey garbage but there ARE good people out there and you have to have faith that you will meet the right person who adores you, loves you (and the kids) and will do anything to make life easier for you. HE EXISTS.

8 billion people exist, so purely statistically speaking, he has to exist as well 😌

its okiee dw about rambling 🥺😘i find it cute how you guys tell me whats on your mind, makes me feel like im your mom 🤰🏻👩🏻‍🍼i hope my future kids also love talking to me and telling me whatever's on their mind 🥰

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dollsonmain · 11 months ago

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Now, if I could find an 8-3 or a 7-2, that would be less time before work standing around waiting outside in the weather. Alone. In an otherwise empty parking lot...

Or if I could get like, a 5-9 and a separate 12-4, that would be 4 hours in the middle but things would be open. It would be awkward but I could go between shops and just look at stuff. For a long time.

I mean, either way, I'm probably going to be stuck outside for 3-4 hours regardless.

And if I'm working 2 part-time jobs then I certainly have to pay for insurance myself.... Plus the car. That would be 100% if not more of my income, would still push us into the next tax bracket, and I'd still need work clothes but wouldn't have to worry as much about them being office-y or worry about hair and makeup because those part-time jobs don't tend to care about that kind of thing as much.

Hrm.

Sadly I can't discuss this with That Guy or he starts yelling about me making excuses.

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beardedmrbean · 2 years ago

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Kansas lawmakers have sent to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk a bill to establish a flat income tax and eliminate the state food sales tax a year early.

The Kansas House voted 85 to 38 and the Senate voted 24 to 13 early Friday to send a tax package to Kelly that establishes a flat income tax of 5.15% for individuals.

The bill taxes any income above $6,150 for individuals and $12,300 for married couples.

Under current law, the food sales tax will be eliminated on Jan. 1 of 2025. The bill moves that elimination up a single year to 2024. The full package will cost roughly $485 million annually once it is fully implemented.

The House earned enough votes to override a veto from Kelly while the Senate fell three votes short.

Kelly, who took office after the repeal of former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s income tax cuts following years of budget shortfalls, is unlikely to sign the bill. Speaking to reporters at an event in Olathe Wednesday, Kelly indicated she would reject any version of a flat tax - even as numerous Democrats in the House voted in favor of a bill with a 5.25% rate.

She said it would remove the state’s ability to take any other tax relief actions.

“I have looked at the numbers and I have yet to come up with a flat tax that is sustainable over time,” Kelly said.

Kelly has sought the immediate elimination of the food sales cut for more than a year. Last year Republicans opted to implement the phase in rather than an immediate cut and the governor campaigned last year on giving Kansans an immediate cut if she was reelected.

The vote came after two back to back debates late Thursday night and early Friday morning.

Advocates of the flat tax argue it simplifies the tax system for Kansans, offering a tax cut to everyone.

“States that are doing well fiscally have lower income tax and single brackets,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican. “It just makes sense.”

But the policy ultimately provides a far larger cut to the weather Kansans than it does to low income taxpayers.

According to an analysis from the Kansas Department of Revenue, the bill would provide around $3,000 in annual tax cuts to Kansas’ highest earners while Kansas’ lowest earners would receive less than $50 annually in tax cuts.

The flat tax alone is expected to cost the state about $318 million annually once it is fully implemented.

Rep. Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat, argued that package as a whole was too expensive for the state and prioritized high earners over the average Kansan.

“I can’t support this bill,” Sawyer said.

Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican who chairs the House Tax committee, said Sawyer was correct that the bill would help high income Kansans more than low income Kansans.

He urged his colleagues to support the policy regardless, pointing to an increase in the overall standard deduction for all taxpayers included in the bill.

The bill also accelerates a planned corporate tax cut that comes as a result of Kansas using a new incentive program to lure Panasonic and Integra Technologies to start major business developments in the state.

The bill reduces Social Security tax for retirees and includes a provision that would gradually reduce the tax over time. The Social Security decrease had been part of Kelly’s tax plan alongside an immediate elimination of the food sales tax. and sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, applauded the package as a good use of the state’s surplus funds. But during House GOP caucus meeting, he acknowledged that a veto was likely.

“Our governor’s not going to sign any flat tax, she’s told us that,” Hawkins told GOP lawmakers. “Our task was to find a package that we could all agree on and keep our votes together.”

