Barack Obama and Respect

**JAD_333** · 24 Apr 12,, 06:48

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

I made just under 28K last year, paid nearly $2900 in Federal Income tax, got $520 in my return. I'm single...take no government welfare

I'm guessing you are in your 20s. What part of WV? I live near Winchester, VA, and can see VW on a clear day. Your situation is pretty common in these parts. Not easy for sure, especially when an emergency comes up.

Maybe I am not as smart as some of you (that's probably obvious by now)

Believe me, a lot worse have come and gone.

...I still don't see how giving the uber-rich and giant corporations millions and billions of dollars in tax breaks makes sense when one-half of the government wants to bleed more from me (and the working poor) in taxes and more cuts.

Of course, when you put it that way it doesn't make sense. The next stop for us is the expiration of the Bush tax cuts at the end of the year. If they do expire, look for a noticeable tax increase, but I agree with those who say they will be extended. If Romney wins the election and the GOP keeps the House, look for major tax reforms.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Ta...rican-families.

**dalem** · 24 Apr 12,, 07:15

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

A significantly greater problem than originally thought. By anyone.

I made just under 28K last year, paid nearly $2900 in Federal Income tax, got $520 in my return. I'm single, rent a small apartment, have no deductions other than myself. I pay $600 in monthly bills (rent, gas, electric, water, etc), $225 for my 'luxury' items (cable and internet, cell phone, trash collection, cat food), and another $350 in groceries and fuel for the car. I make roughly $7.75 and hour after all of the taxes are taken out. I drive a 14 year old Subaru. I take no government welfare (food stamps, clothing assistance, rent or bill assistance). I work a lot of overtime. I'm about to cut cable and internet.

What some of these uber-rich people pay out in just their income tax dues in a single year I could have lived off of quite well for 185 (one hundred and eighty five) years.

I know some of the people I work with have two jobs, kids, and more bills than I do. I live in an area where many fall into the same category that I do, somewhere between 'working poor' and 'working class', below the standard set to qualify as 'lower middle class'.

I'm not telling you all of this for some pity party, but just to let you know there are a lot of folks out here where an increase in taxes, a cutback in benefits, or reduction of services can mean the difference between eating, buying life saving medication, or being able to pay just the necessary bills to keep from freezing to death. The friend I visited today is so economically strapped they he refused to turn the heat on even thought the outside temperature was 32 degrees outside and it was snowing.

Maybe I am not as smart as some of you (that's probably obvious by now) but I still don't see how giving the uber-rich and giant corporations millions and billions of dollars in tax breaks makes sense when one-half of the government wants to bleed more from me (and the working poor) in taxes and more cuts.

So you paid a little less than 10% in Federal income tax. What plans or promises are being floated by anyone that would increase your rate?

-dale

**dmwnc1959** · 24 Apr 12,, 09:09

Originally Posted by JAD_333

I'm guessing you are in your 20s. What part of WV? I live near Winchester, VA, and can see VW on a clear day. Your situation is pretty common in these parts. Not easy for sure, especially when an emergency comes up.

I'll be in my 'middle 50's' my next birthday. And an emergency did come up earlier this year. I was involved in an accident (not my fault) that totaled my car. I accrued thousands in medical bills and lost wages, suffered a broken arm, and had to buy another car in short order by borrowing money from a friend. I am still in litigation.

Back in the late 90's after my mother died I spent almost a decade taking care of my dad. Eventually I moved out of state to where I live now in north-central West Virginia (same geographic latitude as you). He's fine now, but the financial impact it had on me has lasted a lot longer than I ever imagined.

The next stop for us is the expiration of the Bush tax cuts at the end of the year. If they do expire, look for a noticeable tax increase, but I agree with those who say they will be extended. If Romney wins the election and the GOP keeps the House, look for major tax reforms.

Originally Posted by dalem

So you paid a little less than 10% in Federal income tax. What plans or promises are being floated by anyone that would increase your rate?

-dale

One side of government seems to always hold hostage the payroll tax cuts by tacking on something that is not exactly related to what is being passed. Candidate Romney said that these payroll tax cuts are 'just a band-aid' (whatever that means) before he changed his mind (imagine that) and now is all for them. That worries me. And although another $1000 in taxes wouldn't kill me (literally) .I would just be eating Ramen noodles and chicken hot dogs until I die. And I really don't like that idea.

**dalem** · 24 Apr 12,, 17:12

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

One side of government seems to always hold hostage the payroll tax cuts by tacking on something that is not exactly related to what is being passed.

"always"? The payroll tax cuts that Obama instituted during the last 3 years?

Candidate Romney said that these payroll tax cuts are 'just a band-aid' (whatever that means) before he changed his mind (imagine that) and now is all for them. That worries me. And although another $1000 in taxes wouldn't kill me (literally) .I would just be eating Ramen noodles and chicken hot dogs until I die. And I really don't like that idea.

So what?

-dale

**TopHatter** · 24 Apr 12,, 21:27

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

I am a Christian if that is what you mean? Not in just words but deeds.

I think he meant "Faithful" as a reference to Obama's supporters elevating him to "Messiah" status back in 2008

**Gun Grape** · 24 Apr 12,, 23:49

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

I pay $600 in monthly bills (rent, gas, electric, water, etc)

Holy Crap I need to move. i spend around $800 per month in utilities alone

**JAD_333** · 25 Apr 12,, 02:52

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

Holy Crap I need to move. i spend around $800 per month in utilities alone

Yeah, you better. And in Fla? You must be living in the Taj Mahal.

**JAD_333** · 25 Apr 12,, 03:06

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

...And an emergency did come up earlier this year.

Handled it yourself...good.

