Oh, and I do want to say that I appreciate people like your friend OH very much. Who look for work and take a part time job. That she is trying is a wonderful thing and I wish her much luck. And yes, I'm glad too that she is able to get some help. It is also good that she can have a job AND get benefits such as food stamps because those stories of when it is all or nothing are disheartening to me.
Anyway, just wanted to add that.
Teko, I agree that the tax code needs to be seriously taken apart and put back together. I am sure that the wealthiest Americans will be paying a higher rate. I am iffy on the captial gains tax because that affects everyone. I don't have a lot but it even affects me. I was taxed on the money I invested. And then I'm taxed on it again. So your 'nest egg' is actually less than you think it is because of taxes. I had to pull some out for an emergency recently and got hit with my capital gains taxes. Stinks! But I do also hear what you are saying.
Orphanedhawk. Temporary fixes are something that I do believe in and am glad when a program helps out in that way. But . . . knowing this is going to be something you don't like to hear . . . I also think that people have to also come to a pointi n which they have to downsize. If they can't afford where they are living AND feed themselves, they should seek shelter elsewhere. That is not to be rude but if I could afford my house 10 years ago and then we went through some type of situation that changed everything and we could no longer make our mortgage payment--- I don't think I should indefinately own stay in my house because at ONE time i could afford it. We have to give people a chance to stabilize and fix their situation but when they can't---- perhaps her home is not feasible. She may need a smaller place, a rental, etc. That is reality to me. That is something WE ALL have to figure out. What we can afford. And if we have to downsize, that is something we just have to do. And if we are already at the bottom, that is when programs are there to help. But I don't know if that should include a lifetime in a house one can't afford and be able to eat.
Not heartless, but practical. That is how I like to think of myself.
You call poor people takers ? What about Romney taking jobs and sending them overseas ? What about the corporate takers ? What about the banks stealing people's homes with fraudulent foreclosures ?
Last weekend, I heard a group singing, "America the Beautiful".
When they got to the part at the that says, " and crown thy good, with Brotherhood, . . . ),
I thought, where has this wonderful concept of good =brotherhood gone to?
We are all Americans and if we are all housed, clothed and fed, our country is a better place for everyone.
Yes, we need jobs, bring them back from China, treat workers with respect and dignity and our country will prosper.
Greed, over humanity is our biggest problem.
And I only wanted to add, talking about those taxes.Also keep in mind that Federal, State and Local taxes do not apply to income in 'secret' accounts located in tax havens.
Romney has always struck me as spoiled brat used to getting his way.
He simply can not believe that he lost.
He lost, and that's that.
Trying to blame it on this or that is kind of silly. People vote for all kinds of reasons.
I know a woman who is 63,owns her own home, has been struggling to get work.
She finally found a few part time occasional jobs and is now, thanks to Obama, getting food stamps. The small amount of food stamps she gets is helping her stay in her home, and not lose her very small savings.
Kudos to Obama for helping people and not making them lose their homes in order to feed their bellies.
She doesn't want to be supported by the government.
She would love to have a full time job but at her age, in this economy it's difficult.
Here is what I am getting at. The first $100,000 a person makes each year is subject to every tax under the sun. Income taxes, payroll taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, and excise taxes. All middle class people earn their income primarily from wage income, the most tax disadvantaged form of income in existence. Not only do you pay ordinary tax rates on every dollar, you have to consume almost all of your wage income to live, subjecting all of it to consumption taxes too.
The middle class have every dollar they make dinged by at least four different taxes. Almost all of which are higher than the preferential tax rate of 15% levied on capital gains and dividends. And to top it all off, the middle class actually spends all of their time at work every week to earn their income.
The wealthy on the other hand can invest in tax advantaged vehicles that are subject only to a 15% tax on gains and dividends while sitting on the couch. You don't get income gaps in societies that have truly have progressive tax systems that soak the rich. You get income gaps by having a tax system that socks the bottom and gives breaks to the top.
The truth is obvious to see if you just look around. If the government was truly taxing the wealthy too much and the poor too little, wouldn't we see a society with a smaller income gap?
Regardless, the tax code needs reformed in a very bad way.