House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, said he had voted for an earlier version of the flat tax because he thought it was the best possible bill. The final package, he said, he could not support.

The overwhelming majority of Democrats voted against the bill citing the cost.

“This just hearkens back to the good old Sam days,” said Sen. Tom Holland, a Baldwin City Democrat, referencing Brownback.

#nunyas news

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asanee44 · 1 year ago

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THE COST OF PRACTICING AFRICAN SPIRITUALITY

One of the first things that I tell my coaching clients about embarking on any new endeavor is to count up the costs. This basically means doing your research. Understand what you are getting yourself into – know the cost of admission. And when it comes to traditional spirituality, this concept applies three times over. Always know the cost of practicing African spirituality before embarking upon such a journey.

Nothing is free in the spirit realm, regardless of what spiritual system you practice. Churches ask for tithes and offerings. Islam teaches the concept of zakat or almsgiving. Hindus regularly donate hair and other sacrificial offerings to their temples. And the list goes on…

African traditional systems are no different with respect to paying for services rendered. However, they contrast other religious systems in how, when, and why an individual reimburses for spiritual services. Even more than monetary costs, African spiritual systems require that you pay in other ways to reap the many benefits they offer. So, if you are considering venturing into an African or African diaspora tradition, you should know the costs involved in the practice.

Spirits of Africa Numerology Deck // Asanee 44

FINANCIAL COSTS

Practicing within an African traditional religion (ATR) can be fairly costly from a monetary perspective. In general, an ATR devotee in a westernized country can expect to spend $300-$1,000 a month on average. The cost for practitioners in developing regions may be less, but the cost can still be significant in relation to the average devotee’s income bracket. The average devotee can easily spend 3-10% or more of their income engaging with an ATR regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Divination services and spiritual supplies such as candles, spiritual colognes, alcohol and food offerings, altar paraphernalia, etc., are regular expenditures for many devotees. Additional costs may include initiation rituals for those who choose this route. I have seen costs for these types of services add up to anywhere between $1,000-$30,000. Though, the average cost of an initiation ceremony is generally between $5,000-$10,000.

Adherents may also have to pay fees for special ceremonies such as festivals, fets, etc. In some cases, they may also have to pay for travel related to such events. You can easily spend $5,000-$15,000 or much more in any given year if you are a dedicated devotee who wishes to fully engage with an African spiritual system.

For Christians and religious adherents who faithfully pay their tithes and offerings, this may not be a major transition for you. However, if you typically don’t spend this much on your spiritual practice, such costs can be prohibitive. So, definitely be mindful of these dynamics before committing to a practice.

TIME COSTS

Committed devotees of African spiritual systems often spend considerable time engaged in rituals and ceremonies. One can easily spend 5-10 or more hours a week engaging with their spiritual system. Many factors will determine the average amount of time that you spend in such a practice.

Primary among these factors is the size of the devotee’s spiritual team. Secondary to this is the devotee’s desire to have a strong connection with his or her spiritual team. When you engage in traditional spirituality, you usually won’t know what deities or spirits are working with you and what they want you to do to honor them until you get a reading.

Aside from your ancestors, many other spirits can and do guide your life experience. Sometimes these spirits want to have a casual connection with you whereby you spend little time serving them. Other times they may request that you set up altars or icons in their honor and spend daily time with them.

Some people only have one or two spirits that may make such requests. Other people may have five or more spirits who wish to habitat with them on a continual basis. Oftentimes these spirits require continual offerings, feedings, rituals, and sometimes elaborate ceremonies as a means of appeasing them. In such cases, it is easy to spend 30-60 minutes or more several times a week paying homage to your spiritual team.

Aside from this dynamic, you will have to spend considerable time studying and learning about the spiritual system if it is new to you. You may even have to spend time becoming intimately familiar with another language or culture. Such lessons can consume countless amount of hours, which may change many aspects of your life.

If you are not ready for this level of devotion, it can be a major burden. In which case, I often advise my clients to consider their schedule, needs, and desires before fully adopting an ATR. It is better not to initiate a relationship with a spirit rather than to connect with a spirit and thereafter neglect to serve it properly. Doing so can cause a number of problems in your life.

