Obama: no tax increase on middle class?
September 12, 2009
Update: Good discussion of this post going on over on Facebook: The best comments seem to be over on my Facebook account: http://www.facebook.com/alexmuse Feel free to friend me even if you disagree.
Obama pledged not to increase taxes on the poor and middle class, but he never said anything about increasing the tax/cost of the stuff poor and middle class people buy. For example, on Friday Obama decided to increase the tariff on automobile tires to more than 35% this year. The incremental cost of a tire for the wealthiest among us isn’t consequential – but for someone making $35,000 per year a set of tires is ALREADY expensive – increasing the cost by more than 35% is going to be a big deal.
Why is Obama placing this hardship on the poor and middle class NOW? Because over the past five years 5,000 union members in the US have lost their jobs due to imports of low cost tires from China. Millions of Americans will get a tax increase so that 5,000 union members might be able to get their jobs back. More than 237 million replacement tires are bought in the US each year. Poor and middle class Americans will pay $11+ billion MORE this year due to the tariff. What if we just agree to pay each of the 5,000 union members who lost their jobs $1 million each? This would only cost us $5 billion – a HUGE savings. The union members would be happy, the poor and middle class would have more money – everyone wins.
Update: On a side note, the poor and middle class will no doubt wait longer to replace their tires resulting in more automobile deaths. Thousands of Americans die each year due to failed tires. If we make tires more expensive the poor and middle class will die at MUCH higher rates than the rich. This program will KILL the poor and middle class. Additionally, it will actually hurt tire makers who will sell fewer tires to the poor and middle class who won’t be able to replace them as quickly.
Aren’t you tired of Obama yet?
Obama and AFL-CIO Propose Tax on 50% of Americans
August 31, 2009
The Democrats and the AFL-CIO plan to tax every single stock transaction in a new plan announced today. This new tax would generate revenue from every American who buys or sells a share of stock. More than half of Americans own stock either directly or through a 401K. The tax would generate a LOT of revenue, but it would significantly reduce activity in the stock market. The biggest problem with the new tax? Obama pledged not to do it. Obama was pretty clear in his pledge that he would NEVER raise taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 per year. Remember:
I guess Obama figured we were all so broke we had to sell all of our stock last year. Do you make less than $250K and have stock? Let us know and we will let Obama know that if he signs this new tax bill he will be breaking his pledge to you – the American people. Too bad we can’t get Obama to work on real tax reform.
Making sure conservatives get the seats. . .
Experts are predicting double-digit losses for the Democrats in 2010. Nate Silver, a Democratic analyst who is almost always right predicts that Republicans will win between 20 and 50 seats (40 seats gives the GOP control).
I don’t know if they are right, but assuming they are we need to ensure that conservatives who are willing to fight for their values are elected (and not the sort of Republicans willing to go along to get along). We need something similar to Newt’s Contract with America to help define what this wave of conservatives promise to do with their opportunity. Too often we send Democrats and Republicans to office without a clear set of goals. Instead we get a lot of – “I share your values” “I will fight for your rights” “Yadda, yadda, yadda”.
Lets outline a set of laws we want to see passed. Lets outline the change we want. Lets outline the reform we demand. Then lets find lawmakers who share our values and are willing to enact our legislation. Here are a few plans I would love to see included (edit as you see fit):
- My plan for tax reform
- My plan for health care reform
- My plan for immigration reform
- My plan for the environment and energy
After Newt left the House I felt as though the Republicans lost their way. With control of the House, Senate and White House we managed to get almost nothing accomplished. We didn’t balance the budget. We didn’t solve our energy issues. We didn’t tackle immigration. We didn’t institute tax reform. We might as well have had Democratic control; hell Bill Clinton was a better Republican than George Bush – don’t you think?
Rep Rangel: our tax system sucks!
August 28, 2009
Congressmen Rangel failed to report more than $1.3 million in income and that his is in arrears on his taxes for a New Jersey property for the past 15 years. Nightmare. Maybe Charlie will get on board with my tax reform plan.
