Tell me we didn't see that one coming!
Obama's new budget spends $1.2 trillion to $1.5 million (depending on the source) more than revenue taken in, but is "a step in cutting the deficit." Yep, the newspaper headlines yesterday told all of us that this will cut the deficit because the spending is not as much as expected. They've swallowed the hogwash hook, line, and sinker.
There are some agencies, programs, etc. that are getting less money. But I cringe at how "cutting" means getting only a 5% increase instead of a 7% increase. Hmmm.... When is getting more than before actually "a cut?" I think that's why the education-types embraced the "new math" and all of the other rotten programs for teaching numbers. They knew the politicians could pull fast ones on the citizenry.
NASA is not only getting less, but a real "less," fewer dollars than before. I suppose most people aren't bothered by that, figuring "it's just the space program." I wonder how many know how their daily lives have been improved or at least affected by the developments coming out of the space program. I'd bet not many. Pacemakers, low-weight/high strength plastics, freeze-dried foods, transistors, computer advances, fireproof materials, water purification techniques.... The list goes on. But, let's eliminate the program....
Now, I'm not sure which "less" this is, "less" increase than expected or actually "less," but education is getting "less." Gee, I wonder what the Kool-Aid drinkers among the education-types think of their guy Obama now. No, I know what they thing--the same think the feminists thought of Clinton when he was engaged in his roust-abouts.
Meanwhile, let's soak "the rich," make them pay "their fair share." I think this is an arugment that can't be won, that the rich more than pay their fair share. That 46% of Americans (not kids, of course) don't pay any taxes is what's not "fair." I may or may not like paying taxes for roads, schools, even bike paths, but at least the money I pay results in something from which I might well benefit. The 46% benefit from all for which I pay and from even more programs for which I pay but receive no benefit, yet don't pay for any of the benefits. Now, isn't that "not fair?" (On an unrelated side note, the recently deceased singer reportedly lost $110 million, just squandered it on bodyguards, lavish lifestyle, drugs, etc. Where are the cries of "greed!?!?" Nah, I don't expect to hear any either.)
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3 comments:
'That 46% of Americans (not kids, of course) don't pay any taxes is what's not "fair."'
That statement is simply not true. 46% of Americans do not pay any federal income taxes but they most certainly pay payroll taxes (if they have a job), sales taxes, local or state taxes, property taxes (if they own property) and excise taxes on gasoline, alcohol and other goods.
The payroll tax is actually a regressive tax in which those who earn lower than (approx.) $110,000 per year pay a higher percentage to FICA than those that make more than $110,000.
Here is a chart showing the total tax contributions per income group.
http://www.ctj.org/pdf/taxday2011.pdf
As you can see, even people making less than $12,500/year do pay taxes and they pay them at a rate not very different than other income groups.
Of course they pay payroll taxes, but how many times over the decades have we heard that those aren't really "taxes," but "transfer payments?" It was a big thing back in the 1970s and 1980s. I suppose, though, if those "transfer payments" are being raided and spent as general funds, well, that changes the entire picture. We must redefine our terms. And all or at least most folks pay state taxes, on income and purchases. But federal income taxes per the 16th Amendment? Nope.
I would agree there shouldn't be a limit on FICA payments/withholding.
But the main theme is that not everyone is paying a "fair share" and that includes the poor.
A recent study, from the CBO I think, showed that a family of four earning $60K a year actually has less disposable income than a single-parent family making half (or maybe even a third) as much. I don't remember the source, but think it was the CBO.
What seems patently "unfair" to me is a note I received from a guy a while back. He lamented working 85 hours one week and getting to keep half of what he earned. I have no reason to disbelieve what he said.
And, I maintain, those who find the tax structure so "unfair" that the wealthy don't pay their "fair share" can always lead by example and voluntarily give money to the government. This reminds me, particularly, of the hypocrite Warren Buffet (and other billionaires like him) who decry that their employees/secretary pay/s taxes at a lower rate they he (they) do. Well, gee, I wonder, then, why they hire all those CPAs and other tax experts to find loopholes to pay fewer taxes?
As one who tends to the left, even I would now be happy to support a flat tax in which everyone pays the same percentage. No more loopholes or deductions, a flat percentage of your income (including capital gains) and that percentage should be determined by how much money the government is planning to spend.
I think this would eliminate the "class warfare" rhetoric as well as give the people of the country a much better idea of exactly how their money is being spent. We could all make better decisions about how the government should spend its money if we were all contributing the same percentage.
Unfortunately I don't think either party would embrace this plan as the tax system is currently one of the few ways left (besides the social issues) for the parties to pretend they are actually different. As long as those in power are able to keep us fighting about a few percentage points, it makes it a lot easier for them to spend our money in ways we don't like without us noticing.
And I definitely agree that I am sick of people like Buffet who claim they would be for higher taxes but yet take every loophole available and say, "Well, I would be silly to pay more than I am supposed to." If you want to pay more, pay more. If you think everyone should pay more, lobby the government to make that change. But don't try to throw some blame card out on the rich when you aren't willing to do anything else about the situation.
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