Erzuilie Freda – Veve Bomber Jacket // Women

RELATIONSHIP COSTS

It’s no secret that ATR is not a commonly practiced or accepted form of spirituality in some societies. It is often looked at with disdain and distrust because it has been heavily demonized. As such, practicing within an ATR can significantly impair and sometimes destroy relationship dynamics.

I have witnessed separations, breakups, and even divorce among couples because of ATR. I have likewise seen many friendships and family connections come to an end when someone decided to devote themselves to an African spiritual system. Some have even lost their employment or social status, political position, and other beneficial connections due to their spiritual beliefs.

In some cases, this happened because individuals or organizations disowned these individuals. In other instances, these relationships were broken because the ATR devotee was advised to end such connections by their spiritual team. Either way, the loss of important relationships may be a significant cost to pay if you decide to practice African spirituality.

LIFESTYLE COSTS

Practicing ATR can also significantly alter your lifestyle. Depending on which system you engage with, you may have to change how you dress, what colors you wear, where you go, where you work, where you live, when you go out, when you have sex, etc.

Particularly in West African traditions like Ifa and Benin Vodun, divination may reveal that you have certain taboos. Taboos are things that you should or should not do based on your soul contracts or agreements. These can include common spiritual guidelines like not lying, stealing, getting upset, using profanity, etc. Or they can be more specific, like not working at midnight or not traveling during a certain time.

You never really know what Spirit will say until you get a reading. It may seem benign initially, but these things can seriously change your entire lifestyle. This is a small price to pay to enjoy a more fruitful, prosperous life for some. For others, these lifestyle dynamics can be hindering and overwhelming. So, choose wisely when deciding to practice ATR.

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SUMMARY

While it is quite demanding at times, engaging with African spirituality can be rewarding and enjoyable. The information in this post was by no means meant to discourage you from engaging in this practice. Instead, it was meant to shed light on what it means to be an ATR devotee.

I have personally enjoyed a very satisfying experience with two African spiritual systems for several years. However, the journey has not always been easy, and it has definitely been costly. But these are costs that I am willing to pay based on the rewards I receive from devoting myself to African spirituality.

#african spirituality #african traditional religions

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federalpensionadvisors · 3 days ago

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Accurate Utah Paycheck Calculator for Net Income Insights

Managing your finances effectively requires a clear understanding of your earnings after taxes and deductions. An accurate Utah paycheck calculator is a valuable tool that helps employees in Utah estimate their net income, empowering them to make informed financial decisions. By factoring in federal taxes, state taxes, and other deductions unique to Utah, such calculators simplify the complexities of payroll calculations. Whether you're an employee, a freelancer, or an employer, understanding how paycheck calculators work is crucial for financial planning and budgeting.

Understanding a Paycheck Calculator

A paycheck calculator is a digital tool designed to estimate your take-home pay by analyzing your gross income and mandatory deductions. It includes considerations for federal taxes, Utah state income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, retirement contributions, and additional voluntary deductions like health insurance premiums. For individuals planning their financial future, integrating insights from a federal pension advisor ensures better retirement strategies and accurate adjustments to pre-tax contributions. This combination helps individuals manage their current net income while preparing for long-term financial stability.

Utah's Income Tax System

Utah implements a flat income tax rate, which means all taxpayers are taxed at the same percentage regardless of their income level. Currently, Utah's income tax rate is 4.85%. This streamlined approach makes it simpler to calculate state income tax, especially when using an online paycheck calculator.

Key Factors Considered in a Utah Paycheck Calculator

Gross Income: Your total earnings before any deductions.

Federal Taxes: Calculated based on federal tax brackets, ranging from 10% to 37%, depending on your income level.

Utah State Taxes: A flat rate of 4.85%, applied to your taxable income.

Social Security and Medicare (FICA): Social Security is taxed at 6.2%, while Medicare contributions are taxed at 1.45%.

Pre-Tax Deductions: These include contributions to retirement plans like a 401(k), health savings accounts (HSAs), and flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

Post-Tax Deductions: Garnishments, union dues, and charitable donations fall into this category.

Local Taxes: While Utah doesn’t have local income taxes, residents may face additional taxes depending on their location.

Benefits of Using a Paycheck Calculator in Utah

Financial Clarity: Gain a clear understanding of your earnings and how deductions affect your paycheck.