I spent almost a decade taking care of my dad.

Family is important. Good on you.

One side of government seems to always hold hostage the payroll tax cuts by tacking on something that is not exactly related to what is being passed. Candidate Romney said that these payroll tax cuts are 'just a band-aid' (whatever that means) before he changed his mind (imagine that) and now is all for them. That worries me. And although another $1000 in taxes wouldn't kill me (literally) .I would just be eating Ramen noodles and chicken hot dogs until I die. And I really don't like that idea.

Romney has spoken of deeper tax cuts for middle class. He endorsed the Ryan budget which calls for more tax cuts. But if I were a betting man, which I am, I'd wager that there will be tax increases from current levels in 2-5 years, regardless of budget cuts, but they be part of a comprehensive tax overhaul that will include a cut in the corporate rate (tied to extensive loophole closings) and some paring of the home mortgage deduction.

**dmwnc1959** · 25 Apr 12,, 06:10

Originally Posted by dalem

So what?

-dale

Nice.

Originally Posted by TopHatter

I think he meant "Faithful" as a reference to Obama's supporters elevating him to "Messiah" status back in 2008

A joke. I get it. ROTFLMAO.

No, I am not an Obama worshiper.

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

Holy Crap I need to move. i spend around $800 per month in utilities alone

I live in a little apartment hence my utilities are a bit cheaper. My 'crib' has all (real) wood floors (not that laminate crap), two bedrooms, bath, kitchen, dining room, and a two car garage and pay $360 a month. The cheapest rent I have paid here was for a small 2-bedroom house and it was $320 a month.

As for Romney he will be nothing more than a puppet (literally) for those extremist far-right members already in office that this time last year were talking big time crap about him. And as far as their 'endorsements' of his inevitable nomination as the presumptive Republican candidate? They are a joke. It's like a shot gun wedding. You should have listened to Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich on their point of views regarding Romney. They're right. And Romney hasn't had an independent thought since running for president except when he talks about his prancing dancing horses, his vacations in Paris, his car elevator in his new mansion, and his wife's Cadillac's. He has flip flopped on every...single...issue in the last six months without fail. And that scares me more than four more years of Obama ever will.

**JAD_333** · 25 Apr 12,, 06:14

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

As for Romney he will be nothing more than a puppet (literally) for those extremist far-right members already in office that this time last year were talking big time crap about him. And as far as their 'endorsements' of his inevitable nomination as the presumptive Republican candidate? They are a joke. It's like a shot gun wedding. You should have listened to Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich on their point of views regarding Romney. They're right. And Romney hasn't had an independent thought since running for president except when he talks about his prancing dancing horses, his vacations in Paris, his car elevator in his new mansion, and his wife's Cadillac's. He has flip flopped on every...single...issue in the last six months without fail. And that scares me more than four more years of Obama ever will.

Can't wait until you get to the good stuff.

**dmwnc1959** · 25 Apr 12,, 06:33

I'm tempted to cancel my cable and internet and just wake up on November 7th and see what hell hath man wrought.

**dalem** · 25 Apr 12,, 08:46

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

Nice.

What? You shared your story and expected... what? Only sympathy?

As for Romney he will be nothing more than a puppet (literally) for those extremist far-right members already in office that this time last year were talking big time crap about him. And as far as their 'endorsements' of his inevitable nomination as the presumptive Republican candidate? They are a joke. It's like a shot gun wedding. You should have listened to Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich on their point of views regarding Romney. They're right. And Romney hasn't had an independent thought since running for president except when he talks about his prancing dancing horses, his vacations in Paris, his car elevator in his new mansion, and his wife's Cadillac's. He has flip flopped on every...single...issue in the last six months without fail. And that scares me more than four more years of Obama ever will.

What is "far right" to you?

-dale

**dalem** · 25 Apr 12,, 08:49

Originally Posted by dmwnc1959

I'm tempted to cancel my cable and internet and just wake up on November 7th and see what hell hath man wrought.

You should - they are luxuries and you could save some money and move to somewhere with better job prospects. Minnesota, where I am, isn't doing too badly unemployment-wise and has good programs for those who need a little help. If you are fluent in Portuguese and can use a computer without accidentally setting yourself on fire I can probably get you a job interview tomorrow, for instance.

-dale

**Doktor** · 25 Apr 12,, 09:57

Originally Posted by dalem

If you are fluent in Portuguese and can use a computer without accidentally setting yourself on fire I can probably get you a job interview tomorrow, for instance.

Those fluent in Portuguese who don't set up on fire while on computer are so rare or what?

**dmwnc1959** · 25 Apr 12,, 09:58

Originally Posted by dalem

What? You shared your story and expected... what? Only sympathy?

-dale

I shared my story to remind those born with a silver spoon in the mouth that there are people out here struggling or just getting by even making $9+ an hour (before taxes) and that for those making less or those that depend on social services, cutting those services can be devastating.

I didn't share my story so that Sean Hannity Jr. could come back an smart alec comment.

http://www.newshounds.us/sean_hannit...beans_04242012

"Over the last several years this type of arrogant, dismissive view of the poor has become prevalent amongst not only right-wing millionaire talk show hosts but the entire Republican Party.

Even with the gap between the rich and the poor reaching record levels, today's Republican Party is less concerned about the poor and middle class then anytime in the nation’s history. They actively encourage policies that only benefit the rich and horribly damage the rest of America. Has there been one serious piece of legislation that today's Republicans in Congress have passed or promoted or created that was meant to make life better for the poor or middle class?"

http://m.examiner.com/article/sean-h...witter-on-fire

When was the last time you had to choose between skipping a couple of meals, paying a bill, or buying medication?