WSJ Graphic shows the effect of the fiscal cliff on the "Average" American

[ehrnst]

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/01/16/wsj_fiscal_cliff_infographic.html

Look at the worry etched in the face of the single mom with two kids, getting by on 260K a year -contemplating the burden of paying over $3000 more this year in taxes - dear God that's nearly 10% of her $35,000 in investment income!

Obama, where is your humanity???

[blm]

1. This graphic breaks some standard rules for ethical journalism.

.

[ZombieHorde]

2. So funny! nt

[sharp_stick]

3. That poor married couple

how will they ever get by, they may have to sell one of the BMW's or the massive F-350 they use to pack their boat around the country.

[ehrnst]

6. It's as heartbreaking as a Walker Evans photo, isn't it? (nt)

Last edited Thu Jan 17, 2013, 12:43 PM - Edit history (1)

[ehrnst]

4. Those retired people are getting away with ROBBERY, I tell you.

Why can't they share the sacrifice, pay more in taxes, and get jobs doing gardening and housekeeping for the other Americans?

[montanacowboy]

5. Is this a joke?

who are these people and where do they live?

[RC]

7. Single parent, 2 children?

There are too many zeros there. Try $26,000 instead.
Whoever drew this is out of touch with reality by two to many zeros in each one.

[gollygee]

8. I think they mixed up "investment income" with total income

Their investment incomes alone would be about right.

[RC]

14. Investment income? wadat?

a 401K with $50,000 at retirement? Those numbers are still way too big.

[gollygee]

16. Bigger than average

but not crazy like the other numbers. How many single mothers of two make as much as that woman? How many black retired couples make that crazy retirement income? It's fantasy land.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. Notice, also, how all except the retired couple are wearing Wall Street suits.

[dawg]

10. Why does the retired couple look so sad?

Their tax increase was zero.

Perhaps they are sad due to the husband's utter lack of anything approaching fashion sense?

[dawg]

11. If you only make $650,000 a year, it's your own damn fault ...

for having those four kids you can't afford.

[dawg]

12. I want to date that single woman.

I think her business suit and pearls make her look smart and elegant.

[dawg]

13. I would never date that single mom with the two kids.

I've got nothing against kids. I think a woman with children would actually have far more in common with me than one who was not a parent. But with only $260,000 in annual income, it's inevitable that she would eventually start trying to sponge money off me.

[dawg]

15. In case you couldn't tell, I think this graphic is over-the-top ridiculous ...

even by Wall Street Journal standards.

[mikeytherat]

17. All that money, and look how SAD everyone appears.

Ah, the burden of the uber-wealthy.

Bart Simpson: "I wonder how Richie Rich died?"
Lisa Simpson: "Perhaps he realized how hollow the pursuit of money is, and took his own life."

mikey_the_rat

[hunter]

18. I'm picturing myself living in a cardboard box with a tarp over it...

... digging food out of trash bins, and talking to strangers in assembly code.

My taxes will be $0, but I'll be smiling.

Why are all those people so sad?