Budget Planning: Calculate your take-home pay to set realistic budgets for rent, utilities, and other expenses.

Tax Withholding Adjustments: Check if you're withholding too much or too little in taxes and make adjustments to avoid surprises during tax season.

Retirement Contributions: Assess how pre-tax contributions to plans like 401(k) impact your net pay while planning for your future.

Voluntary Deductions: Understand how adding benefits like health insurance or childcare impacts your take-home salary.

How to Use a Utah Paycheck Calculator

Using a paycheck calculator is straightforward. Here's how it works:

Enter Your Gross Salary: Input your annual or hourly gross income.

Specify Pay Frequency: Indicate whether you're paid weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly.

Add Pre-Tax Deductions: Include contributions to retirement plans, health savings accounts, or other applicable deductions.

Input Federal Tax Filing Status: Specify whether you’re single, married filing jointly, or head of household.

Include State and Federal Withholdings: Adjust for federal and Utah-specific tax rates.

Account for Other Deductions: Add any post-tax deductions or benefits you receive.

After completing these steps, the calculator provides an estimate of your net pay or take-home salary.

Example: Calculating Take-Home Pay in Utah

Imagine you earn $60,000 annually and are paid biweekly. Here's a simplified breakdown:

Gross Income: $2,307.69 per pay period.

Federal Taxes: Approximately $320, depending on your tax bracket and filing status.

Utah State Taxes: 4.85%, roughly $112.

FICA Taxes: $142 for Social Security and $33 for Medicare.

Retirement Contributions: If contributing 5% to a 401(k), $115 will be deducted.

Your estimated take-home pay would be around $1,585 after these deductions.

Federal Pension Advisor and Its Relevance

For those nearing retirement or participating in pension plans, consulting a federal pension advisor is invaluable. These professionals help navigate federal retirement benefits, assess pension eligibility, and optimize retirement income. Incorporating federal pension considerations into a paycheck calculator can help you make strategic decisions about pre-tax contributions and long-term financial security.

Advantages for Employers

Paycheck calculators are not just useful for employees. Employers also benefit by ensuring accurate payroll processing and compliance with tax regulations. Automating paycheck calculations reduces errors, saves time, and fosters trust with employees by providing transparency in deductions.

Customizing Deductions for Utah Residents

Utah residents often have unique financial considerations. For example, if you participate in state-specific programs like Utah’s 529 college savings plan, including these deductions in your paycheck calculations can help you see their impact on your take-home salary.

Online Resources for Utah Paycheck Calculators

Numerous online tools are available to help calculate paychecks for Utah residents. Websites like ADP, PaycheckCity, and local payroll services provide calculators tailored to Utah’s tax system. Many of these tools also offer advanced features, such as saving custom profiles for regular use or comparing different tax scenarios.

Tips for Maximizing Your Take-Home Pay

Optimize Tax Withholding: Adjust your W-4 form to ensure appropriate federal tax withholding based on your situation.

Contribute to Retirement Plans: Maximize contributions to pre-tax accounts like a 401(k) to reduce taxable income.

Utilize FSAs and HSAs: These accounts allow you to save on medical and dependent care expenses while lowering taxable income.

Review Benefits Annually: Ensure you’re not overpaying for optional benefits and update them during open enrollment periods.

Conclusion

An accurate Utah paycheck calculator is an essential tool for understanding your earnings, optimizing your finances, and planning for the future. By factoring in taxes, deductions, and unique financial considerations, it provides a clear picture of your take-home pay. Whether you’re managing a household budget, negotiating a salary, or preparing for retirement with guidance from a federal pension advisor, these calculators simplify the process, empowering you to make informed decisions. Start using one today to take control of your financial health and ensure peace of mind.

Also Check It Out: https://www.federalpensionadvisors.com/paycheck-calculator

#utah paycheck calculator

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fraserpointdental · 7 days ago

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How the Canadian Dental Care Plan is Making Dental Care More Accessible

At Fraser Point Dental, we know that oral health is a crucial part of overall well-being. For many Canadians, however, the cost of dental care has made it challenging to access essential treatments. That’s why the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is such a significant development. As a nationwide initiative to make dental care more affordable and accessible, this new plan is designed to help families and individuals take better care of their oral health. In this blog, we’ll dive into the benefits of the CDCP and how it’s creating a path to a healthier, happier Canada.

