Tale of a Middle Class Taxpayer

[RockaFowler]

I'm a little sick and tired hearing whining from rich people who think they are spending too much on taxes right now.

Let's see who's really spending too much on taxes.

I live in a modest home - 3 bed/2 bath - in a modest area of Florida. I pay $2000 a year for property taxes because we now have a double homestead exemption. I pay $1700 a year for homeowners insurance. I pay $1400 a year for auto insurance. I pay $1500 a year for sh*t health insurance that pays for absolutely nothing ($3000 deductible). I pay over $6000 in payroll and/or Social Security each year. I pay $1300 a month for mortgage. I have to put money into a 401K each week in order to help myself when I retire in 30+ years. Those are things I have to pay. And all on one income because a Republican decided to run his business into the ground and laid-off my husband.

How about that little thing called gas?? Well I pay $100 a week in gas. Why?? Because I couldn't afford a home close enough to my work and I had to move 45 miles north. Now my house is under water and I'm paying for a house I may never fully own. Or taking the Turnpike everyday. That's $20 a week. Then there's this little thing called food. We spend maybe $100 a week on food for us and the 3 dogs. I stopped buying dog food after that Chinese food scare of a couple of years ago. I make my food for the dogs. I find it's much cheaper anyway. See there are taxes in everything I'm paying right there.

When all is said and done - I'm left with $100 a week for me and my hubby. We don't go anywhere. We can't. I hired an attorney for a legal matter because of an illegal garnishment (long story). So, when exactly am I gonna get my break. I've had a real sh*tty year and I can't see it getting any better soon. Where am I gonna find the money to pay for everything I need?? Heck, I need new shoes but can't afford them. I need a haircut and can't afford it. I make too much for Food Stamps and people making over $250,000 are complaining about taxes. F-U. Try living in my dirty busted up old shoes that click when I walk. Try living in my modest home. And try to not cry because it doesn't look like it's getting better. I'm paying for your mistakes and I'm sick of it. You bankrupted this country and now you have to pay for it. Oh yeah and if you really used your money for job creation - where the F are the jobs?? You stole money from the government in order to pay for your lavish lifestyles. Time to pay up!!!

[liberal N proud]

1. K&R

[truedelphi]

2. Way way back in 1972 I made about $ 4,500

I paid over $550 in taxes, the exact same amount to the penny as Richard Nixon paid.

If that doesn't show you something is wrong with the American tax system, I don't know what else
would.

Many in the middle class no longer even qualify for the biggest income tax equalizer - that is, the standard mortgage deduction. Homes, even in this recession/depression, cost more than many people can afford.

If you live in any of the more pricey areas of the USA, you cannot afford a house. (I am talking about much of the East Coast, West Coast, and places like Chicago.)

[leveymg]

3. Is there another kind?

Like the rich are ever gonna pay the same effective rate as their secretaries, or the American poor can still reasonably expect to be lifted into the Middle Class (or that their kids will be).

That's the thing about taxes. Nobody except those who can't afford to pay them ever actually do.

[dawg]

4. That's actually not true.

The rich pay plenty of taxes. They weasel out of a lot, but they can't legally weasel out of all of their taxes. That's why they are screaming so loud.

[leveymg]

6. Actually, it is true. The 400 richest Americans pay an effective rate of 16% according to IRS

http://www.alternet.org/economy/146402/the_preposterous_reality:_25_hedge_fund_managers_are_worth_680,000_teachers

In the 1970s the marginal rate on those with incomes above $3 million (in today’s dollars) was 70 percent. Today, the effective rate on the 400 richest Americans is 16 percent, according to the most recent IRS data.

The wonderful thing about putting your money in a hedge fund (or managing one) is that the income you get from it is not taxed as income (say, officially at the rate of 35 percent). Instead, it is treated as a business investment, something that’s good for the economy and that we need to encourage through a low tax — a “capital gain.” The tax rate on capital gains is 15 percent. This is one reason that Warren Buffett can say that he pays a smaller percentage in taxes than his secretary.

[dawg]

8. 16% does not equal "nothing"

And they will pay more than that if their Bush giveaway tax cuts are allowed to expire.

[leveymg]

9. "Like the rich are ever gonna pay the same effective rate as their secretaries."

That's what I wrote. Reading comprehension issues?

[dawg]

11. "That's the thing about taxes. Nobody except those who can't afford to pay them ever actually do."

I don't want to fight. We're on the same side. :hi:

[leveymg]

13. Here's to higher top effective tax rates! Now, that's a liberal wonk toast! But it works for me.

Bottoms up. Next round's on me. :toast: :beer:

[dawg]

14. I'll drink to that!

:beer:

[daleanime]

7. Have I got a deal for you....

:rofl:

[dawg]

10. I do know a thing or two about this particular subject.

There are plenty of people, rich and otherwise, who pay no taxes. They are breaking the law and are likely to be caught.

In order to stay legal, the rich do have to pay taxes. otherwise, we would not be hearing them bitching and moaning. They are able to use various tax planning strategies to minimize their taxes. Depending on the sources of their income, these strategies can lower their effective tax rates below those of average workers in some instances. Hedge fund managers are especially favored. Doctors, not so much.

They WANT YOU TO BELIEVE that the rich aren't actually paying taxes. That is one of the chief propaganda tools they use to try and trick people into voting for regressive flat tax and consumption tax schemes.

[WCGreen]

5. Well, you pay taxes every time you fill up your tank...

Every time you buy something both of these taxes are regressive in that people need to spend more of a percentage of their money on taxable items than does a wealthier person.

[Bryn]

12. That's why I left my Native Florida to move to Arkansas

Here I live in a very nice townhouse. My car insurance went from 1,600 to 700 per month. Property taxes went from 2,000 to 500's. House insurance went from 2,000 to 300. I know it sucks to stay in a place where you have a good job yet are paying so much. I took an early retirement from my job in Miami and then left. Yes, I do miss my home, Florida, but I cannot afford to live there anymore. At least Arkansas is beautiful.

:hug:

They better not extend the tax cuts for the rich!