Mark Cross

Consultant, Connector, Educator, Former corporate exec., Husband, Father commenting mostly on sports, politics, and travel.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@RockChartrand Sure. We would destroy everything, future prospects would be bleak, it would take decades or even centuries to recover, but for the sake of fairness wouldn’t it make sense?

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@amelia_tweetz A billion dollars sounds like a ridiculous amount and of course it is.

However, the idea that billionaires are sitting on billions in cash is pure fiction. It is usually deployed in businesses and economy growing assets.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@omgsidewalks You can say 3,500 billionaires don't matter compared to global workforce. But leverage they hold over global supply chains, innovation, and capital means sudden exit would stall economy. True economic health requires valuing both labor force and visionaries who fund companies.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@HawkEmDownChris That’s a tough one.

Jordan’s slap shot was weak and he couldn’t make a penalty shot to save his life.

However,

Gretzky was a notoriously poor free throw shooter, and could not defend against elite NBA players.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@lippyent I would of course pick my wife first, and then …
I would say …
Maybe …
Audrey Hepburn.

However, I do not know a lot about these ladies in terms of personal life and loyalty.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@AsifFinanc @Budgetdog_ The biggest rule? IMO is spending less than you make. Everything else flows from that one action.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@BarbellFi He makes $311k pre tax incl. $96k from rentals
He spends $90k/yr per I assume post tax
Spending will go to $110k per year if he needs health care.

I recommend working for 5-7 years as a CPA unless he hates it, then

work say 2 days a week as a fractional CFO for @FocusCFO

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@SteveOnSpeed @RoaringHammy Yes, there are plenty of places and lifestyles that can be managed on less than $10 million. However, I promise you there are places and lifestyles that ensure that $10 million won't last long enough.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@Kristinartz No. Most of these people are the ones with the highest wealth.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@ProxyConscious @StrikeDebt Kato, I know you are going to say AI isn't always correct, and I did not bias the question in any way, I didn't even say which position I had, but here is Grok's analysis of our interchange.

Wishing you the very best!

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@ProxyConscious @StrikeDebt Haha.

Premise 1) Crime in inner city Chicago is bad

Premise 2) Wendy's Frosty prices are too high

Therefore, Wendy's Frosty prices must cause crime in inner city Chicago

See how it works?

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@ProxyConscious @StrikeDebt Please, please, please? Where did I says cutting out $28 lunches will make housing affordable. I didn't come close to a statement like that, and I acknowledged housing and student debt were a problem.

As you challenged me, think critically. Don't put words in my mouth.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@ProxyConscious @StrikeDebt Let's be clear. I said student loans and rent are crushing, AND, if you make $70k/yr $28 lunches are an unnecessary expense.
Kato, the most successful people believe that they are most responsible for outcomes, not their parents, bosses, governments, etc. and don't dwell on past.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@ProxyConscious @StrikeDebt Pro tip: You cannot blame an entire generation for irresponsible borrowing. Many did behave irresponsibly. Many were very responsible. Just like subsequent generations. Some are responsible. Many are not.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@ProxyConscious @StrikeDebt I just wanted a house, probably like you.
Blaming a generation of buyers for a systemic global collapse engineered by rating agencies rubber-stamping junk debt is quite a take. The banks built a house of cards out of predatory math—buyers were just the vehicle.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@YssupN15919 @StrikeDebt Very productive. You must be a hoot at parties and family gatherings.
Oh, I seemingly forgot that I single-handedly control global supply chains, agricultural yields and federal monetary policy from the deli counter. Next time I order a turkey club, I'll try not to crash the GDP.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@brontyman - SS adds nothing to national debt ❌ False. We must borrow to meet obligations
- SS has a $2.5 T surplus. ❌ False. It is in deficit
- SS has “borrowed” Trillions for govt programs ✅ True

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@KaylaDavis2000 This is not a factual post. Given Bezos paid $973M in taxes he paid 37% tax on income and 23.8% on capital gains.

Anyone saying he paid <1% doesn’t seem to understand that we don’t tax unrealized capital gains or undistributed corporate profits at the individual level.

[Mark Cross @mscrosswi]

@PlatformTrades @WSJ Keep, that is incorrect. Minimums on credit cards and many other forms of consumer credit do not cover all accrued interest for the period. I checked with Grok.

The only way your balance can go up if you do not have new debt is by not paying at least the accrued interest.