1. Expanding Dental Coverage for Uninsured Canadians

One of the primary goals of the Canadian Dental Care Plan is to provide dental coverage to Canadians who don’t currently have access to dental insurance. According to the Canadian Dental Association, millions of Canadians avoid the dentist each year due to cost concerns, with many going without preventive care, cleanings, or even necessary treatments like fillings and extractions.

The CDCP is specifically designed for individuals and families who fall within certain income brackets and do not have existing dental insurance. This expanded access will allow eligible Canadians to receive both preventive and restorative dental services that would otherwise be financially out of reach.

2. Providing Coverage for Low- and Middle-Income Families

Many Canadians in low- and middle-income brackets struggle to prioritize dental care due to financial constraints. The CDCP aims to ease this burden by offering subsidies based on income, meaning that more Canadians will be able to afford the dental treatments they need without compromising other essential expenses.

The plan is especially beneficial for families with children, as it covers pediatric dental services including check-ups, cleanings, and treatments for cavities. By reducing the cost of dental care for children, the CDCP is helping families establish a foundation of good oral health that can last a lifetime.

3. Encouraging Preventive Care to Reduce Long-Term Costs

Preventive care is essential to maintaining good oral health and preventing more severe, costly issues down the road. The CDCP includes coverage for routine check-ups, cleanings, and other preventive treatments that keep teeth and gums healthy. By making preventive care more accessible, the CDCP is helping Canadians catch oral health issues early on, which can reduce the need for more invasive—and expensive—treatments in the future.

At Fraser Point Dental, we see firsthand the impact that preventive care can have on long-term oral health. With the CDCP’s focus on accessible preventive services, more Canadians will be able to experience the benefits of proactive dental care and avoid the pain and cost of advanced dental issues.

4. Reducing Health Disparities Across Canada

Oral health disparities are a significant issue in Canada, with low-income and rural communities facing higher rates of untreated dental issues. The Canadian Dental Care Plan addresses these disparities by increasing access to dental services for those who need it most. By leveling the playing field, the CDCP helps ensure that all Canadians—regardless of income or location—can access essential dental care.

The CDCP also emphasizes support for vulnerable populations, including seniors, Indigenous communities, and people with disabilities. This comprehensive approach not only makes dental care more accessible but also helps to bridge the gap in health equity across the country.

5. Supporting Oral Health for a Healthier Canada

Oral health is closely linked to overall health, with studies showing connections between poor dental health and conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. The CDCP aims to improve Canadians’ oral health, which can positively impact overall health and well-being. By offering coverage for a wide range of dental services, the plan empowers Canadians to take control of their oral health, leading to fewer health complications down the line.

A healthier mouth can mean a healthier life, and the CDCP is making this possible for more Canadians than ever before.

How Fraser Point Dental Can Help You Make the Most of the CDCP

If you’re eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Fraser Point Dental is here to help you take advantage of these new benefits. Our team is committed to making dental care as accessible and stress-free as possible, offering a wide range of services to help you and your family maintain excellent oral health.If you have questions about how the CDCP applies to you or are ready to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re excited to be a part of this new chapter in Canadian healthcare and look forward to providing you with affordable, high-quality dental care.

#Canadian Dental Care

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louishawkins671 · 1 month ago

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Overfunded Life Insurance: How It Works and Why It’s Powerful

In the world of financial planning and wealth management, overfunded life insurance emerges as a sophisticated tool that offers numerous advantages to savvy investors. This strategy, when effectively integrated into a financial portfolio, can provide not only a safety net for loved ones but also serve as a means of accumulating wealth over time. At the forefront of this innovative approach is Top Whole Life, a business dedicated to guiding individuals through the complexities of life insurance policies that are designed to be overfunded.

Understanding Overfunded Life Insurance

To grasp the power of overfunded life insurance, it is essential to understand its foundational principles. Traditional life insurance policies, particularly whole life insurance, offer a death benefit and a cash value component that grows over time. However, the concept of overfunding involves intentionally paying more into the policy than the minimum required premium. This surplus capital accelerates the cash value growth, providing policyholders with greater financial flexibility.

