America is in love with Barack Obama

[Bongulator]

Gross is around, mmm, $119k, so about $34k in taxes, roughly one fourth. Seems decidedly middle-class now. If we'd made this much ten years ago, I'd say we were maybe approaching lower upper class, but not now. Taxes haven't really gone up, but the price of food and gas and healthcare sure have. The loss in disposable income came from those three.

Would we be better off if we didn't pay any taxes? Well, yes and no. We'd have more money, yes, but we'd have no space program or military or interstate highway system or public schools, yada yada. Those could all be privatized, of course, everything could, but I don't want to end up having to pay umpteen roadway tolls to get to and from the grocery store, even if that's the truly capitalistic way to do things. And do we really want to outsource our military to private firms? I don't like that we're *already* doing that in Iraq.

And we are increasing our wealth. It just isn't happening quickly, because of the increased amounts removed from our disposable income that are now going to things that aren't all that optional. To be fair, while we have few frills, we do have complete security -- little debt, all the bills are paid on time every time, a decent suite of home entertainment services (satellite and internet), cellphones, etc. We're certainly not poor, but it amazes me that we're in the top 10% of households in terms of income, live in a low-cost-of-living area, and we're not even *remotely* wealthy.

I guess the upper class slice of the population is a tiny sliver indeed. 1%? 3%?

 

[medicineman]

Gross is around, mmm, $119k, so about $34k in taxes, roughly one fourth. Seems decidedly middle-class now. If we'd made this much ten years ago, I'd say we were maybe approaching lower upper class, but not now. Taxes haven't really gone up, but the price of food and gas and healthcare sure have. The loss in disposable income came from those three.

Would we be better off if we didn't pay any taxes? Well, yes and no. We'd have more money, yes, but we'd have no space program or military or interstate highway system or public schools, yada yada. Those could all be privatized, of course, everything could, but I don't want to end up having to pay umpteen roadway tolls to get to and from the grocery store, even if that's the truly capitalistic way to do things. And do we really want to outsource our military to private firms? I don't like that we're *already* doing that in Iraq.

And we are increasing our wealth. It just isn't happening quickly, because of the increased amounts removed from our disposable income that are now going to things that aren't all that optional. To be fair, while we have few frills, we do have complete security -- little debt, all the bills are paid on time every time, a decent suite of home entertainment services (satellite and internet), cellphones, etc. We're certainly not poor, but it amazes me that we're in the top 10% of households in terms of income, live in a low-cost-of-living area, and we're not even *remotely* wealthy.

I guess the upper class slice of the population is a tiny sliver indeed. 1%? 3%?

That percentage has 50% of all the wealth in the country, amazing.

 

[Johnnyorganic]

Gross is around, mmm, $119k, so about $34k in taxes, roughly one fourth. Seems decidedly middle-class now. If we'd made this much ten years ago, I'd say we were maybe approaching lower upper class, but not now. Taxes haven't really gone up, but the price of food and gas and healthcare sure have. The loss in disposable income came from those three.

Would we be better off if we didn't pay any taxes? Well, yes and no. We'd have more money, yes, but we'd have no space program or military or interstate highway system or public schools, yada yada. Those could all be privatized, of course, everything could, but I don't want to end up having to pay umpteen roadway tolls to get to and from the grocery store, even if that's the truly capitalistic way to do things. And do we really want to outsource our military to private firms? I don't like that we're *already* doing that in Iraq.

And we are increasing our wealth. It just isn't happening quickly, because of the increased amounts removed from our disposable income that is now going to things that aren't all that optional. To be fair, while we have few frills, we do have complete security -- little debt, all the bills are paid on time every time, a decent suite of home entertainment services (satellite and internet), cellphones, etc. We're certainly not poor, but it amazes me that we're in the top 10% of households in terms of income, live in a low-cost-of-living area, and we're not even *remotely* wealthy.

I guess the upper class slice of the population is a tiny sliver indeed. 1%? 3%?

Taxes in support of the Constitution are fine. There's your highways and military.

NASA? I'm not sure where it would fit in. Interesting point. Maybe a state would push into space. Or it could be militarized, which it is partially.

Public education is a function of the states. The federal government has no business in it.

How much of your taxes are wasted? Billions upon billions.

Less onerous taxes would encourage people to spend, save, and invest - creating economic activity - jobs. It's been proven time and again.

Our government should encourage people to be self-sufficient, not government-reliant.

The top 1% pays 40% of ALL federal income taxes.

That percentage has 50% of all the wealth in the country, amazing.

Source please.

 

[Bongulator]

Oh, I found one thing pretty funny. Biden, who makes more than me and my significant other combined, has a net worth of $100k-$150k. The cost of living there is vastly higher than in my area, which probably explains that. We're worth somewhat more than that, assuming they count the equity on your home as part of net worth. (I think they do, don't they?)

Just bizarre to think someone poorer than me could end up being the new Vice President of the United States of America. That's probably the first thing his wife said to him: this means a raise, right?

 

[ccodiane]

That's probably the first thing his wife said to him: this means a raise, right?

His son too..........

Biden's Son, Brother Named in Two Suits

[SIZE=-1]By Kimberly Kindy and Joe Stephens
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, August 24, 2008; A09[/SIZE]

Hunter Biden was made president with an annual salary of $1.2 million, despite his inexperience in the hedge fund industry, the lawsuit said. Before that, he had been part of the Washington law firm Oldaker, Biden & Belair, which earned $1.76 million in lobbying revenue in the first half of 2006, according to Congressional Quarterly's CQ MoneyLine. One of its biggest clients is the National Association of Shareholder and Consumer Attorneys, a District-based group representing law firms specializing in investment and corporate law.

Hunter Biden is one of many children and relatives of prominent members of Congress who have made their careers as lobbyists. He returned to lobbying after less than a year with Paradigm.

 

[ViRedd]

Taxes haven't really gone up, but the price of food and gas and healthcare sure have. The loss in disposable income came from those three.

Ahh, but your taxes HAVE gone up ... in the form of inflation. As the government borrows money, more money is created, diluting the worth of the entire money supply. Inflation is nothing more than in insidious, hidden tax. Time to get back to honest money backed by precious metals.

Vi

 

[fdd2blk]

Taxes haven't really gone up, .............

give 'em a few more days. Schwarzenegger proposes temporary California sales-tax hike to close budget gap - Los Angeles Times

 

[HotNSexyMILF]

Ahh, but your taxes HAVE gone up ... in the form of inflation. As the government borrows money, more money is created, diluting the worth of the entire money supply. Inflation is nothing more than in insidious, hidden tax. Time to get back to honest money backed by precious metals.

Vi

Ah thank you Vi..

Anyone really paying attention to the Federal Reserve and the flow of money coming out of there can see who's really pulling the strings of the economy and has been. We need to get out of a debt based currency, a return to the gold standard would be great.

 

[medicineman]

Ah thank you Vi..

Anyone really paying attention to the Federal Reserve and the flow of money coming out of there can see who's really pulling the strings of the economy and has been. We need to get out of a debt based currency, a return to the gold standard would be great.

Keep dreaming, the "Jewish" bankers that control the Fed will not let that happen.

 

[HotNSexyMILF]

Congress alone has the right to make the U.S. money supply- if we had a Congress with some balls, sense, and wasn't bought off- we surely could change how things are.

Overturning the Fed is an enormous task, yet not an impossible one. Though few people understand why or care to..

 

[Dopalicious]

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