The mechanics of overfunded life insurance can be likened to a savings account that builds cash value at a guaranteed rate, along with the potential for dividends if the insurance company performs well. When individuals overfund their policy, they effectively create a robust asset that can be accessed during their lifetime. This accessibility is a unique feature that distinguishes overfunded life insurance from other investment vehicles, as it allows policyholders to borrow against their cash value or withdraw funds as needed.

Moreover, the cash value in an overfunded life insurance policy grows on a tax-deferred basis, meaning that no taxes are owed on the gains until they are withdrawn. This tax advantage is particularly appealing for those in higher tax brackets, as it allows them to accumulate wealth without the immediate burden of taxation. For instance, if an individual were to invest in a standard investment account, they would be subject to capital gains taxes on any profits realized. In contrast, Top Whole Life emphasizes how overfunded life insurance serves as a strategic tax haven, enabling policyholders to maximize their wealth-building potential.

The Benefits of Overfunded Life Insurance

The allure of overfunded life insurance lies in its multifaceted benefits. One of the most compelling advantages is the dual purpose it serves: providing a death benefit while simultaneously functioning as a financial asset. This duality is particularly advantageous for business owners and high-income earners who seek to protect their families without sacrificing their investment potential.

As individuals accumulate cash value within their policies, they can leverage this asset for various financial objectives. For instance, they can borrow against the cash value to fund education expenses, invest in real estate, or even start a business. When borrowing against the policy, the funds can be accessed without the need for credit checks or lengthy approval processes, making it an attractive option for those in need of quick liquidity. Top Whole Life often advises clients on the importance of viewing their overfunded life insurance policy as a versatile financial tool that can adapt to their evolving needs.

Another significant benefit is the protection against market volatility. In an unpredictable economic landscape, overfunded life insurance offers a stable growth environment, insulated from stock market fluctuations. This stability can be a game-changer for individuals who have experienced losses in traditional investment accounts. By reallocating funds into an overfunded life insurance policy, individuals can safeguard a portion of their wealth while still enjoying the potential for growth.

Furthermore, the death benefit of the policy remains intact regardless of how much cash value has been accessed or borrowed. This means that even if policyholders utilize their cash value for various purposes during their lifetime, their beneficiaries will still receive the full death benefit upon their passing. This feature is one of the primary reasons why Top Whole Life advocates for the implementation of overfunded life insurance in long-term financial strategies.

How to Implement Overfunded Life Insurance

Implementing an overfunded life insurance strategy requires careful planning and consultation with experienced professionals. Top Whole Life emphasizes the importance of working with qualified agents who understand the nuances of life insurance policies and can tailor solutions to fit individual needs. The first step involves selecting the right type of whole life insurance policy that allows for overfunding. Not all policies are created equal, and it is crucial to choose one that offers favorable terms for cash value growth.

Once the appropriate policy is chosen, individuals can begin the process of overfunding. This typically involves making larger premium payments than the policy requires. Policyholders should be mindful of their financial situation and ensure that they can comfortably sustain these payments over the long term. It is essential to strike a balance between overfunding the policy and maintaining sufficient liquidity for other financial obligations.

In addition to funding the policy, ongoing monitoring and management are key components of a successful overfunded life insurance strategy. As the cash value grows, policyholders may want to consider how best to utilize their funds. For example, Top Whole Life encourages clients to periodically review their financial goals and assess whether borrowing against the cash value aligns with their objectives. This proactive approach ensures that individuals are making informed decisions that enhance their overall financial well-being.

Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Overfunded Life Insurance

In conclusion, overfunded life insurance stands out as a powerful financial strategy that offers a myriad of benefits for those willing to embrace its potential. By effectively utilizing overfunded life insurance policies, individuals can create a safety net for their loved ones while simultaneously building a valuable asset that grows tax-deferred. The ability to access cash value for various financial needs adds a layer of flexibility that is often lacking in traditional investment vehicles.

As more people recognize the transformative power of overfunded life insurance, businesses like Top Whole Life continue to play a pivotal role in educating clients and guiding them through the intricacies of this financial tool. With careful planning, strategic implementation, and ongoing management, individuals can harness the full potential of overfunded life insurance, ultimately securing their financial future and leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.

#overfunded life insurance

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